Soriano leaves after being hit by pitch  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Alfonso Soriano could miss up to six weeks with a broken left hand after the Chicago Cubs star was hit by a pitch Wednesday night against Atlanta.  —  Soriano was hit in the second inning by Jeff Bennett.

ALOU BACK ON BENCH, AGAIN  —  INJURED CALF SHELVES METS OUTFIELDER  —  Moises Alou, activated from the disabled list Tuesday, was back on the Mets' bench again tonight after hurting the same left calf that forced him out of action last month.  —  And prior to the game …

Nationals' manager Acta says rift with Dukes over  —  PITTSBURGH — A day after going face-to-face in a somewhat heated argument in the dugout, Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta said there was no rift between him and young outfielder Elijah Dukes.  —  “That's yesterday's news …

Colon gets 150th win, Red Sox defeat O's  —  BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox got five runs in the first inning, another strong outing from the rejuvenated Bartolo Colon and one more win in friendly Fenway Park.  —  They even got a three-run homer from an ailing Jason Varitek.

Beltran's blast in 13th bails out Mets' Wagner  —  Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey, left, gives Jose Reyes a pat on the back after Reyes fielded Arizona's Chad Tracy grounder for the third out in the third inning.  (Newsday Photo / Kathy Kmonicek / June 11, 2008)  —  The Mets feel the pain, too.

Karstens activated, Cox placed on the DL  —  As expected, Jeff Karstens has been activated from the disabled list to start tonight's game in Richmond.  Coming as much more of a surprise, J.B. Cox has been placed on the seven-day disabled list retroactive to Sunday.

Gibbons to join Atlantic League  —  Ex-Orioles outfielder expects to sign with New York- or New Jersey-based team  —  Former Orioles outfielder and club MVP Jay Gibbons will return to professional baseball next week with a team in the independent Atlantic League.

Yanks may seek more funding for stadium  —  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)—New York City officials confirmed Wednesday that the New York Yankees may be interested in seeking more public financing to build their new stadium, pending a regulation change by the IRS.  —  The team stressed, however …

Bradley goes after Royals TV announcer  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Milton Bradley stormed out of the Texas Rangers clubhouse after an 11-5 victory Wednesday night over Kansas City and bounded up four flights of stairs looking for Royals television announcer Ryan Lefebvre.

David Ortiz becomes US citizen  —  David Ortiz is a legendary slugger whose swing has made him an iconic part of the national pastime.  But it was not until today that the Dominican-born designated hitter could call himself a US citizen.  —  Ortiz was one of 227 immigrants who raised …

What's the deal with Sabathia?  —  Lots of talk around baseball that Cleveland will trade C.C. Sabathia during the season rather than letting him walk as a free agent.  The idea is that the Indians would rather get two or three prospects now than two draft picks next June.

Hank to wield poison pen?  —  Chien-Ming Wang throws to first base in an attempt to pick off Jack Hannahan during the first inning of Tuesday night's game in Oakland, which the Yankees won, 3-1.  (AP Photo/Ben Margot) / June 10, 2008)  —  Hank Steinbrenner, magazine columnist?  —  Well, why not?

A's drill Yankees 8-4, ruin Darrell Rasner's homecoming  —  OAKLAND - Darrell Rasner grew up in Carson City, Nev., a 3-1/2-hour drive from Oakland.  He spent many teenage hours in the stands here, watching the A's and dreaming of the majors.  —  About 25 relatives and friends made the trek …

Ankle injury forces Jurrjens to skip start  —  Right-hander could join three other starting pitchers on DL  —  CHICAGO — Whenever it seems like things can't get any worse for the Braves, they do.  Thus, it should come as no surprise that a fourth member of their original projected starting rotation …

Bondy: Days off would be new approach for team's old guard  —  OAKLAND - More than two months into the season, Joe Girardi looks a lot like Joe Torre.  Girardi, too, will always go first and often to his old reliables, before foraging elsewhere on the bench or in the bullpen.