Rays open series in Baltimore with 4-3 victory, pull within game of Orioles in AL East
Luke Raley hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bayโs remarkable bullpen retired everyone it faced in the Raysโ 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night in the opener of a huge series at Camden Yards.
Rays' Wander Franco moved to administrative leave while MLB, Dominican authorities investigate
Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate the Tampa Bay Rays' All-Star shortstop for an alleged relationship with a minor.
Dominican authorities investigate Rays' Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor
Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating Tampa Bay All-Star shortstop Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor, according to the office of the attorney general in his native country.
Irvin pitches into 7th, A's take 3 of 4 from Rays, 6-3
Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding Aโs under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.
Snell pulled after 7 no-hit innings, Padres beat D-backs 3-0
Blake Snell threw seven hitless innings before being pulled for a reliever, and San Diego lost its bid for a combined no-hitter in the eighth inning when Arizonaโs David Peralta dropped a bloop single into shallow left field in the Padres' 3-0 win.
Darvish fans 11, Padres get 2 big homers to beat Dodgers 6-2
Yu Darvish struck out 11 in six brilliant innings to become the fastest big leaguer to reach 1,500 for his career, Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth homered and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in the opener of a three-game series between the NL West rivals.
Padres finalize deal acquiring ace Blake Snell from Rays
The San Diego Padres finalized their acquisition of ace left-hander Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, sending four prospects in exchange for the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)SAN DIEGO โ Blake Snell gave up the ball in Game 6 of the World Series, shaking his head after manager Kevin Cashโs curious pitching change. The San Diego Padres, determined to go all the way, just wanted him that much. He pitched spectacularly into the sixth inning of World Series Game 6 against the Dodgers before Cash pulled him after 73 pitches. โThis acquisition is in line with our overall strategy to build a consistently winning ballclub for the great city of San Diego,โ Padres owner Peter Seidler said.
AP source: Padres have deal in place to get Snell from Rays
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)The San Diego Padres are close to completing a blockbuster trade to acquire star pitcher Blake Snell from the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. The teams have an agreement in place and Snell was told heโll be sent to the Padres โ subject to the review of medical records, according to a person familiar with the deal. The Athletic was first to report the players headed from San Diego to Tampa Bay if the trade is finalized. Then in February, the Padres shipped Manuel Margot and a minor leaguer to Tampa Bay for Emilio Pagan.
MLB tells managers to expect on-time spring training start
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ Big league managers say Major League Baseball instructed them to prepare for spring training to start on time in mid-February despite uncertainty around the coronavirus. Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that officials from the commissioner's office had a meeting with managers Tuesday and expressed optimism about opening spring camps as scheduled. โI think Major League Baseball was somewhat the petri dish,โ Cash said. Obviously if you look at last yearโs situation, Major League Baseball, everybody adjusted on the fly. "So right now weโre going as scheduled, with planning on playing a 162-game season, but you have to be adaptable.
Kevin Cash, Don Mattingly win Manager of the Year awards
FILE - In this July 24, 2020, file photo, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly, left, gives an elbow-bump to Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi, right, prior to a baseball game in Philadelphia. Mattingly won the NL Manager of the Year award on Tuesday night, Nov. 10. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)Tampa Bayโs Kevin Cash won the AL Manager of the Year award on Tuesday night, and Miamiโs Don Mattingly took home the NL honor. Tingler and Ross led their teams to the playoffs in their first seasons as a big league manager. The Tampa, Florida, native and Florida State alum was hired as Tampa Bay manager the day before his 37th birthday.
Mookie Betts, Jacob deGrom in the mix for historic NL awards
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts could become the second player to win the MVP award in each league, and New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is in the running for his third consecutive NL Cy Young Award. Betts, Freddie Freeman and Manny Machado are the top finishers for NL MVP in balloting by the Baseball Writersโ Association of America. DeGrom, Trevor Bauer and Yu Darvish are the finalists in the NL Cy Young race. Betts, who won the 2018 AL MVP award with Boston, helped the Dodgers win the World Series last week for the first time since 1988. Frank Robinson is the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, accomplishing the feat in 1961 with Cincinnati and 1966 for Baltimore.
