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.

Ibanez, Worley lead Phillies over Red Sox  —  PHILADELPHIA—Raul Ibanez hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh, Vance Worley pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Wednesday night.  —  In a series billed as a World Series preview …

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 …

Chipper gets two days to rest ailing knee  —  SEATTLE — With his right knee ailing again, Chipper Jones once again finds himself hoping to avoid undergoing arthroscopy surgery.  —  But the Braves third baseman understands that it will be August before he is permitted to receive another cortisone injection.

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 …

Carpenter, Cardinals beat Orioles 5-1  —  BALTIMORE—Chris Carpenter scattered seven hits for his second complete game of the season and Colby Rasmus homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Carpenter (3-7) threw a season-high 132 pitches …

Hairston day to day after taking pitch to hands  —  ANAHEIM — Jerry Hairston left Wednesday's game against the Angels in the fifth inning after a Dan Haren pitch struck him on the hands.  Hairston writhed in pain, even dropping to a knee at one point.  He is listed as day to day with a contusion in his right hand.

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 …

Former Angels infielder David Eckstein has not retired; he just chose not to play  —  David Eckstein is not playing baseball this season, but the scrappy 36-year-old infielder who helped the Angels win the 2002 World Series and won World Series MVP honors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 has not officially retired.

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.

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 …

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.