Even in the East  —  The Red Sox fall 7-3 to the Indians and the Yankees sweep the White Sox 7-2, setting up a weekend series in Boston with the two teams tied at 68-42.  They hold a big lead in the wild card as well, so this is for home field in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Lee tosses 5th shutout of 2011 as Phils top Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO—For Cliff Lee it was just another game, another win that will help his team reach the postseason.  There was no revenge factor, no statements.  —  Lee threw a seven-hitter, Hunter Pence and John Mayberry hit …

Spotlight is off Alex Rodriguez and his poker games as Yankees, Red Sox battle for first  —  Alex Rodriguez has a lot of heat on him for playing in some underground poker games.  But he won't have any heat on him this weekend as the Yankees play the Red Sox.

Haren beats Twins 7-1 despite Thome's 598th HR  —  ANAHEIM, Calif.—Dan Haren took a one-hitter into the eighth inning before giving up Jim Thome's 598th career home run, rookie Mark Trumbo had a homer and four RBIs and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Thursday night in the rubber game of the three-game series.

Batting glove the only kind that fits Mets' Murphy  —  You ask Daniel Murphy what his choice is and he pushes aside his first baseman's glove.  He moves the outfielder's glove, the second baseman's glove and the slightly longer third baseman's glove.  —  “I don't care,” he said.

Angels remove struggling Pineiro from rotation  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels pulled struggling pitcher Joel Pineiro from their starting rotation before Thursday's game with the Minnesota Twins.  —  Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Pineiro will work out of the bullpen …

Sources: Mets “still nervous” about Crawford-type deal for Reyes  —  Jose Reyes is still here, knocking triples and stealing bases in the big city.  He was not traded last month, not shopped, not even mentioned in rumors.  This must have signalled an increased likelihood that the Mets will re-sign him …

Ozzie candid about future with White Sox  —  CHICAGO — During the first day of SoxFest '11 in late January, the White Sox picked up the 2012 contract option for Ozzie Guillen.  —  Yes, the organization was all-in with its outspoken but successful manager for next year before the present season even began.

Cubs' 7-6 Win Completes 4-Game Sweep of Pirates  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carlos Pena hit one of Chicago's three home runs and walked with the bases loaded during a three-run eighth-inning rally as the Cubs won their season-high fifth straight, a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.

The End and Barry Zito  —  (Another) DL stint has sparked whispers the Giants might release their $126 million lefty.  How the hell did we get here?  —  The computer mainframe in the basement of Scott Boras' battleship offices foretold none of this.  It didn't see the injuries …