OAKLAND — Frank Thomas homered twice and drove in four runs to help Dan Haren win for the first time in six weeks, and the Oakland Athletics avoided a three-game sweep with a 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — Austin Kearns’ sacrifice fly with the bases loaded off San Francisco closer Armando Benitez capped a two-run rally in the ninth inning, lifting Washington past the Giants 4-3 on Wednesday night, the Nationals’ fifth consecutive victory.

DENVER — The backdrop of America’s bid for the 2016 Olympic Games might be the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sears Tower or the Los Angeles Coliseum — or none of these at all.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Porter made news Tuesday by demanding a trade. He was held out of Wednesday morning’s practice with a strained calf injury.

Melanie Troxel and husband Tommy Johnson Jr. accelerate their marriage a quarter-mile at a time.

SAN FRANCISCO — Wednesday’s NHRA press conference got off to a late start for the Force family.

From Register Staff

This is a summer of adjustment and change for Paul McQuistan.