A look at what's happening around the majors today:FAREWELL TO THE KINGFelix Hernandez starts for Seattle in what well could be his last game for the Mariners. A sea of yellow-shirted fans in the "King's Court" will rise in unison and chant as he takes the mound, and when he gets to two strikes on any hitter, and will cheer deliriously anytime No. 34 can record a strikeout against playoff-chasing Oakland.After 15 seasons and more time spent on the injured list than on the mound in recent years, there may not be many suitors for a 33-year-old pitcher with decreased velocity and more than 2,700 career innings on his right arm. Hernandez is 1-7 in 14 starts this season with a 6.51 ERA.The face of the franchise for so long, his contract with the Mariners expires after the season and both sides seem ready to go their own way."I don't want to retire yet," Hernandez said after his last start. "I think I can go out there and compete against anybody. It was a tough year with my shoulder. But if... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:FAREWELL TO THE KINGFelix Hernandez starts for Seattle in what well could be his last game for the Mariners. A sea of yellow-shirted fans in the "King's Court" will rise in unison and chant as he takes the mound, and when he gets to two strikes on any hitter, and will cheer deliriously anytime No. 34 can record a strikeout against playoff-chasing Oakland.After 15 seasons and more time spent on the injured list than on the mound in recent years, there may not be many suitors for a 33-year-old pitcher with decreased velocity and more than 2,700 career innings on his right arm. Hernandez is 1-7 in 14 starts this season with a 6.51 ERA.The face of the franchise for so long, his contract with the Mariners expires after the season and both sides seem ready to go their own way."I don't want to retire yet," Hernandez said after his last start. "I think I can go out there and compete against anybody. It was a tough year with my shoulder. But if... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:FAREWELL TO THE KINGFelix Hernandez starts for Seattle in what well could be his last game for the Mariners. A sea of yellow-shirted fans in the "King's Court" will rise in unison and chant as he takes the mound, and when he gets to two strikes on any hitter, and will cheer deliriously anytime No. 34 can record a strikeout against playoff-chasing Oakland.After 15 seasons and more time spent on the injured list than on the mound in recent years, there may not be many suitors for a 33-year-old pitcher with decreased velocity and more than 2,700 career innings on his right arm. Hernandez is 1-7 in 14 starts this season with a 6.51 ERA.The face of the franchise for so long, his contract with the Mariners expires after the season and both sides seem ready to go their own way."I don't want to retire yet," Hernandez said after his last start. "I think I can go out there and compete against anybody. It was a tough year with my shoulder. But... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha left Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with right shoulder tightness.Wacha had a 2-0 count on Diamondbacks right fielder Abraham Almonte in the bottom of the second inning when a trainer came out to check on him. After a short conversation on the mound, Wacha and the trainer walked into the Cardinals dugout.Wacha was charged with two runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. He made his 28th appearance and 23rd start of the season, striking out three and walking two on 43 pitches.Wacha hasn't won a game since July 19. His three strikeouts gave him 759 in his career, which is 19th-most in Cardinals history.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

Cardinals third. Harrison Bader homers to center field. Michael Wacha strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging. Kolten Wong lines out to shallow infield, Mike Moustakas to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Brewers 0.Brewers seventh. Eric Thames singles to right field. Lorenzo Cain pops out to shallow left field to Paul DeJong. Cory Spangenberg homers to center field. Eric Thames scores. Hernan Perez singles to center field. Keston Hiura pinch-hitting for Brent Suter. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Hernan Perez to second. Trent Grisham pops out to Paul Goldschmidt. Yasmani Grandal called out on strikes.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals seventh. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Marcell Ozuna scores. Yadier Molina flies out to deep center field to Lorenzo Cain. Tommy Edman flies out to left field to Ryan Braun. Harrison Bader homers to center field. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Giovanny... [More]

Reds first. Josh VanMeter homers to right field. Joey Votto singles to center field. Eugenio Suarez pops out to shallow right field to Kolten Wong. Aristides Aquino grounds out to first base. Joey Votto out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Cardinals 0.Reds third. Curt Casali grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh VanMeter flies out to right center field to Dexter Fowler. Joey Votto homers to center field. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals seventh. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Matt Wieters reaches on error. Tommy Edman to second. Fielding error by Josh VanMeter. Harrison Bader flies out to deep center field to Nick Senzel. Tyler O'Neill pinch-hitting for Michael Wacha. Tyler O'Neill strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler singles to shallow left field. Matt Wieters to second. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Reds 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals ninth. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Yadier Molina hit by pitch. Tommy Edman to second. Harrison Bader singles to left field. Yadier Molina to second. Tommy Edman scores. Matt Carpenter pinch-hitting for John Gant. Matt Carpenter singles to right center field. Harrison Bader to second. Yadier Molina scores.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Reds 2.

