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.

Stanton, Sabathia lead Yankees to 6-2 win over Braves  —  NEW YORK (AP) Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run homer, CC Sabathia pitched six effective innings, and the New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Wednesday.  —  Aaron Judge added his 24th homer of the season in the seventh inning.

Cubs haven't been sidetracked by missing players  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The wait continues for Kris Bryant, Carl Edwards Jr. and Yu Darvish to return from the disabled list, but the Cubs haven't suffered a dropoff in their absence thanks to contributions from players like Willson Contreras and David Bote.

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.

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 …

Next Slide  —  CHICAGO - Not only did the Detroit Tigers have to defeat one of the best teams in the National League, they also had to beat the heat.  —  And though their manager was knocked out of Wednesday afternoon's game against the Chicago Cubs — Ron Gardenhire “overheated,” …

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 …

Yankees rookie Gleyber Torres pulled after pair of strikeouts due to right hip tightness, will undergo MRI  —  Stud rookie Gleyber Torres was in the starting lineup Wednesday, but he left the game in the top of the fifth with right hip tightness and was replaced at second base by Neil Walker, who began the game at third.

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 …

Kansas City Royals sign UF pitcher Brady Singer, team's first-round pick  —  Eustis High alum and former UF standout pitcher Brady Singer said he hopes to help guide the Kansas City Royals to the World Series.  (Kansas City Royals via Twitter)  —  Former UF pitcher Brady Singer is well known for his competitive nature.

Senzatela throws 7 shutout innings, Rockies beat Giants 8-1  —  Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado, center, is congratulated by teammates Charlie Blackmon, left, and DJ LeMahieu after Arenado hit a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Stratton during the fifth inning …

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 …