Astros’ Justin Verlander throws no-hitter for 3rd time in careerVideo
TORONTO — Justin Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season with an overpowering performance to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-0, on Sunday. Verlander struck out 14 and allowed just one runner, walking Cavan Biggio with one out in the first inning. “I...
Tyler Skaggs’ autopsy: Fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol led to death by choking on vomit
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs had the opioids fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol in his system when he was found dead in his Texas hotel room July 1, according to a toxicology report that will be released Friday by the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office. The cause...
First Call: Gerrit Cole piles up more strikeouts; JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to ‘be lit’
In “First Call” Thursday, Gerrit Cole dials up the heat. JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to show how marketable he really is. Carli Lloyd keeps the hype going about her place-kicking career. And Alison Riske is up for Round 2 at the U.S. Open. Gas from Gerrit Former Pirate Gerrit Cole dialed...
Mets trying to produce another miracle
NEW YORK — Two months ago, as the New York Mets commemorated the 50th anniversary of a most improbable World Series title, 74-year-old alum Ed Kranepool stood at a Citi Field lectern and tried to encourage a languishing team. “They can do it like we did. You gotta believe in...
Mark Madden: Verlander conflict more interesting than anything he might say
All heck broke loose Wednesday when a Detroit baseball writer was briefly barred from the Houston Astros clubhouse because Astros (ex-Tigers) pitcher Justin Verlander perceives a bad history with said writer, whom he labeled “unethical.” The writer, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, had his entrance to the clubhouse...
MLB bans players from Venezuelan Winter League
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is banning players from participating in the Venezuelan Winter League in one of the first public repercussions of new U.S. economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government. MLB said Thursday it is in contact with the U.S. government to determine how to proceed under the...
Indians get different results by keeping routine the same
CLEVELAND — The Indians clubhouse is buzzing with activity about three hours before a three-game series opener against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, whose season could be over by October. For a stretch, Cleveland’s postseason plans were in serious doubt. As players kill time before the first...
Andrew McCutchen posts gender reveal for Baby #2 on Instagram
Former Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen is a fan of gender reveals. He did one back in 2017 when he and his wife, Maria Hanslovan, announced the sex of their first child, a son: Steel. He’s done it again — this time for Baby No. 2. View this post on...
First Call: Bill Guerin close to leaving Penguins?; Alex Rodriguez’s SUV robbed
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at Bill Guerin’s future, Alex Rodriguez’s stolen jewelry, a kicker who copies “Sid the Kid” and Tate Martell losing another quarterback battle. Ripple effect? How does a guy from Raleigh pulling out of a job opportunity in Minnesota impact the hockey team in Pittsburgh?...
Report: $500K stolen from Alex Rodriguez’s rental car in San FranciscoVideo
Someone needs to tell Alex Rodriguez a rental car is not the safest place to keep $500,000 worth of jewelry and electronics. On Sunday night, ESPN broadcaster Rodriquez was in San Francisco to call the game between the Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. Alex Rodriguez had about half a million dollars...
Yasiel Puig drops appeal of 3-game suspension for brawl vs. Pirates
CLEVELAND — Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig has dropped the appeal for his three-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl when he was with Cincinnati. Puig will begin serving his ban Monday night when the Indians, who have climbed back into a tie for first in the AL Central, open...
Sean Rodriguez is not a hit with Phillies fans
It’s safe to say Sean Rodriguez is not a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Rodriguez, a former utility man for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is getting hammered recently by Phillies fans on social media. Sean Rodriguez is having one of the more forgettably underwhelming seasons that I can remember a Phillie having.—...
Orioles’ Chris Davis clears air with manager after dugout clashVideo
BALTIMORE — Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said he reached a “breaking point” when he charged at manager Brandon Hyde in the dugout Wednesday night, and he expressed his regret during a lengthy conversation with Hyde on Friday. The flare-up occurred in the fifth inning of Baltimore’s 14-2 loss to...
First Call: Ravens pitch preseason shutout; Cubs’ Javier Baez bats lefty
Friday’s “First Call” features a first report on the Ravens, Kyler Murray’s debut, another preseason pass-interference review and a little fun for the Reds and Cubs — before and during the game. Meanwhile in Baltimore We showed you how the Browns showed up with a 30-10 win in the preseason...
Yankees, White Sox to play on ‘Field of Dreams’ in 2020
It’s being built, and Major League Baseball hopes they’ll come. Fans, that is. A real-life “Field of Dreams” will be constructed in the same Iowa cornfield that was home to the classic 1989 film, MLB.com reports. The league announced the game, slated for Aug. 13, 2020, in a tweet on...
Mariners’ Tim Beckham suspended 80 games for PED violation
SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners infielder Tim Beckham was suspended 80 games as part of baseball’s joint drug agreement after testing positive for stanozolol, a banned performance enhancer, MLB announced Tuesday. Beckham’s suspension is effective immediately and ends his season. In a statement released through the players’ association, Beckham said he...
Yankees set MLB record with 32 HRs at Camden Yards
BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees have blasted their way into the major league record book with another show of power at Camden Yards. With five home runs Monday night in a 9-6 win, the Yankees have hit 32 at the Baltimore Orioles’ home ballpark this year. That’s the most...
Aaron Sanchez, 3 other Astros pitchers combine on no-hitter
HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but...
Q&A with ‘Jeopardy!’ champ James Holzhauer on working for Cubs, changing how game is played
CHICAGO — “Jeopardy!” sensation and longtime Cubs fan James Holzhauer threw out a ceremonial first pitch Saturday before the Cubs-Brewers game at Wrigley Field. Holzhauer, a professional gambler from Naperville, Ill., who lives in Las Vegas, won 32 straight contests and earned $2,462,216 — both figures second in show history...
Plum graduate Alex Kirilloff staying focused despite injuries
Throughout his professional baseball career, former first-round pick Alex Kirilloff has endured a series of ups and downs. While injuries can sometimes hinder an athlete’s career, the Plum graduate hasn’t allowed a pair of setbacks stop him from honing his craft with an ultimate goal of playing at the Major...
Yasiel Puig eager to get off on good foot with Indians
CLEVELAND — Yasiel Puig was so eager to make his Cleveland Indians debut, he forgot to check out his footwear before walking around the clubhouse. The slugger was wearing Reds flip-flops with his Cleveland workout gear Thursday, two days after being acquired from Cincinnati in a three-team trade that also...
Video: Giants, Phillies players help corral wind-blown tarp in storm
PHILADELPHIA — Players from the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies rushed to help the grounds crew put the tarp on the field when strong wind blew it out of control a few hours before Wednesday’s game. Many of the players were stretching or playing catch in the outfield as...
Astros deal for Greinke during busy MLB trade deadline day
The Houston Astros acquired ace Zack Greinke on Wednesday, adding another All-Star to a formidable rotation that included Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. The AL West leaders got Greinke in a startling trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for four minor leaguers. It came right before the deadline to complete deals...
Contenders race to find pitching by MLB trade deadline
NEW YORK — If Madison Bumgarner, Noah Syndergaard, Trevor Bauer, Mike Minor or Robbie Ray is going to get dealt to a contender desperate for arms, it will happen this week or not at all. Baseball’s trade window shuts Wednesday afternoon — completely, not like in years past. Marcus Stroman,...
Recently retired Troy Tulowitzki: Baseball ‘wasn’t as enjoyable’ after injuries
NEW YORK — Troy Tulowitzki was frustrated his body kept letting him down. “There came a point in time this year after I strained my calf that it just wasn’t as enjoyable as it once was because I couldn’t do some of the things work-wise that I had had done...
