MLB

MLB strikeouts set record for 11th straight yearNEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball has set a strikeouts record for the 11th consecutive year - and with four days to spare.There were 40,196 strikeouts through Wednesday, topping last year's 40,104 - the first season strikeouts reach 40,000. There were...

Sabathia ejected for hitting batter, misses $500K bonus markST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia was ejected for hitting Jesus Sucre on a leg in retaliation for Tampa Bay reliever Andrew Kittredge throwing an inside pitch at Austin Romine, possibly costing the left-hander a $500,000...

Associated PressAstudillo drives in career-high 4 as Twins top Tigers 9-3By TYLER MASONMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Willians Astudillo had a career-high four RBIs, Tyler Austin added three and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Thursday night.Astudillo, playing in his 26th big league game, capped Minnesota's five-run third...

AP Baseball WriterWhiff of offense: Ks top hits, lowest average since '72By RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The most-heard sound at major league ballparks this year was ''Strike three!''A whiff of offense would be nice rather than all those nights filled with nonstop whiffs.Strikeouts will exceed hits over a...

LEADING OFF: Cards vs Cubs, Rockies-Nats highlight weekendBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors on Friday:WRIGLEY FIELD SHOWDOWNRight-hander Kyle Hendricks (13-11) starts for the Chicago Cubs in the opener of their big season-ending series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-hander Adam Wainwright will be on...

Associated PressCubs clinch 4th straight playoff spot, top Pirates 7-6 in 10By JOHN JACKSONCHICAGO (AP) Anthony Rizzo thought he'd caught the foul ball. Many others at Wrigley Field, meanwhile, thought about Steve Bartman.Despite a play that reminded Cubs fans of what went wrong many years ago, Chicago wound...

LEADING OFF: Rockies, Cubs try to improve playoff positionBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors today:ROCK `EMColorado has won six in row, boosting its playoff position. The NL West leaders aim for a four-game sweep when they take on the Phillies at Coors Field, having...

AP Baseball WriterWhiff of offense: Ks top hits, lowest average since '72By RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) The most-heard sound at major league ballparks this year was ''Strike three!''A whiff of offense would be nice rather than all those nights filled with nonstop whiffs.Strikeouts are likely to exceed hits...

AP Baseball WriterWhiff of offense: Ks top hits, lowest average since '72By RONALD BLUMNEW YORK (AP) Strikeouts are likely to exceed hits over a full season for the first time in major league history. The .248 batting average has dropped to its lowest level since 1972, the year...

AP Sports WriterOhtani's 8th-inning HR sends Angels to sweep of Rangers, 3-2By GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Shohei Ohtani knows what's possible after Tommy John surgery from watching Andrew Heaney's pitching performances this season for the Los Angeles Angels.At the plate, Ohtani keeps doing things that aren't possible for...

Associated PressCubs clinch 4th straight playoff spot, top Pirates 7-6 in 10By JOHN JACKSONCHICAGO (AP) While acknowledging that making the postseason for the fourth straight year is a big deal, no one was in a partying mood inside the Chicago Cubs' clubhouse on Wednesday night.The champagne will have...

Astros' McCullers Jr. gives playoff ticket to 8-year-old fanHOUSTON (AP) Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has offered advice and a free playoff ticket to an 8-year-old special needs girl who apparently was yelled at by another fan for loudly cheering at an Astros game.McCullers on Wednesday tweeted ''Chloe,...