Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton (17) argues with home plate umpire Jordan Baker during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, July 26, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Pittsburgh's Derek Shelton staged baseball's first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Sunday. Keller (1-0) faced St. Louis for the first time in his career. Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley also made his major league debut in a relief appearance in the top seventh. Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 24 saves in 2019) makes his first start for the Cardinals since July 30, 2018, Tuesday in Minnesota against the Twins to start a seven-game road trip.

The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals are happy to have their starting center fielder finally in camp and the Detroit Tigers have named their opening day starter. Teams around the league were beginning to make their final preparations Sunday for the start of the abbreviated baseball season. It was definitely very difficult, the fact that I really wasnt able to work much on my swing, Robles said through an interpreter. Pitcher Anthony Bass said Sunday the players have told general manager Ross Atkins theyd prefer to play in a big league stadium if possible. So have Milwaukee first baseman Logan Morrison, Cincinnati pitcher Nate Jones, Tampa Bay pitcher Aaron Loup and New York Yankees pitcher Luis Aviln.

After all, the defending World Series champions spent nearly four months apart before resuming workouts last week. Had to stop myself today from almost spitting in my mask because I drank some water. Youre just used to it.Things sure will be different when it's time to play ball in two weeks. If you're superstitious, you're probably going to be in big trouble right now. He's not sure players or even umpires will be able to follow the new rules.

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a walk-off grand slam against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 15, 2019, in Philadelphia. (CNN) - The Philadelphia Phillies completed their sweep of the Chicago Cubs last night after the heroics of superstar Bryce Harper. According to MLB researcher David Adler, Harper's 113-mph grand slam reached a height of 158 feet and went a distance of 413 feet. Unfortunately, Harper's parents may not have stuck around for the special moment. One of the best reactions to the grand slam came on a Spanish telecast tweeted by a fan.