ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Perez hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 on Wednesday night.Perez homered to center off Mychal Givens (0-1). It was his first long ball since Aug. 10, 2018.Ryan Sherriff (1-0) worked a perfect eighth in his first big league game since May 7, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery. Diego Castillo pitched the ninth to get his first save. Ten Tampa Bay relievers have a save this season.Brandon Lowe hit his 10th homer for the Rays, who have won nine of 11. The Orioles are 8-3 on the road after losing the first two games of the series. Their only other defeat away from home came opening day at Boston.BLUE JAYS 9, RED SOX 1BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rowdy Tellez drove in four runs with two homers and a double, and Toronto beat Boston.Vladimir Guererro Jr. hit a pair of doubles, including a three-run bouncer down the left field line that keyed a four-run seventh inning for Toronto (15-14).... [More]

Mets first. Brandon Nimmo strikes out swinging. Michael Conforto singles to shallow left field. J.D. Davis singles to right field. Michael Conforto to third. Dominic Smith pops out to shallow left field to Miguel Rojas. Robinson Cano doubles to deep right field. J.D. Davis to third. Michael Conforto scores. Pete Alonso grounds out to shortstop, Jonathan Villar to Lewin Diaz.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 1, Marlins 0.Mets third. Michael Conforto homers to right field. J.D. Davis grounds out to second base, Jonathan Villar to Lewin Diaz. Dominic Smith strikes out swinging. Robinson Cano singles to shallow left field. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 2, Marlins 0.Marlins fourth. Matt Joyce doubles to shallow center field. Jesus Aguilar grounds out to shallow infield, Jacob deGrom to Pete Alonso. Matt Joyce to third. Corey Dickerson grounds out to first base to Pete Alonso. Matt Joyce scores. Brian Anderson called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit,... [More]

Mets second. Robinson Cano grounds out to shallow infield, Eddy Alvarez to Jesus Aguilar. Pete Alonso singles to left center field. Luis Guillorme doubles to shallow left field. Pete Alonso to third. Wilson Ramos out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Lewis Brinson. Luis Guillorme to third. Pete Alonso scores. Amed Rosario strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Marlins 0.Mets seventh. Dominic Smith doubles. Robinson Cano grounds out to shallow infield to Pablo Lopez. Dominic Smith to third. Pete Alonso is intentionally walked. Luis Guillorme singles to shallow right field. Pete Alonso to second. Dominic Smith scores. Wilson Ramos flies out to right field to Lewis Brinson. Amed Rosario strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 2, Marlins 0.Marlins seventh. Francisco Cervelli walks. Eddy Alvarez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Francisco Cervelli out at second. Logan Forsythe singles to shallow infield. Eddy Alvarez to... [More]

Mets third. Amed Rosario flies out to deep center field to Monte Harrison. Tomas Nido flies out to deep right field to Magneuris Sierra. Brandon Nimmo homers to center field. Jeff McNeil lines out to left field to Matt Joyce.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Marlins 0.Mets fourth. J.D. Davis homers to center field. Michael Conforto walks. Robinson Cano strikes out swinging. Pete Alonso singles to center field. Michael Conforto to second. Dominic Smith doubles to deep left field. Pete Alonso to third. Michael Conforto scores. Amed Rosario grounds out to third base, Brian Anderson to Jesus Aguilar. Tomas Nido flies out to deep center field to Monte Harrison.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 3, Marlins 0.Marlins fourth. Jonathan Villar strikes out on a foul tip. Matt Joyce doubles to deep right center field. Jesus Aguilar doubles. Matt Joyce scores. Corey Dickerson pops out to shallow left field to J.D. Davis. Brian Anderson singles to right center field. Jesus Aguilar scores.... [More]

Marlins first. Jonathan Villar singles to shallow right field. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. Matt Joyce doubles to deep right center field. Jonathan Villar scores. Brian Anderson walks. Lewin Diaz lines out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Francisco Cervelli walks. Brian Anderson to second. Matt Joyce to third. Eddy Alvarez grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Robert Gsellman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Marlins 1, Mets 0.Mets second. Michael Conforto walks. Robinson Cano singles to shallow left field. Michael Conforto to second. Pete Alonso walks. Robinson Cano to second. Michael Conforto to third. Dominic Smith doubles to deep right center field. Pete Alonso to third. Robinson Cano scores. Michael Conforto scores. Wilson Ramos reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Pete Alonso out at home. Amed Rosario doubles to deep right field. Wilson Ramos to third. Dominic Smith scores. Brandon Nimmo grounds out to shallow infield to Lewin Diaz. Jeff McNeil called out on... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner walks. Adam Eaton reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Trea Turner to third. Throwing error by Tomas Nido. Starlin Castro walks. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shallow infield, David Peterson to Pete Alonso. Starlin Castro to second. Adam Eaton to third. Trea Turner scores. Asdrubal Cabrera lines out to deep left center field to Jeff McNeil.1 run, 0 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Mets second. Pete Alonso grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Asdrubal Cabrera. Dominic Smith homers to center field. Andres Gimenez pops out to shallow infield to Carter Kieboom. Tomas Nido grounds out to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Asdrubal Cabrera.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 1.Mets fourth. Dominic Smith doubles to deep right center field. Andres Gimenez grounds out to second base, Starlin Castro to Asdrubal Cabrera. Dominic Smith to third. Tomas Nido homers to center field.