AP - Nick Blackburn fought through five innings and the maligned Minnesota bullpen didn't flinch, pitching the Twins past Mark Buehrle and the White Sox 3-2 on Wednesday night to pull within a half-game of Chicago in the AL Central.

AP - Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra homered, and the surging Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 12-4 Wednesday night to clinch a tie for their first NL West championship in four years.

AP - CC Sabathia sizzled on short rest, and the Milwaukee Brewers pulled even with the New York Mets in the NL wild-card race. Sabathia gave up four hits over seven innings while striking out a season-high 11 and the Brewers rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Wednesday night.

AP - With another brutal loss, the New York Mets kept tumbling toward another September collapse. Derrek Lee blooped a go-ahead double in the 10th inning off Luis Ayala, Aramis Ramirez followed with a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the Mets 9-6 Wednesday night.

AFP - Daniela Hantuchova battled into the third round of the China Open on Wednesday as local favourite Zheng Jie restored some pride to Chinese tennis with an emphatic win.

AFP - Chelsea have completed the signing of experienced Brazil midfielder Mineiro as cover for the injured Michael Essien.

AP - Lance Armstrong won his first seven Tour de France titles with Johan Bruyneel as his team director. No way would he try for No. 8 without him.

AP - Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress was suspended for one game by the New York Giants on Wednesday for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

AFP - Steady rain prevented any play by early afternoon Wednesday at the China Open, with fans desperate to see a win for local favourite Zheng Jie and world number two Jelena Jankovic due on court.

AP - Tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is likely to return for No. 14 Ohio State against Minnesota on Saturday. "It adds to our arsenal," coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday, shortly after announcing that Wells was probable for Saturday's game.