Archives for mlb category

Utley drives in 6 runs in Phillies’ win (AP)

The blurry-eyed Philadelphia Phillies didn't mind that they wouldn't get a lot of shuteye after making their one-night stopover in Denver so worthwhile. Chase Utley drove in six runs and hit a grand slam to cap a nine-run seventh inning Thursday night as the Phillies overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Colorado Rockies 12-11 in a makeup of a May rainout.

Wright, Santana lead Mets’ 4-2 win over Braves (AP)

David Wright homered, Johan Santana won for the first time in four starts and New York snapped Atlanta's five-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory Thursday night. The Mets, who had dropped three straight, broke a 13-game stretch in which they scored three runs or less against the NL East-leading Braves.

Red Sox beat Orioles 6-4 to win 3-game series (AP)

The Boston Red Sox put a satisfactory finish on a potentially disastrous road trip. Adrian Beltre homered to spark a five-run second inning, and the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 on Thursday night to win the three-game series. David Ortiz drove in two runs and J.D. Drew had three hits for the Red Sox, who moved within 6 1/2 games of idle Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card race.

Wright, Santana lead Mets’ 4-2 win over Braves (AP)

David Wright knew the New York Mets couldn't afford to let Tim Hudson find his rhythm. "You have to get to that guy early if you're going to get to him at all," Wright said. "When he settles down, he gets stronger and stronger." Wright homered, Johan Santana won for the first time in four starts and New York snapped the Atlanta Braves' five-game winning streak with a...

Sabathia, Granderson give Yankees 4-game sweep (AP)

CC Sabathia pitched one-hit ball for eight innings to earn his major league-leading 19th win and fill-in Curtis Granderson homered twice as the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 on Thursday for a four-game sweep. Sabathia (19-5) gave up Mark Ellis' clean single leading off the second.

Gardenhire ejected in 7th inning (AP)

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the seventh inning against Detroit on Thursday night after arguing a close play at second base. Second baseman Alexi Casilla took a relay throw from J.J. Hardy at the bag and started to the turn the double play, and appeared to drop the ball on the exchange from his glove to his hand.

AL Capsules (AP)

CC Sabathia pitched one-hit ball for eight innings to earn his major league-leading 19th win, fill-in Curtis Granderson homered twice and New York beat Oakland 5-0 on Thursday for a four-game sweep. Sabathia (19-5) gave up Mark Ellis' clean single leading off the second. Jonathan Albaladejo completed the combined one-hitter in the ninth.

Tigers’ Cabrera leaves game in 6th (AP)

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera left Thursday night's game against Minnesota in the sixth inning with left biceps tendinitis. Cabrera went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in the game. After coming in from the field after the fifth inning, the first baseman walked with a team trainer from the dugout back into the clubhouse.

Mets halt Braves’ win streak

David Wright homered, Johan Santana won for the first time in four starts and the New York Mets snapped the Atlanta Braves' five-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory Thursday night.


New York Mets - Atlanta Braves - Johan Santana - David Wright - Sports

Mets’ Santana leaves after 5 innings (AP)

New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana left Thursday night's game with Atlanta after five innings because of a strained pectoral muscle. It was Santana's shortest outing in 23 starts. The Mets, who were leading 2-1 when he left the game, announced his injury in the bottom of the eighth. Santana threw 43 of 65 pitches for strikes and allowed three hits, one run and one walk with three strikeouts...

MLB will rule on Nyjer Morgan punishment Friday (SportingNews.com)

Major League Baseball is expected to deliver its ruling on punishment for the Washington Nationals' Nyjer Morgan on Friday, two days after Morgan was involved in a bench-clearing brawl in a game against the Florida Marlins. Citing sources, ESPN.com reports MLB officials are reviewing "a range of incidents" involving Morgan since Aug. 21, when the outfielder threw a ball into the stands and hit a fan in the head at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Ballpark.

Tracy ejected for arguing call in sixth (AP)

Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy has drawn his second ejection of the season. Tracy was tossed by home plate umpire Paul Emmel in the sixth inning of Thursday night's game against Philadelphia. Tracy argued vehemently after Emmel ruled that a pitch had struck Mike Sweeney on his right hand with the bases loaded, driving in a run.

Twins RHP Baker leaves game in 2nd (AP)

Minnesota Twins starter Scott Baker left Thursday night's game against Detroit after two innings because of pain in his right elbow. Baker allowed two runs and three hits, including a homer by Don Kelly. He has had trouble keeping his arm loose in some starts this season, and there was no immediate word on the severity of the injury.

