As Adrian Gonzalez's at-bat dragged on, Tony Gwynn Jr. stood on second base, constantly checking out how deep center fielder Matt Kemp was playing. When Gonzalez hit a bloop one-out single that fell in just in front of Kemp, Gwynn took off for home, sparking the NL West-leading San Diego Padres to a 6-1 win over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Albert Pujols had the 20-inning marathon that the St. Louis Cardinals played against the Mets earlier this year in the back of his mind when he stepped to the plate in a tie game Wednesday night. It was already the 13th inning, and with a day game on the horizon, the big slugger wanted nothing more than to drive in a run and head for bed.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Kansas City Royals for a pair of minor leaguers Wednesday night, trying to replenish their outfield and boost their chances in the NL West. The trade was announced before Los Angeles played at San Diego. The Dodgers began the day five games behind the division-leading Padres.

The Astors have agreed to trade Roy Oswalt to the Phillies, according to a television report out of Houston.

Several teams are on the verge of falling out of pennant races, leaving fewer suitors for top players on the block.

Newly acquired Scott Podsednik will play left field for the Dodgers until Manny Ramirez is healthy.

Teams are lining up to take Ted Lilly off the hands of the Chicago Cubs for the rest of the season.

Adding Jhonny Peralta isn't a blockbuster move, but getting a solid veteran third baseman should help the Tigers.

"I think for us right now he can come in and play third base," GM Dave Dombrowski said of the acquisition of Peralta from division rival Cleveland. Detroit gave up Giovanni Soto, a low Class A lefty it drafted a year ago who showed some promise in his first full pro year.

"He'll give us some help. He's an experienced player," Dombrowski said of Peralta. "Then when Brandon (Inge) comes back he does give us some versatility, which is a plus for us, too. We're trying to do something to keep us in the race, help our ballclub."

Peralta was moved to third from shortstop but might play some short again when Inge returns to reclaim third.

Losing Inge,...

Tampa Bay starting pitcher Jeff Niemann was in control over six innings, guiding the Rays to a 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in the American League on Wednesday. Niemann (9-3) allowed eight hits in six innings, and Evan Longoria hit a two-run homer in the eighth. The Rays got out of a seventh-inning jam for the second consecutive game after intentionally walking Miguel Cabrera to load the bases...