AP study: Nine MLB teams cut payroll this winter, and the average salary is up just 1.5%
Read full article: AP study: Nine MLB teams cut payroll this winter, and the average salary is up just 1.5%San Diego cut payroll by $96 million in the past year, the New York Mets by $50 million and the Los Angeles Angels by $49 million, among nine teams that slashed spending in a tepid free-agent market that sparked player unrest.
Dad-to-be Chris Bassitt pitches Blue Jays over Mets 3-0
Read full article: Dad-to-be Chris Bassitt pitches Blue Jays over Mets 3-0Chris Bassitt took the mound after a 91-minute rain delay, ready to rush back to Toronto as his wife went into labor, and shut down his former team on three hits to lead the Blue Jays over the New York Mets 3-0.
Joc Pederson, Martín Pérez accept $19.65M qualifying offers
Read full article: Joc Pederson, Martín Pérez accept $19.65M qualifying offersOutfielder Joc Pederson and left-hander Martín Pérez were the only players to accept $19.65 million qualifying offers from their former teams and end their free agency.
Judge, Díaz, Turner among 131 free agents after Series ends
Read full article: Judge, Díaz, Turner among 131 free agents after Series endsAaron Judge, Edwin Díaz, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were among 131 players who became free agents as baseball’s business season began just hours after the final out of the World Series.
Umps check Padres pitcher Musgrove's ears for sticky stuff
Read full article: Umps check Padres pitcher Musgrove's ears for sticky stuffPadres pitcher Joe Musgrove had his ears searched by an umpire for illegal sticky substances at the behest of Mets manager Buck Showalter in the sixth inning of San Diego’s 6-0 win in the decisive Game 3 of their NL wild-card series.
Mets stars shine, NY saves season with 7-3 win over Padres
Read full article: Mets stars shine, NY saves season with 7-3 win over PadresPete Alonso launched a tiebreaking homer and Jacob deGrom pitched well enough to help save the New York Mets’ season with a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres that evened their wild-card playoff series at one game apiece.
Braves sweep Mets, take 2-game lead in East with 3 remaining
Read full article: Braves sweep Mets, take 2-game lead in East with 3 remainingDansby Swanson and Matt Olson homered for the third straight game, Travis d’Arnaud hit a go-ahead two-run single in the third inning, and Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 5-3, completing a three-game sweep of their NL East rival and taking a two-game lead in the division with three games to play.
Swanson, Olson go deep vs Scherzer, Braves take NL East lead
Read full article: Swanson, Olson go deep vs Scherzer, Braves take NL East leadDansby Swanson and Matt Olson homered off Max Scherzer, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a crucial 4-2 victory over the New York Mets and a one-game lead in the NL East.
Escobar rallies Mets past Marlins in 10, back into 1st alone
Read full article: Escobar rallies Mets past Marlins in 10, back into 1st aloneEduardo Escobar homered and drove in five late runs — including the game-winning single in the 10th inning — to rally the New York Mets past the Miami Marlins 5-4 and back into sole possession of first place in the NL East.
Mets beat Athletics 9-2 to extend division lead over Braves
Read full article: Mets beat Athletics 9-2 to extend division lead over BravesChris Bassitt pitched eight sharp innings in his return to Oakland, Eduardo Escobar hit a grand slam and the New York Mets extended their lead in the NL East by beating the Athletics 9-2.
Díaz escapes in 8th, Mets take series from MLB-best Dodgers
Read full article: Díaz escapes in 8th, Mets take series from MLB-best DodgersEdwin Díaz struck out Gavin Lux on a 102.8 mph fastball to escape a jam in the eighth inning, and the New York Mets beat the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3.
DeGrom dazzles in return, bullpen costs Mets in loss to Nats
Read full article: DeGrom dazzles in return, bullpen costs Mets in loss to NatsJacob deGrom allowed one run on three hits and struck out six in five innings in his season debut before a bullpen meltdown cost the New York Mets in a 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals.
MLB standardizes how baseballs are prepped to be put in play
Read full article: MLB standardizes how baseballs are prepped to be put in playMajor League Baseball is standardizing procedures for rubbing baseballs and their removal from humidors in an effort to establish more consistency amid complaints about slickness that followed the crackdown on sticky substances.
Frazier, Mariners argue 1st of delayed arbitration cases
Read full article: Frazier, Mariners argue 1st of delayed arbitration casesAdam Frazier and the Seattle Mariners argued the first of this year’s delayed salary arbitration cases, with the second baseman/outfielder asking for a raise from $4.3 million to $8 million and the team arguing for $6.7 million.
Arenado buzzed, frustrated Mets brawl with Cardinals in loss
Read full article: Arenado buzzed, frustrated Mets brawl with Cardinals in lossThe New York Mets’ hit-by-pitch frustrations boiled over when reliever Yoan López threw a pitch near Nolan Arenado’s head, sparking a benches-clearing brawl that led to Arenado’s ejection in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 10-5 victory.
