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May 17 is an odd day in Cubs history. For starters, the longest game in franchise history occurred on May 17, 1927 when the Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in 22 innings. Exactly 50 years later (1977), the Cubs hit seven homers en route to a 23-6 victory over the San Diego Padres as Larry Biitner (2), Dave Rosello, Gene Clines, Jerry Morales, Steve Ontiveros and Bobby Murcer all went deep (h/t Chris Kamka for the info). But May 17 is also home to what may have been the craziest game the Cubs franchise has ever taken part in (yes, including Game 7 of the 2016 World Series; that was the greatest game every played). Thirty-eight years ago (May 17, 1979), the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cubs Continue to Article

May 16, 2017 10:05:pm EST

ARLINGTON, Tex.  Even though Cole Hamels has been gone for almost two years and pitched in an All-Star Game and two postseasons as a member of the Texas Rangers, there is still a little piece of him that is a Phillie. On the mound was Jerad Eickhoff, one of the players Hamels was traded for in the July 2015 blockbuster that ended a 13-year run with the Phillies that started as the team's first-round draft pick in 2002 and included his winning the World Series MVP award six years later. "You kind of have to turn the page real quick and know that I'm rooting against them and not for them," Hamels said with a laugh in the Rangers' clubhouse late Tuesday afternoon. Continue to Article

May 16, 2017 8:38:pm EST

Michael A. Taylor was 0 for 3 with three Ks before he stepped to the plate in the eighth inning on Sunday night and hit a first-pitch slider from Pat Neshek out to left field and off the foul pole for a two-run home run that lifted the Washington Nationals to a 6-5 advantage a half-inning after the Nats bullpen blew another late lead to Philadelphias Phillies. The question with Michael is pitch recognition and plate discipline, and when he stays within the strike zone he can be a dangerous hitter. Whenever they needed a hit they got a hit. Continue to Article

May 16, 2017 1:58:am EST

MIAMI -- Short on sleep, the Houston Astros finally stirred in the sixth inning Monday night when Yuli Gurriel hit a grand slam to help beat the Miami Marlins 7-2. The Astros arrived at their hotel at 5 a.m. after a doubleheader in New York against the Yankees, and were listless and hitless against Dan Straily until the fifth inning. Josh Reddick doubled in the sixth off Junichi Tazawa (1-1), and after a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, Gurriel pulled a 94 mph fastball over the fence with two out for a 4-1 lead. It was the Astros' second grand slam of the year, and their second in two games. Alex Bregman hit one in Sunday night's win at Yankee Stadium (see full recap). Braves snap Blue Continue to Article

May 16, 2017 12:32:am EST