ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright came off the COVID-19 injured list and hung tough, St. Louis got a lights-out performance from its bullpen and the Cardinals beat New York for their fifth straight win. After the game, the Mets fired hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant hitting coach Tom Slater. New York has struggled badly with runners in scoring position this season, a trouble spot last year as well when Davis worked remotely because of coronavirus concerns. Several accomplished hitters are off to slow starts for the Mets, including $341 million newcomer Francisco Lindor. The Cardinals were clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth with two outs and a runner on base when the lights at Busch Stadium flickered, then went out for a moment. When play resumed, reliever Alex Reyes walked Pete Alonso before retiring Dom Smith on a flyball for the final out. Nolan Arenado and Harrison Bader homered to back Wainwright’s first win of the season. Four Cardinals relievers combined for 3 1/3 hitless... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber match of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto could both be back in the Phillies’ lineup, manager Joe Girardi said. Harper has missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St. Louis.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Conforto hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning and the New York Mets benefited from a very questionable call by the second base umpire to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Saturday night. Conforto led off the ninth by connecting against Hector Neris (1-3). Conforto also had a two-run double in a four-run first inning against former teammate Zack Wheeler. The Mets squandered the 4-0 lead but recovered to win for just the fourth time in 12 games — even after center fielder Brandon Nimmo and third baseman J.D. Davis exited with hand injuries. Alec Bohm tied it with a two-run homer for the Phillies, who have alternated wins and losses in their last 10 games. Philadelphia hasn’t won consecutive games since a three-game sweep of Atlanta to open the season. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, second base umpire Jose Navas ruled Andrew McCutchen ran out of the baseline to avoid an attempted tag by shortstop Francisco Lindor on what became an inning-ending... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Conforto hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning and the New York Mets benefited from a very questionable call by the second base umpire to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Saturday night. Conforto led off the ninth by connecting against Hector Neris (1-3). Conforto also had a two-run double in a four-run first inning against former teammate Zack Wheeler. The Mets squandered the 4-0 lead but recovered to win for just the fourth time in 12 games — even after center fielder Brandon Nimmo and third baseman J.D. Davis exited with hand injuries. Alec Bohm tied it with a two-run homer for the Phillies, who have alternated wins and losses in their last 10 games. Philadelphia hasn’t won consecutive games since a three-game sweep of Atlanta to open the season. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, second base umpire Jose Navas ruled Andrew McCutchen ran out of the baseline to avoid an attempted tag by shortstop Francisco Lindor on what became an inning-ending... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber match of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto could both be back in the Phillies’ lineup, manager Joe Girardi said. Harper has missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday: ___ CENTURY MARK Corey Kluber goes for his 100th career victory when he starts for the Yankees at home against Detroit. The 35-year-old Kluber (1-2, 4.15) is 99-60 in a big league career that started in 2011. The two-time AL Cy Young Award winner has posted just three wins in the last three years with Cleveland, Texas and New York while beset by injuries. Kluber faces the worst-hitting team in the majors. The Tigers have a team batting average of just under .200 — former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 on Saturday and fell to .125. PHILLY SPECIAL A couple of NL East rivals play the rubber game of their three-game series in prime time when slumping Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets visit Philadelphia. Bryce Harper could be back in the Phillies’ lineup -- he’s missed three straight games since getting hit in the face and right wrist by a pitch Wednesday in St. Louis. Harper was ejected from Saturday night’s loss... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Conforto hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning and the New York Mets benefited from a very questionable call by the second base umpire to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Saturday night. Conforto led off the ninth by connecting against Hector Neris (1-3). Conforto also had a two-run double in a four-run first inning against former teammate Zack Wheeler. The Mets squandered the 4-0 lead but recovered to win for just the fourth time in 12 games — even after center fielder Brandon Nimmo and third baseman J.D. Davis exited with hand injuries. Alec Bohm tied it with a two-run homer for the Phillies, who have alternated wins and losses in their last 10 games. Philadelphia hasn’t won consecutive games since a three-game sweep of Atlanta to open the season. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, second base umpire Jose Navas ruled Andrew McCutchen ran out of the baseline to avoid an attempted tag by shortstop Francisco Lindor on what became an inning-ending... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Don Mattingly starred in the action-packed 1980s. Now the Miami Marlins manager, Donnie Baseball worries about a record lack of hits -- and not just from his team’s bats. “I don’t think it’s cyclical at this point,” he said. “There’s so much swing and miss, it’s kind of off the charts. I think it’s something that we have to address.” It’s the Season of the Slump, even for All-Stars like Marcell Ozuna (.202), Charlie Blackmon (.184) and Francisco Lindor (.189). Miguel Cabrera, the only Triple Crown winner in a half-century, is batting .140. Major league batters are hitting just .232 overall through April, down from .252 two years ago and under the record low of .237 set in the infamous 1968 season that resulted in a lower pitcher’s mound. The Mendoza line may not mean what it used to. Strikeouts have averaged 9.06 per team per game, on pace to set a record for the 13th consecutive full season — up from 8.81 two years ago and nearly double the 4.77 in 1979. Strikeouts already... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Don Mattingly starred in the action-packed 1980s. Now the Miami Marlins manager, Donnie Baseball worries about a record lack of hits -- and not just from his team’s bats. “I don’t think it’s cyclical at this point,” he said. “There’s so much swing and miss, it’s kind of off the charts. I think it’s something that we have to address.” It’s the Season of the Slump, even for All-Stars like Marcell Ozuna (.202), Charlie Blackmon (.184) and Francisco Lindor (.189). Miguel Cabrera, the only Triple Crown winner in a half-century, is batting .140. Major league batters are hitting just .232 overall through April, down from .252 two years ago and under the record low of .237 set in the infamous 1968 season that resulted in a lower pitcher’s mound. The Mendoza line may not mean what it used to. Strikeouts have averaged 9.06 per team per game, on pace to set a record for the 13th consecutive full season — up from 8.81 two years ago and nearly double the 4.77 in 1979. Strikeouts already... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor's contract negotiations with the Mets seemed pretty smooth. His swing certainly has not. The $341 million star shortstop is batting .203 with three RBIs through 19 games with his new team and has started drawing boos at Citi Field. Honeymoon's over. Welcome to New York. “It’s interesting and it’s funny, and it sucks," Lindor said Wednesday afternoon. "It doesn’t feel right, for sure. Interesting because it’s the first time that it happened in my career. And funny because I’m getting booed and people think I’m going to go home and just think, oh, why am I getting booed? I get it. They’re booing because there’s no results. That’s it. “They expect results, I expect results and I get it, you know? It’s part of the job,” he added. "I just hope they cheer and jump on the field when I start hitting home runs and start helping the team on a daily basis a lot more than I’m doing right now.” The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner was acquired in a blockbuster... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Plate umpire Jerry Layne was staggered by a foul ball off his mask and left the game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday night. The 62-year-old crew chief stumbled backward in the third inning after Francisco Lindor fouled off a 94 mph pitch from Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta. Boston catcher Christian Vázquez hopped up quickly and steadied Layne, followed by Lindor. “He got hit hard, man. It’s scary, you know?" Vázquez said. "His eye was like, up — like he was lost, you know? He got hit hard. If I don’t hold him, he’s on the ground, he’d fall down. He told me that, `I’m dizzy, man, I’m dizzy.' So I hope he’s good.” Layne held one hand on his helmet as he was tended to by Mets trainer Brian Chicklo, who ultimately guided the umpire off the field. Layne received a warm cheer from the crowd and took a seat in the New York dugout. The game was delayed nine minutes while first base ump Hunter Wendelstedt went inside to put on gear so he could... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor's contract negotiations with the Mets seemed pretty smooth. His swing certainly has not. The $341 million star shortstop is batting .203 with three RBIs through 19 games with his new team and has started drawing boos at Citi Field. Honeymoon's over. Welcome to New York. “It’s interesting and it’s funny, and it sucks," Lindor said Wednesday afternoon. "It doesn’t feel right, for sure. Interesting because it’s the first time that it happened in my career. And funny because I’m getting booed and people think I’m going to go home and just think, oh, why am I getting booed? I get it. They’re booing because there’s no results. That’s it. “They expect results, I expect results and I get it, you know? It’s part of the job,” he added. "I just hope they cheer and jump on the field when I start hitting home runs and start helping the team on a daily basis a lot more than I’m doing right now.” The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner was acquired in a blockbuster... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Plate umpire Jerry Layne was staggered by a foul ball off his mask and left the game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday night. The 62-year-old crew chief stumbled backward in the third inning after Francisco Lindor fouled off a 94 mph pitch from Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta. Boston catcher Christian Vázquez hopped up quickly and steadied Layne, followed by Lindor. Layne held one hand on his helmet as he was tended to by Mets trainer Brian Chicklo, who ultimately guided Layne off the field and into the New York dugout, where he took a seat. The game was delayed nine minutes while first base ump Hunter Wendelstedt went inside to put on gear so he could take over behind the plate. Play resumed with only three umpires on the field the rest of the way, and Boston won 1-0. A few innings after Layne exited, Mets fans cheered when Vázquez wanted to appeal a check swing — only to find no umpire at third base to make a call. It was the second consecutive... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor's contract negotiations with the Mets seemed pretty smooth. His swing certainly has not. The $341 million star shortstop entered Wednesday batting .212 with three RBIs through 18 games with his new team and started hearing boos Tuesday night at Citi Field after grounding out late in a 2-1 loss to Boston. Honeymoon's over. Welcome to New York. “It’s interesting and it’s funny, and it sucks," Lindor said. "It doesn’t feel right, for sure. Interesting because it’s the first time that it happened in my career. And funny because I’m getting booed and people think I’m going to go home and just think, oh, why am I getting booed? I get it. They’re booing because there’s no results. That’s it. "They expect results, I expect results and I get it, you know? It’s part of the job. People expect results and they’re booing because there are no results. I just hope they cheer and jump on the field when I start hitting home runs and start helping the team on a daily basis... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Jeff Bridich is stepping down as general manager of the Colorado Rockies, ending a tumultuous tenure that included two playoff appearances and a falling out with Nolan Arenado that ultimately led to the star third baseman's offseason trade. The Rockies announced Monday that the decision was a mutual agreement with Bridich, who was in his seventh season as GM. The team will appoint an interim general manager for the rest of the season before launching a search following the postseason. Bridich said in a statement that he recently had a conversation with owner Dick Monfort and newly appointed team president Greg Feasel about the team's future. “It became abundantly clear that ushering in a new leadership structure is critically important,” Bridich said. “With that in mind we arrived at this decision to part ways, and ultimately it will be what is best for the Rockies and for me. Change can be a great thing for an organization and for the individuals who comprise it. Dick has... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Jeff Bridich is stepping down as general manager of the Colorado Rockies, ending a tumultuous tenure that included two playoff appearances and a falling out with Nolan Arenado that ultimately led to the star third baseman's offseason trade. The Rockies announced Monday that the decision was a mutual agreement with Bridich, who was in his seventh season as GM. The team will appoint an interim general manager for the rest of the season before launching a search following the postseason. Bridich said in a statement that he recently had a conversation with owner Dick Monfort and newly appointed team President Greg Feasel about the team's future. “It became abundantly clear that ushering in a new leadership structure is critically important,” Bridich said. “With that in mind we arrived at this decision to part ways, and ultimately it will be what is best for the Rockies and for me. Change can be a great thing for an organization and for the individuals who comprise it. Dick has... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics extended their winning streak to 11, rallying from a two-run deficit and beating the Twins 13-12 on Wednesday when Luis Arraez threw away Ramón Laureano’s grounder for Minnesota’s second error of the 10th inning. Nelson Cruz had two home runs and four RBIs for the Twins, and Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer against Lou Trivino for a 12-10 lead in the 10th. Alex Colomé (1-2) got the first two outs in the bottom half with the automatic runner on second, then walked Seth Brown and Elvis Andrus, loading the bases. Mark Canha hit what should have been a game-ending grounder to second baseman Travis Blankehorn, who entered as a pinch runner for Josh Donaldson in the 10th, but Blankenhorn allowed the ball to bounce off his glove for a run-scoring error. Laureano hit a one-hopper to Arraez for what again should have been the final out. Arraez, who had moved to third from second base to third for the 10th, sailed his throw over first baseman Willians... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics extended their winning streak to 11, rallying from a two-run deficit and beating the Twins 13-12 on Wednesday when Luis Arraez threw away Ramón Laureano’s grounder for Minnesota’s second error of the 10th inning. Nelson Cruz had two home runs and four RBIs for the Twins, and Byron Buxton hit a two-run homer against Lou Trivino for a 12-10 lead in the 10th. Alex Colomé (1-2) got the first two outs in the bottom half with the automatic runner on second, then walked Seth Brown and Elvis Andrus, loading the bases. Mark Canha hit what should have been a game-ending grounder to second baseman Travis Blankehorn, who entered as a pinch runner for Josh Donaldson in the 10th, but Blankenhorn allowed the ball to bounce off his glove for a run-scoring error. Laureano hit a one-hopper to Arraez for what again should have been the final out. Arraez, who had moved to third from second base to third for the 10th, sailed his throw over first baseman Willians... [More]

The annual survey of opening day baseball salaries by The Associated Press usually reveals something interesting about the state of the game, and this year’s version was even more interesting than most. Here’s a tidbit from it that borders on surprising: Despite all you hear and read about the game's huge salaries, a big percentage of major league baseball players aren’t millionaires. That’s not to say they won’t be by the time they’re done playing. Even those playing for minimum salary — assuming they are somewhat frugal with their money — will eventually end up with a pile of cash if their careers last long enough. And then, of course, there’s Trevor Bauer making $38 million in Los Angeles this season and Francisco Lindor’s staggering 10-year, $341 million contract with the New York Mets. But of the 902 players on opening-day rosters, 417 had salaries under $1 million. That included 316 — basically 1 of 3 players — making under $600,000. Equally startling in the annual study by AP Baseball... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2021 salaries for the 117 major league baseball players on opening day rosters and injured lists earning $10 million or more. Figures were obtained by The Associated Press from management and player sources and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses and other guaranteed income. For some players, parts of salaries deferred without interest are discounted to reflect present-day values. Player, ClubSalary1, Trevor Bauer, LAD$38,000,0002, Mike Trout, LAA37,116,6673, Gerrit Cole, NYY36,000,0004, Nolan Arenado, StL35,000,0005, Max Scherzer, Was34,503,4806, Manny Machado, SD34,000,0007, Justin Verlander, Hou33,000,0008, Zack Greinke, Hou32,921,8509, Stephen Strasburg, Was32,045,25610, David Price, LAD32,000,00011, Clayton Kershaw, LAD31,000,00112, Miguel Cabrera, Det30,000,000(tie) Albert Pujols, LAA30,000,00014, Jose Altuve, Hou29,000,000(tie) Giancarlo Stanton, NYY29,000,00016, Jacob DeGrom, NYM28,131,95517, Anthony Rendon, LAA28,071,42918, Bryce Harper,... [More]