Athletics activate Sweeney from DL (PA SportsTicker)
The Oakland Athletics on Wednesday activated first baseman Mike Sweeney from the 60-day disabled list.

A’s see game vs. Royals postponed

Baseball Today (AP)

Sweeney knows the end is near
Sweeney knows the end is near Veteran first baseman Mike Sweeney, who openly concedes he might be looking down the barrel of his final month in the big leagues, received a hero’s welcome Tuesday when he arrived in the city in which he starred for the better part of 13 seasons.

Athletics, Royals game wiped out by rain (AP)

Mike Sweeney was eager for a chance to play against the Kansas City Royals, who he spent his first 11 1/2 seasons with. He’ll have to wait another day. Sweeney signed with the Oakland Athletics just before the start of spring training after spending his entire career with Kansas City. He was activated Wednesday off the disabled list, but the game was rained out and has been rescheduled as a…

A’s about to be a busy team
A’s about to be a busy team The second game of a three-game series between the A’s and host Royals was postponed due to rain Wednesday, forcing the teams to play a doubleheader Thursday. That sets up a scenario where the A’s may play five games in three days.

Baseball: Canadians claim 9-4 victory over Emeralds

In Year Two this season, the new owners of the Vancouver Canadians believe they made further strides in carving out a niche for the club on the summer sports scene.

Zambrano departs early as Astros nip Cubs in extras
Carlos Zambrano left his start with arm problems after five innings Tuesday, and the Chicago Cubs matched their longest losing streak of the year with a 9-7, 11-inning loss to the Houston Astros.

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D’backs’ Drew, M’s Beltre ride cycles to historic nights
Hitting for the cycle is becoming so common, people hardly even notice. With Stephen Drew and Adrian Beltre both collecting cycles last night, that makes five already this season.

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Hearing to determine if Pirates-Alvarez contract valid
The Pittsburgh Pirates could be waiting several weeks to find out if first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez is part of their organization. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer, who already was playing in the Kansas City Royals system, could have his future hinging on the same decision.

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Bautista, Rios homer to lift Blue Jays over Twins
Jose Bautista and Alex Rios both had four hits and hit back-to-back homers Tuesday night and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Minnesota 7-5, their seventh straight victory over the Twins.

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D’backs’ Drew, M’s Beltre ride cycles to historic nights
Hitting for the cycle is becoming so common, people hardly even notice. With Stephen Drew and Adrian Beltre both collecting cycles last night, that makes five already this season.

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Intense preparation fuels success for Quentin
There’s an unwritten rule in major league clubhouses that news reporters should not interrupt a player’s preparation for a game. That’s one reason Chicago White Sox left fielder Carlos Quentin hasn’t gotten the attention his American League-leading 36 home runs might normally warrant.

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Red Sox overcome 4-run deficit to beat Orioles in ninth
AL batting leader Dustin Pedroia homered in the seventh inning to begin Boston’s comeback from a four-run deficit, and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 Wednesday when pitcher Jim Miller’s threw away a bunt for a game-ending error.

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Suffering Nationals dream of bright future
The Washington Nationals’ new ballpark is transforming a desolate area less than a mile from the Capitol, but condominiums, restaurants and office buildings are the only things on the rise in the neighborhood.

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Sherpa’s sleepers could be a guide to victory next season
For those in keeper leagues, there’s plenty of time before decisions have to be made, but the process of assembling the best possible roster doesn’t need to wait until pitchers and catchers report next spring.

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Lack of close playoff races may provide a September to forget
Major League Baseball will need another wave of historic comebacks or collapses to even come close to the September drama of a year ago.

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Postseason chase takes precedence
Mat Gamel is one of several players Milwaukee recalled when rosters expanded Monday. He is a top hitting prospect, but the Brewers are likely to continue using their primary starters while they chase a postseason berth.

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Attention to detail keeps baseball’s team officials busy
Every team has its version of Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett. They’re all crucial extensions of their higher-profile general managers, sharing a multitude of tasks and expertise needed to run a 21st-century Major League Baseball team.

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Beckett set to return in Texas on Friday
Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is set to rejoin Boston’s rotation on Friday night in Texas.

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Marlins recall minor-league HR leader McPherson
Baseball’s home run leader joined the Florida Marlins on Tuesday. Dallas McPherson, who hit 42 home runs for Albuquerque, was recalled from the Triple-A team. Playing primarily at third base but also seeing some time at first, McPherson hit .275 with 98 RBI.

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Church’s slam helps Mets win 9-2, sweep Brewers
Carlos Delgado had his fun ribbing Ryan Church about his lack of power production. Church hit a grand slam, his first home run since June 1, and Brian Schneider added a homer in a six-run first inning that provided all the offense the Mets needed to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-2 and complete a three-game sweep Wednesday.

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Hearing to determine if Pirates-Alvarez contract valid
The Pittsburgh Pirates could be waiting several weeks to find out if first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez is part of their organization. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer, who already was playing in the Kansas City Royals system, could have his future hinging on the same decision.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/381038812″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

A’s can’t sustain momentum
A’s can’t sustain momentum A’s rookie lefty Gio Gonzalez gave up a three-run homer to Billy Butler in the first inning Tuesday night, and that was all the offense the host Royals needed on the way to a 5-2 victory in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

A’s about to be a busy team
A’s about to be a busy team The second game of a three-game series between the A’s and host Royals was postponed due to rain Wednesday, forcing the teams to play a doubleheader Thursday. That sets up a scenario where the A’s may play five games in three days.

Ellis nominated for Clemente Award
Ellis nominated for Clemente Award A’s second baseman Mark Ellis, whose assists on the field pale in comparison to the assists he’s made in the Oakland community, has been selected as the team’s candidate for the annual Roberto Clemente Award.

Delgado fuels Mets comeback after Sheets exits early
The shadows in late afternoon at Miller Park can be brutal to hitters, but Carlos Delgado made good contact anyway.

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Hearing to determine if Pirates-Alvarez contract valid
The Pittsburgh Pirates could be waiting several weeks to find out if first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez is part of their organization. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer, who already was playing in the Kansas City Royals system, could have his future hinging on the same decision.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/381038812″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

A’s see game vs. Royals postponed

Mussina gets 17th win, Chamberlain returns for Yanks
Mike Mussina earned his 17th win, and the New York Yankees got home runs from Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady in a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

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D’backs’ Drew, M’s Beltre ride cycles to historic nights
Hitting for the cycle is becoming so common, people hardly even notice. With Stephen Drew and Adrian Beltre both collecting cycles last night, that makes five already this season.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382283340″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Postseason chase takes precedence
Mat Gamel is one of several players Milwaukee recalled when rosters expanded Monday. He is a top hitting prospect, but the Brewers are likely to continue using their primary starters while they chase a postseason berth.

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Dunn’s double propels Diamondbacks over Cardinals
With his slumping team down three runs in the sixth inning, Arizona manager Bob Melvin started making notes for a postgame pep talk. The Diamondbacks spared him the trouble, rallying for a 4-3 victory on Adam Dunn’s winning double in the ninth.

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Former Natural Kaaihue Earns Royals Treatment

Minor League slugging sensation Kila Ka’aihue will be spending September with the Kansas City Royals.

Sweeney knows the end is near
Sweeney knows the end is near Veteran first baseman Mike Sweeney, who openly concedes he might be looking down the barrel of his final month in the big leagues, received a hero’s welcome Tuesday when he arrived in the city in which he starred for the better part of 13 seasons.

Athletics activate Sweeney from DL (PA SportsTicker)
The Oakland Athletics on Wednesday activated first baseman Mike Sweeney from the 60-day disabled list.

Sweeney has emotional homecoming
Sweeney has emotional homecoming Mike Sweeney brought the lineup card out to home plate prior to Tuesday’s opener against the Royals, a job the veteran requested to do himself. It was an honor for Sweeney, who was a fan favorite in Kansas City for 13 seasons.

Athletics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The future is now for the A’s, and two featured youngsters have joined the club the past few days—outfielder Aaron Cunningham, who made his big-league debut Sunday, and left-hander Josh Outman, who was called up Tuesday.

Cunningham, 22, had two hits in his debut, a double and a two-run single, and he is expected to vie for a starting outfield spot in the spring with a large batch of talented young outfielders, including Ryan Sweeney, Carlos Gonzalez, Travis Buck and possibly Chris Denorfia. Cunningham has been compared to former A’s outfielder Eric Byrnes and Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand for his hustle and energy.

