WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Eaton’s bases-loaded chopper broke a scoreless tie in the 10th inning on a close play and Asdrúbal Cabrera followed with a three-run triple, helping the Nationals snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Wednesday night.In a quirky game befitting this pandemic-altered, upside-down season, Toronto’s team played its “home opener” at Washington — batting in the bottom half of each inning, wearing its white uniforms, playing its players’ walk-up music and even blaring the song “OK Blue Jays,” the club’s traditional seventh-inning stretch staple.Toronto’s Nate Pearson, in his big league debut, and Washington’s Max Scherzer, in his 358th start in the majors, put up plenty of zeros. So did the relievers that followed. In the top of the 10th, though, Washington moved ahead on an odd-looking play. After starting with the automatic runner on second base Washington loaded the bags with two walks from Toronto’s sixth pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (0-2).After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Eaton’s bases-loaded chopper broke a scoreless tie in the 10th inning on a close play and Asdrúbal Cabrera followed with a three-run triple, helping the Nationals snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Wednesday night.In a quirky game befitting this pandemic-altered, upside-down season, Toronto’s team played its “home opener” at Washington — batting in the bottom half of each inning, wearing its white uniforms, playing its players’ walk-up music and even blaring the song “OK Blue Jays,” the club’s traditional seventh-inning stretch staple.Toronto’s Nate Pearson, in his big league debut, and Washington’s Max Scherzer, in his 358th start in the majors, put up plenty of zeros. So did the relievers that followed. In the top of the 10th, though, Washington moved ahead on an odd-looking play. After starting with the automatic runner on second base Washington loaded the bags with two walks from Toronto’s sixth pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (0-2).After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Eaton’s bases-loaded chopper broke a scoreless tie in the 10th inning on a close play and Asdrúbal Cabrera followed with a three-run triple, helping the Nationals snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Wednesday night.In a quirky game befitting this pandemic-altered, upside-down season, Toronto’s team played its “home opener” at Washington — batting in the bottom half of each inning, wearing its white uniforms, playing its players’ walk-up music and even blaring the song “OK Blue Jays,” the club’s traditional seventh-inning stretch staple.Toronto’s Nate Pearson, in his big league debut, and Washington’s Max Scherzer, in his 358th start in the majors, put up plenty of zeros. So did the relievers that followed. In the top of the 10th, though, Washington moved ahead on an odd-looking play. After starting with the automatic runner on second base Washington loaded the bags with two walks from Toronto’s sixth pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (0-2).After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Eaton’s bases-loaded chopper broke a scoreless tie in the 10th inning on a close play and Asdrúbal Cabrera followed with a three-run triple, helping the Nationals snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Wednesday night.In a quirky game befitting this pandemic-altered, upside-down season, Toronto’s team played its “home opener” at Washington — batting in the bottom half of each inning, wearing its white uniforms, playing its players’ walk-up music and even blaring the song “OK Blue Jays,” the club’s traditional seventh-inning stretch staple.Toronto’s Nate Pearson, in his big league debut, and Washington’s Max Scherzer, in his 358th start in the majors, put up plenty of zeros. So did the relievers that followed. In the top of the 10th, though, Washington moved ahead on an odd-looking play. After starting with the automatic runner on second base Washington loaded the bags with two walks from Toronto’s sixth pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (0-2).After... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep right center field. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Salvador Perez flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Whit Merrifield to third. Maikel Franco doubles. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Royals second. Adalberto Mondesi triples to deep center field. Franchy Cordero lines out to right field to Victor Reyes. Bubba Starling out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Christin Stewart. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 2, Tigers 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield singles to left center field. Jorge Soler singles to left field. Whit Merrifield to second. Salvador Perez flies out to shallow center field to JaCoby Jones. Maikel Franco singles to second base. Jorge Soler to third. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom singles to left field. Maikel Franco to second. Jorge Soler scores. Adalberto... