Covey earns 1st win, White Sox hit 3 homers in rout of O's  —  Chicago White Sox's Yoan Moncada and Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco watch Moncada's three-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Chicago.  Tim Anderson and Adam Engel also scored on the play.

Diamondbacks lose 13th time in 14 games, 9-2 to Brewers  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — The tables did not turn for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Milwaukee.  —  Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer and Jesus Aguilar had a go-ahead, two-run single during a seven-run fourth inning to help …

Real or not?  Justin Verlander off to one of best starts in past decade  —  Sometimes you just have to sit back, enjoy the performance and admire the gift that is Justin Verlander's right arm.  He's 35 years old, on the wrong end of the timeline for most professional baseball players …

Cincinnati Reds getting to work early under Jim Riggleman  —  It's been a daily ritual before home games since Jim Riggleman took over as Reds interim manager.  —  A handful of players are out on the field at 3 p.m. or so for early work.  It's usually the basics: Bunting, base-running, fielding.

‘Future is now’ for Braves thanks to historic young duo of Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr.  —  SportsPulse: MLB insider Bob Nightengale looks at the historic season Shohei Ohtani is putting together and if he truly can become the ‘next Babe Ruth.’ USA TODAY Sports

Still riding the 105-mph high, Hicks downshifts to find strikeouts  —  As he readied for his first appearance since unleashing a 105 mph sinker into history this past week, Cardinals rookie reliever Jordan Hicks realized there would be expectation, even anticipation, that he could throw harder, that he could chase 106 mph.

Plutko, Miller pitch Indians past Cubs 1-0  —  Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.  —  CHICAGO (AP) - Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning …

Another stellar Wacha start is wasted  —  There was no rain in the forecast on Wednesday afternoon, so the other most likely thing to happen in a Michael Wacha start came to pass: The Cardinals went to extra innings.  —  “I've been known to start those long games, that's for sure,” he said.

J.D. Martinez Doesn't Need The Green Monster  —  When the Boston Red Sox signed free agent slugger J.D. Martinez this past offseason, it looked like a match made in baseball heaven.  As a right-handed power hitter who'd recently embraced MLB's fly-ball revolution — to great effect …

Brandon Nimmo's continued propensity to reach base will leave Mets with tough outfield decisions  —  Mickey Callaway admitted the obvious before the Mets' 2-1 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday night at Citi Field: With Yoenis Cespedes nearing a return, the skipper will have some tough decisions to make …

Jose Martinez engages fans with pregame cannon  —  Hoping for a shot at redemption, 19-year-old Ben Klee bought a ticket for section 339.  He arrived to Busch Stadium in time for pregame warmups.  He waited, holding a black and tan glove.  —  Over the past month, first baseman Jose Martinez has developed a pregame tradition.

Welington Castillo To Receive 80-Game PED Suspension  —  White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been slapped with an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, per Dominican journalist Americo Celado.  Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets the same, and it seems that an announcement from the league could come tomorrow.

Fulmer, Goodum help Tigers top Twins 4-1, stop 5-game skid  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Fulmer is a bit confused.  —  Fulmer felt good going into his previous outing yet allowed three runs in a no-decision during a loss at Seattle.  —  “I come here today just not feeling well.

Memo to the Braves: The National League is there to be seized  —  The Braves moved into first place May 2.  They've been there since.  They were there when they left Philadelphia.  Their lead has never been more than 1-1/2 games, but it remains a lead.  —  It's not as if the Braves sit atop a division of mediocrities.

Former NY Met Josh Edgin signs minor-league deal with rival Washington Nationals  —  Former Mets bullpen fixture Josh Edgin joined the rival Washington Nationals late Wednesday by signing a minor-league deal, according to MLB.com's transactions page.  —  Edgin, 31, played his whole career with the Mets …

Mariners strike deal for another 25 years at Safeco Field  —  The Mariners are staying at Safeco Field for the next 25 years.  —  The Seattle Mariners will spend another 25 years at the ballpark known as Safeco Field, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced in a brief press release Wednesday.