MLB skeptical of $1.2-billion Dodgers bid  —  The proposed $1.2 billion bid for the Dodgers was received with skepticism within Major League Baseball, where executives wondered whether the proposal might be used by owner Frank McCourt to stir negotiations with other potential buyers or to persuade …

Yankees call up three relievers, two outfielders  —  BOSTON — Jesus Montero's arrival may have drawn most of the attention in a cramped Fenway Park clubhouse, but the Yankees also made five other September callups as rosters expanded to 40 players.  —  Pitchers Lance Pendleton …

Odd Future: The St. Louis Cardinals' Big Decision  —  Would losing Albert Pujols really be a terrible thing?  —  Six playoff berths, five division titles, two NL pennants, one World Series.  Rookie of the Year, nine All-Star games, six Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, 10 top-10 MVP finishes, three MVPs.

Santana wins despite 7 walks, Angels edge Mariners  —  SEATTLE - Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick homered for the Los Angeles Angels to help a wild Ervin Santana overcome seven walks Thursday night in a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.  —  Hunter hit a three-run shot in the first inning …

Hudson gives rotation a lift as Braves top Nationals  —  ATLANTA - Tim Hudson gave the Braves' ailing rotation a lift and Atlanta got home runs from Brian McCann and Chipper Jones in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.  —  The Braves are 8 1-2 games ahead of St. Louis …

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is done for season  —  Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano will not play for the remainder of the season, the team announced Friday.  —  The Cubs will resume paying Zambrano his salary at the end of the 30-day suspension, which ends Sept. 11.

All you need is glove: Furcal's impact on Cards  —  TOWER GROVE  • For the second time in as many visits to Miller Park with the St. Louis Cardinals, shortstop Rafael Furcal made a back-to-home, sprinting catch on a fly ball to secure a win Wednesday night.

Brett Lawrie in record territory since August callup  —  Brett Lawrie broke a tie with a two-run homer in the top of the eighth as the Blue Jays bested the Orioles 8-6 on Thursday.  —  It was Lawrie's fourth homer during his current nine-game hitting streak and seventh in 26 games since his callup.

Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez considering offseason surgery on ailing left shoulder  —  UPDATE: Marlins just texted an update on Hanley's MRI: “Left shoulder instability.  Willl discuss treatment options with Dr. (Lee) Kaplan this weekend.'  —  Hanley Ramirez is considering off-season surgery …

Wilson Hurt, but Pitches Rangers Past Rays 7-2  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — C.J. Wilson was perfect for five innings before exiting in the seventh with a hand injury and Ian Kinsler homered twice to help the AL West-leading Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 on Thursday night.

Thoughtful evening at the park  —  Midnight confessions and random thoughts while watching the Red Sox and Yankees for that last time at Fenway this year (unless we get the overdue dream ALCS matchup) . . .  ■The length of these games has become intolerable.

Divide and Conquer, AL East  —  A Bouquet of Bats (The Yankees in Westeros)  —  As a fan of a team in the American League East that isn't the New York Yankees it pains me to admit that there's something mythical about the most winning team in baseball history.

Strasburg Allows 1 Hit Over 6 in Rehab Start  —  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Stephen Strasburg allowed one hit over six shutout innings Thursday night for Double-A Harrisburg in what was expected to be his final minor league rehab start before he returns to the Washington Nationals.

Mets plan to sell small blocks of team to family members  —  According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, “Sources familiar with the organization's plans said Fred Wilpon and family will sell small blocks of the team to multiple family members and friends that add up to roughly the same …