Anyone still surprised that the A’s and Orioles are meeting this weekend in the kind of marquee series that makes the September stretch run so special apparently has missed out on two of the better baseball stories of the 2012 season.

General manager Ned Colletti said manager Don Mattingly will return to the Dodgers next season, according to reports on ESPNLosAngeles.com and the Los Angeles Times.

It might not carry the full-blown impact of Fernandomania in 1981, a once-a-lifetime experience, but the love affair of Luis Cruz and Los Angeles is real. And it seems to be getting better every day.

Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run blast, and rookie left-hander Tommy Milone allowed just two runs over 6 1/3 innings to earn his 13th win as the A’s beat the Orioles, 3-2.

Fresh off securing their first non-losing season since 1997, the high-flying Orioles were grounded by four double-play balls in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the A’s.

Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead and allowed two runs before striking out Chicago’s Dave Sappelt with the bases loaded to secure a 7-6 victory over the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead and allowed two runs before striking out Chicago’s Dave Sappelt with the bases loaded to secure a 7-6 victory over the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Commissioner Bud Selig requested on Friday that all Major League clubs in the U.S. fly their flags at half-staff through sunset on Sunday, in support of the government response as a nation mourns the slaying of four Americans this week in Libya.

According to Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, starter Jake Westbrook was scheduled to visit a doctor in St. Louis on Thursday to determine how much progress the right-hander has made with his right oblique strain.

Yu Darvish allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings and pitched the Rangers to a 9-3 victory over the Mariners at the Ballpark in Arlington on Friday night.

Ryan Vogelsong tested his right foot in his between-starts bullpen session Friday and was deemed fit to take his regular turn in the pitching rotation in Sunday’s series finale here.

Brandon McCarthy, who last week underwent emergency brain surgery after taking a line drive to the head, made an appearance at the Coliseum in support of his teammates.

The Rockies and Padres may not be playing for the postseason at this point in the season, but there will be plenty to play for with two rookie pitchers taking the mound on Saturday.

Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco got a chance to make his pitch to keep the job on a full-time basis Friday when he sat down for three hours with owner Jim Crane, team president George Postolos and general manager Jeff Luhnow for his interview.

Ian Kinsler led off the bottom of the first with a home run for the Rangers against the Mariners on Friday. He just had to wait to complete his trot around the bases.

Derek Jeter claimed sole possession of 10th place on baseball’s all-time hits list Friday with a ground ball that sneaked under the glove of Tampa Bay second baseman Elliot Johnson.

San Franciso will face Wade Miley for the second time this season Saturday in its march towards the National League West title, while Arizona’s promising young starter continues to build his case for the NL’s Rookie of the Year.