Sox acquire Alex Gonzalez  —  The Red Sox, who have had a revolving at shortstop in recent seasons, reacquired a familiar face this afternoon in attempt to help solve their ongoing problem.  —  Alex Gonzalez, who was spectacular with the glove but so-so at the plate during 2006 …

Mets blank Giants at Citi Field  —  Met starter Bobby Parnell was on a pitch count of around 80 Friday night and Jerry Manuel joked during his pregame press conference that he hoped the rookie didn't use them all in the first two innings, a funny, if somewhat painful reference to the righty's …

Will manager Lou Piniella take the heat for Chicago Cubs' swoon?  —  Players: Criticism of manager comes with the territory  —  As the Cubs continued their mid-summer swoon Thursday with a 6-1 loss to the Phillies at Wrigley Field, manager Lou Piniella is beginning to receive heat for his underachieving ballclub.

Dodgers sign second-round pick Gould  —  Right-hander to immediately report to training complex  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers believe they came away from the June First-Year Player Draft with an extra first-round talent in second-round pick Garrett Gould, and on Friday, they signed …

Red Sox, Renfroe Agree On $1.4 Million  —  The Red Sox and third-round pick David Renfroe have agreed to terms on a $1.4 million bonus.  Under MLB provisions for two-sport athletes, his bonus will be spread over five years.  The net present value of the deal comes in below …

Yankees notebook: solving the homers  —  The number of dingers at the Stadium are not due to wind  —  Post on facebook Fan Comments print email  —  Let's kickoff this Yankees Notebook with a great study on ballpark effects from physicist Dr. Alan Nathan of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

3 UP: JOBA'S ROLES, JOBA'S RULES AND MATSUI  —  Yes, I am on Twitter.  —  1. In today's Post I wrote about why I believe it is wise to limit Joba Chamberlain's innings.  Here is something else to consider: Let's say in late July 2007, the Yankees had done what was the popular thing and traded …

Howard homer carries Phillies past Braves 3-2  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves kept coming up just short of the fence.  Chase Utley (FSY) and Ryan Howard (FSY) showed them how it's done.  —  Utley hit a two-run homer and Howard led off the ninth inning with a tie-breaking shot that gave …

Pie hits for cycle as Orioles rout Angels 16-6  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Felix Pie (FSY) became the fourth player in Baltimore Orioles history to hit for the cycle, then got two pies in the face from his teammates during the postgame television interview.  —  It was an emotional Friday night …

Halladay gets 13th win as Blue Jays beat Rays  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Roy Halladay (FSY) got the run support he needed to earn his first win of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays.  —  Halladay gave up two runs over eight innings for his 13th win and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Rays 5-2 on Friday night.

Johnson's gem helps Marlins beat Rockies 6-5  —  MIAMI (AP) — The third and final standing ovation for Josh Johnson (FSY) was the loudest.  After allowing only one hit in 7⅓ innings, Johnson left the game to a big roar from the small crowd.  He helped the Florida Marlins tighten …

Game 116: Yankees at Mariners (with A-Rod update)  —  YANKEES (72-43)  —  Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.14).  —  MARINERS (60-55)  —  Suzuki RF  —  Gutierrez CF  —  Lopez 2B  —  Griffey Jr, DH  —  Branyan 1B  —  Hannahan 3B  —  Johnson C  —  Wilson SS  —  Saunders LF

Bedard out 4-6 months, Beltre won't need surgery  —  Pitcher Erik Bedard won't be able to pitch again for between 4-6 months after surgery today revealed a torn labrum and inflamed bursa - injuries that will impact him into next season.  —  At the same time the Seattle Mariners got that news …

Haren handcuffs Dodgers in opener  —  Four-run second provides ace with all the support he needs  —  PHOENIX — Dan Haren said he was just pitching inside.  —  D-backs manager A.J. Hinch called it aggressive baseball.  —  Mark Reynolds said one might have gotten away from Haren.