Baseball

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reacts after striking out swinging against Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Guerrero’s contract comments underscore disappointing Jays season

The Canadian Press 3 minute read 10:51 AM CDT

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays are heading home for their final series of the Major League Baseball season eliminated from playoff contention and dealing with a headache over comments made by franchise superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The slugging first-baseman seemed to dismiss his disappointing 2026 season in an interview with podcaster Veronica Batista.

Guerrero said in Spanish that the Blue Jays awarded him a 14-year, US$500 million extension before the 2025 season for his previous body of work, not what he would do in the future.

"They didn’t pay me because I’m going to hit 40 (home runs) every year," he said. "They paid me for what I already accomplished."

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Baseball

Ben Rice tops Aaron Boone’s preseason prediction of 39 homers, hitting 40th and then 41st

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Ben Rice tops Aaron Boone’s preseason prediction of 39 homers, hitting 40th and then 41st

Ronald Blum, The Associated Press 4 minute read 5:00 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice one-upped Aaron Boone. And then he two-upped the New York Yankees manager.

Boone predicted during spring training that Rice would finish with 39 home runs this season. Rice hit Nos. 40 and 41 in Wednesday night's 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, tying for the American League home run lead.

He smiled and pointed at Boone when he returned to the dugout after driving Mason Englert's first pitch of the game into Yankee Stadium's right field second deck. Rice grinned at Boone some more after another solo homer in the fourth.

“I think I said, `Hey, there’s 40 for you,'” Rice recalled. “I was joking with him after the 41st one, saying, `Hey thanks for inspiring me this year.' But it’s all in good fun. Back in spring when he told me that, I knew that secretly meant he was hoping I’d hit 40.”

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5:00 AM CDT

Baseball

Mariners rally past Astros 6-5 in 10 innings to keep faint playoff hopes alive

Mark Moschetti, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mariners rally past Astros 6-5 in 10 innings to keep faint playoff hopes alive

Mark Moschetti, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:45 AM CDT

SEATTLE (AP) — Josh Naylor singled home Randy Arozarena with the winning run in the 10th inning and the Seattle Mariners kept their slim playoff hopes alive by rallying past the Houston Astros 6-5 on Wednesday night.

Houston (78-80) remained tied atop the AL West with Texas, which has lost three straight games. The Astros hold the head-to-head tiebreaker if the teams finish with the same record.

The Mariners (74-84) are four games back with four to play.

Seattle was down 5-4 after automatic runner Yordan Alvarez scored on a triple to right field by Isaac Paredes in the top of the 10th.

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Updated: 1:45 AM CDT

Baseball

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado, right, hits a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, left, and catcher Will Smith watch during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Machado powers the Padres past the Dodgers 5-1, snapping Los Angeles’ 11-game home winning streak

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Machado powers the Padres past the Dodgers 5-1, snapping Los Angeles’ 11-game home winning streak

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:40 AM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Manny Machado homered and drove in three runs as the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 on Wednesday night to take sole possession of the top spot in the National League wild-card standings.

The loss snapped the NL West champions' 11-game home winning streak and kept the Dodgers (97-61) from clinching at least the No. 2 seed in the National League and a first-round playoff bye. To secure that, they still need one win or an Atlanta loss.

The Padres (88-70) were prevented from clinching their franchise-record third consecutive playoff berth when Arizona beat Colorado 5-3. But they need just one win or a Diamondbacks loss to punch their ticket to the postseason.

San Diego leads Chicago (87-71) and Philadelphia (87-71) by one game for the first National League wild card, a spot that would bring home-field advantage throughout a best-of-three Wild Card Series.

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Updated: 1:40 AM CDT

Baseball

Walton homers and Bolte has 4 hits to lead the Athletics to a 7-3 victory over the Angels

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Walton homers and Bolte has 4 hits to lead the Athletics to a 7-3 victory over the Angels

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:56 PM CDT

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Donovan Walton hit a three-run homer and rookie Henry Bolte had his first four-hit game to help the Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 on Wednesday night.

Lawrence Butler had an RBI single and Walton hit his ninth home run, a two-out shot off rookie Walbert Ureña (9-11) for a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

Bolte went 4 for 5, scored two runs and had an RBI double in the second that put the Athletics (63-95) up 5-0.

Mike Trout and Vaughn Grissom hit back-to-back homers off Jeffrey Springs in the fourth to make it 5-2. It was the 22nd homer this season for Trout the 426th of his career.

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Yesterday at 11:56 PM CDT

Baseball

Sonny Gray earns his 18th win as Red Sox beat Guardians 1-0

The Associated Press 13 minute read Preview

Sonny Gray earns his 18th win as Red Sox beat Guardians 1-0

The Associated Press 13 minute read Yesterday at 10:46 PM CDT

BOSTON (AP) — Sonny Gray pitched six innings to tie Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez for the major league lead with his 18th victory, Andruw Monasterio drove in the only run with a sixth-inning single, and the Boston Red Sox edged Cleveland 1-0 on Wednesday night to snap the Guardians’ six-game winning streak.

