WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals star Bryce Harper has been pulled from a game after being hit by a pitch in the right knee.Harper was struck in the sixth inning of Washington's doubleheader nightcap against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night and was replaced defensively in the top of the seventh.Reds reliever Austin Brice hit the All-Star outfielder with a curveball. Harper struggled initially to put weight on the leg, but eventually made his way to first base. He later took second on a wild pitch and came out to play right field in the seventh.Mason Williams opened the seventh for Cincinnati with a double into the right-center gap. Harper chased after the ball but was clearly limited. He was then replaced by Adam Eaton.Harper had two hits in the first game, extending his streak of four consecutive games with at least two hits, before going 0 for 3 in the nightcap. He is 8 for 17 (.470) with one home run and five RBIs during that five-game stretch.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

BOSTON (AP) — Steve Pearce homered three times, the second a three-run drive in an eight-run fourth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied from an early deficit to beat the New York Yankees 15-7 on Thursday night and take a season-high 6½-game lead in the AL East.In the opener of a four-game series that gave New York the potential to erase most of its division deficit, the Red Sox instead opened a bigger gap, taking advantage of manager Aaron Boone's decision to pull starter CC Sabathia after three innings with a 4-2 lead. Jonathan Holder (1-2) faced seven batters and did not record an out.Mookie Betts had four hits and two walks, reaching safely all six times he came to the plate. Pearce, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Andrew Benintendi had three hits apiece for Boston.Didi Grigorius homered twice, Aaron Hicks hit one and Giancarlo Stanton got his 25th of the season for the Yankees, who have lost just twice in the past week but dropped two games in the division.Brian Johnson (2-3), making... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Steve Pearce homered three times, the second a three-run drive in an eight-run fourth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied from an early deficit to beat the New York Yankees 15-7 on Thursday night and take a season-high 6½-game lead in the AL East.In the opener of a four-game series that gave New York the potential to erase most of its division deficit, the Red Sox instead opened a bigger gap, taking advantage of manager Aaron Boone's decision to pull starter CC Sabathia after three innings with a 4-2 lead. Jonathan Holder (1-2) faced seven batters and did not record an out.Mookie Betts had four hits and two walks, reaching safely all six times he came to the plate. Pearce, J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Andrew Benintendi had three hits apiece for Boston.Didi Grigorius homered twice, Aaron Hicks hit one and Giancarlo Stanton got his 25th of the season for the Yankees, who have lost just twice in the past week but dropped two games in the division.Brian Johnson (2-3), making... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:MORE THAN A RENTALChris Archer makes his first start for the Pirates in what the team hopes could be the beginning of a long and productive stint in Pittsburgh. The Pirates acquired Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline. Pittsburgh also got closer Keone Kela from the Texas Rangers and drew praise around baseball for acquiring players who will remain under team control for years. Archer has options in his contract that could keep him in Pittsburgh through 2021. Kela won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season.The 29-year-old Archer, a former All-Star, hopes to help the Pirates earn a playoff spot. He made the postseason once in seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. Pittsburgh got back into contention with an 11-game winning streak last month.EMPTY HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGETropicana Field is known as a tough place to play — not necessarily because of the Tampa Bay Rays, but because of the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:MORE THAN A RENTALChris Archer makes his first start for the Pirates in what the team hopes could be the beginning of a long and productive stint in Pittsburgh. The Pirates acquired Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline. Pittsburgh also got closer Keone Kela from the Texas Rangers and drew praise around baseball for acquiring players who will remain under team control for years. Archer has options in his contract that could keep him in Pittsburgh through 2021. Kela won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season.The 29-year-old Archer, a former All-Star, hopes to help the Pirates earn a playoff spot. He made the postseason once in seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. Pittsburgh got back into contention with an 11-game winning streak last month.EMPTY HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGETropicana Field is known as a tough place to play — not necessarily because of the Tampa Bay Rays, but because of the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Gray was chased in the third inning by the team with worst record in the majors, big league-loss leader Alex Cobb ended a nine-start winless streak and the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-5 on Wednesday.Despite what appeared to be a midgame lecture in the dugout by third base coach Phil Nevin during a rain delay, New York (68-38) dropped 5 1/2 games behind Boston (75-34) heading into a four-game series at Fenway Park starting Thursday.Gray (8-8) allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.56. He was booed as he walked off the mound and was replaced by Lance Lynn.Cobb (3-14) had been 0-7 since winning at the New York Mets on June 5, losing his last five outings. He breezed against the Yankees with an early 7-1 lead, allowing one run and seven hits in six innings and stopping Baltimore's streak of 11 consecutive road losses.Gleyber Torres homered twice for New York, a solo drive in the second and a three-run shot... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Gray was chased in the third inning by the team with worst record in the majors, big league-loss leader Alex Cobb ended a nine-start winless streak and the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-5 on Wednesday.Despite what appeared to be a midgame lecture in the dugout by third base coach Phil Nevin during a rain delay, New York (68-38) dropped 5 1/2 games behind Boston (75-34) heading into a four-game series at Fenway Park starting Thursday.Gray (8-8) allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.56. He was booed as he walked off the mound and was replaced by Lance Lynn.Cobb (3-14) had been 0-7 since winning at the New York Mets on June 5, losing his last five outings. He breezed against the Yankees with an early 7-1 lead, allowing one run and seven hits in six innings and stopping Baltimore's streak of 11 consecutive road losses.Gleyber Torres homered twice for New York, a solo drive in the second and a three-run shot... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Sonny Gray was chased in the third inning by the team with worst record in the majors, big league-loss leader Alex Cobb ended a nine-start winless streak and the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Yankees 7-5 on Wednesday.Despite what appeared to be a midgame lecture in the dugout by third base coach Phil Nevin during a rain delay, New York (68-38) dropped 5 1/2 games behind Boston (75-34) heading into a four-game series at Fenway Park starting Thursday.Gray (8-8) allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.56. He was booed as he walked off the mound and was replaced by Lance Lynn.Cobb (3-14) had been 0-7 since winning at the New York Mets on June 5, losing his last five outings. He breezed against the Yankees with an early 7-1 lead, allowing one run and seven hits in six innings and stopping Baltimore's streak of 11 consecutive road losses.Gleyber Torres homered twice for New York, a solo drive in the second and a three-run shot... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper is still a member of the Washington Nationals, with the two-time defending NL East champions hoping he can lead them on another playoff run after a season-long funk.Washington opted not to trade Harper, who'll be a free agent after the season, after listening to offers for him. The Nationals didn't do much else, either, before Tuesday's trade deadline, shipping out a relief pitcher but otherwise standing pat as the two teams ahead of them in the division — Atlanta and Philadelphia — made moves to upgrade their rosters.General manager Mike Rizzo said he had discussions with other teams about a litany of players and Harper was one of them, with several teams having more than a passing interest. He said the team did its due diligence on Harper and five or six other players, but there wasn't a deal that made sense."It would have to be a spectacular set of circumstances for us to move a player of Bryce Harper's ability level, and we didn't get anything that met... [More]

For Brian Dozier, getting traded meant a dash to the airport and a long trip to Dodger Stadium. For Jake Diekman, it was a lot easier — he simply rode the bullpen cart from one clubhouse to the other at Chase Field.Chris Archer, Jonathan Schoop and a bunch of relievers moved on deadline day, a flurry of 15 swaps Tuesday before time ran out to make deals without waivers.The trade market kept spinning at a dizzying pace. Every team except San Francisco made at least one deal since the All-Star Game, with Tampa Bay swinging seven.Archer, a two-time All-Star, hugged teammates at Tropicana Field before heading to Pittsburgh. He is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts this season, and joins a Pirates club that has pushed back into the playoff race even after trading away Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen in the offseason."They're super-hot right now, and they want me," Archer said. "I'm excited to be part of the organization that wants me, part of a rich baseball history, a hard-working community.