Lester escapes with win in Chicago  —  Rookie left-hander improves to 4-0; Ortiz homers again  —  CHICAGO — One thing that is sticking out in these early days of rookie Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester is that he's every bit as capable of getting out of a jam as he is of creating one.

Notes: Heilman working through issues  —  Righty looking for touch that led to great second half in '05  —  NEW YORK — Aaron Heilman says his confidence isn't shaken, and that he feels close to making the adjustments that will help him return to the form he enjoyed last season.

Willis' exploits are a huge hit  —  Dontrelle Willis hit his first career grand slam and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings to lead Florida past the first-place New York Mets.  'It was fun,' Willis said.  —  cspencer@MiamiHerald.com  —  NEW YORK - Dontrelle Willis was pitching so miserably …

Hernandez Refuses to Take a Knee  —  Livan Hernandez is pitching not only with a bum right knee but also, like always, with pride.  The injury is the reason he perhaps should consider taking some time off; the pride is why he won't.  —  Hernandez, struggling through his most inconsistent …

Gagne to undergo back surgery  —  LOS ANGELES — Eric Gagne will have season-ending surgery Saturday to repair a herniated disc in his lower back, the latest injury to sideline the Los Angeles Dodgers' All-Star closer.  —  The announcement was made about 3½ hours before Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants.

Anderson to Play Despite Struggles  —  OAKLAND — Although Garret Anderson is batting .198 against left-handed pitching, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday he had no plans to platoon his left fielder.  —  "We need him to hit lefties the way he can," Scioscia said.

Lee gets night off as he waits for power to go on  —  MILWAUKEE — Whenever Derrek Lee isn't in the starting lineup, it's news.  Lee usually misses just a handful of starts each year.  —  But after starting 12 straight games since returning from the disabled list, where he was sidelined …

Reds welcome eager Guardado with open arms  —  "We don't need him until the ninth inning," said Narron of his new closer.  —  But it was apparent how the Cincinnati Reds felt when he did arrive a few minutes later.  It was as if a rock star walked through the door.

Cardinals get one to grow on  —  CARDINALS 8, ASTROS 2  —  Up next: 3:05 p.m. today, at Houston.  TV: KTVI (Ch. 2)  —  HOUSTON  —  It's a start.  —  Where Friday night's 8-2 decision over the Houston Astros takes the Cardinals is a guess.  But what sometimes-enigmatic starting pitcher …

Power Rankings: Tigers still looking up at White Sox  —  ESPN.com  —  We understand how important the ESPN.com Power Rankings are this week.  It's the last one before the All-Star break, a significant marking point in the regular season.  OK, if you want to get technical …

Reyes receives seven stitches in finger  —  All-Star shortstop will miss final three games before break  —  NEW YORK — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes received seven stitches in his left pinky on Friday night after being spiked by Florida first baseman Mike Jacobs on a head-first slide in the sixth inning.

Notes: DaVanon in leadoff spot  —  Counsell dropped to No. 8 spot as he tries to regain form  —  DENVER — As Arizona tries to build some momentum in its final series before the All-Star break, the team will bring a new look to the plate, with leadoff hitter Craig Counsell dropping …