WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:THE REPLACEMENTSJosé Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi in the All-Star Game. Odorizzi left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on his right middle finger and was headed for the injured list. Hunter Pence was replaced by Boston's Xander Bogaerts.Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after aggravating the injury during a minor league game. Brandon Lowe was set to replace Tommy La Stella on the AL squad. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off his leg and left a game Tuesday night.TRADITIONAL STARTERSThe AL East-leading New York Yankees and second-place Tampa Bay start a four-game series in Florida on Thursday night and neither team is scheduled to use an opener.The Rays have done it 28 times, while Yankees right-hander Chad Green has filled the role seven times and left-hander... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Trout led a parade of Los Angeles Angels into the interview room of the Texas Rangers for the first interaction with reporters since teammate Tyler Skaggs died.The two-time AL MVP tried to smile when it was his turn to talk, only to find himself fighting back tears almost immediately. Trout wasn't alone following a 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found unresponsive in his room at the team hotel.Andrew Heaney, a starter alongside Skaggs who said the fellow left-hander was his best friend, choked back sobs before finding his composure.It was the opposite for Justin Upton, who started with a smile talking about how Skaggs' reaction to the victory would be to say, "We're nasty!" Soon, though, the outfielder dropped his head and stopped in the middle of a sentence, getting a squeeze on the shoulder from Trout.The emotion was just as raw in that same room a few hours earlier with manager Brad Ausmus and general... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels second baseman Tommy La Stella is expected to miss at least two months with a broken bone in his lower right leg, and outfielder Brian Goodwin also was placed on the 10-day injured list after getting hit by a pitch on his right wrist.La Stella fouled a 97 mph fastball off his leg just below the knee and immediately went to the ground in pain in the sixth inning of Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers. It was the first game for the Angels since the death a day earlier of 27-year-old pitcher Tyler Skaggs.Three days after being named an All-Star for the first time as an AL reserve, La Stella instead was replaced on the roster by Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe. La Stella was moving around on crutches in the clubhouse.Goodwin was hit by a pitch from reliever Jesse Biddle in the seventh inning, but stayed in the game. He was replaced in the eighth by pinch-hitter Shohei Ohtani. Tests revealed that there was no fracture, improving his chances of returning when eligible to come off the IL.Infielder Matt Thaiss and outfielder Jarrett Parker were called up Wednesday from Triple-A Salt Lake City, with the 24-year-old Thaiss making his major league debut as the starting third baseman against the Rangers.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton knows from his own heart-wrenching experience what the Los Angeles Angels are feeling now, and will experience moving forward, after the death of a teammate during the season.The slugger's message to the Angels, playing with heavy hearts after the death of 27-year-old pitcher Tyler Skaggs, is to "hug each other, laugh, cry, lift the ones taking it extra hard up."Stanton, now playing for the New York Yankees, was still with the Miami Marlins three years ago when 24-year-old two-time All-Star pitcher José Fernández was killed in a boating crash late that season.Los Angeles returned to the field with an emotional 9-4 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after Skaggs was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas. No cause of death has been released."You're going to wonder why all of this is happening, is it real, why are u suiting up to play a game that seems irrelevant," Stanton wrote in an Instagram post. "Some Anger will ensue... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton knows from his own heart-wrenching experience what the Los Angeles Angels are feeling, and will experience moving forward after the death of a teammate during the season.The slugger's message to the Angels, playing with heavy hearts after the death of 27-year-old pitcher Tyler Skaggs, is to "hug each other, laugh, cry, lift the ones taking it extra hard up."Stanton, now playing for the New York Yankees, was still with the Miami Marlins three years ago when 24-year-old two-time All-Star pitcher José Fernández was killed in a boating crash late that season.Los Angeles returned to the field with an emotional 9-4 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after Skaggs was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas. No cause of death has been reported."You're going to wonder why all of this is happening, is it real, why are u suiting up to play a game that seems irrelevant," Stanton wrote in an Instagram post. "Some Anger will ensue while u... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Trout led a parade of Los Angeles Angels into the interview room of the Texas Rangers for the first interaction with reporters since teammate Tyler Skaggs died.The two-time AL MVP tried to smile when it was his turn to talk, only to find himself fighting back tears almost immediately. Trout wasn't alone following a 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found unresponsive in his room at the team hotel.Andrew Heaney, a starter alongside Skaggs who said the fellow left-hander was his best friend, choked back sobs before finding his composure.It was the opposite for Justin Upton, who started with a smile talking about how Skaggs' reaction to the victory would be to say, "We're nasty!" Soon, though, the outfielder dropped his head and stopped in the middle of a sentence, getting a squeeze on the shoulder from Trout.The emotion was just as raw in that same room a few hours earlier with manager Brad Ausmus and general... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton knows from his own heart-wrenching experience what the Los Angeles Angels are feeling, and will experience moving forward after the death of a teammate during the season.The slugger's message to the Angels, playing with heavy hearts after the death of 27-year-old pitcher Tyler Skaggs, is to "hug each other, laugh, cry, lift the ones taking it extra hard up."Stanton, now playing for the New York Yankees, was still with the Miami Marlins three years ago when 24-year-old two-time All-Star pitcher José Fernández was killed in a boating crash late that season.Los Angeles returned to the field with an emotional 9-4 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after Skaggs was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas. No cause of death has been reported."You're going to wonder why all of this is happening, is it real, why are u suiting up to play a game that seems irrelevant," Stanton wrote in an Instagram post. "Some Anger will ensue while u... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Tyler Skaggs weighed heavy on the minds of Mike Trout and all of the Los Angeles Angels in their first game since death of the much-loved 27-year-old pitcher."I can't explain it man. Lost a teammate, lost a friend, a brother. Just got to get through it," a visibly shaken Trout said after the Angels 9-4 win at Texas on Tuesday night."It's tough. My first at-bat, I get up there, all I do is think about him," added the All-Star center fielder, who was in the same Angels draft class as Skaggs in 2009. "Just a different feeling, just in shock, it's like walking around the hotel, you're just always thinking about him."The Angels decided to play a day after the postponement of the series opener against the Rangers. Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on Monday. A cause of death has not been reported.Before Angels starter Jose Suarez threw his first pitch in the bottom of the first inning, the left-hander appeared to write something in the dirt with... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With the memory of Tyler Skaggs weighing heavy on their hearts, the Los Angeles Angels won their first game since the death of the much-loved 27-year-old pitcher who got to play for his favorite childhood team."He was an exceptional young man with an entire life so full of promise yet to live. For some reason, that is incomprehensible to all of us, he lives on now only in our minds and our hearts," general manager Billy Eppler said before Tuesday night's 9-4 win at Texas. "Our team will never be the same without him. But forever we've been made better by him."The Angels decided to play a day after the postponement of the series opener against the Rangers. Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on Monday. A cause of death has not been reported.Before Angels starter Jose Suarez threw his first pitch in the bottom of the first inning, the left-hander appeared to write something in the dirt with his finger. He then touched the No. 45 painted on the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs (all times CDT):9:15 p.m.Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer has Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 and his former teammate's initials written on his cap while pitching in Kansas City.Bauer played in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization with Skaggs, the 27-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher who died Monday."TS45" was written on Bauer's cap when he made his start Tuesday night. Bauer used the metal spike on his right shoe to also inscribe "TS45" into the dirt on the back of the mound before throwing his first pitch.___8 p.m.Los Angeles pitcher José Suarez is honoring Tyler Skaggs while starting the first game for the Angels following the 27-year-old's death.Suarez had "RIP 45" written with what appeared to be a cross on one side of his ballcap. The initials "TSK" were written just above the bill on the other side of the Angels logo.The Angels played the Texas Rangers a day after Skaggs was found unresponsive... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs (all times CDT):8 p.m.Los Angeles pitcher José Suarez is honoring Tyler Skaggs while starting the first game for the Angels following the 27-year-old's death.Suarez had "RIP 45" written with what appeared to be a cross on one side of his ballcap. The initials "TSK" were written just above the bill on the other side of the Angels logo.The Angels played the Texas Rangers a day after Skaggs was found unresponsive in the team hotel. The series opener Monday was postponed.Before throwing his first pitch in the bottom of the first inning, Suarez appeared to write something in the dirt below the red "45" the Rangers grounds crew painted on the back of the mound. The left-hander tapped the number and then his chest before returning to the mound.Suarez gave up an unearned run in the first inning after left fielder Justin Upton let a popup down the line drop for a double before an error by shortstop Luis Rengifo.