INSIDER
Ohtani and Texas teammates Seager, Semien are AL MVP finalists. NL trio is Acuña, Betts, Freeman
Read full article: Ohtani and Texas teammates Seager, Semien are AL MVP finalists. NL trio is Acuña, Betts, FreemanTwo-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a finalist for the AL MVP award, along with teammates Corey Seager and Marcus Semien of the World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Twins stop record 18-game postseason skid on strength of Royce Lewis home runs
Read full article: Twins stop record 18-game postseason skid on strength of Royce Lewis home runsRoyce Lewis hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats to carry the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of their AL Wild Card Series.
MLB teams welcome LGBTQ+ fans with Pride Nights but not one has seen an active player come out
Read full article: MLB teams welcome LGBTQ+ fans with Pride Nights but not one has seen an active player come outAll but one big league team will celebrate Pride Night this season, yet the sport remains hampered by ongoing issues around LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Manoah, Blue Jays vs Castillo, Mariners in playoff opener
Read full article: Manoah, Blue Jays vs Castillo, Mariners in playoff openerThere’s a whole lot riding on Alek Manoah’s first career playoff start, but the Toronto Blue Jays All-Star right-hander isn’t the least bit fazed about facing the Seattle Mariners in Friday’s wild-card opener.
Springer, Guerrero lead Jays to 9-2 rout of slumping Yanks
Read full article: Springer, Guerrero lead Jays to 9-2 rout of slumping YanksGeorge Springer went 5-for-5, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run second inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the slumping New York Yankees 9-2.
Jays top Twins on overturned call in 10th; Baldelli ejected
Read full article: Jays top Twins on overturned call in 10th; Baldelli ejectedCavan Biggio hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and Whit Merrifield scored on an overturned call to lead the Blue Jays to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins and split the four-game series.
Tapia inside-the-park slam lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox 28-5
Read full article: Tapia inside-the-park slam lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox 28-5Raimel Tapia hit an inside-the-park grand slam after a misplay by Boston center fielder Jarren Duran and the Toronto Blue Jays set a franchise record for runs in a game, rolling past the Red Sox 28-5.
LEADING OFF: Thor back in NY, Pérez on a roll, Correa out
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Thor back in NY, Pérez on a roll, Correa outNoah Syndergaard pitches in New York for the first time since leaving the Mets during the offseason, starting the Los Angeles Angels’ series opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.
LEADING OFF: Cy Young matchup in SD, Story powers Sox vs Sox
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Cy Young matchup in SD, Story powers Sox vs SoxA pair of Cy Young Award winners are on the mound when Corbin Burnes and the Milwaukee Brewers visit Blake Snell and the San Diego Padres in a matchup between two of the National League's top teams Tuesday night.
Rays snap 3-game skid, hold off Angels 4-2 in 10 innings
Read full article: Rays snap 3-game skid, hold off Angels 4-2 in 10 inningsVidal Bruján got an RBI double leading off the 10th inning for his first hit of the season, and the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from their no-hit loss with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
LEADING OFF: Correa's finger not broken, 6 MLB rainouts
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Correa's finger not broken, 6 MLB rainoutsThe Minnesota Twins avoided a daunting injury when it was determined star shortstop Carlos Correa’s right middle finger is not broken as was initially feared after he was hit by a pitch this week.
Guerrero slugs 3 HRs despite gash on hand, Jays beat Yankees
Read full article: Guerrero slugs 3 HRs despite gash on hand, Jays beat YankeesVladimir Guerrero Jr. shook off a bloody gash on his right ring finger to hit three home runs against the rival Yankees, including two off ace Gerrit Cole, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat New York 6-4.
Spring forward: What to know as MLB camps open Sunday
Read full article: Spring forward: What to know as MLB camps open SundayShohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball’s biggest stars are due at spring training Sunday for the first official day of preseason training following the end of Major League Baseball’s 99-day labor lockout.
