Top News:
Associated Press:
Verlander throws 5-hit shutout, Astros blank Angels 2-0 — Houston took two of three in the series and holds a two-game lead in the AL West over the Angels. — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Justin Verlander pitched a five-hitter for his first shutout in three years and Evan Gattis hit a two-run homer …
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Astros wear orange but have a better blueprint than Dodgers — Three weeks after the Houston Astros won the World Series, Carlos Correa was back in a training facility less than 20 miles from his team's home stadium. — “The World Series didn't make us comfortable,” Correa said.
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not? J.D. Martinez giving Red Sox power bat they needed — J.D. Martinez waited and waited and waited. The Boston Red Sox waited and waited and waited. Finally, in what always felt like a preordained outcome, the two sides agreed to a contract in late February.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Brian Hall / Associated Press:
Fowler, Carpenter get going in Cardinals' 7-5 win over Twins — St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Miles Mikolas takes a moment following a mound visit after Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler drove in a run in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Ken Powtak / Associated Press:
Red Sox avoid sweep with 6-4 win over A's — Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, right, is congratulated by J.D. Martinez as he crosses home plate after his three-run home run off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Dull during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
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Associated Press:
Red Sox manager Alex Cora surprised by Carson Smith's injury comment — BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he was surprised to hear that reliever Carson Smith feels that fatigue could have contributed to his dislocated pitching shoulder. — Smith was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
ESPN:
Giants' Brandon Belt says plate umpire cheated him to ‘get the game over with’ — A series-ending loss to the National League-worst Reds wasn't the only thing that left Giants slugger Brandon Belt raw on Wednesday. — It was how that 6-3 defeat ended that rubbed the left fielder the wrong way.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Gabe Kapler explains unorthodox ninth-inning bullpen decision — BALTIMORE — Edubray Ramos had struck out Baltimore Orioles boppers Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo — on six pitches, no less — in a classic save situation Wednesday when Phillies manager Gabe Kapler signaled to the bullpen for embattled closer Hector Neris.
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Todd Karpovich / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Pivetta strikes out 11, Phillies beat Orioles 4-1
Pivetta strikes out 11, Phillies beat Orioles 4-1
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and The Good Phight
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers … CONNECT — You'd think after becoming the first Diamondbacks pitcher in franchise history to face three different Cy Young Award winners in a row that nothing could faze right-hander Matt Koch. Especially after the way things worked out for him.
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Jake Seiner / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Happ reaches 3 times, allows 2 runners as Jays thump Mets — Grounds crew members work on the infield during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Baseball notebook: Mets place Cespedes on the disabled list — Yoenis Cespedes spent about a week trying to play through his latest lower body injury. Now, he and the New York Mets are opting to play it safe. — The team placed Cespedes, an outfielder, on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Ex-Hernando High standout Christian Arroyo gets called up — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Rays' decision to be cautious with RF Carlos Gomez's groin tightness got Hernando High product Christian Arroyo a late-night phone call, an early morning flight from Durham, N.C. …
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Jeff Sanders / The Charlotte Observer:
With mom by his side, Franmil Reyes looking to stick with Padres — SAN DIEGO — A mother emerged from the tunnel leading out to the field at Petco Park and searched for her boy. At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Franmil Reyes is one of the most imposing figures to ever pull a Padres jersey …
Associated Press:
Derek Jeter staying positive despite frustrations with Marlins' record, attendance — MIAMI — Derek Jeter was chatting with a cluster of fans during Miami Marlins batting practice Wednesday when a preschooler wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap asked him to sign a baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, True Blue LA and ESPN
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers prospect mailbag: Is Derek Hill considered a bust? — Welcome to the weekly Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions. Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by email at gsipple@freepress.com. … Don't write him off yet, Philip.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Colon shakes off liner to stomach, Rangers beat Mariners 5-1 — SEATTLE (AP) — Bartolo Colon laughed off having Jean Segura's line drive hit him in the stomach, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings and giving the Texas Rangers a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.