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Major League Baseball and ESPN extended their television contract through 2021. A person with knowledge of the new deal, which combines rights for TV, radio, digital and international platforms that had previously been separate, says it will be worth about $700 million a year over eight years. That almost doubles the previous contracts, which were worth close to $360 million per year. The new deal all but eliminates blackouts of local broadcasts of ESPN games on Monday and Wednesday nights.
Read More: MLB, ESPN extend TV contract through 2021
Read More: MLB, ESPN extend TV contract through 2021
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Major League Baseball is investigating whether four-time All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca's relationship with steroid distributor Kirk Radomski was arranged by his former agents, three people with knowledge of the investigation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
The people told USA TODAY Sports that Lo Duca alleges Seth and Sam Levinson, through their firm ACES Inc., introduced him to Radomski. Lo Duca also alleges a checking account was opened for Lo Duca to pay Radomski for steroids, human growth hormone, amphetamines and sexual-enhancement drugs, according to the people. The MLB probe is part of the investigation after the failed drug test and suspension of San Francisco Giants All-Star Melky Cabrera two weeks ago.
Lo Duca's relationship with Radomski, an ex-New York Mets clubhouse attendant, was chronicled in former senator George Mitchell's December 2007 report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. It included copies of three checks from Lo Duca to Radomski, each in the amount of $3,200.
Read More: MLB probing agents' links to steroid distributor
The people told USA TODAY Sports that Lo Duca alleges Seth and Sam Levinson, through their firm ACES Inc., introduced him to Radomski. Lo Duca also alleges a checking account was opened for Lo Duca to pay Radomski for steroids, human growth hormone, amphetamines and sexual-enhancement drugs, according to the people. The MLB probe is part of the investigation after the failed drug test and suspension of San Francisco Giants All-Star Melky Cabrera two weeks ago.
Lo Duca's relationship with Radomski, an ex-New York Mets clubhouse attendant, was chronicled in former senator George Mitchell's December 2007 report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. It included copies of three checks from Lo Duca to Radomski, each in the amount of $3,200.
Read More: MLB probing agents' links to steroid distributor
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The competition among cities for baseball's All-Star Game has grown stiffer over the years, leading to some tough calls for Commissioner Bud Selig.
Awarding the 2014 game to the Minnesota Twins and Target Field, it turns out, was one of the easier decisions Selig has made.
"This is the right thing to do and this is the right place to do it," Selig said Wednesday in making the official announcement.
Selig has long been close with the Pohlad family, which has owned the Twins for decades, especially the late Carl Pohlad. The commissioner stood by his side while he fought for a new ballpark in the late 1990s, a bitter dispute that threatened the franchise's future in the Twin Cities.
Once the Twins finally won approval to build Target Field, it was only a matter of time before Selig was going to bring the mid-summer classic back to Minnesota. It will be the third time the Twins have hosted the game, following 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium and 1985 at the Metrodome.
Read More: 2014 MLB All-Star Game goes to Minnesota | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
Awarding the 2014 game to the Minnesota Twins and Target Field, it turns out, was one of the easier decisions Selig has made.
"This is the right thing to do and this is the right place to do it," Selig said Wednesday in making the official announcement.
Selig has long been close with the Pohlad family, which has owned the Twins for decades, especially the late Carl Pohlad. The commissioner stood by his side while he fought for a new ballpark in the late 1990s, a bitter dispute that threatened the franchise's future in the Twin Cities.
Once the Twins finally won approval to build Target Field, it was only a matter of time before Selig was going to bring the mid-summer classic back to Minnesota. It will be the third time the Twins have hosted the game, following 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium and 1985 at the Metrodome.
Read More: 2014 MLB All-Star Game goes to Minnesota | Detroit Free Press | freep-com
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Player agents Sam and Seth Levinson asserted Thursday they had no knowledge that checks from a joint account with former client Paul Lo Duca were being used to purchase performance-enhancing drugs from convicted steroid dealer Kirk Radomski.
But Radomski said he can confirm what Lo Duca has told two people with knowledge of Major League Baseball's investigation into the Levinsons' ACES, Inc. agency: The agents were aware the account was being used in part for the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs.
The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation are supposed to be confidential. "I will corroborate the relationship I had with Paul and the Levinsons," Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant, said in a telephone interview. "I met players through their agents. I met players through other players."
The Levinsons are under MLB investigation after their client, San Francisco Giants All-Star Melky Cabrera, tested positive for testosterone and was suspended for 50 games, and Levinson associate Juan Carlos Nunez admitted he created a bogus website and supplement designed to clear Cabrera's name.
Read More: MLB agents deny knowing about steroid purchases
But Radomski said he can confirm what Lo Duca has told two people with knowledge of Major League Baseball's investigation into the Levinsons' ACES, Inc. agency: The agents were aware the account was being used in part for the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs.
The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation are supposed to be confidential. "I will corroborate the relationship I had with Paul and the Levinsons," Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant, said in a telephone interview. "I met players through their agents. I met players through other players."
The Levinsons are under MLB investigation after their client, San Francisco Giants All-Star Melky Cabrera, tested positive for testosterone and was suspended for 50 games, and Levinson associate Juan Carlos Nunez admitted he created a bogus website and supplement designed to clear Cabrera's name.
Read More: MLB agents deny knowing about steroid purchases
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Gio Gonzalez needed to be spot on with his pitches Friday night. No, not because he was facing the St. Louis Cardinals. His mother was sitting right behind home plate.
Gonzalez was pretty close to perfect with his No. 1 fan always in view, earning his 17th win with his first career shutout as the Washington Nationals routed the St. Louis Cardinals 10-0.
"Imagine seeing [Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki's] face, then the umpire then my mom," said Gonzalez, who allowed five hits. "It was like, 'Uh oh, can't disappoint you ma.' "You can hear her on every at-bat, 'swing, do this,' and I'm like someone has to keep her quiet over there," Gonzalez said, joyful. "One of those kind of things when you have your whole family here you want to step it up and enjoy it."
Adam LaRoche, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman each drove in two runs and the Nationals sent 10 batters to the plate during a four-run third inning against Wainwright (13-11), who entered 5-0 in August.
Perfect through three innings, Gonzalez (17-7) held the suddenly anemic St. Louis lineup hitless through four innings. He finished with eight strikeouts and walked three during his 119-pitch outing en route to his fourth win in five starts.
The left-hander tied Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and New York Mets starter R.A. Dickey for the major league lead in wins.
Read More: MLB Recap - St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals - Aug 31, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Gonzalez was pretty close to perfect with his No. 1 fan always in view, earning his 17th win with his first career shutout as the Washington Nationals routed the St. Louis Cardinals 10-0.
"Imagine seeing [Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki's] face, then the umpire then my mom," said Gonzalez, who allowed five hits. "It was like, 'Uh oh, can't disappoint you ma.' "You can hear her on every at-bat, 'swing, do this,' and I'm like someone has to keep her quiet over there," Gonzalez said, joyful. "One of those kind of things when you have your whole family here you want to step it up and enjoy it."
Adam LaRoche, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman each drove in two runs and the Nationals sent 10 batters to the plate during a four-run third inning against Wainwright (13-11), who entered 5-0 in August.
Perfect through three innings, Gonzalez (17-7) held the suddenly anemic St. Louis lineup hitless through four innings. He finished with eight strikeouts and walked three during his 119-pitch outing en route to his fourth win in five starts.
The left-hander tied Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and New York Mets starter R.A. Dickey for the major league lead in wins.
Read More: MLB Recap - St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals - Aug 31, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Kelly Shoppach's biggest hit with the New York Mets highlighted a four-run ninth that secured the team's sixth victory in seven games.
Shoppach hit a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning that cleared the bases when center fielder Justin Ruggiano misplayed the ball Saturday night, lifting the New York Mets to a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. "No matter where you are in this game, those are big moments, not only personally, but as far as the momentum going for us," said Shoppach, acquired from Boston on Aug. 14.
The Mets had been frustrated most of the night by Josh Johnson, who was on the verge of snapping a personal four-game losing streak. Johnson allowed a run and three hits in eight innings and held the Mets hitless until the fifth. He left leading 3-1.
New York rallied for four runs in the ninth against closer Steve Cishek (4-2).
Daniel Murphy and David Wright led off with singles to put runners on first and second. Cishek struck out Ike Davis before Lucas Duda singled home Murphy, with Wright reaching third.
Mike Baxter fouled out to shortstop Jose Reyes before Cishek walked Andres Torres, loading the bases. After Jason Bay entered to run for Duda, Shoppach singled to center.
How did Shoppach, a late-game defensive replacement, feel stepping to the plate?
Read More: MLB Recap - New York Mets at Miami Marlins - Sep 01, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Shoppach hit a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning that cleared the bases when center fielder Justin Ruggiano misplayed the ball Saturday night, lifting the New York Mets to a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. "No matter where you are in this game, those are big moments, not only personally, but as far as the momentum going for us," said Shoppach, acquired from Boston on Aug. 14.
The Mets had been frustrated most of the night by Josh Johnson, who was on the verge of snapping a personal four-game losing streak. Johnson allowed a run and three hits in eight innings and held the Mets hitless until the fifth. He left leading 3-1.
New York rallied for four runs in the ninth against closer Steve Cishek (4-2).
Daniel Murphy and David Wright led off with singles to put runners on first and second. Cishek struck out Ike Davis before Lucas Duda singled home Murphy, with Wright reaching third.
Mike Baxter fouled out to shortstop Jose Reyes before Cishek walked Andres Torres, loading the bases. After Jason Bay entered to run for Duda, Shoppach singled to center.
How did Shoppach, a late-game defensive replacement, feel stepping to the plate?
Read More: MLB Recap - New York Mets at Miami Marlins - Sep 01, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Sunday there is a good chance Alex Rodriguez will rejoin the Yankees on Monday for the game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rodriguez has been out since fracturing his left hand on July 24.
He has been on a rehab assignment the past two days with Class A Tampa, going 0-for-7 with a walk.
Rodriguez worked on the side on Sunday, rather than playing in Tampa's day game after Saturday's night game.
The Yankees are 18-17 without Rodriguez, which is batting .276 with 15 homers this season.
-- Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who has not played for the Reds since July 15, might return to the Cincinnati lineup on Monday, although the decision ultimately will be Votto's.
Votto has been out more than six weeks since he had surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. He hit a home run in a rehabilitation game with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, and he took the day off Sunday.
"We'll wait and see if he thinks he's ready," Reds manager Dusty Baker said Sunday, according to MLB-com. "We've got a spot for him."
He's hitting .342 with 14 homers this season for the Reds, who have gone 31-15 without Votto in the lineup heading into Sunday's game.
MLB roundup: Yankees' Rodriguez may return Monday - Yahoo! Sports
Rodriguez has been out since fracturing his left hand on July 24.
He has been on a rehab assignment the past two days with Class A Tampa, going 0-for-7 with a walk.
Rodriguez worked on the side on Sunday, rather than playing in Tampa's day game after Saturday's night game.
The Yankees are 18-17 without Rodriguez, which is batting .276 with 15 homers this season.
-- Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who has not played for the Reds since July 15, might return to the Cincinnati lineup on Monday, although the decision ultimately will be Votto's.
Votto has been out more than six weeks since he had surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. He hit a home run in a rehabilitation game with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, and he took the day off Sunday.
"We'll wait and see if he thinks he's ready," Reds manager Dusty Baker said Sunday, according to MLB-com. "We've got a spot for him."
He's hitting .342 with 14 homers this season for the Reds, who have gone 31-15 without Votto in the lineup heading into Sunday's game.
MLB roundup: Yankees' Rodriguez may return Monday - Yahoo! Sports
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The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics get a visit from the Los Angeles Angels in the spotlight matchups for MLB bettors early this week, while the Dodgers and Giants hit the diamond in San Francisco over the weekend.
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The Rays still have a chance to catch the Yankees in the AL East standings, and they'll be looking for a big result early this week as those teams meet in Tampa Bay in a three-game set that starts on Monday afternoon.
Tampa Bay is 7-5 on the season against New York, with the OVER/UNDER 5-7 for totals bettors at Bovada in those contests. The Yankees are hoping to be able to activate third basemen Alex Rodriguez (hand) from the disabled list for Monday's matchup.
Meanwhile, the A's and Angels will be in Oakland starting on Monday afternoon with both of those clubs still on the hunt for an AL Wild Card berth. Los Angeles has won just five of its 12 games against Oakland so far this season, with the OVER/UNDER 3-9 in those contests.
Starting Friday it's then the Dodgers at San Francisco in a series that runs through to Sunday Night Baseball. The Giants have opened up a lead on their rival in the NL West standings, with the Dodgers still jostling for position in the league's Wild Card race.
San Francisco is 7-5 against Los Angeles through four series this season, while totals bettors at Bovada have seen the OVER/UNDER go 6-6 over those dozen matchups.
On the World Series futures heading into the week the Yankees are at 11/2 to win the championship this season, with the Giants at 10/1, the Dodgers at 12/1, the Rays at 14/1, the Angels at 16/1, and the Athletics trailing those other five teams at 20/1.
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The Rays still have a chance to catch the Yankees in the AL East standings, and they'll be looking for a big result early this week as those teams meet in Tampa Bay in a three-game set that starts on Monday afternoon.
Tampa Bay is 7-5 on the season against New York, with the OVER/UNDER 5-7 for totals bettors at Bovada in those contests. The Yankees are hoping to be able to activate third basemen Alex Rodriguez (hand) from the disabled list for Monday's matchup.
Meanwhile, the A's and Angels will be in Oakland starting on Monday afternoon with both of those clubs still on the hunt for an AL Wild Card berth. Los Angeles has won just five of its 12 games against Oakland so far this season, with the OVER/UNDER 3-9 in those contests.
Starting Friday it's then the Dodgers at San Francisco in a series that runs through to Sunday Night Baseball. The Giants have opened up a lead on their rival in the NL West standings, with the Dodgers still jostling for position in the league's Wild Card race.
San Francisco is 7-5 against Los Angeles through four series this season, while totals bettors at Bovada have seen the OVER/UNDER go 6-6 over those dozen matchups.
On the World Series futures heading into the week the Yankees are at 11/2 to win the championship this season, with the Giants at 10/1, the Dodgers at 12/1, the Rays at 14/1, the Angels at 16/1, and the Athletics trailing those other five teams at 20/1.
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Scott Diamond enjoyed plenty of run support from his teammates once again.
Chris Parmelee homered to cap a 10-run fifth inning and Minnesota routed the Chicago White Sox 18-9 on Tuesday night.
It was the second time the Twins reached double digits in an inning this year. They also had a 10-run outburst Aug. 6 against Cleveland during Diamond's previous win.
"I can't complain, that's for sure," Diamond said. Minnesota also batted around in a seven-run second against rookie Jose Quintana, but first-place Chicago remained one game ahead of Detroit in the AL Central. The Tigers lost 3-2 to Cleveland.
The Twins pecked away methodically with 17 hits -- only three went for extra bases. Every starter had a hit by the fifth inning.
"Balls were flying all over the place, as they always do in this ballpark," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Fortunately, we were on the good side of it. That's crazy. We've seen it here before."
Read More: MLB Recap - Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox - Sep 04, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Chris Parmelee homered to cap a 10-run fifth inning and Minnesota routed the Chicago White Sox 18-9 on Tuesday night.
It was the second time the Twins reached double digits in an inning this year. They also had a 10-run outburst Aug. 6 against Cleveland during Diamond's previous win.
