Sosa, Mets outlast rain, Cubs in 8-1 win  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A three hour-plus rain delay couldn't dampen Jorge Sosa's stellar night.  —  Sosa pitched seven-plus innings of one-hit ball, David Wright had two RBIs and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Wednesday night …

Burnett's gem leads Jays to sweep  —  Right-hander throws a complete-game three-hitter  —  TORONTO — There are plenty of times when A.J. Burnett turns into a big kid inside Toronto's clubhouse.  He was at it again on Tuesday, running around the room with a toy gun and seeking out various targets for a stream of foam darts.

Beckett to miss Friday's start  —  Callup from Triple-A Pawtucket is yet to be determined  —  BOSTON — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett, who leads the Major Leagues with seven wins, will miss his Friday night start against the Braves because of the avulsion on his right middle finger …

Braves place Gonzalez on 15-day DL  —  Lefty's velocity dropped inexplicably in Tuesday's game  —  WASHINGTON — Mike Gonzalez still has no clue why he lost so much of his velocity during Tuesday night's game.  But for the next two weeks, he'll have the opportunity to rest his left arm.

Braun close to returning for Sounds  —  Third base prospect has wrist tendinitis  —  Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Ryan Braun, who has been "day to day" for nearly two weeks with wrist tendinitis, is close to returning to Class AAA Nashville's lineup, farm director Reid Nichols said Wednesday.

Lackey, Angels stifle Mariners 5-0  —  SEATTLE (AP) — John Lackey handcuffed the Seattle Mariners for six innings and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter in the Los Angeles Angels' 5-0 victory Wednesday night.  —  Lackey (6-3) was overpowering, retiring 14 straight batters …

Braves sale is approved  —  Liberty Media taking control of franchise from Time Warner  —  NEW YORK — The sale of the Atlanta Braves from Time Warner to Liberty Media was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball's owners at a special meeting on Wednesday.

Santo will shed no tears for Shea  —  Condemned stadium site of heartbreak for former Cubs star  —  NEW YORK — If Ron Santo appears to be in a particularly good mood Thursday, there's a good reason.  —  Barring unforeseen circumstances, it will be the final time the Cubs radio analyst sets foot …

Sabathia leads Indians over Twins 7-1  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — C.C. Sabathia pitched eight sharp innings and Trot Nixon drove in three runs to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 7-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.  —  Sabathia (6-1) allowed five hits, struck out five, walked one and hit a batter.

Former closer Percival thinking about return  —  Troy Percival is considering a comeback.  —  The four-time All-Star closer, who retired as an Angel on Opening Day, resumed throwing about a month ago and is serious about reviving his major-league career, according to his agent, Paul Cohen.

Brave World  —  Back on Top  —  Brian McCann looks at the standings today and smiles.  The Atlanta Braves are in first place in the National League East with a 25-14 record, a half-game ahead of the New York Mets.  However, when the Braves catcher thinks back to the final day of the 2006 season, he still feels sadness.

Mets finally put Alou on DL; Reyes tweaks hammy  —  NEW YORK — The Mets placed veteran outfielder Moises Alou on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left quadriceps after New York's 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.  —  The team called up Jason Vargas to start Thursday against the Cubs.

Sox washed out on wet Wednesday  —  Boston playing doubleheader with Detroit on Thursday  —  BOSTON — With Wednesday night's Fenway downpour causing a cancellation, the Red Sox and Tigers are now set up for a busy Thursday.  —  The first-place teams in the American League East and Central …

Doing Pennants  —  Steinbrenner can't pay too much for what he really wants  —  Professor J.C. Bradbury of Kennesaw State University in Georgia tells the Voice that Roger Clemens isn't worth it.  In his new book, The Baseball Economist, Bradbury calculates the value of a win in terms of revenue created.