Lindor, Marte shine as Mets rout Diamondbacks in home opener
Read full article: Lindor, Marte shine as Mets rout Diamondbacks in home openerFrancisco Lindor homered from both sides of the plate to back another stingy start from newcomer Chris Bassitt, and the New York Mets routed the sloppy Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 in their home opener.
Lindor plunking overshadows Scherzer's return; Mets top Nats
Read full article: Lindor plunking overshadows Scherzer's return; Mets top NatsA benches-clearing interruption after Mets star Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch overshadowed Max Scherzer’s return to Nationals Park even as the three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched New York to a 7-3 victory over Washington.
Mets boost staff, get Bassitt from A's for 2 minor leaguers
Read full article: Mets boost staff, get Bassitt from A's for 2 minor leaguersRight-hander Chris Bassitt, who made a remarkable recovery from a frightening line drive to the head last year, has been traded by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Mets for a pair of minor league right-handers.
Haniger hits 2 HRs, M's beat A's to gain in wild-card race
Read full article: Haniger hits 2 HRs, M's beat A's to gain in wild-card raceMitch Haniger hit two identical three-run homers and the Seattle Mariners gained precious ground in the AL wild-card race with a 13-4 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Bassitt to start for A's, 5 weeks after being hit in head
Read full article: Bassitt to start for A's, 5 weeks after being hit in headOakland Athletics right-hander Chris Bassitt is set to return to the mound, just over five weeks after being hospitalized when he was hit in the head by a 100 mph line drive.
Judge's single sends Yankees past A's for 12th straight win
Read full article: Judge's single sends Yankees past A's for 12th straight winAaron Judge hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the ninth inning, Giancarlo Stanton homered for the third consecutive game and the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 7-6 for their 12th straight victory and longest winning streak in nearly 60 years.
Torrens' 2-run single helps Seattle sweep stumbling A's
Read full article: Torrens' 2-run single helps Seattle sweep stumbling A'sLuis Torrens hit a tiebreaking two-run single, Chris Flexen pitched neatly into the seventh inning and the Seattle Mariners swept a quick two-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a 5-1 win.
Moreland 2 HRs, Bassitt AL-high 12th W, A's bop Indians 17-0
Read full article: Moreland 2 HRs, Bassitt AL-high 12th W, A's bop Indians 17-0Mitch Moreland homered twice, Chris Bassitt posted his AL-leading 12th win and the Oakland Athletics routed the Cleveland Indians 17-0 for their seventh straight victory.
LEADING OFF: Braves star Acuña out for year, MLB draft opens
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Braves star Acuña out for year, MLB draft opensBraves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season, headed for surgery after suffering a complete tear of the ACL in his right knee during a game in Miami.
LEADING OFF: Ohtani 1st HR Derby entrant, Buehler vs D-backs
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Ohtani 1st HR Derby entrant, Buehler vs D-backsJapanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani is the first confirmed competitor for the All-Star Home Run Derby at Denver’s Coors Field on July 12, and others could be announced soon.
LEADING OFF: Means back after no-no, Voit returns to Yanks
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Means back after no-no, Voit returns to YanksOrioles ace John Means got five days of rest following his no-hitter last week against Seattle, and now he’ll try to match Johnny Vander Meer’s record with a second straight no-no against the streaking Mets.
A's extend win streak to 13 with 7-2 victory over Orioles
Read full article: A's extend win streak to 13 with 7-2 victory over OriolesJed Lowrie hit a three-run homer and the Oakland Athletics won their 13th straight game, building a big lead early and beating the Baltimore Orioles 7-2 on a rainy night.
Kershaw bounces back, Dodgers beat winless A's 5-1
Read full article: Kershaw bounces back, Dodgers beat winless A's 5-1Clayton Kershaw struck out eight in seven smooth innings to send the Athletics to their worst start in more than a century, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat winless Oakland 5-1 for their fifth straight victory.
LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs Braves
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs BravesThe Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak.
Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish
Read full article: Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finishTrevor Williams went five innings in his fourth start, allowing a run on three hits. Austin Gomber made his fourth start for Colorado, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. Dylan Cease made his second start, allowing three hits and three walks in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Matthew Boyd made his fourth start, allowing one run on four hits and a walk in four innings, striking out five. Tyler Anderson went five innings in his fourth start for Pittsburgh, giving up one run on two hits.
Springer hits 2 HRs, Astros beat A's 5-2 for 2-0 ALDS lead
Read full article: Springer hits 2 HRs, Astros beat A's 5-2 for 2-0 ALDS leadHouston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, and George Springer celebrate after the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. The Houston Astros can't miss these days. “With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows,” first-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said. Five of Springer’s postseason homers have come at Dodger Stadium, where the Astros beat the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired.
Correa, Springer rally Astros past A's 10-5 in ALDS opener
Read full article: Correa, Springer rally Astros past A's 10-5 in ALDS openerHouston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, celebrates with George Springer after they defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – A home run derby broke out during a hot, dry day at Dodger Stadium, and suddenly the Houston Astros have their swing and swagger back. “When you get the leadoff guy (Springer) getting on base every single time, good things are going to happen. Altuve's line-drive single to left scored Maldonado and Springer to put the Astros back in front, 6-5. Chris Bassitt put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on in the fifth with back-to-back singles by Springer and Altuve.
