Red Sox agree to terms with top pick Marrero  —  Shortstop from Arizona State set to report to Class A Lowell  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox's top pick from the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, shortstop Deven Marrero, was at Fenway Park taking grounders with the Major League infield on Wednesday …

Gee Pitches Shutout Ball Into 8th, Mets Beat O's  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Dillon Gee extended the Mets' shutout streak to 29 innings before Baltimore broke through late, and New York held off the Orioles 4-3 on a steamy Wednesday night for a three-game sweep.  —  The Mets nearly shut out the Orioles for the third straight day.

Yankees, Giants, Blue Jays scouting Rodriguez  —  With the non-waiver trade deadline less than six weeks away, the cavalcade of scouting stars is underway.  —  Tuesday night in Houston, sources say representatives for the Yankees, Giants and Blue Jays were in attendance …

Efforts stepped up to trade Youkilis  —  The sooner the Red Sox can get back to a set lineup - one that doesn't include juggling Adrian Gonzalez between first base and right field and Kevin Youkilis between first and third - the better.  —  That's why the Sox have stepped up their efforts to deal Youkilis.

Why Do First Basemen Get Paid So Much?  —  This April, Joey Votto signed a contract to man first base for the Reds for the next 12 years.  For context, a dozen years ago, Jeff Bagwell was the first baseman who had just led the league in WAR.  Votto is unlikely to be very productive in 2023, but the Reds already know this.

Yanks agree with Cuban teen Rodriguez  —  Left-handed pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez, 19, and the Yankees have agreed on a Minor League deal worth an estimated $4-5 million, according to an industry source.  —  Rodriguez, who projects to be a starter, burst onto the international scene during …

Weaver Returns From DL, Beats Giants 6-0  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jered Weaver pitched six innings of two-hit ball in his return from the disabled list and the Los Angeles Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 6-0 on Wednesday night, handing Ryan Vogelsong his first loss in almost seven weeks.

Strasburg Strikes Out 10 as Nationals Top Rays 3-2  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 to win a fast-ballers' duel with newbie Chris Archer, Joel Peralta managed to pitch without having his glove inspected, and the Washington Nationals snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday night …

Injured Padres join ‘The Breakfast Club’  —  SAN DIEGO — Padres manager Bud Black was talking about “The Breakfast Club” on Wednesday, though it wasn't the John Hughes movie he was referring to.  —  Black has dubbed the group of injured players who get treatment and work out each morning at Petco Park as “The Breakfast Club.”

Helton's Error Helps Phillies Beat Rockies 7-6  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Todd Helton missed tagging first base to allow the winning run to score on Placido Polanco's grounder in the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Wednesday night.

Carp progressing with bullpen sessions  —  DETROIT — Chris Carpenter threw his fourth bullpen session on Wednesday and is expected to add the challenge of facing hitters the next time he gets on the mound.  —  Assuming Carpenter doesn't feel any day-after pain from his latest work …

Visualization: How Matt Cain's perfect game stands in baseball history  —  If a pitcher strikes out 14 batters in a single game, it'll be the lead story on every sports news program of the night.  After all, it's only happened a few hundred times in baseball history.

Twins Ride Willingham in 2-1 Win Over Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Willingham hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and the Minnesota Twins scratched past the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Wednesday night.  —  Willingham took a fastball from Jason Grilli (1-2) over the wall in left field …

Masterson Snuffs Reds in Indians' 8-1 Win  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Masterson pitched a three-hitter for his first complete game this season and the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians finished a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with an 8-1 victory Wednesday night.

Milone, Cespedes Lead A's Past Dodgers 4-1  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tommy Milone pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game, Yoenis Cespedes had two hits and an RBI in his return to the Oakland lineup and the Athletics beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 on Wednesday night for their seventh win in eight games.