Game 114: Yanks at Rangers (Joba on DL)  —  YANKEES (61-52)  —  Sidney Ponson (6-2, 4.23) vs. the Texas hitters.  —  Tommy Hunter (0-0, 10.80) has never faced any of the New York hitters.  —  JOBA ON DL: Joba Chamberlain has been placed on the 15-day DL.  RHP Chris Britton was recalled from AAA Scranton.

Pudge OK after collision at plate  —  Catcher day-to-day after suffering deep bruise to right knee  —  ARLINGTON — After Wednesday's game against the Rangers, a small statue of a baseball player was knocked over on manager Joe Girardi's desk in the visiting manager's office at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Bucs' Karstens near perfect in 2-hitter  —  PHOENIX (AP)—Jeff Karstens has given the Pittsburgh Pirates a perfect start.  —  Almost a perfect game, too.  —  The recently acquired right-hander set down his first 23 batters before Chris Young's two-out double in the eighth inning and finished …

Kendrick pitches Phillies by Marlins 5-0  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Kyle Kendrick doesn't have overpowering stuff and he doesn't light up the radar gun.  Somehow he keeps finding ways to win.  —  Kendrick pitched six scoreless innings, Ryan Howard homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 5-0 on Wednesday night.

Wakefield dominates but Youkilis injured in Boston win  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer and Tim Wakefield's baffling knuckleball shut down Kansas City on four hits through six innings, helping the Boston Red Sox to an 8-2 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night.

Yanks give Draft pick $850K bonus  —  Prep pitcher's deal one of largest given to sixth-round choice  —  HOUSTON — The Yankees have signed Brett Marshall, a high school pitcher selected in the June First-Year Player Draft, to one of the largest contracts ever given to a sixth-round pick …

Starters leading the way for Brewers  —  Milwaukee (64-51) vs. Washington (42-71), Friday, 7:05 p.m. CT  —  CINCINNATI — It's no accident that Brewers starters lead the league in innings pitched, according to manager Ned Yost.  —  It helps that Ben Sheets has been healthy all season …

Baseball scout, author Karl Kuehl dies at 70  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Karl Kuehl, a baseball scout, coach, author and player development specialist known for his contributions to the Oakland Athletics teams that won three pennants, died Wednesday.  He was 70.  —  Kuehl died of pulmonary fibrosis in a Scottsdale hospital, son John said.

Cubs score 8 in 3rd to beat Astros 11-4  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Now that Alfonso Soriano is back from the disabled list and feeling fine, the hits are coming at a healthy rate.  —  Soriano launched a three-run homer after Mark DeRosa hit a grand slam during an eight-run burst in the third inning …

Manuel's choice to let Pedro hit dooms Mets  —  Pedro Martinez reacts after giving up a home run to Brian Giles in the first inning.  (Newsday Photo / Kathy Kmonicek / August 6, 2008)  —  Pedro Martinez looked back at Jerry Manuel to see if the manager was really going to let him bat …

One year after No. 756, Bonds still conspicuous — by his absence  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The national spotlight has faded.  The kayaks mostly are gone, leaving McCovey Cove — once again — all to the fish.  The night-time chill and mist remain, but the carnival long ago left town.

Rays walk off on Pena's three-run shot  —  Late-inning drama and comebacks nothing new to Tampa Bay  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Just three outs from their first home series loss in 45 days, the American League East-leading Rays relied on what has been a tried-and-true formula this season: the walk-off.

Mets rookie Murphy making immediate impression  —  Jody Gerut cracked a Mike Pelfrey pitch, chasing Daniel Murphy to the wall.  The Mets' rookie leftfielder and converted infielder got a read on it, leaped at the wall and snared the fly ball for the first out in a 6-5 win over the Padres last night.