Samardzija, Cubs win home spring opener

MESA, Ariz. | Valparaiso native Jeff Samardzija made a strong spring debut and the Cubs scored four unearned runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giants ace Matt Cain, then held on for a 4-3 victory Sunday at HoHoKam Stadium.

Tigers hitting coach stayed busy during offseason

VALPARAISO | Gary native Lloyd McClendon has been employed by Major League Baseball for most of his adult life. As a player, coach and manager, he's seen a lot of trends and has learned how to accept a few of them — although sometimes grudgingly.

Rangers add C Pierzynski, say he will be starter

ARLINGTON, Texas | A.J. Pierzynski can joke with Texas manager Ron Washington about last season's All-Star snub now that he's the starting catcher for the Rangers.

Free manicures, haircuts a 'treat' for seniors at North Township luncheon

Valerie Czapkowicz, of Munster, receives a free manicure and hand massage Wednesday from volunteer Natalie Orozco, a student from Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Highland, at the Wicker Park Social Center.

S'ville youth baseball team leaves for World Series

Family members take photos Monday of the Schererville Shock 13U team before its departure from the Schererville baseball fields for the Babe Ruth 13U World Series in the state of Washington .

S'ville youth baseball team leaves for World Series

The Schererville Shock 13U baseball team waits for its bus Monday during a send-off at the Schererville baseball fields as it goes to the Babe Ruth 13U World Series in Kitsap County, Wash.

S'ville youth baseball team leaves for World Series

Stacie Reardon, left, says goodbye Monday to her son, Partick Reardon, 13, a member of the Schererville Shock 13U baseball team, before its departure from the Schererville baseball fields to the Babe Ruth 13U World Series in Kitsap County, Wash.

S'ville youth baseball team leaves for World Series

Family members and friends say goodbye Monday to the Schererville Shock 13U baseball team at the Schererville baseball fields before its departure for the Babe Ruth 13U World Series in Kitsap County, Wash.

Crown Point Cal Ripken falls in third World Series game

Crown Point All Stars manager Bill Nelson said, "that's baseball," after Northwest Bakersfield, Calif., rallied from a 5-2 deficit to defeat his team 13-5 in a Monday pool-play game of the Cal Ripken Baseball 10-year-old World Series at Bentonville, Ark.

A.J.’s brawn, brains back Sale’s 14th win

CHICAGO | Like all White Sox pitchers, Chris Sale has a trump card – batterymate A.J. Pierzynski.

Valpo steps up to plate to serve as host city for national girls softball tourney

VALPARAISO | The city will play host this summer to a national sporting event that promises to infuse the region economy with nearly $2 million.

Five-time champion Moose Skowron dead at 81

Moose Skowron, a five-time World Series champion and one of only two players to hit three home runs in Game 7s, died Friday of congestive heart failure at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. He was 81.

Baseball bracing for an extra wild season in 2012

Dusty Baker would like a do-over.

Comings and goings at Cubs, Sox, Cards all connected

Theo Epstein and his Boston posse, in.

Cards, Rangers give baseball quite a run in Series

ST. LOUIS | David Freese swooped in, expecting Elvis Andrus to bunt. He did, but the ball trickled wide of the line.

Napoli's 2B gives Texas 4-2 win, 3-2 Series lead

ARLINGTON, Texas | Mike Napoli hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning against Marc Rzepczynski, and the Texas Rangers rallied from a two-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Monday night and take a 3-2 World Series lead.

Napoli's homer lifts Rangers to 4-0 lead

ARLINGTON, Texas | Mike Napoli took a mighty swing, tossed his bat aside and trotted around the bases. Fireworks exploded in the air, and Texas Rangers fans cheered wildly.