It Seems as if Everybody Hates Alex Rodriguez  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — According to some of his peers, Alex Rodriguez is a hypocrite and a “prima donna.”  He is not the “Yankee type,” either, and he has “monopolized all the attention” since arriving in the Bronx in 2004.

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.

Rays color analyst Kevin Kennedy helps thwart potential hi-jacking on flight  —  Rays television color analyst Kevin Kennedy was one of several passengers that helped save the day and subdue a potential hi-jacker on a red-eye Delta flight last night.  —  Kennedy, on a flight from L.A. to Tampa …

Red Sox beat Orioles again  —  Jim Johnson walked Adrian Beltre with the bases loaded to force in the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and David Ortiz [stats] hit his first homer of the season, leading the Boston Red Sox [team stats] to their ninth straight win over the Baltimore Orioles, 4-3 on Friday night.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Angels see gap close in AL West  —  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.  —  The rest of the American League West is closing the gap on the Angels.  The other AL powers - the Yankees …

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 …