David Wells got just what he wanted — a shot at the San Diego Padres. He made the most of it. Wells burned his former team by beating Greg Maddux in a matchup of 40-something pitchers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat San Diego 6-3 on Thursday night to move within 1 1/2 games of the Padres in the NL wild-card race.
Charlie Manuel stepped out of the dugout, tossed his gum and took a slow stroll to the mound. It was only the second inning and it appeared the Phillies and their manager were in for another long night. But Geoff Geary and five other relievers came through in a clutch spot. Chase Utley hit a two-run homer and Philadelphia’s much-maligned bullpen was superb in the Phillies’ 12-4 victory over the…
The Chicago Cubs used a simple formula to regain the NL Central lead Thursday night. If only they can follow it in St. Louis this weekend. Steve Trachsel earned his first win with the Cubs in eight years and Chicago hit four home runs in a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Daryle Ward and Cliff Floyd all homered for Chicago, which moved a half-game ahead of idle…
Jared Lorenzen and Derrick Ward have run plenty of plays together for the New York Giants during the last few years. Trouble is, most of them have come in the preseason or during practice with the scout team. Both players will be on a much larger stage Sunday when New York plays its home opener against Green Bay.
Chad Pennington dropped back and threw a few light passes. That counts as significant progress for the injured New York Jets quarterback, who was still preparing Thursday to play against the Baltimore Ravens. Pennington appeared to favor his injured right ankle in practice, but made some throws during drills after not taking any snaps the previous day during the half-hour period that the media are…
Just before heading to Boston, the New York Yankees and their star sluggers were finally stopped by the Blue Jays. A.J. Burnett pitched eight outstanding innings, Frank Thomas singled home the winning run in the ninth and Toronto beat the Yankees 2-1 on Thursday night to snap New York’s seven-game winning streak.
All the Baltimore Orioles needed was some good starting pitching. Jon Leicester and three relievers combined on a five-hitter, and Baltimore beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Thursday night. Scott Moore had two RBIs and Luis Hernandez had three hits, as the Orioles won for just the fourth time in their last 22 games and for the second time in their last 16 home games.
The season has brought one setback after another for the St. Louis Cardinals — manager Tony La Russa’s drunken-driving arrest, reliever Josh Hancock’s death, a series of injuries to everyday players. The defending World Series champions may be running out of resilience. Joey Votto hit a two-run double and David Ross followed with a two-run homer Thursday, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-4…
Brian Willsie put Los Angeles in front with 5:06 left, Kyle Calder scored twice and the Kings beat the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks 5-4 Thursday night in the NHL’s preseason opener. The Ducks played at Honda Center for the first time since June 6, when they beat the Ottawa Senators 6-2 in Game 5 of the finals and became the first team from California to win an NHL title.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell visited injured Bills tight end Kevin Everett on Thursday morning, spending 90 minutes with the tight end who sustained a severe spinal cord injury. Goodell flew from New York City to Buffalo to meet with Everett and his mother, Patricia Dugas, in the player’s room at Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, hospital spokesman Mike Hughes said.
