Beckett elbow exam results: “Awesome”  —  BOSTON — Josh Beckett had his valuable right elbow examined Friday morning by noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, and the results of those tests were “awesome,” said manager Terry Francona.  —  “Everything came out completely structurally sound,” Francona said Friday afternoon.

Journeyman Gives Yankees a Playoff Pulse  —  There is no game quite like baseball offering equal opportunity for the unsung.  To personalize this point, meet Cody Ransom, 32, who happened to grow up a Yankees fan in the Bronx suburb of Mesa, Ariz.  —  There is a generational explanation, a historical link.

Royals told Hosmer can't play until union appeal resolved  —  First baseman Eric Hosmer and the Royals are now officially snagged in the ongoing dispute between the Pittsburgh Pirates and third baseman Pedro Alvarez.  —  The commissioner's office told the Royals that Hosmer is not allowed …

Phillies, in need of left-handed bat, deal for Stairs … The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to send Matt Stairs to the Phillies for a minor leaguer to be named later.  —  The trade, first reported by FOXSports.com, gives the Phillies a left-handed bat off the bench to replace the injured Geoff Jenkins.

Soriano's HR helps Cubs run streak to 7  —  CHICAGO (AP)—The Philadelphia Phillies may have benefited from an instant replay in the seventh inning.  Too bad the rule only is in effect for home run calls.  —  Ryan Howard was called out on a close play at first, thwarting a rally that helped …

Yank fan's 7th-inning stretch from hell  —  A New York Yankees fan says he might sue after he was allegedly ejected for trying to use the Yankee Stadium men's room while a patriotic song was playing.  —  Bradford Campeau-Laurion told WCBS-TV in New York Thursday that the seventh-inning stretch seemed …

Prospect Hot Sheet: Aug. 29  —  Is the season almost over already?  Brett Wallace may wish that it could go on a little longer.  Just a couple of months ago he was playing for Arizona State, now he's in Double-A and leading Springfield to a playoff spot.  It's an amazing run …

The Quirks of NPB Pitching  —  It's been another busy week and I haven't had much time for baseball, so let's take a break from the NPB current events and take a look at some pitching.  —  If you've read this blog more than once, you might have observed that it's very pitching-centric.

Diamondbacks acquire pitcher Ledezma … In an effort to continue to bolster their bullpen, the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday announced they have claimed left-handed pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma from the San Diego Padres.  —  Ledezma will report to the D-backs tomorrow, at which time another corresponding move will be made.

Guzman hits for cycle  —  Shortstop accomplishes rare feat against Dodgers  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman hit for the cycle in an 11-2 victory over the Dodgers on Thursday night at Nationals Park.  —  Guzman is the second player in Nationals history to perform the feat.