Drew powers Diamondbacks past Nationals 4-0  —  PHOENIX—Stephen Drew hit a three-run triple in the fifth inning, Josh Collmenter pitched seven sharp innings and the surging Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Washington Nationals 4-0 on Friday night.  —  Collmenter (4-1), allowed three hits …

Crawford's hit helps Sox snap four-game skid  —  Carl Crawford had only two hits in his previous 20 at-bats when he came to the plate in the seventh inning at Fenway Park last night.  The Red Sox, down by a run against the Oakland Athletics, had the bases loaded with two outs.

Astros release Hall; activate Bourgeois  —  SAN DIEGO — Bill Hall, the Astros' biggest free-agent signing this offseason, quietly packed his bags and his thoughts late Friday while exchanging hugs and handshakes with what are now former teammates.  His days in Houston are done.

Varitek, Papelbon ejected amid late collapse  —  With A's rallying in ninth inning, Red Sox battery gets tossed  —  BOSTON — A quick collapse for the Red Sox in the ninth inning Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park also saw tempers spill over and their battery ejected.

Mets nemesis, Braves' Chipper Jones, says he would keep David Wright, even if Reyes can't stay  —  Eighteen years after he debuted, now 39 years old and fighting injuries, Chipper Jones is still the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves.  —  Jones never wanted it any other way …

Games of the Day  —  The Red Sox moved their game against Oakland to 1 PM EDT as Trevor Cahill faces Josh Beckett.  Cahill's road ERA is 0.6 runs high than his home ERA despite better strikeout and walk numbers away from Oakland.  Beckett is coming off a very hot month of May in which he posted a 1.00 ERA in 36 innings.

Cubs' debt situation figures to affect free-agent plans  —  ST. LOUIS — As the Cubs opened a brutal road trip Friday against the hated and envied Cardinals — this time passing on the Albert Pujols hug — the larger point was being missed back home in the pissing match over whether Bud Selig cares …

Quentin, Lillibridge go yard as White Sox overpower Tigers  —  CHICAGO — Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer and Brent Lillibridge added a solo shot to help the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Friday night.  —  The White Sox ended a nine-game losing steak against the Tigers …

Rockies' Cook ready to make his case for rotation  —  COLORADO SPRINGS — What pitcher Aaron Cook wants to do when he returns from the disabled list suits the Rockies just fine — namely, pitch like the veteran that manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Bob Apodaca thought they'd have to start the season.

Angels beat Yankees with Weaver's first win since April 25  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jered Weaver tied for the AL lead with his seventh victory — 39 days after getting his sixth one — and No. 9 hitter Peter Bourjos singled home the go-ahead run for the Los Angeles Angels in a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Empty seats behind plate becoming eyesore on TV  —  The standard television angle at a baseball game comes from a camera in center field.  It shows the pitcher's back as he delivers to the plate with the batter, catcher and umpire waiting.  —  More and more, the players aren't the focal point …

Mock Draft: The Zero Issue  —  What you see below is my current mock draft.  Instead of big write-ups, which I'm saving for my final mock draft on Monday, these are the notes from calls and texts in my latest mock worksheet with source names removed.  I hope it's a fun look at how the sausage is made.

Cain ends skid, helps Giants stay sharp with win over Rockies  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Cody Ross hit a go-ahead two-run double in the fourth, Matt Cain pitched seven innings for his first win in more than three weeks and the San Francisco Giants beat the slumping Colorado Rockies 3-1 on Friday night.

Rolen's single gives Arroyo all he needs in Reds win  —  CINCINNATI, Ohio — Scott Rolen hit a two-run single with two out in the fifth inning, sending Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.  —  Arroyo (4-5) allowed one run and five hits …