Berkman talks hit a speed bump  —  • The Cardinals and pending free agent first baseman Lance Berkman remain engaged in talks regarding a one-year contract.  After the talks showed initial signs of promise, an agreement remains elusive because of a difference of opinion over its worth …

Donaldson: Showalter was wrong  —  Orioles manager Buck Showalter created a stir back in March when, in an article in Mens Journal, he said: “I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay payroll.  You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else and that's what makes you smart.”

Mariano Rivera always a cutter above the rest, Yankees closer and class act basks in own glory  —  In the joyous aftermath of freezing a 23-year-old September call-up named Chris Parmelee for a called third strike to seal his record-breaking 602nd save, Mariano Rivera stood alone …

Video: Paul DePodesta talks about data & tech in baseball  —  Hat tip to Kerel Cooper from On the Black for the link.

Kennedy Wins 20th, Diamondbacks Beat Pirates 1-0  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Ian Kennedy pitched eight dominant innings to become the NL's first 20-game winner, Justin Upton hit a broken-bat homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks moved a step closer to their first NL West title in four years with a 1- victory …

His pitchers decision: They shouldn't win MVP award  —  It's a “you wanna step outside?” issue in Detroit.  The Big Meanies out there in the Great Beyond are going to deprive Justin Verlander of his rightful American League Most Valuable Player award.  —  The Tigers righthander has been the best pitcher in baseball this year.

Soto's two homers lead Cubs to win over Brewers  —  CHICAGO — Geovany Soto hit two two-run homers and drove in all the Chicago Cubs' runs in a 5-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.  —  The loss and the St. Louis Cardinals' win over Philadelphia kept the Brewers' magic number for clinching the NL Central at four.

Defensive Letdowns Prove Costly for Angels in Loss  —  TORONTO (AP) — After two costly mistakes, the Los Angeles Angels needed a perfect play to save the game.  For once, their typically sparkling defense wasn't up to the task.  —  Adam Lind drove in the winning run with a grounder …

No second-guessing for Werth after hard year  —  Outfielder confident Nationals — and his bat — are on right path  —  WASHINGTON — When October comes around, outfielder Jayson Werth will not be playing in the postseason for the first time since 2006, when he was a member of the Dodgers and missed the entire season due to injury.

Mariners add Joe McIlvaine to front office  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Former major league general manager Joe McIlvaine was hired as a special assistant to Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik on Monday.  —  The Mariners announced the move in Seattle, shortly after beating the Cleveland Indians 12-6 …

Braves Lose Heartbreaker Against Marlins, 6-5  —  MIAMI (AP) — The sliding Atlanta Braves stumbled again Monday night, losing 6-5 to the Florida Marlins on Omar Infante's game-ending two-run homer.  —  Atlanta now has dropped three of four, and its NL wild-card lead is down to 2½ games …

Carp's 5 RBIs Lead Mariners Past Indians 12-6  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Carp hit a grand slam into the second deck in right field and drove in five runs during Seattle's nine-run third inning, leading the Mariners to a rain-shortened 12-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday.