KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Houston Astros won their 10th straight game, with Dallas Keuchel getting three-run homers from Max Stassi and Alex Bregman to rout the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Saturday.Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the first inning to send the World Series champions on their way. The Astros had an 11-game win streak last season that ended in Kansas City.The Royals have lost five in a row and are just 2-12 in June.Keuchel (4-8) began to emerge from a monthlong funk, allowing two unearned runs and six hits in six innings. The 2015 Cy Young winner had surrendered a combined 17 runs over his last three outings, and had not won since tossing seven scoreless innings against Texas on May 13.Danny Duffy (3-7) had been pitching well of late, but the Royals left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings.YANKEES 4, RAYS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched eight sharp innings and also jumped to steal away a popup from catcher Gary Sanchez as New York... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco has been removed from their game against Minnesota after he was struck on the right arm by a line drive in the second inning.Carrasco hopped off the mound and went down to his knees on the infield grass after he was hit by Joe Mauer's leadoff liner. Manager Terry Francona and a team trainer visited Carrasco, who remained on his knees for several moments.Carrasco then walked to the dugout with the trainer and was replaced by Oliver Perez. Minnesota scored four runs in the first off Carrasco, who entered Saturday's game with an 8-4 record.It looked as if Carrasco was struck on the elbow, but the team announced he was taken to a hospital for examination of a forearm contusion.Carrasco was hit in the face by a line drive in 2015, but made his next turn in the rotation. The right-hander broke his right hand after being hit by a line drive late in the 2016 season and missed the playoffs.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Joe Mauer didn't receive any gifts for returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list.No, his reward was an immediate matchup against two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber."Yeah, welcome back, right?" Mauer said with a laugh.The six-time All-Star returned to the lineup on Friday after missing 25 games with a strained neck and concussion-like symptoms sustained when he was injured diving for a foul ball last month.And while facing Kluber might not be an ideal first step back, the struggling Twins, who have one of the league's weakest offenses, were thrilled to have Mauer back in their lineup."It's good for any manager to have a chance to put a guy like Joe's name down there," said manager Paul Molitor, who had Mauer batting first against Kluber in the opener of a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Indians. "Yeah, he's in a good place, he's excited to be here and we welcome him back. Hopefully, he can give us a little bit of a boost."The Twins came in seven... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have returned first baseman Joe Mauer from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the disabled list after a 25-game absence because of a neck strain and concussion-like symptoms resulting from a dive for a foul ball.The move was made on Friday before Minnesota's game at Cleveland. Third baseman Miguel Sano was sent to Class A Fort Myers on Thursday.Mauer went hitless in 10 at-bats over three games with Triple-A Rochester, but the Twins lineup badly needs a boost from the three-time American League batting champion. They're in the bottom third of the major leagues in most offensive categories.The Twins also recalled infielder Taylor Motter from Rochester after sending outfielder Jake Cave down on Thursday.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Yes, the baseball draft can feel like a bit of a crapshoot, but it does help to be picking near the top.This year's draft took place Monday night, with the Detroit Tigers selecting Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with the top pick . San Francisco followed by picking Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart. It could be a while before either of those players makes an impact in the majors, but if the past two decades are any indication, the top two picks are as likely as anybody to provide major value.From 1998-2017, the 20 players picked No. 1 overall have been worth a total of 313.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com. That's more value than any other slot in the first round. The 20 players drafted at No. 2 have been worth 261.3 WAR, which is the second-most value.After the top two picks, the draft has been more hit-or-miss. For example, the No. 7 pick (222.4 WAR) has yielded significantly more value than the No. 4 pick (82.1). That's not to say that a team should rather pick... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have sent first baseman Joe Mauer to Triple-A Rochester for a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a cervical neck strain and concussion-like symptoms.Twins manager Paul Molitor said Mauer is expected to be the designated hitter Tuesday before seeing action at first base. If all goes well in the two games, Mauer could rejoin the Twins at some point in a six-game road trip that starts Tuesday in Detroit.Out since leaving during a game on May 18, Mauer is hitting .283 with a .404 on-base percentage in 38 games with the Twins this season. He got his 2,000th career hit on April 13.The injury occurred May 11 when the 35-year-old Mauer dove for a foul ball. He played a few more games while receiving treatment.Mauer is in the final season of an eight-year, $184 million contract. A six-time All-Star catcher, he moved to first base in 2014 because of previous concussions and concerns of more if he continued catching.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Eddie Rosario dug in the dirt for Minnesota in the ninth inning of a tied game and one runner on, his arms wiggling the bat as they hovered over home plate, the 2-1 fastball from Cleveland closer Cody Allen came in chest high at 94 mph.Most players would've let that pitch go.Rosario let it rip.The ball soared over the 23-foot wall above right-center field, and Rosario exuberantly raced around the bases with his right arm and right index finger extended Sunday in celebration of a walk-off Twins win on his third home run of the afternoon ."I've seen a lot of good days in the big leagues, but I don't know if I've seen one that was more dramatic than that as far as the first inning all the way through the end," said 61-year-old Twins manager Paul Molitor, whose Hall of Fame playing career lasted 21 seasons.Rosario's homers in the first and seventh innings also gave the Twins the lead on their way to a third straight victory over the division-leading Indians. For extra... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers didn't begin their rebuild in earnest until the second half of last season.Already, they have a chance to add the type of player who could become a centerpiece of the franchise's future.Detroit has the No. 1 pick in the draft Monday, the result of a terrible month of September last season after the Tigers had traded Justin Verlander, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez. There's no guarantee the top pick will turn into a star — and if he does, it might take a little while — but an opportunity like this doesn't come around very often."The draft and the first round is a big pick anytime, but when you're picking first, obviously, there's more scrutiny and there's more attention to it," general manager Al Avila said. "You want to do a good job."The Tigers still had hopes of contending at the start of last season, but when that didn't happen, it was time to dismantle an expensive roster. After trading away some of its biggest stars, Detroit dropped 24 of its final... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer has not been able to shake the concussion-like symptoms he has experienced since hurting his neck three weeks ago.Mauer's return to the lineup hit another road block while working out Thursday before Minnesota's game against Cleveland, when continued sensitivity to light and noise while jogging around and fielding groundballs and forced him to back off."We kind of got a better feel for where I'm at, and I'm not there yet," Mauer said.The 35-year-old Mauer has also been dealing with a cervical strain resulting from a May 11 dive for a foul ball. He played for another week before departing mid-game May 18 and being placed on the disabled list the following day.Mauer said he has been told by the team's medical staff that some recurrence of symptoms is to be expected, but that didn't stem his disappointment. He planned to stay at the ballpark and watch the game from the dugout, another test of sorts of his ability to withstand the typical... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer has not been able to shake the concussion-like symptoms he has been experiencing since hurting his neck three weeks ago.Mauer's return to the lineup hit another road block while working out Thursday before Minnesota's game against Cleveland, with more sensitivity to light and noise. The 35-year-old has also been dealing with a cervical strain resulting from a dive for a foul ball on May 11. He played for another week before departing mid-game on May 18.Mauer is batting .283 with a .404 on-base percentage. Logan Morrison and Miguel Sano have been playing first base in his absence.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have reinstated third baseman Miguel Sano from the disabled list after he missed the last 24 games with a strained left hamstring.The Twins sent outfielder Jake Cave on Thursday to Triple-A Rochester.Sano went 6 for 16 with two homers and three walks on a five-game rehab assignment at Rochester. Before he was hurt, Sano batted just .213 with five homers and 14 RBIs with 36 strikeouts in 20 games. Sano, an All-Star in 2017, has never played in more than 116 games in the majors due to injuries.The Twins start a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners on Friday. They are still missing three regulars from their lineup: shortstop Jorge Polanco (suspension), first baseman Joe Mauer (neck strain) and catcher Jason Castro (knee surgery).___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins acquired first baseman Chris Carter from the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations in a minor-league trade on Tuesday.The 31-year-old was hitting .255 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 38 games for Triple-A Salt Lake this season. He will join Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings.Carter, who led the National League with 41 home runs in 2016, last played in the majors on July 4, 2017 for the New York Yankees. He hit .201 with eight homers in 62 games for New York.The Twins lost first baseman Joe Mauer to the disabled list last weekend with a neck strain and concussion-like symptoms. Regular designated hitter Logan Morrison has started the past four games at first base.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins lost a key member of their batting order Saturday as first baseman Joe Mauer was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.The former American League MVP was pulled from Friday's game in the fifth inning with what the team called "neck stiffness" stemming from a dive for a foul ball on May 11.Twins manager Paul Molitor revealed Saturday that Mauer was also experiencing balance issues and sensitivity to light the night prior, which contributed to his removal."We ran through the protocol last night," said Molitor, "and there was no definitive answer there as far as what exactly is ongoing, but given his history ... it looks to me like it's gonna be at least a few days."Mauer suffered a concussion in 2013 that gave him lingering symptoms as he hit below .280 for three seasons in a row.The 35-year-old batted .305 last season and was hitting .283 this year with a .404 on-base percentage. He recently recorded... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have placed first baseman Joe Mauer on the 10-day disabled list with a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.His symptoms began May 11 after he dove for a foul ball against the Los Angeles Angels and worsened during Friday's game.The former American League MVP dealt with long-lasting concussion symptoms after suffering a 2013 concussion, so the Twins opted to be caution with one of their top hitters.Outfielder Jake Cave was called up from Triple-A Rochester to take Mauer's place on the roster in advance of Minnesota's matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was listed seventh in Saturday night's batting order and will play center field.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have placed first baseman Joe Mauer on the 10-day disabled list with a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.The recalled outfielder Jake Cave from Triple-A Rochester. The 25-year-old Cave was in the Twins' lineup Saturday against Milwaukee, batting seventh and playing center field in his major league debut.Cave was acquired by the Twins on March 16 for minor league right-hander Luis Gil and was optioned to Triple-A Rochester a week later. The left-handed hitting Cave batted .265 with seven doubles, one home run and 17 RBIs in 35 games for the Red Wings this season.

