Sox fired two in steroids case  —  MLB started inquiry last fall after one Fenway guard named another as his steroids supplier; no players implicated  —  Left: Nicholas Alex Cyr was fired from his job as a security employee for the Boston Red Sox.  Right: A photo of Jared Remy, posted on his girlfriend's Facebook page.

Melvin Mora, of Baltimore Orioles, rips manager Dave Trembley after another benching  —  BALTIMORE — Disgruntled third baseman Melvin Mora lashed out at Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley on Sunday after being benched for the third time in four games.  —  “I don't appreciate the disrespect …

Beckett gets league-leading 13th win as Red Sox blank O's  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Two batters into the game, Dustin Pedroia (FSY) homered and thousands of red-clad fans roared.  —  The way Josh Beckett (FSY) ended up pitching, that would be enough offense to assure the Boston Red Sox another victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

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.

At end of day, no Halladay  —  Teams not willing to meet Jays' price  —  Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was still recovering from the 300 text messages, 150 e-mails, countless telephone calls, and erroneous media reports, but he was most disappointed that one of the 10 teams …

Movers & Losers: For Pirates and Indians, trade-deadline scorecard a disgrace  —  Say this for the Yankees and Mets: They went into the baseball trading deadline with low expectations and met them.  —  Privately, the Yankees were astounded at the seemingly underwhelming return Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik got …

Royals DFA Sidney Ponson  —  Like so many before them, the Royals have designated starter Sidney Ponson for assignment, says Bob Dutton at the Kansas City Star via Twitter.  He'll make room for the incoming Kyle Davies.  Sir Sid put up a sparkling 7.36 ERA and 32/25 K/BB ratio in 58.2 innings for the Royals this season.

Yankees prospect Montero taken to hospital with hand injury  —  Trenton catcher Jesus Montero, one of the top prospects in the Yankees' system and the entire minor leagues, suffered a hand injury in the third inning of Saturday's game against the Altoona Curve and had to be taken to Altoona Hospital for X-rays.

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 …

GM Daniels trusts Rangers will decide their own destiny  —  To hear general manager Jon Daniels describe it, a veritable brigade of Texas Rangers personnel — scouts, farm system directors, special assistants, etc. — were involved in the talks leading up to last week's non-waiver trading deadline.

Three home runs mark history for Pirates' McCutchen  —  Becomes 10th with franchise to achieve that, in 11-6 rout of Nationals  —  It is not enough to say that Andrew McCutchen had one of the great offensive performances in the Pirates' 123-year history last night, hammering three home runs …

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