MLB

AP Sports WriterShort story: Indians' Lindor set to smile, sparkle in SeriesBy TOM WTHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Born in November, Francisco Lindor is an October baby this year.You'd never know these are his first steps on baseball's pressure-packed postseason stage.Cleveland's dazzling shortstop, who can illuminate a ballpark with his swing...

Tigers hire Lloyd McClendon, Leon Durham as hitting coachesDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Tigers have hired Lloyd McClendon as hitting coach and Leon Durham as assistant hitting coach.The moves were announced Friday.McClendon is returning for his second stint with the Tigers after serving as bullpen coach in 2006 and...

LEADING OFF: Cubs face Kershaw, try to end Series droughtBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors today:---ROCKIN' WRIGLEYIt's been 71 years since the Chicago Cubs reached the World Series. They can finally halt the drought with a victory at home against the Los Angeles...

AP Baseball WriterCubs close, but Sarge knows what can happen in a hurryBy BEN WALKERNEW YORK (AP) Once in a while, Gary Matthews relives how close his Chicago Cubs came to reaching the World Series.Actually, a little more often.''Wow,'' he said. ''Think about that every day.''With his former...

AP Sports WriterCubs could get Schwarber back if they reach World SeriesBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Injured slugger Kyle Schwarber could return for the Chicago Cubs if they make it to the World Series.The Cubs had ruled Schwarber out for the year after he tore two ligaments in his...

AP Sports WriterIndians fans pitch in with wedding gifts for rookie MerrittBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The guest list for Ryan Merritt's upcoming wedding could be growing.Cleveland's rookie pitcher has made a lot of new friends.A most improbable October hero for the Indians, Merritt has been overwhelmed by the...

LEADING OFF: Cubs face Kershaw, try to end Series droughtBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:---ROCKIN' WRIGLEYIt's been 71 years since the Chicago Cubs reached the World Series. They can finally halt the drought with a victory at home against the Los Angeles...

AP Sports WriterIndians fans pitch in with wedding gifts for star rookieBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Ryan Merritt may soon be up to his neck in blenders, oven mitts and muffin tins.The Indians rookie pitcher said he and his fiancee, Sarah, have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity...

AP Sports WriterIndians fans pitch in with wedding gifts for rookie MerrittBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The guest list for Ryan Merritt's upcoming wedding could be growing.Cleveland's rookie pitcher has made a lot of new friends.A most improbable October hero for the Indians, Merritt has been overwhelmed by the...

AP Sports WriterRetiring Wrigley Field scoreboard operator has seen it allBy JAY COHENCHICAGO (AP) Fred Washington has been surrounded by numbers and cities for decades. Seasons full of ones and twos and zeroes. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Milwaukee, too.When his beloved Chicago Cubs scored three in the first, Washington...

AP Sports WriterKershaw stands in the way of Cubs' chance to make historyBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) All that's left for the Chicago Cubs to do is make history.The Cubs came home to Wrigley Field with a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship...

AP Sports WriterSheen's 'Wild Thing' will not make pitch in World SeriesBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Wild Thing will have to stay in the bullpen during the World Series.While actor Charlie Sheen, who played Ricky ''Wild Thing'' Vaughn in the movie ''Major League'' offered to throw out the ceremonial...