There were almost as many bonus records set at baseball's Aug. 15 signing deadline as there were in the Water Cube at the Beijing Olympics. Before the clock struck midnight—and in one case, afterward—teams spent like never before. Three of the four largest up-front bonuses ever were paid out, led by the Giants giving No. 5 overall pick Buster Posey $6.2 million. The 27 first-round picks who signed received an average bonus of $2,484,963, more than $300,000 than ever before, and an increase of 18.4 percent from 2007, the biggest jump in the era of Major League Baseball's recommendations for bonus slots.

Brian Barden singled in the go-ahead run to break a scoreless tie in the 11th inning and the United States baseball team beat Japan, 4-2.

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With a smooth, confident style, Jed Lowrie has performed so efficiently that it will be difficult for Manager Terry Francona to displace him.

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Andy Pettitte was dazzling on the mound and Derek Jeter had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the New York Yankees crushed the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-1, in the middle contest of a three-game set. Pettitte (13-9) gave

Mike Pelfrey did not allow a base runner in the seventh or eighth innings in what was his first complete game.

Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Mike Pelfrey tossed his first career complete game and the New York Mets doubled up the Atlanta Braves, 6-3, in the middle test of a three-game series from Shea Stadium. Pelfrey (12-8) allowed three runs on three hits with

In a game the Yankees essentially had to win, Andy Pettitte throttled the Toronto Blue Jays for seven innings, allowing five singles and no other base runners.

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The L.A. Angels held a monstrous 15 ½-game lead after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4, on Wednesday night. But the Rays have frittered away big leads in the past.