Red Sox blast Yankees 11-3

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Boston Red Sox further slammed the slim playoff hopes of the New York Yankees on Wednesday, routing them 11-3 at Yankee Stadium for a second straight win.

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Nadal aims to raise playing level

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal plans to step up his intensity when he bids for a place in the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday.

After Olympic success, China lights Paralympics torch

BEIJING (Reuters) - Four days after closing the 2008 Beijing Games in triumph, China lit the 2008 Paralympics torch amid pomp and ceremony at Beijing's ancient Temple of Heaven, marking the start of a domestic relay for the September 6 Games.

First Afghan medalist returns to hero's welcome

KABUL (Reuters) - Thousands of jubilant Afghans packed the national stadium to give the nation's first Olympic medal winner Rohullah Nikpai a hero's welcome on Thursday.

Jankovic and Kuznetsova battle through

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Second seed Jelena Jankovic and former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova had to work much harder than expected to shake off their opponents in the second round of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

Phelps to appear on "SNL"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Swimmer Michael Phelps' victory lap on NBC continues, with the Olympian champion booked to make his acting debut on the 34th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live."

Harrington amazed by LPGA's English rule for Tour players

NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - British Open champion Padraig Harrington expressed astonishment on Wednesday after hearing that the women's LPGA Tour will require its players to speak English from 2009.

Roddick roars past Santoro to end first round

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former world number one Andy Roddick roared past grand slam veteran Fabrice Santoro of France 6-2 6-2 6-2 on Wednesday to complete the men's first round at the U.S. Open.

Bolt could have run 9.52 in Olympics, coach says

ZURICH (Reuters) - Triple Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Usain Bolt could have run the 100 meters in 9.52 seconds if he had not slowed to celebrate, his coach said on Wednesday.

Phillies stun Mets to take NL East lead

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Phillies rallied from seven runs down to beat the visiting New York Mets 8-7 and take top spot in the National League East on Tuesday.