Games People Play

Frazier OK after scare, enjoying trip home

Edit MLB 14 May 2016

He entered Friday's series opener at Yankee Stadium with six hits, three homers and 10 RBIs over his last three games ... Frazier knows the scenario could have played out much worse ... You play hard ... A lot of them came by me and said, 'Thanks for putting the effort in,' and I appreciate that a lot, because to win a game sometimes is harder than you think. Make a big play there, Prince Fielder doesn't get a double and maybe we win that game....

Chelsea must 'cherish' Terry, says Hiddink

Edit FourFourTwo 14 May 2016

A red card in the 3-2 defeat against Sunderland last weekend ruled the centre-back out of the final two Premier League games, leading to suggestions he may have played his last match for the club ... He is mentally strong, and also good for the younger people ... "They must switch off from their [playing] career before going down another path ... "But most of the legends are 'simple' people....

Goldschmidt receptive to help with slow start

Edit MLB 14 May 2016

PHOENIX -- D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt stood in front of his locker before Friday's game with the Giants and patiently answered questions about his slow start at the plate ... I take it as a compliment that people want to help and want me to play well."....

Minus mentor Antrel Rolle, Deon Bush ‘thankful’ to join Bears

Edit Chicago Sun-Times 14 May 2016

Bush, like Rolle, played at Miami ... “He said he liked the Bears, and he said I was walking into a good situation, good coaches, good people around here, great fanbase ... Bush’s hard-hitting, aggressive style of play won over the Bears ... “We like the way he hits, plays by the rules and plays tough ... “That’s pretty much how I’ve played the game since I was younger,” Bush said ... That’s how I like to play the game....

Diamondbacks continue to struggle at home

Edit The Examiner 14 May 2016

At this stage of the season, the Diamondbacks are struggling to win games at home, and any explanation why this team plays better on the road remains mysterious. With a 4-2 loss to the Giants Thursday night and opening of a 7-game home stand, questions keep coming at manager Chip Hale, and he responds with a protective shield ... Look, the Rockies are playing better than most people thought, and we all know about the Giants and Dodgers .”....

Blue Jays' Bautista 'truly' believes Colabello

Edit Toronto Sun 14 May 2016

“When I was young, I had plenty of people giving me advice ... Bautista was asked if his strong stand against PEDs would make it more difficult to accept Chris Colabello back into the fold when his 80-game PED suspension is over later this season ... At some point, you have to believe in people, especially when they’re the type of people like Chris with integrity, who claim that they haven’t done anything wrong....

Five things we learned from Falkirk 3 - 2 Hibs

Edit Scotsman 14 May 2016

While Falkirk have played only eight games fewer overall, Hibs have played a whopping 10 more matches than the Bairns since the turn of the year ... Had they managed to start both games in the manner in which they played thereafter, you have to imagine it'd be Alan Stubbs' side in the play-off final instead of Falkirk ... However, in all those instances, the game was still in the grasp of the team making the complaint....

Even-keeled Cutch in midst of sustained surge

Edit MLB 14 May 2016

His hit streak reached a season-high seven games ... The Pirates lost to the Cubs for the fourth time in four games this season ... "It seems like they've given a lot of people trouble, besides us," McCutchen said ... Three-homer game in late April? He was locked in on the process. The Cubs extending their lead on the Pirates to eight games in the middle of May? ... And that's what the game's all about ... Keep playing."....

Guy Boucher brings creative mindset to Senators

Edit Toronto Sun 14 May 2016

Conacher played for Boucher in Tampa and in Bern, Switzerland ... “He’s probably one of the least defensive coaches I’ve ever played for,” Conacher said in a phone interview with Postmedia ... “He likes to play chess, strategy games ... Boucher played four seasons at McGill University, serving as captain in his final year in 1994-95, when he scored 13 goals and 36 points in 24 games as a CIS all-star....

Klentak pleased with Phillies' progress

Edit MLB 14 May 2016

PHILADELPHIA -- With 35 games in the rearview mirror, the Phillies are quickly approaching baseball's quarter mark ... Game by game, first-year general manager Matt Klentak continues to get more material to evaluate ... "A lot of really good baseball people will talk about 'the quarter pole,' somewhere in the 40-game neighborhood," Klentak said prior to Friday's game against the Reds ... They won 102 games....

Wright’s not worried but metrics not pretty

Edit North Jersey 14 May 2016

The third baseman’s defense has been under scrutiny this season – he’s failed to make several plays he would have in younger days – but he’s not concerned about his range or velocity on his throws ... In Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Dodgers, Wright’s inability to turn what seemed like a tailor-made double play let to some questions after the game ... A run did not score that inning, but it’s a play Wright would likely say he should have made....

Kids featured during Ball Weekend at Fenway

Edit MLB 14 May 2016

BOSTON -- "Play Ball!" The two words baseball fans of all ages love to hear ... Major League Baseball is hosting its inaugural Play Ball Weekend, a league-wide effort by MLB and all 30 clubs to engage young baseball fans and celebrate youth participation in baseball and softball ... Play Ball Weekend at Fenway Park is part of a broader effort by the Red Sox designed to bring children and young adults closer to the game....

Class 6A baseball: Deer Creek completes comeback to advance to title game

Edit The Oklahoman 14 May 2016

Stone stepped to the plate and drove a fastball over the right-field fence for a game-tying, momentum-changing home run ... “It's always fun to be good and have that target on your back, but the underdog role allows you to play more relaxed,” Edmond Memorial coach Kyle Roberts said ... Edmond Memorial last played in a championship game in 2007, losing to Owasso 1-0 on a Pete Kozma home run ... Now we're here playing for everyone.” ....