Masterson beats former team again as Indians down Red Sox  —  BOSTON - Justin Masterson struck out nine and again beat his former team, Carlos Santana hit a go-ahead home run and the Cleveland Indians topped the Boston Red Sox 7-3 Thursday night.  —  The loss dropped Boston into a tie with the Yankees for the AL East lead.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Padres should trade Bell in August  —  Three options remain for the Padres with closer Heath Bell, none of them appealing:  —  1) Sign Bell to a contract extension, which the team has declined to do even though Bell has said he is willing to accept a steep discount.

Blue Jays call up Brett Lawrie  —  Canadian infielder Brett Lawrie will soon make his long-awaited debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  The team selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas shortly after the Jays dropped a 7-6, 12-inning decision to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon.