PLAYERS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT PAPELBON IN DUST-UP WITH HARPER … Baseball writers and bloggers hate Jonathan Papelbon, at least most do.  They hate him because he's gruff, cocky and obtuse.  He's that jock bully from high school who even as adults we can't seem to forgive.

Cardinals Inch Closer to NL Central Title, Top Pirates 3-0  —  PITTSBURGH — Matt Carpenter raced home to break a scoreless tie in the ninth inning when two Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders mishandled Jon Jay's single, and Mark Reynolds followed with a two-run homer to lift the banged-up St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-0 win on Monday night.

Denorfia's HR in 11th Gives Cubs 1-0 Win Over Royals  —  CHICAGO — Chris Denorfia hit a pinch-hit home run leading off the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.  —  Denorfia hit the first pitch from reliever Miguel Almonte …

Verlander, Collins Lead Tigers Past Slumping Rangers 7-4  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Justin Verlander allowed one run in six innings, and Tyler Collins' three-run home run sparked a five-run fifth as the Detroit Tigers beat Texas 7-4 on Monday night, handing the Rangers their third straight loss.

Milone Starts for Ill Hughes, Pitches Twins Past Indians 4-2  —  CLEVELAND — Emergency starter Tommy Milone replaced an ill Phil Hughes and pitched the Minnesota Twins past the Cleveland Indians 4-2 on Monday night in a game crucial to the wild-card chances of both clubs.

Mariners notebook: Search for general manager could be in final stages … ANAHEIM, CALIF.  —  Increasing signs point to the Mariners hiring a new general manager in the near future.  —  One source close to the process said an announcement could come as soon as Monday.

Boston Rookie E-Rod Halts Yanks' Playoff Push for 10th Win  —  NEW YORK — Eduardo Rodriguez became the first Red Sox rookie left-hander to win 10 games in 43 years, and Boston slowed the New York Yankees' march toward a postseason berth with a 5-1 victory Monday night.

Blue Jays Rally Past Orioles 4-3  —  BALTIMORE — The Toronto Blue Jays edged closer to clinching the AL East title Monday night, getting a homer from Edwin Encarnacion and scoring a ninth-inning run to secure a 4-3 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Todd Frazier: Mets' ‘lethal’ young guns make them team to beat  —  The Mets likely will go with (clockwise from left) Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Matt Harvey for their playoff rotation.  —  CINCINNATI — The Four Flushing Flamethrowers are ready.

2015 Northwest League Top 20 Prospects  —  NORTHWEST LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS  —  Hillsboro won its second straight short-season Northwest League title, defeating Tri-City.  The Hops, managed by former big leaguer Shelley Duncan in his managerial debut, featured 2015 No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson …

Phillies shut down Aaron Nola, decline 2016 option on Cliff Lee  —  22h - MLB CLIFF LEE AARON NOLA PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES + more

Arenado Homers, Drives in 5, Rockies Sweep Dodgers 12-5  —  DENVER — The Los Angeles Dodgers came into Coors Field fully anticipating a clinch.  They leave a little clenched.  —  Being swept by a last-place team will do that.  —  Nolan Arenado homered and drove in a career-high five runs …

Inciarte's 2 HRs, 4 Hits Lead Diamondbacks Over Padres  —  SAN DIEGO — Ender Inciarte had two home runs among his four hits, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Diego Padres 4-2 Sunday.  —  Inciarte's first multihomer game of his career gave him six home runs this season.