KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Seattle became the first major league team to homer in each of its first 15 games when Dee Gordon connected in the sixth inning, then beat the Kansas City Royals 7-6 Thursday behind Daniel Vogelbach's home run in the 10th inning.Seattle improved the best record in the major leagues to 13-2, completing a four-game sweep and extending its winning streak to six. The Mariners became just the third team since 1987 to open with at least 13 wins in the first 15 games after Milwaukee (14-1 in 1987) and Boston (13-2 last year).Kansas City has lost 10 straight games, has the poorest record in the big leagues at 2-10 and is off to its worst 12-game start since 2006. The Royals failed to preserve leads of 4-0 in the sixth and 6-4 with two outs in the ninth.Kansas City's Whit Merrifield had his hitting streak end at 31 games. Merrifield went 0 for 6. He had not gone hitless since Sept. 9.Royals center fielder Billy Hamilton was carted off with a knee injury after failing to grab... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy loves having two quality center fielders, and that's what the Giants have after acquiring Kevin Pillar from Toronto.So for now, Steve Duggar is shifting over to right field. But Bochy said there will be times this season when both players will be rotating."The transition is easier for Duggar off the bat. He has some games in right in his recent past," Bochy said before Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which the Giants lost 5-3.Bochy said he talked to both players after Tuesday's game. Pillar was dealt earlier in the day and arrived during the game.Pillar hasn't played either corner outfield spot since 2015, when he had 14 games in left and three in right. He has played right only 11 times in seven major league seasons.Duggar was the everyday right fielder in Class A San Jose for the first half of the 2016 season before moving to center once he was promoted to Double-A Richmond."I'm excited for the opportunity. If the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — David Robertson forced home the game-ending run with a ninth-inning walk to Jake Noll, a rookie without a hit in his two previous major league at-bats, and the Nationals beat the previously unbeaten Phillies 9-8 Wednesday as Washington's fans again booed Bryce Harper.Noll was sent to the minors after the game to make room for utilityman Howie Kendrick to come off the injured list Thursday.Robertson (0-1) gave up a leadoff single to Anthony Rendon, then walked three batters in a row.Nationals closer Sean Doolittle (2-0) worked the ninth.Philadelphia fell to 4-1 — it had been the last team in the majors without a loss. Making his second appearance against his former team since signing a $330 million, 13-year deal with the Phillies, Harper hit a pair of singles and was walked three times, twice intentionally.RED SOX 6, ATHLETICS 3OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mookie Betts' two-out grounder hit the third base bag and popped into the outfield for a tiebreaking, two-run double in the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington outfielder Bryce Harper and Boston closer Craig Kimbrel were among just seven free agents who received $17.9 million qualifying offers from their former clubs Friday, when Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw agreed to a $93 million, three-year contract rather than test the market.Left-handers Patrick Corbin (Arizona), Dallas Keuchel (Houston) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (Los Angeles Dodgers) also received qualifying offers as did outfielder A.J. Pollock (Diamondbacks) and catcher Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers).Players have until Nov. 12 to accept. If a team makes a qualifying offer to a player who signs a major league contract with another club before the June amateur draft, his former club would receive a draft pick as compensation at the end of the first round.Only five of 73 players given qualifying offers have accepted since the process began in 2012.The Chicago Cubs exercised their $20 million option on left-hander Cole Hamels, who went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Washington outfielder Bryce Harper and Boston closer Craig Kimbrel were among just seven free agents who received $17.9 million qualifying offers from their former clubs Friday, when Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw agreed to a $93 million, three-year contract rather than test the market.Left-handers Patrick Corbin (Arizona) Dallas Keuchel (Houston) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (Los Angeles Dodgers) also received offers as did outfielder A.J. Pollock (Diamondbacks) and catcher Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers).Players have until Nov. 12 to accept. If a team makes a qualifying offer to a player who signs a major league contract with another club before the June amateur draft, his former club would receive a draft pick as compensation at the end of the first round.Just five of 73 players given qualifying offers have accepted since the process began in 2012.The Chicago Cubs exercised their $20 million option on left-hander Cole Hamels, who went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts after... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers have made their first offseason move, agreeing to terms with infielder David Freese on a one-year contract.The team announced the deal Thursday night after the club option of $6 million was declined. The Dodgers will pay Freese a $500,000 buyout in addition to his new $4.5 million deal.The 35-year-old former World Series MVP joined the team in August after a trade from Pittsburgh.Freese was 8 for 22 with two home runs, six RBIs and a walk in 14 postseason games while platooning at first base.He hit .385 in 19 regular-season games with Los Angeles.With Chase Utley having just retired, Freese will fill his veteran leadership role in the clubhouse.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers are in ongoing negotiations with ace Clayton Kershaw, and they still need to resolve the future of manager Dave Roberts, too.According to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, the talks with Kershaw's camp are "ongoingly pleasant."The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and the team agreed to extend the deadline on Kershaw's opt-out decision by 40 hours until 1 p.m. PDT Friday.Kershaw can opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract to become a free agent for the first time in an 11-year big league career spent entirely with the Dodgers.If he chooses free agency, Kershaw could negotiate with any team, including the Dodgers."He's made as much of an impact as you can on an organization in terms of the success we've had," Friedman said Thursday. "Not just on the field but from a culture standpoint in terms of bringing up young pitchers and emulating the work ethic, the drive."Kershaw signed a $215 million, seven-year contract in January... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers are in ongoing negotiations with ace Clayton Kershaw, and they still need to resolve the future of manager Dave Roberts, too.According to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, the talks with Kershaw's camp are "ongoingly pleasant."The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and the team agreed to extend the deadline on Kershaw's opt-out decision by 40 hours until 1 p.m. PDT Friday.Kershaw can opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract to become a free agent for the first time in an 11-year big league career spent entirely with the Dodgers.If he chooses free agency, Kershaw could negotiate with any team, including the Dodgers."He's made as much of an impact as you can on an organization in terms of the success we've had," Friedman said Thursday. "Not just on the field but from a culture standpoint in terms of bringing up young pitchers and emulating the work ethic, the drive."Kershaw signed a $215 million, seven-year contract in January... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers after eight innings.The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. Price struck out five and walked two.Joe Kelly took over and struck out pinch-hitters Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger to end the inning.Boston's Steve Pearce homered for the second time, getting a solo shot off Pedro Baez with two outs in the top of the inning.___7:27 p.m.Those Boston Red Sox bats are getting loud. So are their fans.J.D. Martinez hit his first World Series home run, a line drive over the center-field fence in the seventh inning that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.Martinez hit Boston's third homer of the game off Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw. Dodger Stadium is dotted with fans wearing red, and those Red Sox rooters began chanting as the ball sailed out.Boston starter David Price is... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:27 p.m.Those Boston Red Sox bats are getting loud. So are their fans.J.D. Martinez hit his first World Series home run, a line drive over the center-field fence in the seventh inning that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.Martinez hit Boston's third homer of the game off Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw. Dodger Stadium is dotted with fans wearing red, and those Red Sox rooters began chanting as the ball sailed out.Boston starter David Price is in total control. He's retired 14 straight batters and got a big cheer from the Boston fans when he retired Yasiel Puig on a soft comebacker to end the seventh.___7:06 p.m.Mookie Betts homered on a Clayton Kershaw slider in the sixth inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 3-1 lead in Game 5 as they close in on their fourth World Series title in 15 years.Betts had been 0 for 13 with four strikeouts and a pair of intentional walks during the weekend in Los Angeles before his drive into the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:06 p.m.Mookie Betts homered on a Clayton Kershaw slider in the sixth inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 3-1 lead in Game 5 as they close in on their fourth World Series title in 15 years.Betts had been 0 for 13 with four strikeouts and a pair of intentional walks during the weekend in Los Angeles before his drive into the left-field pavilion.David Price has allowed just two hits since David Freese's leadoff homer, retiring 11 in a row through the sixth. He struck out five, walked one and threw 76 pitches.Kershaw gave up three runs and four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He threw 73 pitches.___6:51 p.m.The pitching duel continues in Game 5 of the World Series.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw set down the Red Sox in order in the top of the fifth.Brock Holt lined out, Rafael Devers took a called third strike and Christian Vazquez lined out to left.Kershaw has retired 13 of his last 14 batters since giving up a two-run... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):6:23 p.m.J.D. Martinez almost cost Boston in right field, losing David Freese's one-out fly ball in the twilight sky above Dodger Stadium and allowing the drive to fall behind him for a triple.Martinez usually is a designated hitter for the Red Sox, but Boston wanted to keep the big league RBIs leader in the lineup in the National League city.Freese, who homered leading off the bottom of the first, was stranded. Justin Turner grounded to third with the infield playing halfway and Enrique Hernandez fouled out to Martinez.Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw retired eight in a row after Steve Pearce's two-run homer in the first. Kershaw threw 41 pitches in the first three innings and Boston starter Clayton Kershaw threw 47___6:20 p.m.The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw retired the side in the top of the second. Boston's David Price gave up only a single to Yasiel Puig while retiring three other batters.Boston leads 2-1.Brock Holt, Christian... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):5:40 p.m.David Freese hit a leadoff home run for the Dodgers to cut Boston's lead to 2-1 in the first inning of Game 5.Boston's Steve Pearce had connected on the sixth pitch of the game from Clayton Kershaw for a two-run homer at the top of the first.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:23 p.m.That was quick! Steve Pearce tags Clayton Kershaw for a home run and it's already 2-0 Boston.Pearce connected on the sixth pitch of the game from the LA ace, and raised his right arm as he rounded first base. Several Red Sox players spilled from the dugout to greet him.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:18 p.m.The chants of "Let's go, Red Sox!" have already started at... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):5:23 p.m.That was quick! Steve Pearce tags Clayton Kershaw for a home run and it's already 2-0 Boston.Pearce connected on the sixth pitch of the game from the LA ace, and raised his right arm as he rounded first base. Several Red Sox players spilled from the dugout to greet him.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:18 p.m.The chants of "Let's go, Red Sox!" have already started at Dodger Stadium.A good-sized pocket of Boston fans in right field began cheering 15 minutes before the first pitch and got louder when David Price strolled from the bullpen to the dugout.They're here, wanting to see the Red Sox win the World Series with a victory in Game 5. Boston leads 3-1 and is hoping to head home for a parade.Former Dodgers star Orel Hershiser threw out the first ball, then told the crowd that while... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:55 p.m.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he talked to his players and coaching staff about President Donald Trump's tweet criticizing Roberts for taking Rich Hill out of Saturday's Game 4 but that he hasn't thought much about it beyond that.Los Angeles trails 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and is trying to avoid seeing another team celebrate a championship at its own park. Houston won last year's World Series here in seven games."I'm focused on winning today. So I really don't have too much bandwidth to kind of really take in all the criticism," Roberts said. "I think that there's a lot of thoughts and opinions that people don't have all the information, which is commonplace these days and cultivate opinions and give out there. So I think for me it's noise."___2:53 p.m.Cody Bellinger is on the bench for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.His left-handed bat has been replaced in the lineup by Enrique... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cody Bellinger is on the bench for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.His left-handed bat has been replaced in the lineup by Enrique Hernandez, who will hit third and play center field on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.First baseman David Freese leads off again for the Dodgers, who face elimination trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven Series.Third baseman Justin Turner hits second, followed by Hernandez, shortstop Manny Machado in the cleanup spot and left-handed-hitting second baseman Max Muncy.Right fielder Yasiel Puig, who hit a three-run homer in Game 4, bats sixth. Left fielder Chris Taylor hits seventh, catcher Austin Barnes is eighth and left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw bats ninth.The Red Sox made one change to their lineup: Rafael Devers starts at third base instead of Eduardo Nunez.Center fielder Mookie Betts leads off, followed by left-handed-hitting Andrew Benintendi in left field, first baseman Steve Pearce and right fielder J.D. Martinez in the cleanup spot.Shortstop Xander Bogaerts bats fifth, second baseman Brock Holt brings his left-handed bat to the sixth spot, with Devers seventh, catcher Christian Vazquez eighth and left-handed starter David Price in the ninth spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):10:20 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.David Price starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):9:08 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.Chris Sale starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play 18?Pearce... [More]