Max Scherzer etches place in history with 20-strikeout performance  —  Max Scherzer strikes out 20 Tigers, ties nine-inning record … Add Favorite Favorite Added … Stop me if you've heard this one before: Max Scherzer has made history.  The Nationals' ace and the author of two no-hitters …

Astros-Red Sox Preview  —  There was hardly anything separating David Price and Dallas Keuchel last season, but in the end it was the Houston Astros left-hander who wound up beating out Price for the AL Cy Young Award.  —  BRETT HUSTON, STATS Senior Editor Stats LLC

White Sox Acquire Anthony Ranaudo  —  The White Sox have acquired righty Anthony Ranaudo from the Rangers, according to an announcement from Texas VP of communications John Blake.  Right-hander Matt Ball will go back in return.  —  Ranaudo, 26, was once regarded as a significant prospect with the Red Sox …

2016 Election: Research Behind the Race › … It started with an email from an unknown sender with the subject line, “Read this and be smart.”  [1]  —  When the victim opened the email, she found sexually explicit photos of herself attached and information that detailed where she worked.

Yankees To Promote Gary Sanchez  —  The Yankees are set to promote top catching prospect Gary Sanchez, according to Shane Hennigan, a beat writer for the club's Triple-A affiliate (Twitter link).  Sanchez earned a very brief promotion last year, but that came only at the very end of the regular season.

Royals' Ned Yost says Kris Medlen is experiencing shoulder issue  —  NEW YORK  —  Before Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the New York Yankees, Royals manager Ned Yost said right-hander Kris Medlen would “more than likely” make his next start on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves at Kauffman Stadium.

Man runs into Lakeland lake to escape cops, gator bites off his forearm  —  LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A man who ran into a Lakeland lake to escape from police had three quarters of his arm bitten off by an alligator in the lake, police said on Thursday.  —  Officers responded to a home …

John Lackey on Christian Bethancourt home run trot: 'He'll learn'  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher John Lackey was apparently upset with the way San Diego Padres catcher Christian Bethancourt reacted after hitting a home run in the Padres' 1-0 win over the Cubs on Wednesday night.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Mariners Sitting Atop AL West as Optimism Grows  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMAY 12, 2016, 4:28 P.M. E.D.T.  —  SEATTLE — When new general manager Jerry Dipoto went about rebuilding the Seattle Mariners in the offseason, he bet heavily on the rebound.  —  Dipoto believed the Mariners …

Russian Insider Says State-Run Doping Fueled Olympic Gold  —  LOS ANGELES — Dozens of Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, including at least 15 medal winners, were part of a state-run doping program, meticulously planned for years to ensure dominance at the Games …

Mets' Noah Syndergaard takes Dodgers counterpart deep — twice  —  LOS ANGELES — Top that, Bartolo Colon!  —  One day shy of the one-year anniversary of his major league debut, Noah Syndergaard became the second pitcher in franchise history to hit two home runs in a game …

Greg Hardy informs teams of detailed counseling efforts  —  It's May 12, the day that the compensatory draft-pick formula shuts off for players who became free agents on March 9.  Among the free agents still looking for work is defensive end Greg Hardy.  —  Per a source with knowledge …

Nationals OF Bryce Harper Appeals 1-Game Suspension From MLB  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMAY 11, 2016, 6:43 P.M. E.D.T.  —  WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper was suspended one game and fined Wednesday by Major League Baseball for his behavior following an ejection this week.