(NEWSER) - Kansas City’s Zack Greinke has been, without question, the best pitcher of this young baseball season. The 25-year-old didn’t allow a run in his first three starts; his 0.50 ERA and 5-0 record are both major-league bests. After losing most of the 2006 season to his fight with depression and social anxiety, he tells Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, “It’s been all right.” More»

Rays at the head of the class—Rockies, Marlins at the back

(NEWSER) - Report card time! Here’s how the rambunctious kids of MLB are doing so far, in Yahoo Sports’ Steven Henson’s estimation. A students—Rays, Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, White Sox Particular kudos go to the Rays, the poor kid who went to the head of the class. B students—Cardinals, Brewers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, Athletics, Marlins, Orioles The Cardinals have a slight edge in the wildcard race. The Yankees, meanwhile, barely scrape together a B. More»

Starter Sidney Ponson gets his first win in exactly a year

(NEWSER) - Sidney Ponson got his first victory in a year and the Texas Rangers finished off a successful homestand with Ron Washington still their manager, beating the Kansas City Royals 2-1 last night. Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff homer in the first and Ramon Vazquez hit a tiebreaking drive in the sixth off Zack Greinke (3-1). The Rangers took two-of-three from Kansas City. More»

Bale nailed; Lopez ties league mark with three sac flies in 11-6 laugher

(NEWSER) - Jose Lopez became the 12th player in major league history to hit three sacrifice flies in a game, Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs and the Seattle Mariners set a season high for runs with an 11-6 victory over the previously stingy Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Lopez added an RBI single. More»

Royals kick off seven-game road trip with good pitching, defense

(NEWSER) - Zack Greinke pitched a five-hitter for his third career complete game, and the Kansas City Royals opened a seven-game road trip with a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. It was the sixth complete game in the American League this year and second by a Kansas City pitcher. Billy Butler and Miguel Olivo each hit their first homer. More»