On a five-game losing streak that matched their season long, and with a suddenly non-clutch offense and depleted bullpen, the Boston Red Sox badly needed the best version of Payton Tolle for Thursday’s series finale in Toronto.

The 23-year-old rookie southpaw more than delivered, as his eight shutout innings were a fitting celebration of ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In 2012, on the day after Mark Walter and his partners bought the Dodgers, I sat next to Walter in a conference room. To the sports fan, Walter was virtually anonymous: a super rich guy who had made his money running investment and insurance companies.

Walter's purchase valued the Dodgers and its related assets at a then-record ...Read more

MIAMI — Rafael Flores Jr. said he’s “nasty.” Jared Triolo alluded to his “strong demeanor” and an indescribable presence.

When Braxton Ashcraft took the mound Thursday at loanDepot park, that was all evident — and then some.

The Pirates’ All-Star righty spun his first complete game in 85 pitches, striking out 10 and giving up ...Read more

DETROIT — Keider Montero raised his hands to the heavens after handing the ball to manager AJ Hinch and then walked off the field to a thunderous ovation from the matinee crowd of 31,777 at Comerica Park.

The appreciation was well-placed and well-earned. Where would the Tigers be this season without the versatile and feisty right-hander from ...Read more

NEW YORK — On an afternoon when the Mariners needed to feel something other than defeat, they turned to the leader of the pitching staff and the man they handed the ball to on opening day.

In a series finale the Mariners needed to win to avoid being swept in back-to-back series and find something resembling momentum as they head to Houston ...Read more

NEW YORK — Roughly 24 hours earlier, the Mariners felt the effects of not being able to use lefty Gabe Speier to pitch in a leverage situation.

With their best lefty reliever unavailable due to back tightness, manager Dan Wilson had to try and navigate a series of left-handed hitters with middle reliever Michael Rucker while protecting a 1-0 ...Read more

Zac Thornton kept it close enough for six innings that the Mets had a chance to mount a comeback against the Atlanta Braves, but the bullpen just isn’t what it was before the trade deadline. A three-run homer served up by right-hander Dedniel Nuñez in the seventh inning on Wednesday night at Truist Park pushed the game out of reach, and the ...Read more

The Boston Red Sox will be glad to see their season series against the Blue Jays come to an end on Thursday afternoon in Toronto.

That, at least, has a hard stop. There is no expiration date on Boston’s sudden, astounding unraveling. The losing streak reached five Wednesday night when the Red Sox took a tied 1-1 game into the bottom of the ...Read more

DETROIT — The day started with the news that All-Star left fielder Riley Greene was going on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

It ended with a string of zeros on the scoreboard and an important series against the Central Division rival Cleveland Guardians knotted at 1-1.

The Tigers’ three-game win streak and their 100-...Read more

MIAMI — Carmen Mlodzinski made no secret of his desire to be in the starting rotation.

A season-ending injury to Mitch Keller reopened the door for those wishes to be granted, but the 27-year-old hasn’t delivered in his two latest chances as a starter.

Mlodzinski (6-5, 3.97 ERA) managed only 2 1/3 innings Wednesday night at loanDepot park...Read more

The Rays completed an undefeated nine-game country-crossing road trip on Wednesday afternoon by beating the A’s, 8-4.

Trade deadline acquisition Liam Hicks led another team effort with a three-run homer as part of a three-hit day, while Junior Caminero, Cedric Mullins, Richie Palacios and Yandy Diaz also drove in runs, and all nine hitters ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have already lost their starting third baseman and promising young catcher for the rest of the season. Now, the team is looking at the possibility of its starting shortstop missing time.

Despite Adrian Houser’s excellent start, the Giants lost 2-1 to the Houston Astros on a pair of sacrifice flys Wednesday ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Mickey Harrington played with major leaguers, played against major leaguers, played for major leaguers and even roomed with major leaguers. But him? Harrington was stuck in the minor leagues in 1963 after signing six years earlier with the Phillies.

Harrington served two years in the Army and could have played professional ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — With the score tied 1-1 entering the fifth inning and the Cardinals looking to string together at-bats against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, it was a leadoff single from a hitter who has scuffled that gave them their first hit in an inning filled with them.

Starting at third base in Wednesday's series finale at Busch Stadium...Read more

LOS ANGELES — If Mark Walter is selling one of the crown jewels of Los Angeles sports, is he about to sell the other?

No, according to people familiar with the matter not authorized to discuss it publicly. Walter announced the sale of his controlling interest in the Lakers on Wednesday, but he is not looking to sell the Dodgers.

The decision...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Twins manager Derek Shelton managed Josh Bell for one season in Pittsburgh, plus four months into this season, and the longtime hitting coach still isn’t exactly sure how Bell has so much success.

“I wish I could give you an answer to how Josh Bell’s swing works. I have no idea,” Shelton said. “I didn’t have an idea ...Read more

Walker Buehler did not want to discuss being pulled from his previous start after just four innings of one-run ball.

He let his pitching do the talking Tuesday.

Quite a bit more talking, actually, thanks in part to quite a big cushion.

The 32-year-old veteran completed six innings for the first time in two months, Luis Rengifo hit his first ...Read more