"I can't complain, that's for sure," Diamond said. Minnesota also batted around in a seven-run second against rookie Jose Quintana, but first-place Chicago remained one game ahead of Detroit in the AL Central. The Tigers lost 3-2 to Cleveland.
The Twins pecked away methodically with 17 hits -- only three went for extra bases. Every starter had a hit by the fifth inning.
"Balls were flying all over the place, as they always do in this ballpark," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Fortunately, we were on the good side of it. That's crazy. We've seen it here before."
Read More: MLB Recap - Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox - Sep 04, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Mike Minor was not too impressed with his performance even after pitching the best game of his career.
"I kind of just dodged them, I guess," he said. "To me, it wasn't one of my best starts, but on paper it looks good."
Minor held Colorado hitless for six innings, Craig Kimbrel earned the first four-out save of his career and the Atlanta Braves beat the Rockies 1-0 on Wednesday night. Minor (8-10) lost a no-hit bid in the seventh when Jordan Pacheco led off with a single. Pacheco stole second, but was stranded when Minor struck out Ramon Hernandez swinging, Chris Nelson on a foul tip and Andrew Brown looking.
Minor allowed one hit, four walks and struck out seven. The left-hander threw 63 of 108 pitches for strikes. He left the game when Tyler Pastornicky pinch-hit for him in the seventh.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez thought Minor did a fine job in holding Colorado, which began the night second in the NL with a .272 batting average, hitless through six innings.
"They're not schleppers out there, and we've had some pretty good ball games pitched against them, with Tommy [Hanson] and Mike Minor and obviously [Kris] Medlen," Gonzalez said. "They swing the bats. They scare you a little bit."
The Braves made it 1-0 in the fourth off Alex White (2-8) when Chipper Jones led off with a single, moved to second when Freddie Freeman walked and scored when shortstop Josh Rutledge threw errantly to first after recording one out on Brian McCann's fielder's choice grounder.
Read More: MLB Recap - Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves - Sep 05, 2012 - CBSSports-com
"I kind of just dodged them, I guess," he said. "To me, it wasn't one of my best starts, but on paper it looks good."
Minor held Colorado hitless for six innings, Craig Kimbrel earned the first four-out save of his career and the Atlanta Braves beat the Rockies 1-0 on Wednesday night. Minor (8-10) lost a no-hit bid in the seventh when Jordan Pacheco led off with a single. Pacheco stole second, but was stranded when Minor struck out Ramon Hernandez swinging, Chris Nelson on a foul tip and Andrew Brown looking.
Minor allowed one hit, four walks and struck out seven. The left-hander threw 63 of 108 pitches for strikes. He left the game when Tyler Pastornicky pinch-hit for him in the seventh.
Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez thought Minor did a fine job in holding Colorado, which began the night second in the NL with a .272 batting average, hitless through six innings.
"They're not schleppers out there, and we've had some pretty good ball games pitched against them, with Tommy [Hanson] and Mike Minor and obviously [Kris] Medlen," Gonzalez said. "They swing the bats. They scare you a little bit."
The Braves made it 1-0 in the fourth off Alex White (2-8) when Chipper Jones led off with a single, moved to second when Freddie Freeman walked and scored when shortstop Josh Rutledge threw errantly to first after recording one out on Brian McCann's fielder's choice grounder.
Read More: MLB Recap - Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves - Sep 05, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Nationals manager Davey Johnson figures the Chicago Cubs were ticked off because Jayson Werth swung at a 3-0 pitch in the fifth inning.
Just to be clear, Johnson wasn't apologizing.
Adam LaRoche added to his home run tear with a two-run shot and Washington beat the Cubs 9-2 in a fight-filled game Thursday night to finish a lopsided four-game sweep.
"If they get mad at my guys in the fifth inning swinging 3-0 or running, they better get used to it," Johnson said.
The trouble started with a testy exchange between Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk and Nationals third base coach Bo Porter in the fifth. Quirk shouted from the dugout toward third base and Porter walked over to the railing, jawing and pointing his finger. The benches and bullpens emptied, but there was no pushing or shoving. Quirk was ejected before play resumed.
"It was the bench coach's frustration in us handing it to him for a couple days," Johnson said. "If they want to quit competing and forfeit, then fine. But we're going to keep competing."
In the sixth, Chicago reliever Lendy Castillo threw his first pitch of the inning near Bryce Harper's legs and the ball that sailed all the way to the backstop.
Read More: MLB Recap - Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals - Sep 06, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Just to be clear, Johnson wasn't apologizing.
Adam LaRoche added to his home run tear with a two-run shot and Washington beat the Cubs 9-2 in a fight-filled game Thursday night to finish a lopsided four-game sweep.
"If they get mad at my guys in the fifth inning swinging 3-0 or running, they better get used to it," Johnson said.
The trouble started with a testy exchange between Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk and Nationals third base coach Bo Porter in the fifth. Quirk shouted from the dugout toward third base and Porter walked over to the railing, jawing and pointing his finger. The benches and bullpens emptied, but there was no pushing or shoving. Quirk was ejected before play resumed.
"It was the bench coach's frustration in us handing it to him for a couple days," Johnson said. "If they want to quit competing and forfeit, then fine. But we're going to keep competing."
In the sixth, Chicago reliever Lendy Castillo threw his first pitch of the inning near Bryce Harper's legs and the ball that sailed all the way to the backstop.
