Right-hander Marco Estrada was brilliant against the Pirates in Friday’s series opener, throwing seven innings of one-run ball with eight punchouts in a 2-1 Brewers victory.

With the exception of one inning, Bronson Arroyo was solid in six frames, and he was backed by a trio of home runs as the Reds beat the Cubs, 7-4, at Great American Ball Park on Friday.

Brewers closer Jim Henderson went down with a right hamstring strain in Friday’s 2-1 victory over the Pirates, and manager Ron Roenicke could not rule out an extended absence.

Curtis Granderson suffered a left hand fracture and will miss a minimum of four weeks, a loss that soured the celebratory mood of the Yankees’ 9-4 victory over the Rays on Friday night at Tropicana Field.

After a Beat the Streak season-high 45 consecutive successful picks, Aaron Brown’s streak ended Friday night , leaving him 12 shy of a $5.6 million prize.

Utility man Steve Lombardozzi helped Jordan Zimmermann become the National League’s first eight-game winner as the Nationals beat the Phillies, 5-2, on Friday.

Joe Mauer came through with a one-out single up the middle to break up Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez’s no-hit bid with one out in the ninth on Friday night, marking the third time in his career he’d broken up a no-no in the ninth.

Adrian Gonzalez has seen a baseball season in ruins. He was in the middle of one in Boston at this time last year, before an August blockbuster deal sent him home to Southern California, a delighted Dodger. “This is not even close,” Gonzalez said, as controversy continues to consume Don Mattingly’s disappointing Dodgers.

Dodgers president Stan Kasten on Friday defended manager Don Mattingly’s decision to publicly criticize the club’s play during its recent six-game road trip.

Bob Feller took more pride in serving his country than for anything he accomplished on a baseball diamond. On this Memorial Day weekend, the legend’s service will be remembered with the first Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.

Seven remaining Cave Dwellers said their goodbyes to Indians fan Alex Justice and Red Sox fan Nick Mendillo, then hosted Braves catcher Evan Gattis on Friday afternoon before settling in front of the TVs in hopes of watching all remaining 1,736 regular-season games, plus the postseason.

Somewhere in the midst of his four-year absence from baseball and just before he began a stint as a janitor, Evan Gattis found himself broke, hungry and feeling helpless at the end of a five-day trip to New York City.

White Sox left-hander Chris Sale left no doubt about his plans for Tuesday. He expects to pitch against the Cubs, after having his last start skipped because of a tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.

Right-hander Jered Weaver had another positive day on Friday with a light bullpen session as he puts the finishing touches on his rehabilitation work before rejoining the Angels’ rotation.

The bad news is that the Phillies have lost their most consistent hitter until June 5, at the earliest. The good news is it could have been worse.

The Rangers placed veteran right-hander Derek Lowe on unconditional release waivers and signed infielder Mark Teahen to a Minor League contract Thursday.

This isn’t the old Perez, the southpaw who caved to the pressure of pitching in New York on a $36 million contract. This is the older Perez, a father, a reinvented reliever and a man so relaxed that he can enjoy life’s small treasures,