Rays win first of season at Fenway  —  BOSTON — Jose Molina provided the entertainment by racing home with the go-ahead run.  Wil Myers produced some history with his first extra-base hit and RBIs.  —  But the most important development in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over the Red Sox …

Jeff Francis accepts minor-league assignment for Rockies, heads to Colorado Springs  —  Jeff Francis pitches in spring training a few years back.  He accepted a minor-league assignment to remain with the Rockies organization.  (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

San Jose suit appears to be strong  —  Major League Baseball should be taking the city's antitrust lawsuit very seriously  —  San Jose's lawsuit against Major League Baseball could easily become commissioner Bud Selig's worst nightmare.  —  Unless the Lords of Baseball voluntarily pave …

(USATSI)  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez's recent progress is said by people around the Yankees to have been dramatic, with one person calling it “fantastic” and another even speculating A-Rod could possibly begin to play rehab games just after the All-Star break.

Soria begins rehab assignment in Double-A  —  ARLINGTON — Joakim Soria will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Thursday.  Soria is scheduled to pitch an inning in the first of multiple appearances with the team.  —  Soria threw two live batting-practice sessions during …

Mets manager Terry Collins, now armed with pitchers Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, should stay with Mets  —  Harvey and Wheeler on Tuesday provided a reminder that talent has been the issue, and if that is finally going to change now, Collins surely deserves the chance to make something of it.

Sox's Ventura in Manto's corner  —  White Sox manager Robin Ventura on the team's mood during its slump.  —  MINNESOTA — Manager Robin Ventura endorsed hitting coach Jeff Manto in the wake of the Chicago White Sox's offensive struggles.  —  “Even when it goes like this, you look at me …

Pujols finally feels like the Albert of old  —  ANAHEIM — It was Saturday, June 8 at Fenway Park, a little after 1:05 p.m. ET, when Albert Pujols believes he reverted back to the prolific hitter of his St. Louis days.  It seemed so uneventful, a plate appearance against lefty Felix Doubront that resulted in a lineout to first base.

Living Up to Expectations  —  Oswaldo Arcia homered for the Twins this afternoon, scoring the first run of the game in the second inning as the White Sox trail 3-1 in the fourth.  The 22-year-old rookie is off to a nice start, with 33 hits, fifteen of them going for extra bases.

Papelbon blows save, debates Phils' fundamentals  —  Every time you think the Phillies are about to turn the corner and put something together they trip over their own feet.  —  They were one out away from completing a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night …

Manny ‘invigorated’ for return to US  —  Manny Ramirez wants to make another comeback to major league baseball.  —  Ramirez, 41, batted .352 this season with eight home runs and 43 RBI for the EDA Rhinos of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.  The Rhinos — based in Kaohsiung City …

Yankees Impressed With First Look at LA's Puig  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees had a first-hand look at Cuban rookie sensation Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday and came away mightily impressed.  —  “He hits the ball hard, I can tell you that.