San Diego – Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa Bay Rays — with big assists from two former Padres who know Petco Park’s outfield well — are one win from the second World Series appearance in franchise history. Joey Wendle hit a go-ahead, two-run single two batters after another critical error […]
Hal Steinbrenner apologizes to Yankees fans, just like dad
New York – Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner apologized to the team’s fans for its postseason failure, much like his father did 39 years earlier. The Yankees were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, losing 3-2 in the Division Series. They have won the World […]
Manuel Margot’s homer and catch highlight Rays’ win over Astros
San Diego – Back in the ballpark where he started his big league career, Manuel Margot of the Tampa Bay Rays had a breakout game in the AL Championship Series with a three-run home run and a spectacular catch while tumbling over a wall in right field. Asked which was […]
Marines soldier on after virus outbreak
What a week it was for the Chiba Lotte Marines. Technically, things got started Oct. 4, when pitcher Daiki Iwashita and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Subsequent testing early last week revealed 11 more infections (a total that included seven top-team players), the club announced Oct. 6. Despite […]
Rays step up in big moments to beat Astros in Game 1 of ALCS
San Diego – Tampa Bay reliever Diego Castillo played catch Sunday afternoon, less than 48 hours after throwing 29 pitches in two innings, and told manager Kevin Cash he was good to go for the opener of the AL Championship Series against Houston. Was he ever. “It’s always good news […]
Yakult pitcher Ryota Igarashi to retire after this season
Tokyo Yakult Swallows veteran pitcher Ryota Igarashi has told the team he will retire at the end of the season after a 23-year playing career, sources close to the matter said Sunday. The 41-year-old right-hander, who made 905 game appearances in his professional career in both Japan and Major League […]
Whitey Ford, Hall of Fame ace for mighty Yankees, dies at 91
New York – During an era when the Yankees won the World Series so routinely it was joked that rooting for them was like rooting for General Motors, their ace pitcher owned the most fitting nickname: “The Chairman of the Board.” Whitey Ford, the street-smart New Yorker who had the […]
Mike Brosseau homers off Aroldis Chapman as Rays eliminate Yankees to reach ALCS
San Diego – Mike Brosseau homered off Aroldis Chapman with one out in the eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 2-1 Friday night to reach the AL Championship Series for the first time in 12 seasons. The first career postseason homer for the 26-year-old […]
Hanshin president Kenji Ageshio to resign over coronavirus cluster infection
Osaka – Hanshin Tigers President Kenji Ageshio will step down at the end of the season to take responsibility for a string of new coronavirus infections within the team, the Central League club said Friday. Three Tigers players tested positive for the virus in March, when teams were practicing without […]
Astros return to ALCS after thumping Oakland in Game 4
Los Angeles – Three years after a sign-stealing scheme propelled the Astros to their first championship, Houston’s star-studded lineup did little during the regular season to quiet criticism it could only hit when cheating. Back in the postseason, they’re banging away as well as ever — no trash cans necessary. […]