Victor returns to catch Wake  —  Red Sox catcher still feeling effects of foul ball off toe  —  BOSTON — After missing the past three games with a bruised left big toe, Victor Martinez timed his return perfectly, coming back to the lineup on a night Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was pitching.

Cabrera thrives, Willis toils in loss to A's  —  DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis have known each other since their Minor League years in the Florida Marlins organization.  They worked their way up to become household names in the baseball world and have stayed close friends.

New York Yankees put Curtis Granderson back in lineup, designate Randy Winn for assignment  —  Center fielder Curtis Granderson returned to the Yankees lineup Friday for the first time since May 1, having missed 24 games with a Grade 2 strain of the left groin.

Angels, and Scott Kazmir, take a step back in 8-3 loss  —  Kazmir, unable to get the Mariners' hitters to bite on his offspeed pitches, gives up six runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.  —  Seattle's Franklin Gutierrez, left, scores past Angels catcher Mike Napoli on a single …

Mets brass owe their fans another ace  —  When time comes to deal for Lee or Oswalt, Wilpons, Minaya must pull trigger … NEW YORK — Betrayed by their allegiances, battered by a franchise forever leading the league in broken hearts, Mets fans tiptoed into the 2010 season terrified of their pitching staff.

Phillies snap scoreless streak, squeak past Marlins  —  MIAMI (AP) — Ryan Howard (FSY) had two hits and scored Philadelphia's first run in 31 innings on a triple by Raul Ibanez (FSY), Chase Utley (FSY) drove in the go-ahead run and the Phillies snapped out of a dreadful slump to beat the Florida Marlins 3-2 on Friday night.

Ethier plays 7 innings in rehab game  —  DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier played seven innings in right field and came to the plate four times for Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday night at Memphis, the first of what are expected to be two minor league rehabilitation games …

Cain stymies D-backs with 1-hit, 9-K shutout gem  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Cain stood in the on-deck circle preparing to bat during the middle of the game when a fan hollered to let him know he had given up all of one hit.  —  Cain knew he was cruising along, but pushed it from his mind.

Note: What Did Mike Francesa Just Say About Me?  —  Mike Francesa asked on WFAN, 'Who cares what Matthew Cerrone thinks?  He then said I look like I am 12 years old, and later asked, “Who reads blogs anyway?”  —  To get on air and tell him why you read blogs, and engage in new media, call 877-337-6666.

SLOWEY, MAUER KEY TWINS' WIN OVER RANGERS  —  The Sports Network  —  Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Kevin Slowey was solid in 6 2/3 innings on the mound, helping the Minnesota Twins take a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series at Target Field.

Umpire Joe West, Chicago White Sox's Ozzie Guillen, Mark Buehrle fined  —  NEW YORK — Umpire Joe West, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and pitcher Mark Buehrle were fined by Major League Baseball on Friday for their recent balk flap.  —  A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press there weren't any suspensions.

BLUE JAYS, ORIOLES SET TO BEGIN STRETCH OF DIVISIONAL GAMES  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Already 18 games out of first place in the American League East, the Baltimore Orioles can at least try to have some fun by shaking up the standings with 12 straight matchups against their division opponents.