Top News:
Associated Press:
Greinke, D-backs beat Giants 3-1 to win 6th straight series — PHOENIX — A 10-inning loss on Wednesday night stung the Arizona Diamondbacks. They let too many opportunities slip away and put their run of series victories in jeopardy. — A dominant performance by Zack Greinke and clutch hitting kept the streak going.
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ESPN:
Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has pins removed from broken finger — Madison Bumgarner had pins removed from the broken pinkie on his pitching hand Thursday, and the San Francisco Giants are hopeful that their ace can start playing catch in the next two weeks.
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Belt's homer not enough, Giants lose third straight series
Belt's homer not enough, Giants lose third straight series
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and AZ Snake Pit
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Arizona Republic:
Game Day: Diamondbacks meet the Padres for first time in 2018
Game Day: Diamondbacks meet the Padres for first time in 2018
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Washington Post
Associated Press:
Morton, Altuve lead Astros over Mariners 9-2 — SEATTLE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve had a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday after Evan Gattis hit into a bizarre 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning.
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Associated Press:
Betts, Benintendi lead sizzling Red Sox past Angels, 8-2 — ANAHEIM, Calif. — With a homer-happy lineup and a lights-out pitching staff, the Boston Red Sox have been mowing down their opposition since the day after opening day. — Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels were the latest contenders …
Associated Press:
Plate umpire Jerry Layne struck by foul ball, exits in first inning — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Plate umpire Jerry Layne has left the Los Angeles Angels' game against Boston after a foul ball from Mike Trout hit him on the right arm. — Layne went to the locker room in the bottom of the first inning Thursday night.
Dan Gelston / Associated Press:
Jake Arrieta strikes out 10, allows 1 hit in 7 innings to move to 2-0 — Jake Arrieta flashed the All-Star form that made Philadelphia covet the free-agent ace, striking out 10 and tossing one-hit ball over seven innings to lead the Phillies to a 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Batting ninth - it's not always the pitcher for Gabe Kapler's Phillies
Batting ninth - it's not always the pitcher for Gabe Kapler's Phillies
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Arizona Republic:
Link between Alex Rodriguez, kidnapping victim questioned — Norberto Susini has told people that he was Alex Rodriguez's nephew for years - a familial link that was called into question after Susini was abducted Wednesday. — Susini allegedly was held hostage by two men after a deal to sell a Lamborghini went bad.
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USA Today:
Alex Rodriguez's cousin held captive after Lamborghini deal goes bad — Two men were arrested after they allegedly held a cousin of former slugger Alex Rodriguez for ransom Wednesday night, New York police confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. — Norberto Susini was held hostage at a New York hotel …
Discussion:
New York Post
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets' Matt Harvey not adjusting well with career-low velocity on fastball, slider — Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland discusses Matt Harvey — ATLANTA — Before Matt Harvey's latest clunker, this one a six-inning, six-run effort in a 12-4 loss to Atlanta, Mets manager Mickey Callaway …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Wrigley Field renovations continue as a work in (mostly favorable) progress — Photos of the ongoing renovations at historic Wrigley Field. — Chicago Tribune — When team officials gave the first slideshow presentation of the Wrigley Field renovation plans at the 2013 Cubs Convention …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hope Jon Lester's strong outing can help get starting rotation going
Cubs hope Jon Lester's strong outing can help get starting rotation going
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jake Seiner / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Robertson 'doesn't blink' in jam to lift Yanks over Jays — Toronto Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernandez, left, scores on a base hit by Curtis Granderson as New York Yankees pitcher David Robertson (30) look to back up a throw home during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 19, 2018, in New York.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
Heather Tucker / Associated Press:
New York Yankees make anti-bullying video inspired by 10-year-old girl
New York Yankees make anti-bullying video inspired by 10-year-old girl
Discussion:
New York Daily News, New York Post and Pinstripe Alley
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees survive late scare to squeak past Blue Jays
Yankees survive late scare to squeak past Blue Jays
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Jeff Gordon / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Who's hot (Gyorko), who's not (Fowler) for Cards — TRENDING UP — Jedd Gyorko, INF: He reached base four times Thursday with two singles and two walks in the 8-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. While Gyorko is still scraping off some fielding rust after his stint on the disabled list …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
RELATED:
Nicholas Parco / New York Daily News:
Red Sox Triple-A team banning people named Tyler and Austin as part ‘Evil Empire Weekend’ promotion — In a city far, far north of the Bronx, The Evil Empire's biggest foe is striking back. — The Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple-A affiliate, is banning all people named Tyler and Austin …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com and Los Angeles Times
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Austin has hearing to appeal 5-game suspension
Austin has hearing to appeal 5-game suspension
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Over the Monster
Greg Beacham / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Betts, Benintendi lead sizzling Red Sox past Angels, 8-2
Betts, Benintendi lead sizzling Red Sox past Angels, 8-2
Discussion:
Over the Monster
ESPN:
A's deal Trayce Thompson to White Sox, who send Tylder Saladino to Brewers — The Chicago White Sox have acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson from the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations, after the A's designated him for assignment on Tuesday. — The White Sox also sent Tyler Saladino …
RELATED:
Will Larkin / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox trade Tyler Saladino to Brewers, pick up Trayce Thompson from Athletics
White Sox trade Tyler Saladino to Brewers, pick up Trayce Thompson from Athletics
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Preview: Cardinals vs. Cincinnati — • Interim Cincinnati manager Jim Riggleman, who took over from Bryan Price Thursday, is a former Cards farmhand, minor league manager, big-league coach and director of player development. He has managed with San Diego, the Cubs …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Mike Gerber, Warwick Saupold called up by Detroit Tigers — Mike Gerber, a left-handed hitting outfielder who is among the Detroit Tigers' top prospects, is being called up from Triple-A Toledo, along with right-handed pitcher Warwick Saupold. — Gerber, 25, would be making his Major League debut.
RELATED:
Jim Hoehn / Associated Press:
Brewers clobber Marlins, 12-3, as Miami's struggles continue — Miami Marlins relief pitcher Junichi Tazawa reacts during the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. Tazawa gave up six runs in 2/3 of an inning. (Morry Gash / AP) — Lorenzo Cain homered …
RELATED:
Andre C. Fernandez / miamiherald:
Trading places: Brinson, Yelich experiencing Miami-Milwaukee reunions this week
Trading places: Brinson, Yelich experiencing Miami-Milwaukee reunions this week
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
The case for 154 games, Fenway's quest and MLB's next big thing — Baseball needs to shorten the regular-season schedule. — Pausing. — Pausing. — OK, I guess I can't just leave it at that because that declarative statement is far from self-evident. Allow me to explain.
Tim Booth / Associated Press:
Charlie Morton dominant as Astros silence Mariners — SEATTLE (AP) - Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve hit a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday. — After losing the series opener, the Astros won …
Jeff Miller / Kansas City Star:
Boston whips out the broom against Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif.-Here it is Friday, and the Angels' best day at the ballpark so far this week came when it was so cold that the infield frosted over and the game wasn't even played. — That was Sunday, back in 18-degree-wind-chilled Kansas City …
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Clayton Kershaw vs. Max Scherzer: Showdown in L.A. highlights a dying breed of ace — They won't be taken out of the game just because the opposing lineup is about to get a third crack at them. — That's one of the certainties of Friday night's scintillating matchup between three …
Associated Press:
Taylor leads Modesto to 13-6 win over San Jose — SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Logan Taylor had two hits and three RBI, as the Modesto Nuts exploded for a season-high in runs in a 13-6 win over the San Jose Giants on Thursday. — Modesto had a pair of big innings in the blowout victory …