SEATTLE (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell is beginning to focus on evaluating Michael Vick’s future in the NFL. That doesn’t mean a decision will come any time before the 2009 regular season begins in September. Goodell said Thursday his decision on whether to reinstate the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, convicted on federal charges of […]

Eds: Astros 5, Royals 4. UPDATES. Berkman’s four RBIs lead Astros past Royals 5-4 KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) – Lance Berkman homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Houston Astros overcome an error-filled day and beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday. Berkman entered the game needing to […]

Eds: Tigers 6, Cubs 5. UPDATES. Ordonez’s HR lifts Tigers to 6-5 win against Cubs BY LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer DETROIT (AP) — Magglio Ordonez ended a career-long, 40-game drought without a home run by connecting for the go-ahead shot, leading the Detroit Tigers over the Chicago Cubs 6-5 Thursday for their seventh straight […]

Eds: APNewsNow. Rays 10, Phillies 4. Aybar leads Rays past Phillies ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Willy Aybar homered and drove in three runs as a replacement for an injured Evan Longoria on Thursday night, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 10-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the decisive game of a rematch […]

Eds: APNewsNow. Pirates 3, Indians 2. Pirates rally to beat Indians in ninth PITTSBURGH (AP) – Andrew McCutchen hit a game-ending bloop single to score Jack Wilson and give the Pittsburgh Pirates a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night. McCutchen, a top prospect recalled when the Pirates traded All-star Nate McLouth […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Whether it was nerves, rust or age – or a combination of the three – John Smoltz had a rough debut inning for the Boston Red Sox. The 42-year-old right-hander allowed four of the first five batters to score before settling down in his first major league game in more than a […]

Eds: UPDATES throughout. Struggling Rollins not to start at least 2 games ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Struggling Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be out of the starting lineup at least two games. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel made the announcement before Thursday’s game at Tampa Bay. Rollins is hitless in his last 19 at-bats. […]

Eds: Mariners 9, Padres 3. Optional. Suzuki gets Seattle started in 9-3 victory TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) – That soft bubble in the schedule the Seattle Mariners took advantage of during the last month to climb back above the .500 mark is done. Now comes the real challenge to see how long […]

Eds: White Sox 6, Dodgers 5, 13 innings. UPDATES. Podsednik hit leads White Sox past Dodgers CHICAGO (AP) – Scott Podsednik lined a two-out RBI single in front of diving center fielder Matt Kemp in the 13th inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. It […]