HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but he's struggled badly this season and had lost 13 straight decisions to lead the majors with 14 losses. Three days after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old right-hander teamed with Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski to shut down Seattle.It was the second time in less than a month the last-place Mariners were no-hit by multiple pitchers. The Los Angeles Angels used two pitchers in a combined no-hitter July 12 against Seattle on a night when they honored late left-hander Tyler Skaggs by all wearing his No. 45 in their first home game since his death.Sanchez (4-14) struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in his first victory since April 27 for Toronto.Seattle's... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees' designated hitter, stayed in the game and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but he's struggled badly this season and had lost 13 straight decisions to lead the majors with 14 losses. Three days after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old right-hander teamed with Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski to shut down Seattle.It was the second time in less than a month the last-place Mariners were no-hit by multiple pitchers. The Los Angeles Angels used two pitchers in a combined no-hitter July 12 against Seattle on a night when they honored late left-hander Tyler Skaggs by all wearing his No. 45 in their first home game since his death.Sanchez (4-14) struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in his first victory since April 27 for Toronto.Seattle's... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When first hit by a pitch from Colorado's Chad Bettis, Yankees slugger Luke Voit was scared. He remembered when Giancarlo Stanton's jaw was broken by Milwaukee's Mike Fiers five years ago."I thought broken jaw. My teeth were going to be all scattered everywhere," Voit said Sunday. "I grabbed my face. So I was like, 'Oh, oh.' ... But then, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Just a scary thing."Voit was back in the New York Yankees' lineup at first base for Sunday's series finale against Colorado. His jaw was "super sore" when he awoke, but after icing there was only a little swelling. He said it felt as if he had been punched, and there was a slight cut on his chin. Concussion tests were negative.Part of the force of the 91 mph pitch was absorbed when the ball grazed Voit's shoulder. He also was able to turn his face slightly."I dodged a bullet, got lucky," said Voit, who planned to try a protective chin strap on his helmet before the game.Left fielder Brett Gardner was scratched... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Leake of the Seattle Mariners lost his bid to pitch a perfect game on a leadoff single in the ninth inning by rookie Luis Rengifo, then finished off the Los Angeles Angels for a 10-0 win Friday night.A week after the worst start of his career, Leake almost achieved baseball immortality.The Angels hadn't come close to a hit and Leake hadn't gone to a three-ball count before Rengifo grounded a clean hit to right field on Leake's 79th pitch.The fans gave Leake a standing ovation and he quickly waved to acknowledge their cheers.After a walk, Leake (8-8) retired the next three batters for a one-hitter, striking out Mike Trout on a full-count pitch to end it. Leake fanned six overall and walked one.Leake's second career shutout came exactly a week after he was tagged by the Angels in his previous start, giving up seven runs on eight hits and a walk while getting just two outs. The Angels pitched a combined no-hitter that night in Anaheim while the entire club wore jerseys... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Donaldson's bases-loaded single off Fernando Rodney in the ninth inning lifted the Atlanta Braves over the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Friday night after Luke Jackson allowed a tying, two-run homer to Victor Robles in the top half.Ronald Acuña Jr., who had three hits, led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk off Rodney (0-3) and took second on Dansby Swanson's single. Freddie Freeman walked on four pitches, loading the bases.Nationals manager Dave Martinez brought in left fielder Juan Soto as a fifth infielder, including three on the left side against the right-handed hitting Donaldson.Donaldson hit a 2-0 pitch over Robles to center-field warning track, and the Braves boosted their NL East lead to 6½ games over the second-place Nationals. Atlanta had lost its previous five home games against Washington.YANKEES 8, ROCKIES 2NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación hit a go-ahead grand slam, a trio of ex-Rockies beat up on their former team and New York defeated Colorado.Encarnación... [More]

LONDON (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is more likely to return in August than July after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.Stanton went on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, a day after he was hurt during an awkward headfirst slide into third base against Toronto. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would project only a possible range of time for his return."I would say it's safer to look into August," Cashman said Thursday during a baseball development initiative by the Yankees in north London's Finchley Park. "I don't want to say it's unlikely in July, but the sweet spot would be August in terms of not getting burnt."Stanton strained his left biceps on March 31 in his third game, strained a shoulder and calf during his rehabilitation and returned June 18. He is hitting .290 with one home run and seven RBIs in nine games.Mike Tauchman was called up to replace Stanton on the roster rather than Clint Frazier because Tauchman is a better defensive... [More]

LONDON (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is more likely to return in August than July after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.Stanton went on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, a day after he was hurt during an awkward headfirst slide into third base against Toronto. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would project only a possible range of time for his return."I would say it's safer to look into August," Cashman said Thursday during a baseball development initiative by the Yankees in north London's Finchley Park. "I don't want to say it's unlikely in July, but the sweet spot would be August in terms of not getting burnt."Stanton strained his left biceps on March 31 in his third game, strained a shoulder and calf during his rehabilitation and returned June 18. He is hitting .290 with one home run and seven RBIs in nine games.Mike Tauchman was called up to replace Stanton on the roster rather than Clint Frazier because Tauchman is a better defensive... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STAR-GAZINGStarters for the All-Star Game on July 9 in Cleveland will be announced at 7 p.m. EDT, a few hours after polls close online. There could be some surprises, too. In a new election process this year, candidates were narrowed down in fan balloting to three finalists per position. Then those vote totals were wiped out and fans had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to choose from among the finalists. Pitchers and reserves selected by the players and commissioner's office will be revealed Sunday.BULLPEN BOOSTCraig Kimbrel joins the Cubs for their series finale against Atlanta at Wrigley Field. The seven-time All-Star closer completed his minor league assignment Tuesday and traveled to Chicago on Wednesday. He pitched in four games for Triple-A Iowa, allowing one run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander worked a clean ninth with two strikeouts Tuesday in Iowa's 5-1 win over Omaha, throwing 16 pitches.Kimbrel and the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton went back on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a strained right knee, barely a week after returning from a series of setbacks that kept him out of action for almost three months.New York manager Aaron Boone said it's likely Stanton will be sidelined for longer than 10 days."It'll be more than that," Boone said. "That's when the reevaluation kind of happens."The oft-injured outfielder was hurt this time on a headfirst slide against Toronto on Tuesday night. The 2017 NL MVP was not in the lineup the following day.Stanton has played only nine games this season, having missed significant time with a torn biceps and strains in his shoulder and calf. He is hitting .290 with one home run and seven RBIs."Frustrated for him knowing how much he's worked to get back and kind of the couple of setbacks that he's had along the way in getting back," Boone said. "Felt like he was starting to get in the groove a little bit with us. You got to deal with... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees could get Giancarlo Stanton back next week after the slugger was shelved by a series of injuries, and Aaron Judge also is getting closer after being sidelined by a strained left oblique.Stanton is taking his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for its weekend series at Durham. He homered twice for Class A Tampa on Wednesday night.If Stanton gets through this weekend with no problems, New York manager Aaron Boone said he could be activated before Tuesday's game at home against Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old Stanton hasn't played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries."He's feeling really well," Boone said before Thursday night's 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. "I spoke to him about an hour ago, but even the conversations I've had with him in the last few days leading up this where I can tell he's just physically in a really good place."Judge hasn't played for New York since April 20. But... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees could get Giancarlo Stanton back next week after the slugger was shelved by a series of injuries, and Aaron Judge also is getting closer after being sidelined by a strained left oblique.Stanton is taking his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for its weekend series at Durham. He homered twice for Class A Tampa on Wednesday night.If Stanton gets through this weekend with no problems, New York manager Aaron Boone said he could be activated before Tuesday's game at home against Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old Stanton hasn't played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries."He's feeling really well," Boone said before Thursday night's game against the Chicago White Sox. "I spoke to him about an hour ago, but even the conversations I've had with him in the last few days leading up this where I can tell he's just physically in a really good place."Judge hasn't played for New York since April 20. But... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees could get Giancarlo Stanton back next week after the slugger was shelved by a series of injuries, and Aaron Judge also is getting closer after being sidelined by a strained left oblique.Stanton is taking his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for its weekend series at Durham. He homered twice for Class A Tampa on Wednesday night.If Stanton gets through this weekend with no problems, New York manager Aaron Boone said he could be activated before Tuesday's game at home against Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old Stanton hasn't played for the Yankees since March 31 because of biceps, shoulder and calf injuries."He's feeling really well," Boone said before Thursday night's game against the Chicago White Sox. "I spoke to him about an hour ago, but even the conversations I've had with him in the last few days leading up this where I can tell he's just physically in a really good place."Judge hasn't played for New York since April 20. But... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The New York Yankees have placed Kendrys Morales on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.Morales is the 20th player to go on the IL this year for New York, matching its total for the entire 2018 season. The first baseman/designated hitter had three hits in the Yankees' 12-5 victory over the Mets on Tuesday but did not play in the second half of the doubleheader.The Yankees also recalled outfielder Mike Tauchman and left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. before Thursday night's game against the Chicago White Sox. They had an open roster spot after lefty Stephen Tarpley was sent down Wednesday.Morales, who turns 36 next Thursday, was acquired in a May 15 trade with Oakland. He is batting .177 with a homer and five RBIs in 19 games with New York.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and sits just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and began the day just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the IL. They've put 17 on the list for 18 total stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder. Loaisiga, the rotation replacement for injured James Paxton, has a strained rotator cuff and will be shut down for four weeks.Despite all the missing firepower, New York (24-16) has received outstanding contributions from several unheralded fill-ins and began the day just a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar initially was sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — No sooner do the injury-ravaged Yankees finally get a player back than two more go down.On the same day New York activated center fielder Aaron Hicks for the first time this season, third baseman Miguel Andújar and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga were placed on the 10-day injured list.The moves Monday left the Yankees with 13 players on the injured list. They've put 17 on the IL for 18 stints this year — Andújar now twice because of a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Runner-up for 2018 AL Rookie of the Year, Andújar was initially sidelined from April 1 to May 3. He is 3 for 34 since returning and is batting .128 overall (6 for 47) without an extra-base hit.Loaisiga went on the IL, retroactive to Friday, with a strained pitching shoulder. Luis Cessa was tabbed to start in his place, weather permitting, on Monday night against Baltimore.To replenish the roster, New York recalled right-hander Chance Adams and lefty Nestor Cortes Jr. from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The team also optioned outfielder Mike Tauchman to the RailRiders following Sunday's victory at Tampa Bay, opening a spot for Hicks.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports