NEW YORK — There are few things more demoralizing for New York Mets fans than facing the Atlanta Braves when the NL East foes are sitting in first place in the division. Having to play them right before the trade deadline feels like a cruel twist in what has already been a cruel season for the Mets, but this time, it was more like a plot twist...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Kansas City Royals began Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with a pair of rare occurrences.

In the third inning, Royals speedster Tyler Tolbert belted a 404-foot home run off Twins All-Star starter Joe Ryan. Tolbert got a 93-mph fastball on the inside part of the plate and hit it just over the left-center field ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres are getting winning done.

Somehow, some way.

Their pitching quilt is covering innings as well as could possibly be expected. Maybe better.

“Those guys did their job,” manager Craig Stammen said. “They pitched in their lanes, and they really did exceptional. It wasn’t just that they pitched well, but ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays got more dominant pitching on Wednesday, and combined that with a pair of home runs to beat the American League West-leading Rangers, 3-0.

With Casey Legumina opening, Ian Seymour working 4 2/3 innings and the trio of Garrett Cleavinger, Kevin Kelly and Bryan Baker taking it from there, the Rays posted their ...Read more

SEATTLE — Jimothy, the beloved Seattle raccoon from the Ballard neighborhood with a short spine, has quickly become a Seattle icon and will be honored with his own promotional night at the Mariners game on Aug. 5.

The Mariners have already leaned into the viral raccoon, having a Jimothy-inspired competitor win the Salmon Run on July 18. The ...Read more

DETROIT — If this was it, Tarik Skubal tried to make it last.

But all good things come to an end, as the saying goes. And the way Skubal’s latest start went Wednesday afternoon — and specifically the way it went after he'd done his job — probably should remove all doubt for the Tigers: It’s time to sell.

At least when it comes to ...Read more

MIAMI — Less than an hour after the Phillies suffered their fourth consecutive series loss after the All-Star break, Bryce Harper threw down the proverbial gauntlet.

“I think we need some help,” Harper said. “I think we’ve proved pretty much all year, we’ve done a pretty good job, but anytime you can get some help in here and ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO – Monday’s trade deadline loomed as Luis Arraez batted leadoff and Heliot Ramos slotted in at the No. 3 slot for the San Francisco Giants’ 16-3 romp over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.

If it was to be his final start at Oracle Park wearing the orange and black of the Giants, Arraez made it a game to remember for the 35,399 ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Wander Franco also will appeal the most recent trial verdict that found the Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop guilty of sexual abuse of a minor but withheld punishment with a judicial pardon.

Prosecutors last week filed an appeal of the May verdict, arguing that the pardon “does not apply” for a “serious case of child ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Another lefty meant another loss for the Pirates in their rubber match against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After eight shutout innings from southpaw starter Eduardo Rodriguez fueled a 3-0 shutout on Wednesday afternoon, the club has lost five consecutive matchups against left-handed starting pitchers.

“I know the hitting group ...Read more

NEW YORK — There are few things more demoralizing for Mets fans than facing the Atlanta Braves when the NL East foes are sitting in first place in the division. Having to play them right before the trade deadline feels like a cruel twist in what has already been a cruel season for the Mets, but this time, it was more like a plot twist.

The ...Read more

DETROIT — The day was supposed to be about Tarik Skubal receiving a sendoff worthy of a future Hall of Famer pitching perhaps his final game for the Tigers. Detroit jumped out to a seven-run lead, and the Baltimore Orioles, with three errors and a hopeless offense, played the part of the quiet visiting team fading into the background of the ...Read more

MIAMI — Just three days ago, the Miami Marlins were reeling. They were in the midst of a franchise-worst losing streak. Their playoff hopes were fading with each passing game, each passing defeat.

“What 72 hours can do,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said.

For the Marlins, it just might have brought them back to life.

Miami on ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — There was muffled chatter among the grounds crew as the six of us stood on the steps waiting for our cue.

I was already hot. A sheen of sweat was building on my forehead, and I felt the heat in my face, arms and chest. Maybe these were those jitters the others had mentioned. Wait, were my shoes knotted tightly enough?

Two in-...Read more

ANAHEIM — A night after the Angels intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez to load the bases in the ninth inning, they pitched to him.

Neither decision worked out.

Left-hander Mitch Farris threw one pitch to the Houston Astros slugger, and he ripped it into center field for an RBI single, snapping a tie and sending the Angels to a 3-2 loss on ...Read more

Dominic Canzone’s go-ahead home run in the eighth spoiled a Tuesday night of leaderboard climbing for Max Muncy and Shohei Ohtani as the Mariners beat the Dodgers 7-6 in the first game at Dodger Stadium since before the All-Star break on July 12.

With one out, Julio Rodríguez on first and the score tied at five, Canzone got all of Alex Vesia...Read more

That’s baseball.

After so many games this season, some version of that adage, a verbal shrug and a nod to how unpredictable the sport is, has been uttered in the Padres clubhouse.

Yes, it is baseball.

But the Padres can no longer afford that as an explanation for losses that could have or should have been wins if they want to continue ...Read more

He had them from the jump.

Coming into Tuesday night’s outing Athletics rookie Gage Jump’s numbers didn’t exactly leap off the page. The 23-year-old left-hander had an unremarkable 4.42 ERA over his first 11 big league starts and gave up six runs in his last outing, but the former second-round pick was in complete control on Tuesday, ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — The pregame news dump on Tuesday afternoon was one of the most brutal in recent memory.

Utilityman Casey Schmitt was diagnosed with a torn meniscus and could miss the remainder of the season. Rookie right-hander Trevor McDonald will definitively miss the remainder of this season and then some, electing to undergo UCL ...Read more