Going, going ... gone!  How MLB smashed single-season HR record  —  It's official: 2017 is the Year of the Home Run.  —  Alex Gordon's blast in the eighth inning of Kansas City's game at Toronto on Tuesday night sealed the deal: More sluggers have gone yard this season than at any time in the history of the game.

Brett Gardner embraces leadership role as Yankees hope to make another World Series run  —  Brett Gardner leads the Yankees beyond hitting first in the batting order.  —  The speedy outfielder is the lone position player remaining from the Yankees' last World Series championship in 2009 …

As Nationals prep for World Series run, Bryce Harper has one goal: ‘Do it for J-Dub’  —  ATLANTA - The vaunted trio trickled into the nation's capital one year at a time, and now after spending the last seven years together, their journey is nearing a dramatic conclusion, one they hope stretches into November.

Sabathia, Gardner help Yankees top Twins 5-2 (Sep 19, 2017)  —  NEW YORK (AP) CC Sabathia recovered from a shaky start to pitch six innings, Brett Gardner had a pair of tying hits and the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Tuesday night to ensure their sixth straight series win.

Tigers' Brad Ausmus mum on job status, thinks fate already decided  —  Brad Ausmus once again had the chance to say he wants to manage the Detroit Tigers next season.  He again declined.  —  He said he doesn't think anything that happens the remainder of the season will have a bearing …

Fowler comes up big as Cardinals top Reds 8-7 in 10 innings  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Dexter Fowler is doing everything he can to get the St. Louis Cardinals into the playoffs  —  Fowler hit a tying homer in the eighth inning and a go-ahead double in the 10th, helping the Cardinals knock off the Cincinnati Reds 8-7 on Tuesday night.

White Sox catchers Kevan Smith, Omar Narvaez growing with young pitchers  —  White Sox starter Lucas Giolito and manager Rick Renteria discuss the White Sox loss to the Astros on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.  (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Mets bullpen blows late lead, surrenders walk-off home run to J.T. Realmuto in loss to Marlins  —  MIAMI — It isn't so easy to go home again, particularly when you have been traded away.  AJ Ramos, who admitted he was excited making his first appearance at Marlins Park since the Mets acquired …

Red-hot Indians prove too hot to handle for Angels  —  Angels' Juan Graterol (13) and Brandon Phillips (4) look on from the bench during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Angel Stadium on Tuesday.  (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)  —  This is what awaits them.

Rangers top M's, 3-1  —  SEATTLE-On a night when a win seemed more important than vital, a baserunning mistake killed their chances to take a lead and their best reliever gave up two runs in the eighth inning to send them to defeat.  —  In the effort to subdue off the slow crawl toward …

Pence leads Giants over Rockies, 4-3  —  SAN FRANCISCO - On the night major league baseball broke its all-time record for home runs in a season, the San Francisco Giants did something out of character.  —  They contributed to the total.  —  But it wasn't Hunter Pence's go-ahead …

Rangers Reaction: Maybe it's bad juju to look ahead to 2018, but ...  SEATTLE  —  The Texas Rangers are down to only 12 games remaining in their 2017 season after playing the Seattle Mariners in a late game Tuesday night, and it doesn't appear as though there will be a 13th.

Cubs hoping Jake Arrieta makes three more starts before playoffs  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Chicago Cubs righty Jake Arrieta is slated to start Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, barring a setback from a hamstring injury that has limited him to one start in September.

Inside the secret to the Brewers' surprising success  —  Variability is a rebuilding team's best friend and a baseball forecaster's worst enemy.  —  Anyway, that seems to be the case for the 2017 Milwaukee Brewers and all those who consigned them to the lower tiers of the big leagues before the season.

Outfielder Billy Hamilton (broken thumb) activated from 10-day DL  —  The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Billy Hamilton from the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday.  —  Hamilton, who leads the majors in stolen bases with 58, was recovering from a broken left thumb.  He hasn't played since Sept. 6.

What a coincidence: By moving Chavez to bullpen, Norris to rotation, Angels save on bonuses  —  Whether by coincidence or design, the Angels put themselves into position to save at least $750,000 with the way they ordered their pitchers in a win over Texas on Friday.