SCHERZER STRONG ON MOUND AS TIGERS TOPPLE MARINERS  —  The Sports Network  —  Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Johnny Damon hit a two-run home run and Max Scherzer worked eight innings to help the Detroit Tigers take a 7-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game set.

Niese wins 5th straight, has 1st RBI in Mets' win  —  WASHINGTON—Jonathon Niese pitched seven solid innings, striking out a career-high eight for his fifth straight win, and the New York Mets held off the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Friday night.  —  Washington rallied for two runs …

Yankees Interested In Ty Wigginton  —  The Yankees have some interest in Ty Wigginton, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse.  Price suggests the Yankees would be interested in the 32-year-old as a part-time player, rather than as an everyday starter.  —  In 299 plate appearances for the Orioles …

Infante's 2-RBI single lifts Braves in 11th inning  —  ATLANTA—Omar Infante's two-run single with no outs in the 11th inning helped Atlanta rally for a 4-3 victory over the Florida Marlins on Friday night, the Braves' 15th final at-bat win.  —  The Braves have won two straight overall and five of seven.

Garcia, Cardinals muzzle Brewers 5-0  —  ST. LOUIS—Rookie Jaime Garcia bounced back from his worst start with seven innings of three-hit ball and Matt Holliday doubled twice and drove in a run in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Halos 'pen can't finish off Saunders' gem  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels bullpen couldn't protect an eight-plus inning effort from Joe Saunders Friday night, as the Royals battled back from their final strike to win, 2-1, in 10 innings at Angel Stadium.  —  Willie Bloomquist hit …

‘El Duque’ signs minor-league deal  —  The Nationals have signed veteran right-hander Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to a minor-league contract, according to two club sources.  —  Hernandez, the 44-year-old half-brother of Nats starter Livan Hernandez, will report to the organization's spring complex …

Price takes no-hitter into fifth but Twins rally to take down Rays ace  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Danny Valencia (FSY) had two hits and the go-ahead RBI in the seventh inning and the Minnesota Twins outlasted David Price (FSY) and the Tampa Bay Rays for a 2-1 victory Friday night.

Sox rally in ninth for 5-3 victory  —  Kotsay doubles in two runs to break tie in triumph over Rangers  —  Sox starting pitcher Freddy Garcia.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he's more focused on solving the Rangers than worrying about the fortunes of the American League Central-leading Twins.

Blum injures elbow while getting dressed  —  SAN DIEGO — Although Geoff Blum injured his right elbow in an unusual way on Thursday night, the impact of his injury is no less serious.  —  Blum felt a “pop” in his elbow while putting on his shirt following Thursday's contest against the Padres, according to manager Brad Mills.

Minor League Transactions  —  The numbers in parentheses denote draft round, of course, and I encourage one and all to check out our Draft Database.  It's the easiest place on the Web to find out, 1) who drafted whom, and from which school and which state, and 2) which players have signed.

Busy day for the Red Sox already (now with audio from Terry Francona)  —  OK, plenty of news today.  Here is what we know:  —  NOW ON THE ROSTER  —  RHP Robert Manuel (recalled from Pawtucket)  —  INF Nuiman Romera (called up from Pawtucket, added to 40-man roster)  —  C Kevin Cash (obtained from Houston)

Nava's RBI, Drew's 2 HRs give Boston 3-2 win  —  BOSTON—A decisive bloop single meant more to rookie Daniel Nava than the grand slam he hit on the first pitch he faced in his major league career.  —  Nava sliced a popup down the right-field line as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning Friday night …