Victor Martinez arrives  —  Victor Martinez will make his Red Sox debut tonight, starting at first base and hitting third against the Orioles.  —  Today he met with reporters before the game and said he is excited about joining a playoff contender but sad about leaving the Cleveland Indians …

Royals' Bannister weighs in on best evaluation stat for pitchers  —  After his last start, which the Royals won but in which he settled for a no-decision, Brian Bannister declared a won-lost record might be the worst way to judge any pitcher.  —  “It's the worst stat in baseball because it's so hard to pull off,” he said.

New York Mets Carlos Beltran takes batting practice, bruise not healed  —  NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran took early batting practice on the field Saturday, an encouraging sign for the New York Mets' center fielder as he tries to return from a bone bruise on his right knee.  —  Beltran

Padres part ways with oft-injured Prior  —  Once-dominant right-hander plagued by shoulder issues  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres are cutting their ties with pitcher Mark Prior, who was trying to get back to the Major Leagues following two significant shoulder surgeries in the last three years.

Yankees Still Hunting For Starters?  —  After a drubbing to Sergio Mitre last night, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi admitted that the team is hurting for depth at the back end of their rotation, reports Marc Carig at the Newark Star-Ledger: … The Yankees weren't able to make a move for pitching …

Jake Peavy can't wait to take mound for Chicago White Sox  —  Hopes to be with team last week in August after ankle heals  —  Jake Peavy is introduced by White Sox general manager Kenny Williams.  (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / August 1, 2009)  —  Jake Peavy has a reputation as a front-line …

Chicago bats blast by Yanks  —  Scott Podsednik and Gordon Beckham had four RBI apiece and the White Sox finished with 17 hits yesterday in a 14-4 rout of the New York Yankees in Chicago.  —  In beating New York for the third straight game, the White Sox scored six times in the second …

Dodgers fall short against Derek Lowe and Braves  —  The Dodgers score three runs off their former ace, but are shutdown by the Braves' bullpen.  —  Reporting from Atlanta - A few inches here, a few inches there and the day could have turned out much differently for the Dodgers …

Jimenez, bats power Rockies to win  —  CINCINNATI — Three hours before game time, the rituals commence.  They begin taping their wrists, applying the eye black, and meticulously preparing their weapons.  —  It seems like a scene from “Braveheart.”  It takes a brave heart to face the Rockies' hitters on nights like Saturday.

Lincecum dazzles, wins 12th game as Giants blank Phillies  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum won his 12th game blanking the Phillies for eight innings and San Francisco beat Philadelphia 2-0 on Saturday night.  —  Lincecum struck out eight and leads the majors with 191.

Rays sign pitcher Jeff Bennett  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have signed free agent right-handed reliever Jeff Bennett to a major league contract.  —  Bennett joined the team on Saturday.  He was granted his release by the Atlanta Braves Thursday.

Duncan thrilled to be back with Yankees  —  Photo credit: Newsday/Newsday Photo / Thomas A. Ferrara |  CHICAGO - Shelley Duncan said  —  his call back to the big leagues was “a really pleasant shock,” a call he wasn't sure would ever come again.  —  Duncan exchanged hugs with various players …

Beckett gets league-leading 13th win as Red Sox blank Orioles  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Josh Beckett pitched seven innings of six-hit ball for his major league-leading 13th win, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis homered, and the Boston Red Sox cruised past the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 Saturday night.

Holliday powers Cards past Astros  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Holliday hit two solo homers, Chris Carpenter tossed an eight-hitter for his second complete game of the season and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Saturday night.  —  Holliday connected on the first pitch …

Orlando Cabrera gets to Minnesota Twins in time to bat second  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Orlando Cabrera had a busy first day in Minnesota.  —  Cabrera  —  Acquired from Oakland for prospect Tyler Ladendorf on Friday, Cabrera arrived just in time to take batting practice Saturday …