Teams spend $1.4B in 1 day, then MLB locks out players
Read full article: Teams spend $1.4B in 1 day, then MLB locks out playersMajor League Baseball teams committed to an unprecedented $1.4 billion in salaries Wednesday, hours before the league locked out players following the 11:59 p.m. expiration of the sport's collective bargaining agreement.
Scherzer, Seager get big-money deals ahead of CBA expiration
Read full article: Scherzer, Seager get big-money deals ahead of CBA expirationRight-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.
AP source: Blue Jays reach deal with pitcher Kevin Gausman
Read full article: AP source: Blue Jays reach deal with pitcher Kevin GausmanThe Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with right-hander Kevin Gausman on a five-year, $110 million contract, pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press late Sunday.
Soler, Freeman, Correa among 160 free agents who hit market
Read full article: Soler, Freeman, Correa among 160 free agents who hit marketWorld Series MVP Jorge Soler, Freddie Freeman and Eddie Rosario of the champion Atlanta Braves are among 160 players who became free agents as an uncertain offseason started with a lockout threat looming.
Urías hits, pitches Dodgers past Giants to even NLDS series
Read full article: Urías hits, pitches Dodgers past Giants to even NLDS seriesJulio Urías shut down San Francisco and contributed an RBI single for his cause, Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock delivered two-run doubles to blow it open in the sixth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the Giants 9-2 to even their NL Division Series at one game apiece.
Masterful Webb pitches Giants past Dodgers in playoff opener
Read full article: Masterful Webb pitches Giants past Dodgers in playoff openerLogan Webb struck out 10 pitching masterfully in his postseason debut, Buster Posey hit a two-run homer that held up, and the 107-win San Francisco Giants blanked the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the opener of their NL Division Series.
LEADING OFF: La Russa & Baker, Red Sox vs Rays as ALDS begin
Read full article: LEADING OFF: La Russa & Baker, Red Sox vs Rays as ALDS beginTwo septuagenarians will be on the bench when 77-year-old Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa and the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros and 72-year-old skipper Dusty Baker in their playoff opener Thursday.
Wade, Giants beat D-backs in 9th, hold 2-game NL West edge
Read full article: Wade, Giants beat D-backs in 9th, hold 2-game NL West edgeLaMonte Wade Jr. singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants held their two-game lead in the NL West by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4.
Pinch-hitter pitcher Gausman sac fly in 11th, SF tops Braves
Read full article: Pinch-hitter pitcher Gausman sac fly in 11th, SF tops BravesPinch-hitting pitcher Kevin Gausman lofted a full-count, bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Atlanta Braves 6-5 to increase their NL West lead.
Bryant cheered in Wrigley return, Giants win 5th in row
Read full article: Bryant cheered in Wrigley return, Giants win 5th in rowKris Bryant drew a pair of standing ovations in his return to Wrigley Field, then Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt homered in the seventh inning to send the San Francisco Giants over the Chicago Cubs 6-1 for their fifth straight win.
Duggar triples, Giants hold off Dodgers 6-4 for NL West lead
Read full article: Duggar triples, Giants hold off Dodgers 6-4 for NL West leadSteven Duggar hit a tiebreaking two-run triple after being called up earlier in the day, Brandon Belt homered, and the San Francisco Giants wrapped up their key weekend series against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers with a 6-4 win to take the NL West lead.
Brewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in row
Read full article: Brewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in rowJace Peterson hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, Lorenzo Cain homered for a second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked the San Francisco Giants out of the top spot in the National League for the first time in more than three months.
Soler's homer, Pederson's catch lift Braves over Giants 6-5
Read full article: Soler's homer, Pederson's catch lift Braves over Giants 6-5Jorge Soler hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning, Joc Pederson made a leaping catch at the wall for the final out and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat San Francisco 6-5 to end the Giants’ five-game winning streak.
