Arizona Diamondbacks sweep of the Atlanta Braves with 4-1 victory  —  ATLANTA — Christian Walker continued his remarkable late-innings production with a two-run homer in the seventh, Luke Weaver got Arizona off to a good start and the Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Bruce Bochy, Brandon Belt ejected for arguing in Giants' loss to Nationals  —  WASHINGTON — At the beginning of the week, Bruce Bochy talked about savoring his time during his final visit to the nation's capital as the San Francisco Giants manager.  —  Bochy, however, did not make it to the end …

Detroit Tigers observations: Sloppy defense stings, but Tigers set season high in runs  —  In an ugly game threatened by rain clouds in the distance, the Detroit Tigers' offense woke up in earnest, coming back twice to beat the White Sox, 9-7, at Comerica Park.  —  The nine runs scored are a season-high for the Tigers.

Mets survive first trip through the rough and tumble NL East  —  Now that the Mets have pocketed a first-look at their competition, how do they square up in the gritty National League East?  —  In the stretch of the Mets' first 18 games (10-8), only two meetings - against the Twins - were outside of the division.

Verlander, Astros ready to hit reset button vs. Rangers  —  At some point, the Astros were bound to appear mortal, sure to taste defeat again, and likely to resemble something other than a juggernaut steamrolling the rest of the American League.  —  With a 2-1 loss at Oakland on Wednesday …

Athletics Extend Khris Davis  —  Oakland fans have cause to celebrate.  The Athletics announced Thursday that they've extended designated hitter/outfielder Khris Davis through the 2021 season.  Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that Davis will earn $16.75MM …

Tucker Barnhart says 'it's just a matter of time' before the Cincinnati Reds break out offensively  —  SAN DIEGO - Looking around the clubhouse, Reds hitters feel like they can break out of their offensive struggles at any time.  They feel like they have too many proven hitters to stay in a funk.

Clint Frazier lighting up Yankees' ‘Night Club’ along with Brett Gardner  —  NEW YORK - First, let's talk about the fog machine.  —  “I haven't seen it that much,” Clint Frazier said late Wednesday night, after the Yankees' 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

For Dodgers' Rich Hill, no taking it easy in a rehab stint  —  The veteran left-hander strikes out eight in four innings for Rancho Cucamonga against Lake Elsinore  —  LAKE ELSINORE — Lake Elsinore's leadoff man put Rich Hill and his left knee to the test almost immediately Wednesday night.

Grichuk has homer-happy Jays keeping their celebrations subdued in win over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — There was no bat flip and no exaggerated celebration when Randal Grichuk hit a solo home run in the first inning here on Thursday afternoon, just a brisk trot around the bases and an understated dugout celebration.

Matt Chapman's homer, power arms propel A's past Astros  —  Matt Chapman's solo home run leading off the sixth inning and power pitching by Frankie Montas, Lou Trivino and Blake Treinen led the Oakland Athletics to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros Wednesday night at the Coliseum.

Mariners' homer streak dies as Seattle is swept for second consecutive series  —  The Mariners' historic 20-game season-opening home run streak was extended for a few minutes in the third inning on Wednesday.  —  With one out and nobody on, third baseman Ryon Healy sat on a hanging slider …

Carlos Zambrano discusses his comeback attempt at 37 with the Chicago Dogs: ‘I want to come back to the big leagues’  —  Former Carlos Zambrano signs autographs at the 2018 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.  Zambrano, 37, is attempting a comeback, pitching this year for the Chicago Dogs …

Brad Keller fastball that ‘got away’ leads to Royals, White Sox benches clearing  —  The bench-clearing altercation between the Royals and Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field may be viewed by some onlookers as an outdated or barbaric.

Gary Peterson: There was a time for the Giants to bring in the fences, but that was 58 years ago  —  Giants officials, including team president Farhan Zaidi, are entertaining the notion of reconfiguring Oracle Park.  As in bringing in the fences.  —  They have one unassailable talking point …

Pedro Strop sees better days ahead for himself and his fellow Cubs relievers  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Pedro Strop has pitched only once in a save situation and has appeared in only six of the Cubs' first 17 games.  —  Strop believes those developments actually bode well for him and his fellow relievers …