Chavez, Pillar highlight non-roster invitees to Braves camp
February 1, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Pitcher Jesse Chavez and outfielder Kevin Pillar highlight 26 players with minor league contracts invited to spring training by the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old Chavez had been effective as a long reliever out of the Braves' bullpen the last two seasons, going 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 46 appearances over two stints with the team a year ago.
OF Kevin Pillar excited to join Braves on minor-league deal
January 21, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have added another potential contender for playing time in left field by signing Kevin Pillar to a minor-league contract.
Pillar confirmed the deal Friday, tweeting that he was “beyond excited” to be joining the Braves.
MLB’s free-agent frenzy cools with big names off market
March 21, 2022 GMTTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Major League Baseball's free-agent frenzy was fun while it lasted.
Less than two weeks after it started, it's pretty much over.
Now that the dust has settled, some of the biggest moves weren't a huge surprise: Freddie Freeman is closer to home with the Dodgers, Nick Castellanos chose the Phillies while Trevor Story picked the Red Sox.
Báez 4 for 4, Pillar slam, Mets hit 4 HRs to beat Nats 13-6
September 5, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Javier Báez went 4 for 4 with a home run, Kevin Pillar hit a grand slam that capped a game-sealing, six-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets withstood another rally from the Washington Nationals to earn a 13-6 victory Sunday.
Mets beat Nats in 10 innings for fifth straight win
September 4, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin Pillar drove in two with a 10th-inning double and the New York Mets recovered after blowing a late lead to beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 Friday night for their fifth straight win.
Boo who? Báez, Mets flip thumbs down on fans; team prez mad
August 30, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Javier Báez and his New York Mets teammates turned the boos at Citi Field to cheers this weekend — and turned their thumbs upside down at frustrated fans.
Báez launched a 444-foot home run Sunday in a 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals, then flashed a double thumbs-down gesture toward the crowd on his way back to the dugout.
Scherzer helps Dodgers beat Mets 4-3 for 9th straight win
August 22, 2021 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Trea Turner, Albert Pujols and Chris Taylor homered, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the slumping New York Mets 4-3 Saturday.
The surging Dodgers have won nine consecutive games, matching a season-best win streak.
Backed by 3 HRs, Scherzer leads Dodgers past Mets 4-3
August 22, 2021 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Trea Turner, Albert Pujols and Chris Taylor each homered, and Max Scherzer won for the third time in four starts since being acquired as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the slumping New York Mets 4-3 Saturday.
Mets respond to Cohen tweet with 12-inning win over Giants
August 19, 2021 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kevin Pillar hit a three-run home run in the 12th inning, lifting the New York Mets over the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Wednesday hours after the team's owner called out its hitters for a lack of production.
Votto inches from HR record, Báez helps Mets rally past Reds
August 1, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto could not have come any closer.
The star slugger fell inches short of matching the major league record with a home run in eight consecutive games, but Javier Báez did clear the fence in his New York debut and the Mets rallied past the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 in 10 innings Saturday night.
Votto inches short of homering in record 8th straight game
August 1, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto came oh-so-close to matching the major league record with a home run in eight consecutive games, but Javier Báez did clear the fence in his New York debut and the Mets rallied past the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 in 10 innings Saturday night.
Mets smash 7 homers, shake off 4 errors in wild 15-11 win
July 20, 2021 GMTCINCINNATI (AP) — Jeff McNeil hit a tiebreaking single in the 11th inning, Kevin Pillar added a three-run homer and the New York Mets went deep seven times Monday night to pull out a wild 15-11 win over the slumping Cincinnati Reds.
DeGrom pulled early, Mets bullpen finishes 6-3 win over Cubs
June 17, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom was pulled from a second straight start with an arm injury, this time leaving after three perfect innings with right shoulder soreness, but the New York Mets bullpen stepped up to finish a three-hitter in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
Walker strikes out career-high 12 to lead Mets over Cubs 3-2
June 16, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to pitching at Citi Field, Taijuan Walker has an even better record this year than Jacob deGrom.
Walker struck out a career-high 12 and improved to 4-0 in six home starts, leading the New York Mets over the Chicago Cubs 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Pillar, McKinney each homer twice as Mets rout Orioles 14-1
June 10, 2021 GMTBALTIMORE (AP) — After a blowout win fueled largely by role players, New York Mets manager Luis Rojas took stock of his division-leading team.
“You couldn't be any more proud," he said. "Every single guy that's put on the Mets' uni has just helped us along the way.”
Tatis homers to back Darvish, Padres hold off Mets 4-3
June 4, 2021 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to the lineup with a two-run homer that slipped out of center fielder Mason Williams' glove, and the San Diego Padres held off the New York Mets 4-3 on Thursday night.
Lindor scores winning run in 9th, Mets beat D-backs 7-6
June 2, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — The New York Mets have been waiting for Francisco Lindor to be himself on the baseball field. They're hoping the wait may be over.
Lindor, signed to a $341 million, 10-year deal on April 1, had three hits and scored the winning run in the ninth inning in the Mets' 7-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Pillar back on bench, banged-up Mets edge Braves on Nido HR
May 19, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — One night after getting struck in the face by a 95 mph fastball, Kevin Pillar popped out of the dugout to deliver the lineup card to home plate.
Mets’ Pillar has multiple nasal fractures after hit by pitch
May 19, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar suffered multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Braves reliever Jacob Webb, a frightening scene that shook both teams.
LEADING OFF: Mets, Yankees having painful road trips
May 18, 2021 GMTA look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday:
Walker, Pillar hurt after Mets add Conforto, McNeil to IL
May 18, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Taijuan Walker and Kevin Pillar joined a long list of injured New York Mets players as both were forced to leave Monday night's 3-1 win against the Atlanta Braves.
Walker pitched only three innings, allowing one hit and no runs, before exiting with tightness in his left side.
Mets overcome more injuries, beat Braves 3-1
May 18, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Kevin Pillar is confident he escaped serious harm when he was hit in the face by a fastball during the New York Mets' 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
In a frightening scene that shook both teams, Pillar was drilled square in the nose by a 95 mph pitch from Braves reliever Jacob Webb with the bases loaded in the seventh inning — the latest injury for a banged-up Mets team.
Phillips, Rays rally late, end Mets’ 7-game winning streak
May 15, 2021 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays stopped the Mets’ seven-game winning streak, rallying past New York 3-2 Friday night.
Dark Knight returns: Harvey, Orioles lose to Mets 7-1
May 12, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Matt Harvey walked onto the Citi Field mound for the first time in 3 years, 9 days, his brown eyes darting around the stadium where he became a star and left in ignominy.
“There’s been so many ups and downs here at this ballpark and with this organization that I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said later...
Mets sign OF Kevin Pillar to 1-year deal, cut Heredia
February 22, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Center fielder Kevin Pillar and the Mets finalized a $5 million, one-year contract Sunday night that adds depth and balance to New York's outfield...
Martinez has 3 RBIs, Red Sox beat Orioles 13-2 in opener
July 25, 2020 GMTBOSTON (AP) — For one night at least, the Boston Red Sox didn’t miss Mookie Betts’ bat.
Giants score 3 in eighth inning, rally past Phillies 9-6
August 12, 2019 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Will Smith's resume as a pitcher has grown substantially this season, with 28 saves and an All-Star appearance...
Arrieta scheduled to start as Philadelphia hosts San Francisco
August 1, 2019 GMTSan Francisco Giants (55-53, second in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (56-51, third in the NL East)...
deGrom, Mets to take on Beede, Giants
July 19, 2019 GMTNew York Mets (44-51, fourth in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (47-49, third in the NL West)...
Josh Donaldson agrees to $23M, 1-year deal with Blue Jays
January 13, 2018 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Third baseman Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $23 million contract Friday, the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player.
The 32-year-old, a three-time All-Star, topped the $21,625,000, one-year deal covering 2018 agreed to last May by outfielder Bryce Harper and Washington.
Bat flip, punch and now Blue Jays-Rangers ALDS rematch
October 6, 2016 GMTARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There was Jose Bautista's emphatic bat flip after his tiebreaking homer in the ALDS-clinching game last October, and then Rougned Odor's punch in May that ignited a bench-clearing brawl the last time the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays played.