Cash's bullpen blunder joins Little, others in playoff lore
Aaron Boone hit a game-ending leadoff homer in the 11th, sending New York to the World Series. 2015 WORLD SERIES GAME 5Matt Harvey and the New York Mets held a 2-0 lead, needing a win to send the Series back to Kansas City. 2016 WORLD SERIES GAME 7The Chicago Cubs led the Cleveland Indians 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. 2019 WORLD SERIES GAME 7Too bad for Houston fans, the last time they saw Gerrit Cole throw, it was in the bullpen rather than on the mound. โI wasnโt going to pitch him unless we were going to win the World Series and have a lead,โ Hinch said.
Cashed Out: Rays manager roasted for pulling Snell in Game 6
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Blake Snell turned away from his manager and yelled an expletive as Kevin Cash headed to the mound. The team that reached the World Series leaning largely on analytics was undone by the data โ and a decision sure to become part of October lore. Iโm not going to ask any questions, but he was pitching a great game," Betts said. It was the Cy Young Snell that pitched tonight.โCount Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, himself a frequent target for criticism over pulling starters, among those happy to see Snell go.
Best Betts: Dodgers win first World Series title since 1988
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Mookie Betts came to the Dodgers to make a World Series difference. With a mad dash to home plate, he put Los Angeles over the top. The end of a frustrating championship drought for LA โ and perhaps just the start for Betts and the Dodgers. Los Angeles had come up short in the World Series twice in the previous three years.
Dodgers win 1st World Series title since 1988
ARLINGTON, Texas โ Mookie Betts streaked home with a go-ahead run and later homered for good measure as the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series championship since 1988, taking advantage of a hotly debated Tampa Bay move to beat the Rays 3-1 in Game 6. The Dodgers posted the best record in the majors during this pandemic-shortened season, then rallied in the final game to claim a most elusive crown. The Dodgers pounced quickly, and Betts soon dashed home from third base on Corey Seagerโs infield grounder for a 2-1 edge. Manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers lost the World Series in 2017 and โ18 before winning this title at a neutral site, Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Rookie sensation Randy Arozarena hit his record 10th homer in the postseason to account for Tampa Bayโs run.
World Series notes: Rays chase Game 7, one more for Morton
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton reacts after giving up two runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Charlie Morton started the day Tuesday not knowing if he will pitch in a Game 7 of the World Series with his Tampa Bay Rays facing elimination against the Los Angeles Dodgers. โIโve been thinking about it,โ Morton said before Game 6, with Tampa Bay trailing 3-2 in the Series. But Morton has Game 7 experience in the World Series that Buehler lacks. Morton acknowledged it will be different going into the final day of the season knowing he was starting a Game 7 in the World Series.
Dodgers 1 win from title after 32 years and more than $3.6B
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 1988, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser holds his World Series Most Valuable Player trophy following the Dodgers' decisive 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Ca. Since Hershiser struck out Oaklands Tony Phillips for the final out of the 1988 World Series, the Dodgers have played 5,014 regular-season games and 113 more in the postseason in pursuit of their next title. The rookie right-hander hopes to keep the World Series from reaching a Game 7 for the fourth time in five years. The Rays and Cash have impressed Roberts with their relentlessness, evidenced by their ninth-inning rally to win Game 4. Hershiser, the 1988 World Series MVP, says each time the postseason is lengthened it adds another level of uncertainty to the competition.
Kershaw stops steal of home, hands Dodgers 3-2 Series lead
โI think a lot of credit goes to what heโs been able to do in this World Series for us.โKershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershawโs formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. โKersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what weโve been able to do in this World Series,โ Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Dรญaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarenaโs single. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.
