The first rule of September callups league-wide appears to be that the needs of the big club come first, regardless of any postseason action elsewhere. But in situations where need might not be so clear cut — say, for a team out of the playoff hunt — the decision to keep a Minor League team together or bring guys up enters more of a grey area.

Albert Pujols hits homer No. 30, making him the only player in history to hit at least 30 long balls in his first 12 seasons

Manny Machado’s RBI single scored Adam Jones in the 14th inning to give the Orioles a 3-2 victory over the Rays on Thursday at Camden Yards. The win also moved the O’s into first in the AL East, a half-game ahead of the Yankees, who play the Red Sox tonight.

Jered Weaver provided seven shutout innings Thursday in his first start back from biceps tendinitis, leading the Angels to a much-needed 6-0 victory that snapped the A’s six-game winning streak.

Dustin Pedroia was getting ready to take his position at second base for the seventh when manager Bobby Valentine gave him the news: his wife, Kelli, was in labor at a nearby hospital.

Yes, the A’s are starting to run away with the top AL Wild Card spot, but their record is good enough to be a first-place team in every division but their own — and they are hot on the trail of the mighty Rangers.

Nate McLouth’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth gave the Orioles a 3-2 walk-off win over the Rays on Wednesday night in front of 26,076 at Camden Yards.

A 3-2 walk-off win on Nate McLouth’s RBI single off the right-field wall, granted Baltimore a series win and ensured the high-flying club maintained a share of the American League East division lead.

Three Red Sox were thrown out of a 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, a parade of exits that began with a fully ignited Cody Ross. The next to go, manager Bobby Valentine, became a club record-holder for ejections in a season.

Astros relief pitcher Mickey Storey was understandably relieved after Wednesday night’s 5-1 loss vs. the Cubs after a line drive that struck him on the right side of his face resulted in only a bruise to his jaw and his right hand.

The Phillies are suddenly rampaging toward a possible National League Wild Card berth, and Shane Victorino is watching with keen interest from 3,000 miles away while he tries to help the Dodgers make the postseason.

Derek Jeter grimaced and was hobbled after lunging for first base during the Yankees’ 5-4 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park, unable to persuade manager Joe Girardi to keep him in the game.

Rickie Weeks hit a three-run homer to get things started as the Brewers scored eight runs in the fifth inning and beat the Braves, 8-2, on Wednesday at Miller Park.

Jason Heyward hit a solo shot in the first as the Braves took an early lead, but the Brewers scored eight runs in the fifth to hand Atlanta an 8-2 loss on Wednesday at Miller Park.

With a little more than three weeks left in his storied career, Chipper Jones has joined an elite group that previously only included Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.

It was supposed to be Stephen Strasburg’s last start of the 2012 season, because he was on an innings limit, on Wednesday. However, manager Davey Johnson ended Strasburg’s season one start early and decided that John Lannan would get the start in the series finale against the Mets.

Adrian Beltre left the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Indians on Wednesday with a strained left shoulder, Josh Hamilton was lifted with a sore right knee and Mike Olt exited with an inflamed right heel.