Improved two-strike approach helping Tampa Bay Rays offense rank among baseball's best  —  TORONTO — LF Carl Crawford may have delivered the biggest hit of Monday's game, a two-run homer in the third inning off Blue Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay.  —  But it was his single up the middle …

Papelbon ties Red Sox's saves record  —  Closer notches No. 132, remains in awe of Yanks' Rivera  —  BALTIMORE — Closer Jonathan Papelbon tied the Red Sox's club record for saves, set by Bob Stanley, with career save No. 132, notched in a 4-0 victory against the Orioles on Monday night.

San Francisco Giants scouts checking out Jermaine Dye  —  Sox RF grew up near San Francisco  —  Jermaine Dye runs the bases following a solo home run against the Cubs.  (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / June 28, 2009)  —  CLEVELAND — With the non-waiver trade deadline one month away …

Yankees Acquire Eric Hinske  —  Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Yankees acquired Eric Hinske from the Pirates for two minor leaguers, Casey Erickson and Eric Fryer.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Yankees are getting $400k in the deal, which is about half of what's still owed to Hinske.

Angels extend AL West lead after sixth win in a row  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales hit back-to-back home runs that put Los Angeles ahead and the AL West-leading Angels won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the struggling Texas Rangers on Monday night.

Ethier's homer lifts Dodgers in 13th inning  —  Two-run blast gives LA ninth walk-off win of season  —  LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier simply relishes the big stage, especially late in the game.  —  It sure shows as Ethier hit his Major League-leading seventh walk-off hit over the past …

BREAKING: Surgery for Beltran?  —  (UPDATED) MILWAUKEE — In a ominous-sounding move, Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran flew to Vail, Colo., today for a second opinion on his ailing right knee from the inventor of microfracture surgery.  —  The Mets confirmed that Beltran was in Colorado …

Inbox: Should Hughes stay in the 'pen?  —  Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans' questions  —  Phil Hughes has been dominant in relief and seems to have found “something” that wasn't there as a starter.  Maybe this is what he is and they found it by accident.  What do you think?

Francoeur breaks out lucky ‘turkey underwear’  —  Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur said he'll wear the same underwear to Turner Field Tuesday that he wore on Sunday.  He claimed the Braves are 7-0 when he wears his Thanksgiving-themed “turkey underwear” to the ballpark.

Can the Florida Marlins win with Emilio Bonifacio?  —  Before delving into the topic du jour, another great outing from Ricky Nolasco.  He gave up two early runs then retired 20 of the last 21 batters he faced.  Since returning from his demotion to Triple-A, Nolasco has not allowed …

Giants' Lincecum dominates Cardinals with two-hitter  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tim Lincecum looked ready for a return trip to Busch Stadium in two weeks for the All-Star game.  The St. Louis Cardinals could not touch him.  —  Lincecum threw a two-hitter for his third complete game of the season …

Brewers' McGehee slams Mets after gaffe  —  Buzz up!  —  MILWAUKEE (AP)—Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum had recently told Casey McGehee  —  that there's nothing like the emotional swings they face in baseball.  McGehee faced it all in the same inning.  —  “I experienced them both pretty quick,” McGehee said.

Ibanez unlikely to return from DL Friday  —  Left fielder to be re-evaluated before beginning rehab  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez said last week that his strained left groin feels much better.  —  But while it has improved, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said …

Astros option Wright to Triple-A  —  Lefty pitches well, but team needs roster spot  —  SAN DIEGO — Left-hander Wesley Wright knew the news coming, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow.  —  The Astros optioned Wright to Triple-A Round Rock following Monday's 3-1 win over San Diego …

Florida 4, Washington 2  —  a ride to the ballpark on Monday afternoon, the friends and former teammates chatting and catching up.  —  They'll have plenty to talk about next time.  —  Nolasco retired the final 13 batters he faced, spoiling Olsen's stellar return from the disabled list …

Chicago White Sox escape collision disaster  —  If the White Sox climb out of their early hole to make the playoffs, something that didn't happen Tuesday will be one of the keys.  Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez (right) narrowly avoided an ugly collision when Beckham reversed field to grab …

Twins have yet to provide us reason to believe  —  The talent on this team was unable to counter the efforts of a Kansas City Royals team that has allegedly gotten better.  —  Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins.  Monday night, they lost to an older version of the Lansing Lugnuts.

DeCaster Sold to New York Yankees  —  FARGO, N.D. - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B Yurendell DeCaster is trading in his RedHawks pinstripes for a set of Yankees pinstripes.  —  The All-Star third baseman has had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees today and will report on Tuesday …