Beckett struggles as Red Sox fall  —  Right-hander gives up five runs in six innings to lose seventh  —  BOSTON — If Monday night is any indicator of how the Red Sox will fare in their current eight-game stretch against the first-place Tigers and Yankees, then the New England region …

Angels settle for split after losing finale  —  Halos can't find a way to solve Yanks left-hander Johnson  —  NEW YORK — The Angels seem to be running in place.  —  After posting the best record in the Majors in July by winning 19 out of 26 games, they've split their last 14.

Pedro day-to-day with right calf strain  —  Mets righty yields six runs in one inning against Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — The physical condition and availability of Pedro Martinez once again is an issue for the Mets, and again his problem involves his right leg.

Giants-Padres Preview  —  Despite having one of the worst home records in the NL, the San Diego Padres still are in contention for a playoff spot.  —  The Padres look to shake their recent home struggles when they begin a 10-game homestand against NL West rivals Monday night with the start …

Rockies bring back one of their own, sign 3B Castilla  —  Vinny Castilla couldn't contain the ear-to-ear grin.  He smiled as photos were snapped, and grinned when he answered questions.  —  Castilla was elated to be back with the Colorado Rockies, agreeing to terms on a minor-league contract Monday …

Rockies, Astros discussing Wilson deal  —  Houston outfielder one of 12 'designated' players available  —  Will it be a Rockies' redux for Preston Wilson?  —  Colorado and Houston have been discussing a deal that would reunite the outfielder with the franchise he played for from 2003 through the first half of last season.

Notes: A's roster coming together  —  Kennedy returns with Crosby, Harden on the horizon  —  OAKLAND — The A's on Monday took a few more steps toward the goal of getting their ideal 25-man roster together for the stretch drive.  —  In addition to welcoming back lefty reliever Joe Kennedy …

Encarnacion named NL's best of week  —  Third baseman helped Reds pull close to Cards in race  —  While the Reds are at the top of the Wild Card heap in the National League as of Monday, they are setting their sights a little higher these days.  —  Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion …

Mailbag: Can Soriano win the MVP?  —  Beat writer Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … What are the chances of Alfonso Soriano winning the National League MVP this year?  He has done everything he can for the Nationals to be a competitive team and has been able to hit at spacious RFK stadium.

Mailbag: Time to retire No. 17?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions  —  After the remarkable treatment afforded Mike Piazza at Shea Sadium last week, I got to thinking that the Mets should retire his uniform number.  He is a certain Hall of Famer who played some of his best and most important years in New York.