Instant replay used for first time  —  Umpires take second look at A-Rod's homer in ninth inning  —  ST. PETERSBURG — History was made at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night, when instant replay was used for the first time in Major League history.  The play in question was a home run hit …

Harper: Without Willie, Mets make sweeping changes  —  MILWAUKEE - The subject of Willie Randolph was raised indirectly, although not incidentally, here Wednesday by Mets VP Tony Bernazard.  He was touting Carlos Delgado as a legitimate MVP candidate, ticking off the usual reasons - mechanics …

Andruw Jones has written off the season  —  With his knee still bothering him, he doesn't expect to break up the Dodgers' starting outfield.  —  With the Dodgers' outfield set, the regular season winding down and his knee swollen again, Andruw Jones said he had already started looking forward to next year.

JASON LOSES BOUT WITH BATHROOM DOOR  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Jason Giambi wishes he had a sexier story to explain the gash on the corner of his right eyelid that cause discoloring and swelling.  —  “I would like to have something to tell you, something like a fight or anything else,” Giambi said.

Dunn's double caps D-backs' comeback  —  Drew ignites ninth-inning rally against Cardinals with triple  —  PHOENIX — As he watched his team look listless in falling behind to the Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon, D-backs manager Bob Melvin sat in the dugout and began to jot down some notes.

CC now 2-for-2 in NL's monthly honors  —  Sabathia named best hurler for second consecutive month  —  MILWAUKEE — You won't see the Brewers appealing this decision: CC Sabathia is the National League's Pitcher of the Month for August.  —  Sabathia won the award Wednesday after a vote …

CC Sabathia's ad sells nothing but hype, Bill Livingston says  —  Cabathia thanked the fans he left behind and paid newspapers for the privilege when the Indians chose to get something for him rather than get jilted for nothing.  —  Tribe General Manager Mark Shapiro says he could re-sign Sabathia …

Towers, Hoffman to discuss return  —  Padres GM intends to approach closer before offseason  —  LOS ANGELES — The Padres won't wait until the offseason to approach closer Trevor Hoffman to see if he wants to pitch for San Diego in 2009.  —  General manager Kevin Towers said on Wednesday …

White Sox escape Cleveland with win  —  Long balls, Vazquez's strong work keep Chicago atop division  —  CLEVELAND — The White Sox ability to call their nine-game road trip a success vanished long before Wednesday's first pitch at Progressive Field.  —  But after Chicago snapped …

Angels right-hander Weaver cut by dugout bench  —  There are all kinds of ways to get hurt playing baseball.  Just ask Jered Weaver, who proved this week that even the comfort of the dugout bench is no safe refuge from danger.  —  The Los Angeles Angels right-hander managed to cut the tips …

Nelson's first hit is one to remember  —  Milwaukee (80-59) vs. San Diego (53-85), Thursday, 7:05 p.m. CT  —  MILWAUKEE — Brad Nelson has the game ball from his first Major League hit.  All he needs now is a place to display it.  —  “It might be time to move out of mom and dad's place …

Sizzling Guzman leads Nats over Phillies  —  WASHINGTON (AP)—The Washington Nationals will never want to sit Cristian Guzman again, not if he keeps hitting like this.  —  Guzman set a franchise season record Wednesday night with his eighth consecutive multihit game, capping …

Discomforting list now includes Harden  —  CUBS IN BRIEF  —  After three days of dancing around the questions and being sternly non-specific, Cubs manager Lou Piniella finally said Wednesday that starter Rich Harden has “discomfort” in his pitching arm, which is why the Cubs chose now to skip him a full turn in the rotation.