WASHINGTON (AP) — Josh Donaldson homered against Sean Doolittle in the top of the 10th, and the Atlanta Braves pulled out a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday to take two of three in the series and pad their NL East lead to 6 1/2 games.After the Nationals scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, Donaldson swatted a fastball from Doolittle over the center-field wall for his 25th homer of the season.Adam Duvall homered for the fourth time in five games. Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Tyler Flowers also drove in runs for the Braves, who won consecutive series in Washington for the first time since 2013. They also won two of three in late June.Atlanta got another quality road start from Mike Soroka (10-2), who pitched seven innings and allowed just three hits, including a leadoff homer to Juan Soto in the second.Washington starter Aníbal Sánchez (6-6) could not keep pace, allowing four runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.YANKEES 7, DIAMONDBACKS 5NEW... [More]

Out of nowhere, the Houston Astros got a huge head start on October.On a dizzying day that featured two dozen trades, the Astros pulled off the biggest and most startling deal, adding ace Zack Greinke to an imposing rotation already loaded with All-Stars Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.Plenty of familiar names were on the go Wednesday — Shane Greene and Mark Melancon boosted the Braves' bullpen, with Scooter Gennett, Jesús Aguilar, Mike Leake and Tanner Roark among those also moving.But it was the Astros' acquisition of Greinke from Arizona for four minor leaguers that quickly became the talk of baseball. The deal came right before the deadline for swapping players to still have them eligible for the postseason."We had him high on our list and we didn't know this was even remotely possible and it really wasn't until the last 48 hours and really the last 24 hours that we started to get traction on something," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said.The AL West leaders and 2017 World Series... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):6:40 p.m.The Los Angeles Angels have acquired catcher Max Stassi from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor-league outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta.Stassi, who has played in parts of seven seasons with the Astros, is batting .167 with a home run and three RBIs in 31 games this season. General manager Billy Eppler said the move was more about adding catching depth and Stassi's strength behind the plate. According to MLB Statcast, Stassi is the second-best pitch framer in the AL with a 54.1% strike rate.Catcher Dustin Garneau was designated for assignment before Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers..___5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners,... [More]

The Latest on Major League Baseball's trade deadline (all times Eastern):5:55 p.m.Mike Minor will make his scheduled start for the Rangers after the trade deadline passed with the All-Star lefty still in Texas.Hunter Pence, the All-Star designated hitter, is also still with his hometown team and in the lineup Wednesday night when Minor and the Rangers play the Seattle Mariners, an AL West rival that traded three pitchers Wednesday.Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says his team, which has dropped a game under .500, explored a lot of different options."There were a couple of things that got close later today that I thought might come to fruition, but ultimately it didn't line up for one side or the other," Daniels said, without getting into specifics.Minor, who is signed with the Rangers through next season, drew interest from teams looking to boost their rotations.Daniels said the Rangers weren't going to force a deal, and that the future options could include Minor pitching in Texas... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:ON THE BLOCKWith the trade deadline set for 4 p.m. ET, the hot stove is brimming with big arms that have long been mentioned in rumors. Madison Bumgarner, Noah Syndergaard, Mike Minor, Zack Wheeler and Robbie Ray are the biggest names that might move. Of those pitchers, Minor is the only one set to start on deadline day, with the Rangers left-hander slated to face Seattle four hours after the deadline.NEW GUYSTrevor Bauer, Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes are headed to new clubhouses after a stunning three-team deal Tuesday night. The Reds acquired Bauer from Cleveland, which got Puig and a prospect from the Reds, plus Reyes, top lefty pitching prospect Logan Allen and a minor league infielder from San Diego. The Padres acquired Reds outfield prospect Taylor Trammell in the deal, which a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.Bauer was moved hours... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:ON THE BLOCKWith the trade deadline set for 4 p.m. ET, the hot stove is brimming with big arms that have long been mentioned in rumors. Madison Bumgarner, Noah Syndergaard, Trevor Bauer, Mike Minor, Zack Wheeler and Robbie Ray are the biggest names that might move, and that would provide a spark for what's otherwise been a quiet trade season, with Marcus Stroman's deal from Toronto to the Mets by far the biggest one completed. Of those pitchers, Minor is the only one set to start on deadline day, with the Rangers left-hander slated to face Seattle four hours after the deadline.DEADLINE DRAMAIf Trevor Bauer is traded away from Cleveland, he'll leave with slightly lighter pockets. The right-hander was fined by Major League Baseball for heaving a ball from the pitcher's mound over the center field wall at Kansas City last weekend, a person familiar with the discipline told The Associated Press. An All-Star last year, Bauer made the toss... [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]

