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)

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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

Yankees pitching prospect Sergio Mitre makes strong case for rotation spot  —  ANAHEIM - The Yankees plan on discussing their fifth starter situation during the All-Star break, but Sergio Mitre may have helped make that decision a little easier Sunday.  —  Mitre tossed eight shutout innings …

Citi is the wrong field for Wright  —  NEW YORK - David Wright had just crushed a double, a run-scoring double at that, and yet through his smeared eye black he wore the expression of a 12 year old just informed his X-Box was on the blink.  —  This was the perfect scene to capture the Mets at the All-Star break.

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 …

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.

Ryan Church happy with Atlanta Braves, no anger toward New York Mets  —  DENVER — Ryan Church is grateful to the New York Mets, not angry at them.  —  “There's no animosity, no nothing, no bad feelings or hard feelings,” Church said Saturday, a day after he was traded from the Mets to Atlanta for Jeff Francoeur.