Fickle winds blow hard for Chicago baseball teams  —  The Chicago White Sox debated long this offseason and ultimately decided they didn't want to become the Chicago Cubs.  —  The Chicago Cubs, after hiring Theo Epstein as president in October, determined they no longer wanted to be the Chicago White Sox.

Yankees catcher Russell Martin blasts umpire Laz Diaz  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yankees catcher Russell Martin lashed out at home plate umpire Laz Diaz after last night's 6-5 victory over the Angels.  After the two argued over balls and strikes, Martin said the umpire refused to let him throw …

Dodgers hold their breath: Matt Kemp re-injures hamstring in loss  —  All-Star center fielder strains the hamstring scoring in the first inning of a 6-3 loss to the Brewers, who hand L.A. its first three-game losing streak of the season.  —  Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp rounds third base …

Simmons replaces Pastornicky at shortstop  —  ATLANTA — Andrelton Simmons has passed all of the necessary tests at the Minor League level and will now begin what the Braves hope is a long reign as their starting shortstop.  —  After Wednesday night's 10-7 win over the Cardinals …

Mock Draft: Projecting the whole first round  —  Appel remains top choice for Astros over prep outfielder Buxton  —  It's time for the whole enchilada, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole ball of wax, the whole ... you get the point.  —  The First-Year Player Draft begins Monday night …

McNamee's wife wants clarification  —  WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens' defense says it will call McNamee's estranged wife, Eileen, to testify, but her lawyer said Thursday that he wanted to make sure that her previously granted immunity remains intact.  —  That's because McNamee, during his testimony …

RED SOX 6, TIGERS 4  —  BOSTON (AP) - David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks each hit two-run homers, Kevin Youkilis had a solo shot and the surging Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Wednesday night.  —  The Red Sox have won for the 14th time in 19 games but remain in last in a jammed AL East.

Five amateur players to attend 2012 First-Year Player Draft  —  Five amateur players are scheduled to attend Major League Baseball's 2012 First-Year Player Draft, which will be held on Monday, June 4th at MLB Network's Studio 42 in Secaucus, New Jersey.  The players, including Gavin Cecchini …

Phillies break through late to defeat Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) - Pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz came through with a tying homer in the seventh inning, Jimmy Rollins added a three-run shot and the Philadelphia Phillies busted loose late to beat the New York Mets 10-6 Wednesday night.

Signs of trouble keep piling up for Orioles  —  If you're one of the Orioles skeptics who has been sitting at home the past two months waiting for the wheels to come off this suddenly competitive team, it looks like it might be time to shake your head condescendingly at all the cockeyed fans …

Mariners use 2 8-run innings to rout Rangers 21-8  —  ARLINGTON, Texas—Justin Smoak hit two three-run homers against his former team and the Seattle Mariners used a pair of early eight-run innings to rout the Texas Rangers for the second straight game, winning 21-8 Wednesday night.

Yankees Rally Early, Snap Angels' 8-Game Streak  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano homered during New York's five-run third inning, Rafael Soriano retired Mark Trumbo on a broken-bat flyout to end it, and the Yankees snapped the Los Angeles Angels' eight …

Jamie Moyer designated for assignment by Rockies; likely done with Colorado  —  The Rockies' feel-good story ended prematurely as they designated left-handed pitcher Jamie Moyer for assignment on Wednesday.  —  “It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's part of the business,” Moyer said.

Blue Jays Beat Orioles to Complete 3-Game Sweep  —  TORONTO (AP) — Edwin Encarnacion hit one of Toronto's four solo home runs, pitcher Brandon Morrow left the game after being struck by a line drive and the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.