Cubs rally in 9th, beat Brewers 5-3 in 10th to extend lead (Sep 21, 2017)  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) The pressure was on and Javier Baez delivered for the Chicago Cubs.  —  Baez grounded a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer in the 10th and the Cubs widened …

Freeman, Braves open last home series vs. Phillies (Sep 22, 2017)  —  ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman stopped taking batting practice several weeks ago to save some of the remaining strength in his left wrist that was broken by a pitch in mid-May, but don't think about giving the Atlanta Braves first baseman any other kind of rest.

5 positives, 5 negatives from Brad Ausmus' tenure with Detroit Tigers  —  Free Press sports writer George Sipple looks at five positive ways he'll remember Brad Ausmus and five negative ways he'll remember Ausmus' tenure as manager of the Detroit Tigers.  —  Five positives

Padres' Lyles looks to extend Rockies' skid (Sep 22, 2017)  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres will turn to Jordan Lyles to stifle the Colorado Rockies on Friday.  And that reminded San Diego manager Andy Green of a recent conversation he had with catcher Austin Hedges.

Rangers visit A's with wild-card berth in sight (Sep 22, 2017)  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Texas Rangers hope to use a break in the schedule to creep closer in the American League wild-card picture when they open a three-game series against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Reds Sign Tucker Barnhart To Four-Year Extension  —  The Reds announced on Friday morning that they've signed catcher Tucker Barnhart to a four-year contract extension that will keep him around through at least the 2021 season.  Barnhart's new contract also contains a club option for the 2022 season.

Noah Syndergaard to start Saturday for Mets; Matt Harvey to pitch in relief  —  NEW YORK — Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard finally will return to a major league mound, albeit briefly.  —  The right-hander will start Saturday's game against the Washington, pitching one inning.

Mariners hope to stay alive against surging Indians (Sep 22, 2017)  —  SEATTLE — Just as the Seattle Mariners are looking for any break they can muster to remain in the postseason race, they get to welcome one of the hottest teams in baseball history — not the sort of break they needed.

Royals visit White Sox with slim playoff hopes in tow (Sep 22, 2017)  —  CHICAGO — The Kansas City Royals will try to preserve their slim hopes for a wild-card playoff berth when they open a three-game road series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Cardinals continue climb with visit to Pirates (Sep 22, 2017)  —  PITTSBURGH — The St. Louis Cardinals have a short, steep climb if they are going to push their way into the playoffs.  —  Next up is a club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, that could be spoilers after they got a confidence shot in their last game.

BREWERS  —  Yes, the Rockies at present have dropped four straight despite playing the likes of the Giants and Padres over that span.  Still, they'll play three more against the .451 Padres before getting the .474 Marlins at home for three.  Then comes an off day before they close up with three against the Dodgers in Coors Field.

Has DeShields raced his way into Rangers' 2018 lineup?  —  SEATTLE  —  Carlos Gomez, bad ankle and all, finally talked himself back into the Texas Rangers' lineup Thursday, though it helped that a left-hander was pitching for the Seattle Mariners.  —  Gomez, who hadn't started since Sept. 9 …