Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Mariners first. J.P. Crawford singles to right field. Dylan Moore homers to right field. J.P. Crawford scores. Kyle Lewis grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to German Marquez. Kyle Seager lines out to center field to David Dahl. Daniel Vogelbach flies out to left field to Sam Hilliard.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 2, Rockies 0.Mariners seventh. Kyle Lewis singles to shallow infield. Kyle Seager reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Kyle Lewis to third. Fielding error by Chris Owings. Throwing error by Chris Owings. Daniel Vogelbach grounds out to first base to Ryan McMahon. Evan White out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to David Dahl. Kyle Seager to third. Kyle Lewis scores. Tim Lopes singles to right field. Kyle Seager scores. Dee Gordon singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Tim Lopes scores. Joe Hudson flies out to center field to David Dahl.3 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 5, Rockies 0.Rockies eighth. Chris Owings... [More]

Rockies first. David Dahl triples to deep center field. Trevor Story strikes out swinging. Charlie Blackmon out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Alex Dickerson. David Dahl scores. Nolan Arenado reaches on error. Fielding error by Brandon Crawford. Daniel Murphy lines out to left field to Steven Duggar.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 0.Rockies fourth. Charlie Blackmon singles to center field. Nolan Arenado walks. Charlie Blackmon to second. Daniel Murphy reaches on catcher interference. Nolan Arenado to second. Charlie Blackmon to third. Interference error by Tyler Heineman. Matt Kemp reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow center field. Daniel Murphy out at second. Nolan Arenado to third. Charlie Blackmon scores. Sam Hilliard singles to deep right center field. Matt Kemp to second. Nolan Arenado scores. Chris Owings strikes out swinging. Tony Wolters lines out to shallow right field to Mauricio Dubon.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Rockies 3, Giants... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — In the first major league game with the new, unpopular extra-inning rule, automatic runner Marcus Semien began the bottom of the 10th on second base and scored on Matt Olson’s grand slam, sending the Oakland Athletics over the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 Friday night.Olson, whose alert throw from first base nailed Angels free runner Shohei Ohtani in the top of the 10th, connected with one out. Major League Baseball instituted the controversial extra-inning runner rule for this season to keep games from dragging on amid a compressed, 60-game schedule that started late because of the virus outbreak.After Semien took second, the A’s loaded the bases against Hansel Robles (0-1) on a hit by pitch, wild pitch and a walk.New Angels manager Joe Maddon brought in reliever Hoby Milner and, with a five-man infield in place, Olson hit the first pitch far over the right-field wall.According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. He joined... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers now get to play inside deep in the heart — and heat — of Texas. They're 1-0 under their new roof. Lance Lynn struck out nine over six solid innings and the Texas Rangers inaugurated their retractable-roof stadium with a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. “Feels pretty good right now, haven’t lost a game in our new ballpark,” second-year manager Chris Woodward said. After 48 seasons of playing home games outside, it was a pleasant 72 degrees at first pitch in the air-conditioned $1.2 billion Globe Life Field — and 94 outside. The Rangers didn't get their first hit off Rockies starter German Marquez until after Lynn (1-0) had thrown the last of his 108 pitches in his first opening day start.“The first three innings of the game was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt on a mound,” Lynn said, later adding that he was just jacked up wanting to win the opener of a shortened season starting four months later. "I told everybody when... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn struck out nine in six sharp innings and the Texas Rangers inaugurated their new retractable-roof stadium with a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. After 48 seasons of playing home games outside in the Texas heat, the Rangers had the roof closed for their first game at $1.2 billion Globe Life Field. It was a pleasant 72 degrees at first pitch inside the air-conditioned building — and 94 outside. The Rangers didn't get their first hit off Rockies starter German Marquez until after Lynn (1-0) had thrown the last of his 108 pitches in his first opening day start.Danny Santana had a one-out double in the sixth, and scored on a two-out double by Rougned Odor that chased Marquez (0-1). The Rockies right-hander, who retired the first 12 batters, struck out six and walked three. Even with no fans allowed in the sparkling new 40,000-seat park, longtime PA guy Chuck Morgan gave his emphatic “It’s Baseball Time in Texas!” that echoed through the stadium... [More]

July 111914 — Babe Ruth made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox and received credit for a 4-3 victory over Cleveland. He was removed for a pinch hitter in the seventh, and Duffy Lewis’ single led to the winning run.1944 — Phil Cavaretta set an All-Star game record by reaching base safely five straight times — triple, single, three walks — to lead the NL to a 7-1 victory over the AL at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.1950 — The All-Star game returned to Comiskey Park, the site of the first game, and was won by the NL 4-3 on Red Schoendienst’s 14th-inning home run off Ted Gray. It was the first extra-inning All-Star game, the first time the NL won at an AL park and the first All-Star game shown on network television.1961 — Despite a record seven errors and pitcher Stu Miller getting blown off the Candlestick Park mound by a gale wind, the NL edged the AL 5-4 in the first of two All-Star games played that year.1967 — Tony Perez’s home run off Catfish Hunter in the 15th inning gave the... [More]

July 111914 — Babe Ruth made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox and received credit for a 4-3 victory over Cleveland. He was removed for a pinch hitter in the seventh, and Duffy Lewis’ single led to the winning run.1944 — Phil Cavaretta set an All-Star game record by reaching base safely five straight times — triple, single, three walks — to lead the NL to a 7-1 victory over the AL at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.1950 — The All-Star game returned to Comiskey Park, the site of the first game, and was won by the NL 4-3 on Red Schoendienst’s 14th-inning home run off Ted Gray. It was the first extra-inning All-Star game, the first time the NL won at an AL park and the first All-Star game shown on network television.1961 — Despite a record seven errors and pitcher Stu Miller getting blown off the Candlestick Park mound by a gale wind, the NL edged the AL 5-4 in the first of two All-Star games played that year.1967 — Tony Perez’s home run off Catfish Hunter in the 15th inning gave the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A sprint down the line and a laser throw home hinted at the promise of Jo Adell. Two strikeouts against veteran Colorado Rockies pitchers on Sunday underscored the learning curve the Los Angeles Angels’ top prospect embraces."I’m just working hard every day to try and play in the big leagues anywhere I can,’’ said the 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed hitter.Picked 10th overall in the 2017 draft, Adell has a combined .273 batting average with a .351 on-base percentage and .444 slugging percentage in three minor league seasons. He played 21 games in Triple-A last season and hit .321.In his second spring training, he is soaking up the wisdom from veteran outfielders, including three-time AL MVP Mike Trout.“With Trout and a lot of the guys who are veteran players, you watch and you learn and you try to pick up on things they do well and try to add them to your own game,’’ Adell said. “That’s what I’ve gotten out of the past two years being in camp with these guys.’’New... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Colorado left-hander Kyle Freeland has a new look this spring as he attempts to move past his struggles from 2019.Freeland worked in the offseason to take a small pause out of his delivery after falling from a fourth place finish in the NL Cy Young award voting in 2018 to a 3-11 record and a brief return to a the minor leagues a year ago.The result is a more fluid and athletic approach, and both Freeland and Rockies manager Bud Black are on board.“The extended pause at the top of the delivery, I think, was a little bit too extreme,” Black said. “You’ll see a more momentum-building delivery, more aggressive from the start down the mound. You won’t see the flamingo pause.”Freeland, who was 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA in 2018, entered camp as the Rockies’ No. 3 starter, with right-handers Jon Gray and German Marquez in the first two spots.“When I was doing well (with the pause), I was very in tune with my mechanics. I was able to repeat," Freeland said. "I came to realize... [More]

Sept. 221911 — Cy Young, 44, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 for his 511th and final major league victory.1936 — The Detroit Tigers swept the St. Louis Browns 12-0 and 14-0 to record the biggest double shutout in major league history.1954 — Karl Spooner of Brooklyn became the first pitcher in the majors to strike out 15 in his first game as the Dodgers beat the New York Giants 3-0.1966 — The Baltimore Orioles clinched their first AL pennant in 22 years with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City A's. Their last pennant came in 1944 when they were the St. Louis Browns.1968 — Cesar Tovar played one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming the second major leaguer in history to do it. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland A's was the other.1969 — Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants became the second player to hit 600 career home runs — joining Babe Ruth. The two-run shot off San Diego's Mike Corkins in the seventh inning, gave the Giants a 4-2 win.1973 — Baltimore's Al Bumbry tied... [More]

Rockies second. Daniel Murphy singles to left field. Raimel Tapia singles to right field. Daniel Murphy to second. Ryan McMahon singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Raimel Tapia to third. Daniel Murphy scores. Throwing error by Harrison Bader. Ian Desmond strikes out swinging. Tony Wolters out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Harrison Bader. Raimel Tapia scores. German Marquez grounds out to shallow infield, Miles Mikolas to Paul Goldschmidt.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul Goldschmidt singles to left field. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong reaches on error. Fielding error by Trevor Story. Yadier Molina grounds out to third base. Paul DeJong out at second. Tommy Edman singles to left field. Harrison Bader grounds out to shortstop, Trevor Story to Daniel Murphy.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 2.Rockies fifth. Tony Wolters grounds out to first base, Paul Goldschmidt... [More]

Marlins first. Jon Berti homers to center field. Neil Walker strikes out swinging. Brian Anderson strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 1, Rockies 0.Rockies first. Charlie Blackmon walks. Trevor Story singles to center field. Charlie Blackmon to second. Nolan Arenado reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Trevor Story out at second. Charlie Blackmon to third. Daniel Murphy out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Curtis Granderson. Nolan Arenado to second. Charlie Blackmon scores. Raimel Tapia walks. Ryan McMahon strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 1, Rockies 1.Rockies second. Ian Desmond flies out to left center field to Curtis Granderson. Tony Wolters flies out to deep center field to Lewis Brinson. German Marquez doubles to left field. Charlie Blackmon doubles to center field. German Marquez scores. Trevor Story homers to center field. Charlie Blackmon scores. Nolan Arenado strikes out... [More]

July 71923 — Lefty O'Doul, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, allowed 13 runs in the sixth inning to the Cleveland Indians, who won 27-3. In 1928, he was to return to the majors as a great hitting outfielder.1936 — The NL won its first All-Star game 4-3 at Braves Field in Boston.1937 — Lou Gehrig drove in four runs with a home run and a double to pace the AL to an 8-3 victory over the NL in the All-Star game at Washington's Griffith Stadium. In attendance was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.1959 — At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, the first of two All-Star games played that season went to the NL, 5-4. The NL scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the eighth when Hank Aaron singled in a run and scored on a triple by Willie Mays.1964 — The NL beat the AL 7-4 in the All-Star game on Johnny Callison's two-out, three-run homer off Dick Radatz in the bottom of the ninth inning at New York's Shea Stadium. The win pulled the NL even with its rivals (17-17-1) for the first time since the... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the lineup Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game after getting hit with a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he was a little stiff and sore, and he would test his arm during batting practice before Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres."It's going to be stiff for a while, a little sore and bruised but something I have to play through," he said. "It's bruised but I can play through a bruise."We have a day off Monday so I should be fine the next four games and hopefully the day off will help me big time."Arenado took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game while wearing a wrap around the forearm."I'll wear something to cover it throughout the game and definitely protect it just in case something happens again," he said. "I feel fortunate in that I haven't gotten hit there before, or not in a long time. I think I'll be OK."Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole... [More]