Red Sox make big catch, acquire Orioles' Lopez  —  BALTIMORE — Javy Lopez was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to Boston on Friday, a deal that gives the former All-Star another chance to play and provides the Red Sox a replacement for injured catcher Jason Varitek.

Andruw Jones claimed on waivers; 10-5 rights loom … With Andruw Jones only days away from gaining trade veto power, the All-Star center fielder was claimed on waivers by an unnamed team, leaving the Braves until 1 p.m. ET Saturday to decide whether to take their last opportunity to deal Jones unfettered.

Royals, Hochevar Agree To Terms  —  The wait is over.  Luke Hochevar will play Organized Baseball.  —  The Royals announced they have agreed to terms on a major league contract (through 2009) with Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2006 draft.  Hochevar's deal is reported to be similar …

Tex messaging: Teixeira lifts Rangers, 7-6, in 12  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. - Hello, AL West, it's Mark Teixeira calling.  —  Long distance.  —  As the race began in earnest Thursday, Teixeira continued to dial things up a bit.  His ringing homer off Kevin Gregg in the 12th inning pushed …

A's place SS Bobby Crosby on 15-day disabled list  —  IF D'Angelo Jimenez selected from Sacramento; LHP Randy Keisler designated for assignment  —  OAKLAND — The Oakland A's today placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 31 with a lower back strain.

Liriano earns second rookie honors  —  Southpaw gets AL Rookie of the Month Award for June, July  —  Twins rookie pitcher Francisco Liriano was scratched from his first August start with soreness in his left forearm, and Minnesota is hoping that its 12-game winner is out just temporarily.

Sox appeal  —  Nothing like a World Series run to make a team popular.  A poll shows the South Siders are closing in on the Cubs and Bears.  —  A Bear market it remains.  And the Cubs can still lay claim to being the most lovable baseball team in town despite this year's losses.

Life Of The Party  —  A sweep in St. Louis!  —  Last year the Phillies began their push for the Wild Card with an impressive road trip to the West Coast.  Could their short hop to the Midwest portend another late season dash?  With much of the National League treading water …

Looking ahead, Giants need fresh face at manager  —  Felipe Alou was always the Giants' post-Dusty Baker stopgap, an admirable man and dignified shop steward for the Barry Bonds status quo.  —  He was hired in 2003 to maintain the paranoid clubhouse culture, not change it.

2001 steroid incident falling on deaf ears  —  It has garnered nary a mention in th sports pages, and as far as I can tell, only Deadspin has noticed this story so far.  But it's a bombshell.  —  According to reports in the Daily News earlier this week, Juan Gonzalez and his trainer nearly …

He'll Take Rain Check  —  Maddux pitches six no-hit innings but is denied shot at history  —  CINCINNATI — Greg Maddux fooled Ken Griffey Jr. He fooled Adam Dunn.  He fooled every Cincinnati Reds batter for six brilliant innings in his first Dodgers start, yielding no hits and facing one over the minimum.

Comcast to Carry Nats Games Starting Sept. 1  —  Cable Company, MASN Settle Long-Standing Dispute  —  Nationals fans in the Washington region will be able to watch the team's games on Comcast starting Sept. 1 after the cable company and the sports network that carries most of the games settled …

Back in good graces  —  Cubs, Grace end 6-year feud with a familiar song  —  The six-year cold war between the Cubs and former first baseman Mark Grace ended Thursday when Grace led Cubs fans in the seventh-inning stretch during Game 2 of the doubleheader with Arizona.

Way to title?  Beat the best  —  For a division title to be in the cards, the Rockies have to find a way to trump an ace.  They have pitched well enough to be in first place, their rotation owning the National League's lowest ERA (4.09).  And their bullpen has regained its traction.