KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Colton Cowser made two splashes in the fountains at Kauffman Stadium this weekend.

The first was to help fish out the ball Craig Kimbrel used to secure his 422nd career Saturday night after Cowser flung it into the fountain. The second was when he clobbered a 430-foot home run into the well in the Orioles’ 5-0 win over ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — Sonny Gray tried to step in and play the role of stopper and put a halt to the Cardinals’ losing slide, but even he couldn’t stem the tide against the National League Central Division-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon.

Gray, a right-hander, gave a yeoman’s effort, including six scoreless innings to start his ...Read more

DENVER — Maybe the Mariners should hope for frigid temperatures and intermittent snowfall for Sunday’s doubleheader.

Playing in less than favorable conditions, including a frigid, first-pitch temperature of 33 degrees, which is the second coldest game in franchise history, and dealing with snowflakes in their eyes and lines of sight for ...Read more

CHICAGO — It looked so simple from afar.

Craig Counsell would hand the ball to his closer in Milwaukee, and the Brewers would walk away with a win.

But the easiest decision Counsell had to make on a daily basis in his nine years in Milwaukee already has become one of the most difficult ones in his first month of managing the Chicago Cubs.

...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The last time pitchers Corbin Burnes and Cole Ragans faced off, rain delayed the start of the game by five hours and the Orioles won in walk-off fashion.

Saturday night’s rematch didn’t take as long to start, and neither did Baltimore’s bats.

The Orioles ambushed Ragans in the second inning — batting around, ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Manager Rob Thomson said ahead of Saturday’s game against the White Sox that when the Phillies’ starting rotation is having the success they are at the moment, they want to “outdo each other.”

Spencer Turnbull had taken a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Friday. So, naturally, Zach Wheeler outdid that by taking a no...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Watching Starling Marte now, it’s almost tough to remember that he looked so different last season. A shell of his former self after double groin surgery in 2022, Marte is back to crushing baseballs and causing havoc on the basepaths.

The latest ball crushed by Marte was a three-run go-ahead homer off Los Angeles Dodgers right...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Rowdy Tellez slammed his bat on home plate, ruining its integrity before snapping the twig into two pieces.

The first baseman expressed his frustration after popping out in foul territory during one of a few Pirates rallies Saturday evening at PNC Park.

The Pirates couldn’t muster much offense in their 4-2 loss to the Red Sox,...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Two days later, the Giants are still riding Logan Webb’s coattails.

Thanks to the seven strong innings from their ace Thursday night, the Giants were able to withstand a second straight subpar showing from their starting pitcher. When Bob Melvin saw that Kyle Harrison didn’t have it Saturday afternoon, the manager was ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Nothing has come easy for the Twins during their miserable start to the season, so why would a four-run lead be any different when they were on the verge of ending their five-game losing streak.

Bailey Ober was magnificent in his second straight start against the Detroit Tigers, permitting two hits and one run across six ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — A Cardinals offense that had struggled to string together anything of late scored four runs in the first two innings to grab an early lead Saturday afternoon. However, the pitching staff slogged through its worst day of the season and made that early offense a drop in the bucket compared to what the Milwaukee Brewers produced.

The...Read more

NEW YORK — The Rays wasted opportunities to score throughout the afternoon on Saturday.

Then, once they got to extra innings and the added sense of urgency that comes with it, they found a way to get runners home, beating the Yankees, 2-0 in 10 innings.

Shortstop Jose Caballero had a big hand in the victory.

He doubled leading off the 10th ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — On Thursday, National Hockey League owners approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City. The team will be playing in Salt Lake City next season. Done deal.

In November, Major League Baseball owners approved the relocation of the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas. The team plans to play in Sacramento for the next...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Jared Jones was lifted from a game this week after 59 pitches despite blowing away pretty much everyone he faced. He looked like Nolan Ryan in his prime and was basically a Bryan Reynolds misplayed ball away from pitching five perfect innings, but because of some "prearranged plan," he was pulled out of the game after five innings...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Big league ballplayers have a saying: the starting pitcher sets the tone.

Blake Snell set an ominous tone on Friday night.

Making his third start in a San Francisco Giants uniform, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner got rocked once again as the Arizona Diamondbacks knocked him around for five earned runs in 4-...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In series losses to the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals at the start of this week’s nine-game homestand, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ struggles had followed a few recurring themes.

Their starting pitching wasn’t great. Their bullpen repeatedly stubbed its toe. And their top-heavy lineup teetered with everyone from ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres’ No.5 starter got knocked around and let down on Friday night.

They will have a fill-in starting Saturday, as Randy Vásquez will be recalled to take the place of the injured Yu Darvish.

Their offense continues to run hot and cold and is currently freezing.

These are precarious times for a team that fell ...Read more