BOSTON — The Red Sox got a bounce-back start from Tanner Houck, but the bullpen couldn’t hold on to a two-run lead and Boston lost, 8-4, to the White Sox on Sunday.

Manager Alex Cora had high praise for his starter. He didn’t mince words when it came to his relievers.

“He did an amazing job, gave us six, his best start of the season,�...Read more

TORONTO — Randy Arozarena’s bat will always get the primary attention and understandably so considering his spot in the middle of the Mariners batting order.

He came up with another clutch two-out hit to score a pair of runs on Sunday that proved to be vital, for example.

Defense will never be Arozarena’s forte. But at times he can come ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Entering Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds with a taxed bullpen, the Orioles needed Charlie Morton to shake off his rough start and provide some length. Instead, his struggles continued as the veteran starter allowed seven runs over 2 1/3 innings and his relievers failed to minimize the damage in a laugher of a 24-2 loss....Read more

PITTSBURGH — For the second consecutive weekend, the Pirates were swept by a ballclub from the Buckeye State. This time around, it came at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians, who concluded their three game sweep with a 5-4 victory in 10 innings Sunday afternoon at PNC Park.

Emmanuel Clase earned the win, improving to 3-0, while Dennis ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — With the Yankees closing out a four-game series against the Rays within the intimate confines of their own spring training complex, Max Fried nearly sent fans of both teams home with a memory they’d never forget.

The left-hander, just five starts into his Yankees career, took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning of Sunday’s 4...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — With a two-run lead in the eighth inning Sunday against a team that’s probably going to lose 100 games, it felt like a safe thing for the Phillies to think about, if not say aloud.

Bring on the Mets.

Uh, not so fast.

Because reliever Orion Kerkering coughed up the lead by allowing a three-run homer. And although the ...Read more

MIAMI — Outfielder Griffin Conine, who was off to a very good start in what was expected to be first full big league season, has sustained a significant shoulder injury that will keep him out long term.

Conine was placed on the 60-day injured list on Sunday. He will undergo more tests on Monday and a decision will be made about whether ...Read more

SEATTLE — Over the past decade, the Seattle Mariners have built one of baseball's most successful pitching enterprises by drafting young arms, developing them through their minor league system and molding them into viable major league pitchers.

If not an exact blueprint, the Mariners at least have a dog-eared operating manual on best ...Read more

NEW YORK — In a couple of recent interviews marking Opening Day, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred candidly admitted that baseball is facing a “massive” disparity problem that became further illustrated last winter with the Mets’ $765 million investment on Juan Soto and the Dodgers’ shocking heavily deferred spending spree that merely ...Read more

Landon Roupp had everyone figured out but Mike Trout Saturday night and that proved to be enough for the San Francisco Giants in a 3-2 road win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Roupp went seven innings, a career high and the deepest he’s gone this season. He gave up two runs on solo homers by Trout and nothing else. He walked just one, struck out...Read more

HOUSTON — The Padres are hardly the Padres, and it caught up to them Saturday.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado lifted them. Michael King got them as far as he could before making a bad pitch.

The bullpen, the sturdiest portion of their early season juggernaut, faltered.

For the second night in a row, the Padres lost a lead and lost a ...Read more

ATLANTA — This Braves streak is reaching Yankee proportions for the Minnesto Twins.

Naturally, it took a former Yankee to extend it.

Alex Verdugo, who left New York as a free agent last winter, spoiled Brock Stewart’s return to the majors with a tie-breaking single Saturday, and the Braves held on for a 4-3 victory at Truist Park.

The ...Read more

DENVER — Loco in LoDo.

An apt description of what transpired Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.

The last team standing was the Washington Nationals, who hung on to win, 12-11.

Despite signs of life from their hitherto dormant offense, the Rockies lost their seventh straight. They own a 3-16 record, the worst 19-game start in franchise ...Read more