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nothing splashy, just sensible.The Cleveland Indians stabilized their shaky outfield without making a blockbuster trade.Riddled by injuries to outfielders all season, Cleveland acquired center fielder Leonys Martin from the Detroit Tigers before Tuesday's deadline for 21-year-old infield prospect Willi Castro.The AL Central-leading Indians also received right-hander Kyle Dowdy.Although they had been linked to talks involving more high-profile outfielders like superstar Bryce Harper, Adam Jones and others, the Indians opted to make a deal that wouldn't be too damaging to their future. Manager Terry Francona had high praise for his front office."They did a really good job. It's not easy," Francona said. "We have some parameters which we know are in place. We're not going to be the Dodgers or the Red Sox. But we don't want that to get in the way of us winning, and I think they've done an unbelievable job of making us better."The 30-year-old Martin is a steady hitter and strong... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper is still a Washington National, with the two-time defending NL East champions hoping he can lead them on another playoff run after a season-long funk.Washington opted not to trade Harper, who'll be a free agent after the season, after listening to offers for him. The Nationals didn't do much else, either, before Tuesday's trade deadline, shipping out a relief pitcher but otherwise standing pat as the two teams ahead of them in the division — Atlanta and Philadelphia — made moves to upgrade their rosters.General manager Mike Rizzo said he had discussions with other teams about a litany of players and Harper was one of them, with several teams having more than a passing interest. He said the team did its due diligence on Harper and five or six other players, but there wasn't a deal that made sense."It would have to be a spectacular set of circumstances for us to move a player of Bryce Harper's ability level, and we didn't get anything that met those qualifications,"... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have traded reliever Brandon Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs, exactly a year after the right-hander moved in another deadline deal.The NL Central-leading Cubs sent minor league pitcher Jhon Romero in the trade announced less than an hour before Tuesday's non-waiver deadline.Kintzler, who turns 34 on Wednesday, is 1-2 with two saves and a 3.59 ERA in 45 games this season. He had been especially tough in 14 games since coming back from the disabled list from a strained forearm."Pretty shocked but get to go to a great situation right now," Kintzler said. "I've already talked to them, they're excited. You want to feel wanted wherever you go so they're in a great situation, a great team, obviously we played against them last year. They're tough."Kintzler was an All-Star closer last year with Minnesota, then was traded on July 31 to Washington. The Nationals built up the back end of their bullpen in a postseason push, but were beaten by the Cubs in the... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):5:15 p.m.The Arizona Diamondbacks have bolstered their bullpen for the second time at the trade deadline, acquiring left-hander Jake Diekman from the Texas Rangers for right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang and a player to be named.The deal comes after the Diamondbacks picked up right-hander Brad Ziegler in a trade with the Miami Marlins.The 31-year-old Diekman was 1-1 with two saves and a 3.69 ERA in 47 appearances with the Rangers this season. He is 4-4 with a 3.57 ERA in seven big league seasons with Philadelphia and Texas.The 24-year-old Huang was a combined 6-2 with a 2.31 ERA in 29 games with Class A Visalia and Double-A Jackson this season.Arizona also designed left-hander Jorge De La Rosa for assignment.___5 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-hander John Axford from Toronto in exchange for minor league pitcher Corey Cropping.Axford is 4-1 with... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nothing splashy, just sensible.The Cleveland Indians stabilized their shaky outfield without making a blockbuster trade.Riddled by injuries to outfielders all season, Cleveland acquired center fielder Leonys Martin from the Detroit Tigers before Tuesday's deadline for 21-year-old infield prospect Willi Castro.The AL Central-leading Indians also will receive right-hander Kyle Dowdy.Although they had been linked to talks involving more high-profile outfielders like superstar Bryce Harper, Adam Jones and others, the Indians opted to make a deal that wouldn't be too damaging to their future.The 30-year-old Martin is a steady hitter and strong fielder who will take away runs for Cleveland's pitching staff. He leads the league with nine assists.He also gives manager Terry Francona another option in center field with Bradley Zimmer done for the season following shoulder surgery and Tyler Naquin on the disabled list with a hip injury."It's been a position that's been a little bit... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):5 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-hander John Axford from Toronto in exchange for minor league pitcher Corey Cropping.Axford is 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA in 45 games for the Blue Jays this season. He's held hitters to a .234 average.Axford has been particularly strong against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .147 average.During Axford's 10-year big league career, he's also pitched with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Colorado and Oakland.Cropping is 4-0 with three saves and a 2.52 ERA in 35 combined games with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa this season.___4:40 p.m.The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired second baseman Jonathan Schoop in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.The playoff-hopeful Brewers sent second baseman Jonathan Villar, along with two prospects to Baltimore.Schoop is the second infielder to be acquired... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):4:25 p.m.The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-handers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for four prospects.The 27-year-old Gausman is 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA in 21 games started for Baltimore. He is under team control through 2020.The Orioles acquired Triple-A Gwinnett right-hander Evan Phillips, Class A Rome infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion and two Double-A Mississippi prospects — catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmerman. Baltimore also received international signing bonus slot money.This is the second deal between the teams in three days. Atlanta boosted its bullpen by acquiring right-hander Brad Brach from Baltimore for an international signing slot on Sunday.Gausman will provide another veteran arm in a Braves rotation that has lost rookie Mike Soroka and right-hander Brandon McCarthy to injuries. O'Day is on the 60-day disabled... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):4 p.m.Miami Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin has been traded to the Seattle Mariners for minor league infielder Bryson Brigman and international slot money.Maybin is batting .251 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 99 games this season, but he's batting .329 with a .912 OPS since June 29. The Mariners are the seventh team for the 12-year veteran, who has a $3.25 million, one-year contract.Brigman is batting .304 this year for Class A Modesto.___3:40 p.m.The NL East-leading Phillies have acquired All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash.Ramos is batting .297 with 14 homers and 53 RBIs but is currently on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain. He'll upgrade an offense that has struggled during a four-game losing streak. Jorge Alfaro has been Philadelphia's starting catcher with Andrew Knapp also seeing plenty of action.___1:50... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):1:50 p.m.Right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who bolstered their bullpen for the pennant race and gave up Double-A reliever Tommy Eveld to the Miami Marlins.Ziegler, 38, is 1-5 with a 3.98 ERA this season. His ERA was 7.88 on June 1, but since then he has allowed two runs in 28 innings.He's in the final year of a $16 million, two-year contract, which made the cost-conscious Marlins willing to trade him since they're in last place in the NL East. Arizona is battling the Dodgers and Rockies for the NL West lead.The right-handed Eveld, 24, has a 1.11 ERA in 35 games in the minor leagues this season. He's a native of the Miami area.Ziegler had 30 saves for the Diamondbacks in 2015. The following year, he was traded to Boston before signing with the Marlins.___1:05 p.m.Badly needing outfield help, the Cleveland Indians have acquired center fielder... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):1:50 p.m.Right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who bolstered their bullpen for the pennant race and gave up Double-A reliever Tommy Eveld to the Florida Marlins.Ziegler, 38, is 1-5 with a 3.98 ERA this season. His ERA was 7.88 on June 1, but since then he has allowed two runs in 28 innings.He's in the final year of a $16 million, two-year contract, which made the cost-conscious Marlins willing to trade him since they're in last place in the NL East. Arizona is battling the Dodgers and Rockies for the NL West lead.The right-handed Eveld, 24, has a 1.11 ERA in 35 games in the minor leagues this season. He's a native of the Miami area.Ziegler had 30 saves for the Diamondbacks in 2015. The following year, he was traded to Boston before signing with the Marlins.___1:05 p.m.Badly needing outfield help, the Cleveland Indians have acquired center... [More]