Phillies torch Livan Hernandez and beat Mets 7-2  —  PHILADELPHIA — Rodrigo Lopez took a three-hitter into the seventh inning in his first outing in two years, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game home losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the Mets on Friday night.

It's so wrong to celebrate Manny's return  —  Widespread love for Ramirez upon his being back in Dodgers' lineup a puzzling thing  —  That dreadlocked bon vivant, Manny Ramirez, will rejoin us — and the Dodgers — this weekend after eight weeks of purgatory on Planet Manny.  Whoop-de-doo.

BoSox in talks with coveted Cuban SS … The Red Sox are in serious discussions with Cuban shortstop whiz Jose Iglesias, according to a league source.  —  If finalized, the contract is expected to be for about $8 million, perhaps a little bit more than that, according to people familiar with the talks.

If Cleveland's willing to trade Martinez, Boston's a likely suitor … Indians higher-ups say they aren't likely to trade hitting star Victor Martinez.  Not only is Martinez one of the better hitters in baseball, with 14 home runs, 57 RBIs and .313 batting average, but the Indians hold …

Bases loaded walk gives Cubs win over Brewers  —  Jake Fox drew a bases-loaded walk off Mike DiFelice to force in the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning Friday, and the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1.  —  Ryan Theriot singled off second baseman Craig Counsell's glove …

Pujols hits club-record fourth slam in Cards' win  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-4 on Friday night.

Morosi On Yankees, Qualls, Tigers  —  Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has a few more rumors worth passing along:  — The Yankees' bullpen has been performing well, but that's not stopping the team from keeping a close eye on D'Backs closer Chad Qualls.  — If Brian Bruney doesn't start pitching …

Burnett shuts down Blue Jays  —  A.J. Burnett scatters six hits over seven innings as Yankees beat Blue Jays 4-2 to win for the eighth time in nine games  — Special Report: Salt - Weather - Blogs - RSS Feeds - Globe Books - TV listings - Globe on Twitter

Hudson possibly heading to Strand  —  Braves pitcher may rehab with Pelicans  —  MYRTLE BEACH — Tom Glavine is no longer with the Atlanta Braves, but he spread word throughout the Braves' clubhouse about Myrtle Beach before he left.  —  Glavine pitched in Myrtle Beach last August …

Source: Padres to extend Black's contract  —  Buzz up!  —  SAN DIEGO - Rebuilding under new ownership, the San Diego Padres intend to extend manager Bud Black's contract in the coming weeks, according to a club source.  —  Black, 52, is in his third season managing the Padres …

Which D-Backs stay; which will go?  —  Maybe we all should have seen it coming.  The “Baby Backs” that Valley baseball fans so adored just a couple of seasons ago have reached their awkward years.  And a season that began with so much youthful promise has broken out everywhere in blemishes.

Star Cuban pitcher defects; Yankees interested? … A highly regarded Cuban pitching prospect has defected from the national team while playing in a tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  His next stop could be in the major leagues, possibly with the New York Yankees.

Branyan punctuates win with long blast  —  Slugger hits restaurant in center field at Yankee Stadium  —  NEW YORK — After going nearly two games without hitting a ball between the white lines at Yankee Stadium, Mariners first baseman Russell Branyan hit one where no else has gone.