In Samuel's debut, O's stung by Red Sox  —  Tillman roughed up early as losing streak reaches nine  —  BALTIMORE — Friday was supposed to signal the start of a new season at Camden Yards, a fundamentally sound Orioles team that played with enthusiasm and aggression, two attributes interim …

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 …

Cubs' Zambrano loses 3-1 in comeback  —  Starter looks sharp after 1st inning but offense can't do much against Astros  —  In his first game since returning to the rotation from a stint as a reliever, Carlos Zambrano talks with catcher Geovany Soto after giving up a double to Houston's Carlos Lee in the first inning.

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.

Sox suffer complete collapse in 10-1 setback  —  Danks, relievers can't stop Indians and offense surprisingly can't solve Masterson  —  White Sox starter John Danks delivers a pitch against the Indians during the third inning.  (Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press / June 4, 2010)

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. ...

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.

CECIL STELLAR, BAUTISTA GOES YARD TWICE AS JAYS BEAT YANKEES  —  TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays stared out at the mound Friday night and saw a part of their recent failed past in A.J. Burnett, and a big part of what they hope is a brighter future in Brett Cecil.

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.

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.