MLB

Cardinals righty Michael Wacha suffers left oblique strainPHILADELPHIA (AP) St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha has left Wednesday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies with a left oblique strain.Wacha exited the game in the bottom of the fourth. He allowed three runs - one earned - in 3 2/3...

AP Pro Football WriterHerrera's solo homer lifts Phils to 4-3 win over CardinalsBy ROB MAADDIPHILADELPHIA (AP) Odubel Herrera smiled when told he was being compared to Ichiro Suzuki and Vladimir Guerrero. He has potential to be known by his first name just like Ichiro and Vlad, too.Herrera hit...

Associated PressHapp pitches 8 1/3 innings as Blue Jays beat Braves 5-4By IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) The better J.A. Happ pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays, the better the chance he finishes the season with another team.Happ pitched a season-high 8 1/3 innings to win his fifth straight decision,...

AP Sports WriterCubs put closer Morrow on DL; Darvish throws simulated gameBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs will have to get by without closer Brandon Morrow for at least a little while.The Cubs placed the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday because of lower back tightness,...

Associated PressHapp pitches 8 1-3 innings as Blue Jays beat Braves 5-4By IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) J.A. Happ pitched a season-high 8 1-3 innings to win his fifth straight decision, Kendrys Morales hit a two-run home run and the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 Wednesday for Toronto's...

AP Sports WriterOrioles designate Pedro Alvarez for assignmentBy DAVID GINSBURGWASHINGTON (AP) Pedro Alvarez has been designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles, who are shuffling the roster in an attempt to improve upon the worst record in the big leagues.The 31-year-old Alvarez had a .181 batting average with...

Associated PressKershaw to make minor league rehab startBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled make a minor league rehab start on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award could be back pitching in...

Associated PressKershaw to make minor-league rehab startBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled make a minor-league rehab start on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award could be back pitching in the majors...

AP Sports WriterSoto, Hicks HRs give Nats, Yanks unusual doubleheader splitBy HOWARD FENDRICHWASHINGTON (AP) It was a long and odd day, one that started with teenager Juan Soto homering in a game that officially was played before he made his major league debut.Huh?Soto delivered a tiebreaking, pinch-hit, two-run...

AP Sports WriterDyson's catch, Goldschmidt's HR lead Arizona past Halos, 7-4By GREG BEACHAMANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Neither Jarrod Dyson nor Justin Upton could tell whether Upton's bases-loaded line drive to the deepest part of center field would have made it out of Angel Stadium.Dyson made sure nobody will ever...

Former National League umpire Dutch Rennert dies at 88ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) Dutch Rennert, a National League umpire from 1973 to 1992 who was known for his animated, booming strike calls, has died. He was 88.St. John's Family Funeral Home and Crematory in St. Augustine, Florida, confirmed Monday...

AP Sports WriterThe Fastball Paradox: With velocity up, fastballs on declineBy JAKE SEINERNEW YORK (AP) Over five seasons as ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gerrit Cole threw one of the game's hardest, heaviest fastballs, and he threw it often. The pitch helped him make millions of dollars. It...