Kyle Schwarber's HR springs Cubs to 1-0 lead after 1 hour, 47 minute rain delay  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The start of Friday night's game between the Cubs and Pirates at PNC Park was delayed by rain for one hour, 47 minutes.  —  But Kyle Schwarber didn't show any rust …

Gabe Kapler using Phillies' position players to pitch was ‘strategy decision’  —  A loss was accepted sometime in the fifth inning on Thursday afternoon when the Phillies' array of defensive miscues kept digging a deeper hole.  —  So Gabe Kapler shifted his attention to the second game …

Why Urena hitting Acuna needs to be a wake-up call for MLB  —  Headhunting, knockdowns, chin music, brushbacks, rib-roasting — the practice has been around so long, there are all sorts of terms for it.  In the 21st century, there is only word we need: unacceptable.

What to know about the Braves on Friday  —  Here's a rundown on what to know about the Braves entering the weekend, as their series with the contending Rockies continues:  —  1. The rotation has produced a 2.60 ERA (19 earned runs over 65-2/3 innings) in the past 12 games.

Injury to Jeremy Hellickson latest blow to Nats' pitching staff  —  WASHINGTON — The struggling Washington Nationals have lost another pitcher to injury.  —  Starter Jeremy Hellickson will be placed on the disabled list after an MRI revealed a sprain to his right wrist area.

Yoan Moncada returns to leadoff spot in White Sox batting order  —  Putting Yoan Moncada in the leadoff spot is a tough habit for the White Sox to break.  —  Manager Rick Renteria had Moncada back at the top of the order for Friday night's series opener against the Royals …

Indians' Trevor Bauer has stress fracture in leg, to miss 4-6 weeks  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer, one of the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, will be out four to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his right leg.

Carrasco gets 15th win, Ramirez homers as Indians top O's  —  CLEVELAND — Carlos Carrasco pitched seven scoreless innings and moved into a tie for the AL lead with his 15th win, Jose Ramirez hit his 37th home run and the Cleveland Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 on Friday night.

Goldeyes hurler better than stats show  —  Much like left-hander Kevin McGovern, Goldeyes' starter Alex Boshers has pitched better than his record or ERA might indicate.  —  Boshers fell to 3-9 following a loss on Tuesday at Gary SouthShore, but has turned in quality starts …

Recapping the slam: An oral history of David Bote's big blast  —  PITTSBURGH — It'll be a night they'll tell their grandkids about, especially Chicago Cubs rookie David Bote.  Last Sunday, on national television, Bote hit the only walk-off grand slam in baseball history in which a team …

Astros activate George Springer from the disabled list  —  , Houston Chronicle  —  Houston Astros George Springer during batting practice before the start of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, August 14, 2018, in Houston.  —  2 of 10  —  Houston Astros George Springer during batting practice …

Brandon Nimmo not in Mets lineup Friday, but avoids DL with finger injury  —  Mickey Callaway provides an update on Brandon Nimmo's index finger Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  PHILADELPHIA — An MRI on Brandon Nimmo's left index finger revealed no structural damage …

Last Slide  —  SAN DIEGO - Clay Buchholz does not throw hard anymore.  He does not dominate, not in an overpowering sense.  And since his pure stuff does not instantly win over believers, he resides among a category of pitchers whose trust is earned over prolonged stretches.