KAWASAKI'S HEROICS TRULY SPECIAL  —  TORONTO - There he stood, possibly days away from a return to the bus trips and not-quite-five-star-hotel lifestyle of minor league baseball, to address the media after his latest incident of unlikely heroism.  —  Munenori Kawasaki had hit a two-run home run …

Vargas could be out 4-6 weeks with blood clot  —  ANAHEIM — Angels left-hander Jason Vargas was placed on the disabled list with a blood clot on Friday, with Jerome Williams taking his rotation spot to start Saturday's game and Billy Buckner called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to serve as a long reliever.

Tigers designate Valverde for assignment  —  Club hopes that struggling closer will agree to go to Triple-A Toledo  —  DETROIT — After manager Jim Leyland announced Thursday that Joaquin Benoit would pitch the ninth inning when “healthy and available,” the Tigers designated Jose Valverde for assignment Friday.

Zoilo Almonte impresses in first start as Yankees roll  —  NEW YORK — Zoilo Almonte provided much-needed pop in his first major league start, homering and adding two singles Friday night to lead the New York Yankees over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2.  —  Almonte started in place …

Yankees, Cano far apart, increasing odds All-Star tests free agency  —  NEW YORK — For those who figured that once Yankee-loving New York icon Jay-Z became one of Robinson Cano's agents the contract negotiations with the Yankees were going to go swimmingly, smoothly, and most of all quickly.

White Sox Roll to 9-1 Win Over Punchless Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hector Santiago shut down the Royals' punchless offense for a career-best eight innings, and the Chicago White Sox roughed up Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie in a 9-1 rout Friday night.

Cespedes, Colon Lead A's to 6-3 Win Over Mariners  —  SEATTLE — Yoenis Cespedes hit a pair of two-run homers and Bartolo Colon won his seventh straight start to lead the Oakland Athletics past the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Friday night.  —  Cespedes homered in the first inning and again …

Goldschmidt hits 2 HRs for D-backs again  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Paul Goldschmidt launches 2 homers again as D-backs pummel Reds  —  PHOENIX — Paul Goldschmidt did it again, and this time he got some help from his teammates.

Final Score: Mets 4 Phillies 3  —  The Least You Should Know...  Jeremy Hefner allowed three runs - two earned - in six innings of work, earning his second win of the season.  —  Juan Lagares had three hits, two of which were doubles and one of which gave the Mets the lead in the top of the sixth inning.

Garza pitches into 9th inning as Cubs beat Astros  —  CHICAGO — Matt Garza pitched into the ninth inning and Anthony Rizzo hit his first home run since May 18 to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Houston Astros 3-1 on Friday after a rain delay that lasted more than 3 hours.

Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler slow to heal from injured hand  —  WASHINGTON — Dexter Fowler leaned back in his chair and answered a question about going on the shelf.  A week after a fastball smashed into the knuckle on his right ring finger, the Rockies center fielder …