Andy Pettitte's comeback has gone from being perhaps a pleasant add-on to being potential help in an area where help is really needed.

Jeff Niemann went 5 1/3, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out five, while Desmond Jennings hit a two-run homer and added an RBI on a sac fly.

Another dominant start from Kyle Lohse pushed the Cardinals to a 5-1 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The victory came in front of 30,437 at PNC Park and sealed another series win for St. Louis, which has yet to drop a series this season.

The Cardinals have won every series they have played this season. The Cubs have done the opposite. Both of those streaks will be put to the test when the teams start a three-game set on Monday night at Wrigley Field. St. Louis lefty Jaime Garcia will square off against Chicago righty Matt Garza.

A week after he landed on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, Padres outfielder Kyle Blanks is headed toward season-ending surgery to repair a significant tear in the labrum of that shoulder.

Sunday night's Yankees-Red Sox game has been postponed due to inclement weather. No makeup time has been announced.

Cliff Lee said he and the Phillies discussed whether he would just miss a start or go on the disabled list for his strained left oblique. They erred on the side of caution, and Lee said he can't argue with that.

Frank Francisco assured manager Terry Collins that the left knee discomfort that had bothered him during Spring Training is not an issue, with Collins later confirming that Francisco is still the closer.

While manager Mike Matheny wouldn't have considered sitting Matt Holliday against Pirates starter Erik Bedard on Sunday, in general, Holliday has continued to ask to play his way out of his ongoing offensive slump.

Outfielder Jon Jay left the Cardinals on Sunday to return to St. Louis, where he will undergo an MRI as part of a reexamination of his right shoulder. Jay, who is nursing a sprained right shoulder, was experiencing more soreness on Sunday.

Albert Pujols was in the lineup, as usual, for the Angels on Sunday, but for the first time he was the team's designated hitter.

With the injury to Sergio Santos, the Blue Jays needed an interim closer, and they couldn't have had a better option available than veteran Francisco Cordero.

Buck Showalter was ejected from Sunday's game against the Angels after arguing a called strike to Nick Markakis in the top of the sixth inning.

A Sunday afternoon rainout gives the Giants the opportunity to toss two of the toughest pitchers in the National League in Monday's twin bill and leave Citi Field with a series victory.

The second game of Sunday's twin bill between the Giants and Mets at Citi Field will pit Madison Bumgarner against Dillon Gee.

Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun was a bit sheepish about accepting his 2011 National League MVP Award for the second time.

Sunday's game between the Nationals and Marlins has been postponed because of rain. The makeup date will be announced in the coming days.