Yankees still have regular-season goals while visiting Toronto (Sep 22, 2017)  —  TORONTO — The New York Yankees have virtually assured themselves a spot in the American League wild-card game, probably as hosts.  —  They could avoid that one-game playoff, however, by winning the American League East …

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 …

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 …

Orioles on deck: What to watch Thursday vs. Rays  —  Orioles manager Buck Showalter talks about Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale after he got his 300th career strikeout during the game.  (Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun video)  —  The Orioles lose to the Red Sox, 9-0.  The Red Sox sweep the series.

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 …

Jordan Zimmermann struggles in return, Detroit Tigers offense silent  —  The Tigers were blown out again Thursday night.  —  They lost to the Minnesota Twins, 12-1, at Comerica Park.  It marked the seventh time this month the Tigers have allowed double-digit runs.

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.

Improving bullpen vital to Phillies' hope for the future  —  That streak will end when the Nationals begin a three-game series on Monday against the Phillies.  —  “I am excited to play in front of some friends and family in Philadelphia,” Doolittle said earlier this month in an interview before a Nationals game in Milwaukee.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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) …