Rosenthal notes: Minnesota Twins continue to defy lowered expectations  —  FOX Sports  —  Presumed to be done after being swept by the Yankees two weeks ago, the Twins have pulled back into the playoff race.  —  Those darned Twins, they're making fools of us all.

Bobby Parnell throws live batting practice Sunday, could be activated Tuesday … Mets  —  Mets vs. Red Sox

Yanks put in claim on their ex closer Robertson; trade seems unlikely  —  Looking to enhance their already superb bullpen, the Yankees have put in on a claim on White Sox closer David Robertson, and will find out by Monday afternoon whether they have any chance at all to re-acquire their former reliever …

Ex-Mets skipper Bobby Valentine says his former team is ‘in it to win it’  —  Bobby Valentine managed both the Mets and Red Sox.  —  But on Sunday, looking tanned and relaxed at Citi Field in the final game of the three-game series between the teams, Valentine admitted his allegiance is to the Mets …

Diamondbacks Designate Kevin Munson  —  The Diamondbacks have designated righty Kevin Munson for assignment, Zach Buchanan of AZCentral.com tweets.  Munson is a 26-year-old reliever who has yet to see MLB action.  —  After being by the Phillies in last year's Rule 5 draft, Munson was sent back to Arizona in mid-March.

NL CENTRAL TRULY ONE OF MLB'S BEST DIVISIONS IN HISTORY  —  JP Morosi  —  It's hardly revelatory to say the National League Central is baseball's best division in 2015.  The Cardinals, Pirates and Cubs account for three of the top four records in the majors, with the American League Central-leading Royals claiming the other.

On Air Pressure, Head Trauma and the Preseason  —  Is a compromise on the horizon as the Deflategate drama returns to an NYC courtroom Monday?  Don't hold your breath.  Plus, Hollywood tackles the ‘Concussion’ problem and one man's notes on all 16 weekend games  —  This American Football Life: What I learned this summer

Buckley: Tom Werner explains why NESN is parting with Don Orsillo  —  Photo by:  —  NEW YORK — It was going to be impossible for the Red Sox and NESN to move the popular and talented Don Orsillo out of the television booth without there being a major public outcry.

Holland Ks 11 for Texas in 6-0 Win Over O's for 3-Game Sweep  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Holland struck out every Baltimore batter while throwing a three-hitter for his eighth career shutout, leading the Texas Rangers over the Orioles 6-0 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Jake Arrieta of Cubs Working on No-Hitter Against Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs has a no-hitter going against the Los Angeles Dodgers through eight innings.  —  The Cubs lead 2-0 Sunday night.  —  The Dodgers' first baserunner came in the third inning …

Minor League Transactions: Aug. 20-27  —  The Padres make history by signing the first-ever player out of a young independent league, while elsewhere injuries claim the usual array of prospects and send them to the disabled list.  —  Official minor league transactions …