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets left fielder Jeff McNeil was carted off the field Thursday after crashing into the left field wall in the first inning to rob the Washington Nationals’ Asdrubal Cabrera of a two-run extra-base hit.McNeil, a natural infielder who has been manning both outfielder corners for the Mets since last year, raced at full speed to the warning track and made an impressive lunging catch for the final out of the inning. He crashed into the wall with both arms extended and raised his glove hand as he fell to indicate he had the ball.But McNeil was in obvious pain as he covered his eyes with both hands and yelled before flinging his glove off. He briefly tried getting up but only made it a few steps with a trainer and manager Luis Rojas before sitting back down. McNeil was able to walk to a cart on the warning track before being driven off the field.The Mets said in the fourth inning McNeil was still being evaluated and an update would be provided after the game.McNeil, who has started at third base and left field this season, is batting .293 with seven RBIs in 16 games. He made the All-Star team last season and is a career .319 hitter in 212 games.Billy Hamilton pinch-hit for McNeil in the bottom half of the inning.—More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets left fielder Jeff McNeil was carted off the field Thursday after crashing into the left field wall in the first inning to rob the Washington Nationals’ Asdrubal Cabrera of a two-run extra-base hit.McNeil, a natural infielder who has been manning both outfielder corners for the Mets since last year, raced at full speed to the warning track and made an impressive lunging catch for the final out of the inning. He crashed into the wall with both arms extended and raised his glove hand as he fell to indicate he had the ball.But McNeil was in obvious pain as he covered his eyes with both hands and yelled before flinging his glove off. He briefly tried getting up but only made it a few steps with a trainer and manager Luis Rojas before sitting back down. McNeil was able to walk to a cart on the warning track before being driven off the field.The Mets said in the fourth inning McNeil was still being evaluated and an update would be provided after the game.McNeil, who has started at third base and left field this season, is batting .293 with seven RBIs in 16 games. He made the All-Star team last season and is a career .319 hitter in 212 games.Billy Hamilton pinch-hit for McNeil in the bottom half of the inning.—More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — When the New York Mets finally found out Yoenis Céspedes was OK, they suddenly learned something else: The slugger had opted out of playing the rest of this season.Hours after Céspedes didn’t report to the ballpark without explanation, the Mets discovered in the late innings of Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Atlanta that he wouldn’t be back this year because of coronavirus concerns.“I am very surprised,” first-year manager Luis Rojas said. “Him and I have had conversations regularly about playing time, where he was going to hit in the lineup, building him up in the outfield.”“Nothing like this, so this is definitely a surprise,” he said.Céspedes went 0 for 4 during a 7-1 loss Saturday night in Atlanta. He is 5 for 31 (.161) with 15 strikeouts this season.The Mets sent out a statement from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in the early innings Sunday saying they couldn’t find Céspedes. Van Wagenen said the organization was later notified by Céspedes’ agent that he had decided to opt... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets slugger Yoenis Céspedes opted out of the 2020 season on Sunday because of the coronavirus pandemic, providing some clarity after the team said it was unable to locate him.Céspedes did not report to the ballpark for the Mets' game at Atlanta, and the team said in a statement it had been unable to contact him. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said the organization was notified by Céspedes' agent during its 4-0 loss that he had decided to opt out for "for COVID-related reasons.”Céspedes went 0 for 4 during a 7-1 loss Saturday night in Atlanta. He is 5 for 31 (.161) with 15 strikeouts this season.A two-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Céspedes returned to the lineup this season for the first time since July 20, 2018. He missed most of the past two years with a series of leg problems, getting surgery on both heels and then a broken ankle after a tumble at his Florida ranch in a supposed run-in with a wild boar.Céspedes had been the Mets’ designated hitter this season,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — New York Mets slugger Yoenis Céspedes was not with the team for Sunday’s game at Atlanta and the club said it hadn’t been able to locate him.“As of game time, Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement.“Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful,” he said.During the New York-Atlanta game, Mets broadcasters said they had learned from the team that the club doesn't believe Céspedes' safety is at risk.Céspedes went 0 for 4 during a 7-1 loss Saturday night in Atlanta. He is 5 for 31 (.161) with 15 strikeouts this season.A two-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Céspedes returned to the lineup this season for the first time since July 20, 2018. He missed most of the past two years with a series of leg problems, getting surgery on both heels and then a broken ankle after a tumble at his Florida ranch in a supposed run-in with a wild boar.Céspedes... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The San Francisco Giants are putting up zeroes.They believe they are doing something rarely seen: using uniform numbers 0 and 00 in the same year.When San Francisco added speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton with a minor league deal earlier this month, equipment manager Brad Grems called Major League Baseball to make sure there's a difference between the two because new first base coach Antoan Richardson already had claimed 00.