Rangers fan dies after 20-foot fall  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — A fan who died Thursday after falling from the outfield stands while reaching for a ball thrown by Texas Rangers All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton has been identified.  —  The victim was Shannon Stone, a 39-year-old firefighter from Brownwood, Texas.

Angels promote Mike Trout from Double-A  —  In the manager's office after Thursday's game, Angels manager Mike Scioscia and GM Tony Reagins discussed their options for nearly 30 minutes after center fielder Peter Bourjos injured his hamstring in the eighth inning.

Bothered by Dodgers' mess, Ethier may be thinking of Red Sox … Dodgers players generally deny that the team's ongoing financial troubles (a.k.a. the McCourt mess) are affecting them.  But at least star right fielder Andre Ethier is said by several sources around the team to be unhappy with what's going on with the last-place team.

Jeter's quest continues tonight … Derek Jeter's chase for 3,000 hits will continue for at least one more night.  He's ready for all the hype surrounding the accomplishment to die down.  —  The New York Yankees captain is two hits shy of becoming the 28th major leaguer to reach …

Former catcher Chris Hatcher returns to Florida Marlins as a pitcher, first such move in 75 years  —  UPDATE: Just heard back from the Elias Sports Bureau, which reports that Hatcher will be the first catcher-turned-pitcher in the majors since Art Doll of the Boston Braves.

Braves need some creative financing  —  The Braves, like most clubs, are near their payroll limit.  But the team was in a similar position last season, and general manager Frank Wren still made two trades.  —  In both deals — the first for Royals reliever Kyle Farnsworth and outfielder Rick Ankiel …

Tragedy taught Palermo life lessons  —  ATLANTA, GA.  —  Twenty years later, Steve Palermo — then the No. 1 rated umpire in baseball — hasn't forgotten the slightest detail of those early morning hours, laying on the street outside a Dallas restaurant, shot by a mugger, uncertain he would see another tomorrow.

Can't skip his place in Sox lore  —  Carl Yastrzemski is a recluse of sorts.  Yaz isn't one for making appearances, shaking hands, and swapping stories about the good old days of 1967.  He doesn't do many interviews and doesn't return many phone calls.  Months can go by, and you won't hear back.

Red Sox Hit 6 Homers to Top Birds, Reclaim First  —  BOSTON (AP) — Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run homer and Boston added three consecutive home runs in the seventh as the Red Sox beat the struggling Baltimore Orioles 10-4 on Thursday night.  —  Six different Boston players homered …

Game-ending grand slams and Lindy McDaniel  —  For the second time this year, the Indians end a game with a grand slam.  According to Retrosheet, there were 188 game-ending grand slams between 1950 and 2010.  —  So, we aren't talking about an unusual event.  Dramatic, yes, but not unusual.

Mets' K-Rod in Talks With Agent Scott Boras … LOS ANGELES — Scott Boras is courting another high-profile Mets player.  And this time, the interest appears to be mutual.  —  Closer Francisco Rodriguez, who could become a free agent this winter if his contract option for 2012 does not vest …

BOX SCORE  —  From his first season in the major leagues in 2003 through his first season in pinstripes in 2009 (a year in which he hit .292), his career average was .290.  But last season, Teixeira plummeted to .256. and his current .241 mark is his lowest since he was at .226 on April 19.