Pedro has new daddies  —  In return to Fenway, Martinez gives up 8 runs (6 earned) in three innings  —  BOSTON — In the end, there were no smiles exchanged with David Ortiz, no clowning around with Manny Ramirez and no sentimental words from Jason Varitek.  —  This was a professional hit Tony Soprano would have been proud of.

Davis scratched from Thursday's start  —  Gonzalez will make first start in Brewers uniform  —  CHICAGO — Milwaukee scratched Doug Davis from his scheduled start in Thursday's series finale against Chicago.  The Brewers will instead go with right-hander Geremi Gonzalez, a former Cub who will be making his first Brewers start.

Send get well wishes to Peter Gammons  —  Tuesday, Peter Gammons suffered a brain aneurysm near his home in Cape Cod, Mass. He is now resting in intensive care at a Boston hospital.  —  A man whose ability to craft baseball's stories in such an entertaining and informative way that he became …

Reds reward Narron, Krivsky  —  Manager, GM have helped Cincinnati to surprising success  —  CINCINNATI — The Reds have been surprise playoff contenders this season, but chief executive officer Bob Castellini didn't wait for the race's final outcome to reward his two main architects.

Bay says Pirates need to make big changes — and soon  —  Bay says Pirates need to make big changes — and soon  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jason Bay, discouraged by a record-setting losing streak, called on the Pittsburgh Pirates to start making changes to a club that is fast closing in on its 14th consecutive losing season.

Padres continue to treat fallen LaChappa as one of their own  —  Matt LaChappa hasn't thrown a pitch professionally in 10 years.  He is confined to a wheelchair, and constrained by the physical fallout from back-to-back heart attacks.  —  Yet the Padres continue to pay him as if he were an active player.

Bowden's fiancee accepts plea deal  —  MIAMI (AP) — The fiancee of Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden accepted a plea agreement Wednesday to settle charges of battery and resisting arrest while in Miami Beach.  —  Joy Browning, 36, must complete 25 hours of community service …

Baker can't close door on Dempster  —  After getting a vote of confidence from his general manager on Tuesday, Dusty Baker decided to do likewise with Ryan Dempster, sticking him back in his closer's role Wednesday after considering a bullpen shakeup the night before.

Myers takes personal leave after assault charge  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies pitcher Brett Myers will take a leave of absence through the All-Star break, saying he has embarrassed his family and the team with his arrest on charges that he hit his wife in the face.

Rangers' catching platoon a solid hit  —  Barajas and Laird are swinging mean bats at the same time  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Just three weeks ago, Rangers manager Buck Showalter said he heard Gerald Laird's noisy bat speaking loud and clear and indicated the backup catcher's playing time might increase.

Hensley looks to get back on right track  —  San Diego (40-36) vs. Oakland (41-35) 7:05 p.m. PT  —  The Padres managed to slow down the A's for one night, and will try to do the same in the second game of the series on Wednesday.  —  The A's had won 13 of their last 16 games going into Tuesday's contest …

Koshansky's big numbers quiet critics  —  Tulsa first baseman chosen to play for U.S. in Futures Game  —  Last year, critics said it was the wall.  They said the short right-field porch in Asheville's McCormick Field inflated left-handed first baseman Joe Koshansky's power numbers while he was with the Tourists in 2005.