The Associated Press

Monday's National League Capsules

Games played June 15, 2013

NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier hit upper-deck homers off left-hander Francisco Liriano, and the Cincinnati Reds moved a season-high 15 games over .500 by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 on Monday night.

Monday's American League Capsules

Games played June 17, 2013

AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Max Scherzer improved to 10-0 and struck out 10, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Monday night.

Monday's College World Series Capsules

Games played June 17, 2013

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES ROUNDUP: Trey Porter drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, and Mississippi State took control of its bracket in the College World Series with a 5-4 victory over Indiana on Monday night.

Mississippi State advances at CWS

Trey Porter drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, and Mississippi State took control of its bracket in the College World Series with a 5-4 victory over Indiana on Monday night.

Miller, Molina lead Cardinals to victory against Cubs

Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

Obama: NSA secret data gathering ‘transparent’

President Barack Obama defended top secret National Security Agency spying programs as legal in a lengthy interview Monday, and called them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret.

Lawmaker: Remove radioactive waste from landfill

A suburban St. Louis lawmaker on Monday called for the removal of nuclear waste from a landfill near Lambert Airport, citing concerns about an underground fire nearby.

Bruins beat Blackhawks 2-0 to take 2-1 lead in Cup finals

After playing four extra periods in the first two games, the Bruins made an early night of it with second-period goals by Daniel Paille and Patrice Bergeron to win 2-0 and take a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup finals.

Rose’s win at Merion provides home country the missing piece

The most recent golden era of golf in England had everything but the one prize that brings credibility. A major championship.

Travelers says Rose remains in tourney

U.S. Open champion Justin Rose has no plans to take any time off after winning his first major championship.

Lunt transferring to Illinois

Former Oklahoma State starting quarterback Wes Lunt is transferring to Illinois, returning to his home state after giving the Illini little consideration out of high school.

Royals edge Indians 2-1 on wild pitch

Pinch-runner Elliot Johnson scored from third base on a wild pitch by reliever Matt Albers in the ninth inning, giving the Kansas City Royals a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Monday night.

Backup Missouri linebacker dismissed after pot bust

A backup Missouri linebacker arrested during the 2012 season on drug charges has been dismissed from the team.

EU, US agree to start free trade talks at G-8

The European Union and the United States will open negotiations next month on a long-sought deal to create free trade between the world’s two mightiest economic regions, an effort designed to create millions of jobs that could take years to transform from dream to reality.

Putin: US-Russia positions on Syria don’t coincide

Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Barack Obama on Monday that their positions on Syria do not “coincide” but the two leaders said during the G-8 summit that they have a shared interest in stopping the violence that has ravaged the Middle Eastern country during a two-year-old civil war.

Hamas urges former ally Hezbollah to leave Syria

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has urged Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a former ally, to withdraw its fighters from Syria, signaling growing sectarian tensions over the war there.

Shiite Iraq militia claims it attacked Iran group

A Shiite militia leader on Monday claimed responsibility for a rocket attack over the weekend that killed two members of an Iranian exile group near Baghdad. Saturday’s attack on the sprawling Camp Liberty also killed an Iraqi and wounded nine Iranians and seven Iraqis.

Brazil protesters vow to hold big demo

Protesters promised to hold their biggest demonstrations yet against a hike in public transport fares on Monday, stoking fears of more clashes with police and raising questions about security during big events such as the current Confederations Cup and a papal visit next month.

Interim Montreal mayor arrested

Montreal’s interim mayor, who vowed to clean up the corruption scandals rocking the city, now faces fraud charges himself.

Syria’s Assad: EU will pay price for arming rebels

Syria’s president warned that Europe “will pay a price” if it delivers weapons to rebels fighting to topple him, saying in an interview published Monday that arming them would backfire as the “terrorists” return to their countries with extremist ideologies.

US-NKorea talks must include nuclear issues

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon believes any dialogue between the United States and North Korea should focus on the goal of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, a U.N. spokesman said Monday.