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]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.WELL METRobinson Canó has finally found his groove with the Mets. The veteran second baseman slugged three homers in a game Tuesday night for the first time in his career, helping New York beat the Padres 5-2. Canó began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Of his nine homers this season, five have come since the All-Star break.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.HOMER SPIKEPowered by upper-cut swings and higher-flying baseballs, big league hitters entered the day with 4180 homers, six shy of the total from the 2014 season. The league is on pace to eclipse the record 6,105 homers hit in 2017. The 2014 total was baseball's lowest since 1995. The Twins lead the majors with 191 homers, including four of them during a wild 14-12... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.WELL METRobinson Canó has finally found his groove with the Mets. The veteran second baseman slugged three homers in a game Tuesday night for the first time in his career, helping New York beat the Padres 5-2. Canó began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Of his nine homers this season, five have come since the All-Star... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THAT'S SAVAGEThe Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle, you just kind of utter some things."STARTER SHOWCASEEvaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card hopefuls, but they have lost... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:THAT'S SAVAGEThe Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle, you just kind of utter some things."STARTER SHOWCASEEvaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card hopefuls, but they have... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, Pittsburgh closer Felipe Vázquez, Cincinnati right-hander Sonny Gray and Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff have been added to the rosters for Tuesday's All-Star Game.They replace Toronto's Marcus Stroman, who has a strained pectoral muscle; Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke, who will be attending to a personal matter; Washington ace Max Scherzer, who pitched Saturday; and Brewers closer Josh Hader, who has back stiffness.Tanaka was selected for the 2014 AL team but didn't pitch because of a right elbow injury."It will be a great thing if I can actually pitch in the game," Tanaka said through a translator. "When you look at your baseball career, it would be something that I can be proud of."A smiling Tanaka said he was surprised by the announcement."Everything happened so fast," Tanaka said. "Obviously I'm very happy. This time around I get to actually go there and be part of the celebration."Tanaka is 5-5 with a... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, Pittsburgh closer Felipe Vázquez and Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff have been added to the rosters for Tuesday's All-Star Game.They replace Toronto's Marcus Stroman, who has a strained pectoral muscle; Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke, who will be attending to a personal matter; and Brewers closer Josh Hader, who has back stiffness.Tanaka was selected for the 2014 AL team but didn't pitch because of a right elbow injury."It will be a great thing if I can actually pitch in the game," Tanaka said through a translator. "When you look at your baseball career, it would be something that I can be proud of."A smiling Tanaka said he was surprised by the announcement."Everything happened so fast," Tanaka said. "Obviously I'm very happy. This time around I get to actually go there and be part of the celebration."Tanaka is 5-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 18 starts.Stroman, mentioned in trade speculation, was scratched from his... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Texas Rangers' All-Star Mike Minor will skip his final start Sunday against Minnesota ahead of the break.Minor, a first-time All-Star, already had been replaced on the American League roster by Cleveland's Shane Bieber because Minor was slated to start Sunday. Minor will attend the game but not pitch, and the team wanted to give the left-hander more rest before the start of the second half.Minor (8-4) is second in the AL with a 2.54 ERA and owns a league-leading two complete games. His 117 innings pitched are tied for third in the AL heading into Saturday's games.Texas announced Joe Palumbo will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday and could make the start. The team is also considering the use of an opener in front of Palumbo to wrap up a three-game series with the Twins.

A look at what's happening around the majors today:___CALENDAR CLUBNationals ace Max Scherzer, the NL pitcher of the month for June, and Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole, who took the American League prize, make their final starts before heading to the All-Star Game. Scherzer (8-5, 2.43 ERA) was 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA in six June outings and is scheduled to come off the paternity list to face Kansas City. Cole (8-5, 3.28) takes the ball against Mike Trout and the Angels having won four straight decisions.THE CHICAGO WAYFollowing a rare Friday off for both teams, Windy City rivals meet on the South Side in the opener of a two-game interleague series. All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito (11-2, 2.72 ERA) starts for the Chicago White Sox against Jon Lester and (7-6, 3.89) and the Cubs, who are 9-15 in their last 24 games.THE REPLACEMENTSShane Bieber (7-3, 3.54 ERA) pitches for Cleveland at Cincinnati, one day after being added to the American League roster for Tuesday night's All-Star Game. The right-hander... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:___CALENDAR CLUBNationals ace Max Scherzer, the NL pitcher of the month for June, and Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole, who took the American League prize, make their final starts before heading to the All-Star Game. Scherzer (8-5, 2.43 ERA) was 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA in six June outings and is scheduled to come off the paternity list to face Kansas City. Cole (8-5, 3.28) takes the ball against Mike Trout and the Angels having won four straight decisions.THE CHICAGO WAYFollowing a rare Friday off for both teams, Windy City rivals meet on the South Side in the opener of a two-game interleague series. All-Star pitcher Lucas Giolito (11-2, 2.72 ERA) starts for the Chicago White Sox against Jon Lester and (7-6, 3.89) and the Cubs, who are 9-15 in their last 24 games.THE REPLACEMENTSShane Bieber (7-3, 3.54 ERA) pitches for Cleveland at Cincinnati, one day after being added to the American League roster for Tuesday night's All-Star Game. The right-hander... [More]