Samardzija's gem helps Cubs to victory over Cardinals

ST. LOUIS - The Cubs and Cardinals have played 20,321 games since 1876, but few have had stranger endings than Tuesday night's affair at Busch Stadium.

Cardinals fall to Samardzija and Cubs

By the time Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright righted his wayward mechanics before the start of the second inning Tuesday, it was already too late.

Giants escape Padres to end losing skid

Manager Bruce Bochy isn't afraid to acknowledge that the Giants are "fortunate" to be in as good of shape as they are in the NL West despite a prolonged rough stretch.

Tigers' bullpen better, but Leyland still tinkering

DETROIT - Now that the Tigers don't have a full-time closer, many of the their relievers are candidates to pitch in the ninth inning with a lead. Many, but perhaps not all.

Mariners defeat Angels in 10 innings

Navigating a bullpen minefield without his closer is something Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge had spent the past week dabbling in.

Twins eke past White Sox

Glen Perkins, a relief pitcher himself, instinctively stuck up for the relief pitcher.

White Sox' fade continues in setback to Twins

MINNEAPOLIS - The Chicago White Sox continue to give general manager Rick Hahn little reason not to break up their current 25-man roster.

Verlander and Tigers fall to Orioles

Justin Verlander did something Tuesday night he'd never done in any of his previous 119 career starts at Comerica Park.

Athletics continue dominance over Darvish in defeating Rangers

Yu Darvish has pretty much had his way in his first year and half in the major leagues.

Braves swept out at home

ATLANTA - Two Georgia boys had a big night Tuesday at Turner Field, but did it at the expense of the Braves.

Finding closer no easy task: Cubs failures point to difficulty

ST. LOUIS - The Chicago Cubs went through Carlos Marmol, Kyuji Fujikawa and a closer-by-committee strategy the first two weeks of the season before rescuing Kevin Gregg from the scrap heap in mid-April and watching him succeed in his old role.

Angels fall to Mariners after Morales puts hurt on former team

Just when it seemed Josh Hamilton's dismal season couldn't get any worse, the Los Angeles Angels right fielder grounded into three double plays and struck out twice Tuesday night in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners in Angel Stadium.

Pitcher safety against liners still issue for MLB

Cleveland Indians reliever Vinnie Pestano has a recurring dream. A batter hits a line drive right back up the middle and it's screaming toward his head. 1371628492 Photo Gallery Available

Los Angeles Angels' Josh Hamilton puts on his hat as he walks onto the field after the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Hamilton hits into 3 DPs as Angels lose to M's

Josh Hamilton has just about hit rock-bottom with the bat for the Los Angeles Angels. Photo Gallery Available

Recap: Atlanta vs. NY Mets

The New York Mets relied on their top two pitching prospects to sweep Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Recap: St. Louis vs. Chicago Cubs

Jeff Samardzija pitched into the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs take a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second of a four-game set.

San Francisco Giants' Sergio Romo celebrates after the final out is made against the San Diego Padres at the end of a baseball game Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in San Francisco. The Giants won the game, 5-4.

Padres have 7-game winning streak end

Jesus Guzman put the San Diego Padres in position to extend their winning streak and add yet another come-from-behind win. The good feeling did not last long. Photo Gallery Available

AL Capsules

Jonny Gomes hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, completing a doubleheader sweep.

NL Capsules

Zack Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday.

Recap: LA Angels vs. Seattle

Kendrys Morales drove in the winning run in the 10th inning to lead the Seattle Mariners in a 3-2 win over the LA Angels of Anaheim in the second of a four-game set. 1371628910

Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager, right, is greeted by teammate Raul Ibanez after he scored on a single by Kendrys Morales during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Morales lifts Mariners to 3-2 win over Angels

Kendrys Morales hit an RBI single in the 10th inning against his former team, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. Photo Gallery Available