L.A. Times - Baseball News

Astros sign No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel

Associated Press — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:37:00 PDT

Terms of the deal between club and the right-hander from Stanford are not disclosed, but GM Jeff Luhnow says it is 'the most significant investment' the Astros have made in an amateur player.

Mark Appel, the No. 1 overall selection in this month's baseball draft, signed with the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Josh Hamilton struggles as Angels fall in 10 innings

By Mike DiGiovanna — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:13:00 PDT

Hamilton grounds into three double plays and strikes out twice Tuesday in the 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Just when it seemed Josh Hamilton's dismal season couldn't get any worse, the Angels right fielder grounded into three double plays and struck out twice Tuesday night in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Seattle Mariners in Angel Stadium.

Young Dodgers fan wears his heart on his sleeve in Giants country

Bill Plaschke — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:02:00 PDT

Casey Johnstone is a YouTube star after professing his adoration for Dodgers in fifth-grade graduation speech in heart of Giants country. His honesty and innocence draw gasps, laughs and a special request.

It was a graduation speech. Each fifth-grader at Burlingame's Lincoln Elementary gave one.

Dodgers have to wait a little longer to play Yankees

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:59:00 PDT

Game on Tuesday, the first one between the clubs in New York since the 1981 World Series, is rained out and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

NEW YORK — The Dodgers waited 32 years to play again in the Bronx. What's another day?

Angels' Mark Trumbo would consider the home run derby, but conditionally

By Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Slugger, who finished third in last year's event and then went into a slump afterward, says he won't participate this year unless he is on the American League All-Star team.

San Jose sues MLB, seeking to have Athletics move there

Staff and wire reports — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:16:00 PDT

City files an antitrust lawsuit, trying to gain leverage for a settlement that would allow the team to move there from Oakland.

For the city of San Jose, four years of waiting had been long enough. The city filed an antitrust lawsuit against Major League Baseball on Tuesday, not necessarily to win in court but to gain leverage for a settlement in which the Oakland Athletics could move to San Jose.

Angels' offense stays on a roll in 11-3 win over Seattle

By Mike DiGiovanna — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:30:00 PDT

Team has a season-high 21 hits, 18 of them singles. Albert Pujols has four hits, and Josh Hamilton hits a two-run home run and a single.

It began in Camden Yards on Wednesday with a six-run seventh inning that led to a come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Orioles, it carried through a weekend series against the New York Yankees, and it resumed Monday night against the Seattle Mariners.

Angels' defense isn't exactly of Gold Glove material

By Mike DiGiovanna — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:59:00 PDT

Club had a major league-high 53 errors going into Monday's game and a .980 fielding percentage, the worst in the American League.

First baseman Albert Pujols and shortstop Erick Aybar are Gold Glove winners, Peter Bourjos and Mike Trout are Gold Glove-caliber outfielders, and third baseman Alberto Callaspo and second baseman Howie Kendrick are usually dependable if not flashy in the field.

Yankees contemplate putting Mark Teixeira on the disabled list

associated press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

GM Brian Cashman says he is leaning in that direction because the first baseman's bothersome right wrist is not improving.

Slumping New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira could be sidelined awhile longer because of his ailing right wrist.

A great day forecast for Don Mattingly in Yankee Stadium

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Former Yankee Don Mattingly is in New York to manage the Dodgers in a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Dodgers are in last place, but Mattingly is still beloved in the Bronx.

— For a day, maybe even two, Don Mattingly will be king again.

Angels' big rally comes up one run short against Yankees

By Kevin Baxter — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:05:00 PDT

Mariano Rivera strikes out Albert Pujols, and New York holds on, 6-5, after scoring five runs in the third inning against struggling Jered Weaver.

The Angels honored retiring closer Mariano Rivera on Sunday, handing out collectible certificates commemorating a career that is certain to end in the Hall of Fame.

Dodgers' momentum stalls again with 6-3 loss to Pirates

By Dylan Hernandez — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:06:00 PDT

Pattern of win-one, lose-one (or more) continues as Zack Greinke and sputtering offense come up short. L.A. hasn't won more than two straight since early April.

PITTSBURGH — This can't continue, not if the Dodgers have any intention of playing baseball in October.

Pitching can be a risky business

By Kevin Baxter — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:21:00 PDT

Tampa Bay's Alex Cobb is the fifth major league pitcher since September to be hit in the head by a batted ball. The Angels' Kevin Jepsen says every pitcher is aware of the risks.

When Tampa Bay's Alex Cobb was struck in his right ear by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Eric Hosmer on Saturday, he became the fifth pitcher since September to be hit in the head by a batted ball.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw miffed about report on contract talks

By Dylan Hernandez — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:50:00 PDT

A report that Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are making progress toward long-term deal draws a sharp response from pitcher, who accuses club of leaking information.

PITTSBURGH — Clayton Kershaw soon could become the richest pitcher in baseball history.

