Even Ichiro Suzuki is not quite sure how to properly evaluate the milestone that he is quickly approaching, ticking off the necessary hits to reach 4,000 for his professional career. Yet he and his peers recognize that it will be a historic, significant moment to appreciate.

Down the stretch they come! At baseball’s quarter pole, the excitement of the pennant races is only beginning. Be prepared for a photo finish or two, and untold moments of heartbreak and joy.

Zack Wheeler settled for a no-decision despite striking out 12 Padres in a dominant six innings, but Marlon Byrd’s two-run double in the eighth allowed the Mets to take advantage and end their three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win in San Diego.

On Thursday, Alex Cobb took the mound against the Mariners at The Trop, his first outing since his June injury. The righty allowed just one run in five frames and was backed by Wil Myers’ four RBIs in the Rays’ 7-1 win.

Major League Baseball announced intentions to expand the use and style of its instant replay system on Thursday, and big league players and managers — for the most part — offered a collective vow of support.

With Matt Holliday’s RBI single to center in the 12th inning, the Cardinals earned a 6-5 win over Pittsburgh to salvage a series victory — their first of the year against the Pirates — to creep back within two games of the division lead.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig knows there’s a perception that the 211-game suspension handed to Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a personal element to it. Selig also knows there’s nothing he can do about that.

Major League Baseball took a giant step toward expanded instant replay Thursday on the final day of the quarterly Owners Meetings, and there will be a formal vote on the issue in November.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas, out with a calf injury, has recovered to the point he could be used as a pinch-hitter if needed.

Adrian Gonzalez delivered a walk-off double to score Yasiel Puig in the 12th inning Wednesday night as the Dodgers rallied from four runs down to beat the Mets, 5-4, and extend their win streak to eight games.

Robbie Grossman’s game-saving catch in the 10th inning and Carlos Corporan’s RBI double in the 11th gave the Astros their second straight win over the A’s on Wednesday night in Oakland.

Matt Garza allowed a pair of homers in 5 2/3 innings to put the Rangers behind, but Ian Kinsler’s two-run single capped a three-run rally in the seventh inning to give the Rangers a 5-4 win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Jason Heyward’s first career leadoff home run sparked the early offensive eruption that provided Brandon Beachy some comfort and propelled the Braves to Wednesday night’s 6-3 win over the Phillies at Turner Field.

A’s manager Bob Melvin was ejected from Wednesday night’s matchup with the Astros at the Oakland Coliseum after arguing a call with second-base umpire Doug Eddings after the third out of the eighth inning.

While Denard Span said his game-saving catch Wednesday vs. the Giants was one of the best of his career, the Nationals have seen a lot of that from the superlative center fielder.

Matt Joyce delivered the tying hit and scored on Jason Bourgeois’ single as the Rays rallied for a 5-4 walk-off win over the Mariners on Wednesday night to even the series and end their six-game skid.

Outfielder Denard Span has been inconsistent at the plate, but he is one of the best center fielders in the game and it was his glove that helped the Nationals edge the Giants, 6-5, on Wednesday evening at Nationals Park.