Reinforcements arrive  —  I'm sure a lot of you are interested in the weather, so we'll start with that.  —  Right now it's misting at Fenway and we're still set for a 4:05 p.m. start.  Since this is Toronto's last trip to Boston this season, the playing of the game is at the discretion of the umpires and not the Red Sox.

Blyleven profanities heard on Twins broadcast  —  Viewers tuning in for the opening of the Twins-Yankees telecast Sunday afternoon on WFTC got an unexpected surprise.  —  Viewers tuning in for the opening of the Twins-Yankees telecast Sunday afternoon on WFTC got an unexpected surprise.

Notes: Beltran on the mend  —  All-Star's knee responding to treatment after fence collision  —  HOUSTON — The utter brilliance of the play Carlos Beltran made in the ninth inning on Saturday night invited comparisons to others that have warranted stars in scorebooks.

Gordon activated; Mathieson on DL  —  RHPs Sanches, Condrey recalled from Triple-A  —  Right-handed pitcher Tom Gordon was reinstated from the 15-day DL, while right-handed pitcher Scott Mathieson was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained right elbow which occurred during his start last night …

Howard and Pujols hit 3 homers apiece  —  Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols had their home-run strokes down Sunday.  —  Howard homered in his first three at-bats for Philadelphia in an 8-7 victory over Atlanta in a doubleheader opener, and Pujols connected in his first three at-bats as St. Louis beat Pittsburgh 6-3.

Tigers purchase contract of IF Hooper with Guillen injured  —  DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers purchased the contract of infielder Kevin Hooper from Triple-A Toledo before their game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night, adding depth because they don't know how long Carlos Guillen will be out of the lineup.

Thomas proving his greatness at the plate  —  This past winter, Frank Thomas didn't have too many suitors.  —  He parted ways with the White Sox, the team with which he'd spent his entire career, under a pall of acrimony, and the rest of the league wasn't exactly clamoring for his services …

Cubs place C Barrett on DL  —  CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs on Sunday placed catcher Michael Barrett on the 15-day disabled list with a intrascrotal hematoma.  —  In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled infielder-outfielder Buck Coats from Class AAA Iowa prior to their finale …

Padres get the Reds out  —  SAN DIEGO - Jake Peavy threw a two-hitter, matching his career-best, and struck out 14 for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Saturday night to keep the lead in the NL wild-card race.  —  Rookie Josh Barfield hit a two-run homer …

Angels Finally Make Up Ground  —  They beat Detroit, 7-2, in 10 innings and are 71/2 games behind Oakland, but some believe the team would be better off not reaching playoffs.  —  DETROIT — There is a growing sentiment among the more rational and realistic followers of the Angels — yes …

Everybody Loves Sal  —  Derek Jeter has four championship rings and his own cologne.  Alex Rodriguez, the reigning American League most valuable player, has the richest contract in baseball.  —  But despite their fame and fortune, neither Jeter nor Rodriguez can boast a fan club based …

Twins lefty Liriano pain-free during bullpen session  —  NEW YORK — The Minnesota Twins finally got some good news about their pitching staff Saturday when Francisco Liriano came through a 12-minute bullpen session pain-free.  —  The rookie left-hander, on the disabled list since Aug. 8 …

Twins' littlest 'piranha' returns to Trop as surprise sparkplug  —  White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen might have put it best last week when he called the Twins "little piranhas" because of the pesky and ferocious way they play.  —  And as the Twins invade Tropicana Field Monday …

Arias ready to make a major leap  —  ARLINGTON - Top shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias will be joining the Rangers in the next few days.  His playing time will be limited, but the Rangers are more interested in the experience he can gain by being on the major league club.

Philadelphia Phillies  —  I've changed my mind, and so should everyone else.  —  Just weeks ago, Ryan Howard was a distant third on the MVP depth chart.  It didn't matter that he led in home runs and had emerged as a prototypical slugger.  Cardinals stud Albert Pujols and Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran …

Kouzmanoff set to join Indians  —  Prospect to serve as extra bat with injury to Hafner  —  ARLINGTON — The Indians didn't plan on making any September callups until after Triple-A Buffalo's season ends on Tuesday.  —  A minor injury to Travis Hafner, however, has forced the need …