Porcello majors' 1st 18-game winner, Red Sox beat Rays 9-4 … BOSTON — Rick Porcello had a simple answer to why he can't think about his current success.  —  He knows there are a lot more important things he's helping the Boston Red Sox chase.  —  Porcello became the majors' first 18-game winner …

Donaldson Homers Again, Blue Jays Beat Orioles 5-1  —  BALTIMORE — Josh Donaldson hit his fourth homer in two days and Jose Bautista also went deep in support of Marco Estrada, leading the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Monday night.  —  Toronto leads third-place Baltimore by four games in the AL East.

2016 Week 21 MLB Power Rankings  —  It's pretty much the same story at the top of the rankings, with the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals remaining No. 1 and No. 2 for the sixth straight week.  The remainder of the top five continues to be dominated by the American League …

Gray Lifts Rockies to 8-1 Win Over Dodgers  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 30, 2016, 12:30 A.M. E.D.T.  —  DENVER — Starter Jon Gray pretended he was closing out the first inning.  —  Anything to avoid a pattern of early game hiccups.  —  That particular approach served him well, too …

Gee, Escobar Lead Red-Hot Royals to 8-5 Win Over Yankees  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dillon Gee kept the Royals' momentum going with six sharp innings, Alcides Escobar hit a three-run homer and Kansas City beat the New York Yankees 8-5 on Monday night to open their three-game set.

Royals Acquire Daniel Nava  —  The Royals have acquired outfielder Daniel Nava from the Angels for a player to be named later or cash, the club announced.  Nava will head to Triple-A Omaha.  —  Nava, 33, has spent the last month at the highest level of the minors after previously losing his roster spot with the Halos.

Darvish, Beltran Lead Rangers to 6-3 Win Over Mariners  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings and Carlos Beltran homered among three hits, helping the Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Monday night.  —  The American League-leading Rangers won …

Kipnis' Single in 10th Gives Indians 1-0 Win Over  —  CLEVELAND — Jason Kipnis' 10th-inning single scored Chris Gimenez and gave the Cleveland Indians a 1-0 victory over Minnesota on Monday night, the Twins' 11th straight loss.  —  Kipnis lined a 1-0 pitch from Brandon Kintzler (0-1) …

Sources: Tim Tebow offered contract from Venezuelan winter ball team  —  On the eve of his much-anticipated professional baseball showcase, Tim Tebow was offered a contract with a venerable winter-ball team in Venezuela, sources told Yahoo Sports, further legitimizing his efforts to transition from NFL quarterback to outfielder.

Drew Stubbs Rejects Outright Assignment From Rangers  —  The Rangers announced this afternoon that outfielder Drew Stubbs has rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A following his recent DFA.  The 31-year-old has been placed on irrevocable waivers and will be a free agent if he clears.

Cubs star Kris Bryant has a chance to be a very unique MVP  —  Bryant's versatility makes him a rare breed.  —  Jonathan Daniel  —  Shall we call him Kris “The Man” Bryant?  —  Heaven forbid, it might offend the Best Fans in Baseball, who would consider it sacrilege to bestow upon Bryant …

Dave Dombrowski doesn't sound optimistic Jonathan Papelbon will be option for Red Sox  —  The Jonathan Papelbon Watch has lingered for most of August, and figures to continue to do so until the end of the month.  —  But with Papelbon still not choosing to sign with a team since his release …