With Yanks' Help, Red Sox Edge Closer  —  A quick glance at the American League East standings reveals that no team has clinched the title — not the Yankees, not the Tampa Bay Rays and not the Boston Red Sox, who do not care about the injuries that have ravaged their infield, outfield, catching depth and rotation.

Arencibia set to realize dream with Blue Jays  —  Catching prospect expected to suit up for Friday's series opener against Rays  —  Blue Jays fans impressed with the development of pitchers Ricky Romero and Brett Cecil, along with outfielder Travis Snider, will get another glimpse of the team's future this weekend.

Ilitch: Leyland, Dombrowski will return in '11  —  DETROIT — Any lingering question about the futures of Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland seemed to find its answer Friday, when team owner Mike Ilitch said both will be back next year.

Baker, Reds working toward extension  —  CHICAGO — The early groundwork toward a contract extension for Reds manager Dusty Baker appears under way.  —  “I've been approached in the last couple days,” Baker said on Friday.  “There are some things starting.”  —  Baker's three-year contract with Cincinnati expires after the season.

Martino: Phils fight while Mets flop  —  The Mets sat in first place in the National League East when they made their initial visit to Philadelphia this year back in May.  Reminded of that fact then, one prominent Phillie smirked, rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah, we'll see about that.”

Giants not awarded waiver claim on Dunn; It probably was the Dodgers  —  I have just learned that the Giants were not the team that was awarded the waiver claim on Nationals power man Adam Dunn.  That's not much of a surprise.  The Giants had the third-best record in the National League …

Hudson leads D-backs to 2-1 win over Padres  —  PHOENIX—Dan Hudson pitched into the eighth inning to outduel Jon Garland in his second start with Arizona and Adam LaRoche hit his 18th homer, lifting the Diamondbacks past the stumbling San Diego Padres 2-1 on Friday night.

NOT-SO HOT SHEET  —  • Neftali Soto, 1b, Reds: Soto's return to high Class A was supposed to give him a chance to regain his confidence after a rough 2009 season.  And he was working on catching as well, which would add to his prospect value.  Soto hasn't picked up a catcher's mitt since June 1 …

Gibson: Time is right to take chances  —  PHOENIX — If the word unorthodox comes to mind while watching a D-backs game this August or September, don't be surprised.  Maybe even expect it.  —  The D-backs (41-68) are 23 games back of their weekend opponent, the National League West-leading Padres …

Reds beat Cubs 3-0, move 14 games over .500  —  CHICAGO—Bronson Arroyo threw five-hit ball over seven innings in another dominant effort against the Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Chicago 3-0 Friday to move 14 games over .500 for the first time in 11 years.

Orioles win again, top White Sox 2-1 in 10 innings  —  BALTIMORE—Adam Jones singled in the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning, and the Baltimore Orioles extended their unbeaten run under new manager Buck Showalter with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

LaPorta's 9th-inning homer gives Indians win  —  CLEVELAND—Matt LaPorta homered leading off the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.  —  LaPorta connected for his sixth homer off Matt Guerrier (2-7) …