Acta says he's been fired  —  Manny Acta has been fired as manager of the Washington Nationals, he told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas on Sunday.  —  Acta  —  The Nationals were blanked by the Houston Astros on Sunday 5-0 to go into the All-Star break with the worst record in the league at 26-61.

Cubs have interest in ex-Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan  —  If they sign lefty, Sean Marshall could return to rotation  —  Blue Jays catcher Michael Barrett congratulates closer B.J. Ryan after they beat the Twins. in Minneapolis.  (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia / April 13, 2009)

Field set, Derby promises to thrill  —  Newcomers pitted against hometown favorite Pujols  —  ST. LOUIS — Post positions have been drawn and the horses are just about ready to break from the gate in baseball's favorite Derby.  —  The 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby field was finalized on Sunday …

Beckett shuts down KC for 100th win  —  Sox ace goes all the way, picks up second shutout of '09  —  BOSTON — Josh Beckett credited the Red Sox's offense for helping him reach a personal milestone on Sunday, but in truth, it was his teammates who should have thanked their ace.

Angels chase Sabathia, complete sweep of Yankees with 5-4 win  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Derek Jeter doesn't think there's any reason to be alarmed.  —  GAME REPORT: Angels 5, Yankees 4  —  RED SOX ROLL: Beckett's three-hitter leads Sox past Royals 6-0  —  The New York Yankees haven't fared …

World a winner on soggy night in Futures game  —  ST. LOUIS — Rene Tosoni wonders whether any of his buddies were sober enough to see it, but he captured the MVP award Sunday night in the World Team's 7-5 victory against the USA at the All-Star Futures Game.  —  FANTASY WINDUP: Mauer's newfound power gets him into Derby

Pitching stumbles as Reds fall to Mets  —  Harang pulled early; late rally not quite enough in finale  —  NEW YORK — As far as Reds pitcher Aaron Harang was concerned, the first half of this season can stuffed into a safe and dropped into the East River.  —  Ditto for the Reds …

Astros option Paulino to Triple-A  —  Right-hander sent to work on controlling offspeed pitches  —  HOUSTON — The Astros optioned right-hander Felipe Paulino down to Triple-A Round Rock after Houston's 5-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.  —  Paulino allowed four runs over 2 1/3 innings of relief on Saturday.

Report: Pedro Martinez may be on way to Philadelphia  —  Pedro Martinez may be flying to Philadelphia on Monday, WCAU-TV reported on Sunday night.  —  Martinez  —  After arriving, it is believed Martinez will take a physical, which appears to be the final obstacle standing …

Ludwick's two homers power Cardinals to split with Cubs  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Ludwick hit a pair of two-run homers, Adam Wainwright pitched eight strong innings and the St. Louis Cardinals salvaged a split by beating the Chicago Cubs 4-2 in the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader.

WHITE SOX UNDONE THANKS TO CAREER DAY BY GOMEZ  —  The Sports Network  —  Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Carlos Gomez went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and knocked in a career-high five runs, as the Minnesota Twins cruised by the Chicago White Sox, 13-7, in the rubber match of a three-game set at the Metrodome.

A. Reyes optioned to Buffalo  —  For the second time this week, the Mets optioned infielder Argenis Reyes to Buffalo after today's game.  They did not announce a corresponding roster move, but it could be the promotion of newly signed Angel Berroa.  A former Yankee who was added only Saturday …

What pressure?  Ethier feels just fine  —  Los Angeles (55-32) at Milwaukee (45-42), 11:05 a.m. PT  —  MILWAUKEE — Dodgers manager Joe Torre has said several times that Andre Ethier put too much pressure on himself when Manny Ramirez was serving his 50-game suspension for violating MLB's substance abuse policy.