Red Sox sweep slumping Nationals with 3-0 win  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Jackie Bradley Jr. drove in two runs, Eduardo Rodriguez struck out six in six innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 3-0 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.  —  Rodriguez (10-3) allowed three hits and walked one.

Next Slide  —  Still, the disparity in talent was obvious.  Perhaps never more than in the fourth inning, when Baez — a true firework of a player — was picked off first base.  It was an easy out, though he did what young Tigers failed to do on occasion this season: He forced the issue by sprinting toward second base.

Manny Machado isn't the only Orioles player with ties to Phillies officials  —  A few hours before Wednesday's game, a Baltimore Orioles player discussed his longstanding relationship with several Phillies officials, including general manager Matt Klentak and team president Andy MacPhail …

Dodgers Acquire Dylan Floro, Zach Neal From Reds; Designate Daniel Corcino  —  The Dodgers have acquired right-handers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal from the Reds, as per a team press release.  Los Angeles will also receive some international bonus pool space from Cincinnati in the trade …

Keon Broxton makes amazing catch to preserve Milwaukee Brewers' sweep of Minnesota Twins  —  Keon Broxton is making the most of his major-league call up, continuing to make highlight-reel catches for the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  In the Brewers' 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins …

Estrada frustrated with setback, but hopes to make his next start  —  The Blue Jays are hoping that a mild left glute strain suffered by right-handed pitcher Marco Estrada won't turn out to be too much of a pain in the, uh, gluteus maximus.  —  Estrada was forced to leave Toronto's game …

White Sox manager Rick Renteria strongly suggests shin guard for Jose Abreu  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria shows the shin guard Jose Abreu must wear “if he wants to stay in the lineup.”  (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jose Abreu's shin guard — and by extension …

Real or not?  Ohtani is back too late to save the Angels  —  Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Angels lineup at a much-needed time, with the Angels scuffling at a game over .500 and beginning a must-win series against a team they have to chase down for a playoff spot.

Anthony Swarzak has yet to produce for NY Mets after signing two-year, $14-million deal  —  Mets right fielder Jose Bautista on returning to Toronto Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  TORONTO — As Anthony Swarzak spent more than two months on the disabled list, Mets coaches kept discussing how his loss affected the team.

Michael Conforto is among the young Mets who Mickey Callaway is charging with playing the ‘right way’  —  TORONTO — It was hard to understand in the whirlwind of those first few months.  Michael Conforto was just coming to grips with his giant leap from Double-A to the big leagues …

Cincinnati Reds credit confidence, command of the strike zone for their offensive surge  —  All season long, the Reds felt like they were on the verge of proving themselves as one of the top offenses in the Majors.  —  Throughout the last month, they've left no doubt.