MLB

AP Baseball WriterMLB spending on international amateurs drops 25 percentBy RONALD BLUMSpending on signing bonuses for international amateur free agents dropped 25 percent to $153 million from $203 million in the first year of restraints, which cost Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani more than $100 million.Spending was capped by...

Bat maker says loan resulted in return of furloughed workersLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The manufacturer of Louisville Slugger bats says it put 171 furloughed employees back on the payroll after receiving a loan from a government program aimed at helping small businesses.Hillerich & Bradsby Co. resumed production at its...

Associated PressCards hope a healthy Miller reverses recent relief trendBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Cardinals hope a healthy Andrew Miller can help reverse their recent luck with new relievers.Coming off a series of injuries, Miller got a two-year deal with the Cardinals last month. Recent...

MLB suspends Dodgers' Kelly 8 games for throwing high-and-tight pitches and taunting Astros, manager Roberts for 1 gameNEW YORK (AP) MLB suspends Dodgers' Kelly 8 games for throwing high-and-tight pitches and taunting Astros, manager Roberts for 1 game.

Associated PressCardinals: Cupboard isn't bare after missing playoffs againBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) Despite another winning record in St. Louis, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina summed up his feelings about the season simply.''No matter what happens, if you don't make the (playoffs) it's not a good year,'' said Molina,...

AP Sports Writer7 2-out runs in 6th lift LA past Nats 10-4 for 2-1 NLDS leadBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) David Freese wasn't in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series. Neither was Kike Hernandez or Chris Taylor.All are right-handed batters, and...

Red Sox shuffle lineup heading into Game 2 of ALCS vs AstrosBOSTON (AP) Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has shuffled his lineup for Game 2 against the Houston Astros, putting infielders Ian Kinsler and Rafael Devers and catcher Christian Vazquez in the starting lineup for the first...

Associated PressGardner gets game-winning hit in 10th, Yanks beat Jays 2-1By IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) Brett Gardner hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Sunday for their fourth win in five games.Former Yankees reliever Tyler Clippard...

Judge orders arbitration in D-backs lawsuit over stadiumPHOENIX (AP) A judge has refused to dismiss the Arizona Diamondbacks' lawsuit against Maricopa County over Chase Field but ordered the two sides to participate in proceedings intended to resolve the dispute without going to trial.Superior Court Judge Karen Mullins' ruling...

WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals have hired British soccer club Leeds United's Harvey Sharman as executive director of medical services, part of a revamping of the way the baseball team addresses player health issues.Sharman, a physiotherapist, was Leeds United's director of sports medicine/science the past eight years.The Nationals...

Associated PressIndians beat Twins 6-2, pull even for Central Division leadBy BRIAN HALLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Newcomers Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes engaged with their new teammates in a high-volume conversation, the jokes seeming to flow easily between the two arrivals from the trade deadline.With an infusion of liveliness in...

Rays acquire Brian O’Grady from Reds, cut Jesús AguilarST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor leaguer Brian O’Grady from the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named and cash.To make room for the first baseman/outfielder on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated first...