KEVIN CASH

The Kansas City Royals had qualified candidates to become their next manager already within the organization, including one hired by the Chicago White Sox just this week.

The atmosphere at Petco Park will be absolutely electric when Blake Snell and the Padres face Tony Gonsolin and the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the first playoff game at San Diego's downtown ballpark with fans in the stands in 16 years.

José Ramírez connected for a two-run homer, Shane Bieber dominated Tampa Bay for 7 2/3 innings and the young Cleveland Guardians played with poise in their postseason debut, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in their wild-card opener.

The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed baseball’s last playoff ticket, and Bryce Harper and company partied into the night.

Randy Arozarena hit his 20th homer and drove in six runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 10-6, tying the Blue Jays at the top of the AL wild-card standings.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 on Thursday night in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders. José Berríos (11-6) was tagged for six runs and seven hits in two innings. Manuel Margot’s infield RBI single, and run-scoring hits by Franco and Arozarena put the Rays up 6-3 in the second. One out later, Merrifield tied it at 3 with his solo shot, giving him seven hits, including two homers, in nine at-bats against the left-hander. Yarbrough left in the third with right side discomfort.

Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston. Arozarena told reporters Wednesday night that there was no physical contact with Díaz, and that there were some little things they needed to address. Díaz was out again due to a left shoulder injury that has impacted him recently. “His left shoulder has been barking at him a little bit on the finish of his swing,” Cash said. Arozarena was seen watching Tuesday’s game from the Rays bullpen.

Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston.

Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston. Arozarena told reporters Wednesday night that there was no physical contact with Díaz, and that there were some little things they needed to address. Arozarena, a breakout star of the 2020 postseason who won AL rookie of the year in 2021, was in Wednesday's lineup.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. McClanahan (12-6) was making his second start after returning from the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder impingement. McClanahan walked Jose Altuve leading off the fifth, then threw three straight balls to Jeremy Peña. Peña hit a three-run homer, Altuve scored three runs and the Astros won for the ninth time in 10 games a day after clinching the AL West championship. Peña's 19th homer came in the third inning after Altuve's second hit, putting the Astros up 4-0.

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros.

Many MLB players observe Roberto Clemente Day by wearing his 21 jersey number. The Tampa Bay Rays found a way to go the extra mile in honoring the Pittsburgh Pirates legend. For the first time in MLB history, the Rays fielded a lineup comprised entirely of Latin American players on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced. Proud to wear 2️⃣1️⃣For the first time in @MLB history, all hitters in today's starting lineup are Latin American. Rays manager Kevin Cash said he simply wanted to stack the lineup with right-handers against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman and his highly effective splitter.

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays got another impressive start Friday from Shane McClanahan, and their mostly usual strong bullpen work. They got a tying clutch hit from Randy Arozarena and created several other opportunities. But they lost — stop us if you’ve heard this before — because they can’t stop making outs on the bases. The final score was 3-2 Royals in 10 innings, the winning run coming on a ...

Pitching Coach Injured Baseball Tampa Bay Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder walks back to the dugout after a mound visit during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Detroit. Snyder injured himself walking toward the mound to visit Shane McClanahan during the seventh inning of the team's 9-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday. Now pitching coach Kyle Snyder might be on the shelf, too. Snyder injured himself walking toward the mound to visit ace Shane McClanahan during the seventh inning of a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. Snyder, a 6-foot-8 former major league pitcher, has been the Rays' pitching coach since 2018.

Tampa Bay Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder injured himself walking toward the mound to visit ace Shane McClanahan during the seventh inning of a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

The Tampa Bay Rays already have 15 players on the injured list. Now pitching coach Kyle Snyder might be on the shelf, too. Snyder injured himself walking toward the mound to visit ace Shane McClanahan during the seventh inning of a 9-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso swing away as the Subway Series starts up at Citi Field on Tuesday night with both New York teams in first place.

Red Sox lefty Chris Sale is set to make his season debut when he starts against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.

Mark Kolozsvary scored on a game-ending balk by Matt Wisler in the 10th inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal (5) celebrates with first base coach Mark Budzinski after hitting a single against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Toronto. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP) (Christopher Katsarov)TORONTO — (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski will be away from the team following the death of his eldest daughter. “The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons,” general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement on Sunday. Elsewhere, Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a similar message from Chicago, where his team was facing the Cubs. The Blue Jays’ clubhouse was closed after the 11-5 loss.

Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 26th and 27th home runs, Jose Trevino delivered a two-run shot that put New York ahead in the eighth inning and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.