Rockies first. Charlie Blackmon flies out to deep right field to Dexter Fowler. Trevor Story singles to shortstop. Nolan Arenado singles to right center field. Trevor Story to third. Ryan McMahon strikes out swinging. Yonder Alonso singles to center field. Nolan Arenado to third. Trevor Story scores. Tony Wolters called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Cardinals 0.Rockies second. Yonathan Daza flies out to deep right center field to Harrison Bader. Garrett Hampson homers to left field. Antonio Senzatela strikes out swinging. Charlie Blackmon grounds out to first base, Paul Goldschmidt to Michael Wacha.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals second. Marcell Ozuna triples to deep right field. Paul DeJong walks. Yadier Molina reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Paul DeJong to second. Marcell Ozuna out at home. Matt Carpenter singles to left center field. Yadier Molina to second. Paul DeJong scores. Harrison Bader strikes... [More]

Cardinals fourth. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Gio Gonzalez to Eric Thames. Marcell Ozuna singles to shallow infield. Paul DeJong walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Paul DeJong to second. Marcell Ozuna scores. Kolten Wong strikes out swinging. Harrison Bader walks. Yadier Molina to second. Paul DeJong to third. Lane Thomas pinch-hitting for Michael Wacha. Lane Thomas flies out to center field to Lorenzo Cain.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cardinals 1, Brewers 0.Brewers sixth. Christian Yelich doubles to deep left field. Keston Hiura flies out to center field to Harrison Bader. Ryan Braun flies out to right field to Dexter Fowler. Eric Thames singles to center field. Christian Yelich scores. Hernan Perez singles to left field. Eric Thames to second. Orlando Arcia singles to center field. Hernan Perez to second. Eric Thames scores. Ben Gamel pinch-hitting for Gio Gonzalez. Ben Gamel strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OLD FRIENDSPete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend.Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation. He got another... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:OLD FRIENDSPete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend.Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation from fans.... [More]

Reds fifth. Jose Iglesias singles to shallow right field. Tucker Barnhart hit by pitch. Jose Iglesias to second. Sonny Gray out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Michael Wacha to Kolten Wong. Tucker Barnhart to second. Jose Iglesias to third. Nick Senzel reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Tucker Barnhart to third. Jose Iglesias scores. Josh VanMeter reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Nick Senzel to second. Tucker Barnhart out at home. Eugenio Suarez singles to shallow center field. Josh VanMeter to third. Nick Senzel scores. Aristides Aquino is intentionally walked. Phillip Ervin flies out to deep right field to Dexter Fowler.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Reds 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals ninth. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul DeJong strikes out swinging. Yadier Molina grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Kyle Farmer. Marcell Ozuna to second. Kolten Wong doubles to shallow left field. Marcell Ozuna scores. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Ryan Helsley. Matt Wieters flies out to deep center field to Nick Senzel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 2, Cardinals 1.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit his 20th homer and knocked in the go-ahead run to help the Washington Nationals finish a three-game sweep of the last-place Miami Marlins with a 5-2 victory Thursday.Washington has won eight of nine and 13 of 16 to climb to a season-best four games over .500.Kurt Suzuki homered in the second inning to extend the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record for consecutive games with a home run to 18. Rendon hit a solo shot in the fourth off Elieser Hernández (1-3) and drove in Gerardo Parra with a single in the fifth.Washington right-hander Aníbal Sánchez (5-6) allowed one earned run and five hits in six innings. Fernando Rodney got three outs for his second save of the season.Miguel Rojas homered for Miami, and Starlin Castro had three hits.YANKEES 8, RAYS 4, 10 INNINGSST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — DJ LeMahieu hit a tiebreaking two-run single and Gary Sanchez had a long three-run homer in the 10th inning, and AL East-leading New York overcome a ninth-inning... [More]