Pope blesses hundreds of Harley-Davidsons

Biker culture came to the Vatican on Sunday as Pope Francis blessed thousands of Harley-Davidsons and their riders celebrating the manufacturer’s 110th anniversary with a loud parade and plenty of leather.

Miss USA crown goes to Miss Connecticut

The newest Miss USA is leaving a white-collar job behind for the glamour and excitement that go with her new role — and she can’t wait.

Investors guess Fed’s actions, push stocks up

Investors are in a game of wait-and-see with the Federal Reserve. On Monday, they guessed that the Fed will continue trying to prop up the economy, and sent stocks higher.

Homebuilder confidence hits 7-year high

For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months.

Leadership competition takes shape in Mo. House

A leadership competition is brewing within the Republican caucus that has controlled the Missouri House for the past decade.

Facebook appeal prompts return of prized gun

An eastern Missouri man has his prized gun back thanks to an apparent change of heart by the thief, following an emotional appeal on Facebook.

Bicycle racers to travel across Missouri

Bicyclists taking part in a cross-country race will be zooming across Missouri this week, and transportation officials hope motorists along the route will be extra cautious.

First bill by Mo. Rep. Smith seeks balanced budget

New southeast Missouri congressman Jason Smith has proposed a balanced budget amendment as his first piece of legislation in Washington.

UM system approves domestic partner benefits

University of Missouri workers throughout the four-campus system will soon be able to receive domestic partner benefits.

All even after 10 periods, it's time for Stanley Cup's Game 3

Tyler Seguin knew something had to be said.

Manu Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 victory

With the old Manu Ginobili back, the San Antonio Spurs looked like champs again.

McIlroy miserable at Merion

Rory McIlroy started the U.S. Open with a run up the Rocky steps.

Jason Day close again, ties for second at Open

Third place at the Masters. Tied for second at the U.S. Open.

N.C. State tops North Carolina in College World Series

It was another rough afternoon for ACC pitcher of the year Kent Emanuel.

Cardinals drop series with loss to Marlins, 7-2

Maybe the St. Louis Cardinals were looking ahead to the Chicago Cubs.

Rose wins US Open, more heartache for Mickelson

A steady hand gave Justin Rose the shiny U.S. Open Trophy. A wild ride gave Phil Mickelson yet another silver medal.

Davis snaps skid, K.C. tops Tampa Bay 5-3

Wade Davis kept the Kansas City Royals’ long stretch of strong pitching intact in a win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Biffle holds on to win again at Michigan

Greg Biffle gave Ford a milestone victory — right down the road from company headquarters.

Bass Pro plots expansion with 21 new stores

When it comes time to find new locations for Bass Pro Shops, the Springfield-based company considers the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold near potential stores and the proximity to areas conducive to those activities. It looks into how many boats have been registered nearby. Then it combs its own catalog and website data to determine sales made to the area.

Earnhardt happy to be back at Michigan

A year ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally snapped his long losing streak. He left Michigan International Speedway with hopes of more victories to come — maybe even a Sprint Cup championship. He hasn’t won since.

Heat, Spurs to clash with NBA Finals tied at 2

Tony Parker’s hamstring, not Dwyane Wade’s knee, is the current chief injury concern. Manu Ginobili, not Chris Bosh, is mired in the slump of the moment.

Saturday's College World Series Capsules

Games played June 15, 2013

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES ROUNDUP: Joey DeNato threw a four-hitter and Indiana looked right at home in beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night in the Hoosiers’ first appearance in the College World Series.

Saturday's MLS Capsules

Games played June 15, 2013

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ROUNDUP: Darlington Nagbe scored in the 52nd minute and the Portland Timbers ran their MLS unbeaten streak to 13 games with a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday.

Saturday's American League Capsules

Games played June 15, 2013

AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Mike Carp and Jonny Gomes homered to back an effective pitching performance by John Lackey, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Orioles to end a five-game losing streak in Baltimore.

Saturday's National League Capsules

Games played June 15, 2013

NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP: Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Stories by The Associated

Games played June 15, 2013

Games played June 17, 2013

Games played June 17, 2013

Games played June 15, 2013

Games played June 15, 2013

Games played June 15, 2013

Games played June 15, 2013