Major League Baseball News and Rumors
Ibanez's heroics give Yanks 2-1 lead over O'sAssociated Press, ESPN.com Raul Ibanez lined a ninth-inning home run while pinch hitting for Alex Rodriguez, then hit a leadoff homer in the 12th, giving the New York Yankees a stunning 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday for a 2-1 lead in their AL division series. |
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Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com When appropriate, Big League Stew reviews key decisions in the postseason to see if the right one was made. The Issue: The immediate impact of Johnny Cueto's exit after eight pitches in Saturday's Game 1 of the NLDS was softened when Mat Latos and the C… |
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ALDS Game 3: Raul Ibanez’s late home runs lead Yankees to victory, put Orioles on ropesOct 10, 2012
Mark Townsend, yahoo.com Score and situation: In a game that didn't pick up much steam until the ninth inning, the New York Yankees rallied behind the incredible power of Raul Ibanez to grab control of the series and put the Baltimore Orioles on the brink of elimination with a … |
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Erik Malinowski, deadspin.com When Raul Ibanez was brought in to pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning, it seemed humorous—until Ibanez hit the first 9th-inning, game-tying, pinch-hit home run in Yankees postseason history. But when he hit another home run, this time to w… |
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Rockies to interview Runnells for managerial jobOct 10, 2012
Thomas Harding, MLB.com The Rockies will interview Tom Runnells for their vacant manager's job on Thursday, the club said Wednesday. |
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Hobbled Jeter lifted for defensive replacementOct 10, 2012
Steven Miller, MLB.com Hobbled by an apparent injury to his left foot, shortstop Derek Jeter was lifted for defensive replacement Jayson Nix in the top of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. |
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Behind three homers and a sweet relief from Tim Lincecum, the Giants beat the Reds 8-3 to force a Game 5. Lincecum earned the win and saved San Fran's season, writes Joe Lemire. |
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Lefties shutting down Tigers' big batsOct 10, 2012
To those who have followed the Tigers for much of the year, seeing Detroit struggle against left-handed starting pitchers is not breaking news. |
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Bochy finds relief with early move to bullpenOct 10, 2012
Zack Meisel, MLB.com On Wednesday, skipper Bruce Bochy deployed his relievers earlier than usual to bridge the gap to Tim Lincecum, who silenced the Reds to force one final tilt in a series that has seen a dramatic shift in momentum. |
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Rookies Flaherty, Machado hit historic homersOct 10, 2012
Adam Rosenbloom, MLB.com Entering Game 3 of the American League Division Series, no Orioles rookie had hit a postseason home run in the club's 58-year history. By the fifth inning, that stat went out the window -- twice -- as Ryan Flaherty and Manny Machado went deep. |
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Source: Red Sox ask Dodgers about WallachOct 10, 2012
Gordon Edes, ESPN.com The Boston Red Sox will interview Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach for their vacant managerial position by the end of the week, a source told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne. |
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Cespedes is a playoff rookie in name onlyOct 10, 2012
Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com If A's rookie Yoenis Cespedes acts like he has been in the playoffs before, it's because he has -- seven times with the world renowned Cuban national team. |
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Bullpen in 'good shape' heading into Game 4Oct 10, 2012
Engaging in yet another win-or-else game against the Tigers on Wednesday, the A's weren't planning on saving any bullets -- aside from maybe one. |
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Pablo Sandoval homer lands in Kentucky* (Video)Oct 10, 2012
David Brown, yahoo.com *OK, maybe it only seemed like Kentucky. Pablo Sandoval's homer in the seventh inning actually landed in the right-field bullpen at Great American Ball Park about 422 feet from home plate. Had it cleared the park's walls and bounced into the Ohio River,… |
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Montreal to name street, park after Gary CarterOct 10, 2012
MONTREAL (AP) -- Montreal will name a street and a park after Gary Carter, the Hall of Fame catcher who defined the golden era of a once-beloved franchise. |
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Giants pound Reds, force deciding Game 5Oct 10, 2012
Associated Press, ESPN.com Angel Pagan led off the game with a home run, Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval connected later and Tim Lincecum came out of the bullpen to help the San Francisco Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Wednesday, evening their NL division series at 2-all… |
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Familiar tune sets up Mo's first pitch in BronxOct 10, 2012
Metallica's "Enter Sandman" played earlier on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium than in previous postseason games, as injured closer Mariano Rivera threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the American League Division Series aga… |
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Showalter to tab Saunders or Tillman for Game 4Oct 10, 2012
Evan Drellich, MLB.com If Orioles pitchers Chris Tillman or Joe Saunders have been told who's starting Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees on Thursday, they didn't let on Wednesday afternoon. |
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Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Score and situation: The San Francisco Giants forced a decisive Game 5 with an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon. Leading lads: After managing a total of just four runs in their first three games, the Gia… |
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Carpenter leads Cards to brink of NLCSOct 10, 2012
Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com Much like a year ago, when the Cardinals also qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card team, St. Louis is starting to act like a championship beast right now. |
