Lefty Casey Crosby went 5 1/3 innings for his first Major League win as Miguel Cabrera aided the Tigers' offense with his 13th homer in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Indians at Comerica Park.

Aaron Harang pitched through a rough third inning, and the Dodgers erupted in the sixth inning to sweep a four-game series against the Phillies. It was L.A.'s first four-game sweep in Philadelphia.

It was another banner year for the Urban Youth Academy at the First-Year Player Draft, and another indication that Major League Baseball's efforts in the inner cities are working. More than 30 players with ties to a UYA were drafted over the last three days, and a few more came from the RBI program.

Fresh off a solid road trip against a couple of American League heavyweights, the Mariners return home to begin an Interleague series with the National League-leading Dodgers on Friday at Safeco Field.

Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey fired 7 1/3 shutout innings Thursday afternoon in a 3-1 victory over the Nationals. He has now compiled 24 2/3 straight scoreless innings over his past four outings and became the Major Leagues' first-nine game winner.

The Nationals received a scare Thursday afternoon when Bryce Harper appeared to aggravate his sore back late in a 3-1 loss to the Mets. Harper, repeatedly insisted after the game that he was fine.

A day after being examined by physicians and two days after lasting just two innings in his latest start, Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia landed on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain Thursday.

The Braves on Thursday signed first-round pick and Georgia native Lucas Sims, a right-hander selected 21st overall, for a signing bonus of $1.65 million.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and Jets quarterback Tim Tebow have teamed together to open a D1 Sports Training facility in Orlando, Fla.

The Houston Urban Youth Academy hosted a tryout camp for the Astros and 100 local kids on Thursday, and it will see a similar workout for local colleges next Friday.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced Thursday a series of changes to its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, one of which will make players who are suspended for violating the program ineligible for the following All-Star Game.

The Nationals activated right-hander Brad Lidge from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and placed right-hander Henry Rodriguez on the DL with a strained right index finger, retroactive to Wednesday.

The Rangers have placed Derek Holland on the disabled list and will start Alexi Ogando on Sunday against the Giants. Ogando was 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA for the Rangers as a starter last year, but has been pitching out of the bullpen this season.

John Smoltz will be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame and the 1992 National League champs will be recognized as part of Alumni Weekend at Turner Field.

The Phillies on Thursday placed infielder Freddy Galvis on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain and recalled fellow infielder Michael Martinez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Brandon Morrow blanked the White Sox on two hits Wednesday, making him the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1988 to have three shutouts on three hits or fewer through his team's first 56 games.

For Bryce Harper, it was only a matter of time before he got his shot in the big leagues. Rarely is breaking onto the scene that simple, though.