Keeping up with the Joneses  —  Youkilis takes Tigers' closer deep to seal dramatic victory  —  DETROIT — Down to their last out Friday night at Comerica Park, the Red Sox had already seen one towering drive fall for naught an inning earlier.  So there would be no premature celebration until …

Struggling KC scoreless in Seattle  —  SEATTLE — Rookie Bobby Keppel threw six shutout innings Friday night in his first big-league start, and all it did was keep the Royals even against Seattle veteran Jamie Moyer.  —  "Six strong," Keppel agreed, shrugging.

Bonds should hear what fans really think  —  It's almost 20 years since the late Dick Young told Mets fans what Dwight Gooden deserved after he failed his first drug test.  Doc spent a month in rehab, promised the world he was clean and on the eve of his return to Shea …

Notes: Bray may be called in key spot  —  Nats skipper says he won't hesitate to bring in rookie left-hander  —  MILWAUKEE — Manager Frank Robinson said he wasn't sure how he was going to use left-hander Bill Bray, who was promoted to the big leagues two days ago, but the skipper …

Zack is back  —  Greinke looks sharp on and off the field  —  WICHITA — The best of Zack Greinke wasn't the rising 94 mph fastball or the hooking curve or even the mechanics that one Royals official said were the best he's ever had.  —  No, the best of Zack Greinke's first rehab start is now …

Notes: Pitching staff not yet settled  —  Hairston welcomes trade to the Rangers  —  CHICAGO — Reliever John Wasdin joined the Rangers on Friday, but the pitching staff moves aren't over yet.  —  The Rangers are close to having to make a decision on pitcher Antonio Alfonseca …

Key hits help Phils down Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES - It looked like the same sad script the Phillies had followed since the middle of May:  —  The starting pitcher doesn't make it to the sixth inning.  The offense cannot find a clutch hit to save a life.  —  But then the Phillies' offense provided …

Ya gotta glove it  —  Yanks trying out kid whose 'catch' helped 'em win playoff in '96  —  The Yankees' angel in the outfield has a shot at earning his wings.  —  In a twist of fate even Hollywood couldn't dream up, the former Little Leaguer who stole a home run for the Bronx Bombers …

Cox, not GM, is irreplaceable  —  Bobby Cox, 65, is the best manager in baseball.  John Schuerholz, 65, is the best GM.  Each has done such surpassing work as to render himself indispensable.  Today's topic, then, is the baseball equivalent of the old who-wins-if-Superman-and-The- Incredible-Hulk-get-into-a-fight brainteaser.

Reyes optioned as Cards bring up Timo Perez  —  The St. Louis Cardinals delayed making a move with injured Jim Edmonds on Friday, at least for the weekend, although they added an outfielder to the roster.  —  Edmonds hasn't played since Sunday and hasn't started in a week due …

Rocket could put the Astros in the red  —  There's one obvious drawback to the Astros' re-signing of right-hander Roger Clemens for more than $12 million:  —  The team's 2006 payroll likely is at its limit.  —  The Astros were slightly over budget when they opened the season with $92.1 million payroll …

Notes: Estes done for season  —  Veteran left-hander will have Tommy John surgery  —  PITTSBURGH — The expected fate of Shawn Estes was confirmed on Friday.  The left-hander will undergo Tommy John surgery on his ailing left elbow next week.  —  The procedure will be performed …

Cubs maintain Prior's pain came from strain  —  ST. LOUIS — Cubs trainer Mark O'Neal said Friday the club remains confident that the injury suffered last March by Mark Prior is a right shoulder strain.  —  O'Neal said Prior had micro-tears — typical with strains — and not the major muscle separation …