Nationals Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

By the time the Nationals take the field in Pittsburgh on Friday night, they could know whether or not they'll have Nyjer Morgan available to face his former team, or for any games in the near future.

ESPN.com reported that Major League Baseball will likely hand down a decision on Friday about a suspension for Morgan, who charged the mound during Wednesday's game against the Marlins when Chris Volstad threw behind him.

Morgan, who had collided with catcher Brett Hayes at home plate the night before, was hit with a pitch in his second at-bat of the game, but stole second and third with the Nationals down 14-3. That angered the Marlins, and Volstad's pitch triggered the brawl.

The center fielder already has a seven-game suspension looming for his actions in...

Blue Jays Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

When Brandon Morrow makes his final start of the season Friday, he will do it at Yankee Stadium, where he made his first major-league start.

When he was with the Seattle Mariners, he made his first start after 101 relief appearances on Sept. 5, 2008. He was brilliant, allowing one hit and one run in 7 2/3 innings. The hit came with two out in the eighth.

Morrow has that kind of stuff. He lost a no-hitter to the Tampa Bay Rays this season with two out in the ninth in a 1-0 win on Aug. 8.

Morrow is 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA at Yankee Stadium this season and 1-0 with a 4.81 ERA in four starts overall against the Yankees. In his career, he is 2-0 with a 4.46 ERA against New York.

This will be Morrow's 26th start of the season.

Rays Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

With their offense still stagnant, manager Joe Maddon will use four September call-ups to try to get things going.

Outfielder Brad Hawpe, signed after being released by the Rockies, will be used as a DH against right-handers, splitting time with Dan Johnson. Playing time decisions will be based on matchups with that night's starter. He also could also be used in right field. Catcher Dioner Navarro is a switch-hitter but will be used as a right-handed hitter, getting some of the playing time that had been going to struggling Kelly Shoppach. Navarro could also get some work as a defensive specialist.

Outfielder Rocco Baldelli will be primarily used as a right-handed DH, with the possibility of a little work in the outfield.

Pirates Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

It seems remarkable now, but the Pirates' management did not think enough of second baseman Neil Walker in the spring even to give him an everyday role with Class AAA Indianapolis entering the season, choosing instead to groom him for super-utility duty.

All Walker has done in his first 82 games since his late-May recall is bat .310 with nine home runs and 49 RBIs, mostly out of the No. 3 spot in the order. He also has been sound at second base, where he is the everyday starter.

His approach is just about as old-school as it looks.

"I've just been trying to step in the box, see the ball, trust my hands and use the whole field," Walker said. "I'm not worried about where to hit it, what else is going on."

For the 1-5 road trip the Pirates just completed through...

Mariners Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Mariners got some good news on the Shawn Kelley front Wednesday.

He did indeed need arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, but unlike his 2003 work to repair the elbow, this time Kelley did not need complete Tommy John surgery.

Dr. Lewis Yocum opened up the elbow and determined that while there was some fraying near the ligament that was implanted there seven years ago, the ligament itself was not damaged.

"What they are calling it is a partial Tommy John (surgery) and not the ligament itself," interim manager Daren Brown said, adding that the 2003 ligament addition was "healthy and strong."

"He will start rehab tomorrow and be able to start playing catch in four months," Brown said.

Athletics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

What a dreadful series for Oakland.

For the first time in 25 years, the A's dropped all four games of a series at New York, and in the process, Oakland basically fell out of the AL West race.

The A's came into Yankee Stadium on Monday having taken two of three from division-leading Texas, cutting the deficit to 7-1/2 games. Oakland left New York on Thursday now 10 games back in the West.

Overall this season, the A's lost nine of 10 to New York, and they were outscored 56-23 in the process.

Dallas Braden was on the mound against Cy Young candidate CC Sabathia on Thursday in the finale, and while Sabathia allowed one hit in eight innings, Braden gave up two hits, including a solo homer by Jorge Posada.

Braden had to leave in the sixth because of severe...

Brewers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Third base prospect Mat Gamel, who joined the Brewers as a September call-up Wednesday, batted .302 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI in 82 games for Class AAA Nashville.

Gamel probably won't see much action for the Brewers, however. Third baseman Casey McGehee (86 RBI) has a shot at 100 RBI, first baseman Prince Fielder never sits out (318 consecutive games) and right fielder Corey Hart (82 RBI) also has a shot at 100 RBI.

Gamel came up through the system as a third baseman but made two starts at first base and five in right field for Nashville over the past few weeks. There has been speculation he might move to first next year if Fielder is traded over the winter for pitching, but Gamel said he preferred right field.

"It was a lot easier for me out there than it was at...