Go to Source Author: Matt Martell What transpired Thursday was a summation of all that has gone wrong for the Yankees over the last two weeks and a harbinger of how easily things can fall apart in a 60-game season.This has been a bad week for the Yankees. They’ve lost Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu and Zack Britton to the injured list within the past week, dropped five straight games to the Rays—including Thursday’s 10-5 defeat to conclude a three-game sweep at home—and fallen out of first place in the AL East. As if that wasn’t enough, star shortstop Gleyber Torres left Thursday’s game in the third inning with left hamstring tightness and starting pitcher James Paxton faltered in the fifth frame with

Go to Source Author: AP News LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers learned their lesson.Anthony Davis had 31 points and 11 rebounds and the top-seeded Lakers bounced back from an opening loss to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 111-88 on Thursday night in Game 2 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series.''Obviously, this is an important game for us,'' Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. ''We have tremendous respect for them. We're going to have to battle the way we did tonight in every game this series.''Davis scored 28 points in Game 1, but made just 8 of 24 shots. In Game 2, he made 13 of 21.''I just wanted to come out tonight with the mindset tonight to

Go to Source Author: AP News TORONTO (AP) Barry Trotz went through the handshake line victorious with players on the opposite side he coached to the Stanley Cup two years ago and his former top assistant who was chosen to replace him behind the bench.Trotz felt all kinds of emotions after his New York Islanders knocked the Washington Capitals out of the playoffs in the first round by beating them 4-0 Thursday night in Game 5. He has now advanced in the postseason two years in a row since the Capitals opted to let him leave rather than giving him a raise after he led them to a championship, while Washington hasn't won a playoff series since Trotz's departure.''When you go

Go to Source Author: AP News PITTSBURGH (AP) Unbeaten Shane Bieber racked up 11 more strikeouts and the Cleveland Indians blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Thursday night to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to a season-high six games.The right-hander allowed six hits and walked none in six innings, throwing 99 pitches. Bieber (5-0) has struck out a major league-best 65 in 40 2/3 innings, an average of 14.4 per nine innings.''You saw why he's one of the best pitchers in the game,'' Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings said. ''He has five good pitches and command of them all. When you have stuff and command, you're going to put up (strikeout) numbers like that.''Oliver Perez, Nick Wittgren, James

Go to Source Author: AP News MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Nerves didn't bother Ryan Jeffers in his big league debut. Minnesota's ballpark was empty, after all.Driving in the first run of the game and directing a masterpiece by Jose Berrios from behind the plate, the lanky catcher sure looked like he belonged.Berrios pitched one-hit ball over six scoreless innings, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer and the Twins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 on Thursday night.Jeffers drove in a run with a single in his first major league at-bat, going 2 for 3 with a hit by pitch to help the Twins improve to 7-1-1 in series this season.''Not having the pressure of the fans out there might honestly make that debut a

Go to Source Author: Nick Selbe Lillard exited Thursday night's Game 2 against the Lakers late in the third quarter after injuring his finger while attempting a steal.Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard left Thursday's Game 2 against the Lakers with a dislocated left index finger, the team announced on Twitter. Lillard underwent an X-ray, and the results were negative.Lillard appeared to injure the finger late in the third quarter while going for a steal against Lakers forward Anthony Davis. He immediately grabbed his hand in discomfort and left the game shortly thereafter.Initial signs indicate he'll likely be able to play in Game 3 on Saturday, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.Lillard played 30 minutes on the night and scored 18 points on

Go to Source Author: AP News SEATTLE (AP) Clayton Kershaw may not know the exact change he made has him again throwing like one of the top pitchers in the National League.Whatever it was, it's unlocked a dominant version of the left-hander over his past two starts.''I don't know. I just know that you reach back and the ball comes out a little bit differently,'' Kershaw said. ''I don't know why other than all the different stuff we've tried over the past 10 moths or so, but it's a good feeling, no doubt.''Kershaw struck out a season-high 11 in seven strong innings, Cody Bellinger homered for the second straight game and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 6-1 on

Go to Source Author: Nick Selbe Pitchers should probably stop loading the bases against the Padres.Note to opposing pitchers: Do not load the bases against the Padres.Whether they're up seven or trailing late, the Padres are here to hit grand slams. Never mind a sacrifice fly, or taking That each slam has come against the Rangers, after Texas took issue with Tatís' swinging at a 3-0 pitch while his team led 10-3 in Monday's game, has the air of karmic justice. After Tatís' slam, Texas hit Manny Machado with a pitch, resulting in suspensions for manager Chris Woodward and Ian Gibaut.Thankfully for the Rangers, Thursday's game was the series finale, so Texas pitchers will be mercifully spared from further embarrassment. Astros pitchers, though,

Go to Source Author: AP News CHICAGO (AP) Lucas Giolito matched his career high of 13 strikeouts in seven dominant innings, hot-hitting Tim Anderson stroked his fourth home run of the series, and the Chicago White Sox beat Detroit 9-0 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep of the Tigers in 15 years.Giolito (2-2) allowed three hits and one walk to earn the victory, his fifth in seven career decisions against Detroit, as Chicago completed a 5-2 homestand with its fifth straight win. The right-hander also struck out 13 against Oakland on Aug. 11, 2019.''He did a really nice job of finishing his work for the day,'' White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. ''Obviously, he kept us in the ballgame the

Go to Source Author: AP News LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The Milwaukee Bucks still haven't figured out how to slow down Nikola Vucevic. They did shut down his Orlando Magic teammates well enough to tie the Eastern Conference first-round series.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 20 rebounds and Milwaukee rode a fast start to beat the Magic 111-96 on Thursday night in Game 2. The victory came two days after the team that boasted the NBA's best regular-season record opened the playoffs by losing 122-110 to Orlando.''There's an urgency,'' Antetokounmpo said. ''I'm not going to say there's a fear factor - being down - but you know you have to be urgent.''Milwaukee bounced back Thursday, building a 23-point lead in