TORONTO (AP) — Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game and the New York Yankees outslugged rookie Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays 12-6 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best nine games.Playing in Toronto for the first time, Bichette became the first player in major league history to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 career games. Bichette is the first rookie to have an extra-base hit in nine straight games since Ted Williams in 1939, according to STATS.The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their last four games, including at least five in each win during a three-game sweep at Baltimore this week. Mike Tauchman also homered Thursday to give New York three connections.Domingo Germán (15-2) pitched five innings to win his sixth consecutive decision for New York.Both of Urshela's homers came off left-hander Thomas Pannone (2-5), who matched a career worst by... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by an 87.1 mph slider from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees' designated hitter, stayed in... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees' designated hitter, stayed in the game and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — For the New York Yankees, a doubleheader turned into twice as much of an opportunity for injuries.Edwin Encarnación became the Yankees' 25th player to go on the injured list this year, sustaining a hairline fracture in his right wrist when hit by a pitch from Boston reliever Josh Smith in the eighth inning of a 9-2 win over the Red Sox that opened Saturday's doubleheader.Center fielder Aaron Hicks hurt his right elbow in the sixth inning of the 6-4 victory in night game while making a throw to third base after Christian Vázquez's flyout, holding Sam Travis at second.Encarnación estimated he will miss three-to-five weeks. Hicks was to have an MRI on Sunday and wasn't sure whether to worry it was a significant injury, such as a ligament tear that would require surgery."Keep moving forward," right fielder Aaron Judge said. "A lot of guys are going to keep getting hurt, but guys are going to keep stepping up."Encarnación, the Yankees designated hitter, stayed in the game and... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Leake of the Seattle Mariners lost his bid to pitch a perfect game on a leadoff single in the ninth inning by rookie Luis Rengifo, then finished off the Los Angeles Angels for a 10-0 win Friday night.A week after the worst start of his career, Leake almost achieved baseball immortality.The Angels hadn't come close to a hit and Leake hadn't gone to a three-ball count before Rengifo grounded a clean hit to right field on Leake's 79th pitch.The fans gave Leake a standing ovation and he quickly waved to acknowledge their cheers.After a walk, Leake (8-8) retired the next three batters for a one-hitter, striking out Mike Trout on a full-count pitch to end it. Leake fanned six overall and walked one.Leake's second career shutout came exactly a week after he was tagged by the Angels in his previous start, giving up seven runs on eight hits and a walk while getting just two outs. The Angels pitched a combined no-hitter that night in Anaheim while the entire club wore jerseys... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Donaldson's bases-loaded single off Fernando Rodney in the ninth inning lifted the Atlanta Braves over the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Friday night after Luke Jackson allowed a tying, two-run homer to Victor Robles in the top half.Ronald Acuña Jr., who had three hits, led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk off Rodney (0-3) and took second on Dansby Swanson's single. Freddie Freeman walked on four pitches, loading the bases.Nationals manager Dave Martinez brought in left fielder Juan Soto as a fifth infielder, including three on the left side against the right-handed hitting Donaldson.Donaldson hit a 2-0 pitch over Robles to center-field warning track, and the Braves boosted their NL East lead to 6½ games over the second-place Nationals. Atlanta had lost its previous five home games against Washington.YANKEES 8, ROCKIES 2NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación hit a go-ahead grand slam, a trio of ex-Rockies beat up on their former team and New York defeated Colorado.Encarnación... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone got fired up at a rookie umpire in a profane rant, and New York awoke from a sleepy start to rally past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in a doubleheader opener Thursday.New York rallied to win the second game 5-1 and reopen an eight-game AL East lead over the second-place Rays. Luke Voit tied the score in the fifth with his first home run since June 14, and catcher Mike Zunino caused Charlie Morton to balk home the tiebreaking run in a four-run sixth that included Didi Gregorius' two-run single. The Yankees won three straight after wasting a ninth-inning lead in the series opener and improved to 34-11 against the AL East, including 12-5 against Tampa Bay.After Domingo Germán (12-2) gave up solo homers to his first two batters in the first game, Gio Urshela hit a tying home run in the second off Yonny Chirinos (9-5), and Gary Sánchez smashed a go-ahead 110 mph single off the glove of third baseman Yandy Díaz during a three-run fifth. Díaz had helped the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone got fired up at a rookie umpire in a profane rant, and New York awoke from a sleepy start to rally past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in a doubleheader opener Thursday.After Domingo Germán (12-2) gave up solo homers to his first two batters, Gio Urshela hit a tying home run in the second off Yonny Chirinos (9-5), and Gary Sánchez smashed a go-ahead 110 mph single off the glove of third baseman Yandy Díaz during a three-run fifth. Díaz had helped the Yankees come alive when he dropped Didi Gregorius' leadoff popup in the second for a two-base error.Boone fumed after rookie umpire Brennan Miller called Brett Gardner out on strikes in the second inning. Miller, umpiring behind the plate for the fifth time in the major leagues, had punched out Aaron Judge in the first. Gardner batted in the second after Urshela's tying, two-run homer and struck out on a 1-2 pitch.Gardner returned to the dugout, slammed his bat into the bat rack nine times, then eight times... [More]

