MLB

AP Baseball WriterVelasquez sharp as Phillies blank Tigers 4-0By NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies picked a fine time to rest Bryce Harper.Vince Velasquez pitched impressively into the sixth inning and the Phillies beat the Detroit Tigers 4-0 Wednesday to finish a quick two-game sweep. Harper sat out,...

Associated PressRays beat Red Sox 3-2 as Boston files protest over lineupBy MARK DIDTLERST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A marquee pitching matchup between Charlie Morton and David Price was overshadowed by the MLB rulebook.Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep...

Rendon's shot lifts Nats over Rockies in doubleheader openerWASHINGTON (AP) The Nationals dug a daunting hole for themselves in the first 50 games of the season. Fifty games later, they're right where they expected to be - in contention for a playoff berth.Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon homered,...

Cubs demote Russell, scratch Lester, bring Contreras off ILSAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Chicago Cubs optioned shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, about two months after he completed a suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.The struggling Russell was sent down to make room for...

Cubs option Russell, scratch Lester, bring Contreras off ILSAN FRANCISCO (AP) The Chicago Cubs have optioned shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa about two months after he completed a suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.Russell was sent down to make room for catcher Willson Contreras,...

After key throw, Phillies' Miller goes on injured listDETROIT (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have put Brad Miller on the 10-day injured list, less than 24 hours after he made a game-saving throw from left field against Detroit.The Phillies said Wednesday that Miller has a right hip flexor strain....

AP Baseball WriterPanik's double caps 3-run 8th as Giants rally past Cubs 5-4By JANIE McCAULEYSAN FRANCISCO (AP) The fog machine, strobe lights and blaring music in the clubhouse tell the story of San Francisco's winning midseason vibe after all those months of losing when contending seemed so far...

Yonder Alonso brought up to Rockies from Triple-AWASHINGTON (AP) Yonder Alonso has been brought up to the Colorado Rockies from Triple-A Albuquerque.The 32-year-old was signed to a minor league contract on July 10, a week after he was released by the Chicago White Sox from a contract he...

Associated PressSuarez hits 2 HRs as Reds rally against MilwaukeeBy ANDREW WAGNERMILWAUKEE (AP) Eugenio Suarez not only has the power to beat you on any given night, he has the power to beat you twice in the same night.The Milwaukee Brewers were reminded of that as the Cincinnati...

AP Sports WriterGoldschmidt's grand slam in 10th lifts Cards by Pirates 6-5By WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) The St. Louis Cardinals spent the opening months of the season sputtering in tight situations. Now, they're soaring, keeping their chances in the wide-open NL Central afloat in the process.Paul Goldschmidt hit his...

LEADING OFF: Bumgarner starts for Giants, Paddack vs AlonsoBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:STAY OR GO?Madison Bumgarner has been mentioned a lot in the last month as a top trade target. That was before the Giants went on a big winning streak and...

AP Sports WriterGerrit Cole leads Astros to 11-1 win over AthleticsBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) On the night the Houston Astros celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing by NASA's Apollo 11, the number 11 factored prominently into a lopsided win over the Oakland Athletics.Gerrit Cole pitched...