Johnny Pesky, 1919-2012  —  Johnny Pesky, a member of the Red Sox as a player, manager, coach, broadcaster and beloved team ambassador, has passed away at the age of 92.  —  Pesky played for the Sox from 1942-52, missing three seasons serving in the military during World War II.

Yankees sign RHP Derek Lowe  —  The New York Yankees today announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe to a Major League contract and selected him to the 25-man active roster.  Lowe is scheduled to join the team tonight and is expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Q&A: Doug Fister, Cat-and-Mouse Simplicity  —  Doug Fister believes in keeping things simple.  The Detroit Tigers right-hander isn't big on statistics, nor does he rely much on scouting reports.  What he does do is play cat-and-mouse with opposing hitters: He changes speeds and pounds the bottom of the strike zone.

Amazin's need to start looking toward the future  —  Mets on Twitter  —  The Mets have yet to place Scott Hairston on waivers this month, according to an industry source, which makes sense.  It figures that the Mets want to reap the benefits of Hairston for a while longer before putting …

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 …

BERKMAN FACING DIFFICULT DECISION ABOUT HIS FUTURE  —  • Cardinals Insider > Joe Strauss  PHILADELPHIA  • His family's Houston residence boasts spurs on a rustic den wall, a signed Major Applewhite Longhorn helmet in a display case and a map of Stephen Austin's Texas hanging within …

Villarreal to undergo exam for elbow weakness  —  ARLINGTON — Brayan Villarreal went to the mound Sunday for the second time in less than 24 hours in an effort to put Saturday night's loss out of his memory.  Turns out he has bigger worries on his mind, the way his elbow is feeling.

Astros Get Hope and Youth From New Owner and New Approach  —  HOUSTON — The Mules of Central Missouri State won one game at the 1974 N.C.A.A. Division II College World Series.  A tall, right-handed sophomore with a fastball, a curveball and a knuckle-change fired a 2-0 shutout against Ohio Northern …

Red Sox Minor League Roundup: Andrew Bailey is ready; Mark Prior struggles  —  Andrew Bailey is expected to be activated for Tuesday's game in Baltimore (AP)  —  The Red Sox bullpen looks like it soon will feature a long-anticipated reinforcement . . .  TRIPLE-A PAWTUCKET RED SOX: 9-3 LOSS AT BUFFALO (METS)

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.

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.

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.