Orioles fire manager Dave Trembley  —  Dave Trembley walks onto the field to argue a call during the first inning of Thursday's 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees.  He compiled a 187-283 (.398) record guiding the club, the second-worst winning percentage of any manager in Orioles history.

Mets Designate Gary Matthews Jr. For Assignment  —  The Mets designated Gary Matthews Jr. for assignment, according to the team.  They also called catcher Omir Santos and infielder Ruben Tejada up and placed Luis Castillo on the 15-day DL in related moves.  Matthews earns $11MM this year …

Rangers' Beltre Incites Bench-Clearing Brawl After Walk-Off Home Run  —  When you hit a walk-off home run, it's usually best to celebrate after you cross home plate.  —  Unless, apparently, you are Rangers high Class A Bakersfield center fielder Engel Beltre.

Rookie Smoak, Hamilton power Rangers' rally past Rays 9-6  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie Justin Smoak (FSY) homered and had a career-high three hits, Josh Hamilton (FSY) had a homer and two doubles, and the Texas Rangers rallied from an early four-run deficit for a 9-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Halladay not perfect, but Phils still top Padres  —  Philadelphia, PA — Roy Halladay wasn't perfect, but the Phillies' ace still threw seven solid innings and was backed by Shane Victorino's productive night in a 3-2 win over the Padres.  —  Halladay (8-3), in his first start since retiring …

Atlanta Braves place reliever Takashi Saito on DL  —  LOS ANGELES — The Atlanta Braves placed reliever Takashi Saito on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled reliever Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett before Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Royals pleased with Yost  —  KANSAS CITY — Royals manager Ned Yost gets a positive rating so far from general manager Dayton Moore.  —  “I think he's done a terrific job,” Moore said.  “He's very focused and he intends on getting where this organization needs to be. ...

Burrell joins Giants; Bowker sent down  —  Former Phillies slugger expected to join team in Pittsburgh  —  Pat Burrell, the onetime Phillies mainstay, will be back playing ball in Pennsylvania on Friday night.  —  But it will be in Pittsburgh, with the Giants, who on Friday purchased his contract from Triple-A Fresno.

Pregame notes: Eiland away indefinitely  —  Joe Girardi started his pregame media session with an unexpected announcement.  —  “Dave Eiland took a personal leave of absence,” Girardi said.  “He'll be gone as long as he needs.  That's all I'm going to share.”