MLB

AP Sports WriterBanner moment: Cubs finally raise championship flagBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) Finally, a banner moment at Wrigley Field.The Chicago Cubs have raised their 2016 World Series championship flag, delighting a raucous crowd that waited through a rain delay for a moment more than a century in the...

AP Baseball WriterCubs close, but Sarge knows what can happen in a hurryBy BEN WALKERNEW YORK (AP) Once in a while, Gary Matthews relives how close his Chicago Cubs came to reaching the World Series.Actually, a little more often.''Wow,'' he said. ''Think about that every day.''With his former...

Associated PressCorrea's return to Astros' lineup delayed by sorenessBy CHUCK KINGWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch will have to wait at least one more day to get his complete lineup into a Grapefruit League game.Shortstop Carlos Correa, back with the club after a stirring...

AP Sports WriterAll-Star walk off for Big Papi: AL teammates embrace OrtizBy BERNIE WILSONSAN DIEGO (AP) David Ortiz ended his All-Star Game career with quite a walk off.The popular Big Papi was embraced by nearly every member of the American League roster Tuesday night when he was replaced...

Baseball hopes to beat rain, get in Game 2 of World SeriesCLEVELAND (AP) Major League Baseball is hoping it can play Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night despite the rain.MLB senior vice president Peter Woodfork said officials were prepared to have the Chicago Cubs and...

DALLAS (AP) A rare Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card has sold at auction for more than $500,000.Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said the pristine card sold Thursday night to a collector who wanted to remain anonymous for $525,800. A Heritage statement said the price set a record for a...

AP Sports WriterSeattle acquires Drew Smyly as it makes pair of tradesBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) The Mariners have made a pair of trades, landing left-handed starter Drew Smyly from the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander reliever Shae Simmons from the Atlanta Braves.Seattle completed the two deals on Wednesday....

Associated PressBautista, Blue Jays agree to $18.5M, 1-year dealBy ROB GILLIESTORONTO (AP) Jose Bautista is staying with the Toronto Blue Jays, after all.Toronto said Wednesday the free agent slugger had agreed to an $18.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto that includes mutual options for more years.Bautista gets an...

CINCINNATI (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated right-hander Juan Nicasio from the 15-day disabled list.The NL West leaders made the move before Tuesday night's game at Cincinnati.Nicasio had been sidelined since Aug. 10 with a left abdominal strain. He is 1-3 with a 3.06 ERA and one...

AP Baseball WriterAPNewsBreak: Dodgers, Yankees cut projected luxury tax billsBy RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are cutting payroll and their luxury tax bills - just as Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and perhaps Clayton Kershaw near the free-agent market after the 2018...

Cubs win first game over Dodgers, Indians 2-0 up over JaysBy The Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) Miguel Montero delivered a memorable grand slam home run, Javier Baez stole home and Jon Lester turned in another steady pitching performance as the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4 in...

Royals catcher Perez set for test on knee injured in WBCSURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez is set to have another test on his left knee after getting injured in a collision with Royals backup catcher Drew Butera in the World Baseball Classic.Perez is returning to...