Angels' Weaver tosses 2nd no-hitter of season … ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jered Weaver pitched the second no-hitter of the 2012 baseball season and the first at Angel Stadium in 37 years on Wednesday night, breezing through the Minnesota Twins lineup with only scant resistance.

Alvarez powers Pirates to first lead  —  ST. LOUIS  • The not-so-secret reason behind Jake Westbrook's success this season has been his ability to keep opponents grounder.  —  He has a sinker that the hitter knows he's going to throw and still it's good enough to get a groundout.

Chris Schwinden roughed up by Chris Johnson and Houston, Astros complete sweep of NY Mets with 8-1 win  —  Mets finish six-game road swing 2-4  —  Chris Schwinden struggles in four innings on Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits, including two homers to Houston's Chris Johnson (below).

Blanton's rare shutout leads Phillies by Braves … ATLANTA — Joe Blanton pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout in five years and Shane Victorino hit a two-run homer to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Reds Rally vs Marmol, Beat Cubs 4-3 in 10 Innings  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Wild Cubs closer Carlos Marmol helped Cincinnati rally for three runs in the ninth to tie it, and Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning that swept the Reds to a 4-3 victory Thursday and two-game split.

Giancarlo Stanton rescues Marlins with home run in 10th inning against Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was Giancarlo Stanton to the rescue on Wednesday.  —  Stanton's solo home run in the 10th inning propelled the Miami Marlins to a 3-2 victory over the Giants after relievers Heath Bell …

Spoiling the Bunch  —  If you've paid any attention to the 2012 season, you know that Albert Pujols has yet to hit a home run.  The three-time MVP, fresh off the first homerless month of his career, is hitting just .208/.252/.287 with career-worst walk and strikeout rates.

Sandoval has broken hamate bone in left hand  —  Third baseman missed 41 games last year with broken right hand  —  Pablo Sandoval, the Giants' third baseman and second-leading hitter, has a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.  —  The Giants placed Sandoval on the 15-day disabled list …

A's take series against Red Sox, win finale 4-2  —  Brandon McCarthy beat an AL East opponent once again, holding Boston to one run over 6 2-/3 innings as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Red Sox [team stats] 4-2 Wednesday night.  —  Seth Smith drove in a pair of runs for Oakland.

Paying it forward  —  The Mets' cash troubles are epitomized by the story of Bobby Bonilla  —  Fred Wilpon's (left) business relationship with Bernie Madoff led the Mets into a mess.  —  LAST JULY, in her New York office, a financial planner by the exquisitely apt name of Jennifer Prosperino received …