MLB announces Manny Ramirez is retiring after drug issue  —  Tampa Bay Rays slugger Manny Ramirez has notified Major League Baseball that he is retiring after being notified of an issue under MLB's drug policy.  —  Ramirez  —  Ramirez tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during spring training …

Pedroia lifts Red Sox to 1st win, 9-6 over Yanks  —  The Red Sox [team stats] ended their worst losing streak to start a season since World War II as Dustin Pedroia [stats] homered and drove in three runs to lift Boston to a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees in the 100th home opener at Fenway Park [map] today.

Wells, in new cleats, ready to get going  —  ANAHEIM — Vernon Wells finally was all dressed up and ready for the big dance.  —  “I've got my shoes,” the Angels' new left fielder said on Friday afternoon as a clubhouse attendant handed him a brand new pair of personalized baseball cleats complete with his own logo.

Storen getting job done with heat  —  Potential closer using fastball to great effect for Nationals  —  NEW YORK — Of the four Nationals relievers who pitched in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Marlins, right-hander Drew Storen was arguably the most dominating.  He pitched two shutout innings and struck out three batters.

Baseball program will continue at UC Berkeley  —  BERKELEY —  The University of California, Berkeley, baseball program will continue to represent the campus as an Intercollegiate Athletics sport, now and into the future, as the result of a successful and ongoing fundraising effort on the part of alumni …

Giants hold on in 12 innings to beat Cardinals in home opener  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants raised the flag and the Cardinals dropped the ball.  —  Aaron Rowand hit a game-winning single off the left-field wall with the bases loaded in the 12th inning and the Giants celebrated raising …

Jones, Braves beat Lee, Phillies, 6-3  —  ATLANTA—Chipper Jones hit a go-ahead, three-run double in the fourth inning off Cliff Lee and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Friday night in their home opener.  —  Jones had two hits, giving him 2,500 for his career.

Dodgers-Padres Suspended Due to Rain  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Friday night's game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres was suspended after the fourth rain delay, with the score tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth inning.  —  The final delay began at 1:13 a.m. on a long …

Pirates Outlast Rockies 4-3 in 14  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — By the time Jose Tabata delivered his game-winning double, Friday turned to Saturday, Todd Helton went from being out of the lineup with a stiff back to in it as a pinch-hitter, and a crowd of 29,000 was reduced to a few die-hards.

Musial has been battling Alzheimer's, reports say  —  Stan Musial, the 90-year-old Cardinals icon, has been fighting a battle that few knew about for the last several years — Alzheimer's disease, two published reports said.  —  Musial has had to endure the effects of Alzheimer's disease since he was in his …

Mauer, Span rally Twins to win over A's  —  MINNEAPOLIS—Joe Mauer and Denard Span delivered RBI singles in the eighth inning against the superb Brett Anderson to lift the Minnesota Twins to a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics in their home opener on Friday.

R.A. cracks nail, is hammered by Nats  —  Knuckleballer lasts five innings after rousing pregame applause at Mets' home opener  —  NEW YORK — R.A. Dickey successfully pitches without the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.  Yet a cracked fingernail undermined his outing Friday …

Felix Doubront activated for game  —  Lefthanded pitcher Felix Doubront has been activated from the disabled list for today's game, the Globe's Peter Abraham reports from Fenway Park.  —  Lefthanded reliever Dennys Reyes was designated for assignment.

Indians Ruin Mariners' Home Opener With 12-3 Rout  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Travis Hafner had an RBI single and hit a three-run homer that nearly reached the third-deck of seats as part of Cleveland's 10-run fourth inning, and the Indians won their fifth straight with a 12-3 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.