Red Sox's Lester no-hits Royals  —  BOSTON (AP)—Jon Lester has survived cancer and pitched a World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox.  —  Now he can add a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.  —  The 24-year-old lefty shut down Kansas City 7- Monday night …

Melvin has no problem with Braun's comments  —  I just spoke via telephone with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who is in Nashville scouting the Brewers' Class AAA affiliate.  I wanted to know if he had any problem with what Ryan Braun said after the Brewers lost, 11-7, Sunday in Boston to get swept in that interleague series.

Support for Girardi, a Bit Less for Cashman  —  Not long ago, a humbling weekend for a stumbling Yankees team could have provoked the principal owner, George Steinbrenner, into criticizing the manager.  Times have changed, but only to a point.  —  Hank Steinbrenner, who is co-chairman …

Umpire admits blowing call on Delgado home run  —  After losing out on a clear home run ball Sunday for the second time this season, the New York Mets might become the newest proponents of Major League Baseball instituting instant replay.  —  In Sunday's Subway Series finale …

Blalock's return to shift lineup around  —  Move to first base has implications for Catalanotto, Shelton  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Two questions arise from Hank Blalock's move to first base:  —  First, what happens to Frank Catalanotto and Chris Shelton when Blalock returns?

Pedro looks good, could return soon … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez threw so well in an extended spring game on Monday that he's been summoned to Atlanta for a bullpen session in front of club officials Wednesday.  —  If all goes well, Martinez hopes to be pitching in the majors not long after that.

Victorino bothered by benching  —  Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino rode the bench for the second day in a row Sunday and would like an explanation from manager Charlie Manuel.  —  “I'm very disappointed,” Victorino said.  “I'll talk to him at some point and see what's going on.  I'm going to have to.”

A Q&A with new Pirates farm director Kyle Stark  —  When the Pirates completely overhauled their front office in the offseason, they tabbed 29-year-old Kyle Stark, a do-it-all member of the Cleveland Indians' organization, to be their farm director, replacing veteran minor league manager/evaluator Brian Graham.

Redding, Zimmerman's defense lead Nats  —  WASHINGTON (AP)—Tim Redding ran his scoreless streak this season to 13 1-3 innings against the big-hitting Philadelphia Phillies.  How many pitchers can say that?  —  Lastings Milledge revealed he had lost his cockiness and swagger, but now it's on the way back after a pair of doubles.

Offseason could loom large for Markakis  —  O's RF will be eligible for arbitration; sides could address possible long-term deal  —  Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis hits a single in the first inning against the Rays to move Brian Roberts to third base.  (Sun photo by Lloyd Fox / March 31, 2008)

Top prospect Triunfel suspended by Mariners  —  Shortstop Carlos Triunfel, considered by some to be the best player in the Seattle minor league system, is serving an indefinite suspension and is not currently on the roster of the Mariners' High Desert team in the California League.

Soto Leads Cubs Over Astros  —  HOUSTON — Geovany Soto didn't get the automatic home run he deserved, but it didn't make a difference as the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 7-2 on Monday night.  —  Soto was credited with an inside-the-park homer in the fourth inning despite replays showing …

Astros top Texas Rangers, 5-4, to avoid sweep  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - The Texas Rangers have figured out one thing over the course of winning seven consecutive series: It's not easy to sweep a team.  —  For the fourth time this month, the Rangers had a chance to wave …