BALTIMORE — The San Diego Padres routed the Baltimore Orioles by hitting five home runs on Saturday, the latest effort by a resurgent offense that has helped them inch back toward being the team they expected to be.

On Sunday, they hit a big home run as well. But it was a bunch of other things they did well that helped the Padres win a second...Read more

CHICAGO — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Jack Dreyer rubbed a new baseball between his hands as he walked back to the mound, a sold-out Rate Field coming alive around him.

Fireworks crackled over the center-field scoreboard. Digital pinwheels spun. Dreyer had just surrendered his second home run of the inning, transforming a low-scoring ...Read more

Junior Caminero had been doing some other things to help the Tampa Bay Rays as they struggled over the last three weeks, but not what he does best and enjoys most — hitting home runs.

After posting just one, and driving in only three runs, during the rough 18-game span in which the Rays lost 12 times and fell out of first place in the ...Read more

The Colorado Rockies hit the jackpot on a scorching Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

With temperatures reaching 105 degrees, the wind blowing out, and a high desert sky making every fly ball an adventure, the Rockies walloped the Athletics 23-9 at Las Vegas Ballpark.

The 23 runs scored set a franchise record, surpassing the previous high of 20, ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time in a while, the Kansas City Royals made things look easy on Sunday.

In the process, the Royals both ended a four-game losing streak and avoided a sweep vs. the Houston Astros.

The Royals (29-43) beat the Astros 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at Kaufman Stadium.

“We’ve lost these games recently, and it’s ...Read more

TORONTO — With the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays tied at three and Ryan McMahon on second in the ninth inning, Toronto’s Braydon Fisher made the mistake of throwing a flat, 3-2 slider to Ben Rice on Sunday.

Rice responded with a ferocious uppercut, pulling a 381-foot, go-ahead homer to right. With the slugger’s 19th home run of ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello hopped out of the home dugout with two outs in the top of the eighth inning and was met with a smattering of boos.

Logan Webb’s pitch count had already crossed the century mark. He’d just allowed his first run of the game, albeit one that was unearned, and the Chicago Cubs were threatening for more. Still, ...Read more

CLEVELAND — The finale of the Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Guardians series at Progressive Field was postponed Sunday because of a thick line of storms that rolled through the state.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 4.

Sunday was supposed to be the return of Casey Mize to the Tigers' rotation. But he will have to wait ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — For the four innings that followed after giving up two solo home runs in the second, Paul Skenes looked like, well, Paul Skenes.

He was in total command, pitching with the overwhelming, singular presence that defined his unanimous National League Cy Young campaign last season.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, their offense ...Read more

WASHINGTON — Zoom in on this one last game at the end of a painfully unforgiving trip, and you won’t like what you see if you’re a Seattle Mariners fan.

On a day when both first baseman Josh Naylor and closer Andrés Muñoz exited with injury concerns, the Mariners put together another sluggish performance Sunday afternoon in another ugly...Read more

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to negotiations for the MLB’s next collective bargaining agreement, there are some misconceptions that Paul Skenes would like to clear up.

First and foremost, where do his fellow players stand?

“We are very united. I don’t think people understand how united we are and how on the same page we are,” said the ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — When it comes to building a $2.3 billion ballpark surrounded by a massive mixed-use development, there’s one question that applies to everyone but is rarely spoken aloud by anyone:

What’s in it for me?

For the Tampa Bay Rays, the answer is simple. A new ballpark leads to increased revenue, which leads to greater profits and...Read more

The Tampa Bay Rays have lost a lot over the last three weeks, most noticeably 12 of their last 18 games, as well as their standing as the majors’ best team and status as one of the most surprisingly successful.

Saturday’s 8-0 defeat by the Angels in Anaheim, California, cost them something else — their spot atop the American League East. ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Eric Haase picked the slider out of the dirt, leaped out of his crouch and fired an absolute strike to second base.

To absolutely no one.

Willy Adames didn’t cover second, and neither did Luis Arraez. Chicago’s Ian Happ stole second without sliding. Michael Busch, standing on third, took advantage and quickly dashed to ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals found themselves locked in another slugfest against the Houston Astros on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

A day after combining for 18 runs, the teams put together an encore performance — that is, when they weren’t dodging the inclement weather that descended on the metro late in the game.

...Read more

MILWAUKEE — No offense to Shane Drohan, but after what they faced here Friday night, the Phillies were sure offense would be easier to come by Saturday.

Call it the Jacob Misiorowski effect.

Because although Drohan has a fastball that’s worthy of respect, nobody throws more premium octane than his Brewers teammate. Compared to Misiorowski�...Read more

LOS ANGELES — On the 13th of July, Dave Roberts will reveal his selection for the National League‘s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.

On the 13th of June, Yoshinobu Yamamoto reminded his manager that he is the Dodgers’ best pitcher.

Is that enough for Yamamoto to start the All-Star Game? Probably not.

Is that enough to force ...Read more

MILWAUKEE — Jacob Misiorowski struck out the Phillies’ first three batters — Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper — in the first inning here Friday night on 12 pitches.

Nine registered at least 103 mph.

“I feel like, when we face pitchers, they’re always a tick up or ready to face our lineup, or at least our top three guys,...Read more