MLB

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - The first thing Dayton Moore makes clear is that he never set out to change how baseball clubs are built. He simply wanted to win games, something the Kansas City Royals had repeatedly failed to do for nearly three decades.Never once did Moore think he'd...

LEADING OFF: Paxton vs Verlander in ALCS, day off for NLCSBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:Justin Verlander starts for Houston in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, facing the Yankees at Minute Maid Park. Verlander led the majors with 21 wins this...

Rockies select contract of right-hander Brooks PoundersDENVER (AP) The Colorado Rockies selected the contract of right-hander Brooks Pounders from Triple-A Albuquerque.The 27-year-old Pounders will be available Tuesday night when the Rockies host the San Diego Padres. Pounders made seven relief appearances for Albuquerque this season with four walks,...

AP Baseball WriterWalker's single in 9th lifts Mets over Giants 4-3By RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Plagued by injuries, obstinance and absenteeism, the New York Mets have managed to win seven of 10 following a six-game losing streak.''Considering all that's going on around here, we're doing a really good...

D-backs, pitching coach Butcher part ways after 4 seasonsPHOENIX (AP) Pitching coach Mike Butcher will not return to the Arizona Diamondbacks next season.The announcement was made Monday, one day after the Diamondbacks finished with an 85-77 record. Arizona was in the National League wild-card race until the last...

AP Sports WriterFor Joe Mauer, being from Minnesota means this isn't goodbyeBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Joe Mauer is leaving the playing field after a 15-year major league career, but not Minnesota or the Twins.Mauer formalized his goodbye to the game on Monday at a news conference packed with...

AP Baseball WriterIn shortened season, stars still had chance to shine in 1981By NOAH TRISTERThe season began with Fernandomania and ended with a classic World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Yankees. Mike Schmidt slugged his way to a second consecutive MVP, and Nolan Ryan pitched another no-hitter.But perhaps...

Angels mourn death of P Aaron Cox, Trout's brother-in-lawANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Aaron Cox, a former Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect and the brother-in-law of Mike Trout, has died. He was 24.The Angels disclosed no further details Wednesday in a statement issued on behalf of Trout and his wife,...

AP Baseball WriterMLB stands behind replay reversal from Tigers-Pirates gameBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Major League Baseball is standing behind the replay reversal that took the winning run away from the Detroit Tigers in a game last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Detroit's Nicholas Castellanos was initially called safe in...

Phillies add Pedro Guerrero as assistant hitting coachPHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have added Pedro Guerrero as assistant hitting coach.The 28-year-old Guerrero was a bench coach the past two seasons for the Ogden Raptors, the rookie-level affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. A former infielder, Guerrero played in...

Associated PressGreat leap forward: from Williamsport to major leaguesBy TOMMY BUTLERSOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) Some talented, young baseball players have competed at the Little League World Series over the last 71 years. Fifty-four have gone on to realize another dream - making the majors.Three of those Little League...

Cubs' Quintana cuts thumb washing dishes, undergoes surgeryCHICAGO (AP) Chicago Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana had surgery to repair nerve damage in his pitching thumb Thursday after he cut himself washing dishes.Chicago did not have a timetable for his return.Quintana cut his thumb at his home in Miami on...