Read More: MLB Recap - Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals - Sep 06, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Alberto Callaspo's teammates chased him from first base into left field while fireworks exploded above Angel Stadium, smacking the pinch-hitting hero on his back until he was sore.
"I was hurt," Callaspo said with a grin. "That's OK. I'd take 20 like that."
The Los Angeles Angels are getting pretty good at celebrations during a 13-3 surge that gets them closer to the postseason with each big finish. Callaspo drove home pinch-runner Peter Bourjos with a two-out single in the ninth inning, and the Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Friday night for their ninth win in 10 games.
Kendrys Morales had a triple, a double and a one-out single that started the ninth-inning rally for the Angels, who moved just two games behind Baltimore in the AL wild-card race.
"We're just playing together, trying to do all the little things," Callaspo said. "We'll keep playing together and see what happens in the end."
Erick Aybar beat out a slow two-out grounder against Octavio Dotel (5-3), advancing Bourjos to second. Callaspo then pinch-hit for slumping All-Star Mark Trumbo and drove a rolling grounder past diving Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta into left field, scoring the speedy Bourjos.
Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick drove in first-inning runs for the Angels (75-63), who moved a season-high 12 games over .500. They also closed the gap on the Orioles (77-61) for the second wild-card spot, with Tampa Bay (76-62) in between and Oakland (77-60) just a half-game in front of Baltimore.
Max Scherzer pitched eight dominant innings of five-hit ball while taking over the major league lead with nine more strikeouts for the Tigers, but Ervin Santana matched him with 6 2-3 innings of four-hit ball and 10 strikeouts for the Angels. Detroit couldn't do much against four relievers, setting up Callaspo's heroics.
Read More: MLB Recap - Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels - Sep 07, 2012 - CBSSports-com
"I was hurt," Callaspo said with a grin. "That's OK. I'd take 20 like that."
The Los Angeles Angels are getting pretty good at celebrations during a 13-3 surge that gets them closer to the postseason with each big finish. Callaspo drove home pinch-runner Peter Bourjos with a two-out single in the ninth inning, and the Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Friday night for their ninth win in 10 games.
Kendrys Morales had a triple, a double and a one-out single that started the ninth-inning rally for the Angels, who moved just two games behind Baltimore in the AL wild-card race.
"We're just playing together, trying to do all the little things," Callaspo said. "We'll keep playing together and see what happens in the end."
Erick Aybar beat out a slow two-out grounder against Octavio Dotel (5-3), advancing Bourjos to second. Callaspo then pinch-hit for slumping All-Star Mark Trumbo and drove a rolling grounder past diving Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta into left field, scoring the speedy Bourjos.
Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick drove in first-inning runs for the Angels (75-63), who moved a season-high 12 games over .500. They also closed the gap on the Orioles (77-61) for the second wild-card spot, with Tampa Bay (76-62) in between and Oakland (77-60) just a half-game in front of Baltimore.
Max Scherzer pitched eight dominant innings of five-hit ball while taking over the major league lead with nine more strikeouts for the Tigers, but Ervin Santana matched him with 6 2-3 innings of four-hit ball and 10 strikeouts for the Angels. Detroit couldn't do much against four relievers, setting up Callaspo's heroics.
Read More: MLB Recap - Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels - Sep 07, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Is it possible for a pitcher to match a record not seen since at least 1918 and still fly under the radar?
Perhaps, because Detroit’s Max Scherzer hasn’t gotten nearly the attention he deserves for his recent pitching performance. Scherzer, the former Missouri star, had his 10th consecutive start with at least eight strikeouts on Friday, although he didn’t get the decision as Detroit lost 3-2 against the Angels.
Scherzer, who is 15-6 overall with a 3.85 ERA, took over the majors' strikeout lead with 213 -- to 209 for teammate Justin Verlander, who pitched Saturday night. According to the Detroit Free Press, Scherzer is the first Tigers pitcher with at least eight strikeouts in 10 straight games since at least 1918. Last weekend, Scherzer shut down the White Sox, which led to Chicago radio announcer Ed Farmer to say: “That’s the best pitcher I’ve seen since Verlander last year.”
That’s high praise given that Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award and was named MVP last season.
In his last six starts, Scherzer is 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 43 innings. Opponents hit .195 against him in that span.
Since being traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Tigers before the 2010 season, Scherzer has a 42-26 record. But he’s thriving in Detroit in part because of his time spent in Arizona.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Scherzer still lives in the Phoenix area and as part of his conditioning work in the offseason, he regularly visited Camelback Mountain, which has two hiking trails that ascend 1,280 feet.
Read more here: MLB Rundown: Former MU star Scherzer is on strikeout tear - KansasCity-com
Perhaps, because Detroit’s Max Scherzer hasn’t gotten nearly the attention he deserves for his recent pitching performance. Scherzer, the former Missouri star, had his 10th consecutive start with at least eight strikeouts on Friday, although he didn’t get the decision as Detroit lost 3-2 against the Angels.
Scherzer, who is 15-6 overall with a 3.85 ERA, took over the majors' strikeout lead with 213 -- to 209 for teammate Justin Verlander, who pitched Saturday night. According to the Detroit Free Press, Scherzer is the first Tigers pitcher with at least eight strikeouts in 10 straight games since at least 1918. Last weekend, Scherzer shut down the White Sox, which led to Chicago radio announcer Ed Farmer to say: “That’s the best pitcher I’ve seen since Verlander last year.”
