Fenway firepower cements Sox sweep  —  Each starter collects at least one hit in 23-hit attack on Twins  —  BOSTON — Just call it the Boston tee-off party.  How else to describe the utter destruction done by the Red Sox's offense in an 18-5 romp over the Twins on Wednesday?

Door suddenly open for Mets to redeem themselves  —  Their one and only All-Star Game participant was handed to them on the electoral vote, and today they might sneak another player in on the popular vote.  Yet it really doesn't matter all that much that the Mets won't be well represented Tuesday in the Midsummer Classic.

Olsen comes close to complete game in Marlins' victory  —  SAN DIEGO — Scott Olsen dropped his head, turned and headed back to the dugout Wednesday.  —  Never before had a pitcher been so disappointed to see a teammate draw a walk to load the bases.  —  It was the top of the ninth and the Marlins had a three-run lead.

RHP Harden joins Cubs from Athletics  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Rich Harden's baseball career took a major detour, and when he arrived at Wrigley Field a bit sleep deprived Wednesday he felt several emotions.  —  He'd gone from the West Coast to the Midwest, from the American League to the National …

Bob Sheppard not able to be at All-Star Game  —  Bob Sheppard, whose deep and unmistakable voice has announced the action at Yankee Stadium for 57 years, said yesterday that he is not feeling well enough to announce the upcoming All-Star Game in the Bronx.  —  “I am not going to be physically able …

Cardinals starter Mulder leaves game  —  Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder left his comeback start against the Philadelphia Phillies after throwing only 16 pitches and recording one out in the first inning on Wednesday night.  Mulder, coming back from two shoulder operations …

Quentin's HRs rally ChiSox from 5 down  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Carlos Quentin's towering home runs kept Chicago close, then the White Sox went ahead without so much as a pitch being thrown.  —  Fighting back from a 5- deficit Wednesday night, the White Sox scored the go-ahead run …

Hal Steinbrenner disappointed in Yanks' season  —  NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner emerged from a closed-door meeting in manager Joe Girardi's office Wednesday to say he was disappointed in the New York Yankees' performance this year yet reluctant to trade prospects for veterans in hopes of a spark.

Breaking down the draft: Picks 27-35  —  Today, we look at picks 27-35.  As a reminder, here are the previous articles in this series:  —  THT Draft Primer  —  Breaking Down the Draft: Part One  —  Breaking Down the Draft: Picks 18-26  —  With that out of the way, let's get started:

Angels give it away in the ninth inning  —  Francisco Rodriguez blows his second save opportunity of the season when Josh Hamilton hits a two-run walk-off home run to cap a three-run rally for the Rangers.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Francisco Rodriguez needed only four pitches Wednesday to know something was wrong.

Not a joke: Alou gets hurt again  —  NORWICH, Conn. - A dejected Moises Alou removed himself from a rehab start with Double-A Binghamton after six innings Wednesday night, sidetracking plans for him to rejoin the Mets Friday for their series opener against the Rockies.

Byrnes may avoid hamstring surgery  —  Gonzalez also considering going with non-surgical approach  —  WASHINGTON — Outfielder Eric Byrnes is leaning towards taking a non-surgical approach to recovering from his torn left hamstring, but even if that were to be successful he would still likely miss the rest of the 2008 season.