NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third straight night, Jordan Montgomery cut up one of the league’s hottest lineups in his 2020 debut and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 on Friday night in their first home game of the coronavirus-shortened season.Judge took aim at Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch in the third, a half-inning after starting a double play from right. Gio Urshela and Brett Gardner hit their first home runs of the season, Chad Green pitched two perfect innings in relief, and Adam Ottavino and Jonathan Holder closed up shop as New York improved to 5-1.Michael Chavis homered for Boston and Phillips Valdez impressed over 2 2/3 scoreless innings, but the club couldn’t overcome another poor start by Ryan Weber (0-2).There was also a moment of silence for late Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, who died in April. New York is wearing uniform patches with his initials this season.Montgomery (1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, limiting the Red Sox to a run,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third straight night, Jordan Montgomery cut up one of the league’s hottest lineups in his 2020 debut and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 on Friday night in their first home game of the coronavirus-shortened season.Judge took aim at Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch in the third, a half-inning after starting a double play from right. Gio Urshela and Brett Gardner hit their first home runs of the season, Chad Green pitched two perfect innings in relief, and Adam Ottavino and Jonathan Holder closed up shop as New York improved to 5-1.Michael Chavis homered for Boston and Phillips Valdez impressed over 2 2/3 scoreless innings, but the club couldn’t overcome another poor start by Ryan Weber (0-2).There was also a moment of silence for late Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner, who died in April. New York is wearing uniform patches with his initials this season.Montgomery (1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, limiting the Red Sox to a run,... [More]

Cubs third. Ian Happ strikes out swinging. Kris Bryant walks. Anthony Rizzo hit by pitch. Kris Bryant to second. Javier Baez singles to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Anthony Rizzo to third. Kris Bryant scores. Throwing error by Trevor Williams. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Pirates 0.Cubs fourth. Jason Heyward grounds out to second base, Adam Frazier to Josh Bell. Victor Caratini flies out to right field to Cole Tucker. Jason Kipnis homers to right field. Ian Happ grounds out to shallow right field, Josh Bell to Trevor Williams.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Pirates 0.Cubs fifth. Kris Bryant walks. Anthony Rizzo walks. Kris Bryant to second. Javier Baez flies out to deep right field to Cole Tucker. Kyle Schwarber walks. Willson Contreras walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Jason Heyward singles to right field. Willson Contreras to third. Kyle Schwarber scores. Kris... [More]

Cubs third. Jason Kipnis triples to deep center field. Nico Hoerner singles to right field. Jason Kipnis scores. Anthony Rizzo strikes out swinging. Victor Caratini singles to center field. Nico Hoerner to second. Javier Baez strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber flies out to shallow center field to Aristides Aquino.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Reds 0.Cubs fourth. Ian Happ flies out to deep center field to Shogo Akiyama. Jason Heyward singles to center field. David Bote singles to center field. Jason Heyward to third. Jason Kipnis singles to shallow center field. David Bote to second. Jason Heyward scores. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shallow infield. Jason Kipnis out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Reds 0.Reds fourth. Joey Votto grounds out to first base, Anthony Rizzo to Alec Mills. Eugenio Suarez pops out to Anthony Rizzo. Jesse Winker walks. Nick Castellanos homers to right field. Jesse Winker scores. Josh VanMeter grounds out to shallow infield, Alec... [More]

Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber doubles to right field. Willson Contreras strikes out on a foul tip. Jason Heyward grounds out to shallow right field, Keston Hiura to Justin Smoak. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner doubles to shallow left field. Victor Caratini called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Cubs fourth. Kyle Schwarber walks. Willson Contreras doubles to deep right center field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Jason Heyward walks. Nico Hoerner singles to shallow infield. Jason Heyward to second. Willson Contreras scores. Victor Caratini singles to right field. Nico Hoerner to third. Jason Heyward scores. Ian Happ singles to center field. Victor Caratini to second. Nico Hoerner scores. Kris Bryant strikes out on a foul tip. Anthony Rizzo strikes out swinging. Javier Baez walks. Ian Happ to second. Victor Caratini to third. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cubs 5, Brewers 0.Brewers fifth. Logan Morrison grounds out... [More]

Cubs first. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo walks. Javier Baez hit by pitch. Anthony Rizzo to second. Kyle Schwarber called out on strikes. Willson Contreras singles to left field. Javier Baez to third. Anthony Rizzo scores. Jason Heyward grounds out to shallow infield to Justin Smoak.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Lorenzo Cain doubles to deep left field. Ben Gamel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Orlando Arcia pops out to shallow center field to Jason Kipnis. Eric Sogard singles to center field. Ben Gamel to second. Lorenzo Cain scores. Christian Yelich grounds out to shallow infield, Jason Kipnis to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 1, Cubs 1.Brewers fourth. Omar Narvaez hit by pitch. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Omar Narvaez to second. Ben Gamel triples to deep right center field. Lorenzo Cain scores. Omar Narvaez scores. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shallow... [More]

June 161916 — Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Pirates.1938 — Jimmie Foxx didn’t get a chance to hit when the St. Louis Browns walked him six straight times. The Boston Red Sox won anyway, 12-8.1953 — The St. Louis Browns beat New York 3-1 to break the Yankees’ 18-game winning streak and end their 14-game losing streak.1957 — Relief pitcher Dixie Howell hit two home runs in the 3 2-3 innings he pitched to lead the Chicago White Sox to an 8-6 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.1971 — The Oakland Athletics hit five solo home runs in a 5-1 win over the Washington Senators. Mike Epstein and Joe Rudi had a pair homers and Dave Duncan one. Epstein’s home runes came in his first two at-bats to give him homers in four straight at-bats over two games.1978 — After three ninth-inning near misses, Tom Seaver threw the first no-hitter of his 12-year career, sending the Cincinnati Reds past the St. Louis Cardinals... [More]

June 131905 — Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants pitched his second no-hit game, beating the Chicago Cubs and Mordecai Brown 1-0. Mathewson and Brown matched no-hitters for eight innings. The Giants got two hits in the ninth for the win.1912 — Christy Mathewson recorded his 300th career victory with a 3-2 triumph over the Chicago Cubs.1921 — Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees pitched the first five innings and hit two home runs in an 11-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers.1937 — New York’s Joe DiMaggio hit three consecutive home runs to give the Yankees an 8-8, 11-inning tie against the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader.1947 — In the first night game played at Fenway Park, the Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3.1948 — Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium drew 49,641 fans who saw Ruth’s No. 3 retired and the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 5-3.1957 — Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox hit three home runs and drove in five runs in a 9-3 victory over the Cleveland... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Ed Howard lost his senior season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Prom was canceled. Same for graduation at Mount Carmel High School on Chicago’s South Side.Through it all, the 18-year-old Howard kept working. And he got rewarded Wednesday night.The athletic shortstop was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the No. 16 pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft, becoming the first Illinois high school position player to go in the first round since Jayson Werth in 1997.“It's very exciting, not only to get selected in the MLB draft, but to be staying home, going with a hometown team,” Howard said. “So it's a surreal moment.”The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Howard was perhaps the best shortstop prospect in the draft. He hit .421 (48 for 114) with three homers in 35 games during his junior year with Mount Carmel.Howard also started for the 2014 Jackie Robinson West Little League team that advanced to the finals of the Little League World Series.“As far as what stands out to us on... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Kyle Schwarber was among the position players who reported early to spring training after the Chicago Cubs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014."It's a tone setter for the season. I have no doubts that everyone is going to come in here hungry ready to go," Schwarber said Wednesday when pitchers and catchers held their first formal workout. "We have to do things better, and I don't think it's a secret we have to do things better."Chicago won its first World Series title in 108 years in 2016, lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 NL Championship Series and lost to Colorado in the 2018 NL wild-card game. he Cubs faded to an 84-78 record and third-place finish in the NL Central.Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward also were among the early arrivals ahead of Monday's first full-squad workout."I would say there's a new-found experience for the group as far as getting a taste of what it's like to not get what you want to get as far as not getting into October,"... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Theo Epstein understands the fans' frustration. He feels it, too, at times.The Chicago Cubs went from 95 wins in 2018 to 84 last year, finished third in the NL Central behind St. Louis and Milwaukee and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. But when it comes to big moves this offseason, well, they have a new manager. Otherwise, they've been keeping the bat on their shoulder.“I understand the frustration,” said Epstein, the Cubs' president of baseball operations. “There’s a lot of days I’m frustrated, too, where you look out and there’s a great fit on a player who you know you can recruit and might sign a reasonable deal that he’s worth. And you can’t get that player. And that’s frustrating. But that’s the reality.”So is this:Fans who expected multiple World Series championships from the core group that helped win it all in 2016 and brought home the Cubs' first title since 1908 are restless. The trade rumors involving stars such as third baseman Kris Bryant, and... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs have exercised a $16.5 million option for next season on first baseman Anthony Rizzo and declined options on right-handers Brandon Morrow, Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman.Rizzo, who won his third Gold Glove on Sunday, agreed in 2013 to a $41 million, seven-year contract that included two club options. He would have received a $2 million buyout if the option had been declined.Chicago's option for 2021 also is for $16.5 million with a $2 million buyout. If that is exercised, the deal would be worth $72 million over nine seasons.Morrow's option was for $12 million, and he will receive a $3 million buyout. Barnett and Graveman both had options for $3 million.Rizzo hit .293 with 27 homers and 94 RBIs this year, ending a streak of four 100-RBI seasons. He finished among the top four in NL MVP voting in 2015 and 2016.On Saturday, the Cubs exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on left-hander José Quintana and declined their $6.5 million option on lefty Derek Holland,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Jason Heyward are staying with the Chicago Cubs, who exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on left-hander José Quintana on Saturday and declined their $6.5 million option on lefty Derek Holland, which triggered a $500,000 buyout.Darvish and Heyward both had the right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents, but decided against it.Darvish is owed $81 million over the final four seasons of a $126 million, six-year deal, and Heyward is due $86 million in the next four seasons of a $184 million, eight-year contract.A 33-year-old right-hander, Darvish was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts this year after his first season with the Cubs was limited by a stress reaction in his right elbow and a triceps strain. He was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 2018.Darvish is 63-53 in seven major league seasons with Texas (2012-17), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) and the Cubs. His contract calls for $22 million in each of the next two seasons,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Starting pitcher Yu Darvish and outfielder Jason Heyward are staying with the Chicago Cubs, who exercised their $11.5 million option for 2020 on left-hander José Quintana on Saturday and declined their $6.5 million option on lefty Derek Holland, which triggered a $500,000 buyout.Darvish and Heyward both had the right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents, but decided against it.Darvish is owed $81 million over the final four seasons of a $126 million, six-year deal, and Heyward is due $86 million in the next four seasons of a $184 million, eight-year contract.A 33-year-old right-hander, Darvish was 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA in 31 starts this year after his first season with the Cubs was limited by a stress reaction in his right elbow and a triceps strain. He was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in 2018.Darvish is 63-53 in seven major league seasons with Texas (2012-17), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017) and the Cubs. His contract calls for $22 million in each of the next two seasons,... [More]

Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber lines out to right field to Jake Elmore. Willson Contreras triples to deep left center field. Ian Happ singles to right field. Willson Contreras scores. Jason Heyward strikes out swinging. Nico Hoerner reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Ian Happ out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Pirates 0.Pirates fourth. Adam Frazier singles to center field. Jose Osuna reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Adam Frazier out at second. Pablo Reyes strikes out swinging. Erik Gonzalez doubles to deep left field, advances to 3rd. Jose Osuna scores. Jake Elmore singles to left field. Erik Gonzalez scores. Steve Baron singles to center field. Jake Elmore to third. Dario Agrazal strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 2, Cubs 1.Cubs seventh. Ian Happ homers to center field. Jason Heyward reaches on error. Fielding error by Erik Gonzalez. Nico Hoerner reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Jason Heyward out at second.... [More]

Cubs fourth. Ian Happ singles to right center field. Jason Heyward reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow right field. Ian Happ out at second. Nico Hoerner doubles to deep right center field. Jason Heyward scores. Kyle Hendricks strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Pirates 0.Pirates seventh. Adam Frazier doubles to center field. Jose Osuna singles to shallow center field. Adam Frazier to third. Colin Moran singles to left field. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Jacob Stallings singles to right center field. Colin Moran to second. Jose Osuna to third. Kevin Kramer doubles to deep right field. Jacob Stallings to third. Colin Moran scores. Jose Osuna scores. Erik Gonzalez reaches on error. Kevin Kramer scores. Jacob Stallings scores. Fielding error by Ben Zobrist. Pablo Reyes pinch-hitting for Francisco Liriano. Pablo Reyes singles to right field. Erik Gonzalez to second. Kevin Newman reaches on... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler called out on strikes. Tommy Edman triples to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep right center field. Kris Bryant walks. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Kris Bryant scores. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to deep right center field to Dexter Fowler.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson singles to center field. Dexter Fowler singles to... [More]

Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep right center field. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Schwarber to third. David Bote reaches on error. Kyle Schwarber scores. Fielding error by Tommy Edman. Jason Heyward singles to right field. David Bote to third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop. Jason Heyward out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals sixth. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Matt Carpenter walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Matt Carpenter to second. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong pops out to shallow infield to Ian Happ. Harrison Bader flies out to right center field to Nicholas Castellanos. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Ryan Helsley. Matt Wieters reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yadier Molina out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 2, Cubs 1.

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Cubs first. Ben Zobrist singles to right field. Nicholas Castellanos strikes out swinging. Kris Bryant singles to left field. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber homers to center field. Kris Bryant scores. Ben Zobrist scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Jose Peraza to Josh VanMeter. Victor Caratini flies out to left field to Phillip Ervin.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 3, Reds 0.Reds third. Christian Colon pinch-hitting for Kevin Gausman. Christian Colon hit by pitch. Alex Blandino singles to shallow center field. Christian Colon to second. Phillip Ervin strikes out swinging. Eugenio Suarez walks. Alex Blandino to second. Christian Colon to third. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging. Curt Casali walks. Eugenio Suarez to second. Alex Blandino to third. Christian Colon scores. Michael Lorenzen strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cubs 3, Reds 1.Reds fourth. Jose Peraza doubles to left field. Derek Dietrich pinch-hitting for Josh VanMeter.... [More]