That’s high praise given that Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award and was named MVP last season.
In his last six starts, Scherzer is 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 43 innings. Opponents hit .195 against him in that span.
Since being traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Tigers before the 2010 season, Scherzer has a 42-26 record. But he’s thriving in Detroit in part because of his time spent in Arizona.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Scherzer still lives in the Phoenix area and as part of his conditioning work in the offseason, he regularly visited Camelback Mountain, which has two hiking trails that ascend 1,280 feet.
Read more here: MLB Rundown: Former MU star Scherzer is on strikeout tear - KansasCity-com
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Justin Morneau provided a reminder Sunday of what he can do when he is healthy.
After injuries caused the former AL MVP to miss all or most of the past three Septembers, Morneau is finally finishing a season in good health. And his two home runs certainly were the difference as the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 8-7.
When Morneau stepped into the batter’s box in the ninth inning against reliever Vinnie Pestano, he was looking for something he could drive.
When Pestano (3-2) threw an inside fastball, Morneau turned on the pitch and hit it just inside the right-field foul pole for his 19th homer of the season.
Morneau, who has four two-homer games this season, also hit a two-run shot to right in the third.
“I faced him a couple nights ago, he jammed me, so I had a feeling he might try to come in there again,” Morneau said. “And he did and left it over the plate just a little bit. I just kept it fair enough and we get to jump up and down and have fun.”
Cleveland manager Manny Acta summed up the game-winner pretty simply: “It left the yard pretty quick.”
The Twins have won two in a row and are now 5-4 in September. The victory also moved Minnesota within one game of Cleveland in an attempt to get out of last place in the AL Central.
Read More: MLB: Morneau wins it for Twins with walk-off HR | West Central Tribune | Willmar, Minnesota
After injuries caused the former AL MVP to miss all or most of the past three Septembers, Morneau is finally finishing a season in good health. And his two home runs certainly were the difference as the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland 8-7.
When Morneau stepped into the batter’s box in the ninth inning against reliever Vinnie Pestano, he was looking for something he could drive.
When Pestano (3-2) threw an inside fastball, Morneau turned on the pitch and hit it just inside the right-field foul pole for his 19th homer of the season.
Morneau, who has four two-homer games this season, also hit a two-run shot to right in the third.
“I faced him a couple nights ago, he jammed me, so I had a feeling he might try to come in there again,” Morneau said. “And he did and left it over the plate just a little bit. I just kept it fair enough and we get to jump up and down and have fun.”
Cleveland manager Manny Acta summed up the game-winner pretty simply: “It left the yard pretty quick.”
The Twins have won two in a row and are now 5-4 in September. The victory also moved Minnesota within one game of Cleveland in an attempt to get out of last place in the AL Central.
Read More: MLB: Morneau wins it for Twins with walk-off HR | West Central Tribune | Willmar, Minnesota
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The Washington Nationals won't have ace starter Stephen Strasburg on the mound this week as they first take on the New York Mets and then face the Atlanta Braves in a marquee MLB series in Atlanta to highlight baseball's schedule for the next seven days.
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Strasburg was shut down by the Nats over the weekend to protect his arm; the hurler had Tommy John surgery last year. The right-hander ends the season at 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 159 1-3 innings, and pitched the Nats to six wins in his last 10 starts.
That leaves Washington to rely on the rest of its rotation as the Nats try to lock up the NL East title and make the playoffs for the first time. They'll be in Atlanta for a three-game series starting on Friday, with the Braves their closest competitor in the division. The Nationals have won four of their last five and six of their last 10 games against the Braves.
Earlier in the week – when the Nats are playing the also-ran Mets – the top series on the diamond will be in the American League, as Baltimore plays host to Tampa Bay, the White Sox get a visit from Detroit, Oakland is in Los Angeles to face the Angels, and the Yankees battle the struggling rival Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Heading into the week the Yankees, Orioles, and Rays are jostling for position at the top of the AL East standings, while the Tigers are trying to catch the White Sox in the AL Central, and the Angels and Athletics are in the thick of the hunt in the AL Wild Card race.
On the weekend the Rays will get their shot at the Yankees when those teams meet in New York for a three-game series starting on Friday night; Tampa Bay and New York have split their last 10 meetings 5-5. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has returned from injury, but first baseman Mark Teixeira is now out of the team's lineup with a calf injury.
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Strasburg was shut down by the Nats over the weekend to protect his arm; the hurler had Tommy John surgery last year. The right-hander ends the season at 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 159 1-3 innings, and pitched the Nats to six wins in his last 10 starts.
That leaves Washington to rely on the rest of its rotation as the Nats try to lock up the NL East title and make the playoffs for the first time. They'll be in Atlanta for a three-game series starting on Friday, with the Braves their closest competitor in the division. The Nationals have won four of their last five and six of their last 10 games against the Braves.
Earlier in the week – when the Nats are playing the also-ran Mets – the top series on the diamond will be in the American League, as Baltimore plays host to Tampa Bay, the White Sox get a visit from Detroit, Oakland is in Los Angeles to face the Angels, and the Yankees battle the struggling rival Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Heading into the week the Yankees, Orioles, and Rays are jostling for position at the top of the AL East standings, while the Tigers are trying to catch the White Sox in the AL Central, and the Angels and Athletics are in the thick of the hunt in the AL Wild Card race.