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Hughes puts past playoff performances behind himOct 10, 2012
Gregor Chisholm, MLB.com Phil Hughes will have a shot at redemption when he takes the mound for Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Orioles on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. |
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Jeter deflects Rose's talk of battle over crownOct 10, 2012
Derek Jeter finished his 18th big league season in 10th place on baseball's all-time hits list with 3,304 -- 952 behind Pete Rose's record of 4,256, which Rose said Jeter has little chance of breaking in an interview with interview with Sports on Earth'… |
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Facing elimination, Nats might get aggressiveOct 10, 2012
Lyle Spencer, MLB.com The Cards and Nats get together in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park (4 p.m. ET on TBS) with similar styles and distinctly different incentives and agendas. |
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Hammel would start possible Game 5 for OriolesOct 10, 2012
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said on Wednesday that, if necessary, Jason Hammel will start Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday at Yankee Stadium. |
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Nationals, Joyce involved in close calls at firstOct 10, 2012
Joey Nowak, MLB.com Umpire Jim Joyce, made famous after his missed call at first base cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game in 2010, was back at the same spot in Game 3 of the NLDS on Wednesday and made a couple of close calls at first, including calling out Danny Espinosa… |
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Litsch opts for free agency after coming off DLOct 10, 2012
Chris Toman, MLB.com The Blue Jays reinstated pitcher Jesse Litsch from the 60-day disabled list Wednesday and instead of accepting an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues, the right-hander opted for free agency. |
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Playing matchups, Girardi puts Chavez at hot cornerOct 10, 2012
The Yankees may not have much data on Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez, but what little they do have told manager Joe Girardi that Eric Chavez should be in his lineup for Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. |
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A-Rod still hitting third, moved to DH for Game 3Oct 10, 2012
NEW YORK (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez was shifted to designated hitter for Game 3 of the New York Yankees' AL division series against Baltimore but kept his No. 3 slot in the batting order. |
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NLDS Game 3: St. Louis spoils Washington’s playoff party, takes series lead with 8-0 routOct 10, 2012
Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Score and situation: The St. Louis Cardinals recorded an 8-0 blowout victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday afternoon to take a two games to one lead in the NLDS while winning the first postseason baseball game in D.C. since 1933. Leading la… |
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David Brown, yahoo.com Of course he does. Donald Trump sent this communique on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon. It's not known whether he already had seen Joe Girardi's lineup for Game 3 of the ALDS, in which Alex Rodriguez stayed firmly in the No. 3 spot. Regardless, The Dona… |
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Reds push forward without ace CuetoOct 10, 2012
Adam McCalvy and Mark Sheldon, MLB.com With Johnny Cueto now unavailable for the NLDS and the NLCS, should Cincinnati advance, the Reds are confident they can find a way to move on without their ace. |
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Red contacts! Bryce Harper eyes different lookOct 10, 2012
David Brown, yahoo.com Is Bryce Harper the newest cast member in those "Twilight" movies? Nope, he's still a ballplayer. He just has red eyes now. Harper came into Game 3 of the NLDS with one hit and six strikeouts in 10 at-bats. No, he hasn't been overanxious at th… |
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Jack Dickey, deadspin.com We're a little late to this, we know. But you deserve the chance to talk baseball. There's so much baseball today! Cards-Nats right now. Then Giants-Reds; Cincy has a chance to clinch. Then O's-Yanks, back in the Bronx, before Tigers-A's arrives as our … |
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Hours before start, Reds drop Cueto from rosterOct 10, 2012
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Reds have dropped injured ace Johnny Cueto from their division series roster, replacing him with right-hander Mike Leake for Game 4 against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. |
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Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Just when you thought that things couldn't get any worse for Josh Hamilton down in Texas, he's now being criticized for choosing to kick his chewing tobacco habit during the season instead of waiting until winter. And not just by any random loudmouth wi… |
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Fans thrilled to have postseason back in DCOct 10, 2012
Mike Fiammetta, MLB.com In front of a sold-out Nationals Park crowd, postseason baseball returned to the nation's capital on Wednesday for the first time since the Washington Senators reached the 1933 World Series. |
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Frazier, Navarro in for Rolen, Hanigan in Game 4Oct 10, 2012
For the first time in the National League Division Series, there were changes in manager Dusty Baker's lineup vs. the Giants in Game 4 on Wednesday. |
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Top 3: Cardinals 4, Nationals 0Oct 10, 2012
Washington D.C. is hosting its first postseason baseball game since 1933. Edwin Jackson is on the mound for the Nationals facing former teammate Chris Carpenter. Follow Game 3 here. |
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Decision Time for Girardi Regarding RodriguezOct 10, 2012
Justin Sablich, nytimes.com Of all the talking points heading into Game 3 of the A.L.D.S between the Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees, the one that has been talked to death is that of the struggling Alex Rodriguez. |
