ST. LOUIS - Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell hit consecutive home runs in the first inning, and the Phillies were just getting warmed up in a 20-2 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. Kyle Kendrick (6-2) worked seven strong innings

HOUSTON - Derek Jeter hit a solo homer in the eighth inning off Doug Brocail and Joba Chamberlain pitched six strong innings in his first career road start to lead the New York Yankees to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night. Alex Rodriguez

So Larry Berkman definitely has to be honored as his son is being compared to the legendary Mantle these days among the greatest switch-hitting sluggers of their time. It's pretty impressive to know that for switch-hitters with at least 3,000 plate

'[Moyer] could write one.' The 45-year-old authored another impressive chapter in his long successful career, naturally arriving precisely when his team needed him. Moyer tossed eight shutout innings on a muggy South Florida night, and paced a 3-0 win

But that never deterred Gary's devotion to his son's progress. 'He was always there to catch me as long as I wanted,' Cole said of his father. 'Without him, I don't think I would have become as good.' Cole's parents still reside in California. They get

Los Angeles TimesSAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers have told shortstop Rafael Furcal to cease all baseball activities, raising the possibility his recovery from a back injury could extend well into July. 'He's gotten a little frustrated,' Manager Joe Torre said.

Friday's first-inning fireworks began with two outs and nobody on. Chase Utley started the long ball show with a drive into the right-field bullpen off Todd Wellemeyer for his Major League-leading 22nd homer. Ryan Howard, returning to his hometown,

'We had a lot of fun going down the stretch,' said Lohse, who signed late with the Cardinals during the offseason. 'From Day 1 when I got over there [to Philadelphia], it was like a playoff atmosphere every game. I can't think of a better time that I've

'Look at him,' said Shane Victorino, mimicking Kendrick's occasional deer-in-the-highlights expression. ''Duh.' If you get picked on, it means everybody likes you. That's a good thing. He's a fun guy to get on, and he doesn't have many ways of coming

Starter Kyle Kendrick helped his own cause as the Phils blew it wide open with a nine-run rally in the fourth. Kendrick had a double and a single in that uprising. The last time the Phillies hit three consecutive homers was May 18, 2004, against the