TAMPA, Fla. — It looked like a happy homecoming game for Pete Alonso and Shane Baz on Wednesday afternoon.

Alonso, the former Plant High School star, drove in two runs with a single and homer. Baz, the former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher, allowed only two hits through six innings.

Then the Rays (33-15) sort of knocked over the punch bowl, tore ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — There have been a lot of changes to the Minnesota Twins roster this week, ones that could carry massive ramifications for how the season looks in a couple of months.

But the team still has Joe Ryan as the ace of its pitching staff.

Ryan allowed one run across six innings to carry the Twins to a 4-1 victory over the Houston ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Right away, José Alvarado knew it was gone.

The Phillies reliever let out a shout of frustration on the mound as soon as the ball left Sal Stewart’s bat. Alvarado had brought Stewart to an 0-2 count, but then hung a cutter, and the Cincinnati Reds rookie promptly sent it to the second deck in left field for his fourth hit of...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — They have the governor and the mayor. Also, the chair of the Hillsborough County Commission.

They have the Legislature and the college president. And even the police and firefighter unions.

In less than a year on the job, the new owners of the Rays have acquired supporters for their stadium deal from politicians and community ...Read more

PHOENIX — The San Francisco Giants lost 5-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday evening at Chase Field as Ketel Marte hit a walk-off three-run homer off left-hander Matt Gage.

San Francisco entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, but Arizona trimmed the advantage to one run on an RBI single by Adrian Del Castillo off right-...Read more

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners’ experiment with a piggyback pitching plan could not have started any better.

It could not have finished much worse.

The Mariners’ offense was held to only one hit — a Julio Rodríguez first-inning single — and Luis Castillo couldn’t close out a one-run lead in the ninth inning, as the Chicago White ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Freddie Freeman’s eyes were heavy as he trudged down the dugout steps after running through glove work on the field before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

The first baseman had been battling flu-like symptoms for days, and the fatigue was evident in the slump of his shoulders.

Several ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — With the Wolves, Wild and Frost eliminated from the postseason, local sports fans now need the Twins to hold their attention until Vikings training camp begins.

They provided plenty of water cooler talking points on Tuesday, demoting former first overall pick Royce Lewis to Class AAA St. Paul, placing Ryan Jeffers (hand surgery)...Read more

Ranger Suarez’s streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings came to an end in a long bottom of the first in which the Kansas City Royals instantly erased a 1-0 Boston Red Sox lead.

But the game-tying run the Red Sox starter allowed in the first inning proved the only run, not only of his 4 1/3-inning outing, but of the Royals’ entire night. ...Read more

ST. LOUIS — For much of the game, it seemed the Pirates’ weakness against lefties would cost them the decision.

When that flipped, it was their weakness in the bullpen that proved decisive.

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pirates, 9-6, in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, as Ivan Herrera’s walk-off, three-run homer off Mason...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — After leaving the May 1 game due to left oblique tightness and missing the next two, Yandy Diaz returned to the Tampa Bay Rays lineup but didn’t look much like himself over the next week and a half, managing just five hits in 33 at-bats.

But he’s obviously been feeling good over the last week, as he is doing much better.

...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Rafael Marchán cradled the throw from Bryce Harper in Tuesday’s seventh inning, appearing for a moment to secure an out the Phillies needed to move closer to escaping a bases-loaded jam. The umpire ruled Cincinnati’s Blake Dunn out at the plate but a replay review soon said that he beat Harper’s throw to Marchán. The ...Read more

WASHINGTON — There really is no such thing as a normal day for the Mets.

A wild day started with the club calling up two heralded prospects, outfielder Nick Morabito and right-hander Zach Thornton, resulting in positive attention for the player development department. Then, the Mets promptly took a 5-0 lead over the Washington Nationals in ...Read more

NEW YORK — Sitting inside Yankee Stadium’s press conference room, Aaron Boone couldn’t help but smile as he announced that Gerrit Cole will pitch on Friday.

But, after a quick pause, the manager realized he didn’t specify where.

“For us,” Boone followed up, sparking another smile and a few laughs on Tuesday.

The Yankees initially ...Read more

MIAMI — The Miami Marlins bullpen, which has statistically been one of the top group of relief pitchers in MLB this season, had a big task on its hands Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.

Starting pitcher Braxton Garrett lasted just three innings in his second start since returning to the big leagues, so manager Clayton McCullough relied on ...Read more

DETROIT — Better game. More competitive effort. Same result.

The Cleveland Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers for the second straight night at Comerica Park, holding on for a 4-3 win Tuesday night.

It was the fourth straight loss for the Tigers and their 12th in the last 14 games. They’ve also lost seven of eight at home.

The Tigers, as ...Read more

SEATTLE — The column was going to be how he isn't the savior — just a Band-Aid — but that piece will have to wait.

Rookie call-up Colt Emerson might not be the answer to all the Mariners' problems, but he answered the call on Monday.

True, the M's likely would've come away with the victory even if the 20-year-old went hitless in that 6-1...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Ryan Jeffers, hitting as well as any catcher in the majors this season, will be sidelined for at least the next six weeks after he suffered a broken hamate in his left hand.

Jeffers was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, one day after he exited in the eighth inning. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Jeffers is ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Justin Turner did not wear the correct jersey one day, and now he would pay for his sin.

His teammates formed two lines, one facing the other. Turner snaked through the gauntlet, as his teammates playfully slapped and shoved him around.

Turner is 41, an All-Star and World Series champion, one of the most beloved players in Los ...Read more

A win was paramount.

The Mariners had been swept over the weekend and looked really, well, awful in the process.

For seven innings, they seemed en route to that cleansing victory. Though nothing was guaranteed as they held only held a two-run lead over a White Sox team capable of comebacks.

A run or two in the bottom of the eighth would’ve ...Read more