Red Sox's failings not Francona's fault  —  NEW YORK  —  It's not remotely fair, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona is in trouble.  —  His fate hardly is sealed — the Red Sox, pathetic as they look, remain talented enough to reach the World Series.  —  But if the Sox complete …

Braves lose to Nationals 3-0, hurting playoff bid  —  WASHINGTON - Altanta's NL wild-card lead was cut to one game over St. Louis, with the top four hitters in the Braves' lineup, including Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla, going a combined 0 for 16 with five strikeouts Sunday in a 3-0 loss to the Washington Nationals.

Miguel Cabrera homers, Tigers beat Orioles 10-6  —  DETROIT - Miguel Cabrera homered and singled, keeping the pressure on in his push for the American League batting title before leaving the Detroit Tigers' 10-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday with lightheadedness.

Mets' Mike Pelfrey still searching for a new pitch after disappointing season  —  NEW YORK — On the eve of his final start in this most disappointing season, Mets starter Mike Pelfrey pondered the answer to a question that's both simple and confounding.  Most people wouldn't understand, Pelfrey explained.

Jocketty to meet with Phillips' agents in NY  —  PITTSBURGH — One of the major issues on the Reds offseason plate is trying to sign second baseman Brandon Phillips beyond next season.  —  Although Phillips' $12 million club option hasn't formally been exercised, general manager Walt Jocketty …

Art Howe isn't happy about his portrayal in ‘Moneyball’  —  Former Oakland Athletics manager Art Howe (above, right) hasn't seen ‘Moneyball’ yet, but he's talked with people who have and he says he isn't thrilled with the way he's portrayed in the film.  —  One scene has Billy Beane …

Well-stocked bullpen gives Rockies some trade options  —  Contact: 303-954-1301 or trenck@ denverpost.com  —  HOUSTON — The Rockies' season is measured more by MRIs than RBIs.  It has been an unmitigated disaster, with injuries and underwhelming performances siphoning any and all optimism.

Will sun set Sunday on the Pujols era?  —  There never has been a day like Sunday will be at Busch Stadium because, as everyone on the continent surely knows, that might be the last day.  —  For the 854th time in his 11 seasons, Jose Alberto Pujols will hitch up the right hip of his pants …

Stadium problem could preclude signing Willingham  —  Anaheim —  Oakland's shot at retaining Josh Willingham is slipping away, quite possibly for good.  —  Willingham's agent, Matt Sosnick, told The Chronicle on Saturday that he approached the team last week with various possibilities …

Rays sink Blue Jays to close within half-game of Red Sox  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist homered in the first inning to back Wade Davis, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Sunday to pull within a half-game of the Boston Red Sox for the AL wild-card lead.

Twins Top Indians 6-4 in 10 Innings on Tosoni's HR  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Rene Tosoni led off the 10th inning with a home run and the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 6-4 on Sunday for their third victory in 22 games.  —  Tosoni hit his fourth homer on a 1-1 pitch from Tony Sipp (6-3) to give Kyle Waldrop (1-0) his first career win.

Giants Eliminated From Postseason Contention  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Ian Kennedy pitched six innings to earn his NL-best 21st win and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the San Francisco Giants 15-2 on Saturday night, eliminating the defending World Series champions from the postseason picture.

Mets sweep Phillies in day-night doubleheader  —  NEW YORK — With nothing left to play for in the regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies are playing as if they have nothing left.  —  Hunter Pence dropped a deep fly ball for an error that led to five unearned runs, and the New York Mets completed …