The Latest Breaking News from Graham Ashcraft

Spencer Steer's grand slam leads Cincinnati Reds to victory over Philadelphia Phillies in a thrilling game under challenging weather conditions. Stay tuned...

Teams get two extra roster spots beginning Friday.

CINCINNATI — The upside of Vince Velasquez, one of two starting pitchers the Pirates added via free agency this winter, can be really good. With multiple breaking balls, as well as a spin-heavy, riding fastball, it’s certainly not weaponry Velasquez lacks. For the large part of his career, however, it’s…

PITTSBURGH — Michael Chavis sprinted toward first base and raised his right fist in the air, the emotion evident as his line drive into left field easily finding some grass, the Pirates walking it off for one of their more enjoyable victories during a frustrating season.

NEW YORK — The Yankees had lost back-to-back-to-back games just once in this fabulous first half. So the odds were in favor of baseball’s best breaking a two-game slide Tuesday night, especially with one of its All-Stars on the mound and one of baseball’s worst wearing road red.

CINCINNATI — The Mets’ 8-3 win over the Reds in 10 innings Wednesday night was plenty dramatic, sure, but it was less thrilling comeback and more relieving avoidance of a would-be series loss against perhaps the worst team in the National League.

This was weird.

The right-hander was informed of a newly-enforced MLB rule in an unexpected way on Saturday.

CINCINNATI — Alex Wood spent a season here — not a very memorable one, mind you, missing most of it with a back injury — but that wasn’t why he would have had this game circled on his calendar.