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.

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 …

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 …

Johnson pitches Marlins past Pirates 3-2  —  PITTSBURGH (AP)—Welcome back, Josh Johnson  —  Johnson shook off a five-game winless streak to again be the effective pitcher he was earlier in the season, withstanding two solo home runs over eight innings to lead the Florida Marlins past the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron won't play again this season  —  BOSTON — Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron, who told ESPNBoston.com Tuesday night that he was reluctantly shutting down, will undergo season-ending surgery, manager Terry Francona confirmed Wednesday.

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.”

Andy Pettitte out until September  —  NEW YORK — New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte will not be ready to return to the mound until the first week of September at the earliest, and more likely the middle of the month, which could compromise his ability to be at his best for the postseason.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

Lackey, Red Sox look to stay perfect vs. Angels … John Lackey's first season with the Boston Red Sox hasn't gone exactly according to plan, but he's saved two of his best performances for his former team.  —  The right-hander has a chance to beat the Los Angeles Angels for the third …