Firing Bobby Valentine won't fix the Red Sox  —  Let's say the Red Sox had decided last winter that they just weren't ready for Bobby Valentine as manager and hired Gene Lamont instead.  —  Do you really think they would be 10 games over .500 instead of one game under?  —  Because that's who the alternative was.

Victorino wants to stay with Dodgers next year  —  LOS ANGELES — Shane Victorino has been in Los Angeles for only four games, but he's already hoping for a long future in Dodger blue.  —  Victorino has informed his agents that he would like to re-sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the outfielder told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Weaver's four-hitter leads Angels past Athletics  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Jered Weaver pitched a four-hitter for his major-league leading 15th victory, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Monday night to overtake the final spot in the crowded AL wild card standings.

Tillman leads Orioles past Mariners 3-1  —  BALTIMORE—Chris Tillman took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning to extend a run of successful starts by Baltimore pitchers, and the Orioles beat Jason Vargas and the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday night.  —  Nick Markakis homered …

Cubs' Garza out indefinitely with stress reaction  —  Cubs starter Matt Garza is out indefinitely with stress reaction in the back of his elbow, but no decision has been yet about the rest of his season.  —  Obviously the season has 55 games remaining, so it would seem as though the Cubs …

Next contract should be lucrative for Lohse  —  ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse maintains that he's not thinking much beyond 2012, a season in which he believes he can help lead the Cardinals back to the postseason.  If he did, however, Lohse would certainly find himself to be among the most attractive free-agent pitchers.

Yankees shut down Manny Banuelos  —  The New York Yankees' top pitching prospect, Manny Banuelos, will not pitch again this year after throwing in six games all season, the team's vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman told ESPN New York on Monday.  —  “He's not going to be back this season,” Newman said.

Padres sold to group headed by O'Malley heirs, Fowler, Mickelson  —  It took longer than expected, but the sale of the Padres to a group headed by heirs of the former owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego business and civic leader Ron Fowler and professional golfer Phil Mickelson was completed Monday night.

Twins score 10 runs in second inning, rout Indians  —  CLEVELAND — Justin Morneau homered twice and drove in four runs, Joe Mauer had three RBIs and Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 14-3 victory over Cleveland on Monday night, the Indians' 10th straight loss.

Sheets solid as streaking Braves bump Phillies  —  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Ben Sheets improves to 4-1 as Braves coast past Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA — Ben Sheets pitched …

Sale pitches eight solid innings as White Sox beat Royals  —  CHICAGO — Paul Konerko and Gordon Beckham homered late, Chris Sale pitched eight solid innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday night.  —  Konerko tied it leading off the seventh and Beckham gave …