Top News:
Alex Butler / UPI:
Chicago Cubs' John Lackey, Willson Contreras go nuts on umpire for calling ball — Pitcher John Lackey was fuming Friday when the he ran at the umpire after giving up a go-ahead run in the Chicago Cubs' 8-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. — The exchange began in the top of the fifth inning with the game tied at 1-1.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals lose ground as misplays, missed chances prove costly — Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward scores past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina off Ian Happ's single during the Cubs' seven-run sixth inning Friday. (AP Photo) — Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey, right …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
David Haugh / The Charlotte Observer:
Cubs survive immature outburst from John Lackey - again — CHICAGO — Remorse never crossed John Lackey's mind Friday as he reflected on whether he contributed to his ejection in the fifth inning of an 8-2 victory over the Cardinals. — But then how do you acknowledge something you don't understand?
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs activate Addison Russell from DL before game vs. Cardinals — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the ejections of John Lackey and Willson Contreras during the 8-2 win over the Cardinals on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Fielding mistake costs Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez — again — Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant discusses the ejections of Willson Contreras and John Lackey in the 8-2 win over the Cardinals on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Gideon Rubin / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Ray wins 5th straight as Diamondbacks top Giants 3-2 … Robbie Ray won his fifth straight start and A.J. Pollack hit a two-run double as the — San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Friday night. — Ray (14-5) struck out 10 and gave up two runs (one earned), six hits and no walks as the Diamondbacks won …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
San Francisco has (woeful) Giants problem — The San Francisco Giants don't have much to sell these days. The garlic fries still tantalize, but that's about it. On Tuesday, the Giants are trying $1 hot dogs. — The Giants could lose the most games in the history of the franchise, which opened for business in 1883.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
How much could Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez land in free agency?
How much could Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez land in free agency?
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Associated Press:
Rookie Sean Newcomb's 8 strikeouts help Braves edge Mets 3-2 … ATLANTA — Sean Newcomb kept striking out Mets batters even when he couldn't rely on his big curveball. — For Braves manager Brian Snitker, that was an encouraging sign about the rookie left-hander's future.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Faith and Fear in Flushing
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Rafael Montero cools off as Mets drop fifth straight game with loss to Braves — ATLANTA — On this already rough road trip, even the Mets hottest starter over the last few weeks couldn't get out of the fifth inning. Rafael Montero was chased with two outs in the fifth as the Mets fell to the Braves 3-2 at SunTrust Park.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
John Harper / New York Daily News:
If Aaron Judge can push Yankees past Red Sox, MVP would be back in play — As recently as 10 days ago this seemed out of the question, but, yes, Aaron Judge can still win the American League MVP Award. — It will take a strong finish, perhaps even the Yankees overtaking the Red Sox …
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees have right to be upset at MLB over letting Red Sox off far too easy in iGate
Yankees have right to be upset at MLB over letting Red Sox off far too easy in iGate
Discussion:
Surviving Grady and Over the Monster
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Nothing surprising about Red Sox's AppleGate wrist-slap fine
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox Hanley Ramirez misses Friday's game with biceps soreness
Red Sox Hanley Ramirez misses Friday's game with biceps soreness
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Abbey Mastracco / New Jersey Online:
Are the Mets better off without this former prospect? — Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Gabriel Ynoa (49) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports) — NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Wood, Dodgers bats overpower Nationals 7-0 — WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Wood threw six shutout innings, Corey Seager hit a three-run homer during a five-run second and the Los Angeles Dodgers' rebound continued with a 7-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Friday.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Federal Baseball and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius might be the best acquisition Brian Cashman has made as Yankees GM — The three-team deal in December 2014 that landed Didi Gregorius in the Bronx may turn out to be one of the best trades Brian Cashman has ever made as GM of the Yankees. — On a night when Paul O'Neill …
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers reaction: Wild card slipping away as West officially lost — ANAHEIM — This isn't going to end well, is it? The Rangers lost their fourth consecutive game Friday night and wasted a huge opportunity to gain some ground in the wild card race. — The Angels held on for a 7-6 win …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Pedro Moura / The Charlotte Observer:
Angels survive Ranger danger
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' walk-off win a quick-fix remedy to otherwise agonizing season — Sanchez turns back the clock with 11 strikeouts over six innings, his first double-digit performance in 13 months — At this moment, they weren't rebuilding. They weren't more than 20 games below .500 …
RELATED:
Jim Ingraham / UPI:
Cleveland Indians' record streak halted by Kansas City Royals — CLEVELAND — Lorenzo Cain had three hits and Alcides Escobar and Brandon Moss homered as the Kansas City Royals halted the Cleveland Indians' American League-record 22-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory Friday night at Progressive Field.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Shades of 2011? How the Cardinals again are sneaking up on everyone — The St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs last season and haven't missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2007 and '08, so falling short again would qualify as tough times in Cardinals Nation.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Royals Review
Rotoworld.com:
Week That Was: Going Streaking — It wasn't so long ago that things were looking a bit problematic for the Cleveland Indians. Just three weeks back in this space we discussed the troubles they were facing, with key players like Andrew Miller, Jason Kipnis and Danny Salazar all going down and making …
MoiseKapenda Bower / UPI:
Houston Astros move closer to AL West title with win over Seattle Mariners — HOUSTON — Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis recorded multi-hit games, Charlie Morton delivered a quality start, and the Houston Astros inched closer to an American League West pennant with a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Last living Negro Leagues umpire Bob Motley dies at 94 — Bob Motley, a Negro Leagues umpire who helped found the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, died Thursday. He was 94. — Motley was the last living Negro Leagues umpire, a job he first took in 1948.