Anatomy of an indecisive moment: A lost inning with Yankees manager Joe Girardi … ANAHEIM, Calif. — “I screwed up,” manager Joe Girardi said, a blunt assessment of a seventh-inning meltdown on Sunday that capped what became an 8-4 Yankees loss.  —  The Yankees trailed the Angels 5-4 …

Red Sox reportedly sign Cuban catcher  —  According to the Cuban Ball Players web site, the Red Sox have signed a catcher named Adalberto Ibarra to a major league contract worth $4.3 million.  He is said to have an “elegant” swing.  —  It's an interesting move considering how highly the Sox …

In last start for while, Wakefield delivers  —  Red Sox veteran knuckler allows two runs in 6 2/3 innings  —  BOSTON — Tim Wakefield, who last pitched out of the bullpen in 2004, will go back to that role later this week.  The fact that Wakefield knew that before taking the ball …

No Rush, A-Rod, We Have All Day  —  In case New Yorkers needed another way to compare Derek Jeter to Alex Rodriguez, we've found something new.  When Mr. Jeter hits a home run, it takes him 20.19 seconds to round the bases, the second-fastest time among Yankees starters.

Rain helps Mets sweep away Braves  —  NEW YORK — Mike Pelfrey pitched out of constant trouble to extend his scoreless streak to 24 innings and the New York Mets finished a three-game sweep of the slumping Atlanta Braves with a 1-0 victory Sunday night in a game cut short by rain.

This year's Washington Nationals look like a different bunch  —  On Saturday, after they had lost in 13 innings to the Dodgers in a game they could and should have won several different times, the Nationals were so silent you could hear the sweat drip in their clubhouse.

Jakubauskas feeling better after scare  —  Pitcher spent night in the hospital after being struck by liner  —  HOUSTON — For someone who less than 24 hours earlier had taken a line drive off his head from a batted ball by the Astros' Lance Berkman, Pittsburgh pitcher Chris Jakubauskas showed …

White House is next stop for Yankees  —  President welcomes team Monday to honor Series win  —  The Yankees' road-trip itinerary contains one additional stop, and it will not be found on any pocket schedule — the White House.  —  President Barack Obama will be welcoming the team through …

Get ready for a Cubs-White Sox trophy  —  Forget the “Crosstown Classic”: Starting this season, the annual Cubs vs. White Sox interleague series will be known as the BP Crosstown Cup, the teams announced Monday.  —  The team with the most wins in the series will be formally awarded the rivalry's namesake trophy.

Dominican Scouts, MLB At Impasse Over Prospects  —  Amidst three hours of meetings with Dominican baseball officials, trainers, and scouts last Thursday, MLB Dominican office boss Sandy Alderson gave a description of his work on the island to Yahoo's Jeff Passan in terms extending beyond talk of steroids, bonus-skimming and age fraud.

Barton breaks finger, will be reevaluated  —  First baseman injured making catch in seventh inning  —  OAKLAND — A's first baseman Daric Barton suffered a “very small” fracture of the volar plate in his right middle finger during Sunday's 11-0 win over the Indians, the club announced following the game.

Zimmerman takes BP, may return Monday  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was out of the starting lineup for the fourth consecutive game on Sunday after tweaking his right hamstring against the Rockies on Wednesday night.  —  However, Zimmerman was able to jog …