MLB

AP Baseball WriterAces low: Lots of top pitchers getting pounded in playoffsBy BEN WALKERClayton Kershaw, raked for four home runs. Corey Kluber, clubbed. Chris Sale, swatted. Luis Severino, slammed.This is October, right? The time when All-Star aces excel?''I mean, I really don't know. You kind of have seen it...

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...

Dodgers acquire Granderson in trade with MetsNEW YORK (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson and cash from the New York Mets for a player to be named later or cash.The teams announced the deal after their games Friday night. The 36-year-old Granderson is hitting...

AP Sports WriterTwins clinch playoff spot, continue unexpected turnaroundBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Minnesota Twins became the first team to make the playoffs after losing at least 100 games the previous season, clinching an AL wild-card berth on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Angles lost 6-4 in 10...

Associated PressVazquez has 4 hits, Red Sox beat Jays despite Pillar's grabBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) Christian Vazquez had four hits, including a two-run home run, and Eduardo Nunez added a solo shot as the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Monday night to end...

AP Sports WriterStanton needs one last surge to match Roger Maris' 61 homersBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) With 55 homers, Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton needs six in the final 12 games to match Roger Maris' hallowed 1961 total of 61. That means Stanton needs one more power surge.The...

Whiffle Ball: MLB sets strikeout record for 10th year in rowBy The Associated PressMajor League Baseball hitters have once again swung - and missed - into the record book.For the 10th straight year, MLB batters have set the mark for most strikeouts in a season. They did it Wednesday,...