Dodgers Acquire Chase Utley  —  10:25pm: The Phillies announced that Sweeney will step directly onto the big league roster to fill Utley's roster spot.  —  9:47pm: Another franchise icon is out the door in Philadelphia, as the Phillies announced tonight that they have traded Chase Utley …

Why are we playing Hunger Games with Minor Leaguers?  —  I think the secret is out.  Minor-league players get paid very little.  Not just a little bit compared to the millionaires they hope to become.  They put in long hours and have a couple hundred dollars at the end of the month (plus some per diem) to show for it.

Urrutia HR in 9th Inning Gives Orioles 5-4 Win Over Mets  —  BALTIMORE — Henry Urrutia broke a ninth-inning tie with his first major league home run, and the Baltimore Orioles ended a nine-game losing streak against the New York Mets with a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

Norris, Castellanos Homer, Tigers Pound Lester, Cubs 15-8  —  CHICAGO — Pitcher Daniel Norris homered in his first career plate appearance, Nick Castellanos went deep twice, one a grand slam, and the Detroit Tigers pounded Jon Lester in a 15-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.

Solarte Plates 2 as Padres Beat Braves 3-2 to Complete Sweep  —  SAN DIEGO — Yangervis Solarte drove in two runs, and Tyson Ross pitch six solid innings as the San Diego Padres beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 to complete a three-game sweep on Wednesday.  —  Solarte, who had three hits …

Ben Cherington surprised by Red Sox' decision  —  Photo by:  —  Ben Cherington met with reporters at Fenway Park on Wednesday.  —  The main press conference had ended in the luxurious State Street Pavilion some 45 minutes after it started with bright lights and cameras and Jack Johnson music playing over the loudspeaker.

Braun Becomes Brewers Homer Leader in 8-7 Win Over Marlins  —  MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun became the Brewers all-time home run leader with his 252nd home run and Khris Davis hit two home runs to help Milwaukee avoid a sweep with an 8-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

Weaver Delivers, Perez HRs in Angels' 1-0 Win Over White Sox  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jered Weaver pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning, and Carlos Perez homered in the Los Angeles Angels' third straight victory over the Chicago White Sox, 1-0 Wednesday night.

Royals Complete Sweep of Reds With 4-3 Win  —  CINCINNATI — Lorenzo Cain had a tiebreaking RBI single in the second inning, Ben Zobrist had four hits, and Kansas City benefited from a Cincinnati baserunning gaffe as the Royals beat the Reds 4-3 Wednesday night to complete a two-game sweep.

Mets Release Cesar Puello  —  The Mets have released former outfield prospect Cesar Puello, tweets Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal.  —  Now 24 years old, Puello ranked as highly as third among Mets prospects at one point, per Baseball America, who also ranked him 77th among all prospects prior to the 2010 season.

Diamondbacks option Chase Anderson to Triple-A  —  PITTSBURGH — The Diamondbacks optioned struggling right-hander Chase Anderson to Triple-A Reno after Tuesday night's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which Anderson was hit hard once again.  —  Anderson gave up seven runs (five earned) …