It was just the fifth win in 13 games for the Red Sox, who clinched a playoff spot on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Gray (18-5) is in line to become the fourth Red Sox pitcher since 2000 to lead the AL in victories, joining Rick Porcello (2016), Josh Beckett (’07) and Curt Schilling (’04).

Gray allowed four singles, struck out three, walked one and lowered his ERA to 2.72.

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Yesterday at 10:46 PM CDT

Baseball

Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, right, breaks from the batter's box after connecting for a triple to drive in two runs as Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman looks on in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 5-3 to keep NL wild-card hopes alive

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 5-3 to keep NL wild-card hopes alive

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:36 PM CDT

DENVER (AP) — Corbin Carroll had a two-run triple to cap a four-run first inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks kept their playoff hopes alive with a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Gabriel Moreno drove in the first run and finished with three hits to help Arizona (84-74) close within three games of the Phillies and Cubs for an NL wild card.

Moreno, with a .310 batting average, trails the Phillies' Luis Arraez at .312 for the NL batting title with four games remaining.

Merrill Kelly (10-14) allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings to improve to 6-0 in nine starts at Coors Field since 2022. Jonathan Loáisiga earned his second save when he retired Ezequiel Tovar on a foul pop that first baseman Ildemaro Vargas caught at the railing with runners on second and third.

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Yesterday at 10:36 PM CDT

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Baseball

New York Mets' Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by third base coach Jacob Latz as Semien runs the bases on a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Semien hits tiebreaking HR against old team and Baty adds pinch-hit slam as Mets beat Rangers 7-2

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Semien hits tiebreaking HR against old team and Baty adds pinch-hit slam as Mets beat Rangers 7-2

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:39 AM CDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning against his former team and Brett Baty added a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth as the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Wednesday night.

Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean (12-10) allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings for the last-place Mets (73-85), who have won both games in Texas since ex-interim manager Andy Green was given the full-time position Tuesday.

The Rangers (78-80) have lost three consecutive games but remain tied with Houston for the AL West lead after the Astros lost 6-5 in 10 innings at Seattle. Both teams have four games left, and Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.

Semien, traded by Texas to the Mets last November for Brandon Nimmo, launched his 15th homer this season off All-Star closer Jacob Latz (3-4) for a 3-2 lead. Semien, part of the Rangers' only World Series title in 2023, snapped an 0-for-13 slump with his first homer since Aug. 7.

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Updated: 12:39 AM CDT

Baseball

Marlins prevent Cubs from clinching a playoff spot again with a 3-2 victory

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Marlins prevent Cubs from clinching a playoff spot again with a 3-2 victory

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:36 AM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Stowers homered and the Miami Marlins prevented the Chicago Cubs from clinching a playoff berth for the second straight night with a 3-2 victory Wednesday.

Dansby Swanson drove in both runs for the Cubs, who needed a win or an Arizona loss at Colorado to secure a National League wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 5-3.

Chicago is tied with Philadelphia at 87-71 for the second of three NL wild cards — one game behind San Diego with four to play. None of them have wrapped up a trip to the postseason.

The Padres won 5-1 at Dodger Stadium, hours after the Phillies lost 4-1 at home to NL Central champion Milwaukee.

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Updated: 1:36 AM CDT

Baseball

Royals snap a 5-game skid with a 5-4 win over White Sox, delaying Chicago’s bid for a playoff berth

By Marc Bowman, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Royals snap a 5-game skid with a 5-4 win over White Sox, delaying Chicago’s bid for a playoff berth

By Marc Bowman, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia had three hits and three RBIs, including a tiebreaking, run-scoring double in the seventh inning, as the Kansas City Royals beat the White Sox 5-4 Wednesday night and delayed Chicago's bid for a postseason berth.

Chicago could have secured its first playoff berth since 2021 with a win over the Royals and a Texas loss to the New York Mets.

Instead, Garcia and the Royals played the role of spoiler.

Connor Thomas (2-1) struck out one and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings for the win. Steven Cruz struck out two in the ninth and earned his eighth save.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

Baseball

Chris Sale fans 10, reaches 200 strikeouts for the season as Braves edge Reds 3-2

Bill Trocchi, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Chris Sale fans 10, reaches 200 strikeouts for the season as Braves edge Reds 3-2

Bill Trocchi, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:13 PM CDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Sale struck out 10 and reached 200 Ks for the season, Mauricio Dubón delivered a winning RBI single in the 10th inning, and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Matt Olson and Austin Riley hit solo homers for the Braves. Brent Suter (3-2) worked a scoreless 10th inning and earned the win.

Sale went 5 2/3 innings and was removed after recording his third strikeout of the game of Reds rookie Sal Stewart. The 37-year-old left-hander has reached 200 strikeouts nine times, which is the most of any pitcher since 2013. In his final start before the postseason, he allowed one run on four hits. Sale hit at least 99 mph on the radar gun on 12 of his 97 pitches.

