While the Dodgers make their final push for the playoffs, pitchers Chad Billingsley and Kenley Jansen continue to wait on the sideline for some good news.

Needing a respite from the road and a boost by a starter, the Cardinals put a 10-game road trip in the rear-view mirror while watching Joe Kelly provide the team with its longest start in 12 days. That, combined with enough timely hitting to cover New York's late-inning rally, led St. Louis to a 5-4 series-opening win over the Mets on Monday.

Once Adam Dunn passed the final test of taking swings during batting practice, the slugging designated hitter was able to return to the White Sox lineup for Monday's series opener against the Twins.

The reeling Yankees are making it interesting in the American League East. They're helping write the script for the Cinderella Orioles and convincing the Rays that making the postseason — or even winning the division — are still very real possibilities.

All-Star closer Huston Street experienced soreness in his left calf after doing sprints on Thursday, a setback that has aggravated him to no end.

Rangers starter Yu Darvish took a perfect game into the sixth and then had to hold on for an 8-4 victory over the Royals on Labor Day at Kauffman Stadium.

With two games remaining in this set at Tropicana Field and Yankees veteran Freddy Garcia facing Rays righty Alex Cobb on Tuesday night, each team will turn to its high-powered third baseman to provide a spark amid a fierce race for first place in the American League East.

A hit batsman momentarily cleared the benches in the ninth inning Monday at Kauffman Stadium as reliever Louis Coleman hit Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz in the back with a pitch.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler pitched seven solid innings to help the Nationals top the Cubs, 2-1, at Nationals Park on Monday afternoon.

Brett Wallace hit a three-run homer as part of a three-hit day and Edgar Gonzalez allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Astros topped the Pirates, 5-1, on Monday at PNC Park.

The Rays used a stolen base and a tiebreaking RBI single by Chris Gimenez in the bottom of the eighth inning to take Monday's series opener against the Yankees, 4-3, at Tropicana Field.

Backed by a stellar outing from starter Tyler Cloyd, the Phillies continued their recent hot streak on Monday in a 4-2 win against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Joe Saunders flirted with perfection into the sixth inning and settled for his first win as a member of the Orioles, guiding Baltimore to a 4-0 victory over the Blue Jays in front of 17,220 at Rogers Centre on Labor Day Monday. The Orioles are now just a game behind the Yankees in the AL East.

Kris Medlen delivered yet another strong performance and an opportune offense took advantage of some early generosity as the Braves rolled toward a 6-1 win over the Rockies at Turner Field on Monday afternoon.

For the second straight start, Ricky Nolasco stepped up with an impressive performance as the Marlins defeated the Brewers, 7-3.

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano said that he felt his left hip grab as he chased Chris Gimenez's slow roller through the right side of the infield on Monday, which gave the Rays a 4-3 eighth-inning lead that they would hold for the victory.

The Phillies will send red-hot Kyle Kendrick, who is seeking his fifth straight win, to the mound on Tuesday for the middle game of their series with the Reds. Cincinnati will counter with Mat Latos, who is looking for win No. 12.