Cardinals Win, White Sox Bounce Indians

John Lackey wore a Cardinals 1985 World Series T-shirt as a 6-year-old growing up in Abilene, Texas, courtesy of an aunt then living in St. Louis.

The 36-year-old right-hander was a Rangers fan back then, but had no trouble adding the Cardinals to his short list of favorites. No doubt, he enjoyed beating the Kansas City Royals wearing a throwback uniform the teams wore in the I-70 Series.

"I have a picture of me in a World Series '85 T-shirt," Lackey said after the Cardinals won 4-3 Thursday night. "I'm kind of an old-school guy.

"I like the old uniforms -- they're sweet. They're a little bit hotter than the ones we have now, that's about the only thing."

Lackey threw seven strong innings after a shaky beginning and Trevor Rosenthal escaped his own jam in the ninth as the Cardinals won in the makeup of a rainout last month. Randal Grichuk and Matt Carpenter hit two-run homers.

White Sox 8, Indians 1

If Jeff Samardzija pitched for the final time in a Chicago uniform Thursday night, he went out on a high note. Samardzija (7-5), who has been the subject of trade rumors with the July 31 deadline approaching, allowed one run in eight innings and the White Sox rolled to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

"It's not really a big deal," he said of the rumors. "All I can do is go out and increase my value as much as possible and make both sides come out on top. The better I play the better the White Sox will get it return if they do trade me and it's better for me to go to a better situation, but that's out of my hands."

The right-hander allowed four hits, struck out three and didn't walk a batter. His offense provided him with plenty of help. Melky Cabrera homered from both sides of the plate while Alexei Ramirez and Adam Eaton also hit home runs, helping Chicago break a four-game losing streak

Kazmir Traded To Astros

Scott Kazmir is heading to his hometown Houston Astros and into the thick of a pennant race, and the Oakland Athletics are starting their summer sell-off.

The A's began their expected changes leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, sending the left-hander to the Astros for a pair of minor leaguers Thursday in what could be the first of many significant deals across the majors in the next week.

Oakland received sought-after catcher Jacob Nottingham and right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden in the swap with its AL West rival -- and the Astros got a top-tier starter as they chase a playoff berth in the season's second half. Houston hasn't been to the playoffs since being swept in the 2005 World Series by the Chicago White Sox when the Astros were still in the National League.

Pirates Acquire Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez is back where he once belonged. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired the veteran third baseman on Thursday, 12 years to the day after they sent Ramirez to the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates received the 37-year-old three-time All-Star in exchange for minor league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios.

Thursday, July 23 Scoreboard

New York Yankees 9, Baltimore 3

Seattle 3, Detroit 2 (F/12)

Minnesota 3, Los Angeles Angels 0

Toronto 5, Oakland 2

Pittsburgh 7, Washington 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 3, New York Mets 0

Chicago White Sox 8, Cleveland 1

St. Louis 4, Kansas City 3

Houston 5, Boston 4

Arizona 8, Milwaukee 3

Miami 4, San Diego 0

Friday, July 24 Schedule (All Times Central)

Philadelphia at Chicago, 3:05 p.m.

Washington at Pittsburgh, 6:05 p.m.

Detroit at Boston, 6:10 p.m.

Chicago at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Los Angeles at New York, 6:10 p.m.

Baltimore at Tampa Bay, 6:10 p.m.

Houston at Kansas City, 7:10 p.m.

New York at Minnesota, 7:10 p.m.

Atlanta at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m.

Cincinnati at Colorado, 7:40 p.m.

Milwaukee at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.

Texas at Los Angeles, 9:05 p.m.

Toronto at Seattle, 9:10 p.m.

Miami at San Diego, 9:10 p.m.

Oakland at San Francisco, 9:15 p.m.