Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg to face Cleveland Indians next … CLEVELAND — Coming off his sensational debut, Stephen Strasburg will make his first road start in the majors against the Cleveland Indians.  —  The Washington Nationals have confirmed that the 21-year-old will start Sunday at Progressive Field.

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 …

Masterson baffles ex-mates as Tribe rip Red Sox  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Masterson enjoyed Cleveland's eight-run eighth inning as much as his first career shutout.  —  Masterson beat his former team with a two-hitter and Travis Hafner hit a grand slam in the Indians' 11-0 rout of the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Rangers go Canadian in draft  —  Catcher Kellin Deglan from Langley, B.C. chosen 22nd, Outfielder Jake Skole picked 15th  —  This time, the Texas Rangers made sure their top draft picks didn't get away.  —  The Rangers agreed to terms Wednesday with both of their first-round draft picks and assigned them to the Arizona League.

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 …

CAIN PITCHES SHUTOUT AS GIANTS HANDLE REDS  —  The Sports Network  —  Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Matt Cain pitched the fourth shutout of his career as the San Francisco Giants topped the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0, in the second installment of a four-game series.