Los Angeles Dodgers edge Philadelphia Phillies to close in on NL West crown  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies were nine outs away from completing a four-game sweep of the best team in baseball when what has been a strength of late bent Thursday afternoon.  —  Andre Ethier hit a pinch-hit homer …

Cincinnati Reds to extend netting to end of dugouts  —  The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that the protective netting at Great American Ball Park will be extended to the end of both dugouts after the season.  —  The Reds' announcement mentioned that the additional netting …

Chris Sale becomes 1st AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 strikeout mark  —  Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale throws to the Orioles on Sept. 20, 2017.  —  Chris Sale was at his very best — right down to his momentous last pitch — in another meaningful victory for the Boston Red Sox.

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 …

Joe Mauer powers Minnesota Twins in rout Detroit Tigers  —  DETROIT — Joe Mauer highlighted a group of four players with two RBIs apiece as the Minnesota Twins improved their lead in the battle for the second American League wild-card spot with a 12-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.

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 …

Terry Collins, Mets considering their options for next season  —  Terry Collins and the Mets return to Citi Field Friday night to begin the final homestand of the 2017 season with an uncertain future.  After seven seasons at the helm, the Mets manager's contract expires after this season …

Braves ‘not optimistic’ Foltynewicz makes next start  —  The Braves don't expect Mike Foltynewicz to make his next start Monday in New York.  Foltynewicz left his Sept. 14 outing in Washington with a lacerated finger and missed his scheduled start Wednesday.

Yankee Stadium incident has local politicians, MLB pushing Bombers to extend protective netting  —  The young girl struck in the face by a foul ball at Wednesday's Yankees game remained hospitalized one day later at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in Manhattan.

R.A. Dickey, Atlanta Braves baffle Washington Nationals  —  ATLANTA — Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey got back on track after a rough three-start stretch and in the process snapped a five-game losing streak to the Washington Nationals dating to 2012.  —  Dickey allowed four hits and walked none …

Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians belt Los Angeles Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — It does not seem to matter who they are playing, where they are playing or even who is in the lineup.  The Cleveland Indians just keep winning.  —  Indians manager Terry Francona gave regular starters Jose Ramirez …

Baltimore Orioles right off Tampa Bay Rays behind rookie pitcher  —  BALTIMORE — Rookie Gabriel Ynoa allowed one run over a season-high eight innings, Manny Machado hit his 33rd homer, and the Baltimore Orioles took the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 victory Thursday night.

Orioles have no intention of shopping Manny Machado  —  The Baltimore Orioles have no intention to shop Manny Machado, though they haven't yet decided whether they will make a second big attempt to lock him up long-term.  —  Owner Peter Angelos has not yet made the commitment to extend an offer to Machado …

Carson Fulmer removed in first inning of start vs. Astros with finger blister  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox right-hander Carson Fulmer was removed from Thursday's game against the Astros after just 1/3 inning due to a blister on his right index finger.  —  Fulmer got George Springer to ground out for the first out of the game.

Kansas City Royals' Jason Vargas silences Toronto Blue Jays for 17th win  —  TORONTO — Jason Vargas pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, Melky Cabrera had three hits and an RBI, and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 on Thursday night.  —  The Royals (75-77) …