Dustin Pedroia returning to Boston tomorrow; knee surgery possible  —  NEW YORK — Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston tomorrow to have his right knee examined and is facing the possibility of surgery that would sideline him for at least a month.

Hamels, Howard Lead Phillies Past Dodgers, 2-0  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels struck out nine in eight strong innings and Ryan Howard homered to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.  —  Hamels (8-2) allowed six hits and walked none …

Rizzo prepared to take on big league challenge  —  Padres top hitting prospect has accomplished much in short time  —  TUCSON — The temperature had already reached 103 degrees Saturday afternoon when Anthony Rizzo passed through an open door at Kino Stadium, trading the refuge …

Rangers draft paralyzed outfielder Johnathan Taylor  —  The Rangers used their 33rd-round pick Wednesday to draft University of Georgia outfielder Jonathan Taylor, who was paralyzed after an outfield collision in March and is considered unlikely to walk again.

Werth still hurting with ankle injury  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth was in the lineup Wednesday afternoon against the Giants, but he was a late scratch for the second day in a row because of a right ankle injury.  —  Werth hurt the ankle Monday in the eighth inning …

Jim Northrup, hero of 1968 champion Tigers, dies at 71  —  Jim Northrup was a Michigan native who grew up to become a hero to millions of Tigers fans.  —  Northrup, who tripled in the winning run in the Game 7 of the 1968 World Series, died today at 71.  According to a family spokesman …

Rangers beat Tigers, avoid being swept  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Alexi Ogando scattered six hits over 7 2-3 innings to remain unbeaten, Adrian Beltre homered, and the Texas Rangers avoided a three-game sweep by Detroit with a 7-3 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday night.

Freddie Freeman helps Braves beat Marlins 3-2 in 10  —  MIAMI - Freddie Freeman singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th inning Wednesday night, and the Atlanta Braves extended the Florida Marlins' losing streak to seven games by winning 3-2.  —  The Braves' Derek Lowe took a no-hitter into the seventh before he tired.

Bosley out as Rangers hitting coach  —  Thad Bosley, who was hired to be the Rangers hitting coach in the offseason, has been relieved of his duties.  Former Rangers player Scott Coolbaugh will replace Bosley.  —  The Rangers are second in the American League in batting average and fourth in runs scored …

Norris takes no-hitter into seventh, Astros beats Cards  —  HOUSTON — Bud Norris took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and teamed with Mark Melancon to hold the St. Louis Cardinals to two hits in the Houston Astros' 4-1 win Wednesday night.  —  Norris (4-4) pitched eight scoreless innings …

Orioles Beat Athletics 3-2 for 3-Game Sweep  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Zach Britton took a four-hitter into the seventh inning, Mark Reynolds homered, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the skidding Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night for a three-game sweep.

McCutchen leads off 12th with homer, Pirates beat D-Backs  —  PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen led off the 12th with a home run and the Pittsburgh Pirates reached .500 with a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.  —  McCutchen took a 3-2 pitch from Zach Kroenke (0-1) …