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven solid innings, Tony Kemp had a tiebreaking RBI double in the seventh and the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 4-1 on Friday night for their third straight win.Morton (6-0) allowed one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in extending his career-high winning streak to nine straight dating to last September. Morton retired 19 of the first 21 batters.After Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger (3-1) walked Marwin Gonzalez and Derek Fisher to lead off the seventh, Brian McCann popped out before Kemp hit his RBI ground-rule double down the right-field line to give Houston a 2-1 lead. George Springer followed with a grounder to Kipnis, but Fisher beat the throw home.Ken Giles pitched the ninth for his seventh save.ROYALS 5, YANKEES 2KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield had three hits, stole three bases and scored twice off CC Sabathia in the first four innings, Jakob Junis held down the Yankees' potent offense and Kansas City beat New York.Salvador... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven solid innings, Tony Kemp had a tiebreaking RBI double in the seventh and the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 4-1 on Friday night for their third straight win.Morton (6-0) allowed one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in extending his career-high winning streak to nine straight dating back to last September. Morton retired 19 of the first 21 batters.After Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger (3-1) walked Marwin Gonzalez and Derek Fisher to lead off the seventh, Brian McCann popped out before Kemp hit his RBI ground-rule double down the right-field line to give Houston a 2-1 lead. George Springer followed with a grounder to Kipnis, but Fisher beat the throw home.Ken Giles pitched the ninth for his seventh save.ROYALS 5, YANKEES 2KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield had three hits, stole three bases and scored twice off CC Sabathia in the first four innings, Jakob Junis held down the Yankees' potent offense and Kansas City beat New... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Tyson Ross lost his bid to pitch the first no-hitter in the history of the San Diego Padres when rookie center fielder Franchy Cordero appeared to misplay a ball with two outs in the eighth inning Friday night of a 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.Playing their 7,835th game since joining the majors in 1969, the Padres again came agonizingly close to their first no-no. They remain the only team in the big leagues that has never thrown a no-hitter.Ross had a 1-0 lead with two outs in the eighth when Christian Walker lined a drive to deep center. Cordero seemed to get a late break on the ball, then had it sail just over his outstretched glove for a double that made it 1-all. Ross was pulled after throwing a career-high 127 pitches. The right-hander, who turns 31 on Sunday, struck out 10 and walked three. He retired 18 straight after walking Jarrod Dyson in the first. Brad Hand (1-2) relieved Ross and got the last four outs — they combined on the 29th one-hitter in Padres'... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes, who struck out in his previous four at-bats, hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the 12th inning to lift the New York Mets to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.Cespedes' single to right field drove in winning pitcher Robert Gsellman from second base. Cespedes scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's double off Josh Ravin (0-1) to right field. Cabrera ran halfway to third before stopping and trying to return to second. A review showed he was out at second, overturning the original call. Ravin hit Gsellman with a pitch to open the 12th. Gsellman moved to second on Amed Rosario's sacrifice. Michael Conforto popped out before Cespedes delivered the go-ahead hit.Gsellman (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings. Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect 12th for his eighth save.ASTROS 10, WHITE SOX 0CHICAGO (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched six sparkling innings, Carlos Correa homered twice and the Houston Astros pounded the White Sox.George Springer also drove in four... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a bases-loaded triple in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, helping the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory.Ian Kinsler homered on his first swing in his return to the Angels' lineup, and Nick Tropeano (1-0) pitched shutout ball into the seventh for his first major league win since 2016.Los Angeles has won eight of nine.Ohtani drove a 1-2 pitch from Brandon Maurer to right-center, scoring Kole Calhoun, Andrelton Simmons and Luis Valbuena. The Royals walked Ohtani intentionally in the sixth with first base open and Simmons on second.Ohtani is tied with Mike Trout for the Angels' lead with 11 RBIs in 26 at-bats. Trout went 3 for 4 with his fifth home run.Kinsler led off the game with a home run for the 47th time in his career, driving a 1-0 pitch from Ian Kennedy (1-1) out to left. Kinsler missed the previous 11 games with an adductor strain.RED SOX 6, YANKEES 3BOSTON (AP) — Rick Porcello pitched... [More]