Wickman designated for assignment  —  Veteran closer converted 20 of 26 save opportunities  —  ST. LOUIS — Adam Dunn said goodbye to Bob Wickman's 12th-inning fastball on Thursday night, and the Braves said goodbye to Wickman on Friday afternoon.  —  Somewhat surprisingly …

Perez shuts down the Dodgers  —  Mets left-hander outduels Penny in 5-2 victory.  Wright drives in two runs and make two big plays at third base.  —  NEW YORK — Oliver Perez outpitched Dodgers ace Brad Penny, and the New York Mets got a dazzling all-around performance from David Wright in a 5-2 victory tonight at Shea Stadium.

Howard on pace to break strikeout record  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — When he connects, the Phillies' Ryan Howard can hit the ball a long way.  Making contact is the slugger's biggest problem.  —  The reigning NL MVP is on pace to set the major league record for strikeouts in a season.

Weaver bests Halladay, Angels keep lead  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jered Weaver pitched six scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Angels got RBI singles from Vladimir Guerrero, Maicer Izturis and Orlando Cabrera against Roy Halladay to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Friday night.

Rockies score 5 in 9th, top Nationals  —  DENVER (AP) — Matt Holliday sparked a five-run, ninth-inning rally, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Friday night.  —  The Rockies, who had lost two straight to the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, avoided falling back to .500 …

Maddux first 10-20 pitcher, leads Padres in rout of Phillies  —  CBSSports.com wire reports  —  PHILADELPHIA — Passing Cy Young didn't faze Greg Maddux.  Moving ahead of his older brother was a bit more exciting.  —  Maddux became the first pitcher to win 10 games in 20 consecutive seasons …

MLB, New Era both agree to yank caps  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  NEW YORK (AP) - A lineup of team logo baseball caps denounced as tailor-made for gang members was ordered removed from store shelves by its manufacturer Friday after complaints from baseball officials.

Game 128: Yankees at Tigers  —  Here is the lineup:  —  YANKEES  —  Johnny Damon DH  —  Melky Cabrera CF  —  Derek Jeter SS  —  Alex Rodriguez 3B  —  Jorge Posada C  —  Hideki Matsui LF  —  Robinson Cano 2B  —  Andy Phillips 1B  —  Shelley Duncan RF  —  Roger Clemens RHP (5-5, 3.92)

Opener with White Sox washed away  —  Game will be made up Friday as part of day-night twin bill  —  CHICAGO — The Red Sox and White Sox waited for a window of dryness that never came before Thursday night's game was finally cancelled following a delay of about two and a half hours.

Other than a rousing game of limbo...  It could've been the ultimate free agent signing, the one that potentially turns around a franchise.  —  Ideally, a premium free agent acquisition does two things: One, improves the product on the field and two, as George Steinbrenner once opined: "Puts asses in the seats."

MOOSE ON SHORT LEASH  —  Their first preference is for Mike Mussina to bounce back from two morbid outings Monday night so the veteran right-hander remains in their rotation as they chase the Red Sox and Mariners.  —  However, Mussina is on a short rope against the Tigers.