Cards trampled by Braves 10-2, lose fourth consecutive series  —  ATLANTA — Manager Mike Shildt almost always looks for a positive spin he can put on a Cardinals defeat, if there is one.  And there have been plenty lately, 11 losses in 14 games, which would test even college graduate Shildt's ample vocabulary.

Rangers belt 5 home runs in 16-1 rout of Royals  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Rougned Odor and the rest of the Texas Rangers had been using the Kansas City Royals' beleaguered pitching staff for batting practice most of the sun-splashed afternoon.  —  Then the Rangers used their backup second baseman for it, too.

How the Nationals won a series for the first time in a month  —  WASHINGTON — Nothing has come easy for the 2019 Washington Nationals.  —  That includes simple tasks like ... winning a series.  On Thursday, the Nationals eked out a 7-6 victory over the visiting New York Mets, giving them their first series win in a month.

Pain of Detroit Tigers' rebuild leaves fans with no reason to watch the games  —  They couldn't wait to get out of there.  —  Miguel Cabrera was the first to walk out of the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse on Thursday afternoon — many minutes before reporters were permitted entrance …

Top games in Cincinnati Reds history: No. 45 - June 18, 1947 - Ewell Blackwell's no-hitter  —  Ewell Blackwell's nickname was “The Whip” for two reasons.  —  At 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, he was as thin as one.  Then there was his delivery - a right-handed sidearm, whip-like motion …

Ian Kinsler says emotional response wasn't directed at Padres fans  —  Padres second baseman denies his profane reaction after homer was due to fans' displeasure with him  —  Ian Kinsler arrived in San Diego with the dream that he could accomplish at the end of his career something like what he had at the beginning.

Four things the Yankees have learned about the Rays  —  NEW YORK — Since April 1, one team has stood alone atop the American League East standings.  —  It might not after this weekend.  —  Many around baseball thought that might have happened last weekend, when the division-leading Tampa …

Blue Jays Option Teoscar Hernandez, Outright Socrates Brito  —  The Blue Jays announced Thursday that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and that fellow outfielder Socrates Brito cleared waivers and has been assigned outright to Buffalo following his recent DFA.

LEADING OFF: Greinke exam, Turner tagged, CC faces Rays  —  A look at what's happening around the majors today:  —  CHECK HIM  —  Arizona ace Zack Greinke is set for an MRI after making an early exit in his last start.  —  Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning …

Twins notch four home runs, topple Mariners  —  Michael Pineda pitched seven strong innings against his former team and was backed by four home runs as the Minnesota Twins defeated the host Seattle Mariners 11-6 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.