Giants a win away from World Series title

DETROIT | OK, so even Bruce Bochy has to grudgingly admit that his San Francisco Giants are on a World Series roll.

With small ball, Giants take 2-0 lead

SAN FRANCISCO | Long ball one night, a Giant dose of small ball the next.

Sandoval homers three times as Giants take World Series opener

SAN FRANCISCO | With three mighty swings, Pablo Sandoval put the San Francisco Giants ahead in this World Series and put himself in a class with Mr. October.

Giants' lefty gets another shot in World Series

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey and pitcher Madison Bumgarner, left, celebrate after the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Monday in San Francisco.

Giants' lefty gets another shot in World Series

SAN FRANCISCO | Madison Bumgarner joked before his last World Series start that the pressure of pitching on baseball's biggest stage felt similar to his high school championship. After all, he was only 21.

Giants lead Cardinals 5-1 in Game 6 of NLCS

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter reacts after giving up a triple to San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt on Sunday in San Francisco.

Giants lead Cardinals 5-1 in Game 6 of NLCS

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval hits an RBI single during the second inning of Game 6 of the National League championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday in San Francisco.

Cards face elimination again, NLCS goes to Game 7

SAN FRANCISCO | Chris Carpenter walked off the mound, and the fans cheered. Giants fans, that is.

Cardinals back home for NLCS Game 3 against Giants

ST. LOUIS | Kyle Lohse is all about efficiency, about avoiding extended at-bats and letting hitters get themselves out.

Baseball playoffs full of momentum swings

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander hugs catcher Alex Avila after the Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics 6-0 in Game 5 of an American League division baseball series in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday.

Baseball playoffs full of momentum swings

SAN FRANCISCO | Just ask the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals how much momentum means in the postseason.

Leyland: Alburquerque's kiss meant no disrespect

Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander, right, embraces Oakland Athletics' Coco Crisp during batting practice in preparation for Game 3 of the American League division series Monday in Oakland, Calif.

Leyland: Alburquerque's kiss meant no disrespect

OAKLAND, Calif. | Ideally, Jim Leyland would have everybody hug it out and play ball.

Bailey can follow no-hitter with playoff clincher

CINCINNATI | Homer Bailey played catch in the sun-splashed outfield at Great American Ball Park, his usual routine the day before a start. Nothing different at all, as far as the Texan let on.

Bailey can follow no-hitter with playoff clincher

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, left, stands with assistant pitching coach Mack Jenkins during a workout, Monday, in Cincinnati. Bailey is scheduled to start Game 3 of the National League division baseball series against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Cardinals beat Braves 6-3 in disputed playoff

ATLANTA | David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals rediscovered their postseason touch. Chipper Jones and the Braves kept throwing the ball away. And the Atlanta fans turned Turner Field into a trash heap.

A's rookie Parker to face star-laden Tigers

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera waves to the crowd after being replaced during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday. Cabrera achieved baseball's first Triple Crown since 1967 by leading the league with a .330 average, 44 home runs…