Rubin: Lobbying for the truth  —  I want to get something straight.  —  Everything I wrote about Tony Bernazard - bombshell stories that appeared in the pages of the Daily News over the last week - is accurate.  —  My reporting was solid, met the journalistic standards of sourcing and beyond …

Latest trade talk on Washburn, Halladay, Lee, Martinez and others … Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller.

Yankees, Reds Working on Arroyo Deal  —  The Yankees are in serious discussions with the Reds about acquiring Bronson Arroyo, although right now the deal may be hinging on how much of Arroyo's remaining contract the Reds are willing to eat, major league sources told FanHouse on Monday.

Garko traded to Giants for Class A lefty  —  First baseman Ryan Garko has been traded from the Indians to the Giants for Class A left-hander Scott Barnes.  —  Garko had been in the Tribe's lineup at designated hitter but was yanked about an hour before the first pitch against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Carpenter wraps up undefeated month as Cards tame Dodgers  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chris Carpenter (FSY) wrapped up an undefeated month, Brendan Ryan (FSY) matched a career high with four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 on Monday night.

Red Sox 8, Athletics 3  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett became the American League's first 12-game winner and the Boston Red Sox snapped out of a slump with 14 hits in an 8-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.  —  Beckett (12-4) struck out 10 before leaving after Scott Hairston's leadoff triple …

Selig mulling pardon for Rose  —  Rickey Henderson (second from left) accepts his Cooperstown plaque with (from l.)  Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, HOF chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and Bud Selig.  —  COOPERSTOWN - Thanks to the behind-the-scenes lobbying from some of the most influential Hall …

Giants 4, Pirates 2  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum looked like his old self, pitching a four-hitter and bouncing back from a rough outing with a career-high 15 strikeouts in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Tim Hudson moves closer to return to Atlanta Braves after surgery  —  LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Bobby Cox shrugged last week when asked how he would find room for Tim Hudson on the Atlanta Braves pitching staff.  —  “Those things always work out,” Cox said.  —  Hudson was the ace of the Braves' staff …

The A's are losing again, and Billy Beane's radical Moneyball legacy is suffering  —  To the glee of his adversaries, Billy Beane and the Oakland A's are having a rough go of it these days in the standings and in Hollywood.  But the cultural war rooted in Beane's “Moneyball” philosophies was fought and won a long time ago.

Tazawa gets a promotion  —  The Sea Dogs leave on a road trip after learning their top starting pitcher is headed to Triple-A.  —  PORTLAND — The Sea Dogs knew they were not going to hold on to pitcher Junichi Tazawa much longer.  —  Word finally arrived Sunday.  Tazawa, 23, has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Twins 4, White Sox 3  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Cuddyer's two-run homer in the sixth inning pushed Minnesota past Chicago 4-3 on Monday night, pulling the Twins' record back to even and sending the White Sox to yet another defeat at the Metrodome.  —  John Danks (8-7) …

Villanueva to start tomorrow  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers manager Ken Macha seemed surprised today when reporters were surprised that he named Carlos Villanueva as his starter for the game Tuesday night against Washington.  —  Really?