Rodriguez's homer gives Yanks 2-0 win over Boston  —  It may have been warm, but it felt like October Friday night at Yankee Stadium.  —  Alex Rodriguez ended his home run drought in dramatic fashion, drilling a two-run shot in the 15th inning to lift the Yankees to a 2-0 win over the Red Sox after five hours and 33 minutes.

MLBPA statement on Ortiz  —  Michael Weiner, the incoming head of the MLB Players Association, released a long statement a few minutes ago that, one assumes, will be a preview of today's press conference with David Ortiz (12:30 p.m.).  The tack he's taking absolves Ortiz and accuses the New York Times of acting foul.

Braves deliver in 12th to sink Dodgers  —  Anderson ties it in ninth, scores on Escobar's game-winner  —  LOS ANGELES — Twenty-four hours after experiencing the deflation of a walk-off loss, the Braves produced an inspired comeback victory that allowed them to forget about some of the anger …

Sources: Jays face choices on Rios  —  A waiver claim has been placed on Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios, according to MLB sources.  —  At a time when most teams have very little financial flexibility, it could be within the realm of possibility that the Blue Jays will consider a trade of Rios …

Twins bolster rotation, add Pavano  —  Veteran right-hander acquired for player to be named later  —  DETROIT — The Twins have been searching for ways to help their struggling rotation and on Friday, they added a veteran arm to the group by acquiring right-hander Carl Pavano from the Indians …

Francoeur can no longer bear beard  —  SAN DIEGO - Jeff Francoeur is a realist.  He's also clean-shaven again.  —  Several Mets players recently had resolved not to shave until the team reached .500, but Francoeur has decided to abandon the bonding exercise and go back to using a razor.

A's Release Jason Giambi … OAKLAND, Calif. — Jason Giambi's second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn't pan out as either side had hoped.  —  On Friday, they parted ways — most certainly for good this time.  —  Giambi was released by the A's, cutting short the struggling slugger's return to his first major league club.

Padilla disappointed by Rangers' move  —  Fiery right-hander defends character, vows to pitch again  —  ANAHEIM — Pitcher Vicente Padilla expressed disappointment at being designated for assignment by the Rangers and being labeled as a bad teammate.  —  He also made it clear he expects …

Iowa Cubs' Jason Dubois exits on a winning note  —  Jason Dubois has played 280 games in an Iowa Cubs uniform, many of them at Principal Park.  —  Dubois was at the park again Friday, but in street clothes, as the Cubs beat Reno 4-2 before a crowd of 12,772 that was the 12th-largest in franchise history.

Rangers get to Angels early and often  —  Joe Saunders exits after 1 2/3 innings and goes on 15-day disabled list.  —  No matter that the Angels had won 14 of their last 18 games when the Texas Rangers arrived in Anaheim to open a three-game showdown in the American League West.

Billingsley exits with hamstring strain  —  Dodgers righty suffers injury after singling in sixth inning  —  LOS ANGLES — For a second consecutive start against the Braves, Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley was forced to exit the game because of a problem with one of his hamstrings.