AL East News and Rumors

CNNSI.com

The continued decline of offense around the majors has been the season's biggest trend so far, writes Tom Verducci, who lists his 10 top storylines from the 2013 season to date.

nydailynews.com

The AL East was supposed to be turned upside-down this year, a continuation of the shuffling of the standings that began in 2012. So wouldn’t it be something if this season, against all odds, instead turns out to be a back-to-the-future battle for divis…

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Vernon Wells doubled in the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees hit four solo homers in a 6-4 victory over the Orioles on Monday night, extending Baltimore's losing streak to six games.

Ian Browne, MLB.com

As excited as the Red Sox are to have Andrew Bailey back in the bullpen -- the closer was activated for Monday's game with the White Sox -- manager John Farrell will be careful not to overuse him at the outset.

Mike Oz, yahoo.com

Here's a fun fact: The number of NBA championships won by Phil Jackson as a basketball player and coach is more than every baseball team except the New York Yankees has won World Series rings. Jackson has won 13 NBA Finals. After the Yankees' 27 titles,…

Adam Berry, MLB.com

Blue Jays righty Josh Johnson struck out five and walked none over three innings for Class A Advanced Dunedin on Monday night in his first Minor League rehab start.

Gordon Edes, ESPN.com

Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross, who hasn't played since May 12, when he was struck in the mask twice by foul balls and sustained a concussion, has passed the ImPACT concussion testing, a necessary step to return to playing.

Scott Cacciola, nytimes.com

On Monday, Phil Hughes said he was looking forward to taking the mound Tuesday, although he was peppered with questions about his last start in which he failed to get out of the first.

CNNSI.com

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez started his third week of on-field work by adding defensive drills and hitting in a cage.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

R.A. Dickey won his second straight start, Edwin Encarnacion hit a tiebreaking, bases-loaded double in the seventh inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5 Monday.

Jim Caple, ESPN.com

In a battle of the birds, the Orioles handily defeated the Cardinals.

Spencer Fordin, MLB.com

Nicholas D'Annibale, a 13-year-old Yankees fan from New Jersey, got a wonderful surprise Friday in the form of a meeting with his favorite baseball player Robinson Cano.

Barry Petchesky, deadspin.com

Damnit, we keep missing these important milestones by a matter of hours. Oh well. Tell it to the internet police.Read more...

Associated Press, ESPN.com

John Lackey allowed one hit over six innings before a three-hour rain delay, Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks homered and the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1 Sunday for their fifth straight win.

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Matt Moore pitched seven innings of five-hit ball to stay unbeaten, Luke Scott and Matt Joyce homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Andrew Simon, MLB.com

Current Beat the Streak leader Aaron Brown went with Dustin Pedroia on Sunday, and the Red Sox second baseman helped him extend his streak to 42 games.

Patrick Donnelly, MLB.com

The Red Sox won going away on Saturday night, beating the Twins, 12-5, at Target Field, but one play in the middle innings truly seemed to turn the tide -- and turned catcher Ryan Lavarnway upside down in the process.