Power surge: Home runs more than half of scoring in playoffs
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas โ For all the talk about pride in advancing runners and manufacturing runs, teams in the postseason have really dug the long ball. Home runs drove in 235 of the 456 runs in the postseason through World Series Game 4, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That comes to 51.5%, up from 46.6% last year and highest since the postseason expanded beyond the World Series in 1969. That gave the Rays 33 homers in the postseason accounting for 52 of 76 runs (68.4%). The reason theyโre in postseason, playing postseason baseball is because a lot of that coincides with great pitching and thatโs what weโre seeing.
Arozarena slugs into WS history, stumbles into October lore
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. None of those three won the World Series. โIt feels really good to be able to break the record and be on top of that record board,โ Arozarena said through a translator. Center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the hit, chased after the ball and threw toward the plate as Arozarena rounded third. Down in the dirt, Arozarena kept pounding the plate as the Rays rushed out to celebrate with him.
World Series notes: Kershaw could have title-clinching shot
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Clayton Kershaw could take the mound Sunday night with a chance to close out the Los Angeles Dodgersโ first World Series title since 1988. Now the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Rays first baseman is doing full splits in the World Series. Choi is the first Korean-born position player to appear in a World Series game, which he called an honor while crediting the โspecial group of guyโ โ his teammates and them getting there together. Clayton felt the same way.โBetts is a four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who helped the Red Sox beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. โJust understanding that if we do things the right way in spring training, weโll do those things all the way through the World Series.
Morton merely mortal for Rays, question becomes what's next
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Charlie Morton made the slow stroll to the dugout after one of the worst starts of his stellar, and somewhat improbable, four-year postseason run. โI gave up hits on my curveball, I gave up hits on my sinker, I gave up hits on my four-seamer,โ Morton said. Mostly unknown or not, at least some Dodgers fans at the neutral-site World Series in Texas sure remembered him. One in the upper deck at the home of the Texas Rangers chanted โcheat-erโ the entire time Morton pitched. Morton was long gone before the final out of possibly his final game.
World Series Notebook: Urรญas, 4-0 in postseason, set for G4
The left-hander finished that series with three perfect innings, the last two protecting a 4-3 lead in Game 7 and sending LA to the World Series against Tampa Bay. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches out of the bullpen in Game 1 of the World Series. โIโm going to throw until they take the ball out of my hands,โ Yarbrough said. Thatโs how you win a World Series,โ said Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, who was part of the Red Sox when they beat Los Angeles in the World Series two years ago. Turner's 75th career postseason hit was a double that set up Max Muncy's two-run single in the third.
Parade of pitchers not a merry-go-round for Dodgers
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas โ More was not merrier for Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers. By the end of the Dodgersโ 6-4 defeat Wednesday night, which evened the Series at one game apiece, it appeared the Dodgers are down to essentially a two-man rotation of Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. Alex Wood (six outs) and Jake McGee (three) finished with shutout relief, but the damage yielded by the earlier parade of pitchers was too much to overcome. Gonsolin has a 9.82 postseason ERA, allowing eight runs in 7 1/3 innings, and May a 5.00 ERA, giving up five runs in nine innings. It remains to be seen whether this merry-go-round will be a fun ride for Roberts and the Dodgers.
Lowe homers twice, Rays hold off Dodgers 6-4 to even Series
After Lowe finally busted out in Game 2 of the World Series, the Rays and Dodgers are tied deep in the heart of Texas. Snell attacked with breaking pitches in the strike zone, not his usual pattern, against a Dodgers team that doesn't often chase. SHORT HOPSSnellโs nine strikeouts were the most in a World Series game by a pitcher who didn't last five innings. Dodgers: Buehler threw six shutout innings to win Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta and force Game 7. His only previous World Series start was Game 3 against Boston in 2018, when he fired seven scoreless innings in the only game the Dodgers won.