MLB

LEADING OFF: Mad Max and Gerrit Cole return, Fenway freebieBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:WELCOME BACK, MAD MAXNationals ace Max Scherzer comes off the injured list to start at last-place Pittsburgh. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 9-5 with a 2.41 ERA...

Rays 2B Brandon Lowe likely done for the yearBALTIMORE (AP) Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe suffered a quad injury during a rehabilitation assignment and likely will miss the rest of the season.Manager Kevin Cash said Lowe got hurt on Wednesday while playing for Triple-A Durham.''He's most...

Astros defend decision to restrict reporter from clubhouseHOUSTON (AP) Amid criticism from Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros on Thursday defended the team's decision to deny a newspaper reporter access to the clubhouse until after ace pitcher Justin Verlander finished his postgame session with the media.MLB said Wednesday...

Pirates to release veteran catcher Francisco CervelliPITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates are parting ways with veteran catcher Francisco Cervelli, who has been hampered by multiple concussions this season.The club announced Thursday it requested unconditional release waivers for the 33-year-old Cervelli. He's played just 34 games this season.Pittsburgh general...

Associated PressFowler's homer caps comeback, Cardinals beat Rockies 6-5By JOE HARRISST. LOUIS (AP) Marcell Ozuna, Paul DeJong and Dexter Fowler each hit two-run homers, and the St. Louis Cardinals came back to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 on Thursday night.Fowler's 15th home run of the season, off of...

Astros defend decision to restrict reporter from clubhouseHOUSTON (AP) Amid criticism from Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros on Thursday defended the team's decision to deny a newspaper reporter access to the clubhouse until after ace pitcher Justin Verlander finished his postgame session with the media.MLB said Wednesday...

Verlander has reporter barred from entering Astros clubhouseHOUSTON (AP) A reporter for the Detroit Free Press was denied access to the Houston Astros clubhouse on Wednesday night until Justin Verlander finished his postgame media session.According to the Free Press, Astros vice president of communications Gene Dias said beat...

AP Baseball WriterDavis, Mets helped by Indians' mental lapse, win 4-3 in 10By BEN WALKERNEW YORK (AP) Needing a break, the New York Mets watched Cleveland hand it to them - Brad Hand, especially.The Indians All-Star closer failed to cover first base on what could've been a game-ending...

Verlander has reporter barred from entering Astros clubhouseHOUSTON (AP) A reporter for the Detroit Free Press was denied access to the Houston Astros clubhouse on Wednesday night until Justin Verlander finished his postgame media session.According to the Free Press, Astros vice president of communications Gene Dias said beat...

AP Sports WriterMuncy's homer in 10th lifts Dodgers over Blue Jays 2-1By BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) Tied in extra innings at home, the Los Angeles Dodgers always expect to win.''Who it's going to be is always a question,'' manager Dave Roberts said.It was Max Muncy's turn.Frustrated after striking...

Braves place McCann on IL with knee sprain, recall JacksonATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves have placed catcher Brian McCann on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain.Catcher Alex Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the team's game against the Miami Marlins.McCann left Tuesday night's 5-1...

LEADING OFF: Kluber shut down, Mets making movesBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:KLUBOT POWERS BACK DOWNIndians ace Corey Kluber has been shut down for two weeks with an abdominal strain, an injury he sustained during his comeback from a broken arm. Kluber was...