Nats won't ask Desmond to change approach  —  WASHINGTON — Entering Sunday's action against the Braves, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond was 0-for-9 with no walks at the leadoff spot.  —  The Nationals don't want Desmond to change his approach at the plate.  They want him to be aggressive, according to hitting coach Rick Eckstein.

Twins win stops Jays sweep  —  The Minnesota Twins salvaged the finale of a three-game series against Toronto by hanging on to defeat the Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.  —  Danny Valencia and Denard Span homered while starter Nick Blackburn (1-) threw five-plus effective innings …

Salty gets ring during tough weekend  —  ARLINGTON — The best thing that happened to Jarrod Saltalamacchia during an otherwise frustrating weekend in Texas occurred before Sunday's game, when Rangers general manager Jon Daniels presented him with an American League championship ring.

Revamped Orioles excited to open home slate  —  Arrieta honored to start at Camden Yards against Tigers  —  ST. PETERSBURG — A year ago, Jake Arrieta was in Minor League camp getting ready to start the season at Triple-A Norfolk.  On Monday, the 25-year-old will christen Camden Yards …

Pirates Rally With 2 Runs in 9th to Beat Cubs 5-4  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Pedro Alvarez drive in two runs with an infield single off closer Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 5-4 victory Sunday over the Chicago Cubs to take two of three in the opening series of the season.

Triple play turns tide toward Tribe  —  CLEVELAND — Carlos Santana is still learning the nuances of playing first base for the Indians, so any advice offered by someone like veteran infielder Orlando Cabrera is more than appreciated.  —  In the fourth inning of the Indians' 7-1 victory …

Treanor's Homer Lifts Royals Over Angels in 13  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Treanor hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 13th inning to lift Kansas City over the Los Angeles Angels 12-9 on Sunday, the Royals' third straight victory in their last at-bat.

Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price open to long-term deal, but specifics remain elusive  —  Signing young, talented players to long-term deals, as the Rays did again last week with right-handed pitcher Wade Davis, is a way, and perhaps the only way, for the team to keep them around.

For once, the joke is on Brian Cashman, Yankees in signing of former Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano  —  MIAMI - In one gilded corner: the royal spendthrifts from the Bronx, with their haughty pennants flapping in the breeze, their self-important Yankeeographies and their fancy 2-and-0 start this season.

LHP Jaime Garcia bats 8th for Cardinals  —  ST. LOUIS — Matt Holliday's injury convinced St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa to bat his pitcher eighth for the first time this season.  —  La Russa said if Holliday were healthy he would have used a standard lineup card Sunday …

Phil Hughes hit hard by Tigers, Mark Teixeira & Jorge Posada homers aren't enough in 10-7 loss  —  Sunday, Phil Hughes said he was not worried about his dwindling velocity in spring training.  All Yankee manager Joe Girardi would say was that he was curious, but not worried, about the speed of the young righthander's fastball.

Hudson shuts down Nationals in Braves' 11-2 rout  —  WASHINGTON—Tim Hudson pitched seven solid innings in another strong start against Washington and Brian McCann had four RBIs in the Atlanta Braves' 11-2 victory over the Nationals on Sunday.  —  Hudson (1-0) gave up one run and three hits, struck out five and walked one.

Derek Jeter ties Al Simmons on hits list  —  NEW YORK — On Opening Day, Derek Jeter put his much-maligned 2010 season behind him.  On Saturday, he picked up his first two hits of the 2011 campaign.  —  The New York Yankees shortstop went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored in his team's 10-6 win over the Detroit Tigers.

Lee fans 11 in debut as Phillies beat Astros  —  PHILADELPHIA — In his first game back with the Phillies in front of fans who adore him, Cliff Lee even heard cheers after striking out.  —  Lee can do no wrong in Philadelphia.  —  The lefty struck out 11 in seven impressive innings …