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Sanchez catches Zito in Game 4, Posey to firstOct 10, 2012
Chris Haft, MLB.com As was the case for much of the regular season, Hector Sanchez will be behind the plate for Barry Zito in Game 4 of the NLDS, with Buster Posey moving to first base in place of Brandon Belt. |
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Jay Jaffe: What should Yankees do with A-Rod?Oct 10, 2012
Alex Rodriguez is struggling in the postseason and it's leading to calls that he be dopped in the batting order. Jay Jaffe explores A-Rod's weak spots and has a surprising solution. |
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Playoff vet Matheny relishing first foray as managerOct 10, 2012
Mike Matheny is wearing a different hat -- only figuratively speaking -- in his newest role with the Cardinals, but the first-year skipper says playoff excitement remains the same as it was when he was playing for the Redbirds. |
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Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday that right-hander Lance Lynn would not be available out of the bullpen for Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Washington, but could still be used in the series. |
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Report: Nats still lamenting Strasburg shutdownOct 10, 2012
ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com An unnamed Nationals player told FoxSports.com that Washington would own a two-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series if Stephen Strasburg was on the roster. |
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Romney Supporter Who Ran Onto The Field Before Last Night's NLDS Game Has History Of Bizarre BehaviorOct 10, 2012
Timothy Burke, deadspin.com Cincinnati cops charged Rives Grogan with trespassing and resisting arrest after his stunt last night in which he ran onto the field at Great American Ball Park with a Mitt Romney sign that read "ABORTION IS SIN" on the other side. It turns ou… |
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Concession Speech: 2012 Texas RangersOct 10, 2012
Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com With the regular season over, teams are facing an offseason filled with golf rounds and hot-stove strategy. But we're not going to let them get off that easy. No sir. No way. In an attempt to bring some closure between franchise and follower, we're givi… |
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Future with Yanks uncertain, Swisher's time is nowOct 10, 2012
Bryan Hoch, MLB.com Nick Swisher had barely unzipped his equipment bags upon reporting to Spring Training, and already the Yankees outfielder was talking about how last year had been "super stressful" for him and vowing that 2012 just wasn't going to be that way. |
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What The Best Pitcher In Baseball Taught Me About Prep School, Socrates, And The Art Of Not Selling OutOct 10, 2012
Sam Page, deadspin.com At my old high school, Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, there is a large multi-purpose hall with high ceilings. The hall features large hanging glass panels that extend nearly from the ceiling to the floor, engraved with famous quotations and the i… |
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Tight Division Series to provide action-packed dayOct 10, 2012
Doug Miller, MLB.com Four Division Series are in full swing, and none have ended in sweeps. All eight teams are alive and kicking and set to play on Wednesday. All eight could still be alive into Thursday. |
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Phil Taylor: A's extend party one more gameOct 10, 2012
The A's are a party, declares Phil Taylor, and that party isn't over after a 2-0 win over the Tigers in Game 3. Unlikely hero Brett Anderson had company as their crazy season continues. |
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David Brown, yahoo.com For every motivational speech like the one Hunter Pence made Tuesday night, for every one that worked out where the team ended up winning and the speechmaker looked like a prophet, there are hundreds of failures. Speeches that either fell on deaf ears, … |
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Dodgers Cuban prospect has staph infectionOct 10, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP) Outfielder Yasiel Puig, who signed a $42 million, seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this summer, is recovering from a staph infection in the back of his right elbow. |
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Sanchez feels at home in postseason road startOct 10, 2012
Jason Beck, MLB.com Pitching on the road in Game 3 of the American League Division Series was like nothing he had experienced before. And the Tigers' Anibal Sanchez loved it. |
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Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Third base was not a happy place for the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. Scott Rolen's 10th inning error at the hot corner figured into the headlines and Brandon Phillips' ill-advised steal attempt of the bag in the first inning started a pair of sad … |
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Given the chance to excel, Moss making an impactOct 10, 2012
Bernie Pleskoff, MLB.com After bouncing around the league, Brandon Moss and Josh Reddick have settled in Oakland and established themselves as very productive players. |
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Mark Townsend, yahoo.com Score and situation: You didn't think the Oakland A's were going away that easily, did you? Thanks to a great pitching performance from Brett Anderson and a pair of highlight reel catches in the outfield, they lived to fight another day with their 2-0 v… |
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Derek Jeter's Diary: The Real Season BeginsOct 10, 2012
The baseball season is a long and lonely road. To preserve his sanity, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter keeps a diary. These are excerpts from The Captai... |
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The Cincinnati Reds just suffered one of the worst hard-luck playoff losses any team has experienced in years. Their number-one starter is hurt, won't... |
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About Last Night: Giants Go Rolen Over RedsOct 10, 2012
In case you were out living a life of leisure, here's what you missed in sports on Tuesday. Scott Rolen's fielding error allowed Buster Posey to sco... |