Altuve hits grand slam on 2-homer night, Astros beat Giants
Read full article: Altuve hits grand slam on 2-homer night, Astros beat GiantsJosé Altuve hit a grand slam in the sixth one inning after putting Houston ahead on a solo homer, and the AL-leading Houston Astros held off the San Francisco Giants 9-6 in a matchup of baseball’s top two teams.
Posey comes through in return as Giants defeat Dodgers 7-2
Read full article: Posey comes through in return as Giants defeat Dodgers 7-2Buster Posey and Wilmer Flores hit back-to-back homers in the first inning, Thairo Estrada had a key double in the seventh and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 in the opener of a pivotal four-game series between the NL West rivals.
Giants' Gausman through 6 hitless innings vs St. Louis
Read full article: Giants' Gausman through 6 hitless innings vs St. LouisSan Francisco right-hander Kevin Gausman hasn’t allowed a hit through six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, closing in on what would be the record-tying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season.
DeSclafani dominates, Posey hurt, Giants beat D-backs 5-2
Read full article: DeSclafani dominates, Posey hurt, Giants beat D-backs 5-2Anthony DeSclafani threw 8 2/3 effective innings, Austin Slater and Darin Ruf both homered and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 for their third straight victory.
D-backs match MLB record with 22nd straight road loss
Read full article: D-backs match MLB record with 22nd straight road lossThe Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their 22nd straight road game, matching the 1963 Mets and ’43 Philadelphia Athletics for the major league record with a 13-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Fedde back from COVID-19 list, leads Nats past SF in opener
Read full article: Fedde back from COVID-19 list, leads Nats past SF in openerErick Fedde returned after nearly a month on the COVID-19 injured list and pitched five sharp innings, Kyle Schwarber hit a leadoff homer and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 to open a doubleheader.
Gausman throws 6 shutout innings, Giants hold off Dodgers
Read full article: Gausman throws 6 shutout innings, Giants hold off DodgersKevin Gausman pitched six shutout innings and Mauricio Dubón hit one of two homers off Clayton Kershaw, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4.
LEADING OFF: Giants-Dodgers, Tribe plays 2, deGrom at night
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Giants-Dodgers, Tribe plays 2, deGrom at nightThe finale of an entertaining four-game series between longtime rivals features an excellent pitching matchup Sunday at Dodger Stadium between Giants right-hander Kevin Gausman and Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw.
Diamondbacks' Gallen has sore forearm, might miss opener
Read full article: Diamondbacks' Gallen has sore forearm, might miss openerGallen went 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA during the pandemic-shortened season, striking out 82 in 72 innings. SETBACK IN THE BULLPENBlue Jays right-hander Kirby Yates will miss several weeks because of a strained muscle in his forearm. He allowed one run and five hits, striking out five without a walk. Bryan Abreu, a top Astros pitching prospect who turns 24 next month, started and pitched three perfect innings, striking out four. Baltimore starter John Means allowed four hits and walked three over 3 2/3 innings, striking out three.
Bogaerts spring debut after shoulder woe, Tatis HR in return
Read full article: Bogaerts spring debut after shoulder woe, Tatis HR in returnOn that one, we are probably on the same page.”RED SOX 8, RAYS 2Garrett Richards struck out seven in four scoreless innings for Boston. ATHLETICS 5, PADRES 4Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the game with his second spring home run, a smashing return after missing six days with a non-virus bug. The 30-year-old left has pitched four scoreless innings this spring. BREWERS 8, CUBS 3 (7)Brandon Woodruff made his second start for Milwaukee, allowing five hits in two scoreless innings. BRAVES 8, TWINS 5Michael Pineda, who last pitched a full season in 2016, made his first spring start for Minnesota.
