German_Force » years of probation on a disorderly

BOSTON (AP) — Don’t look for Dustin Pedroia and Chase Utley to be turning any double plays during this World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.But the presence of both has already had an impact on the clubhouses of the two teams looking to add to their already rich trophy cases.With 10 All-Star appearances and three championship rings between them Gleyber Torres Jersey , Pedroia and Utley are two of the premier second basemen of their generation, each earning revered status that exceeds their stats and awards.Pedroia has spent his entire career in Boston, winning championships with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013. Utley started his career in Philadelphia and spurred the Phillies team that won it all in 2008.But with a knee injury sidelining Pedroia and age slowing down Utley as he approaches 40, they have embraced the unfamiliar role of baseball elder this time around.“I don’t think either one of us will be getting any at-bats in this Series. So, we’re similar in that way,” Utley joked on Monday.This season has been a final lap for Utley, who in July announced his plans to retire at the end of his 16th season.He appeared in 87 games during the regular season but after hitting just .213 with one home run and 14 RBIs, didn’t make either of manager Dave Roberts’ NL Division Series or NL Championship Series rosters. He’s still soaked in every moment of the run so far.“This is the reason I wanted to play this year, was to get to this point,” Utley said. “I’m excited for the opportunity that we have. … Dustin, I know his teammates respect him and look up to him. From what I hear he’s a good motivator and a guy you definitely want on your team.”Dodgers third baseman David Freese said Utley commands respect.“He just does so much for this group,” Freese said. “The guy just wants to win. … I view him differently than other guys.”Currently in his 13th season Tyler Austin Jersey , the 35-year-old Pedroia has no plans of hanging up his cleats. That’s despite playing just three games in 2018 because of a left knee injury that has dogged him since he was spiked by Manny Machado on a late slide last year.He had surgery on the knee in the offseason but had an additional arthroscopic surgery while rehabbing in Arizona in July to clean up scar tissue. He had two initial procedures on the knee last October.“It’s hard not playing, but to be honest with you I’m enjoying this more than the other trips in years past,” Pedroia said. “It stinks not being able to play with them and be there with them, but I’m not upset about not playing because of the way they’re approaching the year.”His rehabilitation process was slow, though the four-time All-Star returned to action in May for three games. But he went just 1 for 11 with two walks before going on the disabled list again and eventually being shut down in September.Even before his season ended, Pedroia remained a presence in Boston’s clubhouse as it rolled up a franchise-record 108 regular-season wins.He texted teammates after big wins and during hitting slumps. He also called the clubhouse and was put on speakerphone to offer words of encouragement. He’s been on the field this week as the Red Sox prepared for Game 1 on Tuesday night.“He’s the heart and soul of this team,” infielder Brock Holt said. “He’s been here the longest. He’s won two World Series. So to have him here — it’s always better with him here than when he’s gone.”That opinion of Pedroia is shared by Boston’s opponent.“He set the tone for this organization,” Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill said.Pedroia believes his words still have an impact.“I hope I still do,” he said. “If not, they’re asking me a lot of questions wasting my damn time.” OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — James Paxton knows he will be pitching in plenty of meaningful games during the stretch run, and now that he is healthy and back on the mound it provides a big boost for Seattle’s playoff chances.Paxton returned from the disabled list to strike out 10 batters over five innings Clint Frazier Jersey , Ben Gamel hit a two-run double, and the Mariners held off the Oakland Athletics 8-7 on Saturday night in a matchup of contenders with a knack for comebacks.“You always want to be part of this kind of thing,” Paxton said. “We’re in the race. We’ve played some good games here against these guys and hopefully we can come out and get the series win tomorrow.”Jean Segura had a two-run single in the fifth, an inning after he was hit by a pitch. He finished with three hits, helping Seattle pull within 4 1/2 games of Oakland for the second AL wild card.Khris Davis hit his majors-leading 40th home run to start the eighth for Oakland, giving him three straight 40-homer seasons . He joined Jimmie Foxx from 1932-34 as the only players in A’s history to accomplish that feat.“It’s just miraculous numbers that he puts up,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ve had a long history of power hitters here, and to be with Jimmie Foxx and that kind of company, and we’re still looking at close to a month left, he’s been as consistent a power hitter as anybody who’s been in Oakland.”Marcus Semien added a two-run double in the eighth and left fielder Denard Span’s blunder trying to scoop up the ball allowed a third run to score to make it 8-7.Edwin Diaz walked Jed Lowrie to begin the ninth and put the tying run aboard, and then recovered to strike out the side for his club-record 51st save in 55 opportunities.With an ailing rotation, the A’s made a day-of change to start September call-up reliever Liam Hendriks (0-1) — a philosophy Tampa Bay employed this season — and then manager Bob Melvin eventually went to regularly scheduled starter Daniel Mengden after two other relievers.After Gamel’s double in the second got the Mariners going http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-mark-mcgwire-jersey , Seattle scored two of its three runs in the third on errors.Mark Canha hit two-run homer in the fifth for the A’s, who struck out 18 times.Paxton (11-5) pitched for the first time since getting hit on his left forearm by a line drive Aug. 14 at Oakland. He allowed three runs on two hits and walked four, and while he felt rusty he knows he will likely be sharper the next time out as he works on a more consistent release point.“A game we needed to have tonight,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We got out offensively really good. I thought our at-bats were outstanding against a number of different pitchers.”The lefty clapped his hand into his glove after retiring Davis on a strikeout to end the fifth following consecutive two-out walks to Matt Chapman and Lowrie.Ryon Healy had a pair of hits against his old club as the Mariners won for just the second time in six games.Seattle’s Mitch Haniger doubled leading off the fourth to match his career high with a 13-game hitting streak.Mengden wound up working the third and fourth innings as the A’s used nine pitchers. That matched the most for any game in Oakland history and was the highest number used in a nine-inning game.MAXWELL DEPARTSAs Oakland made September call-ups, the A’s designated catcher Bruce Maxwell for assignment, possibly ending his tenure with the club.In July, Maxwell was sentenced to two years of probation on a disorderly conduct charge, nearly three months after he pleaded guilty to the charge in a gun-related incident. Police said Maxwell had pointed a handgun at a woman who delivered food to his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, in October.“I don’t think it was a distraction for us,” Melvin said of Maxwell’s legal issues.The A’s made it a priority to promote catcher Beau Taylor, one of eight players added Saturday Stephen Piscotty Jersey , and he caught the ninth to make his major league debut.TRAINER’S ROOMMariners: LHP Marco Gonzales, on the DL retroactive to Aug. 24 with a strained neck muscle, has been throwing in recent days and is getting closer to throwing a bullpen session, Servais said.Athletics: OF Matt Joyce came off the 10-day DL as expected when rosters expanded. He had been out since July 5 with a strained lower back.UP NEXTRight-hander Felix Hernandez (8-12, 5.49 ERA), long the bane of Oakland batters, starts the series finale for Seattle opposite A’s righty Edwin Jackson (4-3, 3.03). Hernandez seeks his first victory in nine outings since beating the Royals on June 30, a span during which he’s 0-6.