Lincoln gets first win for Pirates  —  CHICAGO—Brad Lincoln pitched seven strong innings for his first major league win, Garrett Jones had a key RBI double and the Pittsburgh Pirates continued their mastery of the Chicago Cubs with a 2-0 victory Wednesday.  —  The last-place Pirates have beaten the Cubs nine times in 12 meetings.

Bruce's HR sends Reds over Phillies 4-3  —  CINCINNATI—Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Roy Halladay, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to yet another win in their final at-bat Wednesday, 4-3 over the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  Joey Votto also homered off Halladay (9-7) …

Yankee Fan On Cellphone Catches Ground Rule Double With His Face  —  Ever get stuck next to the guy in your section who won't get off his cellphone?  Well, this video is for you.  If you're the one calling, hang up and pay attention....unless you want a Rawlings to the face.  More »

Montero, Nunez and Albaladejo named Triple-A all-stars  —  Three Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have been named to the International League all-star team.  —  SS Eduardo Nunez (who leads the league in hits) and RHP Jonathan Albaladejo (who leads in saves) were each elected to the team.

Red Sox, despite injuries, pound Rays 8-5  —  BOSTON (AP)—It was up to James Shields  —  with first base open, or walk him to pitch to Kevin Youkilis  —  Shields picked Ortiz.  —  What he did next was an even bigger mistake.  —  Shields grooved the first pitch, and Ortiz hit …

Gibson  —  Bob Gibson smiles hard.  It's about to happen again.  Over the years, Gibson has learned to tell when someone is about remind him how ferocious ... heartless ... intimidating he used to be.  He has learned to brace himself for those peppy, 'You were vicious!" compliments …

Hughes Rules take toll as Phil rocked  —  Bombers believe in limiting young righty's innings — short-term effects be damned … NEW YORK — The counterargument to the screamers who hate the Phil Hughes Rules will stand on a mound 3,000 miles away from the one in the Bronx on which Hughes imploded Tuesday night.

The many unexpected performers  —  Tigers' Brennan Boesch and Braves' Martin Prado among several first-half surprises  —  Lots of spring training scenarios have played out according to expectations in April, May and June.  The Yankees, Rays and Red Sox are duking it out at the top of the American League East.

Different approach helps South Carolina bring home first title  —  OMAHA — The South Carolina teams that made three appearances in the College World Series earlier this decade were known for big-swinging offenses.  The Gamecocks who claimed the school's first baseball title Tuesday night …

Marcus Thames getting closer  —  It might not have made a difference, but last night would have been a good time for the Yankees to have Marcus Thames.  With a left-hander on the mound, Thames could have started at designated hitter and beefed up the lineup a little bit.  Instead, he was in Pawtucket.

Despite sitting, Gardner ‘a lot better’  —  Yankees outfielder's right wrist injury improving with rest  —  NEW YORK — Brett Gardner was out of the Yankees' starting lineup on Tuesday, as he nurses a right wrist contusion suffered when he was hit by a Clayton Kershaw fastball in the third inning …

Florida Marlins to keep interim manager Edwin Rodriguez for season  —  The Florida Marlins have decided to keep interim manager Edwin Rodriguez for the rest of this season.  —  Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told the team before its game in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday night that Rodriguez …