Kurkjian: Road to 600 home runs a memorable one for Thome  —  Having reached 600 home runs, 'world's nicest man' headed straight to Hall of Fame  —  The boy was 9 years old when he snaked through the crowd at Wrigley Field, then silently, miraculously, wiggled his way inside the Cubs dugout minutes …

Pirates pull off dazzler, sign Cole and Bell  —  The Pirates pulled off what many believed was impossible late Monday night, signing both the No. 1 overall draft pick, Gerrit Cole, and their second-round pick, Josh Bell, before the deadline at 12:01 a.m. today.

Games of the Day  —  The Red Sox play a split admission double header on Tuesday against the Rays, with James Shields and Jon Lester battling in game one.  Most of the power against Shields came on the road this season.  In 75 fewer at bats, opponents collected the same number of extra base hits.

Crew turns sixth triple play in franchise history  —  MILWAUKEE — Had the Brewers stopped at a double play in the second inning of Monday's game, it would have been highlight-worthy enough.  Instead they turned three and made some history.  —  Four Brewers defenders combined …

Nationals sign first four 2011 Draft picks  —  Rendon, Meyer, Goodwin and Purke agree to terms at deadline  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals agreed to terms with their first four selections — infielder Anthony Rendon, right-hander Alex Meyer, outfielder Brian Goodwin and left-hander Matthew Purke — in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Red Sox sign Barnes, Swihart and Owens  —  The Red Sox signed a series of players right at the deadline.  Here's the list:  —  RHP Matt Barnes (UConn, 19th overall) for $1.5 million.  —  Catcher Blake Swihart (Cleveland HS, Rio Rancho, N.M) for $2.5 million.

Zambrano apologizes, wants to remain a Cub  —  Carlos Zambrano said he apologizes to Chicago Cubs fans and the team for his actions in leaving the Cubs last Friday and wants to remain “a Cubbie for the rest of my life ... the organization has been good to me,” he told Comcast SportsNet's David Kaplan in an interview Monday.

Red Sox have Lackey's back  —  Beckett is righty's No. 1 supporter  —  John Lackey doesn't have to look far for support.  The Red Sox righthander has earned the praise of teammates this season.  (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)  —  That John Lackey is waiting for him in the clubhouse every …

Several Picks Signed At The Wire  —  After weeks of waiting, a flurry of draft picks were signed in the final 10 minutes before the midnight deadline.  Here is a list of the players who signed for bonuses of $500,000 or more right before the deadline—or at least, their deals were announced just before or after the buzzer.

Mets sign Brandon Nimmo, Logan Verrett, others  —  The Mets announced tonight they have signed OF Brandon Nimmo, their first round selection and 13th overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.  —  According to ESPN's Keith Law, the Mets have signed OF Brandon Nimmo.  —  Law says the deal is for $2.1 million.

In-depth: New jersey, blue horizon  —  The Mets, including Ryota Igarashi, wore blue “Los Mets” jerseys on Fiesta Latina night Aug. 5.  The look — minus the “Los” — should be part of the Mets' regular uniform rotation come 2013.  —  The New York Mets will reach back to their beginnings for a new …

Posada: I could catch next year  —  Jorge Posada, back in the lineup as the DH for the second straight game after going 3-for5 with six RBI and a grand slam Saturday against the Rays, said today if it was up to him, he would return to catching in 2012.  —  “I could catch next year,” …

Doumit goes 4-for-4 with HR to lead Pirates past Cardinals  —  PITTSBURGH — Ryan Doumit went 4 for 4 and hit a tie-breaking three-run home run to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.  —  Doumit's homer in the fourth inning off Jake Westbrook …