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.

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.

Nationals-Padres Preview  —  The San Diego Padres are holding on to a slim lead atop the NL West.  A series with the Washington Nationals may help them keep it for at least the weekend.  —  The Padres look to continue their dominance of the Nationals when the teams open a three-game set at Petco Park on Friday.

Tigers star who struck out the Babe dies at 95  —  Elden Auker, the submarine-style pitcher who struck out Babe Ruth, faced Dizzy Dean and helped the Detroit Tigers win their first World Series championship, died Friday.  He was 95.  —  Auker died in Vero Beach, Fla., where he had lived since 1974.

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.

CALL HIM 'LITTLE' JOE  —  WITH REYNOLDS OUT, MORGAN ON SERIES  —  In the wake of the firing of Harold Reynolds, Joe Morgan will be the new analyst on ABC's coverage of the Little League World Series.  —  For the U.S. Championship on Aug. 26 and the World Championship the next day …

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 …

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 …

LIFE OF BRIAN JUST FINE THESE DAYS, THANK YOU  —  ALL THE phone calls were worth it yesterday.  All of Brian Cashman's persistent calls out to fellow GMs, all of those he received from a demanding George Steinbrenner, all of those he made to belittling radio talk show hosts to explain his actions were rewarded - at least temporarily.

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.

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.