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With the memory of Tyler Skaggs weighing heavy on their hearts, the Los Angeles Angels took the field for their first game since the death of the much-loved 27-year-old pitcher who got to play for his favorite childhood team."He was an exceptional young man with an entire life so full of promise yet to live. For some reason, that is incomprehensible to all of us, he lives on now only in our minds and our hearts," general manager Billy Eppler said before Tuesday night's game. "Our team will never be the same without him. But forever we've been made better by him."The Angels decided to play a day after the postponement of the series opener against the Rangers. Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on Monday. A cause of death has not been reported."The first game back, whether today or tomorrow was going to be one of the toughest other than yesterday," manager Brad Ausmus said."The game itself is going to be a refuge for players, where they can turn... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs (all times CDT):7:05 p.m.A moment of silence was held before the Los Angeles Angels played at Texas, with the team lined up outside the dugout when Tyler Skaggs was remembered.Public address announcer Chuck Morgan said the Rangers offered their deepest sympathies and condolences to Skaggs' family, his teammates and the entire Angels organization.A photo of Skaggs was shown on the huge video boards over right and left field before those screens, and every other screen in the stadium, went dark momentarily.The entire Angels team and its staff remained on the field together for the playing of the national anthem.The introductions of the starting lineups by Morgan before that were uncharacteristically subdued with the Angels playing heavy-hearted the night after the 27-year-old Skaggs died in his Texas hotel room.And when the Rangers took the field for the start of the game, they ran out to their positions... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs (all times CDT):6:20 p.m.Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 has been painted on the back of the mound in Texas, where his Los Angeles Angels teammates will play their first game since the pitcher's death.Skaggs' number was stenciled on the mound and then painted in Angels red.The series opener Monday between the Angels and Rangers was postponed after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas.That postponed game will be made up in mid-August, when the Angels return to Texas for another series.___4:45 p.m.Angels manager Brad Ausmus says playing a game is "going to be a refuge for players" as they grieve for late teammate Tyler Skaggs.Los Angeles is preparing to play its first game since the 27-year-old pitcher died Monday.Asked about the decision to play Tuesday night, Ausmus said the first game back was going to be tough regardless, and he isn't sure sitting in a hotel room an extra... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With the memory of Tyler Skaggs weighing heavy on their hearts, the Los Angeles Angels prepared Tuesday to play their first game since the death of the much-loved 27-year-old pitcher who got to play for his favorite childhood team."He was an exceptional young man with an entire life so full of promise yet to live. For some reason, that is incomprehensible to all of us, he lives on now only in our minds and our hearts," general manager Billy Eppler said. "Our team will never be the same without him. But forever we've been made better by him."The Angels decided to play a day after the postponement of the series opener against the Rangers. Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on Monday."The first game back, whether today or tomorrow was going to be one of the toughest other than yesterday," manager Brad Ausmus said."The game itself is going to be a refuge for players, where they can turn their minds off and concentrate on baseball," he added. "I... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With the memory of Tyler Skaggs weighing heavy on their hearts, the Los Angeles Angels prepared to play their first game since the death of the much-loved 27-year-old pitcher who got to play for his favorite childhood team.General manager Billy Eppler says Skaggs was an exceptional young man with an entire life so full of promise yet to live. The GM says the team will never be the same without him.The Angels decided to play Tuesday, a night after the postponement of the series opener. Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on Monday.Manager Brad Ausmus says the first game was going to be difficult no matter when it was played. He says the game "is going to be a refuge for players" when they can turn their minds off and concentrate on baseball.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs (all times CDT):4:45 p.m.Angels manager Brad Ausmus says playing a game is "going to be a refuge for players" as they grieve for late teammate Tyler Skaggs.Los Angeles is preparing to play its first game since the 27-year-old pitcher died Monday.Asked about the decision to play Tuesday night, Ausmus said the first game back was going to be tough regardless, and he isn't sure sitting in a hotel room an extra day would do the players any good."A lot of problems go away when the first pitch is thrown until the last pitch is thrown," general manager Billy Eppler said, adding that Skaggs would still be weighing heavy on the hearts of the players.Ausmus wiped tears from his eyes when he talked about the time Angels players spent together Monday, when they talked about Skaggs, including some of the goofy things he did and listening to his music.___4:15 p.m.Rangers manager Chris Woodward says he can't even... [More]