MIAMI (AP) — The Phillies had just become the latest visiting team to win a game in Miami, and from the top of baseball's food chain, $330 million man Bryce Harper tried to be kind as he assessed the low-budget, low-expectation Marlins."They've got a good pitching staff," Harper said. "They're young. They're energetic. It's going to be a good club."But when?For the rebuilding Marlins, this season is about trying to get closer to competitive, and in the standings there's little sign of progress.Starting with a loss to Harper and the Phillies, the Marlins dropped six of their final seven games before the All-Star break, which left their record at 33-55, by far the worst in the National League. The Marlins are assured of their 10th consecutive losing season, and even by the franchise's low standards, this season's .375 winning percentage is bad.At the break a year ago, they were 41-57 (.418). Two years ago, shortly before CEO Derek Jeter's group bought the franchise and began to reboot, the... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Phillies had just become the latest visiting team to win a game in Miami, and from the top of baseball's food chain, $330 million man Bryce Harper tried to be kind as he assessed the low-budget, low-expectation Marlins."They've got a good pitching staff," Harper said. "They're young. They're energetic. It's going to be a good club."But when?For the rebuilding Marlins, this season is about trying to get closer to competitive, and in the standings there's little sign of progress.Starting with a loss to Harper and the Phillies, the Marlins dropped six of their final seven games before the All-Star break, which left their record at 33-55, by far the worst in the National League. The Marlins are assured of their 10th consecutive losing season, and even by the franchise's low standards, this season's .375 winning percentage is bad.At the break a year ago, they were 41-57 (.418). Two years ago, shortly before CEO Derek Jeter's group bought the franchise and began to reboot, the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven weeks ago, the Washington Nationals didn't have much to dance about.They were 12 games below .500 with the fourth-worst record in baseball. They weren't giving ace Max Scherzer and Co. enough run support, and the bullpen was a ticking time bomb to another deflating loss."Any way we could lose a game, we found a way to do it," first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "Then you go to New York and get swept, lose four games in a row, you feel like you're at rock bottom."Since waking up at rock bottom on May 24, the Nationals have gone a major league-best 28-11 to vault into playoff contention. With its combination of power hitting, stellar starting pitching and some dance parties in the dugout, Washington can legitimately think about playing into October and challenging the Atlanta Braves for NL East supremacy."We know the guys in this clubhouse are very talented," Scherzer said. "When we can go out there and play our best baseball and play mistake-free baseball, we're a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The only errors on the scoreboard at the All-Star Game were by the scoreboard.At least one player noticed — and wasn't too pleased.The giant board at Progressive Field was filled with mistakes Tuesday night, including a couple of misspelled names, a wrong picture and a pair of incorrect team logos."They had what, two weeks to get ready for this? That can't happen," New York Mets sparkplug Jeff McNeil said.McNeil is leading the majors with a .349 batting average, an impressive feat seeing how he made his major league debut less than a year ago.A late sub, he came up for the National League in the eighth inning and noticed the headshot on the scoreboard wasn't of him. Instead, it was of Mets teammate Jacob deGrom."That was tough, to see deGrom's picture up there," McNeil said. "I didn't really like that.""I wanted to see my picture up there. I know my family did, too. What are you going to do, I guess, but I don't think that should happen," he said.David Dahl didn't fare... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The only errors on the scoreboard at the All-Star Game were by the scoreboard.At least one player noticed — and wasn't too pleased.The giant board at Progressive Field was filled with mistakes Tuesday night, including a couple of misspelled names, a wrong picture and a pair of incorrect team logos."They had what, two weeks to get ready for this? That can't happen," New York Mets sparkplug Jeff McNeil said.McNeil is leading the majors with a .349 batting average, an impressive feat seeing how he made his major league debut less than a year ago.A late sub, he came up for the National League in the eighth inning and noticed the headshot on the scoreboard wasn't him. Instead, it was Mets teammate Jacob deGrom."That was tough, to see deGrom's picture up there," McNeil said. "I didn't really like that.""I wanted to see my picture up there. I know my family did, too. What are you going to do, I guess, but I don't think that should happen," he said.David Dahl didn't fare any better.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Baseball players' union head Tony Clark says a poor job has been done of marketing Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts, the reigning AL MVP."Mookie should be a household name," Clark told the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday. "Mookie should be a one-name guy. You say Ronaldo. You say Messi. You say Mookie. You should know who Mookie is, and outside of the baseball world, I don't know how many do."Betts earned his fourth straight All-Star selection after helping Boston win the World Series last year."In the grand scheme of things with respect to players that should be at the forefront of every conversation and should be in conversations even with non-baseball fans, Mookie is one of them," Clark said. "No doubt about it. And unless or until we fix that, it's going to be difficult for others to be a part of that conversation, too."Clark said baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred probably would be in position to answer what is required to increase Betts' recognition."I... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — When the national spotlight turns on, the Los Angeles Dodgers go dark.They're lucky this one doesn't count.Clayton Kershaw dropped to 0-2 in All-Star Games, and so did Dave Roberts."You always want to win every game you play, but the American League has had our number for quite some time, so hopefully we can get them next year," Roberts said after the National League's 4-3 loss in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, making it sound more significant than most participants treat it. "They took one more one better swing than we did."Maybe someday Roberts will get to celebrate on the national stage as Dodgers manager in the same way he did as a Boston Red Sox player.Falling short has gotten familiar.Kershaw gave up Michael Brantley's go-ahead double in the second inning, following his 2015 defeat when he gave up a tiebreaking single to Prince Fielder at Cincinnati followed by Lorenzo Cain's RBI double.Walker Buehler allowed Jorge Polanco's run-scoring single that put the NL... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):11:04 p.m.Justin Verlander blazed 97 mph heat from the start, Cleveland's Shane Bieber struck out the side and the AL staff combined to fan 16, dominating a loaded NL lineup 4-3 in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night for its seventh straight win.With fans hoping to see a replay of Monday's jaw-dropping aerial show when 312 homers cleared the walls, the diamond became a pitchers' paradise — at least until the late innings.Derby champ Pete Alonso grounded a two-out, two-run single past Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning to pull the NL to 4-3, but Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for the save on the same field he got the win three years ago in World Series Game 7 for the Chicago Cubs' first title since 1908 — and denying the Indians their first since 1948.___10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — When the national spotlight turns on, the Los Angeles Dodgers go dark.They're lucky this one doesn't count.Clayton Kershaw gave up Michael Brantley's go-ahead double.Walker Buehler allowed Jorge Polanco's run-scoring single.Dave Roberts added a second All-Star loss to go along with World Series defeats to Houston and Boston.Even Cody Bellinger flailed during the National League's 4-3 defeat to the American League on Tuesday night, striking out against Masahiro Tanaka and Lucas Giolito.Sure, this was the All-Star Game, a night to strut and shine. But it followed flops in the Series for a franchise without a title since 1988.Running away from the rest of the NL West leaves the Dodgers with comparatively little pressure to prepare them for the crucible of October. Los Angeles is a major league-best 60-32 and leads second-place San Diego 13½ games, primed to have home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Might as well start printing the playoff tickets now.But that advantage didn't help in 2017. After winning a major league-high 104 games and breezing by Arizona and the Chicago Cubs in the playoffs, the Dodgers lost Game 7 to Houston when Yu Darvish gave up five runs in the first two innings.They won their sixth straight NL West title last year, by just one game over Colorado after winning 92 games, and lost the Series to the Red Sox in five games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the fifth inning of the All-Star Game during Major League Baseball's "Stand Up to Cancer" campaign.The 32-year-old stood in the third-base coach's box, flanked by four All-Star teammates and Indians manager Terry Francona. Carrasco held a sign that read "I Stand'" while Lindor's said: "Cookie," which is the pitcher's nickname.Carrasco had been feeling fatigued in May, and was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia following an exam at the Cleveland Clinic.He has been cleared to resume conditioning and throwing activities to the extent he can tolerate them. Carrasco could pitch a bullpen session later this week and believes he'll return to the team at some point this season.He had been scheduled to start against Minnesota on June 5, when the Indians issued a statement saying... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Faced with a record onslaught of home runs that has convinced many pitchers that baseballs are juiced, Commissioner Rob Manfred says the sport has been unable to find any changes in the manufacturing process.A May 2018 report to Major League Baseball by professors specializing in physics, mechanical engineering, statistics and mathematics concluded there was less drag on the ball, causing more home runs. MLB still has not figured out why, and Manfred denied accusations by AL All-Star starter Justin Verlander and other pitchers that baseballs deliberately had been altered."Baseball has done nothing, given no direction for an alteration in the baseball," Manfred told the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday. "The biggest flaw in that logic is that baseball somehow wants more home runs. If you sat in an owner's meeting and listened to people talk about the way our game is being played, that is not the sentiment among the owners for whom I work. There is no desire... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):8:55 p.m.Two Cleveland baseball mainstays, whose careers are forever linked, were saluted before the All-Star Game.For CC Sabathia, it was a final bow. For Michael Brantley, it was welcome back.Sabathia, who will retire at the end of this season, threw out the ceremonial first pitch, a fitting tribute for the 38-year-old Yankees left-hander who began his career with the Indians in 2001.One of just 14 pitchers to record 250 career wins and 3,000 strikeouts, Sabathia said he cried when he was traded by the Indians to Milwaukee in 2008 — for Brantley."I wanted to stay here," Sabathia said. "It's just one of those cities."Brantley received a loud ovation when the Houston outfielder was introduced with the other AL players. Brantley spent 10 seasons with the Indians, who elected not to re-sign him as a free agent last winter.He later gave the AL a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the second."I know the relationships that... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — For a day, Will Smith was in for quite a treat — teammates with Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman and Christian Yelich.Soon, the San Francisco reliever could be playing with one of them for real.Smith went into the All-Star Game on Tuesday night well aware his days with the last-place Giants might be dwindling."If I get traded, it'll be the fourth time," the left-hander said. "After the first one, you're kind of numb to it."Fellow All-Star pitchers Marcus Stroman, Shane Greene and Brad Hand also are possible trade targets as the July 31 deadline approaches.Hand is an old hand at this. The San Diego Padres sent the left-hander to Cleveland just two days after the 2018 All-Star Game, during the break."I didn't really think I was going to get traded last year," Hand said Monday. "It's part of what we signed up for. ... There's really nothing you can do about it unless you have a no-trade clause.""I mean obviously there's a select handful of guys whose names are always thrown... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — His free agency delayed a year because the Chicago Cubs kept him in the minor leagues for one extra day, Kris Bryant is the shining example of why players are agitating for change in their labor contract.Baseball has had labor peace following eight work stoppages from 1972-95, but the relationship between Major League Baseball and the union is strained as the current deal approaches its expiration in December 2021."I think people are prepared. I think we've very well educated," Bryant said Monday as NL All-Stars gathered in a room. "The problems are out on the board and I think the sides are kind of working towards not getting to that point. But I think everyone here in this room knows what's going on. There has to be change, and I think there will be."Bryant debuted on April 17, 2015, leaving him one day shy of the service time needed to become a free agent after the 2020 season, The players' association filed a grievance in 2015, but the case has not been argued.Houston... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):6:25 p.m.Even though he's not on the roster, CC Sabathia was looming large around Progressive Field.The 38-year-old Yankees pitcher is playing his final season. He was invited by Major League Baseball to take part in this week's festivities, and was set to be honored for his contributions on and off the field."I'm just having a good time, being a fake All-Star here," he said, laughing. "When the Yankees asked me to announce my retirement, I was like, 'Announce what? I'm not Derek Jeter. No one will care.' But this whole deal has been pretty cool."Sabathia began his big league career in Cleveland and stayed in town until being traded to Milwaukee during the 2008 season. He still maintains close connections to the city.The lefty is 5-4 with a 4.03 ERA this season. Overall, the six-time All-Star has 251 wins and 3,057 strikeouts."I'm on my way out, I only have three more months, but as a fan, I love offense. There is definitely... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Looking Cleveland summer chic, Carlos Santana strutted into the convention center's massive ballroom fashionably late.The first baseman's delayed entrance came long after Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor, J.D. Martinez and all the other American League players went to their assigned media interview platforms.Wearing stylish, dark sunglasses indoors, the Indians slugger had the relaxed appearance of a seasoned, multi-time All-Star.Don't be fooled.He's one of 36 All-Star rookies in this year's event.Santana's selection as a starter is the latest chapter in his storybook homecoming to Cleveland, where he played eight seasons before signing as a free agent in 2017 with Philadelphia. But a trade in December returned him to the Indians, who can't imagine where they'd be this season without him."He has carried us since Day One," said Lindor, the Indians' flashy, four-time All-Star shortstop. "We are playing the game the right way and he's a big part of our success."The 33-year-old... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Sitting next to Justin Verlander, American League manager Alex Cora cheekily declared "we've got the opener" as he described his pitching plans.Touché!Houston's ace has been among the players most critical of some teams' practice of using relief pitchers as ersatz starters for an inning or two.Verlander will be making his second All-Star start on Tuesday night. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts selected Hyun-Jin Ryu from his own staff to make his first start for the National League.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Houston Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings.He allowed five runs in the first inning during the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City, including the first bases-loaded triple in All-Star history, to Pablo Sandoval."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander,... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — There is hardly a team that deserves or desires this All-Star week more than the Minnesota Twins, whose powerful performance over the first half of the season was one of the biggest surprises in baseball.The Twins could take the break as a symbolic reward for consecutive residence in first place in the American League Central since April 20. They can sure use the extra rest, too, an antidote to all of the physical ailments that piled up over the last several weeks."There's really only one time over the course of nine months that you get to wake up two days in a row and do whatever you want," rookie manager Rocco Baldelli said Sunday. "And there's something to that. So I'm sure it'll be a good feeling for everyone to take a little break, choose what you're going to do and who you're going to hang out with and what coffee you're going to drink, and that's it."Fueled by the highest-scoring offense in the major leagues , the Twins (56-33) are on pace for more than 100 wins.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have claimed first baseman A.J. Reed off waivers from the Houston Astros and have assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte.Reed has a .153 career average over 48 games for Houston from 2016-18. He had spent this season at Triple-A Round Rock and was designated for assignment by the Astros on July 2.The White Sox also transferred right-hander Ryan Burr to the 60-day injured list. He has been sidelined since late May and had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow on June 25.Burr was 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA in 16 games — one start — this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):4:05 p.m.Justin Verlander's start in the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City was memorable — unfortunately for him.Ryan Braun hit an RBI double, Pablo Sandoval had the first bases-loaded triple and Dan Uggla followed with a run-scoring infield single as the NL started rolling to an 8-0 win."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said a day ahead of his start for the American League on Tuesday night. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander threw five pitches clocked at 100 mph and another at 101 during a 35-pitch inning."I don't quite throw 100 anymore. Maybe I'll try tomorrow," he said. "The goal is to get guys out. That's it. Thanks for bringing that up, by the way."___12:45 p.m.Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time, and Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start... [More]