Rays pitcher Alex Cobb out of hospital

Associated Press — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:55:00 PDT

Pitcher will be put on seven-day concussion list. Teammate David Price is not ready to start rehab assignment.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb left a hospital and went home Sunday, one day after he was hit in the right ear by a line drive.

No June gloom for Angels when Tommy Hanson pitches

By Kevin Baxter — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:40:00 PDT

Veteran right-hander makes it three in a row for Angels, who continue a roll with a 6-2 win over the Yankees after losing nine of 11 previous games.

Maybe it's the warm weather. Or the extra-long days.

Almost alone among pitchers, CC Sabathia brings the durable goods

By Bill Shaikin — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:16:00 PDT

Unlike most aces with big contracts, Yankees' CC Sabathia has been at least as effective and healthy, as before his deal. Will Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw follow suit?

The Dodgers have the best pitcher in baseball, and a treasure chest overstuffed with shiny coins from Time Warner Cable.

Baseball players say they want to clean up the game

By Kevin Baxter — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:45:00 PDT

Many are tired of cheaters getting rewarded with big contracts. Stiffer penalties are considered, but any changes must be worked out with the owners.

SEATTLE — When cyclist Lance Armstrong was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs last fall, he was publicly disgraced, stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from the sport for life.

Dodgers' Stan Kasten shaped by his father's unforgettable lessons

Bill Plaschke — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:05:00 PDT

The team president's father survived five years in Nazi concentration camps and emerged with an unquenchable optimism that he passed on to his son.

Of all the important numbers rolling around Stan Kasten's busy brain, from a giant Dodgers payroll to shrinking Dodgers victories to the size of the line at reserved-level bathrooms, the number that most shaped his life is the one he's never known.

Dodgers blow lead but recover for 5-3 win over Pirates

By Dylan Hernandez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:55:00 PDT

After Kenley Jansen gives up a home run to Pittsburgh's Travis Snider in the ninth inning, Juan Uribe and Nick Punto each drive in a run in the 11th to give the Dodgers a victory.

PITTSBURGH -- Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly was supposed to watch Toby Keith in concert Saturday night. He never made it.

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig noncommittal after brawl with Diamondbacks

By Dylan Hernandez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:56:00 PDT

The rookie has had little to say since the bench-clearing melee that led to several suspensions.

PITTSBURGH — Speaking for the first time since he was in the middle of a violent brawl between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks last week, Yasiel Puig had little to say.

Mariano Rivera makes his final series at Angel Stadium special

By Kevin Baxter — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:08:00 PDT

Baseball's all-time saves leader meets with fans and longtime stadium workers. The Yankees' great has been doing it all season.

Mariano Rivera made his major league debut in Anaheim 19 seasons ago and it didn't go well. The then-California Angels knocked him around for five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Rays' pitcher Alex Cobb struck in head with a line drive

Associated Press — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:50:00 PDT

Tampa Bay right-hander is said to have a mild concussion. Miami catcher Miguel Olivo is on restricted list after leaving team without permission.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit on the right ear by a liner off the bat of Kansas City's Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning of Saturday's game at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dodgers' Yasiel Puig could see more high and tight fastballs

By Bill Shaikin — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:45:00 PDT

The rookie had hit .500 in his first eight games in the major leagues before he was hit by a pitch by Arizona's Ian Kennedy. Pitchers might try to rattle Puig.

Rocket fuel

The Times' baseball rankings

By Kevin Baxter — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:41:00 PDT

With William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as inspiration, Times staff writer Kevin Baxter views MLB's teams in the extended daylight of next Friday's summer solstice.

(Statistics through Friday's games. Last week's rankings in parentheses):

Fantasy World: These four pitchers have struggled

By Tim Hubbard — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:55:00 PDT

Cole Hamels, Ian Kennedy, Dan Haren and Jeremy Hellickson not giving much value.

One of the toughest jobs for a fantasy owner is deciding how long to stick with a struggling pitcher. Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at four usually reliable starters whose problems on the mound are making life miserable for their owners.

They said it: Quotes from the world of baseball

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:10:00 PDT

Major League Baseball figures weigh in on various issues.

"Who … should I close with?"

Dodgers-Diamondbacks suspensions: L.A. wins in a KO

By Bill Plaschke — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:22:00 PDT

One could even argue that there was actually a positive Dodgers suspension, as the anemic-hitting team lost its hitting coach Mark McGwire for two games.

One could even argue that there was actually a positive Dodgers suspension, as the anemic-hitting team lost its hitting coach Mark McGwire for two games.

Howie Kendrick makes the most of his chances in Angels' win

By Kevin Baxter — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:48:00 PDT

Angels drop the New York Yankees, 5-2, but remain in a hole despite winning consecutive games.

If the Angels are ever going to make the season-saving run Manager Mike Scioscia has been promising all spring, now might be a good time to start.

Letters: Frank McCourt? Really?

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:42:00 PDT

Fans can't believe the most hated man in the city still has a say in Dodger Stadium's future.

It doesn't say much for the intelligence of Guggenheim Management, the owner of the Dodgers, when Frank McCourt turned out to be the smartest guy in the room.