Jennings, Hellickson Help Rays Top Red Sox, 6-2  —  BOSTON — Desmond Jennings homered, Jeremy Hellickson pitched six strong innings and the Tampa Bay Rays ended their drought at Fenway Park, beating the Red Sox 6-2 Wednesday night.  —  The Rays had scored a total of five runs in losing …

Jeff Francis accepts minor-league assignment for Rockies, heads to Colorado Springs; Chris Volstad placed on waivers  —  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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Joe Torre's daughter Cristina saves falling baby with perfect catch  —  Good fielding by Cristina Torre saves a year-old boy who tumbles off awning of a Brooklyn building.  —  Cristina Torre's good fielding, meant no hitting the pavement for a lucky baby boy.  —  She never took her eye off the baby.

Unlike last year, Nats may be Deadline players  —  PHILADELPHIA — Last year at this time, manager Davey Johnson said the Nationals didn't need to make a move before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31.  At the time, the Nationals had one of the best records in baseball, thanks to their timely hitting and stalwart pitching staff.

Johnson's three-run homer helps Braves beat Mets  —  ATLANTA — Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.