Astros out to 'silence the haters' in ALDS against Athletics
Read full article: Astros out to 'silence the haters' in ALDS against AthleticsFILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, the Houston Astros celebrate after Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles. On Monday, Oct. 5, the Astros and the Oakland Athletics will open their ALDS matchup at Dodger Stadium. The coronavirus pandemic largely has protected the Astros from having public scorn heaped on them this season. He hasn't been particularly effective this season, and didn't start against them when the A's took seven of 10 games from the Astros this season. “We never did anything in our rotation to make him miss the Astros,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.
LEADING OFF: Marlins' Marte hopes to play with broken hand
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Marlins' Marte hopes to play with broken handThe Marlins are hoping center fielder Starling Marte can play through a broken bone in his left hand as they try to eliminate the Cubs at Wrigley Field. To do it, the Braves might need to make a whole lot more contact at the plate than they did Wednesday while beating the Reds 1-0 in 13 innings — the first postseason game to be scoreless after 11. They’ll be up against Luis Castillo (4-6, 3.21), who makes his first career playoff start for the Reds. He was out for a second straight playoff game because of a sprained right foot that kept him out of the final three games of the regular season. Wainwright closed out the Padres at Petco Park in their previous postseason appearance in 2006.
A's hold off Abreu, White Sox 5-3, force series to Game 3
Read full article: A's hold off Abreu, White Sox 5-3, force series to Game 3Now, the slugging A's are right back in a familiar fall position: one winner-take-all postseason game with the season on the line. Semien and Davis connected early and Oakland's bullpen barely held off José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox late for a 5-3 win Wednesday that sent the AL playoff series to a deciding Game 3. The White Sox went 14-0 in the regular season against left-handed starters and beat southpaw Jesús Luzardo in the playoff opener. “I'm pretty sure we're pretty dang confident in anyone we throw against the White Sox,” Bassitt said. He went just 3 for 18 against the White Sox last season.
LEADING OFF: Wild, 8-game day opens with Bauer vs Fried
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Wild, 8-game day opens with Bauer vs Fried(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:___CRAZY EIGHTHow’s this for wild: MLB is set to stage eight postseason games on the same day for the first time. National League clubs will open their best-of-three wild-card series, while four American League teams are already facing elimination after starting Tuesday. With the expansion of the first round from a pair of wild-card games to eight best-of-three series, there are a maximum 65 possible postseason games this year. In the 1960s, there were 66 postseason games in the entire decade, with league championship series starting in 1969. Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 1.99 ERA) starts Game 2 following a successful first season with Chicago.
Giolito dazzles, Abreu slugs White Sox past A's in opener
Read full article: Giolito dazzles, Abreu slugs White Sox past A's in openerGiolito simply dazzled in his postseason debut, stymieing the Oakland Athletics through six perfect innings and sending the White Sox to a 4-1 victory in the opener of their best-of-three wild-card series Tuesday. “It was a different feel though because throwing a perfect game, no-hitter is a great personal accomplishment, but we’re in the playoffs, the goal is to win the game,” Giolito said. They lost in the AL wild card game each of the past two seasons after 97 wins both times. No big deal for the White Sox, apparently. RHP Chris Bassitt, drafted by the White Sox before being traded to Oakland in December 2014, takes the ball for the A's with victories in his last three decisions.
Peralta's 9th-inning single lifts D-backs past Athletics 4-3
Read full article: Peralta's 9th-inning single lifts D-backs past Athletics 4-3(AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX David Peralta slapped a bases-loaded single through the right side of the infield with one out in the ninth inning to push the Arizona Diamondbacks past the streaking Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Monday night. The As trailed 3-1 going into the eighth but came back to tie it after loading the bases with one out. Ahmed quickly made up for his mistake, smacking a leadoff double to left field to start the decisive ninth-inning rally. UP NEXTAthletics: Oakland wraps up the quick two-game series by sending RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 1.57 ERA) to the mound. Diamondbacks: Arizona goes with RHP Luke Weaver (0-3, 11.85), who has pitched just 13 2/3 innings this season in four starts.
Sho No! Angels' Ohtani doesn't record out in return to mound
Read full article: Sho No! Angels' Ohtani doesn't record out in return to moundLos Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, July 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)OAKLAND, Calif. Shohei Ohtani didnt record an out in the two-way stars long-awaited return to the mound for the Los Angels Angels, allowing the first six Oakland batters to reach base before his day was done in a 6-4 loss to the Athletics on Sunday. Robbie Grossman singled in another run, and Angels manager Joe Maddon replaced Ohtani (0-1) with Matt Andriese down 4-0. Ohtani made his first appearance on the mound since Sept. 2, 2018 after not pitching last season following Tommy John surgery. Ohtani threw 30 pitches, reaching 94.7 mph with his fastball he averaged 96.7 mph and touched 100 mph in 2018.