Padres sign veteran Kotsay through 2013 season  —  SAN DIEGO — Impressed with his left-handed bat off the bench as well as his influence in a young clubhouse, the Padres have opted to sign outfielder Mark Kotsay to a one-year contract that will keep him in San Diego through the 2013 season.

Reds-Cubs Preview  —  While Jay Bruce will return to the Cincinnati Reds lineup, Scott Rolen might not be ready to do the same and Joey Votto certainly isn't.  —  A day after learning Votto will be out longer than expected, Cincinnati hopes Bruce begins getting back on track in the finale …

Pence's HR keys 8th-inning rally, SF beats Rockies  —  SAN FRANCISCO—Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer during a five-run rally in the eighth inning that lifted the San Francisco Giants over the Colorado Rockies 9-6 on Sunday.  —  Buster Posey's sacrifice fly in the eighth tied it.

NY Mets are going nowhere this season, should think about shutting down Johan Santana  —  So it's come to this: the Mets and their fans just need to hope none of their key hitters gets hurt while keeping an eye on next season.  —  Johan Santana is not helping the Mets this season …

Capuano takes no-hit bid into seventh, Dodgers beat Marlins  —  MIAMI — Chris Capuano held Miami hitless until the seventh inning and Hanley Ramirez drove in three runs against his former team, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Marlins 5-0 Sunday.  —  Capuano (11-8) shut …

Montero homers twice off Weaver, Mariners beat Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jesus Montero homered twice off major league ERA leader Jered Weaver, and Jason Vargas outpitched his former Long Beach State teammate to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-1 win Sunday over the Los Angeles Angels.

For Dan Duquette, a comeback victory  —  He had been out of the game for almost 10 years, and Dan Duquette didn't know whether he'd ever get back in.  He took over a team that hasn't finished over .500 since 1997 in a city that was once baseball-mad and had become mad at baseball.

Hart homers, Brewers stop skid with win over Astros  —  HOUSTON — Yovani Gallardo handled Houston once again and Corey Hart homered as the Milwaukee Brewers broke an 11-game road skid, beating the Astros 5-3 on Sunday.  —  Milwaukee won on the road for the first time since July 8 at Houston in its last game before the All-Star break.

Pierre helps Phillies top Cardinals in 11  —  PHILADELPHIA—Juan Pierre beat out a run-scoring infield single in the 11th inning, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-7 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.  —  Jimmy Rollins reached off Barret Browning (0-2) on a fielder's choice.

Remembering late Yankees player and announcer Phil Rizzuto for the kind-hearted man he was  —  Former shortstop and lovable broadcaster gave authors rides to Yankee Stadium from New Jersey - just because they were in the neighborhood.  —  Sunday marks the 5th anniversary of the passing …