Different approach at DH  —  Seattle (38-62) vs. Boston (59-43), Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. PT  —  SEATTLE — Most American League teams use the designated hitter position to stick a little more pop in their lineup.  David Ortiz of the visiting Boston Red Sox would be a prime example.

Red Sox looking to acquire Uribe in deal with Chicago  —  The Red Sox are deep in conversations with the White Sox on a trade that would send infielder Juan Uribe to Boston, according to sources.  —  Uribe is batting just .225 in limited playing time this season, but his three home runs …

Wilpon: I screwed up firing  —  Fred Wilpon said he learned something from firing Willie Randolph.  And it is this: The next time he fires a manager he'll do it in the light of day, when reporters are not sleeping.  —  Wilpon talked about his “lesson” in the studio of his SportsNet New York …

Mets looking closer at 'pen help through trade  —  With plenty of deals already made throughout the league, and exactly a week left before next Thursday's 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Mets are still deciding when — or if — to pull the trigger themselves.  The most obvious need is for a corner outfielder …

Finally, coast is clear  —  SEATTLE - Yankees tomorrow.  At Fenway.  The return of David Ortiz.  Maybe the return of Manny Ramírez.  Joba Chamberlain and Josh Beckett throwing darts.  —  Get there early.  This could be the beginning of the pennant race in the American League East.

PADRES: Wolf sent to Astros for minor league pitcher  —  Towers insists that club won't initiate a fire sale  —  The Padres traded their second veteran player since the All-Star break on Tuesday, sending pitcher Randy Wolf to Houston for a minor-league pitcher.

Do veteran players ‘know how to win’?  —  It was my first sabermetric argument.  At least, the first one I remember.  The year was 1984, and my beloved Mets were battling the Cubs for the NL East division lead.  I had a buddy who felt that the Cubs were going to take it …

Cubs activate Soriano, Eyre  —  Option Hoffpauir, Hart to Triple-A Iowa  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs today activated outfielder Alfonso Soriano and left-handed pitcher Scott Eyre from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Micah Hoffpauir and right-handed pitcher Kevin Hart to Triple-A Iowa.

Coonelly ‘frustrated’ with Alvarez talks  —  HOUSTON — Pirates president Frank Coonelly tonight described himself as “frustrated” by the pace of talks with first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez, marking the first time anyone on either side — including Alvarez's agent, Scott Boras — spoke publicly on the matter.

Source: Yankees likely to make trades and ‘make a run’  —  With the trade deadline looming a week from Thursday, the Yankees' brain trust will gather Thursday in Tampa to discuss potential moves.  —  The meeting will include co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine …

Market shifts as deadline nears … The word is that the asking price for Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady has “loosened” a tad, and that Pittsburgh seems more interested than before in trading him.  —  The Pirates were said a couple weeks ago by the New York Post to be seeking “two top prospects” …

Chipper (hamstring), Hudson (elbow) leave game  —  MIAMI — Atlanta slugger Chipper Jones and ace Tim Hudson left Wednesday night's game against Florida with injuries, a pair of blows to the Braves' already slim playoff hopes.  —  Jones strained his left hamstring running out a ground ball …

Reliever Ziegler sets league scoreless mark  —  (07-23) 04:00 PDT St. Petersburg, Fla. — Brad Ziegler, Oakland's rookie submarine-style reliever, established an American League record for the longest scoreless streak at the start of a career, and the next inning, Carlos Peña almost brought the streak to an end.

Jimenez digs for gem  —  The Rockies pitcher throws a four-hitter and receives plenty of run support to top L.A.  —  The Denver Post  —  As Ubaldo Jimenez walked to the plate in the eighth inning Tuesday night, the Coors Field crowd of 41,567 rose to its feet, serenading him with a rousing standing ovation.