Joe Torre asked to join Charlie Manuel as NL All-Star coach  —  PHILADELPHIA — Joe Torre is going back to the All-Star Game.  —  Torre said Wednesday that Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel asked him to be part of the National League coaching staff for the Midsummer Classic in St. Louis on July 14.

Top 100: Strasburg, and then who?  —  We've got rankings, scouting reports, analysis and video.  Dig in.  —  STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Become an Insider Today  —  Scouts Inc.  —  This isn't the strongest draft class in recent years.  It's not the weakest.

Cashman: “Assume that we'll keep going down here”  —  Chien-Ming Wang gave the Yankees little bit of a scare tonight when he took a sharp ground ball off his left calf in the fourth inning.  Brian Cashman left his seat behind home plate, the Yankees coaching and training staff gathered around …

Prado's homer lifts Braves over Mets in 12 innings  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Prado homered off Ken Takahashi with one out in the 12th inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 8-7 Wednesday after wasting three leads.  —  Gary Sheffield tied the score in the eighth …

Florida Marlins: Done in by the long ball  —  It's a good thing the curvy, yellow slide leading down from mascot Bernie Brewer's Dugout high above left field at Miller Park isn't made of wood.  Bernie might still be picking splinters out of his back side.  Bernie slides down after every Brewers homer.

Drew HR, Varitek double complete Red Sox's rally  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jason Varitek drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the ninth inning, J.D. Drew homered and the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Tuesday night.  —  Drew led off the ninth with a single …

Lee, Indians win series and shut out White Sox  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Cliff Lee outpitched Mark Buehrle, throwing seven innings in the Cleveland Indians' 4-0 win Wednesday to take two of three from the Chicago White Sox.  —  It was the second series the last-place Indians have won this year …

Francoeur given rest in finale  —  Cox takes opportunity to give right fielder a breather  —  NEW YORK — After Tuesday night's 10-inning loss to the Mets, Jeff Francoeur was among the many Braves who were upset that they had squandered yet another impressive effort from Jair Jurrjens.

Baseball writing takes a sad turn  —  It was 105 today and service was lousy at P.F. Chang's.  I have a stiff neck from sleeping on it wrong and my cigars are coming unraveled in the desert heat.  —  But I'm not going to complain.  Not even Delta can get my heart rate up today.  —  I have a job.

Down to the Wire  —  Caps Add Another Game 7 To D.C. Sports Heritage  —  There have been precious few events in Washington sports like the one that will take place tonight at Verizon Center, and the heroes of years past have names such as Dale Hunter, a Washington Capitals great …

Buchholz dominates ... again  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — How much more can he do?  Clay Buchholz has been out of control on the mound lately, in a good way.  Buchholz struck out 11 batters over eight scoreless innings in this morning's start against Toledo.  He allowed just four hits in his outing, and walked no one.

Cleveland DH Hafner to begin rehab assignment … CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, who's been out with right shoulder soreness, will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Columbus.  —  Hafner was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 29 with the same injury that limited him to 57 games last year.

These days, Dodgers blog is also Manny watch  —  Robert Daeley's blog, The Trolley Dodger (trolleydodger.com), honors the franchise's former name (Trolley Dodgers) from the days when Brooklyn was filled with streetcars.  —  But Daeley wouldn't directly answer the question, “Ebbets Field or Dodger Stadium?”

Pirates Charities to host the Pirates fifth annual “Bowling With the Bucs” fundraiser tournament  —  Pirates Charities and Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Shortstop Jack Wilson and his wife Julie will host the fifth annual “Bowling with the Bucs” fundraiser tournament, sponsored by Trib Total Media, on Sunday, May 31.

Ryan to return soon, but not as closer  —  Reliever could be back this week; Jays sticking with Downs  —  TORONTO — B.J. Ryan is nearly ready to return to the Blue Jays' bullpen.  He just won't have a job as the club's closer when he does make his way back from the disabled list.