LONDON (AP) — Boston Red Sox left-hander Brian Johnson was put on the 10-day injured list Saturday because of a medical matter not related to baseball.The team did not say what was wrong but the problem was discovered during routine testing by the medical staff. The 28-year-old left-hander is expected to pitch again this season."He's OK," manager Alex Cora said. "We do routine checks on guys and something popped up, so we have to take care of him. But he'll be fine. He'll be fine. He's actually working out in Fenway."Johnson is 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA in two starts and five relief appearances. The move to the injured list was retroactive to Thursday, a day after Johnson formed Cora of the issue after appearing as a pinch runner in the eighth inning of an 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox.Right-hander Hector Velázquez was activated from the 10-day injured list before Saturday's series opener against the New York Yankees at London's Olympic Stadium, Major League Baseball's first game in Europe.With... [More]

LONDON (AP) — Boston Red Sox left-hander Brian Johnson has been put on the 10-day injured list because of a medical matter not related to baseball.The team on Saturday did not say what was wrong but the problem was discovered during routine testing by the medical staff. The 28-year-old left-hander is expected to pitch again this season. The move to the injured list is retroactive to Thursday.Johnson is 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA in two starts and five relief appearances.Right-hander Hector Velázquez was activated from the 10-day injured list before Saturday's series opener against the New York Yankees at London's Olympic Stadium, Major League Baseball's first game in Europe.Both teams are allowed to have 26 players active. Boston added first baseman/outfielder Sam Travis and the Yankees added infielder Thairo Estrada.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have put World Series MVP Steve Pearce back on the 10-day injured list.Pearce is out with a low back strain. The Red Sox made the move Saturday, a day after he left a game against the New York Yankees.First baseman/outfielder Sam Travis was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.Pearce is hitting just .180 with one home run and nine RBIs in 29 games.The 36-year-old started the season on the injured list because of a calf strain. He has started at first base, designated hitter and in the outfield this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — David Price is set to be the No. 5 starter in the Boston Red Sox rotation, but the left-hander isn't ruling out a relief appearance during the season's opening weekend.Price pitched four innings Tuesday in Boston's final exhibition game, a 16-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs, then said he's interested in pitching an inning or two during a season-opening series at Seattle that begins Thursday.The 33-year-old Price was slowed this spring because of a norovirus, and Tuesday was his first game since March 12. Boston decided to slot Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello ahead of him in the rotation, with an eye on potentially getting Price some work during one of the first two regular season games."I don't know if he wants a tune-up, but we could do a cool thing in game one or two in Seattle just to get his feet wet," manager Alex Cora said."It's just another rep," Price said. "It's just getting out there in a real game, one that counts. You can kind of... [More]

With opening day just around the corner, the list of notable players who are going to be absent keeps growing.World Series MVP Steve Pearce will start the season on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. went down with a knee injury Monday night when he slipped on home plate.Earlier in the day, Baltimore put scheduled opening-day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list with a strained right groin.Pearce exited an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort in his left calf. The right-handed batter normally platoons with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first base, but the Red Sox will begin defense of their championship Thursday in Seattle without Pearce."We have to do it that way," manager Alex Cora said. "It makes sense for us, it makes sense for him. He should be back sooner rather than later but he won't be ready for Seattle, so why take a chance?"Sam Travis will likely make the team and take Pearce's spot on the opening-day... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Pearce will start the season on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox.The 2018 World Series MVP exited an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort in his left calf. Pearce, a right-handed batter, normally platoons with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first base. But the Red Sox will begin defense of their championship Thursday in Seattle without Pearce."We have to do it that way," manager Alex Cora said Monday night. "It makes sense for us, it makes sense for him. He should be back sooner rather than later but he won't be ready for Seattle, so why take a chance?"Sam Travis will likely make the team and take Pearce's spot on the opening-day roster."He's been swinging the bat, he plays first, he's a right-handed hitter," Cora said. "It seems like we're going to face a lot of lefties on the West Coast. Having a right-handed bat would help us out."Pearce was acquired from Toronto in a trade last June and batted a combined .284 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and an... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Pearce will begin the season on the injured list for the Boston Red Sox.The 2018 World Series MVP exited an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort in his left calf. First baseman Sam Travis will likely make the team and take Pearce's spot on the roster.Pearce, a right-handed batter, normally platoons with lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland at first.The Red Sox begin defense of their championship Thursday in Seattle against the Mariners.Pearce was acquired from Toronto in a trade last June and batted a combined .284 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and an .890 OPS in 76 games with the Blue Jays and Red Sox last season. He was 4 for 12 (.333) with three homers, eight RBIs and a 1.167 OPS in the World Series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Pearce became a free agent and re-signed with Boston for one year and $6.25 million.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Pearce's status for opening day with the Boston Red Sox remains uncertain because of a left calf injury.The 2018 World Series MVP left an exhibition game last weekend due to discomfort. Boston manager Alex Cora said Pearce has had plenty of at-bats in minor league games, so he's feeling good as far as his swing is concerned."It's just a matter of how he feels moving around," Cora explained Monday. "We're not going to push him. We have to be smart about this. Just to push him out there because it's opening day makes no sense for what we're trying to accomplish."The defending champions begin the season Thursday in Seattle against the Mariners. If the Red Sox place Pearce on the injured list, Sam Travis could start at first base."He's been swinging the bat, he plays first, he's a right-handed hitter," Cora said. "It seems like we're going to face a lot of lefties on the West Coast. Having a right-handed bat would help us out."Pearce, also a right-handed hitter, normally... [More]