Jeff Francis

PITTSBURGH — The Cubs have a new tactic, and so far it's working. They have decided to try leading every inning because that's a lot more fun than being behind every inning, as it seemed they were a year ago. One game down, only 161 to go. Yeah,...

After nine straight scoreless frames, during which both teams stranded nine runners and the Tribe saw three runners thrown out at the plate, Indians right fielder Alex Presley ripped a triple with one out in the 15th inning before trotting home on a walk-...

The Dodgers need to add two starters to the rotation and are nearing their end of their budget....

Hiroki Kuroda: It's looking like the bankrupt Dodgers won't be able to re-sign Hiroki Kuroda, leaving them to holes in their 2012 rotation....

With the Angels facing left-hander Jeff Francis on Friday, Manager Mike Scioscia made a few switches to his lineup, elevating switch-hitting shortstop Erick Aybar from sixth to first in the batting order, sitting switch-hitter Maicer Izturis and giving...

For the fourth time the Angels' Joel Pineiro took the mound in search of his 100th career victory Tuesday -- and for the fourth time he came away empty. Only this time the right-hander has no one to blame but......

When Angels' right-hander Joel Pineiro goes for his 100th career victory Tuesday in Kansas City, he might not recognize some of the guys in the lineup with him. Or at least not where they're positioned. With left-hander Jeff Francis pitching......

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - Colorado Rockies - INSIDE PITCH It has been a struggle for Todd Helton in what is expected to be his final season. He is hitting just .220 (18-for-82) in 28 games with three doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs. He has...

RHP Rafael Betancourt, who left Tuesday night's game with right groin tightness, received an anti-inflammatory shot and hopes to be ready to pitch Friday. "I would like to throw a bullpen (Friday) and see how I feel," said Betancourt, who has inflammation...

Matt Garza makes his next rehab start on Thursday at Triple-A Iowa and could return to the Cubs next week if all goes well. “After Thursday I’ll make a decision,” Garza said. “They want me to get stretched out a little deeper...

Alfonso Soriano sat out two games on the Cubs' last homestand and wasn't all that happy about it. Manager Dale Sveum said he wanted Soriano to get more rest on day games after night games, pointing to his age and knees. Soriano, 37, understands...

The Sports Xchange By Jack Etkin, The Sports Xchange Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 1 DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez drove in two runs with a homer and a triple Wednesday, while Jorge De La Rosa won his fourth straight start as the Colorado Rockies beat the...