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.

Mets prospects scratched; trade next?  —  A pair of New York Mets prospects were scratched from the starting lineup 10 minutes before Friday's Triple-A Buffalo game, signaling a trade might be brewing involving the major league club.  —  Two sources — one with ties to the organization …

Yanks: Javier Vazquez has ‘dead arm’  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees believe they know why starter Javier Vazquez had a mysterious drop in the velocity of his fastball Friday.  —  “He has a little dead arm,” pitching coach Dave Eiland told ESPNNewYork.com.  “Nothing more than that.”

Red Sox Agree To Deal With Carlos Delgado  —  The Red Sox and Carlos Delgado have reached an agreement on a minor league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).  If Delgado is not on the big league roster by September 1st, he can opt out of the deal and become a free agent.

Manny Ramirez delays MRI exam  —  LOS ANGELES — With progress having apparently stalled on his strained right calf, Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez was scheduled for an MRI exam in Phoenix on Friday.  But the exam never happened because Ramirez, who suffers from claustrophobia, couldn't stay in the MRI tube long enough.

Weaver bests Verlander in Angels' win over Tigers  —  DETROIT—Jered Weaver allowed three hits over seven innings to best Justin Verlander, Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer and tossed a bag of baseballs onto the field after being ejected, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Friday night.

Twins are trying to adapt to Target Field's quirkiness  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer tracked the fly ball, drifting back toward Target Field's 23-foot-high right-field wall.  The Minnesota Twins' right fielder hesitated just short of the warning track, unsure where the ball's downward arc would take it.

Manuel may skip struggling Pelfrey's next start  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PHILADELPHIA — Big Pelf could be headed toward a big rest.  —  Though manager Jerry Manuel hasn't looked beyond this weekend for his starting rotation, he still is considering the possibility of skipping Mike Pelfrey's turn …

Harper enrolls, but Nats still negotiating  —  Team has until Aug. 16 to strike deal with No. 1 Draft pick  —  LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Bryce Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, has enrolled in classes at the College of Southern Nevada and met the school's new coach …

Jays' Cecil tops Garza in duel  —  Toronto starter Brett Cecil struck out nine batters and the Blue Jays took advantage of a pair of Tampa Bay errors to beat the Rays 2-1 on Friday night.  —  Tampa Bay has the second best record in baseball, but Cecil (9-5) has now beaten them three times this season.

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 …

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.

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) …

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.