Alfredo Simon has never been 3-0 in his career until Monday. The third one, he said, was pretty important. It was his mother’s birthday, he said, and she had a specific request. “I want you to strike out Alex Rodriguez and win the game,” Simon said.

Broadcasters and fans alike often marvel at how quickly a home run ball jumps off the bat or exits the stadium, but they’ve never been able to precisely quantify such aspects — until now, that is.

A fan injured on a foul ball into the protective net behind home plate during the second inning of Monday night’s 5-2 Cubs win over the Pirates was alert and gave a “thumbs up” to nearby fans as she was taken for medical care.

In his last two starts, Anthony DeSclafani has halted three-game and four-game Cincinnati losing streaks. The four-game skid came to a halt Monday night, when the rookie right0hander pitched eight shutout innings in the Reds’ 6-1 victory over the Brewers.

A bad day got much worse for the Brewers when a club spokesperson delivered word moments after Monday’s 6-1 loss to the Reds that catcher Jonathan Lucroy was bound for the disabled list with a broken left big toe.

A’s outfielder Josh Reddick offered his thoughts Monday on MLB Network Radio regarding Sunday’s series finale in Kansas City that saw five Royals ejections and verbal exchanges between both clubs.

Fueled by a four-run inning and solid pitching from Justin Masterson, the Red Sox ousted the Orioles in a 7-1 Patriots’ Day victory in a rain-shortened game at Fenway Park.

Before the Red Sox took the field against the Orioles for their traditional 11:05 a.m. ET start time on Patriots’ Day, Boston police officer Stephen McNulty belted a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers then threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Red Sox then capitalized on three Orioles errors to take a 7-1 victory in a game that was shortened to 6 1/2 innings by rain.

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols assumed sole possession of 18th place on the all-time home run list — belting No. 522 on Sunday against the Royals to move past Ted Williams, Willie McCovey and Frank Thomas.

Jung Ho Kang’s first Major League hit was a soft line drive to center, but no one could deny that he had it coming after being robbed twice by Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez earlier in Sunday’s game.

Marlins third baseman Don Kelly and catcher Jeff Mathis both left Sunday’s game against the Rays with a broken right ring fingers.

Jon Lester’s ability to deal with baserunners will be tested on Monday when the Cubs play host to the Reds and speedster Billy Hamilton.

The Giants avoided considerable distress with Sunday’s news that third baseman Casey McGehee sustained a bone bruise on his left leg.

Michael Saunders was removed from his rehab game with Class A Advanced Dunedin on Sunday afternoon because of a tight right hamstring. The Blue Jays have been monitoring the outfielder’s progression before considering him for a callup.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt, hit on the right wrist by a pitch Saturday night, said he was available to pinch-hit Sunday and felt relieved that the swelling had gone done.

Angels leadoff hitter and outfielder Kole Calhoun did not start Sunday’s game against the Royals due to a tight right calf muscle.

Astros relief pitcher Josh Fields, who started the season on the disabled list with a strained groin, could return to the club later this week. Fields threw a scoreless inning during a Minor League rehab outing Saturday at Triple-A Fresno.