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.

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 …

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.

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.

A's offense does plenty, gets Anderson another win  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—Coco Crisp and Matt Carson each hit solo home runs to back Brett Anderson, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-2 Monday.  —  Anderson (4-6) allowed four hits in a season-high 7 2-3 innings and left to a standing ovation.

Soto homers to help Cubs beat Astros 5-4  —  CHICAGO—Geovany Soto hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning for the Cubs' first lead of the game and closer Carlos Marmol shut down the Houston Astros in the ninth, giving Chicago a 5-4 victory Wednesday.  —  Soto's drive off Astros reliever …

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 …

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 …

Jimenez wins 18th as Rockies rally past Reds  —  DENVER—Ubaldo Jimenez won his club-record 18th game despite a wild performance and the surging Colorado Rockies rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 Monday.  —  Even though he leads the National League in victories, Jimenez (18-6), hadn't won since Aug. 4.

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 …

Bronx Mirage  —  Why won't the Yankees win the World Series?  It's a Moneyball thing.  —  Yankee pitcher CC Sabathia  —  For the second consecutive year, the Yankees have had a relatively drama-free season.  Sure, there have been the occasional headaches—A-Rod's endless and awkward quest …