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]

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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Last time the Houston Astros went to Cleveland, they made a boozy, bubbly mess in the visiting locker room.Now they're invading the home clubhouse, too.Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and four of their Astros teammates will lead the American League squad at the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9. Major League Baseball unveiled full rosters for the midsummer showcase Sunday, and Houston topped all big league clubs with six players. No other AL team has more than three."Impressive," Verlander said. "I mean, I think we could have a lot more."Alex Bregman, George Springer and Michael Brantley will be in the starting lineup, and Verlander, Cole and Ryan Pressly are on the pitching staff. It will be the first trip to Cleveland for those Astros since Game 3 of last year's AL Division Series, when Houston won 11-3 to complete a sweep.The Dodgers, Brewers and Rockies lead the NL with four players each. The Los Angeles contingent includes Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Last time the Houston Astros went to Cleveland, they made a boozy, bubbly mess in the visiting locker room.Now they're invading the home clubhouse, too.Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and four of their Astros teammates will lead the American League squad at the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9. Major League Baseball unveiled full rosters for the midsummer showcase Sunday, and Houston topped all big league clubs with six players. No other AL club has more than three.Alex Bregman, George Springer and Michael Brantley will be in the starting lineup, and Verlander, Cole and Ryan Pressly are on the pitching staff. It will be the first trip to Cleveland for those Astros since Game 3 of last year's AL Division Series, when Houston won 11-3 to complete a sweep.The Dodgers, Brewers and Rockies lead the NL with four players each. The Los Angeles contingent includes Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Walker Buehler — plenty of familiar faces for manager Dave Roberts.Milwaukee... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and four of their Houston Astros teammates will lead the American League squad at the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9.Major League Baseball unveiled full rosters for the midsummer showcase Sunday, and the Astros top all big league clubs with six players. No other AL club has more than three.Alex Bregman, George Springer and Michael Brantley will be in the starting lineup for the AL, and Verlander, Cole and Ryan Pressly are on the pitching staff. It will be the first trip to Cleveland for those Astros since Game 3 of last year's AL Division Series, when Houston won 11-3 to complete a sweep.The Dodgers, Brewers and Rockies lead the NL with four players each. The Los Angeles contingent includes Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Walker Buehler — plenty of familiar faces for manager Dave Roberts.Milwaukee will be represented by Christian Yelich, Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal and Josh Hader. It's the second appearance for Hader,... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is that every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers pilots... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ON A ROLLAustin Meadows and the Rays have won six games in a row heading into another matchup with major league-leading Minnesota. Meadows drove in four runs Thursday night in a 14-3 rout of the Twins. The young outfielder has multiple hits in five consecutive games, not to mention three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs during Tampa Bay's longest winning streak since taking eight straight in August last year. Minnesota right-hander Jose Berrios (7-2, 3.20 ERA) attempts to slow the Rays after allowing 13 runs (11 earned) and 29 hits over his last three outings.ARCH ENEMIESThe Cubs and Cardinals renew their rivalry in St. Louis, with Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.40 ERA) set to pitch the series opener for first-place Chicago against 2018 All-Star Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.76). Darvish gave up 12 hits and six runs in a season-high seven innings of an 8-6 win against Cincinnati last time out. Mikolas is 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA in six career appearances, four... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:ON A ROLLAustin Meadows and the Rays have won six games in a row heading into another matchup with major league-leading Minnesota. Meadows drove in four runs Thursday night in a 14-3 rout of the Twins. The young outfielder has multiple hits in five consecutive games, not to mention three doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs during Tampa Bay's longest winning streak since taking eight straight in August last year. Minnesota right-hander Jose Berrios (7-2, 3.20 ERA) attempts to slow the Rays after allowing 13 runs (11 earned) and 29 hits over his last three outings.ARCH ENEMIESThe Cubs and Cardinals renew their rivalry in St. Louis, with Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.40 ERA) set to pitch the series opener for first-place Chicago against 2018 All-Star Miles Mikolas (4-5, 4.76). Darvish gave up 12 hits and six runs in a season-high seven innings of an 8-6 win against Cincinnati last time out. Mikolas is 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA in six career appearances, four... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Cubs reliever Steve Cishek, rallying the Cincinnati Reds past Chicago 6-5 on Friday.Joey Votto drew a leadoff walk from Cishek (1-2) and Suárez hit the next pitch for his 14th home run.Yasiel Puig hit a two-run homer and an RBI single for the Reds after missing two games with a sprained right shoulder.Anthony Rizzo homered for the third straight game, and Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant also went deep for the NL Central-leading Cubs, who have lost three of four to the last-place Reds this season.Pinch-hitter Willson Contreras singled home Rizzo in the eighth to put Chicago ahead 5-4. Jesse Winker's double off Brad Brach in the Reds seventh tied it at 4.David Hernandez (1-2) got one out and the win. Raisel Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th in 13 chances.PADRES 6, BLUE JAYS 3TORONTO (AP) — Hunter Renfroe hit a tiebreaking, three-run home run in the eighth inning, Greg Garcia and Austin Hedges also went deep,... [More]

