TEst 4

"Stringbean Slinger." "Speedpass." "Salt." Chicago's pitching staff got creative this year. But what do those names mean? Let them tell you.

Ryan O'Hearn and Hunter Dozier became the first rookies to hit back-to-back homers to tie and win a game in the ninth inning, lifting the Royals over the Indians and capping a game that featured a promised home run from Salvador Perez and a strange delay.

A pipe burst near Kauffman Stadium's iconic outfield fountains, causing flooding in right field and leading to a 30-minute delay in Friday's game between the Royals and Indians.

Angels star Mike Trout is back in the lineup after time away with a wrist injury and the death of his brother-in-law last week. Trout has not played since Aug. 1.

Here's what stands out as your favorite stars get a chance to show off their style on the diamond all weekend long.

Jay Bruce, who is batting just .212 with three homers in 62 games, was activated off the DL on Friday and said he's eager "right the ship" after the Mets gave him a three-year, $39 million free-agent deal last winter.

Houston OF Carlos Diaz (56 games), Milwaukee pitcher Franklin Hernandez (76) and Cubs pitcher Braxton Light (50) all were suspended for drug violations.

Rookie David Bote struck again, connecting in the 10th for another game-ending home run that sent the Cubs over the Reds for their third straight victory.

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander had lunch in Beverly Hills, and he was charged $1 million by the waiter for "Dodger Killer" after prevailing in the '17 World Series.

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria, who has missed four games because of lightheadedness, got the OK from doctors to rejoin the team. He's en route to Detroit to meet the Sox there, but might not make it in time for Friday's game.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman will have his left knee injury re-evaluated in two weeks after he underwent a plasma-rich platelet injection Friday, according to manager Aaron Boone.

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Corey Knebel has been demoted to the minors, the latest turn in a difficult season for the former All-Star closer.

How do you solve the puzzle of rising strikeouts? For Betts and the Red Sox, it's all about jumping on the good stuff early.

Racking up regular-season wins is great, but Boston will be remembered for how it fares in October.

With the awards battles far too close to call, we created a new formula to separate the favorites from the pack. Plus, a chat with Terry Francona.

After going the distance and improving to 4-0 since being acquired by Chicago, Cole Hamels is looking like this year's Justin Verlander.

Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 21st home run and got hit by another Miami pitch, though tempers stayed in check this time and the Braves went on to beat the Marlins 5-0 on Thursday night.

Giants pitcher Derek Holland issued an apology Thursday, a day after he appeared on the television show Intentional Talk and spoke in a mock Asian accent.

Don't look now, but the Phillies' Aaron Nola might have passed Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom as the top candidate for the Cy Young Award.

Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish said Thursday that until doctors diagnosed him with a stress reaction in his right elbow, he had concerns that the pain he was feeling was a "mental weakness."