“He's good with stuff like that,” shortstop Brandon Crawford said Monday of Grems' due diligence.San Francisco has 72 players in camp. Given that the Giants have 11 retired numbers with their long list of Hall of Famers and there are 13 coaches and a pair of bullpen catchers also in uniform under new manager Gabe Kapler, Hamilton's other choices were 96 or 98. He opted for 0.The Giants already have made history by hiring baseball's first female coach on a big league staff — Alyssa Nakken is wearing No. 92. Longtime equipment manager and current... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The San Francisco Giants are putting up zeroes.They believe they might be doing something rarely seen: using uniform numbers 0 and 00 in the same year.When San Francisco added speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton with a minor league deal earlier this month, equipment manager Brad Grems called the league to make sure there's a difference between the two — because new first base coach Antoan Richardson aleady had claimed 00.“He's good with stuff like that,” shortstop Brandon Crawford said Monday of Grems' due diligence.Given the Giants have 11 retired numbers with their long list of Hall of Famers and 13 coaches and a pair of bullpen catchers in uniform under new manager Gabe Kapler, Hamilton's other choices were 96 or 98. San Francisco has 72 players in camp.Already having made history with the hiring of baseball's first female coach on a big league staff — Alyssa Nakken is wearing No. 92 — longtime equipment manager and current senior adviser Mike Murphy can't remember... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The San Francisco Giants are putting up zeroes.They believe they might be doing something rarely seen: using uniform numbers 0 and 00 in the same year.When San Francisco added speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton with a minor league deal earlier this month, equipment manager Brad Grems called the league to make sure there's a difference between the two — because new first base coach Antoan Richardson aleady had claimed 00.“He's good with stuff like that,” shortstop Brandon Crawford said Monday of Grems' due diligence.Given the Giants have 11 retired numbers with their long list of Hall of Famers and 13 coaches and a pair of bullpen catchers in uniform under new manager Gabe Kapler, Hamilton's other choices were 96 or 98. San Francisco has 72 players in camp.Already having made history with the hiring of baseball's first female coach on a big league staff — Alyssa Nakken is wearing No. 92 — longtime equipment manager and current senior adviser Mike Murphy can't remember... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hunter Pence could hardly hide his enthusiasm about returning to San Francisco.“I have GIANT news... I’m back!” he posted on Twitter along with a photo of him walking across the street to the ballpark.A fan favorite while playing parts of seven seasons for the Giants, Pence is returning on a $3 million, one-year contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they had signed Pence, who can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.On its Twitter handle, San Francisco posted: “Reunited and it feels so good ... Welcome Back, (at)hunterpence.”To which Pence responded, “Feels SO good!”Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hunter Pence could hardly hide his enthusiasm about returning to San Francisco.“I have GIANT news... I’m back!” he posted on Twitter along with a photo of him walking across the street to the ballpark.A fan favorite while playing parts of seven seasons for the Giants, Pence is returning on a $3 million, one-year contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they had signed Pence, who can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.On its Twitter handle, San Francisco posted: “Reunited and it feels so good ... Welcome Back, (at)hunterpence.”To which Pence responded, “Feels SO good!”Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.The Giants announced Friday night they signed Pence to a one-year, $3 million deal. He can also earn up to an additional $2.5 million in various roster and performance bonuses.Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager Gabe Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.“We’re excited to welcome Hunter back to the organization”, Zaidi said in a statement announcing the signing. “He provides our club with a great veteran presence and his leadership will be a big asset for our younger players. Hunter’s... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.A person with direct knowledge of the deal said Friday that Pence had reached agreement pending a physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said Thursday he expected to make roster additions before early next week when the team begins spring training.Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with new manager Gabe Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.The 36-year-old Pence was part of the Giants' 2012 and '14 World Series champion teams. After a more limited role in 2018 with San Francisco as he worked to retool his hitting mechanics and rediscover... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Atlanta Braves Manager: Brian Snitker (fifth season). 2019: 97-65, first place, lost to Cardinals in Division Series.Training Town: North Port, Florida.Park: CoolToday Park. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: LF Marcell Ozuna, C Travis d'Arnaud, LHP Cole Hamels, LHP Will Smith, RHP F�lix Hern�ndez.He's Outta Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Julio Teheran, C Brian McCann, OF Matt Joyce, RHP Anthony Swarzak, RHP Josh Tomlin, LHP Jerry Blevins, OF Billy Hamilton, C Francisco Cervelli. Going campin': The Braves are coming off their second straight NL East title, led by one of baseball's brightest young stars. In his first full season in the big leagues, 22-year-old OF Ronald Acu�a Jr. hit 41 homers, led the league with 127 runs and tallied 37 stolen bases to become the second-youngest... [More]