Ballbug: Reds blow eight-run lead but beat Cardinals in 13th inning (Associated Press)

Ellsbury, Youkilis HRs back Wakefield in 6-4 win — BOSTON (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis had three extra-base hits apiece, and Tim Wakefield scattered nine hits in seven innings to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 6-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Boston Herald, Boston Globe and TSN.ca

Pregame news: Lester to DL — Jon Lester was scheduled to have an MRI this afternoon, but regardless of what the test shows, he's heading to the disabled list, Sox manager Terry Francona said at his press conference moments ago. — Lester is being replaced on the roster by Scott Atchison who will be used out of the bullpen.

Discussion: HardballTalk, Fenway West, Over the Monster and Surviving Grady

Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Jon Lester put on disabled list by Boston Red Sox

Discussion: Boston Globe and joy of sox

MLB.com:

Bucs decison-makers prep for Trade Deadline — PITTSBURGH — General manager Neal Huntington led a meeting on Wednesday in which manager Clint Hurdle and other key decision makers in the organization discussed the team's outlook approaching the July 31 Trade Deadline.

Discussion: MLB Rumors

Discussion: Bucs Dugout and MLB Rumors

Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' Bruce Bochy criticizes the criticizers

Discussion: Bucs Dugout and HardballTalk

Associated Press:

Reds blow eight-run lead but beat Cardinals in 13th inning — ST. LOUIS — The Cincinnati Reds avoided a lot more than just your garden variety three-game sweep. — Bronson Arroyo and the bullpen squandered an eight-run, fifth-inning lead. The offence stalled, too …

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and Red Reporter

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Brian Erni / MetsBlog.com:

Final Score: Mets 5 Dodgers 3 — The New York Mets (43-40) defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers (37-51) tonight by a score of 5-3. — For a complete box score and game recap, check out SNY.TV. — The Least You Should Know: — Jon Niese (8-7) threw seven innings and allowed three runs …

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:

Heyman talks about Reyes, Beltran and K-Rod — SI.com's Jon Heyman was on WFAN this morning and said, he believes, the Mets will keep Jose Reyes through the trade deadline, after which they'll make him an offer on a long-term contract. — Also, he added, “I think it's less and less likely Carlos Beltran will be traded.”

Discussion: Mets Merized Online

Discussion: NorthJersey.com, HardballTalk, MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, MLB.com, ESPN, Mets Merized Online, Associated Press and NY Daily News

Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Pagan wants to hit where Mets need him most

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and Mets Cetera

Denver Post:

Jeff Francis: Former Rockies pitcher talks Royals, Rocktober and Sports Illustrated cover — Ever wanted to ask a sports personality a question? Now's your chance. They will answer readers' questions in The Denver Post's “Fan Mail” feature. — Up this week is former Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis …

Associated Press:

Astros five-run inning beats Pirates, snaps five-game slide — PITTSBURGH — Hunter Pence had three hits, including an RBI single during a five-run sixth inning, and the Houston Astros snapped a five-game losing streak with an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Associated Press

Associated Press:

Ogando gets back on track with Rangers rout of Orioles — ARLINGTON, Texas — Alexi Ogando allowed four hits over seven innings in his last start before the all-star break as the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with an 13-5 victory on Wednesday night.

Associated Press:

Jurrjens Win 12th as Braves Beat Rockies, 9-1 — ATLANTA (AP) — Dan Uggla's batting average is still well below .200, but the second baseman is finding his power stroke for the surging Atlanta Braves. — Uggla hit his second homer in as many games, Jair Jurrjens earned his NL-leading 12th win …

Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:

Rockies' CarGo takes BP, might start Thursday — ATLANTA — It isn't Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett. But on paper tonight's game is a mismatch. The Braves are healthy and starting Jair Jurrjens, arguably the National League's best pitcher in the first half.

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Associated Press:

Stanton hits walkoff shot in 10th, Marlins beat Phillies — MIAMI — Mike Stanton hit a one-out solo homer in the 10th inning Wednesday night, and the Florida Marlins overcame an early four-run deficit to avert a series sweep by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6.

Discussion: The Good Phight and Associated Press

Associated Press:

Nats get another one-run victory, beat Cubs again — WASHINGTON — Wilson Ramos decided a game of two-run homers with a suicide squeeze, driving in Michael Morse in the seventh inning to lift the Washington Nationals to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue