Angels have opportunity to evaluate young players  —  SEATTLE — The rare, positive byproduct of a losing season is the opportunity to evaluate.  —  The Angels — 57-71 and 17 1/2 games out of first heading into Sunday's series finale at Safeco Field — can essentially use these final five weeks …

Braves avoid 4-game sweep behind Minor  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Braves avoid being swept by Cards behind Mike Minor  —  ST. LOUIS — Mike Minor bounced back from the shortest outing of his career with seven strong innings …

A-Rod Confidential  —  Think MLB players hate A-Rod?  Think again.  —  J. Meric/Getty Images  —  While players don't necessarily like A-Rod, most don't actively dislike him.  —  AFTER RYAN DEMPSTER drilled Alex Rodriguez with a pitch last Sunday night, many fans and media members assumed …

Stubbs powers Indians to crucial victory over Twins  —  CLEVELAND — Drew Stubbs hit a tiebreaking, two-out homer in the eighth inning and the Cleveland Indians overcame four errors to beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 Sunday.  —  Stubbs homered to dead centre on a 0-1 pitch from Jared Burton …

Peavy's 3-hitter lifts Red Sox past Dodgers  —  Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Jake Peavy, Red Sox hand Dodgers 1st series loss in over 2 months  —  LOS ANGELES — Jake Peavy pitched …

Nomar talks about Xander Bogaerts  —  After a quick rise up the organizational ladder and a particularly successful stint at Triple-A made his name well-known and the fan base anxious for his arrival, the Red Sox finally opened the door and promoted the hotshot shortstop considered to have superstar potential.

Marathon loss means hasty return for Halladay  —  Well, let's get right to the big news:  —  Less than 3 1/2 months after having shoulder surgery, Roy Halladay is headed back to the Phillies' rotation.  —  Halladay, who had been scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start for Double A Reading on Sunday …

No movement by Cards in trade market  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  Less than a week remains for teams to acquire players by the Aug. 31 deadline for them to be eligible for the postseason roster, but the Cardinals' pursuit of an addition has remained …

As Harvey approaches limit, Mets consider options  —  NEW YORK — In 2011, Matt Harvey threw 135 2/3 innings in the Minors.  In 2012, the Mets starter threw 169 1/3 between the Minors and the Majors.  —  This season, Harvey has already thrown 178 1/3 innings.  And there are 34 games left in the season.

Danks brothers lift White Sox over Rangers  —  CHICAGO — Jordan Danks homered after replacing the injured Avisail Garcia, backing a solid start by his brother John and helping the surging Chicago White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.  —  The White Sox took two of three from the AL West leaders …

Final Score: Tigers 11 Mets 3  —  The Least You Should Know...  Dillon Gee allowed a pair of two-run home runs in six innings, marking the first time since July 27 he's allowed more than two earned runs in a game.  —  LaTroy Hawkins allowed five runs and four hits in 1/3 of an inning in the ninth inning …