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adam Eaton’s bases-loaded chopper broke a scoreless tie in the 10th inning on a close play and Asdrúbal Cabrera followed with a three-run triple, helping the Nationals snap a three-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 Wednesday night.In a quirky game befitting this pandemic-altered, upside-down season, Toronto’s team played its “home opener” at Washington — batting in the bottom half of each inning, wearing its white uniforms, playing its players’ walk-up music and even blaring the song “OK Blue Jays,” the club’s traditional seventh-inning stretch staple.Toronto’s Nate Pearson, in his big league debut, and Washington’s Max Scherzer, in his 358th start in the majors, put up plenty of zeros. So did the relievers that followed. In the top of the 10th, though, Washington moved ahead on an odd-looking play. After starting with the automatic runner on second base Washington loaded the bags with two walks from Toronto’s sixth pitcher, Shun Yamaguchi (0-2).After... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Benches cleared Tuesday night during the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory over the Astros in the first game between the teams since it was revealed that Houston illegally stole signs en route to a 2017 championship that came at Los Angeles’ expense in the World Series.The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correa’s head. Correa, who homered and finished with three hits, took off his batting helmet and stared Kelly down before continuing the at-bat. Kelly struck out Correa, then stuck out his tongue and made a face in his direction. Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear in the first such incident of this pandemic-delayed season. There was plenty of yelling and crowding — outlawed as MLB tries to play a 60-game season amid the pandemic — but no pushing or punches thrown.Order was... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Javier Báez homered twice, doubled and scored on a deft dive to the plate, Alec Mills went six solid innings, and the Chicago Cubs extended their opening surge, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Tuesday night.Chicago has won four of its first five games, scoring first in each one. Jason Kipnis’ triple — Shogo Akiyama lost it in the sun — got the Cubs going again.Mills (1-0) added to Chicago’s stretch of impressive starts, holding the Reds to two hits in six innings. Chicago’s starters have a 1.80 ERA and a .131 opponent batting average this season.The Reds got two-run homers by Nick Castellanos — his first since signing a $64 million deal — and Freddy Galvis but fell to 1-4, tied for the worst start in the majors.Cody Reed (0-1) allowed two runs in the fifth after relieving starter Tyler Mahle.DIAMONDBACKS 4, RANGERS 1ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Merrill Kelly took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a home run as Arizona beat Texas. Rougned Odor’s one-out... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Javier Báez homered twice, doubled and scored on a deft dive to the plate, Alec Mills went six solid innings, and the Chicago Cubs extended their opening surge, beating the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Tuesday night.Chicago has won four of its first five games, scoring first in each one. Jason Kipnis’ triple — Shogo Akiyama lost it in the sun — got the Cubs going again.Mills (1-0) added to Chicago’s stretch of impressive starts, holding the Reds to two hits in six innings. Chicago’s starters have a 1.80 ERA and a .131 opponent batting average this season.The Reds got two-run homers by Nick Castellanos — his first since signing a $64 million deal — and Freddy Galvis but fell to 1-4, tied for the worst start in the majors.Cody Reed (0-1) allowed two runs in the fifth after relieving starter Tyler Mahle.BLUE JAYS 5, NATIONALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — The reigning World Series champions dropped to 1-4 in the pandemic-shortened season with a 5-1 loss to Toronto that included two outfielders... [More]

Royals third. Alex Gordon lines out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Oscar Hernandez singles to deep left center field. Brett Phillips reaches on error to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Oscar Hernandez to third. Fielding error by C.J. Cron. Throwing error by Rony Garcia. Whit Merrifield homers to left field. Brett Phillips scores. Oscar Hernandez scores. Jorge Soler called out on strikes. Adalberto Mondesi strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 0 left on. Royals 3, Tigers 0.Tigers third. JaCoby Jones hit by pitch. Niko Goodrum flies out to deep left center field to Brett Phillips. Jonathan Schoop homers to center field. JaCoby Jones scores. Miguel Cabrera lines out to deep right field to Jorge Soler. C.J. Cron walks. Christin Stewart homers to center field. C.J. Cron scores. Jeimer Candelario strikes out swinging.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 4, Royals 3.

