MLB News Blog

When he was younger, Ken Griffey Jr. put a higher premium on beating the New York Yankees. Even now at 39, Griffey still has a little something left for them. Griffey homered and drove in a season-high four runs Sunday, putting the Yankees' playoff party on hold by leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-1 [...]

Andre Ethier hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Tim Lincecum, Ronnie Belliard added a two-run single against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Sunday to go 30 games over .500 for the first time in almost 24 years. Randy Wolf (11-6) shrugged [...]

Ken Griffey Jr. homered and drove in four runs, putting the New York Yankees' playoff party on hold by leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-1 victory Sunday. The loss prevented New York from clinching a spot in the postseason. The Yankees can secure their 14th playoff berth in 15 years with a victory at [...]

Jason Giambi homered for the second consecutive game and Ubaldo Jimenez outpitched Dan Haren to help the Colorado Rockies tighten their grip on the NL wild card with a 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Colorado expanded its lead on its three nearest pursuers because San Francisco, Florida and Atlanta all lost.

The Chicago Cubs suspended volatile outfielder Milton Bradley for the rest of the season Sunday, one day after he criticized the team in a newspaper interview. Bradley was disciplined for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Jim Hendry said he decided to send Bradley home after learning of the player's remarks in the (Arlington [...]

The Philadelphia Phillies ended rookie Tommy Hanson's streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings, beating Atlanta 4-2 Sunday and damaging the Braves' faint NL wild-card hopes. Brad Lidge pitched another shaky ninth inning but posted his 31st save in 41 chances. The NL East-leading Phillies took two of three in the series.

Placido Polanco drove in three runs, Detroit's bullpen pitched four shutout innings and the Tigers avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to increase their AL Central lead to three games. Ryan Raburn homered for slumping Detroit, which won for the second time in six games and fourth [...]

As long as Boston's starters keep throwing effectively, the Red Sox will have an excellent chance to win — even if their opponent isn't the Baltimore Orioles. Daisuke Matsuzaka extended an outstanding stretch by Boston's rotation, and the Red Sox cruised past the Orioles 9-3 Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Those postgame celebrations at home plate can be dangerous. Just ask Seattle Mariners catcher Rob Johnson. Johnson was unavailable for Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees after spraining his left ankle during the postgame celebration following Ichiro Suzuki's game-winning homer Friday night.

Prince Fielder hits his 40th homer and Yovani Gallardo pitched five strong innings to help Milwaukee complete a sweep of the Houston Astros with a 6-0 win on Sunday. Fielder, who came in tied with Albert Pujols with a majors-best 127 RBIs, hit a solo shot in the first and then set a club record [...]