Jeff Hart

Slugger Jim Thome is headed to the Baltimore Orioles, whose struggling offense is in dire need of some punch.

Rookies are not the only Falcons players going through their first minicamp this week. This also is the first offseason program for such second-year players as receiver Julio Jones and running back Jacquizz Rodgers who had no minicamp or organized team activities last year because of the NFL lockout.

Jose Morales went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and both Anderson Hernandez and Yamaico Navarro drove in two RBIs as the Indianapolis Indians routed the Gwinnett Braves, 10-2, on Wednesday night at Coolray Field.

Georgia Tech's basketball team has bounced back on the NCAA's Academic Progress Report.

Russ Canzler

LeBron James scored 32 points, Wade rebounded from a poor opener with 24 and the Heat built a huge early lead before holding off a furious fourth-quarter rally behind their three All-Stars to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 on Thursday night to tie the series at one game apiece.

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is already the vocal leader of Atlanta's defense. Now he wants to take his game to the field.

The 2012 Region 8-AAA All-Region baseball team was announced Wednesday, and as expected Gainesville dominated the selections after advancing to the Class AAA semifinals.

The Braves left 13 runners on base as Curtis Granderson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the streaking New York Yankees past Atlanta 3-2 on Wednesday night to complete the three-game sweep.

Cory Gearrin, who gave up Nick Swisher's tie-breaking, two-run homer in the Braves' 6-4 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night, has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.