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]

Angels fourth. Tommy La Stella grounds out to first base, Matt Olson to Frankie Montas. Albert Pujols walks. Jason Castro walks. Albert Pujols to second. Andrelton Simmons flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Brian Goodwin singles to deep right field. Jason Castro out at home. Albert Pujols scores.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 0.Athletics fourth. Marcus Semien strikes out swinging. Ramon Laureano homers to left field. Matt Chapman lines out to deep left field to Justin Upton. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 1.Angels seventh. Andrelton Simmons reaches on error to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Matt Chapman. Brian Goodwin flies out to deep right center field to Stephen Piscotty. Andrelton Simmons to third. David Fletcher out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Andrelton Simmons scores. Mike Trout grounds out to shallow infield, Joakim Soria to Matt Olson.1... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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:___Houston Astros Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). 2019: 107-55, first place, lost to Nationals in World Series. Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida. Park: Ballpark of Palm Beaches. First Workout: Feb. 13/17. He's Here: Manager Dusty Baker, RHP Austin Pruitt, C Dustin Garneau.He's Outta Here: Manager AJ Hinch, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Tony Kemp. Going campin': The Astros enter the spring reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. They brought in Baker to steady the team, and it gives the 70-year-old another chance to chase his first World Series title as a manager. He’ll get a crash course learning his new team this spring after being hired less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of major leaguers allowed to use otherwise-banned drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder dropped to the lowest level since the sport started issuing annual reports in 2008.The results come in a report issued Monday by Thomas Martin, the Independent Program Administrator for the drug program of Major League Baseball and the players' association.There were 91 therapeutic use exemptions for HDHD drugs in the year ending with the 2019 World Series. That was down from the previous lows, 101 last year, and 103 in 2017. Exemptions for hyperactivity disorder had ranged from 105-119 annually from 2008-16, prompting some to criticize their issuance as too lenient.Drugs prescribed to treat HDHD often contain amphetamine and methylphenidate, stimulants on baseball's banned list.The overwhelming therapeutic exemptions in MLB are for ADHD. There were just three in the past year for other conditions, one each for hypersomnia, hypogonadism and kidney disease,MLB... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BREWING SOME BUBBLYThe Brewers are on the verge of another postseason berth. Milwaukee can lock up an NL wild card with a win over Cincinnati or losses by the Cubs and Mets. Just like last season, when the Brewers put on a late rush to take the NL Central title, they have closed in on a playoff spot with a September flourish. They've won 16 of 18, positioning themselves for a wild-card showdown with Washington, and they trail St. Louis by 2 1/2 games in the NL Central. Jordan Lyles starts for Milwaukee against the Reds. He's 6-1 with a 2.35 in 10 starts since being acquired from Pittsburgh.CENTRAL POWERThe Twins can clinch their first AL Central title since 2010 with a win over Detroit and a loss by Cleveland against the Chicago White Sox. Minnesota is 97-60, its most victories since going 98-64 in 1970. With three wins in their final five games, the Twins can become the record fourth team in the majors this year with 100 victories. Two... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:BREWING SOME BUBBLYThe Brewers are on the verge of another postseason berth. Milwaukee can lock up an NL wild card with a win over Cincinnati or losses by the Cubs and Mets. Just like last season, when the Brewers put on a late rush to take the NL Central title, the Brewers have closed in on a playoff spot with a September flourish. They've won 16 of 18, positioning themselves for a wild-card showdown with Washington. Jordan Lyles starts for Milwaukee against the Reds. He's 6-1 with a 2.35 in 10 starts since being acquired from Pittsburgh.CENTRAL POWERThe Twins can clinch their first AL Central title since 2010 with a win over Detroit and a loss by Cleveland against the Chicago White Sox. Minnesota is 97-60, its most victories since going 98-64 in 1970. With three wins in their final five games, the Twins can become the record fourth team in the majors this year with 100 victories. Two years after going undrafted, rookie right-hander... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals traded Homer Bailey to the Oakland Athletics for minor league infielder Kevin Merrell on Sunday after scratching the veteran right-hander about 45 minutes before his scheduled start of their series finale against Detroit.The 33-year-old Bailey has rebounded this season with the Royals after signing a minor league deal in February. He is 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA, but he's been especially good over his past seven starts, giving the A's some additional help as they seek a playoff run in the second half.The A's began the day six back in the AL West and just ahead of Cleveland for a wild-card spot."We're trying to get incrementally better wherever we can," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said "Before he got hurt obviously was an electric arm and it seems like he's coming back to form at this point. I think it makes our rotation better and that's the objective."Bailey joins a rotation that has been battered by numerous injuries and a suspension to nine-game... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres lined a game-winning single in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees hit two more homers to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 Wednesday.Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu connected as the Yankees extended their major league record to 29 straight games with a home run. The AL East leaders overcame two homers and a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., plus an early 5-0 deficit, to finish a power-packed 9-1 homestand.Now, they'll head straight from Yankee Stadium to England, where they'll enjoy two days off before playing the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium on Saturday and Sunday in the first major league games in Europe.Zack Britton wasn't so great in giving up Cavan Biggio's RBI single in the ninth that made it 7-all. But Britton (3-1) wound up with the win to close out a three-game sweep.Gregorius got an infield hit off Nick Kingham (3-2) with one out in the ninth, Aaron Hicks walked and Torres followed with his hit.ATHLETICS 2, CARDINALS 0ST. LOUIS (AP) — Beau Taylor... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres lined a game-winning single in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees hit two more homers to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 Wednesday.Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu connected as the Yankees extended their major league record to 29 straight games with a home run. The AL East leaders overcame two homers and a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., plus an early 5-0 deficit, to finish a power-packed 9-1 homestand.Now, they'll head straight from Yankee Stadium to England, where they'll enjoy two days off before playing the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium on Saturday and Sunday in the first major league games in Europe.Zack Britton wasn't so great in giving up Cavan Biggio's RBI single in the ninth that made it 7-all. But Britton (3-1) wound up with the win to close out a three-game sweep.Gregorius got an infield hit off Nick Kingham (3-2) with one out in the ninth, Aaron Hicks walked and Torres followed with his hit.ATHLETICS 2, CARDINALS 0ST. LOUIS (AP) — Beau Taylor... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A season full of All-Star potential for Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas was drastically cut short Friday when Major League Baseball suspended him 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.Montas pitched well Thursday night and is 9-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 15 starts, a big reason the A's are 40-36.The 26-year-old righty could return for the final week of the season. But the penalty makes him ineligible for the All-Star Game and postseason play this year, and he'll lose about half of his $560,000 salary."I think it was a shock to everybody," A's manager Bob Melvin said before a night game against Tampa Bay. "We met as a team and Frankie spoke and was very remorseful and is going to accept what he has to deal with and feels bad about it."The commissioner's office said Montas tested positive for Ostarine, a PED. He is the sixth player suspended this year under the major league drug program."While I never intended to take any prohibited... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A season full of All-Star potential for Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas was drastically cut short Friday when Major League Baseball suspended him 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.Montas pitched well Thursday night and is 9-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 15 starts, a big reason the A's are 40-36.The 26-year-old righty could return for the final week of the season. But the penalty makes him ineligible for the All-Star Game and postseason play this year, and he'll lose about half of his $560,000 salary.The commissioner's office said Montas tested positive for Ostarine, a PED. He is the sixth player suspended this year under the major league drug program."While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States," Montas said in a statement released by the players' union.Montas said he... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A season full of All-Star potential for Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas was drastically cut short Friday when Major League Baseball suspended him 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.Montas pitched well Thursday night and is 9-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 15 starts, a big reason the A's are 40-36.The 26-year-old righty could return for the final week of the season. But the penalty makes him ineligible for the All-Star Game and postseason play this year.The commissioner's office said Montas tested positive for Ostarine, a PED. He is the sixth player suspended this year under the major league drug program."While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States," Montas said in a statement released by the players' union.Montas said he accepted "full responsibility" for the penalty."I... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.The penalty was announced Friday, a day after another fine outing by the 26-year-old right-hander. He is 9-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 13 starts.The A's are 40-36, meaning Montas could return for the final week of the regular season. Montas, however, becomes ineligible for postseason play this year.The commissioner's office said Montas tested positive for Ostarine, a PED. He is the sixth player this year suspended under the major league drug program.In a statement released by the players' union, Montas said he never intended to use a banned substance. He said he unknowingly took a contaminated supplement that he bought over the counter at a nutrition store in the United States.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CHECK HIMArizona ace Zack Greinke is set for an MRI after making an early exit in his last start.Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning against the Pirates until leaving in the eighth inning because of abdominal tightness."It's not too bad," Greinke said. "Just didn't seem like a good idea to try to push it."Greinke (6-1) has a 1.09 ERA in his last six starts, allowing five earned runs in 41 1/3 innings.STOP THAT!Justin Turner is on a hitting streak that no one would envy.The Dodgers star has been hit by a pitch in four straight games, tied for the longest string in franchise history. He is the first player in team records since Hughie Jennings in 1900 to be plunked in four consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox set the majors' longest streak when he was hit in six straight in 2008."I think at this point it's almost what is going on?" Dodgers teammate Alex Verdugo said.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:CHECK HIMArizona ace Zack Greinke is set for an MRI after making an early exit in his last start.Greinke pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning against the Pirates until leaving in the eighth inning because of abdominal tightness."It's not too bad," Greinke said. "Just didn't seem like a good idea to try to push it."Greinke (6-1) has a 1.09 ERA in his last six starts, allowing five earned runs in 41 1/3 innings.STOP THAT!Justin Turner is on a hitting streak that no one would envy.The Dodgers star has been hit by a pitch in four straight games, tied for the longest string in franchise history. He is the first player in team records since Hughie Jennings in 1900 to be plunked in four consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox set the majors' longest streak when he was hit in six straight in 2008."I think at this point it's almost what is going on?" Dodgers teammate Alex Verdugo said.... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Odorizzi pitched seven solid innings to outduel Justin Verlander, Ehire Adrianza homered off Houston's ace and the Minnesota Twins beat the Astros 1-0 on Monday night.Odorizzi (3-2) gave up four hits while beating Houston for the second time in two starts. He walked one and struck out seven, and Minnesota won for the eighth time in 10 games. Blake Parker recorded his sixth save.Adrianza's first homer of the season led off the third. He hit a towering, deep shot to the plaza in right field on a full count against Verlander (4-1), who allowed two hits, walked two and struck out seven over six innings.Coming off a dominant sweep of Baltimore, the Twins faced Houston for the second time in a week. They also saw Verlander in the previous series, when he gave up one run and needed just 98 pitches to get through eight innings.BREWERS 5, ROCKIES 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Struggling slugger Jesús Aguilar hit his first two homers of the season and Milwaukee beat Colorado with NL MVP... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Odorizzi pitched seven solid innings to outduel Justin Verlander, Ehire Adrianza homered off Houston's ace and the Minnesota Twins beat the Astros 1-0 on Monday night.Odorizzi (3-2) gave up four hits while beating Houston for the second time in two starts. He walked one and struck out seven, and Minnesota won for the eighth time in 10 games. Blake Parker recorded his sixth save.Adrianza's first homer of the season led off the third. He hit a towering, deep shot to the plaza in right field on a full count against Verlander (4-1), who allowed two hits, walked two and struck out seven over six innings.Coming off a dominant sweep of Baltimore, the Twins faced Houston for the second time in a week. They also saw Verlander in the previous series, when he gave up one run and needed just 98 pitches to get through eight innings.BREWERS 5, ROCKIES 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Struggling slugger Jesús Aguilar hit his first two homers of the season and Milwaukee beat Colorado with NL MVP... [More]