Baseball / MLB Sep 4, 2019
A few cheering fans caught the attention of Nationals manager Dave Martinez as he finally began his nightly debrief with reporters. "Thank you for staying," Martinez said. They couldn't have been blamed for leaving early. No doubt, they're glad they didn't. Kurt Suzuki capped the largest ninth-inning ...
Baseball / MLB Aug 30, 2019
Victor Caratini rocks Jacob deGrom for two home runs as Cubs sweep Mets
Night after night, Victor Caratini and the Chicago Cubs kept finding ways to beat the New York Mets. Like something out of "Groundhog Day"? "Kinda was, for three days," Cubs manager Joe Maddon. Noted Cubs fan Bill Murray — and star of the popular 1993 movie — ...
Baseball / MLB Aug 24, 2019
With Jacob deGrom and the Mets hard-throwing bullpen missing bats at a historic pace, the NL East-leading Braves were ready to win with small ball Friday night. That's exactly what Billy Hamilton is there for — although this first contribution wasn't exactly on script. Hamilton ...
Baseball / MLB Jun 22, 2019
Cubs hurler Yu Darvish ties MLB mark with 10th straight no-decision
Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish got his 10th straight no-decision Friday in a 5-4 loss to the New York Mets, tying a major league record. The 32-year-old right-hander twice surrendered homers after his lineup had given the Cubs the lead. Darvish left the mound after six ...
Baseball / MLB May 7, 2019
Padres rookie Chris Chris Paddack outduels Mets' Jacob deGrom
Chris Paddack struck out fellow rookie Pete Alonso on a 158-kph fastball in the first inning, pumped his fist and hollered. It was on. The fired-up Paddack fanned a career-high 11 to outduel NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, and Hunter Renfroe homered for the ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Apr 9, 2019
Swallows reliever Ryota Igarashi combats stiffness with stretching
by Jim Allen
The art of pitching past one's prime is being flexible — even when one's body isn't, Tokyo Yakult Swallows right-hander Ryota Igarashi said Sunday. Igarashi, who will turn 40 next month, is tied for third-oldest pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball after the Yomiuri Giants' Koji ...
Baseball / MLB Apr 4, 2019
Mets' Jacob deGrom fans career-high 14, whacks homer in victory over Marlins
With his first swing of the night, Jacob deGrom hit the ball farther than any of the Miami Marlins hit it against him. Often they failed to connect at all. DeGrom clubbed a homer and struck out a career-high 14 in seven shutout innings to help ...
Baseball / MLB Apr 2, 2019
Rookie slugger Pete Alonso belts first career homer in Mets' ninth-inning rally against Marlins
The New York Mets poured it on. Pete Alonso, their 104-kg rookie slugger, squeezed into a clubhouse cart as ordered by teammates for a postgame dousing that included every available substance. "A couple of eggs," Alonso said. "Barbecue sauce. Mayonnaise. Beer. Shaving cream. Maybe ketchup and ...