HOUSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers homered off Justin Verlander, and the Boston Red Sox took advantage of two errors by the Houston Astros to avoid a series sweep with a 4-1 victory Sunday.Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3) held Houston to one run and four hits in six innings, improving to 5-1 in his last eight starts.The Astros lost for just the fifth time in 22 games and finished the regular season 4-2 against the Red Sox, who beat them 4-1 in the ALCS last season on the way to a World Series championship.Devers' solo shot in the fourth gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. It was Devers' seventh homer of the season and fourth in six games.Marcus Walden earned his second major league save and first this season.Verlander (8-2) permitted three runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six.ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman homered for the second consecutive day, Josh Phegley also went deep and had three RBIs, and the streaking Oakland Athletics won their ninth straight, beating Seattle... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers homered off Justin Verlander, and the Boston Red Sox took advantage of two errors by the Houston Astros to avoid a series sweep with a 4-1 victory Sunday.Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3) held Houston to one run and four hits in six innings, improving to 5-1 in his last eight starts.The Astros lost for just the fifth time in 22 games and finished the regular season 4-2 against the Red Sox, who beat them 4-1 in the ALCS last season on the way to a World Series championship.Devers' solo shot in the fourth gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. It was Devers' seventh homer of the season and fourth in six games.Marcus Walden earned his second major league save and first this season.Verlander (8-2) permitted three runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six.ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman homered for the second consecutive day, Josh Phegley also went deep and had three RBIs, and the streaking Oakland Athletics won their ninth straight, beating Seattle... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians could no longer wait for Carlos Gonzalez to help pull their struggling offense from a season-long funk.The veteran outfielder was designated for assignment prior to Wednesday's game against Oakland. Gonzalez, who signed a minor-league contract in spring training, batted .210 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 30 games.Manager Terry Francona praised Gonzalez's professionalism in the clubhouse, but stressed the decision came down to results."We weren't seeing the offense that we needed and he said that, too," Francona said. "Does it come with another 100 at-bats? We don't have a crystal ball and none of us is smart enough to know what the next 100 at-bats might bring."Gonzalez, 33, played the last 11 seasons for the Colorado Rockies. The Indians hoped his left-handed bat would help offset the loss of free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley. Gonzalez, who had several solid seasons with the Rockies, didn't produce for an offense that is near the bottom... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians designated Carlos Gonzalez for assignment after the veteran outfielder failed to produce for a team that has struggled offensively all season.Gonzalez, who signed a minor-league contract in spring training, batted .210 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 30 games. The left-handed hitter, 33, played the last 11 seasons for the Colorado Rockies.Manager Terry Francona said it was difficult to part ways with Gonzalez, but the Indians want to give more playing time to Jordan Luplow and Oscar Mercado, both right-handed hitters.Francona said catcher Roberto Perez, who left Tuesday's game after being struck on the mask with a foul tip, will not go on the concussion list. Perez underwent a series of tests and will be out for a couple of days.Catcher Eric Haase was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. The moves were made prior to Wednesday's game against Oakland.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cleveland Indians recalled prospect Oscar Mercado from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday and placed outfielder Tyler Naquin on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.The 24-year-old Mercado started in left field and batted sixth against the Chicago White Sox in his major league debut. He was hitting .294 with four homers, 15 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 30 games for the farm club.Naquin's stint on the IL was retroactive to May 11. Indians manager Terry Francona said Naquin returned to Cleveland for an MRI.The Indians acquired Mercado from St. Louis in a trade of minor leaguers last year.Mercado, who learned of his call-up on Monday while golfing, said his parents, siblings and cousins were in the stands at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday.