A League Of Its Own … By the early 1980s writer-director David S. Ward should have been a happy man.  At 29, he'd won an Oscar for writing the Robert Redford—Paul Newman con man caper The Sting.  He was at the top of his profession—the sort of bankable storyteller with whom every movie studio wanted to do business.

Ryan Franklin released by Cardinals  —  BALTIMORE — The Cardinals have released one-time closer Ryan Franklin.  —  The team has yet to make an announcement about a corresponding move.  This story will be updated when the move occurs.  —  Franklin (1-4, 8.46 ERA, nine homers allowed in 27.2 innings) …

No structural damage for Josh Johnson  —  MIAMI (AP)  —  An MRI exam shows Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson has no structural damage in his ailing right shoulder.  —  Johnson has been out since May 16.  His agent, Matt Sosnick, says the right-hander had an MRI on Wednesday and was examined …

Top White Sox pick tweets of imminent signing  —  CHICAGO — Keenyn Walker is close to becoming a member of the Chicago White Sox organization ... or at least that's what his Twitter post would indicate.  —  Walker, the White Sox's top pick in the 2011 First-Year Player …

Sabean shoots down rumor that Giants are talking to Dodgers about reacquiring Juan Uribe, plus other pregame notes (28)  —  UPDATE: GM Brian Sabean just called up to the press box to shoot down this rumor.  He told PR man Jim Moorehead to relay to me that he has not talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti in weeks.

Nats sign Romero to AAA contract  —  The Nationals have signed veteran left-hander J.C. Romero to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Class AAA Syracuse, according to a club source.  —  Romero, 35, was designated for assignment by the Phillies on June 16 after losing his late-inning role …

Red Sox put Papi at 1st, Gonzalez in OF in Philly  —  PHILADELPHIA — As expected, David Ortiz is playing first base and Adrian Gonzalez has moved to right field for the Boston Red Sox's interleague game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.  —  After Tuesday night's game …

Cubs Release Doug Davis  —  The Giants have had a lot of trouble scoring this year, so giving up ten runs to them looks especially bad, even though they're defending World Series champions.  Doug Davis did just that yesterday and today he has lost his roster spot.

A.J. takes mound, looks to snap skid … The New York Yankees extended their past success against one of the Milwaukee Brewers' new starters from the AL.  The odds are in their favor that they will do so against another one.  —  The Yankees have enjoyed facing Shaun Marcum in the past …

Buchholz unlikely to return before All-Star break  —  PHILADELPHIA — Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz conceded before Wednesday night's game against the Phillies that there's a strong chance his next start won't come until after the All-Star break.  —  Thanks to a lower back strain, Buchholz hasn't pitched since June 16.

Baker Fans 9 as Twins Beat Dodgers 1-0  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Scott Baker struck out nine while pitching neatly into the eighth inning and Ben Revere had two hits to help the Minnesota Twins to a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.  —  Baker (6-5) allowed six hits and walked …

Indians take rubber match over Diamondbacks  —  PHOENIX — Carlos Carrasco allowed four hits in seven innings and the Cleveland Indians beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 on Wednesday to take two of three in the interleague matchup.  —  Orlando Cabrera, who delivered the deciding home run …

Hartnett: Why The New Yankee Stadium Will Never Feel Like Home  —  The new Yankee Stadium is most definitely a stunning palace that can rival any professional sporting arena worldwide.  It is a majestic beast of a building that is everything the late George M. Steinbrenner III envisioned it to be.

Harper: Prince or Tex, why not both?  —  Up in the press box, a major league scout was watching Prince Fielder flick line drives into the right field seats during batting practice Tuesday, the Brewers' star first baseman making home runs look practically effortless.

Double Play Is Costly as Blue Jays Fall to Pirates  —  TORONTO (AP) — Trailing by a run in the late innings, the Blue Jays had the bases loaded and their hottest hitter at the plate.  —  Adam Lind hit a smash, but instead of producing a winning hit, it turned into an inning-ending double play.