MLB probes Dodgers' Ethier for obscene gesture … LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball is looking into photographs that show Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier making an obscene gesture at a photographer before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

Johnson Hits 2-Run Homer as Astros Beat Blue Jays  —  TORONTO (AP) — Chris Johnson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Friday night.  —  The Astros (16-29), owners of the worst record in baseball …

Rizzo discusses ump confrontation with Torre  —  BALTIMORE — Mike Rizzo said he spoke to Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field operation Joe Torre on Friday about the incident that occurred between the Nationals and umpires after Thursday's game against the Mets.

Dickey Buckles Yanks With Knuckler in 2-1 Mets Win  —  NEW YORK (AP) — R.A. Dickey regained command of his knuckleball and confounded the Yankees for six innings, Daniel Murphy homered and a youthful Mets lineup won the Subway Series opener 2-1 Friday night in front of a surprisingly lackluster New York crowd.

Bill Buckner ‘excited’ for return  —  Bill Buckner said he's excited to work Friday's Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, providing color commentary in the Cubs' booth.  —  “[I don't come back to Fenway] very often,” Buckner said.  “It'll be enjoyable, I'm excited about it.

Walker Drives in 5 as Pirates Beat Tigers 10-1  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Neil Walker homered and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Detroit Tigers 10-1 on Friday night.  —  Walker's two-run double in the sixth off Detroit reliever Brayan Villarreal helped break open a tight game.

Walkoff homer pushes Brewers to 7-6 win over Rockies in 14 innings  —  MILWAUKEE — When Jason Hammel hit Ryan Braun in the arm with a pitch in the fifth inning, the whole mood of Friday's game changed.  —  A palpable tension developed, infecting players and umpires.

Paterson Stops Twins Rally for 8-7 Arizona Victory  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona was clinging to a one-run lead with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning.  —  Oh, and closer J.J. Putz was unavailable.  —  So Arizona turned to rookie left-hander Joe Paterson …

Long-toss debate shakes up MLB draft  —  Prep right-hander Dylan Bundy, perhaps the top talent in one of the most loaded Major League Baseball drafts in years, has informed several teams not to select him because of fears they'll try to change his throwing program, a source close to Bundy told Yahoo! Sports.

Marlins beat Rays 5-3  —  MIAMI — Logan Morrison hit a game-tying homer in the fourth inning and doubled in the Florida Marlins' two-run eighth to help them beat Tampa Bay 5-3 on Friday night.  —  Morrison scored Florida's final run from third on a sacrifice fly to the first baseman.

Jeff Francis gets first win, Royals beats Cardinals 3-0  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jeff Francis threw 7 2-3 innings, outdueling Chris Carpenter and leading the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.  —  Francis (1-5), who had pitched well several times …

Halladay wins; Francisco, Ibanez go deep against Rangers  —  PHILADELPHIA - Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez homered, and Roy Halladay threw eight strong innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.  —  Halladay (6-3) struck out seven and walked one for the NL East-leading Phillies.

Rookie's bunt RBI lifts Indians over Reds 5-4  —  CLEVELAND — Rookie pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carrera bunted home Shin-Soo Choo from third base with two outs in the eighth inning, sending the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night in the Ohio Showdown's series opener.