Gerrit Cole took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks hit a tiebreaking triple in the ninth as Manuel Margot slammed into the right-field wall and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 for their 50th win.

Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the streaking New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 for their 14th straight home win.

Shane McClanahan pitched eight superb innings to win his fifth consecutive start and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory.

"It's not judgmental. It's not looking down," said one of the players in a statement, citing religious beliefs.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — A number of Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual “Pride Night” on Saturday that recognized the LGBTQ community. Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed it after Sunday's game, saying he doesn't think it'll negatively impact the clubhouse because discussions among the players over past few weeks were constructive and emphasized the value of differing perspectives. "It's just what we believe the lifestyle he's (Jesus) encouraged us to live for our good, not to withhold," Adam told the Tampa Bay Times. Critics argue that the law's true intent is to marginalize LGBTQ people and their families. Members of the LGBTQ community took part in pregame activities and mini LGBTQ flags were given out to fans.

A number of Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual “Pride Night” on Saturday that recognized the LGBTQ community.

The Rays have put shortstop Wander Franco on the 10-day injured list with a right quadriceps strain, the latest setback for the injury-plagued team.

Randy Arozarena hit a pair of homers, Jeffrey Springs threw shutout ball into the sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled the debut of Baltimore Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman with a 6-1 victory.

Vidal Bruján got an RBI double leading off the 10th inning for his first hit of the season, and the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from their no-hit loss with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

New York Mets ace Max Scherzer starts at night against Bryce Harper and the Phillies at Citi Field.

Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A’s under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber looked good in his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching into the fifth inning to help the defending AL East champions beat Baltimore 8-0 and complete a season-opening sweep of the Orioles.

The Tampa Bay Rays say bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez died unexpectedly this week at the age of 28.

Gabe Kapler has won the National League’s Manager of the Year award after guiding San Francisco to a franchise-best 107 victories in his second season with the Giants.

The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays saw their record-setting season come to a sudden end Monday night when they lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 4 of their Division Series and were eliminated in the best-of-five playoff. The Rays set a franchise best with 100 wins this season and shut out wild-card Boston at home in their postseason opener. After a blowout loss in Game 2, they came to Fenway Park. Facing elimination in a scoreless game in the third inning, manager Kevin Cash went to 24-year-old rookie Shane McClanahan to enter in relief on three-days' rest. McClanahan, the Game 1 winner, pitched five innings in the Rays’ 5-0 victory last Thursday night.

The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays saw their record-setting season come to a sudden end when they lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 4 of their Division Series and were eliminated in the best-of-five playoff.

The Astros are facing renewed suspicions over sign stealing two years after being punished by the league for a scandal during their 2017 World Series run.

Boston fans hope to enjoy plenty of runners -- and runs -- on a big sports Monday in town.

Boston Marathon Painter Will Belezos, of Holbrook, Mass., left, uses a stencil, Wednesday, Oct 6, 2021, while working to complete the start line for the 125th edition of the Boston Marathon, in Hopkinton, Mass. No, not in Hopkinton, where the Boston Marathon field crosses the starting line painted across Main Street, headed for the Back Bay. “It’s Boston Marathon weekend again. It’s been a while.”Thirty months after Lawrence Cherono and Worknesh Degefa broke the tape to win in 2019, the Boston Marathon returns Monday for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak. “I know it’s different, but things happen for a reason, right?” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

For runners in this year's Boston Marathon, it all starts before race day and 26.2 miles away from Main Street in Hopkinton.

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The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.

Drew Rasmussen and three relievers combined for a three-hitter, Brandon Lowe and Ji-Man Choi both homered and the Tampa Bay Rays coasted past the Houston Astros 7-0, giving them the No. 1 seed in the American League playoffs.

The Houston Astros walked off to end a wild ninth-inning rally against the Tampa Bay Rays, moving closer to securing a postseason berth. The party will have to wait one more day at least, with the Seattle Mariners stubbornly sticking around. Rays reliever JT Chargois walked two Houston batters with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, propelling the Astros to a 4-3 win that snapped a four-game skid.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.

Kevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch after scooping up a Toronto scouting report two days earlier, and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a postseason berth with a 7-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier says he is shocked by reaction to his scooping up a scouting a card that fell out of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk’s wristband.

Cash said he reached out to Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, pitching coach Pete Walker and general manager Ross Atkins to make the apology before Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to Toronto. Tampa Bay did not send back the card, which likely included information about the Blue Jays' plans to pitch to the Rays' hitters. “I had no idea we had the card,” Cash said. When asked if it was an inappropriate action by Kiermaier, Cash said he didn't think so. The Red Sox and Blue Jays are in position for the AL's two wild cards.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash apologized to Blue Jays management a day after Rays veteran Kevin Kiermaier scooped up a scouting data card that fell out of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk’s wristband and refused to give it back.