Cunningham is likely to get a lot of at-bats the rest of the season, much as Daric Barton did last year when he came up for the final month.

…

Baseball Today (AP)

A’s add two pitchers to mix
A’s add two pitchers to mix Left-handers Josh Outman, one of the three prospects acquired in the July trade that sent Joe Blanton to the Phillies, and Dan Meyer, acquired from Atlanta in the Tim Hudson trade in December 2004, joined Oakland on Tuesday.

Drew hits for cycle, D-backs beat Cardinals 8-6
In black magic marker, a scuffed baseball told the details of the biggest game of Stephen Drew’s career. Five hits and a cycle — the first in Chase Field history.

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Lack of close playoff races may provide a September to forget
Major League Baseball will need another wave of historic comebacks or collapses to even come close to the September drama of a year ago.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382059827″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Athletics, Royals game wiped out by rain (AP)

Mike Sweeney was eager for a chance to play against the Kansas City Royals, who he spent his first 11 1/2 seasons with. He’ll have to wait another day. Sweeney signed with the Oakland Athletics just before the start of spring training after spending his entire career with Kansas City. He was activated Wednesday off the disabled list, but the game was rained out and has been rescheduled as a…

Ramirez, Ethier lead Dodgers over Padres, 8-4

Manny Ramirez homered and drove in three runs and the resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers closed in on Arizona in the NL West with an 8-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.

Baseball: Canadians claim 9-4 victory over Emeralds

In Year Two this season, the new owners of the Vancouver Canadians believe they made further strides in carving out a niche for the club on the summer sports scene.

Beckett set to return in Texas on Friday
Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is set to rejoin Boston’s rotation on Friday night in Texas.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/381835227″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Sherpa’s sleepers could be a guide to victory next season
For those in keeper leagues, there’s plenty of time before decisions have to be made, but the process of assembling the best possible roster doesn’t need to wait until pitchers and catchers report next spring.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382503301″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Postseason chase takes precedence
Mat Gamel is one of several players Milwaukee recalled when rosters expanded Monday. He is a top hitting prospect, but the Brewers are likely to continue using their primary starters while they chase a postseason berth.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382503300″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Sweeney knows the end is near
Sweeney knows the end is near Veteran first baseman Mike Sweeney, who openly concedes he might be looking down the barrel of his final month in the big leagues, received a hero’s welcome Tuesday when he arrived in the city in which he starred for the better part of 13 seasons.

A’s about to be a busy team
A’s about to be a busy team The second game of a three-game series between the A’s and host Royals was postponed due to rain Wednesday, forcing the teams to play a doubleheader Thursday. That sets up a scenario where the A’s may play five games in three days.

McDonald’s clutch hit in extras lifts Jays over Twins
John McDonald singled home the go-ahead run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Minnesota 5-4 on Wednesday night, posting their eighth straight victory over the Twins.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382969343″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Attention to detail keeps baseball’s team officials busy
Every team has its version of Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett. They’re all crucial extensions of their higher-profile general managers, sharing a multitude of tasks and expertise needed to run a 21st-century Major League Baseball team.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/382374528″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

A’s see game vs. Royals postponed

Is Sabathia the best midseason acquisition ever?
CC Sabathia, Milwaukee’s 6-7, 290-pound left-handed starter, says he’s the same guy he’s always been. Sabathia may be the same guy, but the Brewers are not in the same place since he arrived in a trade with the Cleveland Indians on July 7.

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Beckett set to return in Texas on Friday
Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is set to rejoin Boston’s rotation on Friday night in Texas.

MlbAl-TopStories/~4/381835227″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Power Rankings: Lincecum moves ahead of Webb
The distinction as the National League’s top pitcher is no longer a runaway. After a pair of subpar outings, Arizona’s Brandon Webb has fallen behind Tim Lincecum of San Francisco in the latest USA TODAY Sports Weekly Power Rankings.

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Ellis nominated for Clemente Award
Ellis nominated for Clemente Award A’s second baseman Mark Ellis, whose assists on the field pale in comparison to the assists he’s made in the Oakland community, has been selected as the team’s candidate for the annual Roberto Clemente Award.