Brad Mills Pulls ‘Waxahachie Swap’ Tuesday Night  —  Tuesday night in Denver, Astros manager Brad Mills made one of the most unusual moves a manager will occasionally make, sending his relief pitcher to right field for one batter, then bringing him back to the mound.

Sources: Giants claim Padres' Heath Bell off waivers  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Four people with knowledge of the situation say the San Francisco Giants have claimed San Diego closer Heath Bell off waivers.  —  They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday …

Mets beat Phillies, snap losing streak  —  PHILADELPHIA — Mike Pelfrey threw six effective innings, Nick Evans and David Wright homered and the New York Mets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.  —  The Mets avoided a sweep with their sixth win in 23 games.

Crisp Powers A's Past Yankees 6-4 in 10 Innings  —  NEW YORK (AP) — A sudden power surge by Coco Crisp knocked the New York Yankees out of first place.  —  Crisp homered twice and drove in five runs, going 4 for 4 with a three-run shot in the 10th inning that sent the Oakland Athletics to a 6-4 victory Wednesday night.

Rays Win on RBI Fielder's Choice in 10th Inning  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Elliot Johnson had a game-ending fielder's choice in the 10th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Wednesday night.  —  Evan Longoria opened the 10th with an infield single off Duane Below …

Brett Lawrie, Jose Bautista homer as Blue Jays beat Royals  —  TORONTO - Brett Lawrie hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, Jose Bautista added his major league-leading 37th homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Ex-Orioles Pitcher Mike Flanagan Found Dead Near Baltimore Home  —  Earlier in the evening, news broke that a body had been discovered on Orioles broadcaster Mike Flanagan's suburban Baltimore property.  Now, there's this report: … Flanagan had been working as an analyst …

Daniel Hudson just misses shutout; Diamondbacks win 4-2  —  WASHINGTON - Daniel Hudson fell one out short of his first career shutout Wednesday night, and the Arizona Diamondbacks turned another casual arrival at the ballpark into a win, beating the Washington Nationals 4-2.

Soriano Homers to Back Wells as Cubs Top Braves  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Alfonso Soriano homered, Randy Wells pitched effectively into the seventh and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Wednesday night.  —  Wells (5-4) held the Braves to one run and two hits over 6 2-3 innings …

TYA Interview With Marc Carig  —  Marc Carig is the beat writer covering the Yankees for the Newark Star-Ledger, as well as a columnist for Baseball Prospectus.  He also interacts with fans and other writers through his twitter account @Ledger_Yankees, and is one of the most accessible and engaging beat guys you will come across.

Lackey proves cool in the heat  —  His sizzling stuff stifles Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - John Lackey was in his element last night.  —  Pitching in withering 100-degree heat, before a luxury suite full of family and friends, in a town where played collegiately, Lackey helped …

The case for bringing back Ivan Rodriguez  —  As his two-year, $6 million contract is coming to an end, Ivan Rodriguez wants to play for the Nationals next season.  Rodriguez has maintained all year he wants to finish out his career in Washington, and he reiterated that desire last week.

Pirates' Ryan Ludwick goes on DL with back spasms  —  PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Ryan Ludwick has gone on the 15-day disabled list with muscle spasms in the middle of his back.  —  Ludwick sat out Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers then underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning …

Critics fuel Big Papi's historic production  —  Dustin Pedroia(notes) struts around the Boston Red Sox clubhouse, 5-foot-nothing with a balding head and a sharp tongue that's his answer to Napoleon's gun.  From afar, David Ortiz(notes) steals a look at his teammate, one of the wonders of the modern baseball world, and marvels.

St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday is in joking mood day after moth flew into his ear  —  ST. LOUIS — The moth that forced Matt Holliday from the outfield is done causing mischief.  What remained of the offending bug was tucked inside a sandwich bag, perfect for TV cameras …