Twins try to inch closer to playoff berth versus Tigers (Sep 24, 2017)  —  DETROIT — The Minnesota Twins not only pass the eye test, they pass the ‘D’ test.  —  Good defense has been a Minnesota trademark this season as the Twins scramble to keep ahead of the pack in the run to the second American League wild-card spot.

Scherzer, deGrom to duel in Nationals-Mets matchup (Sep 24, 2017)  —  NEW YORK — Two of the National League's best pitchers will square off Sunday afternoon when the New York Mets host the Washington Nationals in the finale of a three-game series at Citi Field.

Marlins try to get in the way of Diamondbacks (Sep 24, 2017)  —  The Miami Marlins have been eliminated from playoff contention, but they haven't stopped fighting.  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks are closing in on their first playoff berth since 2011, but they haven't stopped working to accomplish their goal.

Boy hit by foul liner at White Sox game avoids serious injury  —  CHICAGO — A young boy seated in first-deck seats was hit by a foul liner but not seriously injured during the Kansas City Royals' game at the Chicago White Sox.  —  The boy was about 25 feet beyond the White Sox dugout …

Rockies thinking wild card in last road game vs. Padres (Sep 24, 2017)  —  SAN DIEGO — The Colorado Rockies are headed home after Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres.  They hope their final destination after the regular season is the playoffs.  —  Colorado plays its last road game to wrap up its four-game series in San Diego.

MLB playoff picture: Yankees clinch berth; Brewers come back from dead  —  The latest on all of Major League Baseball's remaining pennant races, as we sail toward the regular-season finales on Oct. 1:  —  Saturday's big winner: The Milwaukee Brewers' chances of winning the NL Central took …

Braves bid to sweep Phillies in final home game (Sep 24, 2017)  —  ATLANTA — Two highly regarded rookies will close out the first season at SunTrust Park on Sunday.  —  Philadelphia will send right-hander Nick Pivetta (6-10, 6.57 ERA) to the mound against Atlanta left-hander Luiz Gohara …

Oakland Athletics' Bruce Maxwell becomes first MLB player to kneel during national anthem  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first major league baseball player to kneel during the national anthem Saturday night as he joined a protest against racial injustice …

Bronson Arroyo and Reds fans say their goodbyes...for now  —  The first gift was a rocking chair, a standard memento handed out to retiring players after long careers.  It provided a comfortable seat from which Bronson Arroyo could review his entire his two decades in professional baseball, gently rocking back and forth.

Cashner, eagerly awaiting free agency, expects to hear from Rangers  —  Andrew Cashner has two more chances this season to establish a career-high for victories (11), but the big stat for him is how many times his team wins when he starts.  —  The Texas Rangers have won half of Cashner's 26 starts …

Orioles scratch RHP Bundy from start with hamstring strain  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles have scratched starting pitcher Dylan Bundy with a left hamstring strain.  —  Bundy was supposed to take the mound Sunday for the team's home finale, but the right-hander's status for the rest of the season now appears to be in flux.

Rookie Davis shut down with hip issue, and surgery is an option  —  The Cincinnati Reds have shut down rookie right-handed starter Rookie Davis due to a right hip impingement, Reds manager Bryan Price said Sunday.  Surgery is being looked at as a possible solution, per a team source, but has not been decided upon yet.

Owings an option to run?  —  Chris Owings' fractured right middle finger likely isn't progressing fast enough for him to be an option to take at-bats in a wild card game.  But could Owings make a difference as a pinch-runner?  —  “For me, it's very intriguing,” Lovullo said.

Rangers hope to ride Perez to win over A's (Sep 24, 2017)  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez had a 5-10 record and a 5.46 ERA after his first 21 starts this season.  He owned a four-game losing streak and had allowed a combined 15 runs and 18 hits in losses to Baltimore and Minnesota.

Royals' Ian Kennedy broke another streak this week.  His wife gave birth to a son  —  CHICAGO  —  In the months before their fifth child was born, Royals starter Ian Kennedy and his wife, Allison, made a choice.  They did not want to learn whether they were having a boy or girl until birth.

Could the best-ever Rangers lineup beat the best-ever Astros lineup?  —  The Houston Astros have been the best baseball team in Texas this season.  No one would argue that as the final three-game set in the Lone Star Series begins Monday night at Globe Life Park.

Joe Girardi isn't concerned about his future with Yankees, remains focused on current season  —  TORONTO — Joe Girardi deflected questions about his future.  —  The Yankees manager is in the final year of his contract.  —  Given that Girardi guided a young team that many felt …