Olson’s home run was his 41st of the season and tied the game at 1 in the sixth. Riley's homer tied the game at 2 in the seventh. Dubón was 2 for 4 with a walk and extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

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Yesterday at 9:13 PM CDT

Baseball

Ben Rice hits 40th and 41st homers as Yankees beat Rays 9-2 a day after Tampa Bay clinches AL East

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Ben Rice hits 40th and 41st homers as Yankees beat Rays 9-2 a day after Tampa Bay clinches AL East

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice hit his 40th and 41st home runs, Ryan McMahon added a grand slam while matching his career high with five RBIs and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 on Wednesday night.

Gerrit Cole (10-9) allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings and a season-high 105 pitches with eight strikeouts and three walks. The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner had a 3.61 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 22 starts and 127 innings following his return in May from Tommy John surgery.

A day after Tampa Bay clinched the AL East title, Rice hit the first pitch of the first inning from Mason Englert (0-4) into the right-field second deck for his fourth career leadoff homer and second this season.

Rice added a solo drive in the fourth for his fifth career multihomer game and finished with three hits. He is tied for the AL home run lead with Baltimore's Pete Alonso, the Rays' Junior Caminero and Houston's Yordan Alvarez.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

Baseball

Gray earns 18th victory, Monasterio drives in run, and Red Sox edge Guardians 1-0

Ken Powtak, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Gray earns 18th victory, Monasterio drives in run, and Red Sox edge Guardians 1-0

Ken Powtak, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:25 PM CDT

BOSTON (AP) — Sonny Gray pitched six innings to tie Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez for the major league lead with his 18th victory, Andruw Monasterio drove in the only run with a sixth-inning single, and the Boston Red Sox edged Cleveland 1-0 on Wednesday night to snap the Guardians’ six-game winning streak.

It was just the fifth win in 13 games for the Red Sox, who clinched a playoff spot on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Gray (18-5) is in line to become the fourth Red Sox pitcher since 2000 to lead the AL in victories, joining Rick Porcello (2016), Josh Beckett (’07) and Curt Schilling (’04).

Gray allowed four singles, struck out three, walked one and lowered his ERA to 2.72.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:25 PM CDT

Baseball

Matthew Liberatore pitches Cardinals to 5-1 victory that halts Pirates’ 5-game winning streak

John Perrotto, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Matthew Liberatore pitches Cardinals to 5-1 victory that halts Pirates’ 5-game winning streak

John Perrotto, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 8:48 PM CDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matthew Liberatore ended an 11-start winless stretch and Alec Burleson got his major league-best 112th RBI as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Liberatore (6-14) gave up one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and no walks. His previous win came on July 11 against Atlanta in the left-hander’s last start before the All-Star break. Liberatore had lost eight straight decisions.

Burleson singled in the first run in a three-run third that put the Cardinals ahead 3-1. Iván Herrera scored on a wild pitch and Leo Bernal hit an RBI single.

Masyn Winn doubled home a run and scored on JJ Wetherholt’s single in the fourth to stretch the lead to 5-1. Wetherholt had three hits and José Fermín added two.

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Yesterday at 8:48 PM CDT

Baseball

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras celebrates his hits a two-run single off of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola with teammate first base coach Spencer Allen during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Yelich and Turang homer as Brewers win 99th game and slow Phillies’ playoff push

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Yelich and Turang homer as Brewers win 99th game and slow Phillies’ playoff push

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:57 AM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Christian Yelich and Brice Turang each hit a solo home run and the Milwaukee Brewers slowed Philadelphia’s playoff push with a 4-1 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday night.

Philadelphia needed a win over the Brewers and a loss later by Arizona or San Diego to secure its fifth straight trip to the postseason. The Diamondbacks and Padres both won, leaving the Phillies tied with the Chicago Cubs at 87-71 for the second National League wild card — one game behind San Diego.

The Phillies started their playoff streak with a trip to the World Series in 2022. They reached the National League Championship Series the next season and are coming off consecutive NL East titles, but they'd have to settle for a wild-card berth this time.

Philadelphia went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position against the Brewers and stranded 10 overall.

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Updated: 12:57 AM CDT

Baseball

Orioles sweep doubleheader against Blue Jays to stave off elimination — for now

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Orioles sweep doubleheader against Blue Jays to stave off elimination — for now

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:33 PM CDT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Trey Gibson pitched brilliantly into the seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Wednesday night to sweep a doubleheader and at least temporarily stay alive in the American League playoff race.

One more loss by the Orioles — or a win by the Chicago White Sox, who lost 5-4 at Kansas City on Wednesday night — would eliminate Baltimore. The Orioles also won the opener 4-2 against Toronto, then the 24-year-old Gibson (2-3) was outstanding in the nightcap.

He would have completed at least seven innings if not for a rare defensive positioning violation that kept the top of the seventh going. Sean Keys grounded out to second for the third out, players left the field, and the Orioles were already playing “Thank God I'm a Country Boy” — which comes after "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch — when an umpire interrupted the song to say the Blue Jays were challenging.

A replay appeared to show second baseman Jeremiah Jackson's heel on the outfield grass before the grounder, so Keys was awarded first. The play was scored an error on Jackson, but no at-bat was charged to Keys. Gibson walked the next hitter and was pulled. Yennier Cano then issued a walk before striking out Myles Straw with the bases loaded to end the inning for real.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:33 PM CDT

September 24, 2026

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