NEW YORK - One-third of Major League Baseball teams declined in value over the past year while the New York Yankees' worth increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, according to the annual estimates by Forbes magazine.

The Washington Nationals took the biggest hit during the recession, down 12 percent to $406 million. The Atlanta Braves dropped 10 percent and the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners each were off 9 percent, the magazine said.

The decline by 10 teams was the most since 2004, according to Forbes.

Bolstered by their new $1.5 billion stadium, the Yankees showed the top increase and remained the most valuable franchise in the majors.

NEW YORK - ( Michael Phelps is following up his record performance at the Beijing Olympics by changing some of the swimming technique that carried him to eight gold medals.As he shifts to focusing on shorter races, he hopes the new freestyle technique will increase his sprinting speed.Phelps will reveal the new technique when he returns to competition at the Charlotte UltraSwim May 14 to 17 in North Carolina, his first meet since Beijing. He plans to swim four events, including the 100- and 200-meter free and the 100 butterfly.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Richard Childress Racing will swap the crews for slumping drivers Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears following this weekend's race at Talladega Superspeedway.The move comes following RCR's dismal showing last Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway, where the team has traditionally runs very well.Harvick, a two-time Phoenix winner, was 30th in his worst finish at that track in six seasons.

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians sent left-handed relief pitcher Zach Jackson, a Seneca Valley graduate, to Class AAA Columbus Wednesday.Jackson allowed three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings over two appearances for the Tribe. Tony Sipp, a left-handed reliever, was recalled from Columbus to replace him.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Brett Rinker of Slippery Rock carded an even-par 72-72-144 to place first in his age group at a recent Plantation Junior Golf Tour event at Cook's Creek Golf Club in Columbus.