On the weekend the Rays will get their shot at the Yankees when those teams meet in New York for a three-game series starting on Friday night; Tampa Bay and New York have split their last 10 meetings 5-5. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has returned from injury, but first baseman Mark Teixeira is now out of the team's lineup with a calf injury.
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For the second time in three games, the Baltimore Orioles had an uplifting victory marred by an injury to a key player.
J.J. Hardy homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs, and the Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 Tuesday night to move into a tie for the AL East lead. But starting pitcher Jason Hammel left in the fourth inning with an injured right knee. The right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same knee in mid-July and was making his second start since returning from the disabled list.
Hammel will be examined Wednesday by the team surgeon. He said the sensation was exactly identical to what he felt in a July 13 game against Detroit, his last start before going on the DL.
"It's a very sharp pain in the knee in the same spot," Hammel said. "I'm hoping it is just scar tissue. I've been told scar tissue can react like that."
On Saturday, Baltimore lost right fielder Nick Markakis with a broken left thumb while defeating the New York Yankees. Both Hammel and Markakis were on the DL earlier this year.
"We've been down this road many times this year with a lot of different challenges," manager Buck Showalter said. "We've operated a good portion of this season without Ham and without Nicky, so we're kind of experienced at it anyway. It's not the kind of experience you want to have."
Read More: MLB Recap - Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles - Sep 11, 2012 - CBSSports-com
J.J. Hardy homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs, and the Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 Tuesday night to move into a tie for the AL East lead. But starting pitcher Jason Hammel left in the fourth inning with an injured right knee. The right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same knee in mid-July and was making his second start since returning from the disabled list.
Hammel will be examined Wednesday by the team surgeon. He said the sensation was exactly identical to what he felt in a July 13 game against Detroit, his last start before going on the DL.
"It's a very sharp pain in the knee in the same spot," Hammel said. "I'm hoping it is just scar tissue. I've been told scar tissue can react like that."
On Saturday, Baltimore lost right fielder Nick Markakis with a broken left thumb while defeating the New York Yankees. Both Hammel and Markakis were on the DL earlier this year.
"We've been down this road many times this year with a lot of different challenges," manager Buck Showalter said. "We've operated a good portion of this season without Ham and without Nicky, so we're kind of experienced at it anyway. It's not the kind of experience you want to have."
Read More: MLB Recap - Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles - Sep 11, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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The Boston Red Sox were pretty fired up for a team supposedly playing out the final weeks of the season.
Manager Bobby Valentine and Cody Ross were both ejected in the eighth inning - along with third-base coach Jerry Royster - after heated arguments with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez in Boston's 5-4 loss to the longtime rival New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Ross was called out on strikes to end the inning with a runner second. He turned around, raised his bat above his head with both hands and started screaming at Marquez. He was quickly tossed and had to be restrained by Valentine and Royster.
"Cody was really upset," Valentine said. "I was just doing everything I could to get Cody away from him."
Valentine was tossed after he went back to the dugout.
"I didn't argue when I was on the field because I pulled both of my hamstrings trying to keep Cody away from the umpires," he said.
In a rotten season, the Red Sox may be embracing their role as spoilers.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his 24th homer for Boston to get the Sox within a run in the ninth. But in a year filled with unfilled expectations, the Red Sox came up short again.
This was after Dustin Pedroia had left in the seventh inning for the expected birth of his second child.
Read more here: BOSTON: Red Sox show spirit, but fall to Yankees 5-4 | MLB Baseball | The Sun Herald
Manager Bobby Valentine and Cody Ross were both ejected in the eighth inning - along with third-base coach Jerry Royster - after heated arguments with home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez in Boston's 5-4 loss to the longtime rival New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Ross was called out on strikes to end the inning with a runner second. He turned around, raised his bat above his head with both hands and started screaming at Marquez. He was quickly tossed and had to be restrained by Valentine and Royster.
"Cody was really upset," Valentine said. "I was just doing everything I could to get Cody away from him."
Valentine was tossed after he went back to the dugout.
"I didn't argue when I was on the field because I pulled both of my hamstrings trying to keep Cody away from the umpires," he said.
In a rotten season, the Red Sox may be embracing their role as spoilers.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit his 24th homer for Boston to get the Sox within a run in the ninth. But in a year filled with unfilled expectations, the Red Sox came up short again.
This was after Dustin Pedroia had left in the seventh inning for the expected birth of his second child.
Read more here: BOSTON: Red Sox show spirit, but fall to Yankees 5-4 | MLB Baseball | The Sun Herald
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Although Allen Craig's bouncing single didn't look like much, it was just what Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals needed to get back on track in the wild-card race.
Craig drove in Shane Robinson with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and the Cardinals extended their NL wild-card lead on Los Angeles to two games with a 2-1 victory against the struggling Dodgers on Thursday night.
Lynn (15-7) pitched six innings of five-hit ball to earn his first victory since July 27 for the Cardinals, striking out seven in the All-Star's stellar return to the rotation after a bullpen demotion. Yet he wasn't rewarded for his effort until Craig's single eluded two Dodgers and squeaked into right field. "It's definitely a dogfight," said Craig, a Southern California native. "To be part of a close game with a lot of energy and to come out on top is great for our team. ... I thought it had a good chance to get through. I didn't know if I hit it hard enough, but I did."