Fungo golf for Giants pitchers; fans for MLB spring games
Read full article: Fungo golf for Giants pitchers; fans for MLB spring games(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Right-hander Kevin Gausman’s impressive day at spring training had nothing to do with any of the usual statistics, like strikeouts or innings pitched. Batting practice for San Francisco's pitchers took on a non-traditional look Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona. But the stands won't be empty — or full — when the Giants host their spring training opener Sunday. Scottsdale Stadium will have the lowest capacity at 9%, which is about 1,000 fans for Giants home games. Spectators at Scottsdale Stadium may get to see Gausman throw his lively fastball, but not a look at his Fungo golf skills.
Stroman, Gausman take $18.9M; Springer, LeMahieu reject
Read full article: Stroman, Gausman take $18.9M; Springer, LeMahieu rejectGausman and Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman accepted $18.9 million qualifying offers Wednesday, Nov. 11, receiving one-year deals to stay with their teams rather than test what they could get in free agency. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 96 offers have been accepted. Stroman was acquired by the Mets from Toronto in July 2019 for left-hander Anthony Kay and minor league right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Gausman has a 50-66 record and 4.26 ERA in nine seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and San Francisco. Tomlin gets a $1 million salary next season, and the deal includes a $1.25 million club option with a $250,000 buyout.
Springer, LeMahieu, Realmuto among 6 given qualifying offers
Read full article: Springer, LeMahieu, Realmuto among 6 given qualifying offersSpringer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, from their former teams. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)NEW YORK – Houston outfielder George Springer, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto were among just six free agents who received $18.9 million qualifying offers on Sunday from their former teams. Arizona exercised a $4.25 million option on pitcher Merrill Kelly rather than pay a $500,000 buyout, and Baltiore exercised a $3.5 million option on shortstop José Iglesias rather than pay a $500,000 buyout.
Donovan Solano slugs Giants past Dodgers in 11th inning 10-8
Read full article: Donovan Solano slugs Giants past Dodgers in 11th inning 10-8Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, right, celebrates with Justin Turner, second from left, and A.J. Sam Selman (1-0) recorded the final out in the top of the 11th for the victory. Justin Turner began on second base in the 10th inning and scored the go-ahead run on Bart's wild throw past third immediately after a passed ball. The Dodgers flew late in the day to the Bay Area to give players time for treatment or optional workouts. ... RHP Jeff Samardzija, sidelined by inflammation in his throwing shoulder, is throwing on flat ground and is scheduled for his first bullpen Wednesday.
Piscotty slam ties it in ninth, A's beat Giants 8-7 in 10th
Read full article: Piscotty slam ties it in ninth, A's beat Giants 8-7 in 10thSan Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Piscotty slam ties it in ninth, A's beat Giants 8-7 in 10th
Read full article: Piscotty slam ties it in ninth, A's beat Giants 8-7 in 10thSan Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)SAN FRANCISCO Stephen Piscotty hit a tying grand slam in the ninth inning, Mark Canha's sacrifice fly put Oakland on top in the 10th, and the Athletics stunned the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Friday night in the opener of the Bay Bridge Series. Oakland trailed by five in the ninth inning but rallied to win from such a deficit for the first time since July 15, 1952, according to STATS. The Giants hadn't lost after leading by five or more runs in the ninth inning or latter since June 25, 1929. The ball carried on a rare hot evening in San Francisco, where first-pitch temperature reached 85 degrees.
Giants rally on Yastrzemski's 2nd HR, walk off with 7-6 win
Read full article: Giants rally on Yastrzemski's 2nd HR, walk off with 7-6 winSan Francisco Giants' Mike Yastrzemski watches his game-ending solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)SAN FRANCISCO Mike Yastrzemski homered twice, the second a towering solo shot into McCovey Cove in the ninth inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants past the San Diego Padres 7-6 on Wednesday night. Our players have actually talked about it this team is full of fighters, San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said. After Tyler Rogers (1-1) worked the ninth, Yastrzemski homered off Matt Strahm (0-1) in the bottom of the inning to give San Francisco the walkoff victory. RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 4.50) will make his first start for San Francisco.