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.

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 …

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.

Astros extend deals for Moehler, Erstad thru '09  —  HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros extended the contracts of pitcher Brian Moehler and outfielder Darin Erstad through the 2009 season.  —  Erstad will make $1.75 million plus bonuses next season and Moehler will make $2.3 million plus bonuses.

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 …

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.

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.

Garrett Atkins hits 2 homers in Rockies' 9-4 win  —  SAN DIEGO (AP)—Garrett Atkins hit two home runs and had a season-high five RBI to lift the Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night.  —  The Rockies have won 10 of 13 games and are trying to position themselves for another late-season playoff run.

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 …

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.