Cards boost playoff hopes  —  Cardinals 5, Phillies 0  —  Philadelphia — Allen Craig hit two homers and drove in three runs, Chris Carpenter gave up eight hits in eight innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals improved their playoff chances with a 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night.

Jays' Morrow looks to get back on track in Yankees finale  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays will send Brandon Morrow to the mound looking for a series win over the New York Yankees in their Sunday finale.  The Yankees will counter with Freddy Garcia.

Duncan, Indians Rally for 6-5 Win Over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sometimes earning a win comes down to having one good inning or taking advantage of one good opportunity.  The Cleveland Indians proved that Sunday.  —  For six innings, the Indians had little answer for Minnesota starter Carl Pavano.

Verlander improves to 24-5 with 12th straight win  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Justin Verlander won his 12th straight start, pitching three-hit ball over eight innings to become the first pitcher in nine years to reach 24 wins and lead the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers over the Oakland Athletics 3-0 Sunday.

Tejada's four RBIs help Mets, slow Braves' wild-card bid  —  ATLANTA — Ruben Tejada had four RBIs, Lucas Duda homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning and the New York Mets slowed the Atlanta Braves' wild-card bid with a walk-filled 7-5 victory Sunday.

Harrison, Beltre Lead Texas Past Seattle 3-0  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Adrian Beltre got the best of friend and former teammate Felix Hernandez, hitting a two-strike pitch for a two-run homer in the fourth inning and propelling the Texas Rangers to a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Myers Beats Cubs With Help From Video Review  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Brett Myers benefited from a reversed homer call to beat the Chicago Cubs again and Clint Barmes had a two-run single to help the Houston Astros to a 3-2 victory Sunday.  —  With Chicago down by a run in the eighth and Starlin Castro on first …

Mets and Tim Byrdak Agree to Contract Extension  —  Update: 5:18 PM - The Mets Just Released this statement … Original Post 11:17 AM  —  I have learned the Mets and Tim Byrdak are close to an extension for the 2012 season.  —  Byrdak was one of the value signings this past off season and he's turned out well.

Tracy to De La Rosa as he heads off for rehab: 'Don't try to speed it up'  —  Jorge De La Rosa left the Rockies today for what figures to be the longest offseason of his career.  —  De La Rosa, who underwent Tommy John surgery on June 3, will spend the offseason splitting time between …

Brewers ride early runs to easy win over Reds  —  CINCINNATI - Carlos Gomez and Prince Fielder each hit two-run homers in the first inning and Zack Greinke breezed through seven innings, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to an 8-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday for a series sweep.