Ballbug: Despite Jered Weaver's struggles, his arm seems fine (Mike DiGiovanna/Los Angeles Times)

10:30 AM ET, September 5, 2011

Top News:

Angels rotation could be key to success — BOSTON — Know what I'm starting to think? That if the Angels win the AL West, they actually might sneak their way into the World Series. — The Angels feature three ace-caliber starting pitchers — Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana.

Discussion: MLB Rumors

Reuters:
Rampaging Rangers Hammer Red Sox 11-4

Discussion: Boston Globe

Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Final: Rangers 11, Red Sox 4

Discussion: Surviving Grady, Over the Monster, Yahoo! Sports and Deadspin

Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:

Despite Jered Weaver's struggles, his arm seems fine — Ace right-hander has had some tough outings recently. 'Sometimes you're going to be out of sorts,' Manager Mike Scioscia says. — Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver delivers during the fourth inning of Sundays game against the Texas Rangers.

Discussion: HardballTalk

Associated Press:

Joel Pineiro, Angels beat Twins 4-1 — ANAHEIM, Calif. - Joel Pineiro posted his first victory in almost two months and Bobby Abreu homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday in the rubber game of the weekend series. — Pineiro (6-6) allowed a run and five hits over seven innings.

Discussion: Yahoo! Sports

Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Cardinals hope to keep Furcal — General manager John Mozeliak confirmed strong organizational interest in retaining pending free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal and indicated Sunday he plans to “explore” a pre-emptive move within the next month. — “When you look at our club since he came to our team …

Discussion: MLB Rumors and HardballTalk

Associated Press:

Tigers rout White Sox 18-2 to finish sweep — DETROIT (AP)—Miguel Cabrera(notes) homered and drove in four runs, and the Detroit Tigers finished a three-game sweep of Chicago in emphatic fashion, routing the White Sox 18-2 on Sunday night. — Max Scherzer(notes) (14-8) …

Discussion: boston.stats.com, Bless You Boys, South Side Sox and Yahoo! Sports

Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:

Zack Greinke loves life on a winning team in Milwaukee — Sometimes, Zack Greinke goes to a park not far from his new home and stares out at Lake Michigan. This is his favorite part of this new place. Maybe he'll get a boat. He'd like that. — Everything here is new. Everything feels fresh.

Discussion: Royals Review

Associated Press:

Reds Beat Cardinals 3-2 in 10 Innings — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Juan Francisco capped a career-best four-hit day with the go-ahead hit in the 10th inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Sunday, taking two of three from a team desperately trying to stay in contention.

Discussion: Red Reporter and Yahoo! Sports

Associated Press:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kirk Gibson 's club trailed by one run when slugger Justin Upton got tossed for arguing. — Gibson sensed some frustration in the dugout. So, the no-nonsense Arizona manager provided a quick, mid-game message: “Keep our composure and we're going to win the game.”

Discussion: AZ Snake Pit

Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:

Rockies lose at San Diego to end road trip 3-6 — SAN DIEGO — When September arrives leaving a telescope necessary to see the division leaders, the focus shifts. — For the Rockies, this month is more about development than results. Improvement requires critical adjustments from key players.

Discussion: Purple Row

Associated Press:

DeJesus, Sweeney lead A's past Mariners 8-3 — OAKLAND, Calif.—David DeJesus and Ryan Sweeney each drove in two runs, Hideki Matsui doubled three times and the Oakland Athletics completed a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners with an 8-3 victory Sunday.

Discussion: boston.stats.com, Athletics Nation and Associated Press

Mike Fitzpatrick / Globe and Mail:

Yankees sweep away Blue Jays — Derek Jeter tied a career high with five RBIs, CC Sabathia earned his 19th win and the New York Yankees polished off a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 9-3 victory Sunday. — Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher all homered for the AL East leaders …

Discussion: Pinstripe Alley, TSN.ca and Associated Press

Associated Press:

Marlins beat Phillies in 14, 5-4 — MIAMI - Mike Cameron drove in the winning run with a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the 14th inning Sunday, and the Florida Marlins benefited from an overturned ruling after a video review to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4.

George Henry / Associated Press:

Prado, Costanza help Braves edge Dodgers — ATLANTA—Martin Prado needed eight pitches to get a read on Blake Hawksworth. — When Prado saw a changeup to his liking, he hit it hard. — “I was just going to put the ball in play,” he said. “I was thinking any pitch I can drive, hit it solid.

Discussion: boston.stats.com