2019 – Josh Phegley drives in 8 runs, thanks to a pair of bases-loaded doubles, a run-scoring single and a solo homer, to lead the Athletics to a 14 – 1 win over the Pirates. He sets a team record for most RBIs in a game by a catcher. The A’s rack up 16 hits, including three-hit game by Matt Chapman and Kendrys Morales. Even P Brett Anderson gets into the act, as he picks up two hits and reaches on an error, in addition to getting credit for the win.

2019 – Josh Phegley drives in 8 runs, thanks to a pair of bases-loaded doubles, a run-scoring single and a solo homer, to lead the Athletics to a 14 – 1 win over the Pirates. He sets a team record for most RBIs in a game by a catcher. The A’s rack up 16 hits, including three-hit game by Matt Chapman and Kendrys Morales. Even P Brett Anderson gets into the act, as he picks up two hits and reaches on an error, in addition to getting credit for the win.

The Mariners announce that they have released 44-year-old OF Ichiro Suzuki, who is hitting .205 with no extra-base hits in 15 games and that he will stay on as a special assistant to the Chairman. He insists it is not the end of his career, as he plans to try out for the team again in 2019. “I’ll retire when I start using a cane”, as he puts it.

The Mariners announce that they have released 44-year-old OF Ichiro Suzuki, who is hitting .205 with no extra-base hits in 15 games and that he will stay on as a special assistant to the Chairman. He insists it is not the end of his career, as he plans to try out for the team again in 2019. “I’ll retire when I start using a cane”, as he puts it.

On what was supposed to be a rest day, the Indians and Blue Jays split an interminable doubleheader, scheduled to replace two games postponed by weather in April. In the first game, which was originally scheduled to take place on Jackie Robinson Day, the two teams wear uniform number 42 and Toronto wins a wild contest, 13 – 11, thanks to a 11th-inning grand slam by Yangervis Solarte, who has a five-hit game. That game starts after a two-hour rain delay, then Cleveland wins the nitecap, 13 – 4, thanks to a nine-run 5th inning. The win is the 1,500th of Terry Francona’s managerial career.

On what was supposed to be a rest day, the Indians and Blue Jays split an interminable doubleheader, scheduled to replace two games postponed by weather in April. In the first game, which was originally scheduled to take place on Jackie Robinson Day, the two teams wear uniform number 42 and Toronto wins a wild contest, 13 – 11, thanks to a 11th-inning grand slam by Yangervis Solarte, who has a five-hit game. That game starts after a two-hour rain delay, then Cleveland wins the nitecap, 13 – 4, thanks to a nine-run 5th inning. The win is the 1,500th of Terry Francona’s managerial career.

Sparks continue to fly between the Orioles and Red Sox. The whole ruckus started on April 21st, when Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia was spiked on a hard slide by Manny Machado and had to miss a few games. On April 23rd, Matt Barnes was ejected for throwing a pitch behind Machado and was handed a four-game suspension. When the teams meet again at Fenway Park this week, more incidents follow: on May 1st, Orioles CF Adam Jonesdenounces racial slurs directed at him by spectators, prompting the Red Sox to apologize and take action by banning the offending patron. But bad blood flows again when Chris Sale throws a fastball at Machado the next day eliciting only a warning. Major League Baseball warns both teams to be on their best behavior before today’s game, but in the 2nd inning, Orioles P Kevin Gausman hits Xander Bogaerts and is tossed, even if the pitch was a curveball. Umpire Sam Holbrook explains that “there needs to be an end to this stuff”. For good measure, Jones is tossed out as well in the 5th, but for arguing balls and strikes. When the dust settles, Boston wins the game, 4 – 2, behind Drew Pomeranz and Craig Kimbrel.

Sparks continue to fly between the Orioles and Red Sox. The whole ruckus started on April 21st, when Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia was spiked on a hard slide by Manny Machado and had to miss a few games. On April 23rd, Matt Barnes was ejected for throwing a pitch behind Machado and was handed a four-game suspension. When the teams meet again at Fenway Park this week, more incidents follow: on May 1st, Orioles CF Adam Jonesdenounces racial slurs directed at him by spectators, prompting the Red Sox to apologize and take action by banning the offending patron. But bad blood flows again when Chris Sale throws a fastball at Machado the next day eliciting only a warning. Major League Baseball warns both teams to be on their best behavior before today’s game, but in the 2nd inning, Orioles P Kevin Gausman hits Xander Bogaerts and is tossed, even if the pitch was a curveball. Umpire Sam Holbrook explains that “there needs to be an end to this stuff”. For good measure, Jones is tossed out as well in the 5th, but for arguing balls and strikes. When the dust settles, Boston wins the game, 4 – 2, behind Drew Pomeranz and Craig Kimbrel.

Owners of the worst record in the major leagues at 7-18, the Brewers fire manager Ron Roenicke. He will be replaced tomorrow by Craig Counsell, who has been inactive after retiring as a player following the 2011season.

Owners of the worst record in the major leagues at 7-18, the Brewers fire manager Ron Roenicke. He will be replaced tomorrow by Craig Counsell, who has been inactive after retiring as a player following the 2011season.

Jon Lester strikes out a career-high 15 and allows only one hit over 8 innings as the Red Sox defeat the A’s, 6 – 3. A grand slam by Jonny Gomes and solo homers by David Ortiz and David Ross account for all of Boston’s runs.

Jon Lester strikes out a career-high 15 and allows only one hit over 8 innings as the Red Sox defeat the A’s, 6 – 3. A grand slam by Jonny Gomes and solo homers by David Ortiz and David Ross account for all of Boston’s runs.

Erik Bedard racks up 11 strikeouts over five innings on his way to leading the Pirates to tie a team-record 17 whiffs in a 6 – 3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Erik Bedard racks up 11 strikeouts over five innings on his way to leading the Pirates to tie a team-record 17 whiffs in a 6 – 3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rob Cordemans moves into third place on the all-time Hoofdklasse strikeout leader board in a 10 – 1 Amsterdam Pirates win over HCAW. He fans rookie Peter van Doesburg to tie Craig McGinnis at 1,571 then passes him later in the inning by whiffing Randy Reiph. Only Bart Volkerijk (1,942) and Peter Callenbach (1,636) are still ahead of Cordemans.

Rob Cordemans moves into third place on the all-time Hoofdklasse strikeout leader board in a 10 – 1 Amsterdam Pirates win over HCAW. He fans rookie Peter van Doesburg to tie Craig McGinnis at 1,571 then passes him later in the inning by whiffing Randy Reiph. Only Bart Volkerijk (1,942) and Peter Callenbach (1,636) are still ahead of Cordemans.

The great Mariano Rivera, baseball’s all-time save leader, suffers a torn ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice before the Yankees’ game with the Royals. He is carted off the field, and at 42, the injury appears to be career-ending, but he will be back to pitch a final season in 2013.

The great Mariano Rivera, baseball’s all-time save leader, suffers a torn ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice before the Yankees’ game with the Royals. He is carted off the field, and at 42, the injury appears to be career-ending, but he will be back to pitch a final season in 2013.