Strasburg Game Earns Record Ratings On MASN  —  Preliminary overnight Nielsen ratings show that the Nationals game on MASN has set a new record high rating for the network, earning a 7.1 HH rating as more than 165,000 households in the Washington region tuned in to watch an historic pitching performance.

Nats, Dunn begin extension talks  —  WASHINGTON — While he is not close to an extension, first baseman Adam Dunn said the Nationals and his agent, Greg Genske, talked while the team was in Houston playing a four-game series against the Astros last week.  —  According to Dunn …

M's expect Yankees to make Cliff bid  —  BALTIMORE — While starting pitching has been a Yankee strength, the Mariners believe the defending World Series champions will be in the hunt when Seattle shops stud lefty Cliff Lee.  —  “They want one of the [Yanks' minor-league] catchers and …

On Day 2, Phils put emphasis on pitching  —  Club focuses more on college players than prep stars  —  PHILADELPHIA — After selecting a local product with their only pick on Day 1, the Phillies had to wait a while before their turn came up again Tuesday.  While other teams …

Diamondbacks need infusion of credibility  —  Vultures seem to be circling the ballpark.  On some nights, Copper Square is a ghost town, with homeless people asleep on the curb of Chase Field.  Inside the building, the mood is toxic.  —  Something has to give.  Someone has to go.

Cubs send Ramirez to 15-day DL with hurt thumb … MILWAUKEE (AP) — Struggling Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday to rest his ailing left thumb in the midst of his season-long slump.  —  “Right now, I'm not helping the team, I'm not helping myself.

Big 12 in limbo as Nebraska joins Big Ten  —  Texas, Texas A&M prepare to meet to discuss plans  —  Nebraska has accepted an invitation to join the Big Ten and will announce its intentions on Friday, two people with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday.

Reds lead list of turnaround teams with eyes on October … One of the greatest underappreciated truths of wild card era baseball is that losers turn into playoff teams every year.  In the 15 years since baseball split into six divisions and allowed eight playoff entries …

Phillies select local product in first round  —  Left-hander Biddle starred in high school in Philadelphia  —  PHILADELPHIA — Jesse Biddle sold his talented left arm to the Phillies last Wednesday inside a mostly empty Citizens Bank Park.  —  If they liked him before, they loved him then.

Salome requests to be an OF  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  In yet another odd twist involving Brewers catching prospect Angel Salome, assistant general manager Gord Ash just told me that Salome has requested to move to the outfield.  —  In fact, Salome played right field …

Sizzling Cain notches shutout of Reds  —  Giants righty says catcher Molina a big part of success  —  CINCINNATI — Individual ballplayers are capable of remarkable feats.  But players working in concert can accomplish even more.  —  The Giants benefited from such a peerless pair Tuesday night …