Royals tabbed to host '12 All-Star Game  —  Kansas City awarded first Midsummer Classic since 1973  —  KANSAS CITY — After years of waiting, the Major League All-Star Game is a reality for Kansas City and the Royals.  —  Commissioner Bud Selig announced late Wednesday afternoon that the 2012 …

Future is now as prospect Alvarez joins Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen picked up a Pittsburgh newspaper to find a considerable chunk of the sports page devoted to the Pirates' long-awaited decision to recall top prospect Pedro Alvarez.

BUCK, WELLS HOMER TO LEAD JAYS OVER PADRES FOR SERIES WIN  —  SAN DIEGO — John Buck hit his third home run of the series, Vernon Wells also went deep and Fred Lewis had four hits as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Diego Padres 7-1 on Wednesday to take two of three.

Philadelphia Phillies speak to Pedro Martinez about possible comeback  —  NEW YORK — The Philadelphia Phillies have talked to Pedro Martinez and his agent about a possible comeback similar to last year, when the right-hander was a starting pitcher for the National League champions in August and into the postseason.

The Angels Are Still Clutch  —  The Angels are 36-32, in second place in the AL West, and two games behind first place Texas.  They are in that position despite having a below average offense (-10 wRAA), a below average defense (-19.3 UZR), and a below average pitching staff (4.33 FIP).

Hamilton HR, Young record hits lift Rangers  —  MIAMI — Now that he has the Texas Rangers' all-time hit record, Michael Young says he'd like to put it “out of reach.”  —  That task might not be too difficult for the perennial All-Star.  —  Young hit a two-run single in the eighth inning …

MOYER SHINES AND PHILLIES USE POWER TO DOWN YANKEES  —  The Sports Network  —  Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Jamie Moyer threw eight strong innings to help the Philadelphia Phillies take a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees in the second installment of a three-game interleague set.

New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez returns to lineup as DH  —  Alex Rodriguez, sidelined since Thursday with what the Yankees are calling a strained hip flexor and A-Rod is calling a sore groin, returned to the cleanup spot Wednesday night, although not as a third baseman but as a designated hitter.

MLB Club Sales  —  On Tuesday, a U.S. bankruptcy judge rendered no decision at a hearing that will determine the outcome in moving the Texas Rangers out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but not before making statements from the bench that appeared to side with the Rangers and MLB in their efforts …

Marlins Designate Renyel Pinto For Assignment  —  The Marlins have designated lefty reliever Renyel Pinto for assignment, tweets MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.  The move clears a roster spot for reliever Tim Wood, who was recalled from Triple-A.  —  Pinto, 27 next month, had a 2.80 ERA in 15.2 innings …

Chicago White Sox to push back Jake Peavy's start  —  Jake Peavy's up-and-down season took a downturn on Wednesday with the revelation that his next start will be pushed back because of arm trouble.  —  The right-hander was supposed to start Thursday against the Pirates, but Mark Buehrle will take his turn.

Buchholz, Sox good enough  —  Pedroia, Ortiz back righthander  —  The green shirts speckled the crowd, with periodic chants breaking out.  Those were, of course, more of the “Beat LA!” variety than “Beat Arizona!”  In many ways it seemed as if the crowd was ruing its decision to forsake …