Five lessons we learned from Yankees-A's  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Back in May when they met in the Bronx, the New York Yankees overpowered the Oakland A's in an early-season series win.  —  Things have changed.  —  In obliterating the Yankees 8-2 Wednesday night en route to their own series win at home …

Cubs hold off Brewers 6-4, boost NL Central lead to 4 games  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) Daniel Murphy sees no panic in his new Chicago Cubs teammates.  —  The Cubs needed a win Wednesday night to avert a three-game sweep by division rival Milwaukee, and Murphy played a big role with three hits …

Tigers hit 4 HRs in 10-2 rout White Sox, Kopech  —  CHICAGO (AP) Michael Kopech wasn't sharp and the Tigers took full advantage of the Chicago White Sox's prized pitching prospect.  —  Ronny Rodriguez had a two-run homer and Jeimer Candelario, Mikie Mahtook and JaCoby Jones each added a solo shot …

Todd Frazier admits fooling umpire on spectacular ‘catch’  —  Turns out Todd Frazier is a pretty good actor.  —  The New York Mets third baseman finally admitted pulling a fast one on the umpire after what appeared to be a spectacular catch in Monday night's 4-1 victory against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Josh Donaldson's agent disputes report of big Jays extension offer before trade  —  Josh Donaldson's agent disputed a report Thursday that the Toronto Blue Jays offered the three-time All-Star and 2015 American League MVP a multiyear contract extension before trading him to the Cleveland Indians last week.

MLB awards watch: Breaking down some of the tightest races ever  —  As the 2018 season heads to the final weeks, the race for almost every major award is close.  With hardware chases ranging from a 10-man scrum for NL MVP honors to one of the most unusual AL Rookie of the Year races ever …

Rhys Hoskins searching for one more hot streak to put Phillies in the playoffs  —  Rhys Hoskins has been here before.  —  It's the eighth inning on Wednesday night in Miami, and the Phillies have the tying run on first base with two out.  Patient as ever, Hoskins lets the first pitch go for a called strike.

Story hits 3 HRs, 1 a 500-footer, as Rockies top Giants 5-3  —  DENVER (AP) Carlos Gonzalez waited patiently as Trevor Story finished his postgame interviews, a beer in hand to congratulate his Colorado teammate on his huge night.  —  More games like that from Story, and Gonzalez …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani homers twice after getting surgery recommendation  —  Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his pitching elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.  —  A couple hours before Ohtani hit two home runs in a 9-3 victory over the Rangers on Wednesday …

Max Fried returns, joins Braves bullpen  —  Lefty Max Fried rejoined the Braves roster Monday after missing roughly a month because of a left-groin strain.  —  Fried exited his Aug. 7 start in Washington after injuring himself trying to dodge a liner.  He made three rehab appearances …

Kyle Schwarber not in lineup as Cubs face Stephen Strasburg and Nationals  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Left fielder Kyle Schwarber will get some extra time to rest his stiff back Thursday night when the Cubs face the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg at Nationals Park.