Dunn hammers hat trick of homers to lift Nats  —  Teammates want veteran slugger to remain with Washington  —  WASHINGTON — After Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn hit three home runs in a 7-6 victory over the Padres on Wednesday night at Nationals Park, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman …

Swish, Youk neck-and-neck; Votto in front  —  AL Final Vote a real horse race as balloting enters final day  —  Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher regained his lead over Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis by less than a percentage point on Wednesday, setting the stage for another suspenseful ending …

Sources: Cano pulls out of Home Run Derby  —  Robinson Cano won't have to worry about Home Run Derby hangover after all.  —  A source told the Daily News that the Yankees' All-Star second baseman has decided not to take part in the event next Monday.  —  The decision comes …

Shoulder injury puts Peavy on disabled list  —  White Sox righty suffers detached latissimus dorsi muscle  —  CHICAGO — At the time of Tuesday night's solemn postgame interview, Jake Peavy did not want to go into great detail concerning the severity of his arm injury suffered during …

Rangers, Mariners discussing deal for Lee  —  ARLINGTON — Trade discussions between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners appear to be heating up over pitcher Cliff Lee, according to industry sources.  —  There is nothing imminent, there are plenty of other teams still involved and Lee …

McCann, Prado powers Braves over Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA—Brian McCann hit a go-ahead three-run double during a six-run sixth inning, Kris Medlen pitched neatly into the seventh and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-5 on Wednesday night.  —  Martin Prado had a pair …

Sluggers launch season-high 47 homers  —  A first half marked by dominant pitching performances — to the extent that 2010 has been dubbed the second installment of the Year of the Pitcher — took a notable turn in favor of hitters on Wednesday.  —  Led by Adam Dunn's three blasts …

Arroyo outpitches Niese, homers helps Reds win  —  NEW YORK—Bronson Arroyo outpitched Jonathon Niese in a crisp duel, and the Cincinnati Reds used two more long balls and a few fine plays in the field to beat the New York Mets 3-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Chris Heisey hit a tiebreaking shot …

Burnett finally wins again, Yankees sweep A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer to help A.J. Burnett win for the first time in more than five weeks, and the New York Yankees completed a sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 6-2 victory Wednesday night.

Tigers sweep Orioles with 4-2 victory  —  DETROIT—Max Scherzer pitched seven solid innings and Danny Worth hit his first homer, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 on Wednesday night.  —  The AL Central-leading Tigers swept the three-game series.

Ellsbury to Toronto, then Fort Myers  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Red Sox have finalized Jacoby Ellsbury's upcoming rehab schedule.  The center fielder, who has been working out at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz., for the last month, will work out under the supervision of the Red Sox this weekend in Toronto.

Dollars, D'backs, Gunslinger  —  When the Padres signed Chris Young to a four-year, $14.5-million contract in April 2007, they also purchased disability insurance on the contract.  So, conceivably, depending on how much of the contract was insured, the Padres could recoup a portion …