Cubs beat Cards, maintain division lead  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jason Marquis has come back to haunt his former team.  —  Matt Murton hit a three-run homer, and Marquis allowed just one run while pitching into the seventh inning to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 win over the slumping St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Yankee's prank strikes out  —  Talk about sore winners.  —  Griffin Whitman, a 10-year-old Red Sox [team stats] fan from Swampscott, was excited to attend his first Yankees vs. Red Sox game Friday night.  The young autograph -collector was even more thrilled to score Yankees outfielder Shelley Duncan's signature before the game.

Pirates Notebook: Sanchez, Capps targeted for contract extensions  —  HOUSTON — The Pirates plan to approach two of their top performers, second baseman Freddy Sanchez and closer Matt Capps, with multiyear contract proposals this offseason.  —  The new front office will wait until team …

Red Sox win likely ends Yanks' dreams of division crown  —  BOSTON - After winning nine consecutive American League East titles, the Yankees needed a sweep this weekend at Fenway Park if they had any hopes of extending that streak to 10.  —  So much for that.

Thome's 500th home run completes White Sox rally  —  Angels blow a six-run lead and lose on Chicago slugger's dramatic blast in the ninth inning.  —  CHICAGO — Jim Thome hit career home run No. 500 in style this afternoon, blasting a two-run shot to center field in the ninth inning to give …

Brandon Jones added to Braves starting lineup, making 3 Jones on card  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Brandon Jones was added to the Atlanta Braves' starting lineup against the Washington Nationals on Sunday after he was brought up from Triple-A Richmond.  —  He joined Chipper Jones …

CENTER STAGE: As the Tigers face Cleveland, we ask who's better: Grady or Grandy?  —  In the 1950s, any New York baseball fan could argue that his favorite centerfielder was the best in town.  The Dodgers had Duke Snider.  The Giants had Willie Mays.  The Yankees had Mickey Mantle.

Bonds' 755th, 756th go for $940K at auction  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds' record-breaking 756th home run ball was auctioned Saturday for $752,467, well more than the estimates by memorabilia experts.  —  Home run No. 755, the ball that tied the record, went for $186,750, according to Sotheby's/SCP Auctions.

Notes: Washington has wish list  —  Rangers manager hoping to fill holes in infield and outfield  —  OAKLAND — The Rangers haven't reached the end of the season or had any formal meetings about the offseason but manager Ron Washington already has his wish list ready.

Bernie Williams' music career keeps playing right notes  —  His foot is tapping and his head is nodding, and his fingers are really moving now, picking here and pressing there, the sound sweet and clean, a big-league guitar riff coming to life.  —  The former No. 51 of the New York Yankees …

Rodriguez Is Worth a Few More Wins, but Not $30 Million  —  From the moment Alex Rodriguez signed his 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000, he became the emblem for baseball's talent sweepstakes run amok.  The total package was worth more than twice as much as any deal …

GM Terry Ryan's departure spells doom in Minnesota  —  Terry Ryan's surprise decision to step down as Twins GM has sounded the alarm that Minnesota is once again an endangered franchise in need of much more than just a new ballpark (an open-air one, no less) to survive and prosper again.

Phillies die-hards know how the story ends … PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel is salty.  His right fielder grabs his calf running down the first-base line, the same calf that landed him on the disabled list.  When the player, Shane Victorino, is surprised he's not in the lineup the next day …