MLB news

Red Sox gaining...Mets hold off Cubs...Sanchez wins ninth straight decision for Blue Jays UNDATED (AP) — The race in the American League East is getting tighter. The Red Sox are within a half-game of Baltimore for the top spot in the AL East.

MLB-SCHEDULE Sale goes 8 shutout innings, but doesn't get win...A-Rod four shy of 700 club UNDATED (AP) — Chris Sale did all he could to become baseball's first 15-game winner last night. He hurled eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit and left with a 3-0 lead.

Mickelson dominates Royal Troon TROON, Scotland (AP) — Phil Mickelson flirted with golf history while taking the first-round lead in the British Open at Royal Troon on Thursday.

Troon hosting British Open TROON, Scotland (AP) — The 145th British Open is underway at Royal Troon.

AL beats NL again SAN DIEGO (AP) — There was a time when the National League thoroughly dominated the major league All-Star game, but those days are long gone.

Stanton wins derby...Sale, Cueto named All-Star starters SAN DIEGO (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton has won the Home Run Derby on the eve of the major league All-Star Game in San Diego. Stanton beat defending champion Todd Frazier of the White Sox 20-13 in the final. The Marlins outfielder slammed 61 home runs during his three rounds, beating Robinson Cano (kuh-NOH') 24-7 in the first round and current ho

Indians streak reaches a dozen...Royals outlast Cards UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Indians continue to own the longest current winning streak in the majors.

Rangers falter in ninth UNDATED (AP) — It was a tough night for the American League's top team. The Rangers grabbed an early 6-0 lead and were within one out of a 7-4 victory until Boston scored four times to pull out an 8-7 win at Texas. Sandy Leon kept the game alive with an RBI double and Mookie Betts tied it with a two-run homer before Dustin Pedroia scored on a wild pitch by Matt Bush. Hanley

Thunder rally to beat Spurs SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are one victory away from advancing to the NBA's Western Conference finals and ending the San Antonio Spurs' season.

Florida Gulf Coast, Wichita State win openers DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Florida Gulf Coast and Wichita State are play-in winners on the first night of the "First Four" portion of the NCAA tournament.

Sixers, Pelicans fall again UNDATED (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have just one victory so far in this NBA season, and they aren't even the league's worst team.

Royals and Mets on the verge of advancing to Fall Classic TORONTO (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are one victory away from returning to the World Series. Ben Zobrist tagged R.A. Dickey for a two-run homer in a four-run first inning, Alex Rios went deep leading off the second and the Royals routed the Toronto Blue Jays 14-2 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series...

Jays hammer Royals UNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays staged a pair of big rallies to get within two games to one of the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series.

MLB-PLAYOFFS Blue Jays take advantage of bizarre seventh to beat Rangers UNDATED (AP) — The top two teams in the American League this season will square off in the AL championship series. The Toronto Blue Jays have advanced by becoming the third team in major league history to win a best-of-five playoff round after dropping the first two games at home. And the Kansas City Royals are in following t