On Baseball: Yankees-Red Sox Games Go On and On  —  If you feel guilty for falling asleep on your couch as you watch the Yankees play the Boston Red Sox, don't.  Mark Teixeira forgives you.  —  “It's brutal,” said Teixeira, the Yankees' first baseman.  “I can't stand playing a nine-inning game in four hours.

Father Time and the Philadelphia Phillies  —  The 2011 Phillies are great, but an aging lineup makes their future look bleak  —  There's never been a better time to be a Philadelphia Phillies fan.  Granted, the bar has been set pretty low.  —  The Phillies, after all, are the losingest franchise in major league history.

Bumgarner strikes out 11 as Giants end three-game skid  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Madison Bumgarner matched his career high with 11 strikeouts, Jeff Keppinger and Pablo Sandoval hit consecutive homers in the fourth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 4-0 on Wednesday to snap a three-game skid and avoid a sweep.

Rios' frustration boils over in sixth inning  —  CHICAGO — Alex Rios took a called third strike from Joe Nathan to end Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Twins, after singling home Juan Pierre in the eighth.  —  But his best connection may have come after a called third strike from starter Scott Diamond …

Pedro Strop is player to be named  —  Pedro Strop, a hard-throwing right-hander who has appeared in 25 games for the Texas Rangers in the past three seasons, is the player to be named later in Wednesday's deal that sent Michael Gonzalez to the Texas Rangers, according to an industry source.

Carp's 2-Run Double in 8th Beats Angels, 2-1  —  SEATTLE (AP) — This time of the season with all that's at stake for the Los Angeles Angels, their 2-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night stings more than usual.  —  Mike Carp hit a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning …

Derek Lowe hits HR, earns win as Braves beat Nats 3-1  —  ATLANTA - Two milestone home runs - Chipper Jones' 450th and Derek Lowe's first - gave Atlanta the early lead and Lowe combined with three relievers on a three-hitter as the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 3-1 on Wednesday night.

32 players from D-backs' 2001 World Series team scheduled to return to Chase Field for World Championship Reunion Weekend Sept. 9-11  —  World Championship team to be celebrated during pregame ceremony on Sept. 10  —  PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today that former Managing …

Cordero expresses desire to retire with Reds  —  CINCINNATI — There could be a doozy of a decision looming for the Reds this winter, and it carries large financial ramifications.  Will they bring back closer Francisco Cordero?  —  Cordero is in the final guaranteed year of his four-year …

D-Backs Top Rockies 4-2 for Ninth Straight Win  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Miguel Montero hit a three-run homer for the second straight game and the Arizona Diamondbacks won their ninth in a row by beating the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Wednesday night.  —  Josh Collmenter (9-8) limited the Rockies …

Shields scatters four hits over eight as Rays beat Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — James Shields pitched eight shutout innings, Johnny Damon homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 4-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Shields (13-10) allowed four hits …

Happ pitches seven strong innings as Astros blank Pirates  —  HOUSTON — J.A. Happ allowed three hits and struck out six over seven innings and the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Wednesday night for a sweep of the three-game series.  —  Despite having the worst record in baseball …

Dodgers beat Padres, 4-2, for eighth win in nine games  —  Their record improves to 65-70, the first time the team has been within five games of .500 mark since June 12.  Rod Barajas leads offense with a two-run homer; starter Ted Lilly struggles but gets win.

Alvarez shines as Blue Jays beat Orioles 13-0  —  BALTIMORE—Henderson Alvarez allowed three hits in eight innings to become the youngest Toronto starter to win a game since 1979, Jose Bautista led a four-homer attack with his 39th of the season, and the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 13-0 Wednesday night.