Detroit Tigers parted ways with Brad Ausmus 2 years too late  —  Brad Ausmus was dropping a hint.  —  Before Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins, the fourth-year Detroit Tigers manager - a known lame duck as September wore on - spoke of the team's hitters returning next year and said …

Cubs take control in NL Central with 5-4 win over Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Tommy La Stella drew a bases-loaded walk off All-Star closer Corey Knebel with one out in the 10th inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Friday night to tighten their grip on the NL Central.

LEADING OFF: Superheroes in NY, Ivy Leaguers in Milwaukee  —  A look at what's happening all around the majors Saturday:  —  SUPERHERO DAY  —  Mets ace Noah Syndergaard is expected to make a one-inning start against Washington in his first major league game in nearly five months, and Matt Harvey will take the mound after that.

Yuili Gurriel's blast lifts Houston Astros past Los Angeles Angels  —  HOUSTON — Yuli Gurriel slugged a three-run home run in the seventh inning, lifting Justin Verlander into the win column for the fourth time in four starts and pushing the Houston Astros to a 3- victory over the reeling Los Angeles Angels …

Big names on hand as Dodgers wish Tommy Lasorda a happy 90th  —  LOS ANGELES — Shortly before the Dodgers tried to clinch the NL West on Friday night, they threw a party.  —  One to celebrate Tommy Lasorda's 90th birthday.  —  During a pregame ceremony, the Hall of Fame manager was surrounded …

Once itching to be a Red, Tucker Barnhart is now positioned to stay one  —  Following the advice of various scouts, Tucker Barnhart's family had agreed on a number.  If no team calling after him in the 2009 draft met that dollar amount, Barnhart would go to college instead.

Masahiro Tanaka coughs up 8 runs as Yankees fall to Blue Jays, 8-1, must wait one more day to try to clinch playoffs  —  TORONTO — The Yankees will have to wait at least one more day to clinch a playoff spot.  —  Masahiro Tanaka served up eight runs and three more homers in his latest debacle …

Rotation keyed Rangers' sweep over Mariners.  Now what?  —  Cole Hamels capped a terrific three-game series Thursday for the Texas Rangers' rotation, which allowed only five runs in 20 1/3 innings in a sweep of the Seattle Mariners.  —  That's a nifty 2.21 ERA — Cleveland Indians-esque stuff …

Cardinals rally past Pirates in 9th for 4-3 win  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Randal Grichuk scored after an error by Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer, capping a frantic ninth-rally that lifted the surging St. Louis Cardinals over Pittsburgh 4-3 on Friday night.  —  The playoff-chasing Cardinals won …

Brian Snitker hoping to return as Braves manager in 2018  —  ATLANTA — Brian Snitker is on a one-year contract and doesn't know if he will return next as year as manager of the Atlanta Braves.  —  The 61-year-old Snitker, in his 41st season with the organization, hopes the front office brings …

White Sox lead Royals 7-6 after 4 innings  —  Photos from the White Sox-Royals game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox kicked off their final homestand of the season with the first of a three-game series against the Royals on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Prospective Marlins owner Jeter orders firings of Mr. Marlin, McKeon, 2 Hall of Famers  —  Derek Jeter doesn't even own the Marlins yet, but he already has informed the team that he plans to fire two special assistants who are in Baseball's Hall of Fame (Andre Dawson and Tony Perez) …

Madeira's Andrew Benintendi makes his GABP debut  —  Although Andrew Benintendi couldn't confirm that his uncle actually bought more than 1,000 tickets in the bleachers for friends and family from Madeira, he didn't exactly doubt it.  —  “I don't know anybody who's not coming,” …

Cubs, Dodgers minor leaguers suspended for drug violations  —  NEW YORK (AP) Chicago Cubs pitcher Anyel Beato and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league pitcher Oliver Polanco have been suspended for 72 games under baseball's minor league drug program following positive tests for metabolites of Stanozolol.

Catching up with the Marlins  —  For a few days in late August, the Marlins looked like darkhorse contenders for one of the National League wild card spots.  But that dream ended after a 1-10 stretch from Aug. 28-Sept. 7 left them buried in the standings.  RF Giancarlo Stanton has cooled …

Travis d'Arnaud blasts two homers as Mets overcome five-run deficit, beat Nationals, 7-6  —  The Nationals figured to be trolling the Mets on Friday night, employing a mostly no-name lineup that might have seen them get fined in spring training.  —  With injured Bryce Harper …