‘Off my mound,’ Braden tells A-Rod  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Dallas Braden told Alex Rodriguez to stay off the mound twice in the sixth inning yesterday.  —  When Rodriguez cut across the mound to get back to first base on a foul ball, Braden told Rodriguez, “This is my mound, my rubber.”

Zobrist gets 5-year extension; announcement today  —  The Rays this afternoon will announce a contract extension for Ben Zobrist that could keep him under their control through 2015.  —  The first three years, during which Zobrist would have been eligible for arbitration, are guaranteed.

New York Mets to bat Jose Reyes third this weekend vs. Atlanta Braves  —  NEW YORK — The game's consummate leadoff hitter is headed to the No. 3 hole in the New York Mets' lineup.  —  Manager Jerry Manuel has informed Jose Reyes that he intends to bat the shortstop third this weekend …

Mets statistical analyst has seen growth and evolution of sabermetrics in MLB … Ben Baumer says his gig as the Mets statistical analyst was a direct result of the popularity of “Moneyball” early last decade.  And in his seven seasons in that position, he has seen the sabermetrics movement expand and deepen.

Zambrano move shows Cubs are desperate  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  Leaders frequently invoke the phrase, “Desperate times lead to desperate measures,” in times of urgency.

Dodgers Manny Ramirez to 15-day DL with calf strain  —  The Dodgers have placed left fielder Manny Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list with a right-calf strain, an injury that caused him to miss two starts last weekend and flared up again as he legged out a base hit on Thursday night at Cincinnati.

Royals Release Juan Cruz, DFA Luis Mendoza  —  The Royals have released Juan Cruz and designated Luis Mendoza for assignment, reports Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star.  The moves shake up the team's bullpen and open up roster spots for Brad Thompson and Bruce Chen.

Sox' situation: Grave  —  Weak early play, stronger Twins threaten to bury best-laid plans  —  Obituaries are supposed to be saved for the dead.  In this case, call it working ahead.  —  On the South Side, you can start picking out the coffin, the plot and the pallbearers.

JAYS TURN TO CECIL TO COOL OFF FIRST PLACE RAYS  —  Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - Hard-throwing right-hander Matt Garza can continue the Tampa Bay Rays' best start in franchise history tonight when they return home to open a three-game series at Tropicana Field with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ask the Booth: Left and right  —  SNY's Keith Hernandez answers fans' questions  —  Post on facebook Fan Comments print email  —  Keith, I often hear people say that lefty hitters like the ball down low, but I can't figure out why that would be.  Is there any particular …

Time to Worry About Peavy  —  This isn't going to come as stunning news to anyone who has watched him pitch, but Jake Peavy just isn't right.  After last night's implosion, he has allowed 19 runs in 22 innings, and it's not bad luck.  He's just pitching terribly.  —  He's walked as many batters (15) as he's struck out.

Wakefield out as Matsuzaka readies for return  —  BOSTON — When Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the Red Sox starting rotation next week, it will be Tim Wakefield - and not, as widely speculated, Clay Buchholz — who will be bumped to accommodate him.  —  The Red Sox announced Thursday afternoon …