The final lap began that day in Houston, when Chipper Jones insisted on being activated from the disabled list, sans rehab assignment.

Are the Nationals the best team? Their record says they are. But the calendar says there are a lot of games still to be played. As always, it's a tough call as to which is the top team.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is finally feeling significant improvement in his ailing right Achilles tendon and thinks he could return to the lineup at some point this week.

Hiroki Kuroda turned in yet another stellar outing and Ichiro Suzuki homered twice as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox, 4-1, on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

On Sunday, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte had X-rays performed on their fractured left hand and fractured left fibula, respectively, and Yankees doctors told the players that their injuries are healing as expected.

The Red Sox will spend part of Monday's off-day holding a summit meeting of sorts to determine whether left fielder Carl Crawford should continue to play through his left elbow injury or undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The Angels will send Ervin Santana to the mound when they open a series against Aaron Cook and the Red Sox on Tuesday at Fenway Park.

Following a weekend sweep in Kansas City, the White Sox return home looking to get back on track when they open up a three-game series with the Yankees on Monday. Gavin Floyd and Freddy Garcia will square off in the opener at U.S. Cellular Field.

Each day, MLB.com selects one player from each game whose performance stands out.

On Sunday at the Little League World Series, four powerhouse teams continued to display their might. Undefeated clubs from Tennessee, Texas, Panama and Japan remained undefeated in the tournament.

The Tampa Bay Rays appear to be the best team in baseball, and I hope I haven't just jinxed them.

Pedro Alvarez's 23rd home run in the 19th inning Sunday started a three-run rally that gave the Bucs a 6-3 win over the Cardinals and a victory in the epic series between National League Central contenders.

Jordan Pacheco blasted a two-run homer in the three-run fourth. Drew Pomeranz went four innings.

After dropping a crucial series with the Pirates, the Cardinals are looking to make up ground in the NL Central and Wild Card races when the Astros visit St. Louis for a three-game series on Tuesday. Adam Wainwright will take the mound for the Cards, while young righty Lucas Harrell gets the nod for Houston.

After playing a 19-inning marathon in St. Louis, the Pirates will face San Diego for the second time this month in a series that opens Monday. Right-hander Edinson Volquez gets the start for the Padres, going up against what likely will be a callup from Triple-A Indianapolis.

After a 2-hour and 26-minute rain delay on Sunday afternoon, Gio Gonzalez ended up having a game he'll likely never forget. He won his 16th game of the season — a team record — as the Nationals defeated the Mets, 5-2.

The New York Daily News reported in Sunday's edition that a text message from Adrian Gonzalez's phone last month to team ownership was actually composed by backup catcher Kelly Shoppach, who was traded to the Mets last week. However, following the Mets-Nationals game on Sunday, Shoppach said he had nothing to do with any text message.