Headlines

Robbie Grossman's Major League debut was a huge success, and he was not the only Astros player to have a big game in Wednesday's 10-3 victory against the Mariners.

CHICAGO (AP) -- A year ago Jose Quintana was just trying to hang on to a spot in Chicago's rotation.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have optioned backup catcher Tim Federowicz to Triple-A Albuquerque, opening a roster spot for pitcher Ted Lilly.

HOUSTON (AP) -- Robbie Grossman remembers sitting in the Astrodome as a child watching the Killer Bs of Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman, and dreaming of playing for Houston one day.

A booming Todd Frazier home run in the bottom of the sixth inning was all that Mat Latos and the Reds needed to get a 1-0 win over the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.

Most everyone believed the Nationals were headed for greatness this season, and that still may happen. But for now, with the Nats under .500, one has to wonder: Are they trying too hard to live up to those expectations?

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Todd Frazier gave Mat Latos all the run support he needed, and Latos gave the Cincinnati Reds exactly what they needed to finish off a 10-game homestand in style.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals' very first batter, Matt Carpenter, got it started against Stephen Strasburg by stretching a single into a double when Bryce Harper's throw to second base was bobbled and fell to the dirt.

It's just one of 162 and, if the Blue Jays don't win Thursday, it won't mean much. But for Wednesday, they needed a win real bad, and they got it.

Maicer Izturis drew a four-pitch walk with the bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning as the Blue Jays narrowly came out on top with a 6-5 victory over the Orioles on Wednesday afternoon at Camden Yards.

Carried by strong starting pitching, the Cardinals capped a six-win road trip with a three-game sweep of Washington. Wednesday's 4-2 victory in front of 33,694 fans at Nationals Park featured Jaime Garcia outdueling prized right-hander Stephen Strasburg before handing the lead over to a suddenly stabilized bullpen.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays bashed four home runs, then scored the decisive run without taking a swing.

BOSTON (AP) -- The Red Sox recalled right-handed reliever Daniel Bard from Double-A Portland before Wednesday afternoon's game against Oakland.

If All-Star balloting has arrived, it means that arguments about All-Star balloting will be starting, oh, any second now. That's half the fun of the All-Star Game, after all.

Had the decision been left for him to make, Yoenis Cespedes would've already started his rehab assignment.

Jason Heyward checked out of Rose Medical Center in Denver on Tuesday following his emergency appendectomy performed there Monday evening.

While Justin Upton has been among the most dominant players in the big leagues this season, time will prove that Arizona made a a wise choice in sending him to Atlanta.

One day after X-rays taken of his lower right leg came back negative, Jon Niese had some swelling and tightness in the area but fully expects to make his next start.

Major League Baseball's All-Star balloting program is the largest in sports, one that last year produced a record-shattering 40.2 million ballots cast. Vote for starters online or by mobile device until 11:59 p.m. ET on July 4.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Indians catcher Lou Marson has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and is starting their game against the Chicago White Sox.