Miguel Cabrera got his ninth straight hit before the string ended, Jonathan Schoop launched a grand slam and the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 Friday night. Rays rookie shortstop Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then left in the first inning with tightness in his right hamstring. “We'll know more, but hopefully we caught it early enough,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Tampa Bay Rays rookie Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then exited in the first inning against Detroit because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Austin Meadows hit a tying, inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning, Nelson Cruz had a go-ahead single in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-10.

Blake Snell threw seven hitless innings before being pulled for a reliever, and San Diego lost its bid for a combined no-hitter in the eighth inning when Arizona’s David Peralta dropped a bloop single into shallow left field in the Padres' 3-0 win.

Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiño pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth in a row, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-1.

One day after firing pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the slumping San Diego Padres begin a three-game series Tuesday night against the NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bobby Dalbec drove in a career-high five runs, Xander Bogaerts and Hunter Renfroe each had four RBIs and the Boston Red Sox routed the Tampa Bay Rays 20-8.

Tampa Bay’s Francisco Mejía singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts might be returning to the injured list after he was scratched from the lineup Tuesday night in Philadelphia with a sore right hip.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Coors Field (all times local):10:15 p.m. Like father, like son as he gave the American League a 2-0 lead after three innings in the All-Star Game. It was the longest homer at the All-Star Game since Statcast began tracking in 2015. There were a pair of late additions to the AL All-Star team: Tampa Bay right-hander Andrew Kittredge and Minnesota left-hander Taylor Rogers. The skies were gray overhead and there was occasional drizzle during batting practice ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Coors Field.

As five dozen players sat outside Coors Field ahead of the All-Star Game, they looked forward to the Greatest Sho on Earth.

Shohei Ohtani will be the American League’s starting pitcher in Tuesday’s night’s All-Star Game and will bat leadoff, too, as the designated hitter.

Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined for seven hitless innings, and the Rays beat the Indians 4-0 for a doubleheader sweep.

Shohei Ohtani plans to pitch and hit in his first All-Star Game next week.

Shohei Ohtani achieved a first in the near century history of baseball’s All-Star Game: selection as both a hitter and a pitcher.

After a historic June homer binge, Kyle Schwarber’s July got off to a less promising start.

Angels Yankees Baseball Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani fist-bumps manager Joe Maddon in the dugout before the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)ANAHEIM, Calif. — (AP) — Fans hoping Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will pitch and hit in the All-Star Game might just get their wish. I think they’re prepared to do those kinds of things.”Ohtani was elected to his first All-Star Game by fans Thursday night as the AL’s starting designated hitter. Talks between the All-Star manager and teams are common, especially when it comes to the pitching staff and whether anyone is throwing the weekend before the game. Before the All-Star Game, Ohtani has more pressing matters — such as trying to bounce back from a tough outing in his last pitching start.

He has 16 home runs in 18 games since being moved into the leadoff spot in the Nationals’ batting order on June 8. Joe Ross (5-7) gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings for his third win in his four outings. Nationals: RHP Ryne Harper was recalled from Triple-A Rochester and LHP Kyle Lobstein’s contract was selected from Rochester. Nationals: RHP Tanner Rainey was put on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with a stress reaction in his right Tibia. Rainey is 1-2 with a 6.93 ERA, but he had allowed only one run in his last 9 1/3 innings over 10 appearances.

Franco is hitless in 16 at-bats since his first game, dropping his batting average to .105. He went 0 for 4 with a bases-loaded walk in a 13-3 win over the Angels on Saturday. Harper was plunked with a changeup, ran the bases and exited after the inning ended Saturday. I was horrible.”Kershaw (8-7, 3.43 ERA) goes against Cubs rookie Adbert Alzolay (4-6, 4.19) at Dodger Stadium. The third time, however, came after Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi requested an inspection.

"Then it all came quick," Cash said after Tampa made three trades on deadline day, including one that brought slumping Brewers slugger Jess Aguilar to the AL East hopefuls. At the 4 p.m. deadline, the Rays were eight games behind the Yankees in the East and one-half game behind the Athletics for the AL's second wild-card berth. Neither the Yankees nor Red Sox, who entered Wednesday night's game 1 1/2 games behind Tampa, made any moves at the deadline. The Rays sent reliever Adam Kolarek to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Single-A outfielder Niko Hulsizer. Stanek has been used mostly as an opener by the Rays this year, and he has a 3.40 ERA in 41 games.