MLB

- Target Field has been able to provide the Minnesota Twins with a distinct advantage in its first year of existence, something the current American League Central leaders would like to have during the first round of the playoffs.

Jenrry Mejia makes his first major league start this afternoon, when the New York Mets continue their three-game series with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

- After mother nature delayed the opening of this important weekend set, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox will renew acquaintances with a day-night doubleheader that begins this afternoon from Fenway Park.

- The New York Yankees have solved just about all their problems during a seven-game winning streak that matches the team's longest of the season. The defending world champions will now turn their attention towards getting Javier Vazquez to become an effective starting pitcher once again when they take the field against the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon.

Jason Giambi and Troy Tulowitzki each hit a two-run homer, as the Colorado Rockies dealt San Diego an eighth consecutive defeat, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series.

Cliff Pennington and Kevin Kouzmanoff each homered during a six-run seventh, as the Oakland Athletics dominated the Angels, 8-0, in the opener of a three-game series.

Chad Billingsley was strong through eight innings of work on the hill and drove in the game-winning runs to carry Los Angeles to a 4-2 win over San Francisco in the opener of a three-game series.

Luke French carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Franklin Gutierrez drove in the only run as Seattle blanked Cleveland in a 1-0 final at Safeco Field.

Augie Ojeda's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth delivered the winning run as Arizona downed Houston, 4-3, to start a three-game set.

J.J. Hardy and Denard Span had run-scoring singles in the seventh inning to put Minnesota in front, and the Twins held on for a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers in the opener of a three-game series.