ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Noé Ramirez and a player to be named or cash. The clubs announced the deal Monday. Iglesias has been the Reds' closer for the past four seasons, racking up 100 saves in 114 opportunities over that stretch with a career 3.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. He is one of just five major league relievers with at least 100 saves over the past four seasons along with Edwin Diaz, Kenley Jansen, Brad Hand and Alex Colome. The 30-year-old Cuban right-hander is coming off a strong performance in the shortened season. He went 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP with eight saves and 31 strikeouts against just five walks. Iglesias had a poor playoff series, capped by allowing a pair of two-run homers in the eighth inning of the Reds' elimination loss to Atlanta in the wild-card round. Ramirez, who turns 31 this month, is a Los Angeles native who was among the Angels’ few effective relievers... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Noé Ramirez and a player to be named or cash. The clubs announced the deal Monday. Iglesias has been the Reds' closer for the past four seasons, racking up 100 saves in 114 opportunities over that stretch with a career 3.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. He is one of just five major league relievers with at least 100 saves over the past four seasons along with Edwin Diaz, Kenley Jansen, Brad Hand and Alex Colome. The 30-year-old Cuban right-hander is coming off a strong performance in the shortened season. He went 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP with eight saves and 31 strikeouts against just five walks. Iglesias had a poor playoff series, capped by allowing a pair of two-run homers in the eighth inning of the Reds' elimination loss to Atlanta in the wild-card round. Ramirez, who turns 31 this month, is a Los Angeles native who was among the Angels’ few effective relievers... [More]

Oct. 29 1931 — Lefty Grove, winner of 31 games for the Philadelphia A’s, was named the American League MVP. 1942 — Branch Rickey, the architect of the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm system, resigned as the team’s vice president. Rickey was named president of the Dodgers on Nov. 1. 1979 — Willie Mays severed all ties to major league baseball after signing a contract with the Bally Corporation, which is involved with legalized gambling in Atlantic City, N.J. 2008 — Brad Lidge and the Philadelphia Phillies finished off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a three-inning sprint to win a suspended Game 5 nearly 50 hours after it started, capturing their first World Series title since 1980. Left in limbo by a two-day rainstorm, Pedro Feliz singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh and Lidge closed out his perfect season to deliver the title. 2009 — New York’s Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui hit solo homers off Pedro Martinez to back a sharp performance by A.J. Burnett and tie give the Yankees a 3-1 victory... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — First, it was Dylan Floro. And then Alex Wood, Pedro Báez, Victor González, Brusdar Graterol and finally, Julio Urías. The Los Angeles Dodgers relied on their bullpen in a World Series-clinching 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 on Tuesday night. Floro, Wood, Báez, González, Graterol and Urías combined for 7 1/3 innings of two-hit ball after Tony Gonsolin was pulled in the second. “Those guys won us that game,” catcher Austin Barnes said. Gonsolin allowed Randy Arozarena's homer in the first and departed with runners on first and second. Floro came in and struck out Arozarena, ending the inning. Wood pitched two innings before Báez got two outs. González entered with Arozarena on first and retired Austin Meadows on a grounder to second, ending the fifth. After González struck out the side in the sixth, Graterol got two outs and Urías finished for the save. The 24-year-old Urias went 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA in six postseason appearances, including two starts.... [More]

Dave Roberts finally has a World Series title to savor. The Los Angeles manager guided the Dodgers to their first championship since 1988 on Tuesday night, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to win in six games. “This is our year!” Roberts shouted, drawing huge cheers from about 11,000 fans in Texas. Roberts did what his seven predecessors — including Joe Torre and Don Mattingly — failed to do, bring a championship to long-starved Dodgers fans. He joins Hall of Famers Walter Alston and Tom Lasorda as the only managers to do so. “I had a crazy feeling that came to fruition,” he said. An emotional Roberts shared hugs with his players after the final out. “It’s sinking in pretty quickly,” he said. “Obviously, I'm over the moon.” Roberts has taken the Dodgers to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, helping extend their streak of eight consecutive NL West titles. But until Tuesday they had never reached their ultimate goal and Roberts endured his share of criticism along the way. Roberts got... [More]

Dave Roberts finally has a World Series title to savor. The Los Angeles manager guided the Dodgers to their first championship since 1988 on Tuesday night, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to win in six games. “This is our year!” Roberts shouted, drawing huge cheers from about 11,000 fans in Texas. Roberts did what his seven predecessors — including Joe Torre and Don Mattingly — failed to do, bring a championship to long-starved Dodgers fans. He joins Hall of Famers Walter Alston and Tom Lasorda as the only managers to do so. An emotional Roberts shared hugs with his players after the final out. He's taken the Dodgers to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, helping extend their streak of eight consecutive NL West titles. But they never reached their ultimate goal and Roberts endured his share of criticism along the way. Roberts got booed in Game 5 by the few fans allowed at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The mostly pro-LA crowd didn't want Clayton Kershaw to leave so soon, but... [More]

If it wasn’t exactly redemption for Clayton Kershaw, it sure was for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maybe Dave Roberts, too, though the jury will be out on the Dodgers manager until the moment his team finally hoists a World Series trophy. The Dodgers didn’t just win Game 5 on Sunday night to move within a game of doing just that. They also regained the swagger that could have easily been knocked out of them in a demoralizing loss the night before. They did it by shaking off the effect of a brutal walk off just hours earlier that might have destroyed lesser teams. They did it by getting just enough out of a pitcher whose Hall of Fame resume is lacking only one thing — a World Series ring. And they did it behind the chess moves of a manager who makes Dodger fans nervous every time he heads out to the mound. “I can’t get caught up with fan reactions to the decisions I make,’’ Roberts said. ”I wanted my talent out there and they made me look good tonight.’’ A night after Kenley Jansen blew a ninth... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on Game 5 of the World Series (all times local): 10:40 p.m. Clayton Kershaw beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second time in six days, escaping a fourth-inning jam with a quick reaction throw to cut down a runner trying for a rare steal of home plate, and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 4-2 win Sunday night and a 3-2 World Series lead. With one more victory, the Dodgers would claim their first title since 1988. Mookie Betts and Corey Seager sparked a two-run first inning, and Joc Pederson and Max Muncy homered off long-ball prone Tyler Glasnow, whose 100 mph heat was no match. Kershaw was cruising when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed the 32-year-old left-hander in favor of Dustin May with two outs in the sixth inning. The mostly pro-Dodgers fans in the pandemic-reduced crowd of 11,437 booed when Roberts walked to the mound, well aware that closer Kenley Jansen wasted a ninth-inning lead in Saturday’s stunning 8-7 loss. May got five outs and Victor... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on Game 5 of the World Series (all times local): 10:40 p.m. Clayton Kershaw beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second time in six days, escaping a fourth-inning jam with a quick reaction throw to cut down a runner trying for a rare steal of home plate, and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 4-2 win Sunday night and a 3-2 World Series lead. With one more victory, the Dodgers would claim their first title since 1988. Mookie Betts and Corey Seager sparked a two-run first inning, and Joc Pederson and Max Muncy homered off long-ball prone Tyler Glasnow, whose 100 mph heat was no match. Kershaw was cruising when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed the 32-year-old left-hander in favor of Dustin May with two outs in the sixth inning. The mostly pro-Dodgers fans in the pandemic-reduced crowd of 11,437 booed when Roberts walked to the mound, well aware that closer Kenley Jansen wasted a ninth-inning lead in Saturday’s stunning 8-7 loss. May got five outs and Victor... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — It was improbable enough that little-known Brett Phillips would get the big hit for Tampa Bay against Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. What followed was outright inconceivable. Phillips’ tying single with two outs in the ninth inning turned into a game-ending hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the ball twice, allowing Randy Arozarena to stumble home as the winning run in the Rays’ 8-7 victory in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. It was undoubtedly one of the wildest endings in World Series history. Arozarena tripped and fell on his way home and had begun retreating to third base when catcher Will Smith misplayed a relay feed. Arozarena about-faced and dived toward home, pounding on the plate with a big smile while Phillips burst into tears in the outfield. “Man, baseball is fun,” Phillips said. Walk-off homers are one thing — think Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk and Bill Mazeroski, among many others. But a finish this wacky has only a few precedents in... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — It was improbable enough that light-hitting journeyman Brett Phillips would connect for Tampa Bay against Dodgers All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. What followed was outright inconceivable. Phillips’ tying single with two outs in the ninth inning turned into a game-ending hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the ball twice, allowing Randy Arozarena to stumble home as the winning run in the Rays’ 8-7 victory in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. It was undoubtedly one of the wildest endings in World Series history. Arozarena tripped and fell on his way home and had begun retreating to third when catcher Will Smith misplayed a relay feed. Arozarena about-faced and dived toward home, pounding on the plate with a big smile while Phillips burst into tears in the outfield. “Man, baseball is fun,” Phillips said. Walk-off homers are one thing — think Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk and Bill Mazeroski, among many others. But a finish this wacky has only a few precedents in... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With two down, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered time and time again. It still wasn't enough. All the Dodgers’ runs in Saturday night’s wild 8-7 World Series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays crossed the plate with two outs, raising their total to 57 of 94 in the postseason. The 60.6% clip is on track for a postseason record, topping the previous high of 59.3% by the 1992 Atlanta Braves. “Obviously didn’t get the result that we wanted,” Justin Turner said. “Wild game, back and forth, up and down. But like we said all along, we know it’s not going to be easy. We know how difficult this is.” For all their clutch hitting, the Dodgers couldn't make the last pitch they needed to close out Game 4. Despite outscoring Tampa Bay 25-19 and outhitting the Rays .282 to .229, Los Angeles finds itself tied at two games apiece. “We made some plays offensively,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We don't play the blame game.” Phillips' two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning off closer... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. Is there anything this rookie can't do? The winning run the Cuban sensation scored in a frenetic ninth inning will have fans talking for years after the Tampa Bay Rays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 Saturday night, tying the matchup at two games apiece. “Randy’s not used to having to run like that. Normally he’s just trotting,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. Those same folks might want to remember that much earlier, the 25-year-old outfielder passed Barry Bonds among others for the most home runs in a single postseason. He then joined the top of the list for hits as well. Arozarena's solo homer leading off the fourth opened the scoring for the Rays and was his ninth of the postseason, and sent him past the previous record of eight shared by Bonds (2002, San Francisco), Carlos Beltran (2005, Houston) and Nelson Cruz (2011, Texas). None of those three won the World... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. Is there anything this rookie can't do? The winning run the Cuban sensation scored in a frenetic ninth inning will have fans talking for years after the Tampa Bay Rays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 Saturday night, tying the matchup at two games apiece. “Randy’s not used to having to run like that. Normally he’s just trotting,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. Those same folks might want to remember that much earlier, the 25-year-old outfielder passed Barry Bonds among others for the most home runs in a single postseason. He then joined the top of the list for hits as well. Arozarena's solo homer leading off the fourth opened the scoring for the Rays and was his ninth of the postseason, and sent him past the previous record of eight shared by Bonds (2002, San Francisco), Carlos Beltran (2005, Houston) and Nelson Cruz (2011, Texas). None of those three won the World... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kenley Jansen threw a cutter inside to Brett Phillips for a ball, then a cutter and a sinker for called strikes. One strike to go, and the Los Angeles Dodgers would be one win from the World Series title that has eluded them since 1988. The 33-year-old right-hander had faltered this year, lost velocity, but bounced back. He assured Dodgers fans, and so did manager Dave Roberts. Kevin Kiermaier was on second after a one-out single and Randy Arozarena on first following a two-out walk. Just one more strike to a hitter who figured to be overmatched. After all, Phillips hadn't even been on Tampa Bay's AL Championship Series roster, had not gotten a hit since Sept. 25. He wasn't even with the Rays until an Aug. 27 trade from Kansas City. Jansen threw a cutter to the left-handed batter, over the middle and knee high. And the night came undone for Jansen and the Dodgers. Phillips flared the ball into center field at 83 mph for a single and it bounced twice. Just before... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kenley Jansen threw a cutter inside to Brett Phillips for a ball, then a cutter and a sinker for called strikes. One strike to go, and the Los Angeles Dodgers would be one win from the World Series title that has eluded them since 1988. The 33-year-old right-hander had faltered this year, lost velocity, but bounced back. He assured Dodgers fans, and so did manager Dave Roberts. Kevin Kiermaier was on second after a one-out single and Randy Arozarena on first following a two-out walk. Just one more strike to a hitter who figured to be overmatched. After all, Phillips hadn't even been on the Rays' AL Championship Series roster, had not gotten a hit since Sept. 25. He wasn't even with Tampa Bay until an Aug. 27 trade from Kansas City. Jansen threw a cutter to the left-handed batter, over the middle and knee high. And the night came undone for Jansen and the Dodgers. Phillips drove the ball into center field for a single and it bounced twice. Just before it was to land... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. Is there anything this rookie can't do? The winning run the Cuban sensation scored in a frenetic ninth inning will have fans talking for years after the Tampa Bay Rays stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 Saturday night, tying the matchup at two games apiece. “Randy’s not used to having to run like that. Normally he’s usually trotting,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. Those same folks might want to remember that much earlier, the 25-year-old outfielder passed Barry Bonds among others for the most home runs in a single postseason. He then joined the top of the list for hits as well. Arozarena's solo homer leading off the fourth opened the scoring for the Rays and was his ninth of the postseason, and sent him past the previous record of eight shared by Bonds (2002, San Francisco), Carlos Beltran (2005, Houston) and Nelson Cruz (2011, Texas). None of those three won the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With two down, the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered time and time again. It still wasn't enough. All the Dodgers’ runs in Saturday night’s wild 8-7 World Series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays crossed the plate with two outs, raising their total to 57 of 94 in the postseason. The 60.6% clip is on track for a postseason record, topping the previous high of 59.3% by the 1992 Atlanta Braves. But for all their clutch hitting, the Dodgers couldn't make the last pitch they needed to close out Game 4. Brett Phillips' two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning off closer Kenley Jansen scored Kevin Kiermaier from second base with the tying run and brought home Randy Arozarena all the way from first when center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the ball for an error and Los Angeles botched a relay to the plate. Before the astonishing finish, the teams became the first in Series play to score in eight consecutive half innings — two more than the previous high set by the Dodgers and... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local): 11:20 p.m. The Tampa Bay Rays pulled off a stunning rally in the bottom of the ninth inning when Brett Phillips’ two-out single and a pair of Dodgers misplays resulted in two runs that beat Los Angeles 8-7 and tied the World Series at two games each. In a game full of late drama, the final turn came out of nowhere. The Dodgers, on the verge of a 3-1 lead in a push for their first title since 1988, took a 7-6 lead into the ninth. Kevin Kiermaier blooped a single with one out off Kenley Jansen and Randy Arozarena walked with two outs. Phillips, who batted a combined .196 for Kansas City and Tampa Bay this year, hit a soft single that Chris Taylor bobbled as the tying run scored. Arozarena appeared to be a sure out when he stumbled halfway home, but catcher Will Smith lost control of the ball as he spun around for a tag, allowing the winning run to score. Three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw... [More]

Up 2-1 in the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have math on their side against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here’s one number, courtesy of closer Kenley Jansen, that could mean as much as any: 95.2. After slumping for weeks with slipping velocity and toothless bite on his signature cutter, the big man at the back of LA’s bullpen delivered his hardest fastball in over a month while closing out a 6-2 Game 3 victory on Friday night. The 95.2 mph fastball that struck out All-Star Austin Meadows in the ninth was Jansen's hardest since Sept. 2. Despite allowing a homer to Randy Arozarena, the right-hander looked as if he has overcome the struggles that briefly cost him the closer's job he's held for years. Thirty-eight of 59 previous teams that won Game 3 for a 2-1 Series lead wound up lifting the championship trophy. Holding that advantage will be much easier if the Dodgers' longtime closer has his best stuff. Jansen has been a bullpen fixture for LA during its run of eight straight NL West titles,... [More]