LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's fitting that Russell Martin is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers.He's pining for a World Series title too.The Dodgers reacquired Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, receiving the veteran catcher in exchange for a couple minor leaguers. Los Angeles has won two straight National League pennants but lost each time in the World Series. Martin has never even played in a World Series in 13 seasons with the Dodgers, Yankees, Pirates and Blue Jays."I'm looking for a championship," Martin said. "I've never won a championship, and I'm still hungry for that."The Dodgers also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players. The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager ($4 million), Joc Pederson ($5 million), Chris Taylor ($3.5 million), Enrique Hernandez ($3,725,000), Pedro Baez ($2.1 million), Josh Fields ($2.85 million) and Yimi Garcia ($710,000) on 2019 contracts.Toronto reached deals with outfielder Randal Grichuk at $5 million, outfielder... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager ($4 million), Joc Pederson ($5 million), Chris Taylor ($3.5 million), Enrique Hernandez ($3,725,000), Pedro Baez ($2.1 million), Josh Fields ($2.85 million) and Yimi Garcia ($710,000) on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.Whether they're done looking at catchers, including a trade for Miami's J.T. Realmuto, team executive Andrew Friedman wouldn't commit."Our focus is still and will always be on how we can continue to improve and make ourselves better," the club's president of baseball operations said. "That remains our mindset in every respect."In exchange for Martin, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.Whether they're done looking at catchers, including a trade for Miami's J.T. Realmuto, team executive Andrew Friedman wouldn't commit."Our focus is still and will always be on how we can continue to improve and make ourselves better," the club's president of baseball operations said. "That remains our mindset in every respect."In exchange for Martin, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder, to the Blue Jays. Toronto is sending $16.4 million to offset some of the $20 million... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia on 2019 contracts.With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.In exchange, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder, to the Blue Jays. Toronto is sending $16.4 million to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract.A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances. The 35-year-old Canadian signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent after the 2010 season and spent two seasons in the Bronx before playing two seasons with Pittsburgh... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers after eight innings.The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. Price struck out five and walked two.Joe Kelly took over and struck out pinch-hitters Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger to end the inning.Boston's Steve Pearce homered for the second time, getting a solo shot off Pedro Baez with two outs in the top of the inning.___7:27 p.m.Those Boston Red Sox bats are getting loud. So are their fans.J.D. Martinez hit his first World Series home run, a line drive over the center-field fence in the seventh inning that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.Martinez hit Boston's third homer of the game off Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw. Dodger Stadium is dotted with fans wearing red, and those Red Sox rooters began chanting as the ball sailed out.Boston starter David Price is... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):10:20 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.David Price starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):9:08 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.Chris Sale starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play 18?Pearce... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play 18?Pearce launched a solo home run off closer Kenley Jansen with one out in the Red Sox eighth, making it 4-all.The top of the Boston lineup had done nothing for two days until Pearce, batting third, homered over the wall in left-center field to compete a comeback from a 4-0 deficit.Los Angeles threatened in the bottom half, but pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal struck out against Joe Kelly with runners at the corners.Game 3 was the longest in World Series, going 18 innings and more than seven hours. With both bullpens tired, we'll see how long Game 4 goes.___7:57 p.m.Pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland hit a long three-run homer off Ryan Madson, cutting the Los Angeles Dodgers' lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning of World Series Game 4.Given a four-run lead in the sixth on a run-scoring error and Yasiel Puig's three-run... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):7:57 p.m.Pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland hit a long three-run homer off Ryan Madson, cutting the Los Angeles Dodgers' lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning of World Series Game 4.Given a four-run lead in the sixth on a run-scoring error and Yasiel Puig's three-run homer, Rich Hill walked Xander Bogaerts leading off the seventh and struck out Eduardo Nunez.Scott Alexander relieved and walked Brock Holt, and Madson relieved and retired pinch-hitter Jackie Bradley Jr. on a popup. Moreland crushed a changeup, driving it 437 feet deep into the right-field pavilion.Hill allowed one run and one hit in 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.Kenley Jansen relieved to start the eighth for the Dodgers, a night after allowing Bradley's tying home run in the eighth inning of a game the Dodgers won 3-2 in a Series-record 18 innings.___7:24 p.m.The Dodgers have taken a 4-0 lead in Game 4 of the World Series with a big sixth-inning... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):7:24 p.m.The Dodgers have taken a 4-0 lead in Game 4 of the World Series with a big sixth-inning rally capped by Yasiel Puig's three-run homer.Los Angeles finally got to Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who threw five outstanding innings before losing control. His defense also didn't help him, with catcher Christian Vazquez making a throwing error while attempting to turn a bases-loaded double play to end the inning.Justin Turner scored this tight game's first run on that poor throw to first. Puig then crushed a 92-mph fastball down the middle deep into the left-field bleachers, raising his arms in triumph while Rodriguez simultaneously slammed down his glove in pure frustration.Rodriguez's 93rd and final pitch was turned into the second homer of the postseason for Puig. The ebullient Cuban right fielder also was the Dodgers' Game 7 hero with a three-run homer against Milwaukee in the NLCS.Rich Hill is through... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):6:48 p.m.Pitchers Rich Hill and Eduardo Rodriguez are in complete control at Dodger Stadium.Only three singles and a lot more strikeouts through five scoreless innings. The crowd seems a little quiet — could be the lack of action, could be fans are worn out after the Game 3 marathon.Hill, who grew up in Massachusetts and pitched for the Red Sox, has allowed one hit and fanned six against his former team. Rodriguez has given up two hits and struck out five.Big hitters coming up for both clubs in the sixth.___6:32 p.m.Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill held the Boston Red Sox hitless through four innings, and Game 4 of the World Series remained 0-0.Hill struck out five —including big league RBIs leader J.D. Martinez twice— walked two and hit Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on the right shoulder with a pitch. Hill threw 57 pitches.Rodriguez allowed two hits through four innings with four strikeouts and... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):6:08 p.m.Pitching is dominating again at Game 4 of the World Series, with the Dodgers and Red Sox combining for one hit through three innings.The third got off to a bizarre start when Rich Hill hit Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez on the shoulder with a 2-2 fastball. A pitcher hadn't hit another pitcher with a pitch in the World Series since 1968, when Mickey Lolich hit Nelson Briles.Rodriguez had never been on base in his big-league career, and he halfheartedly jogged into a forceout before Hill finished his third inning of Game 4 without allowing a hit.Hill then popped out on a bunt attempt in the bottom half, and his cleat slipped on first base while running it out. Hill caught himself and appeared to be OK.Rodriguez calmly completed his third inning against Los Angeles on 48 pitches. He hasn't pitched more than four innings since mid-September.___5:50 p.m.Not a whole lot of hitting so far at Dodger Stadium... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):5:50 p.m.Not a whole lot of hitting so far at Dodger Stadium — is it tired batters, fresh pitchers or tough to see in this twilight start?A single by Chris Taylor is the only hit through two innings in a scoreless Game 4.LA lefty Rich Hill, who didn't play in the Dodgers' 18-inning win in Game 3, has struck out three and walked two. Eduardo Rodriguez, who threw just six pitches the previous game, has fanned two and walked one.Then again, there was a lot of action until late in the game Friday night. By early Saturday, it sure got interesting.___5:32 p.m.Rich Hill started for the Dodgers and Eduardo Rodriguez for the Red Sox in the third all left-hander matchup, which had not happened in the World Series since 1997, according to STATS.Hill retired the side around a walk in the first, throwing 20 pitches, and Rodriguez had a similar bottom half, tossing 24 pitches.Retired Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant read... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):4:55 p.m.Seattle's Edwin Diaz and Milwaukee's Josh Hader were given the Reliever of the Year Awards in each league, honors named after Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman. Diaz led the big leagues with 57 saves, and Hader won as a setup man."I think we're seeing a microcosm of what baseball is turning into, with the bullpenning and things like that," Hoffman said.___4:39 p.m.When Eduardo Rodriguez takes the mound for Game 4, the Boston left-hander will be the first pitcher to start a World Series game on zero days' rest since 1924.Firpo Marberry accomplished the unusual feat for the Washington Senators.Marberry came on in relief to strike out one New York Giants batter in the ninth inning of Game 2, and the Senators won it in the bottom half. Marberry then started Game 3 at the Polo Grounds, pitching three innings.Although Marberry was the pitcher of record in Game 2, he was denied a World Series victory. According... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):3:45 p.m.A three-time Cy Young Award winner with a 2.39 career ERA in the regular season, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is just 9-9 with a 4.28 ERA in 23 postseason starts and six relief appearances.Trying to improve his image as a less-than-stellar postseason pitcher is not a concern."I don't really care about legacy. I don't really care what people think of me or perceive of me," he said Saturday. "Game 5 is a very important game to win the World Series, and I'm looking forward to pitching that game and hopefully putting us in a great spot going back to Boston. And that's really all I care about. All that other stuff, people are going to have their opinions, you know, and that's fine. I'm not here to change them. I'm here to pitch. And all that other stuff will take care of itself."___3 p.m.Viewership for the Los Angeles Dodgers' 18-inning win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series dropped 15 percent... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Brian Dozier swung bananas from a rope over the dugout railing.How appropriate. The longest game in World Series history was bananas.Twenty-three players on each team, including nine pitchers.Eighteen innings — four more than any of the previous 662 World Series games.Seven hours, 20 minutes — 1:39 longer than any Series game played before and 15 minutes more than all four games of the 1939 World Series combined.Walker Buehler threw the first pitch in autumn twilight at 5:10 p.m.Max Muncy homered on the 561st and last at 12:30 a.m., when most of America was asleep and even fans in Alaska and in Hawaii were struggling to stay up.Ernie Banks would have been happy — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox filled his oft-said desire: Let's play two! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was played twice, during the seventh-inning stretch and the 14th inning elongation."It was an amazing game," Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said. "I'm a little tired. But we're ready to come back... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):3 p.m.Viewership for the Los Angeles Dodgers' 18-inning win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series dropped 15 percent from last year, hurt by a game that ended at 12:30 a.m. PDT.The Dodgers' 3-2 win, which took a Series-record 7 hours, 20 minutes, averaged 13,251,000 on Fox, the network said Saturday. That was down from an average of 15,483,000 for Houston's 5-3 win over the Dodgers last year, a game that lasted 3:46. This year's Game 3 was the lowest viewed since an average of 13,722,000 tuned in for the New York Mets' 9-3 win over Kansas City in 2015.Boston's 8-4 win in the opener averaged 13,755,000 and its 4-2 victory in Game 2 averaged 13,442,000, Fox said.___2:45 p.m.After Friday night's 18-inning game, the Dodgers have shortened batting practice to 30 minutes and made it optional.Manager Dave Roberts says he is set to go after a short night of sleep."We're in a good mental space right now.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):___2:15 p.m.David Freese is leading off for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series.He will start at first base against the Boston Red Sox.Max Muncy, whose home run leading off the 18th inning gave the Dodgers a 3-2 victory in Game 3, bats second and plays second base.Third baseman Justin Turner bats third, followed by shortstop Manny Machado, center fielder Cody Bellinger, right fielder Yasiel Puig, left fielder Chris Taylor, catcher Chris Barnes and pitcher Rich Hill.The Red Sox are tweaking their lineup against left-hander Hill.Mookie Betts is hitting leadoff and playing center field.Andrew Benintendi bats second and plays left field, with shortstop Xander Bogaerts dropping to fifth in the batting order.Steve Pearce starts at first base and hits third after entering Game 3 as a pinch hitter in the 11th inning.Right fielder J.D. Martinez bats fourth, followed by Bogaerts and third baseman Eduardo... [More]