October 2, 2025 4:27 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Mason Miller dominated again and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 to send their NL Wild Card Series to a decisive third game. Jackson Merrill hit an early sacrifice fly as San Diego avoided elimination after losing 3-1 on Tuesday. Dylan Cease struck out five in 3 2/3 innings before handing the ball to his team’s hard-throwing bullpen. The finale of the best-of-three series is back at Wrigley Field on Thursday. The playoff-tested Padres are looking for a repeat of 2020, when they dropped Game 1 in the wild-card round before advancing with two straight victories against St. Louis. Machado also homered in Game 2 of that series.
October 2, 2025 4:28 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor homered during a five-run eighth inning and the Cleveland Guardians evened their AL Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers with a 6-1 victory in Game 2. George Valera also went deep as the Guardians forced a deciding game in the best-of-three series. The winner Thursday faces the Seattle Mariners in a Division Series. Javier Báez had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who were 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position and left 15 on base.
October 2, 2025 4:29 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Dillon Gabriel will get his first NFL start on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns face the Minnesota Vikings in London. The Browns are benching Joe Flacco after he struggled to lead the offense in the first four games. Cleveland is 1-3 and ranked next-to-last in scoring, averaging 14 points per game. The team has scored 17 points or fewer in nine straight games. Gabriel will be the fifth different starting QB in 10 games. Gabriel was selected in the third round of April’s draft. He has seen action in two games and has completed three of four passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
October 1, 2025 4:34 am
PITTSBURGH — According to reports, the Pirates are making changes to their coaching staff, parting ways with pitching coach Oscar Marin and third base coach Mike Rabelo. Assistant pitching coach Brent Strom will also not have his contract renewed. The Pirates have not confirmed the moves. Additional changes to the coaching staff could also be coming. Marin and Rabelo were two of the longest-tenured members of the coaching staff and were among former manager Derek Shelton’s first hires during the 2019 offseason. The report comes after manager Don Kelly signed a contract extension Monday. The Pirates finished the season 71-91 and in last place in the National League Central Division.
October 1, 2025 4:24 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. Ohtani’s first homer was a leadoff shot in the first inning. His second, a two-run drive in the sixth, extended the lead to 8-0. Ohtani hit a career-high 55 homers during the regular season, breaking his own franchise record. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said the two-way superstar would probably start on the mound if the series goes to a decisive third game. Ohtani has yet to pitch in the postseason.
October 1, 2025 4:26 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Seiya Suzuki watched the playoffs on TV after each of his first three years in the majors. He gets to play this time around, and he is determined to make the most of the opportunity. Suzuki hit a crucial home run to help the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series. The usually reserved Suzuki pumped his right arm and yelled in celebration as he made his way to first base after his big swing. Chicago had just one hit before the Japanese slugger opened the fifth with a 424-foot shot into the bleachers in left-center on a 94.5 mph fastball from Nick Pivetta.
October 1, 2025 4:25 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Garrett Crochet led the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in their AL Wild Card Series opener. He threw 117 pitches, the most in a postseason game in six years, striking out 11 batters and walking none over 7 2/3 innings. Crochet retired 17 consecutive batters after Anthony Volpe’s homer in the second. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in December, Crochet has become Boston’s ace, earning a $170 million contract starting next year. He went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA this season, leading the major leagues with 255 strikeouts and topping the AL with 205 1/3 innings.
October 1, 2025 4:26 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland. Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 win Tuesday. Despite a challenging September, Skubal’s determination helped Detroit gain early momentum in the best-of-three series. He allowed just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings. Skubal’s fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and he effectively used his slider. His performance was crucial for Detroit, which had struggled against Cleveland in recent matchups.
October 1, 2025 4:27 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces have a chance to make history in the WNBA Finals. They could become champions for the third time in four years, a feat only surpassed by the Houston Comets. The Aces, who won titles in 2022 and 2023, will host the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in the best-of-seven Finals. The Aces have beaten the Mercury three times this season. A’ja Wilson, a four-time MVP, has been crucial in leading the team.
September 30, 2025 1:10 am
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the club has extended the contract of manager Don Kelly. The 45-year-old Kelly made his managerial debut on May 9 vs. Atlanta. Following Kelly’s appointment to being named the team’s 42nd manager in club history, Pittsburgh swept seven series, including series against the National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies (June 6-8), American League Central wild card Detroit Tigers (July 21-23) and National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers (September 2-4). Pittsburgh’s 3.59 staff ERA from May 9 through the conclusion of the regular season ranked fourth in all of Major League Baseball, trailing only Milwaukee (3.38), Texas (3.46) and Cleveland (3.52). The Pirates also recorded the sixth-best fielding percentage (.988) in Major League Baseball from May 9 through the end of the season, committing the sixth-fewest errors (50) in the league in that span.
“Donnie has earned the respect of the players, front office, and our fans – and he has certainly earned mine,” said Pirates Chairman, Bob Nutting. “Donnie took over the team at a true low point. Since then, we’ve seen meaningful progress, not just in the clubhouse culture, but on the field. His connection to the community and passion for the franchise make him more than just a manager. He is a Pittsburgher; he is part of our community. He’s the right fit, at the right time, and is the right person to lead us forward.”
“I’m proud to continue leading the Pirates,” said Kelly. “Our clubhouse is full of players who care deeply about each other, about winning, and about representing Pittsburgh the right way. I was a Pirates fan first. I know our fans deserve a team that delivers on the field, and it’s on me to make sure we reach that standard.”
“Donnie is an elite communicator. He is deeply trusted by our players because he’s credible, consistent, and unafraid of tough conversations,” said Pirates General Manager, Ben Cherington. “His background as both a scout and a coach gives him a rare perspective: patience when it’s needed, and an unwavering belief in players’ ability to improve. Above all, he values people and winning. His ability to adjust, lead, and do the hard work makes him the right leader.”
