Astros ink Erstad, Moehler to extensions  —  Players are signed through the 2009 season  —  HOUSTON — Darin Erstad and Brian Moehler have both signed one-year contract extensions for the 2009 season, the Astros announced during Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Reeling Dodgers fall to D-backs  —  LA drops 4 1/2 games behind for first time in two months  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers' losing streak reached eight Friday night in the opener of a showdown series against the first-place Diamondbacks, an 8-3 defeat that dropped Los Angeles 4 1/2 games back for the first time in two months.

Mets ride Beltran's slam to big win  —  Bases-loaded blast caps ninth-inning comeback for Amazins  —  MIAMI — Mere seconds were all the ball needed to clear Dolphin Stadium's right-field fence, slicing through hours of frustration just as effortlessly as it cut through the sticky South Florida air.

Pavano shines as Yankees shut down Blue Jays  —  NEW YORK — Carl Pavano said he didn't hear the cheers when he walked off the mound after striking out Alex Rios, the years of fan animosity seemingly turned to adulation in just six short innings.  —  He did hear Joe Girardi, though, when the Yankees manager made a request.

Beckett goes on DL; tests show only elbow strain  —  Josh Beckett was diagnosed with a strained right elbow and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 18.  —  The announcement was made prior to the Red Sox game Friday night against the Chicago White Sox.

Alvarez deadlock affects Hosmer, Royals  —  Royals fans were alarmed on Thursday night when first round pick Eric Hosmer, who made his professional debut on Monday, was absent from the Idaho Falls Chukars lineup.  There was speculation that Hosmer's absence was related to the recent contract impasse between …

Numbers adding up for Angels  —  The Angels' Garret Anderson, center, is congratulated at home plate by Mark Teixeira, left, as Chone Figgins looks on after Anderson hit a two-run home run off Texas' Dustin Nippert during the sixth inning Friday night at Angel Stadium.  The Angels won, 3-1.

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 …

Prospect Bowden called up  —  Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Bowden has been called up to Boston and will make his major-league debut on Saturday.  —  The 21-year-old right-hander left McCoy Stadium a little while ago and was on his way to Fenway Park.  —  Red Sox backup first baseman Sean Casey …

Yankees announce pricing plans for new stadium  —  NEW YORK — Even seats behind the outfield fence will be costly at the new Yankee Stadium.  —  The front part of the area behind the outfield in right and left will cost $100 and $75 per game next year as part of season-ticket plans at the $1.3 billion ballpark.

White Sox stopped cold by Dice-K  —  Offense collects just two hits; Vazquez knocked around in loss  —  BOSTON — There's an old baseball adage that states out of a 162-game schedule, a team wins 60 games and loses 60 games.  But it's how said team does with the remaining 42 that decides where the squad finishes.

Rays secure first winning season  —  Zobrist hits first career grand slam in commanding win  —  ST. PETERSBURG — After a decade of unrealized hopes in Tampa Bay, it was only fitting that the game that secured the Rays' first winning season in franchise history would be decided by the bats swung …