Ben Walker, Author at Valley News

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper, left, and left fielder Corey Dickerson head to the clubhouse after the team's win over the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. The Phillies won 5-2. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

September Scramble: MLB playoff spots, intriguing plots

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterSeptember 2, 2019

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut; Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Oh, and playoff spots.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what’s on deck this fall. The…

Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

With Greinke, Astros launch all-in bid

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterJuly 31, 2019

San Francisco Giants All-Star Will Smith speaks during a news conference, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The 90th All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

All-Stars make for nice trade targets

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterJuly 9, 2019

The National League players react the MLB All-Star Futures baseball game, Sunday, July 7, 2019, in Cleveland. The 90th MLB baseball All-Star Game will be played Tuesday. The game against the American League ended 2-2. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

MLB trying second-base tiebreaker at ASG

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterJuly 8, 2019

FILE - In this June 1, 1987, file photo Boston Red Sox's Bill Buckner, right, hits a two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago. Buckner, a star hitter who became known for making one of the most infamous plays in major league history, has died. He was 69. Buckner's family said in a statement that he died Monday, May 27, 2019, after a long battle with dementia. (AP Photo/Mark Elias, File)

Bill Buckner, tragic figure in Red Sox history, dies

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterMay 27, 2019

Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez heads to first after hitting an RBI-single that scored Mookie Betts during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Baseball season starts, and all is well

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterMarch 28, 2019

FILE - In this Aug. 22, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Indians' Edwin Encarnacion follows through on his second two-run home run of the night, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, in Boston. Edwin Encarnacion has been traded to Seattle and first baseman Carlos Santana has returned to the Indians in a three-team deal that also involved Tampa Bay. The Rays got infielder Yandy Diaz and minor league right-hander Cole Slusser from Cleveland. The Indians also acquired first baseman Jake Bauers. The swap came Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, at the close of the winter meetings. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Kelly Leaves Sox for L.A.

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterDecember 13, 2018

Boston Red Sox's Eduardo Nunez reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the World Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

World Series: Red Sox Bring the Lumber, Beat Dodgers in Game 1

by Ben Walker Associated PressOctober 24, 2018

Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez, left, speaks with Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts during batting practice for the World Series baseball game Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Boston. The Red Sox play the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Kershaw, Sale to Start Chilly World Series Opener

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterOctober 23, 2018

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado yells as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Denver. The Rockies won 12-0. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

NL Requires Two Playoffs

by Ben Walker AP Baseball WriterSeptember 30, 2018