The Rangers continued their domination of the Athletics with a 13-4 victory over the American League West rivals on Friday night.

The Marlins had a nine-run third inning as they cruised to a 13-4 victory over the Pirates in the series opener on Friday night at PNC Park. Omar Infante had two home runs and five RBIs, while Logan Morrison had four hits and three RBIs, falling a triple shy of the cycle.

Ryan Zimmerman scored the winning run on a throwing error in the bottom of the 11th inning, as the Nationals edged the Astros, 4-3, at Nationals park on Friday night.

On Friday, former Mets John Olerud, Edgardo Alfonzo, Robin Ventura, Steve Trachsel and Matt Franco visited the Queens firehouse that lost more men — 19 — than any other on Sept. 11, 2011. They were joined by current Mets relievers Bobby Parnell and Tim Byrdak, in order to show their support to those who continue to risk their lives for the safety of others.

In Brad Penny's last start, the Tigers rallied from a seven-run deficit to win. The deficit wasn't as large this time around, but the Tigers did come back from a four-run, first-inning hole, defeating the Twins, 8-4, on Friday night.

John Lackey thinks he'll be able to make his next start despite exiting Friday's 7-2 loss to the Rays after three innings with a bruised left calf.

Right fielder Mike Stanton's big bat wasn't back in the Marlins' lineup for long on Friday night. Stanton singled to right field in his second at-bat in the top of the third inning, and then was removed for pinch-runner Donnie Murphy after re-injuring his right hamstring.

In order to have any kind of chance to make a run for the playoffs, the Rays can ill afford to lose — particularly to the American League Wild Card-leading Red Sox. On Friday night, the Rays did what they needed to, taking a 7-2 win over the Red Sox in the first contest of a three-game weekend series at Tropicana Field with 18,487 watching.

Justin Turner already had one go-ahead hit on the night. Might as well add another.

If the producers for "Boston Med," the documentary on ABC last year, needed footage for a second season, they could simply walk a few blocks over to Fenway Park.

Bobby Valentine, now an ESPN baseball analyst, is director of public safety for his hometown of Stamford, Conn. He works with a group that includes 253 firefighters, a fact he was sharing with FDNY and NYPD members who were all gathered Friday night to watch some baseball and eat pizza at the MLB Fan Cave before a city's somber anniversary.

Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher said he felt "sharp pain" in his left elbow after making a throw on Thursday and had an MRI exam performed after the team arrived at Angel Stadium on Friday.

Pitching opportunities have been tough to come by in the last two weeks for Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell, though teaching moments for the many young faces in the San Diego bullpen have been plentiful.

Johan Santana took another step toward his return from left shoulder surgery on Friday, pitching three innings in Class A Savannah's South Atlantic League playoff game.

Right fielder Justin Upton was back in the D-backs' starting lineup in his accustomed No. 3 slot against the Padres at Chase Field on Friday night, although his voice still sounded raspy and he seemed to be battling a cold.

The Tigers took care of the roster part of Brennan Boesch's season-ending thumb surgery by placing the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez will make his return to the rotation in Sunday's series finale against the Rockies.