Right-hander Henderson Alvarez allowed only one earned run in seven innings of work, allowing seven hits and striking out two as the Blue Jays cruised to a 6-2 win against the Twins on Thursday.

The Mariners moved out of the basement with a 2-1 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday and they will have a day off before taking on New York for three games at Yankee Stadium, which begins a 10-game, four-city road trip.

The Indians stepped into the middle of a controversy at Fenway Park and took full advantage. Cleveland's bats broke out early against Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, powering the Tribe to an 8-3 victory on Thursday night in Boston.

The Orioles and Rays — both 20-12 — sit atop the American League East and are a half-game behind the Rangers for the top record in the Majors. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson will take the mound for Tampa Bay on Friday, and left-hander Dana Eveland will make his 2012 debut for Baltimore in the series opener.

What's the definition of the word “dominance”? Stephen Strasburg. The right-hander was almost unhittable as the Nationals edged the Pirates, 4-2, at PNC Park on Thursday night.

Two hundred million dollars won't necessarily buy you wins. But it sure can buy you a lot of margin for error. If there's a difference between the rosters of the two favorites in the American League East this year, it's that. When the Yankees have to do without Brett Gardner, or find themselves enduring a slump by Robinson Cano, they can churn right along. When the Rays have to go even a short time without Desmond Jennings and Evan Longoria, they feel it in a big way.

In a battle of top-tier lefties, Yankees ace CC Sabathia outdueled Rays southpaw David Price for the first time in his career and the Yankees took a series victory with a 5-3 win over the visiting Rays on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Rangers haven't been home in a while, but they were headed back there late Thursday night after they closed out both a doubleheader and 10-game road trip with a 7-3 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz, who has a Major League-worst 9.09 ERA and has allowed at least five earned runs in every start this season, will try to turn things around against Ubaldo Jimenez and the Indians on Friday.

The Angels' C.J. Wilson draws a difficult assignment in his return to Texas on Friday night, facing Rangers sensation Yu Darvish in the first meeting of the season between the AL West foes.

Needless to say, a ticket to the first game in the Astrodome, an April 9, 1965, exhibition against the mighty New York Yankees, was the toughest sports ticket to acquire the city of Houston had ever seen. Simply put, it was a can't-miss event. For Rusty Staub, who started for the Astros in right field, that day remains an enduring memory.

After losing two of three games against the Marlins, the Astros are off to Pittsburgh, hoping to rebound against the Pirates in a three-game series at PNC Park.

A familiar voice was absent at Fenway Park on Thursday night. The ballpark's public-address system remained silent during the series opener between the Red Sox and Indians in honor of announcer Carl Beane, who died Wednesday.

Mike Leake would like to join his cohorts in the Reds' rotation by earning his first victory of the year. Gio Gonzalez is looking for a victory just to keep up with his teammates. The two will go head to head in the series opener between the Nationals and Reds on Friday at Great American Ball Park.

The Blue Jays on Thursday signed nine-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero to a Minor League contract. Guerrero spent the 2011 season with the Orioles.

Yoenis Cespedes said Thursday afternoon his left hand felt “better than yesterday,” and it appears the outfielder could potentially return to the lineup as soon as Friday.

When news broke that Vladimir Guerrero had signed a Minor League contract with Toronto, some questioned how he would fit into the lineup.