Pablo Sandoval's two-run homer Sunday broke an 11th-inning tie and lifted the Giants to a 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros, ending San Francisco's three-game losing streak.

The Brewers were in rare air on Sunday, even before they departed Citi Field for a Pittsburgh-bound charter flight, after Prince Fielder's National League-leading 98th RBI marked the go-ahead run in a 6-2 win over the Mets.

Trevor Hoffman saved more baseball games than any man ever, but nothing time-freezes his essence more than the fact that San Diego manager Bud Black best remembers Hoffman for one save he blew.

The Giants placed right-hander Brian Wilson on the 15-day disabled list Sunday not just to restore his health for the stretch drive, but also to ensure his future well-being.

With the Yankees activating Alex Rodriguez from the disabled list on Sunday, recently acquired lefty Aaron Laffey was the odd man out, as he was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

If you ask Yankees manager Joe Girardi and right-hander A.J. Burnett, nothing happened Saturday night, and they have no issue with one another.

At a Sunday morning news conference, the Pirates announced a contract extension for outfielder Jose Tabata that runs through 2016 and includes club options for the '17, '18 and '19 seasons.

David Ortiz took more batting practice on Sunday, and is encouraged by the progress of his ailing right heel. In fact, Big Papi is hopeful he can play at some point during the four-game series in Texas that starts on Monday.

Braves reliever Peter Moylan is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, while starting pitcher Tommy Hanson isn't far behind.

If 2011 is considered a developmental year leading up to the Royals contending in 2012 or '13, then Kansas City's performance against the American League East's top two teams can be seen as a positive step.

Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco remains confident he will be activated before Monday's series opener against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes ran to first base and along the curvature of the outfield before Sunday's game, and manager Terry Collins thinks he could be playing rehab games by the end of the week.

Though Bobby Parnell was named Mets closer after Jason Isringhausen earned his 300th career save on Aug. 15, the young fireballer was called on to pitch during the eighth inning of the Mets' 11-9 loss to the Brewers on Saturday.