JJ returns to form as Marlins best Bucs  —  PITTSBURGH — Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson and Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf hooked up in a pitchers' duel on Wednesday night at PNC Park.  The Marlins prevailed 3-2.  —  Johnson bounced back from his worst outing of the season …

Ozzie fires back at critics over Thome's departure  —  Jim Thome acknowledges the crowd's cheers.  (REUTERS / Eric Miller)  —  MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen fired back at critics who still can't stomach the departure of Jim Thome, who hit a two-run walkoff home run Tuesday night …

Livan Hernandez's unique season rolls on  —  The statistical cocktail brewed up by Livan Hernandez this year is becoming more and more remarkable all the time.  Last night, he allowed nine hits and walked two and struck out one.  Of course, then, he surrendered two earned runs in seven innings …

Open for discussion: Beltre's future  —  Adrian Beltre is on a pace that would see him finish the season with 31 homers and 112 RBIs.  He is hitting .328 and has a Red Sox-approved OBP of .366.  —  The guy is a wizard at third base, plays hurt and plays hard every second he's on the field.

Pirates agree to terms with Mexican pitcher Heredia  —  The Pirates early this morning agreed to terms with 16-year-old pitching prospect Luis Heredia of Mexico on a $2.6 million bonus, the biggest payout in franchise history for an international amateur.  —  In Mexico, the team owning …

Heyward's hit gives Braves another last at-bat win  —  ATLANTA—The Atlanta Braves did it again in their final at-bat, beating the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Jason Heyward's run-scoring single in the ninth inning Wednesday night.  —  The Braves won for the 21st time in their final swing, which leads the majors.

BLUE JAYS SEND ARENCIBIA DOWN TO TRIPLE-A LAS VEGAS  —  The Toronto Blue Jays optioned rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia back to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday following their 5-4 loss to the Oakland A's.  —  The move had been planned to coincide with the return of catcher John Buck …

Venezuela's Chávez Has Advice for Rodriguez  —  From one famous Venezuelan to another came a reassuring phone call this week.  —  Venezuela's president, Hugo Chávez, a fan and a friend of the embattled Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, said he reached out on Sunday to the pitcher known in his native country as El Kid.

THE NEWS KEEPS COMING  —  News Item: DOPE HEAD FORESEES BASEBALL'S DOOM Maybe that should be “head doper,” but John Fahey has said such dopey things “dope head” it shall be.  John Fahey is the chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the body of steroids zealots who have appointed themselves …

Lindstrom placed on 15-day DL  —  Lindstrom goes on DL  —  The Astros placed righthander Matt Lindstrom on the 15-day disabled list following Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.  —  “We need to get him right,” Astros manager Brad Mills said.  —  Lindstrom is coming off three rough outings …

Reds rally for 11-7 win over D'Backs  —  PHOENIX—Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey laid down a perfect squeeze bunt, driving in Jim Edmonds with the go-ahead run from third base with one out in the top of the ninth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7 on Wednesday night.

Rockies' Hawpe clears waivers; likely last game with team  —  After clearing waivers with the Rockies, will Brad Hawpe be traded?  (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)  —  LOS ANGELES — As predicted, Brad Hawpe cleared waivers today, a procedural move that has set the stage for the Rockies to release Hawpe either tonight or tomorrow.

Reds offer Baker an extension  —  The Reds have offered Dusty Baker a contract extension.  —  “We just got the proposal a few days ago,” Baker said.  “We're still evaluating it.”  —  Baker wouldn't say if it's a one-year or multi-year extension.  —  “I've got to look at where were going,” he said, “and what I want to do.”

Rollins paces Phillies to victory over Giants  —  The Sports Network  —  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Jimmy Rollins' three-run homer capped a four-run fourth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies widened the gap in the NL Wild Card race with an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Mets outlast Astros 3-2 in 14 innings  —  HOUSTON—Jose Reyes matched a season high with four hits and scored on a sacrifice fly by slumping Ike Davis in the 14th inning to give the New York Mets a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.  —  After Geoff Blum hit a tying home run …

Sox, Cuban prospect Ibarra renegotiated deal after failed physical  —  According to industry sources, Red Sox catcher Adalberto Ibarra signed a minor league deal for a bonus in line with a late-sandwich pick in the draft, between $700,000 and $800,000.  —  Ibarra had originally agreed …