James Paxton, Yankees have to mentally prepare for heightened pressure to defeat Red Sox  —  CC Sabathia looked out across the Yankee clubhouse.  There were about 25 reporters scattered throughout the room, outnumbering the half a dozen players at their lockers.  —  He then looked back at the reporter and asked “You serious?

How the Tampa Bay Rays are leading the AL East midway through April  —  Now, this is an impressive opening for the Tampa Bay Rays.  —  Last year, the Rays pioneered the idea of an “opener” — a pitcher who would work an inning or two at the beginning of the game, facing some of the toughest hitters instead …

Ozuna, Cardinals power past Reds 9-5 for split in Mexico  —  A billboard advertising the Mexico Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals stands outside the stadium before the start of their second game in Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, April 14, 2019.

Baseball roundup: Marquez, Rockies end 8-loss skid  —  German Marquez pitched a one-hitter, nicked only by Evan Longoria's single with one out in the eighth, and the Colorado Rockies ended an eight-game losing streak by beating the hosting San Francisco Giants 4-0 Sunday.

Cole strikes out 11, Diaz homers, Astros win 3-2 at Seattle  —  Hector Rondon, Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna each pitched a perfect inning in relief for Houston, with Osuna working the ninth for his seventh save.  —  SEATTLE — Gerrit Cole struck out 11 in six innings …

LEADING OFF: MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day  —  A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:  —  JACKIE ROBINSON DAY  —  Major League Baseball observes Jackie Robinson Day at ballparks all over the country.  Robinson broke baseball's color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Teheran shows up deGrom, Braves split with Mets  —  The idea of matching Julio Teheran against Jacob deGrom didn't quiver excitement within the Braves' fan base.  Cue the adage, “That's why they play the games.”  —  Teheran pitched his best game of the season — six innings, allowing one run …

Padres' Andy Green upset with umpires after Diamondbacks' Greg Holland throws behind Francisco Mejia  —  The Diamondbacks and Padres did not end their series on the best of terms Sunday.  —  After Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland threw two straight pitches behind Padres catcher Francisco Mejia's …

Padres made winning choice bringing up Fernando Tatis Jr. at start of season  —  Can you imagine?  —  “I know,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said with a smile.  “We would have missed a couple things already.”  —  The Padres decided against manipulating Tatis' service time, promoting …

Segura's homer helps Phillies outlast Marlins in 14 innings  —  Philadelphia Phillies' Jean Segura (2) third base base after hitting a two run home run during the 14th inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Miami.  (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (Brynn Anderson)

Three top Marlins pitching prospects put up quality performances for Jupiter Hammerheads  —  The Jupiter Hammerheads' starting rotation is coming into its own early in the season, with three of the Marlins' top minor-league prospects dazzling over consecutive starts.

Power Rankings: Big tests coming for April's hot starters  —  Just one more week into the season, we're starting to see some stronger teams emerge.  But we're also ready to crown a new No. 1, as the Astros rode their nine-game win streak to the top of rankings, earning three first-place votes to replace the Dodgers at the top slot.

Why evolution of changeup could make or break Clayton Kershaw's season  —  LOS ANGELES — It was 10 years, three teams and one career ago, but Brad Ausmus remembers the game — May 17, 2010, on the road against the Florida Marlins.  Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter through seven innings that night …

Daniel Vogelbach is poster boy for Mariners' fast start  —  Daniel Vogelbach is in the Mariners clubhouse wearing a yellow shirt with the word “TANKS” stitched across his chest in red letters.  He doesn't know what it means.  It was just a shirt that teammate Dee Gordon gave him and Dee isn't around to explain.