Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, hitless in eight at-bats in this series against the Rangers, was given the day off Thursday. Kosuke Fukudome, who has played in 44 consecutive games, because of team injuries, since being acquired from the Cubs, also had the day off.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he was impressed with the job Hector Sanchez did catching Tim Lincecum during San Francisco's 3-1 win over the Padres on Wednesday, and he wants to continue to find starts for the young backstop.

Giants closer Brian Wilson threw about 30 pitches to live hitters at Coors Field on Thursday, as he continues to rehab from inflammation in his right elbow.

After digesting the news that managing general partner and chief executive officer Bill Neukom would be retiring, effective Dec. 31, Giants manager Bruce Bochy's reaction was one of gratitude.

Houston's Player Development Department announced their 2011 Minor League Players of the Year on Thursday, naming infielder Jose Altuve the Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Jake Buchanan the Pitcher of the Year.

Luke Hochevar, the Royals' No. 1 starter, won't make his final two starts this season because manager Ned Yost believes the tall right-hander has pitched enough innings (198) in his 31 starts this year.

Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison has filed a grievance against his team for what he perceived to be a wrongful demotion to the Minor Leagues on Aug. 13, according to a report on Thursday.

Kyle Kendrick took a no-hitter into the fifth, finishing with one earned run, and the Phillies used two doubles in the first to beat the Marlins on Thursday in the opener of a doubleheader.

Left-hander Tommy Milone had a solid outing as the Nationals defeated the Mets, 10-1, at Citi Field on Thursday afternoon and swept the four-game series. Washington's last four-game sweep was in 2009 against the Braves.

Derek Holland has had impressive stretches before, including back-to-back shutouts against Seattle and Oakland on July 7 and 14, but those were not as positive for Rangers manager Ron Washington as the four quality starts Holland's turned in in his last four outings.

Even though Adrian Beltre's been hitting well, manager Ron Washington is more pleased with how he is managing his hamstring.

With just two weeks until the postseason, setup man Antonio Bastardo is going through some rough times. And though Charlie Manuel had predicted trouble for the young reliever earlier this season, he wasn't concerned after Thursday afternoon's 3-1 victory.

The Red Sox are pulling out all of the big guns for a four-game series with the Rays that kicked off at Fenway Park on Thursday.

While Matt Moore surrendered a two-run homer to Matt Wieters in his Major League debut Wednesday night in Baltimore, a palpable buzz remained about the prized 22-year-old left-hander — particularly where Joe Maddon is concerned.

After receiving a cortisone shot in his left shoulder on Tuesday, Jed Lowrie was not in Thursday's starting lineup against the Rays for the second straight game, but he'll be available off the bench if manager Terry Francona needs him.

It is possible that the Reds' Johnny Cueto has already made his final pitch of the 2011 season. He will definitely miss his next turn to start.

Several Mariners rookies got off to hot starts at the plate before cooling down and learning that success in the big leagues means making frequent adjustments.