A look at what's happening around the majors today:STILL FIGHTINGThe Rays got themselves off the ropes by rallying late to beat Houston on Thursday night, ending a four-game skid. Now the AL wild-card hopefuls open a pivotal three-game home series against Cleveland. The Indians are 2 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay for the top wild-card spot, with Oakland one game ahead for the Rays for the second. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-6, 3.23) is set to pitch or Cleveland against RHP Austin Pruitt (2-0, 5.57).PULLING AWAY?The Cubs host the Brewers hoping to bury another NL wild-card competitor after sweeping the Mets over three games this week. Chicago pulled five games ahead of New York for the second wild card and is four games ahead of Milwaukee. LHP Jose Quintana (11-8, 4.05) will start for the Cubs in the matinee against RHP Chase Anderson (6-3, 4.34).Meanwhile, the Mets will try to snap a six-game skid in the opener of a series at Philadelphia, which is just 2 1/2 games behind Chicago.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:STILL FIGHTINGThe Rays got themselves off the ropes by rallying late to beat Houston on Thursday night, ending a four-game skid. Now the AL wild-card hopefuls open a pivotal three-game home series against Cleveland. The Indians are 2 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay for the top wild-card spot, with Oakland one game ahead for the Rays for the second. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-6, 3.23) is set to pitch or Cleveland against RHP Austin Pruitt (2-0, 5.57).PULLING AWAY?The Cubs host the Brewers hoping to bury another NL wild-card competitor after sweeping the Mets over three games this week. Chicago pulled five games ahead of New York for the second wild card and is four games ahead of Milwaukee. LHP Jose Quintana (11-8, 4.05) will start for the Cubs in the matinee against RHP Chase Anderson (6-3, 4.34).Meanwhile, the Mets will try to snap a six-game skid in the opener of a series at Philadelphia, which is just 2 1/2 games behind Chicago.... [More]

Brewers fourth. Eric Thames homers to center field. Trent Grisham homers to right field. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to second base, Ketel Marte to Christian Walker. Chase Anderson called out on strikes. Lorenzo Cain walks. Yasmani Grandal singles to right field. Lorenzo Cain to third. Christian Yelich strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 2, Diamondbacks 0.Brewers seventh. Lorenzo Cain walks. Yasmani Grandal flies out to left field to Tim Locastro. Christian Yelich hit by pitch. Lorenzo Cain to second. Mike Moustakas walks. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Mike Moustakas to second. Christian Yelich scores. Lorenzo Cain scores. Eric Thames flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Trent Grisham called out on strikes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 4, Diamondbacks 0.

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation, but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the... [More]

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the painting... [More]

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — José Quintana pitched seven crisp innings, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1 on Sunday night in the MLB Little League Classic.Nicholas Castellanos and Jason Heyward also connected as Chicago earned its second straight win since consecutive heartbreaking losses to the Phillies and Pirates.The Cubs took two of three in the unusual weekend set and remain in a virtual tie with St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central.Starling Marté had three hits for Pittsburgh, including his 21st homer in the ninth. Mitch Keller (1-2) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings.With grinning Little Leaguers dressed in their uniforms filling the stands at BB&T Ballpark, Quintana (11-7) allowed five hits and walked none. The left-hander improved to 7-0 in nine starts since his last loss June 22.ASTROS 4, ATHLETICS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, helping the AL West-leading Astros avoid... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw seven smooth innings for his 200th win, pitching the first-place Houston Astros past the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep.Alex Bregman had a three-run homer among his four hits to back Greinke, who won his third straight start since joining the Astros from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the July 31 trade deadline.Greinke (13-4) went nine up, nine down on 25 pitches to start the game before giving up Marcus Semien's 21st homer. The right-hander allowed four hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He became the 115th pitcher in major league history to reach 200 career wins, and the second in Houston's rotation along with Justin Verlander.Roberto Osuna finished for his 27th save as the Astros stopped a five-game slide.Yuli Gurriel added an RBI double for Houston, which snapped Oakland's four-game winning streak. The Astros went back ahead of the A's by 7 1/2 games in the AL West race.Athletics lefty Brett Anderson (10-9) allowed... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to right center field. Adam Eaton walks. Trea Turner to second. Anthony Rendon pops out to shallow left field to Orlando Arcia. Juan Soto flies out to right field to Christian Yelich. Matt Adams homers to center field. Adam Eaton scores. Trea Turner scores. Victor Robles homers to center field. Brian Dozier grounds out to shortstop, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 4, Brewers 0.Nationals second. Yan Gomes singles to shallow right field. Erick Fedde out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Chase Anderson to Keston Hiura. Yan Gomes to second. Trea Turner walks. Adam Eaton triples to right center field. Trea Turner scores. Yan Gomes scores. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shallow infield, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Juan Soto strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 6, Brewers 0.Nationals third. Matt Adams singles to right field. Victor Robles doubles to left field. Matt Adams to third.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DRIVE FOR FIVEFour days in a row, a player has hit three home runs. Who can make it five? AL MVP Mookie Betts had his fifth career three-homer game — one shy of the big league record — in Boston's 10-5 victory Friday night over the rival Yankees. Betts followed Mets second baseman Robinson Canó on Tuesday night, Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong on Wednesday and Minnesota slugger Nelson Cruz on Thursday. Before this stretch, there had never even been three consecutive days with a three-homer game in the majors. "It's crazy just to see it once," Betts said. "But I guess to see it four straight days, there's a lot of good hitters out there, and they're showing it."HALF A DOZENA pair of big boppers will try to go deep for the sixth consecutive game.Paul Goldschmidt has homered in a career-best five straight to help the streaking Cardinals take over sole possession of first place in the NL Central for the first time since May 7. He'll face Astros... [More]

Jean Segura hit a three-run, walk-off homer against Edwin Díaz moments after Maikel Franco hit a tying, two-run shot against the closer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-3 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.New York's Todd Frazier hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Hector Neris with one out in the ninth, but the Phillies rallied in the bottom of the inning — their fourth straight win since utility man Brad Miller brought a bamboo plant into the clubhouse as a good-luck charm.Díaz (1-5) walked Cesar Hernandez to start, and Franco followed with his third homer of the series. He hit go-ahead, two-run homers in each of the first two games. Pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez walked with one out and advanced to second on Scott Kingery's hard-hit, bad-hop single off Frazier's glove at third.Segura then slammed his 10th homer into the seats in left. He leaped on his way down the first base line and got mobbed by teammates after circling the bases.It... [More]

Jean Segura hit a three-run, walk-off homer against Edwin Díaz moments after Maikel Franco hit a tying, two run shot against the closer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 6-3 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.New York's Todd Frazier hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Hector Neris with one out in the ninth, but the Phillies rallied in the bottom of the inning — their fourth straight win since utility man Brad Miller brought a bamboo plant into the clubhouse as a good-luck charm.Díaz (1-5) walked Cesar Hernandez to start, and Franco followed with his third homer of the series. He hit go-ahead, two-run homers in each of the first two games. Pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez walked with one out and advanced to second on Scott Kingery's hard-hit, bad-hop single off Frazier's glove at third.Segura then slammed his 10th homer into the seats in left. He leaped on his way down the first base line and got mobbed by teammates after circling the bases.It... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Cleveland ace Corey Kluber broke his right forearm when he was hit by a line drive during the Indians' 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Kluber (2-3) was struck by Brian Anderson's comebacker in the fifth inning. The Indians said he will be re-evaluated in Cleveland on Thursday.The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner allowed eight hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings, which left his ERA at 5.80.Caleb Smith (3-0) struck out eight in seven innings, helping Miami stop a four-game slide. He allowed one run on Roberto Perez's third homer in the third inning.Cleveland's Carlos Santana homered in the ninth off Sergio Romo, who regrouped to earn his fifth save.DIAMONDBACKS 3, YANKEES 2PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte homered, Merrill Kelly won his first start against New York and Arizona swept a two-game series.The Yankees dropped to 0-5 this year against teams that currently have winning records and is 17-8 against clubs that started the day under .500.Kelly (3-2)... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have put righty Chase Anderson on the injured list after he lacerated his right middle finger while warming up for a start against Colorado.The Brewers made the move before Wednesday night's game at Miller Park. The team didn't say how the cut occurred.Anderson began the season in Milwaukee's bullpen but moved into the rotation late last month after Freddy Peralta went on the injured list and Corbin Burnes was optioned to Triple-A San Antonio.Anderson posted a 1.86 ERA in two starts, striking out nine with five walks over 9 2/3 innings. Including five relief appearances this season, Anderson is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA.Right-handed reliever Jacob Barnes started in place of Anderson. Burnes was recalled from San Antonio to fill Anderson's spot on the roster.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The newest member of the Milwaukee Brewers is a familiar face.Gio González is back after finalizing a $2 million, one-year contract, and the veteran left-hander will start Sunday's series finale against the New York Mets. González also played for Milwaukee last season, helping the Brewers win the NL Central and make it to the NL Championship Series after he was acquired in an Aug. 31 trade with Washington.The 33-year-old González was a welcome sight for the weary Brewers after their rain-delayed 10-2 victory over the Mets in the series opener."He bought some energy today already to the clubhouse," manager Craig Counsell said before Saturday's game against New York. "He's well-rested, everybody else isn't."Milwaukee designated reliever Jake Petricka for assignment to make room for González, who is 127-97 with a 3.69 ERA in 313 career big league games. Right-hander Junior Guerra was activated from the bereavement list, and infielder Tyler Saladino was optioned to Triple-A... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — All-Star slugger Aaron Judge hurt his left oblique while taking a swing and was expected to head to the injured list as the already banged-up New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 9-2 Saturday.Judge homered early, but hurt himself in the sixth inning while hitting a single. He was taken to a hospital for an MRI and further tests.Judge winced after taking a swing in the sixth and gingerly made his way to first base. He left the game after being checked by a trainer.The Yankees, who began the game with 12 players on the injured list, hit four home runs. Judge connected in the first, Clint Frazier had a solo drive in the second and Mike Tauchman and DJ LeMahieu homered on consecutive pitches in the fourth.Judge and Frazier hit their fifth homers of the season in the opening two innings off Heath Fillmyer (0-1).Masahiro Tanaka (2-1) pitched seven innings of one-run ball.Chris Owings homered in the ninth for Kansas City.MARINERS 6, ANGELS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Russell Martin homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers kept up their longball barrage, beating Colorado 10-6 Friday in the Rockies' home opener.After hitting a franchise-record 235 home runs last year, the NL champion Dodgers have connected a whopping 21 times in only eight games this season. They've homered in every game so far.Bellinger hit his sixth of the year, breaking the game open with a three-run drive in the fifth. Muncy finished a double shy of a cycle, walking in the ninth.Trevor Story homered twice for the Rockies.Kenta Maeda (2-0) threw five sharp innings and cruised through a scuffling Colorado lineup. He allowed four hits and his only run on Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly.Tyler Anderson (0-2) couldn't find his groove in allowing six runs over four innings.RED SOX 15, DIAMONDBACKS 8PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte homered from both sides of the plate, including a grand slam, and Arizona won its home opener by keeping Boston in a funk.Adam Jones... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Russell Martin homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers kept up their longball barrage, beating Colorado 10-6 Friday in the Rockies' home opener.After hitting a franchise-record 235 home runs last year, the NL champion Dodgers have connected a whopping 21 times in only eight games this season. They've homered in every game so far.Bellinger hit his sixth of the year, breaking the game open with a three-run drive in the fifth. Muncy finished a double shy of a cycle, walking in the ninth.Trevor Story homered twice for the Rockies.Kenta Maeda (2-0) threw five sharp innings and cruised through a scuffling Colorado lineup. He allowed four hits and his only run on Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly.Tyler Anderson (0-2) couldn't find his groove in allowing six runs over four innings.RED SOX 15, DIAMONDBACKS 8PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte homered from both sides of the plate, including a grand slam, and Arizona won its home opener by keeping Boston in a funk.Adam Jones... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Russell Martin homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers kept up their longball barrage, beating Colorado 10-6 Friday in the Rockies' home opener.After hitting a franchise-record 235 home runs last year, the NL champion Dodgers have connected a whopping 21 times in only eight games this season. They've homered in every game so far.Bellinger hit his sixth of the year, breaking the game open with a three-run drive in the fifth. Muncy finished a double shy of a cycle, walking in the ninth.Trevor Story homered twice for the Rockies.Kenta Maeda (2-0) threw five sharp innings and cruised through a scuffling Colorado lineup. He allowed four hits and his only run on Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly.Tyler Anderson (0-2) couldn't find his groove in allowing six runs over four innings.RED SOX 15, DIAMONDBACKS 8PHOENIX (AP) — Ketel Marte homered from both sides of the plate, including a grand slam, and Arizona won its home opener by keeping Boston in a funk.Adam Jones... [More]

March 311961 — The Pacific Coast League's proposal to use a designated hitter for the pitcher was rejected by the Professional Baseball Rules Committee by a vote of 8-1.1968 — Seattle, the American League's second new team, announced its nickname — the Pilots.1995 — Major league baseball players end their strike when Federal judge Sonia Sotomayor of U.S. District Court in Manhattan rules against the owners in the labor dispute.1996 — The Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in 12 innings in major league baseball's season opener, the first major league game played in March.1998 — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks looked like expansion teams in their first games. The Devil Rays fell behind 11-0 in an 11-6 loss to Detroit at Tropicana Field, and the Diamondbacks dropped a 9-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark. Milwaukee dropped a 2-1 decision at Atlanta in the Brewers' first game since becoming the only team to switch leagues this century.2003... [More]

Mike Trout is about to cash in.Big time.Trout and the Los Angeles Angels are close to finalizing a $432 million, 12-year contract that would shatter the record for the largest deal in North American sports history, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The deal was disclosed Tuesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized. The contract was likely to be announced by the end of this week, the person said.Hours later, news broke that Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros have agreed on a $100 million, six-year deal that keeps the All-Star third baseman under contract with the team through 2024, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.Trout would set a baseball record for career earnings at about $513 million, surpassing the roughly $448 million Alex Rodriguez took in with Seattle, Texas and the New York Yankees from 1994-2017.Trout's latest deal would... [More]