May 261916 — Benny Kauff of the Giants was picked off first base three times by Boston's Lefty Tyler. The miscues didn't hurt as New York won its 14th consecutive road victory beating the Braves, 12-1.1925 — In Detroit's 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, Ty Cobb became the first to collect 1,000 career extra-base hits. He finished his career with 1,139.1929 — Pinch-hitters Pat Crawford of the Giants and Les Bell of the Boston Braves hit grand slams in New York's 15-9 victory.1930 — Joe Sewell of the Cleveland Indians, who fanned only three times in 353 at-bats during the season, was struck out twice in the same game by Pat Caraway of the White Sox.1933 — Philadelphia's Chuck Klein hit for cycle in a 5-4 14-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Dizzy Dean went the distance for St. Louis.1937 — Billy Sullivan and Bruce Campbell appeared for the Cleveland Indians as pinch hitters. Each hit a home run, making it the first time two American League pinch hitters hit home runs in the same... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.TWINS 8, ASTROS 2MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jose Berrios won his fourth straight start, Jason Castro homered off former battery mate Brad Peacock and drove in four runs, and AL-leading Minnesota beat Houston.Backed by a six-run... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — German Marquez pitched a one-hitter, nicked only by Evan Longoria's single with one out in the eighth inning, and the Colorado Rockies ended an eight-game losing streak by beating the San Francisco Giants 4-0 Sunday.Marquez (2-1) struck out nine and walked none while throwing 105 pitches in the first complete game in the majors this season. It was the first-ever complete game for Marquez in 156 pro starts, including 69 in the big leagues.Marquez had allowed just one runner, hitting Kevin Pillar with a pitch to begin the sixth inning, and was in complete control heading into the eighth. Brandon Crawford opened the eighth with a hard, one-hopper that deflected off third baseman Nolan Arenado's glove. Arenado quickly grabbed the ball out of the air and zipped a throw to retire Crawford.Longoria followed with a grounder in the hole, just beyond Arenado's dive. The Gold Glover took off his mitt and slammed it to the ground, shouting in frustration that the no-hit bid had... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — German Marquez pitched a one-hitter, nicked only by Evan Longoria's single with one out in the eighth inning, and the Colorado Rockies ended an eight-game losing streak by beating the San Francisco Giants 4-0 Sunday.Marquez (2-1) struck out nine and walked none while throwing 105 pitches in the first complete game in the majors this season. It was the first-ever complete game for Marquez in 156 pro starts, including 69 in the big leagues.Marquez had allowed just one runner, hitting Kevin Pillar with a pitch to begin the sixth inning, and was in complete control heading into the eighth. Brandon Crawford opened the eighth with a hard, one-hopper that deflected off third baseman Nolan Arenado's glove. Arenado quickly grabbed the ball out of the air and zipped a throw to retire Crawford.Longoria followed with a grounder in the hole, just beyond Arenado's dive. The Gold Glover took off his mitt and slammed it to the ground, shouting in frustration that the no-hit bid had... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joc Pederson and Enrique Hernandez each hit two of the Los Angeles Dodgers' eight home runs Thursday in a 12-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.The Dodgers set a major league record for homers on opening day and tied the franchise mark for any game.Hernandez, Austin Barnes and Corey Seager all homered in the fourth inning to chase Arizona ace Zack Greinke (0-1). Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Hernandez connected in the seventh for the power-packed Dodgers, whose pursuit of a third straight National League got off to a thrilling start.Adam Jones and Christian Walker homered for the Diamondbacks, but their pitching staff's eight homers allowed also set a team record.The Dodgers and Diamondbacks weren't the only ones going deep, either, as teams around the majors combined to set an all-time high for home runs on opening day.Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0) struck out eight over six stellar innings as Los Angeles' first opening day starter not named Clayton Kershaw since 2010. Kershaw's... [More]

The Latest on opening day (all times EDT):5:45 p.m.The Dodgers have chased Arizona's Zack Greinke with three homers in the fourth inning on opening day.After Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes hit back-to-back homers, Corey Seager celebrated his return from Tommy John surgery with a solo shot that sent Greinke to the showers. The $206.5 million right-hander gave up seven hits and seven runs, including Joc Pederson's two-run homer in the second for the two-time defending NL champions.Meanwhile, Hyun-Jin Ryu was stellar in the first four innings of his first opening day start, striking out six Diamondbacks and allowing one infield single. Arizona got only one ball out of the infield in the first four innings while falling behind 7-0.—Greg Beacham reporting from Los Angeles.___5:40 p.m.Chris Sale will join rare company when he throws the first pitch of the season for the Boston Red Sox.Sale recorded the final out of last season when he helped Boston clinch its World Series championship. By... [More]