Skip Schumaker had an early run-scoring single as St. Louis (76-68) snapped its three-game skid and a four-game road losing streak with a nail-biting win over the Dodgers (74-70), who have lost four straight. With Lynn in charge on the mound, the defending World Series champion Cardinals eked out just enough runs to earn their fourth victory in 16 games in the opener of a key four-game series.
After getting banished to the bullpen last month, Lynn made the most of his chance to take the turn of injured Jake Westbrook. Lynn won his first six starts this season and was voted to the All-Star game by the players, but plummeted out of favor and made six relief appearances since his previous start Aug. 24.
Read More: MLB Recap - St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers - Sep 13, 2012 - CBSSports-com
Craig drove in Shane Robinson with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and the Cardinals extended their NL wild-card lead on Los Angeles to two games with a 2-1 victory against the struggling Dodgers on Thursday night.
Lynn (15-7) pitched six innings of five-hit ball to earn his first victory since July 27 for the Cardinals, striking out seven in the All-Star's stellar return to the rotation after a bullpen demotion. Yet he wasn't rewarded for his effort until Craig's single eluded two Dodgers and squeaked into right field. "It's definitely a dogfight," said Craig, a Southern California native. "To be part of a close game with a lot of energy and to come out on top is great for our team. ... I thought it had a good chance to get through. I didn't know if I hit it hard enough, but I did."
Skip Schumaker had an early run-scoring single as St. Louis (76-68) snapped its three-game skid and a four-game road losing streak with a nail-biting win over the Dodgers (74-70), who have lost four straight. With Lynn in charge on the mound, the defending World Series champion Cardinals eked out just enough runs to earn their fourth victory in 16 games in the opener of a key four-game series.
After getting banished to the bullpen last month, Lynn made the most of his chance to take the turn of injured Jake Westbrook. Lynn won his first six starts this season and was voted to the All-Star game by the players, but plummeted out of favor and made six relief appearances since his previous start Aug. 24.
Read More: MLB Recap - St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers - Sep 13, 2012 - CBSSports-com
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Tyler Skaggs' inexperience was on display Friday night.
"He is very young," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said after the left-hander lasted just four innings in a 6-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. "You look at all the 21-year-olds who have been in the game over the history of the game, they learn a lot of lessons. It is painful and tough for him."
Skaggs (1-2) allowed five runs and five hits after lasting only three innings in his previous start against San Diego on Sept. 7. He also failed to cover first on a ground ball that took an odd hop off the edge of the first-base bag in the second, though the miscue didn't come back to hurt him.
"That was just a mental error," Gibson said. "He's young. He thought the ball was going to go foul and he didn't get over there. He will learn from that. The result isn't what he wants it to be but your hope is he will have the character to make him better. If we didn't believe that, I don't think he would be here."
Skaggs retired the side in the first and fourth but gave up five runs in the third, the bulk coming on Hunter Pence's third career grand slam.
Read more here: PHOENIX: Skaggs struggles as Diamondbacks lose to Giants | MLB Baseball | Kentucky-com
"He is very young," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said after the left-hander lasted just four innings in a 6-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. "You look at all the 21-year-olds who have been in the game over the history of the game, they learn a lot of lessons. It is painful and tough for him."
Skaggs (1-2) allowed five runs and five hits after lasting only three innings in his previous start against San Diego on Sept. 7. He also failed to cover first on a ground ball that took an odd hop off the edge of the first-base bag in the second, though the miscue didn't come back to hurt him.
"That was just a mental error," Gibson said. "He's young. He thought the ball was going to go foul and he didn't get over there. He will learn from that. The result isn't what he wants it to be but your hope is he will have the character to make him better. If we didn't believe that, I don't think he would be here."
Skaggs retired the side in the first and fourth but gave up five runs in the third, the bulk coming on Hunter Pence's third career grand slam.
Read more here: PHOENIX: Skaggs struggles as Diamondbacks lose to Giants | MLB Baseball | Kentucky-com
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The 22-year-old Kelly was the key player among the four obtained from the Boston Red Sox in the trade for Adrian Gonzalez on Dec. 6, 2010.
Kelly also got his first big league hit, a single up the middle with two outs in the fifth. The Padres loaded the bases before Chase Headley struck out.
Pat Kelly was at Petco Park to watch his son's debut. Pat Kelly, who played in three games with Toronto in 1980, is a former manager of the Braves' Triple-A team and currently manages the Reds' Rookie-level team in Billings, Mont.
Kelly (1-0), promoted from Double-A San Antonio earlier Monday, allowed three hits in six innings, struck out four and walked two. He was out from April 12-July 23 with a strained right elbow.
Kelly allowed a double down the right-field line to Jason Heyward with two outs in the first and then got Chipper Jones to line out to Headley at third. Kelly walked Freddie Freeman leading off the second and then allowed Dan Uggla's one-out single before retiring the next two batters.
The Braves hit into double plays in each of the next two innings, and Kelly had a 1-2-3 fifth and sixth.
Read More: Padres' Kelly wins MLB debut, 3-0 over Braves - Yahoo! Sports