Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Harris exits after crashing into outfield fence — WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Willie Harris left Monday's game against the Mets in the top of the third inning after hitting the right-field fence hard on a double by Chris Carter. — Carter led off the third inning and hit the ball over Harris' head.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Desmond gets day off to rest left hamstring — WASHINGTON — Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond was given the day off Monday against the Mets because of left hamstring issues. The injury is not considered serious. Instead Danny Espinosa will make his first start at the position since joining the club early last week.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Morgan considering winter ball options — WASHINGTON — Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan said Monday that he is thinking about playing in the Dominican Winter League after the Major League season is over. — Morgan said his decision on playing winter ball will be made after his hearing with the league office on Friday.
Associated Press:
Neil Walker homers, Pirates beat first-place Braves 3-1 — PITTSBURGH — Neil Walker hit a two-run homer, Brian Burres limited Atlanta to one run over six innings in his first start in more than three months and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the slumping Braves 3-1 on Monday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Talking Chop
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George Von Benko / MLB.com:
Braves' division drive takes hit by Bucs — PITTSBURGH — Pirates second baseman Neil Walker put a crimp in the Braves' drive for a National League East title with a two-run sixth-inning blast, propelling the Pirates to a 3-1 victory on Monday afternoon at PNC Park.
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Thome blasts Twins to win over Royals — MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Slowey lasted just four innings while throwing 77 pitches in his return to the rotation, but backed by a pair of home runs from Jason Kubel and Jim Thome, the Twins picked up a 5-4 victory over the Royals on Monday afternoon at Target Field.
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Associated Press:
Thome and Kubel homer in 5th inning, Twins beat KC — MINNEAPOLIS—Jason Kubel hit a go-ahead homer and Jim Thome launched his 585th career home run moments later, powering the Minnesota Twins past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Monday. — The fifth-inning shots by Kubel and Thome kept …
Associated Press:
Adalberto Mendez debuts with 6 innings, 1-hit ball vs Phils — PHILADELPHIA — Adalberto Mendez pitched one-hit ball for six scoreless innings in his major league debut before injuring himself, and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-1 Monday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, FishStripes, The Good Phight and Associated Press
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gomez sets plan to reclaim a starting job — MILWAUKEE — Erstwhile Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez isn't happy about being buried on the bench, but he has a plan to reclaim his job from rookie Lorenzo Cain next spring. — Gomez said he will play a longer than usual schedule with Escondido …
Associated Press:
Molina hits a grand slam, Cardinals beat Brewers — MILWAUKEE—Yadier Molina's grand slam capped a six-run eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame Corey Hart's two homers to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-6 on Monday. — It was 2-all in the eighth when an error …
Brian MacPherson / Providence Journal:
On rehab assignment, Varitek talks of playing in 2011 — PAWTUCKET — No matter what happens with his Red Sox team the rest of the way, Jason Varitek isn't about to make the final month of the season any sort of farewell tour. The 38-year-old catcher will be a free agent after the season ends …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, NESN.com and MLB Rumors
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Revived Orioles Beat the Yankees — When Monday's game began between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees had the best record in the American League and the Orioles had the worst. — Those facts did not change despite the Orioles' 4-3 victory, the second consecutive defeat …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Tim Britton / MLB.com:
Long ball burdens Hughes as Yanks cooled — NEW YORK — Phil Hughes served up three home runs, and the Yankees saw their eight-game winning streak halted in a 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday. — It was the second time this season that Hughes had surrendered a trio of long balls …
Discussion:
Yankeeist
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Associated Press:
No tribute for Cox from Marlins — MIAMI—Retiring Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has received an assortment of going-away gifts this year from other teams, including a Wrigley Field seat and an autographed Stan Musial photo. — The Florida Marlins gave Cox a snub.
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