MLB

Associated PressOakland's Maxwell kneels during anthem for 2nd straight dayBy GIDEON RUBINOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell pressed a hand against his chest and took to a knee for the national anthem for the second straight game on Sunday, part of the protest movement that has...

San Fran pitcher Matt Cain to retire after Saturday startPHOENIX (AP) San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain says he'll retire after his start at home on Saturday against San Diego.The 32-year-old Cain told his teammates on Wednesday in a closed meeting before the game at Chase Field against the...

Associated PressYankees turn to Sabathia with AL East title still in playBy SCOTT ORGERANEW YORK (AP) The Yankees made a late switch on Saturday, tabbing veteran left-hander CC Sabathia to start their game against the Blue Jays in place of fellow lefty Jaime Garcia.New York entered the day...

AP Sports WriterRangers make bullpen change, exercise '19 option on BanisterBy STEPHEN HAWKINSARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Texas Rangers are making some adjustments to manager Jeff Banister's staff, which will no longer include bullpen coach Brad Holman after a rough season for the relievers.Holman's contract option for 2018 is...

LEADING OFF: Stanton nears 50, Machado again nicks Bosox 2BBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---50 ON DECKGiancarlo Stanton takes his first swing at reaching 50 home runs this year, a day after the Miami slugger connected twice at Marlins Park. He has...

AP Sports WriterDuquette's trades and patience puts Orioles in playoff huntBy DAVID GINSBURGBALTIMORE (AP) It was just over a month ago when Dan Duquette had to make a decision that would steer the course of the Baltimore Orioles for this season and years to follow.The underachieving Orioles entered...

AP Sports WriterBryce Boost: Nats thrilled Harper set to provide playoff popBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) When Bryce Harper slipped on a rain-slicked first base and tumbled awkwardly to the ground in apparent agony back in August, many members of the Washington Nationals feared the worst.''Watching that live ...''...

AP Sports WriterLackey pitches Cubs past Braves 2-0By JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) John Lackey pitched seven crisp innings, Javier Baez's daring baserunning paid off again and the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Friday for their fifth straight win.Lackey (11-10) allowed three hits, struck out five and...

LEADING OFF: Superheroes in NY, Ivy Leaguers in MilwaukeeBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:---SUPERHERO DAYMets ace Noah Syndergaard is expected to make a one-inning start against Washington in his first major league game in nearly five months, and Matt Harvey will take...

Nats' Harper says he's improving after returning from injuryWASHINGTON (AP) A day after saying he felt great, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper acknowledged he could still get better more than two weeks after returning from a knee injury.Harper said Saturday before Game 2 of the NL Division Series against...

Associated PressVenezuelan fans in no mood to 'Play Ball' amid crisisBy JORGE RUEDACARACAS, Venezuela (AP) For years, Venezuela's baseball stadiums served as a sporting sanctuary where fans of all classes and political backgrounds set aside their differences to watch some of the nation's top major league players and...

A capsule look at the Cubs-Nationals playoff seriesBy The Associated PressA look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals:---Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at Washington, 7:31 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at Washington, 5:38 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, Oct. 9, at...