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco homers to left field. Alex Gordon flies out to right field to Cameron Maybin. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Tigers second. Jordy Mercer singles to shallow center field. Cameron Maybin singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Jordy Mercer to third. Victor Reyes reaches on error. Jordy Mercer scores. Fielding error by Adalberto Mondesi. Austin Romine grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Victor Reyes to second. Cameron Maybin to third. JaCoby Jones homers. Victor Reyes scores. Cameron Maybin scores. Niko Goodrum triples to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Brett Phillips. Niko Goodrum scores. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn.5 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Tigers 5, Royals 1.Royals third. Brett Phillips... [More]

Tigers third. Grayson Greiner called out on strikes. JaCoby Jones flies out to left field to Shogo Akiyama. Niko Goodrum homers to center field. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to shortstop, Freddy Galvis to Joey Votto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 0.Reds fifth. Freddy Galvis flies out to Christin Stewart. Travis Jankowski walks. Curt Casali flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Jesse Winker singles to right field. Travis Jankowski to third. Joey Votto singles to center field. Jesse Winker to third. Travis Jankowski scores. Eugenio Suarez walks. Joey Votto to second. Nick Castellanos strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 1.Tigers ninth. Miguel Cabrera walks. C.J. Cron homers to right field. Cameron Maybin scores. Jordy Mercer grounds out to shallow infield, Freddy Galvis to Joey Votto. Harold Castro grounds out to shallow infield, Michael Lorenzen to Joey Votto. Victor Reyes lines out to deep center field to Phillip Ervin.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 3, Reds 1.Reds ninth. Freddy Galvis doubles to deep center field. Aristides Aquino doubles to left center field. Freddy Galvis scores. Curt Casali flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Aristides Aquino to third. Jesse Winker hit by pitch. Joey Votto grounds out to second base. Jesse Winker out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 3, Reds 2.

Tigers first. Niko Goodrum strikes out swinging. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow infield. Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. C.J. Cron doubles to deep left field. Jonathan Schoop scores. Christin Stewart walks. Jeimer Candelario pops out to shortstop to Eugenio Suarez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 0.Reds first. Jesse Winker grounds out to shallow center field, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Joey Votto homers to right field. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to shortstop, Niko Goodrum to C.J. Cron. Mike Moustakas singles to center field. Nick Castellanos grounds out to third base, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 1.Reds second. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to shallow right field, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron. Nick Senzel walks. Freddy Galvis homers to right field. Nick Senzel scores. Curt Casali lines out to left field to Christin Stewart. Jesse Winker grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.2 runs, 1 hit,... [More]

Reds first. Phillip Ervin walks. Joey Votto singles to right field. Phillip Ervin to second. Eugenio Suarez hit by pitch. Joey Votto to second. Phillip Ervin to third. Nick Castellanos hit by pitch. Eugenio Suarez to second. Joey Votto to third. Phillip Ervin scores. Mike Moustakas singles to right field. Nick Castellanos to second. Eugenio Suarez to third. Joey Votto scores. Matt Davidson pops out to shallow infield to C.J. Cron. Nick Senzel reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Mike Moustakas to second. Nick Castellanos to third. Eugenio Suarez out at home. Freddy Galvis grounds out to shallow infield, Niko Goodrum to C.J. Cron.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Reds 2, Tigers 0.Reds third. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to shortstop, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Nick Castellanos doubles to deep left center field. Mike Moustakas singles to deep left center field. Nick Castellanos scores. Matt Davidson grounds out to shortstop. Mike Moustakas out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera acknowledged Monday that he has something to prove after a disappointing season. But the Detroit Tigers slugger is definitely done tinkering with his swing."I don't want to change my swing anymore," Cabrera said before the Tigers' first full-squad workout of the spring. “I just want to be natural. The last three years I've been changing my swing a lot to feel comfortable at home plate.”Hobbled by a sore right knee, Cabrera tried making several adjustments to get through the 2019 season. In 136 games, he hit .282 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs — all well below his career standards.Manager Ron Gardenhire said a big part of the lack of production was Cabrera's weight, which drifted well over his official playing weight of 249 pounds.Cabrera was noticeably trimmer upon showing up for his 13th Tigers spring, and he said the knee feels "pretty good.""Last year I was heavy," he said. "I think I lost a lot of weight from last year to this year. I tried to eat... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Minnesota TwinsManager: Rocco Baldelli (second season). 2019: 101-61, first place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 12/17.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Alex Avila, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Matt Wisler, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Blaine Hardy.He's Outta Here: RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, C Jason Castro, LHP Mart�n P�rez, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Trevor Hildenberger, RHP Sam Dyson.Going campin': The high-priced addition of the big-swinging, slick-fielding Donaldson boosted an already deep lineup that produced a major league record 307 home runs last season. Then came the agreement this week... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Infielder Jordy Mercer agreed to a minor league deal to remain with the Detroit Tigers.Detroit announced the contract Thursday, saying the 33-year-old will report to major league spring training.Mercer hit .270 for the Tigers last year with nine home runs and 22 RBIs in 74 games. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before signing with Detroit for 2019. He was limited last season by quadriceps problems.The rebuilding Tigers added second baseman Jonathan Schoop and first baseman C.J. Cron this offseason. Niko Goodrum is an option at shortstop, but Mercer gives Detroit another veteran in the organization if needed.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — It could be another long season for the Detroit Tigers, but fans in the Motor City may not have to look far for signs of hope.About 60 miles down Interstate 75.“We've got some pretty good ones going to Triple-A Toledo," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They ought to be pretty happy down there. They're going to see some pretty good pitchers.”Gardenhire and general manager Al Avila indicated Thursday that some of Detroit's top prospects will likely spend time at Toledo this season. The Tigers are hoping to improve after losing 114 games in 2019, but they're also leery of rushing young players too quickly.Avila was asked about right-handers Casey Mize and Matt Manning, two of the game's top 20 prospects according to Baseball America. Although Avila didn't say anything certain about the organization's plans, it does not sound like those two will be joining the Tigers right away in the big leagues.“I think it would be our preference for them to start in Toledo — have a great... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers needed power, so they're bringing in two players from the Minnesota team that set a major league record for home runs.The Tigers agreed to one-year deals with free agents Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron. The deals are each for $6.1 million and should add some power to a Detroit team that finished last in the American League in homers in 2019.Schoop and Cron both played for Minnesota last season, helping the Twins hit a record 307 home runs. Schoop, a second baseman, batted .256 with 23 homers — his fourth straight season with over 20. He turned 28 in October.“Heading into this offseason, Detroit was always on my radar as a team that I'd enjoy signing with,” Schoop said in a statement. “I look forward to playing every day and being a leader on this young team.”The 29-year-old Cron hit .253 with 25 home runs last season. He started 110 games at first base.“I'm really excited to join this organization that I've played against for the last six seasons,” Cron... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers needed power, so they're bringing in two players from the Minnesota team that set a major league record for home runs.The Tigers agreed to one-year deals with free agents Jonathan Schoop and C.J. Cron. The deals are each for $6.1 million and should add some power to a Detroit team that finished last in the American League in homers in 2019.Schoop and Cron both played for Minnesota last season, helping the Twins hit a record 307 home runs. Schoop, a second baseman, batted .256 with 23 homers — his fourth straight season with over 20. He turned 28 in October.The 29-year-old Cron hit .253 with 25 home runs. He started 110 games at first base.The Tigers announced the agreements Saturday and also designated first baseman Brandon Dixon for assignment.The Tigers lost a major league-high 114 games this year, and only Miami had fewer home runs than Detroit’s 149. The rebuilding Tigers have not been major players in the free agent market lately, and when they have... [More]