Jerome Williams’ debut with the Rangers couldn’t have gone much better as he allowed a run in six innings as Texas defeated first-place Oakland, 4-1, on Friday night at Globe Life Park.

John Danks worked seven strong innings, Dayan Viciedo had four hits and Jose Abreu hit his Major League-leading 30th home run Friday night as the White Sox beat the Twins, 9-5, at Target Field.

It’s safe to say that Tanner Roark is arguably Washington’s best starter. He took advantage of the fact that the Reds were without key players — such as Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto, because of injuries — and the Nationals posted a 4-1 victory at Great American Ball Park.

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester indicated that even if he was traded, he could perhaps re-sign with Boston as a free agent in the offseason.

Evan Longoria’s three-run double in the seventh paved the way for a 6-4 Rays win over the Red Sox on Friday night at Tropicana Field.

The Yankees chased veteran Mark Buehrle after three innings and uncharacteristically slugged their way to a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. Ichiro Suzuki’s first homer of the season led the way for New York.

The Rockies came within mere inches of their second triple play of the season during the top of the fifth inning Friday night against the Pirates at Coors Field, but instant replay upheld a call by umpire Tom Hallion that an out was not recorded at second base.

Nolan Arenado began a frustrated, head-down jog out after he bounced hard to Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton in the bottom of the fourth Friday night. But by the time he returned to the bench, after his lack of haste cost the team a baserunner, manager Walt Weiss made it clear frustration is no excuse to not hustle.

Injuries to infielders Ehire Adrianza and Marco Scutaro forced the Giants to call up Dan Uggla after only a two-game tuneup at Triple-A.

There have been more than a few times when Cubs manager Rick Renteria was asked if he’d consider batting Travis Wood somewhere higher than ninth because of the pitcher’s ability to hit. On Friday, Wood matched his single-season high with his third home run of the year, connecting in the fourth against the Cardinals’ Joe Kelly.

Justin Masterson has completed what could be his final step before rejoining the rotation. On Friday night, Masterson made his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Columbus, logging 108 pitches in 6 2/3 innings against Norfolk.

David Ortiz wasn’t going to let a nagging back injury keep him out of Friday’s matchup with David Price and the Rays.

The Blue Jays’ road trip to the Big Apple came with an all-inclusive shopping spree for the rookies courtesy of veteran left-hander Mark Buehrle.

David Price has dominated trade chatter to this point, but could we be focusing on the wrong American League East ace? The Red Sox are in an interesting position with Jon Lester.

The speeches are just about written and a crowd perhaps in excess of 50,000 is expected Sunday for the induction ceremony of this memorable Class of 2014 — 300-game winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, slugger Frank Thomas and managers Joe Torre, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.

The anticipation for huge crowds at Cooperstown on Sunday is based on both the fact that there are six honorees this year — a large class — and the popularity of those who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, lugger Frank Thomas and managers Joe Torre, Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.

The Tigers got behind an 11-strikeout performance from Max Scherzer in a 6-4 win on Thursday night at Angel Stadium in a potential American League postseason preview.