ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ― First, Alexi Ogando watched Albert Pujols circle the bases. Then, Michael Gonzalez. And finally, Darren Oliver.Pujols joined Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series game, tying records with five hits and six RBIs to lead the Cardinals to a 16-7 rout of the Texas Rangers on Saturday night that gave St. Louis a 2-1 Series lead.Two days after being criticized for his silence following a crucial error in Game 2, Pujols did the

Oct. 23, 2011

It’s the final game, and the fierce battle between two of the country’s top baseball teams will come to a dramatic conclusion this weekend.The SK Wyverns and Lotte Giants, which are tied 2-2 in the best-of-five playoff series, are set to play a final showdown Saturday at Busan’s Sajik Stadium.If the

Oct. 21, 2011

Chris Carpenter and  C.J. Wilson set to pitch in Game 1 of Series ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ― The Texas Rangers know who they’re playing in the World Series.Yet, the American League champions don’t really know the St. Louis Cardinals.“They don’t know much about us other than what they see on TV, an

Oct. 19, 2011

The Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) named former franchise star Sun Dong-yol as their new manager on Tuesday, less than a week after the team was eliminated from the ongoing playoffs.The Gwangju-based Tigers announced that Sun, 48, will replace Cho Beom-hyun starting next year. T

Oct. 18, 2011

DETROIT (AP) ― The Texas tag team of Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli was too much for the Detroit Tigers.Cruz made a rocket throw to keep the score tied, then hit a crushing three-run homer in the 11th inning off Jose Valverde that helped send the Rangers over the Tigers 7-3 Wednesday night for a 3-1 le

Oct. 13, 2011

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde celebrates after getting the final out. (AP-Yonhap News)DETROIT (AP) ― Colby Lewis came into Game 3 of the AL championship series as the surest thing the Texas Rangers had on the mound.And for three innings, he was.Then, the Detroit Tigers began chipping away. And

Oct. 12, 2011

MILWAUKEE (AP) ― The barbs already were flying. Come Sunday, the Milwaukee Brewers bashed the St. Louis Cardinals with their bats.Needing a rally in the NL championship series opener, Milwaukee turned to its power duo of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, then got a clutch hit from Yuniesky Betancourt t

Oct. 10, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ― Justin Verlander was washed out of another Game 1.Scuffling through a wet postseason, the Detroit ace and likely AL Cy Young Award winner left a start early again Saturday night when a pair of rain delays prevented him from pitching more than four innings. He wound up the los

Oct. 9, 2011

ST. LOUIS (AP) ― Roy Oswalt seemed all set to close out the Cardinals. He had an early lead, had won big games in St. Louis and had never lost a postseason start.So much for all that history.St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday scores on a two-run double by David Freese in the fourth inning.

Oct. 6, 2011

Pitching-rich clubs set for best-of-five series The country’s top professional baseball league wrapped up its regular season on Thursday night and is now gearing up for what looks like a promising postseason starting Saturday.The defending champion SK Wyverns will face the Kia Tigers in the fir

Oct. 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) ― This is what Adrian Beltre envisioned when he signed with Texas in the offseason. Balls jumping off his bat in October, the Rangers making another run for the pennant.Beltre hit three straight home runs and the defending AL champions advanced again, beating the Tampa B

Oct. 5, 2011

MILWAUKEE (AP) ― Yovani Gallardo could barely see the return tosses from catcher Jonathan Lucroy, losing them in the bright light filtering through the windows at Miller Park.Imagine how the Diamondbacks felt.Gallardo emerged from the shadows, outpitching Arizona ace Ian Kennedy as the Milwaukee Bre

Oct. 2, 2011

HOUSTON (AP) ― Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals completed one of baseball’s greatest comebacks, clinching the NL wild card Wednesday night with an 8-0 win over Houston and a later loss by Atlanta.The Cardinals got their playoff spot when the Braves fell to Philadelphia 4-3 in 13 innings.S

Sept. 29, 2011