Amaro Talks Halladay, Martinez, World Peace, Etc.  —  Roy Halladay!  Roy Halladay!  Roy Halladay!  —  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke with reporters a few minutes ago at Citizens Bank Park.  He would not comment specifically about Halladay, who is available via trade.

BLUE JAYS RELEASE RYAN, ACTIVATE DOWNS  —  The Toronto Blue Jays gave reliever B.J. Ryan his unconditional release and activated left-hander Scott Downs from the 15-day disabled list and on Wednesday.  —  Ryan, 33, had appeared in 25 games this season, posting a 1-1 record with just two saves and an ERA of 6.53.

Bartolo Colon still slated to start minor-league rehab Thursday night  —  The White Sox have received assurances that disabled pitcher Bartolo Colon will make his first minor-league rehabilitation start as scheduled Thursday night for Triple-A Charlotte.  —  A Knights spokesman said Colon …

With enough from Burnett, Yanks roll on  —  Opportunistic offense sets up club's 12th win in 14 games  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Only a few pitches into Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Twins, it became apparent to Yankees catcher Jorge Posada that his starting pitcher, A.J. Burnett, had virtually no control over his curveball.

Sources: Rockies, BoSox explore trade options  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this  —  The Rockies have discussed a Garrett Atkins-for-Takashi Saito trade with the Red Sox …

Time running out for LA fans to help Kemp  —  Balloting for Final Vote ends at 1 p.m. PT on Thursday  —  NEW YORK — Only one day remains for Matt Kemp fans to show their support and vote for the Dodgers outfielder, who is one of five finalists in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote.

Kawakami pitches Braves past Cubs 4-1  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Kenshin Kawakami shut down the Chicago Cubs for six innings and shortstop Yunel Escobar made a run-saving defensive play in the eighth, helping preserve the Atlanta Braves' 4-1 victory Wednesday.  —  GAME REPORT: Braves 4, Cubs 1

Lopez leaves early, but feeling better  —  Righty out after five innings with shoulder inflammation  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies starter Rodrigo Lopez left Wednesday night's game against the Reds after five innings with right shoulder inflammation.  —  Lopez began feeling tightness in the fifth.

Putting the pieces together  —  Picked up pieces while waiting for 'Sheed to pick up his first “T.”  —  Until I saw the Dos Equis commercials, I thought Schill was the most interesting man in the world.  —  Wonder how many of the Tour de France leaders are cheating?

All-Star Wakefield gets AL-leading 11th win  —  BOSTON (AP) — First-time All-Star Tim Wakefield earned his AL-leading 11th victory, and David Ortiz homered and drove in four runs to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Oakland Athletics 5-4 Wednesday night.  —  GAME REPORT: Red Sox 5, Athletics 4

French fried: Tigers rookie outpitches Greinke, Detroit wins 3-1  —  DETROIT (AP) — Rookie Lucas French outdueled Zack Greinke and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Wednesday night.  —  French (1-0) beat Greinke in just his second career start, holding the Royals to one run and six hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Ramirez's injury puts All-Star start in peril  —  SAN FRANCISCO - At his media session before Wednesday's game against the Giants, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez kiddingly told a tardy reporter that he wasn't going to let ailing shortstop Hanley Ramirez play in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Nationals Are Swept Aside in Colorado  —  If ever there comes a day, years from now, when historians gather up the courage to revisit the 2009 Washington Nationals, perhaps they can begin and end their study with a quick, purposeful look at the 21 1/2 hours between 6:40 p.m. Tuesday and 4:14 p.m. Wednesday.

Tee-hee!  Junior dons one batting glove to honor Michael Jackson  —  strolled to the plate for his first at-bat Tuesday night, the sound system at Safeco Field grooved to Michael Jackson's “Billie Jean.”  —  Griffey's apparent tribute to the King of Pop, who was memorialized Tuesday, extended beyond the sonic.

Playing his heart out  —  Dmitri Young had a dream about a week ago, one of those clear-as-day dreams that become imprinted in your mind long after you've awoken and returned to reality.  He was back home in California, standing in the kitchen, when suddenly his mother approached him with some advice.

VICTORINO CLUTCH AS PHILLIES EDGE REDS  —  The Sports Network  —  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Shane Victorino singled in the game- winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Phillies a 3-2 victory over the Reds at Citizens Bank Park.