Jays crushed by Yankees as downward spiral continues  —  The New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays, who began a three-game clash at Rogers Centre on Friday night, have both had their share of injuries this season.  —  The big difference is the Yankees have guarded their two-month perch atop …

Danks Hits 1st Career HR in 9th, White Sox Top A's  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jordan Danks hit his first major league homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Chicago White Sox overcame a three-run deficit to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Friday night.  —  With two outs in the ninth …

Pirates Lose 9-8 to Padres  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — James McDonald could use a shot of confidence and Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle tried to give it to him Friday night by allowing the struggling right-hander the opportunity to work out of a jam.  —  The move backfired, however …

Haggerty: Signs are there that Sox are giving up on the season  —  CLEVELAND - So this is what happens when a baseball team gives up all pretense of hope for a season, or caring about how they're perceived.  —  Sure, there were still angry competitors raging against the dying of the 2012 Red Sox dream.

Dodgers' Hanley Ramirez has 2 RBIs in first game against Marlins … MIAMI — Hanley Ramirez drove in two runs playing for the first time against the team that traded him last month, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Friday night.  —  Ramirez, who spent seven seasons …

Maholm Throws 3-Hitter, Braves Beat Mets 4-0  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Maholm pitched a three-hitter in his second start for Atlanta and the Braves got two-run homers from Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla to beat the New York Mets 4-0 Friday night.  —  Heyward connected in the first inning …

Trout delivers rare two-run sacrifice fly  —  ANAHEIM — The Angels erased a five-run deficit against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez on Friday with one of baseball's rarest occurrences: the two-run sacrifice fly.  —  The beneficiary of it was (who else?)  Mike Trout.

Jackson's inside-the-park HR helps Tigers beat Rangers  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Austin Jackson hit an inside-the-park home run and a triple and the Detroit Tigers beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 6-2 on Friday night.  —  Jackson got his first career inside-the-park homer in the seventh inning …

Joyce has 4 RBIs for Rays in 12-6 win over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS—Matt Joyce hit a two-run homer and a two-run double, Jose Molina drove in three runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 12-6 on Friday night to keep pace in the crowded American League wild card race with their ninth win in 12 games.

Votto progresses, but sore after sliding practice  —  CHICAGO — The projected return timetable for injured Reds first baseman Joey Votto remains uncertain, but he continues to make strides ... literally in this case.  —  Votto, who tore the medial meniscus in his left knee on June 29 …