Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler launches Cardinals back into game, knotting it 3-3 — CHICAGO • So, um, as were just saying, Dexter Fowler sat at his locker after Saturday's loss at Wrigley Field and while he considered the swelling in his right hand and the soreness in his left knee he described a difference between …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cubs complete sweep of Cardinals, send rivals reeling from division race — CHICAGO • It took a crowded plate and a replay to effectively shove the Cardinals out of the division race. — Anthony Rizzo was clipped by a pitch to lead off the seventh inning and, after a replay challenged confirmed …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
After Cardinals miss their chance Cubs do not, bouncing Lynn
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Ausmus won't second-guess subbing Castellanos in RF in Boyd's no-hit try — With two outs in the ninth, Boyd gave up a double to end the no-hit bid; Castellanos, the rightfielder at the time, is getting on-the-job training — Brad Ausmus knew what the first question was going to be.
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Associated Press:
Detroit's Boyd falls an out short of no-hitter — DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Boyd showed little emotion when he lost a no-hit bit on Tim Anderson's two-out, ninth-inning double. — Boyd calmly retired Yoan Moncada to finish his first professional shutout in the Detroit Tigers' 12-0 rout of the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Matt Boyd's masterpiece falls 1 out shy of history in Tigers' 12-0 win — We look at the centerpiece of the Detroit Tigers' trade that sent Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the Chicago Cubs - third baseman Jeimer Candelario, a Top-100 prospect who's close to being MLB-ready. By Brian Manzullo, DFP.
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
Tigers take 2-0 lead against White Sox, Dylan Covey
Arizona Republic:
Monday's game — Diamondbacks at Padres — Where: Petco Park, San Diego. — Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (14-12, 4.06) vs. Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (7-10, 4.61). — TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1). — Corbin gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings …
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Michael Kelly / Associated Press:
Holland drops ball on Padres' squeeze, Rockies lose 4-3 — DENVER — Rockies closer Greg Holland stretched as far as he could, getting his glove on Matt Szczur as the Padres baserunner dove across the plate. — Holland got there for the tag. Just not with the baseball.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Arizona Republic:
Martinez's homer cuts into Giants' lead — Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez reached the 40-homer mark for the first time in his career, launching a two-run shot to center field in the top of the sixth inning to trim the Giants' lead to 4-2. — Martinez followed a two-out single …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Sonny Gray struggles as Yankees' rally off Orioles bullpen falls short in 6-4 loss — The Yankees failing to provide much run support while Sonny Gray was in the game hardly was a surprise on Sunday. — The imported starter not pitching well was a far less common occurrence.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
Price returns in Boston's 3-2 loss to the Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Daivd Price had a flawless return from a nearly two-month layoff. — The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner pitched two hitless innings in relief for the Boston Red Sox in a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Joe Maddon returns to Tampa as manager of Cubs
Joe Maddon returns to Tampa as manager of Cubs
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Robert Gsellman in control as Mets beat the Braves, 5-1 — ATLANTA - Who is Robert Gsellman? — That's what the Mets are still trying to figure out. Is he the precision pitcher that kept the ball low, worked inside and got ground-ball outs they saw last September?
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Associated Press:
Gsellman leads Mets over Braves 5-1, eliminates Atlanta — ATLANTA (AP) — Robert Gsellman didn't allow an earned run over seven innings, pinch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera had a two-run, pinch-hit homer and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Sunday.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Robert Gsellman pitches well Sunday, but his season-long inconsistency just leads to more questions for the Mets — ATLANTA — Who is Robert Gsellman? Is he the precision pitcher that kept the Mets in the playoff hunt last September? That is what they expected this spring …
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets decide not to use Syndergaard in Atlanta
Mets decide not to use Syndergaard in Atlanta
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, Associated Press and Elite Sports NY
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Let's be real: Rangers needed a sweep to keep wild card hopes alive — ANAHEIM — The Texas Rangers salvaged the finale of their three-game series Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels but there's no salvaging the season. — The Rangers needed a sweep (or, at the very least …
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Associated Press:
Gallo blast helps Rangers to win over Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joey Gallo wasn't sure how far he'd hit his monster home run Sunday, but he knew he hit it good. — All 490 feet of it, according to Statcast. Gallo's second inning solo home run —
Jill Painter / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Upton 2 HRs, Angels gain in wild-card race, beat Rangers 2-0
Upton 2 HRs, Angels gain in wild-card race, beat Rangers 2-0
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Lone Star Ball and Halos Heaven
ESPN:
Nationals' Bryce Harper working to hone swing; return date uncertain — WASHINGTON - Bryce Harper is one step closer to returning. — Prior to the Nationals' Sunday night game against the Dodgers, Harper took batting practice on the field for the first time since injuring his knee over a month ago.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Bryce Harper puts on batting practice show, but remains cautious on playoff return — WASHINGTON -The contrast was striking: One moment Sunday evening Bryce Harper was crushing baseballs off the empty seats beyond the right field fence at Nationals Park, into the center field batter's eye …
UPI:
Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras' suspension reduced to one game — Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras will serve his suspension on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals after getting the ban reduced from two games to one. — Major League Baseball initially suspended Contreras …
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Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Willson Contreras' suspension reduced to one game
Willson Contreras' suspension reduced to one game
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Astros clinch first division title since 2001 as Justin Verlander dominates — The Houston Astros did not trade for Justin Verlander merely to wrap up the American League West. The Detroit Tigers icon is a hired gun for October. — That said, the Astros aren't about to complain …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Maikel Franco trying to salvage season with strong September — Maikel Franco was left out of the starting lineup for three straight games earlier this month as his miserable season seemed to get even worse. The Phillies wanted to get a look at J.P. Crawford, and Franco …
UPI:
Robert Stephenson powers Cincinnati Reds past Pittsburgh Pirates — CINCINNATI — Reds right-hander Robert Stephenson faced runners on second and third base with no outs in the third inning on Sunday afternoon. — With 17 starts under his belt in the major leagues, the 23-year-old rookie approaches those situations differently.