A look at what's happening around the majors today:CLEVELAND CLOSES INThe Indians can take over the AL Central lead with another win at Target Field. After trailing the Twins by 11½ games on June 3, Cleveland has gone 41-16 to tie them for the division lead.José Ramírez and the Indians have won the first two in a four-game series at Minnesota. His slow start was one reason they faced a large deficit — the two-time All-Star was hitting .201 as of June 20, but has hit .338 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs since. He has an extra-base hit in eight straight games.Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.55 ERA) tries to pitch Cleveland into first place when he faces All-Star Jake Odorizzi (12-5, 3.61). The Twins have lost four in a row for the first time this season.SANCHEZ STRINGAaron Sanchez (4-14, 5.76 ERA) makes his second start for Houston, facing the Orioles at Camden Yards. Acquired from Toronto on July 31, he had quite a debut for the Astros, going the first six innings in a combined no-hitter against... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CLEVELAND CLOSES INThe Indians can take over the AL Central lead with another win at Target Field. After trailing the Twins by 11½ games on June 3, Cleveland has gone 41-16 to tie them for the division lead.José Ramírez and the Indians have won the first two in a four-game series at Minnesota. His slow start was one reason they faced a large deficit — the two-time All-Star was hitting .201 as of June 20, but has hit .338 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs since. He has an extra-base hit in eight straight games.Adam Plutko (4-2, 4.55 ERA) tries to pitch Cleveland into first place when he faces All-Star Jake Odorizzi (12-5, 3.61). The Twins have lost four in a row for the first time this season.SANCHEZ STRINGAaron Sanchez (4-14, 5.76 ERA) makes his second start for Houston, facing the Orioles at Camden Yards. Acquired from Toronto on July 31, he had quite a debut for the Astros, going the first six innings in a combined no-hitter... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but he's struggled badly this season and had lost 13 straight decisions to lead the majors with 14 losses. Three days after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old right-hander teamed with Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski to shut down Seattle.It was the second time in less than a month the last-place Mariners were no-hit by multiple pitchers. The Los Angeles Angels used two pitchers in a combined no-hitter July 12 against Seattle on a night when they honored late left-hander Tyler Skaggs by all wearing his No. 45 in their first home game since his death.Sanchez (4-14) struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in his first victory since April 27 for Toronto.Seattle's... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Sanchez looked like a reinvented pitcher in his Houston debut, throwing six stellar innings to start the Astros on a combined no-hitter Saturday night in their 9-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.Sanchez was an All-Star in 2016 and led the American League in ERA, but he's struggled badly this season and had lost 13 straight decisions to lead the majors with 14 losses. Three days after he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old right-hander teamed with Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski to shut down Seattle.It was the second time in less than a month the last-place Mariners were no-hit by multiple pitchers. The Los Angeles Angels used two pitchers in a combined no-hitter July 12 against Seattle on a night when they honored late left-hander Tyler Skaggs by all wearing his No. 45 in their first home game since his death.Sanchez (4-14) struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in his first victory since April 27 for Toronto.Seattle's... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BE CAREFULThe extreme heat gripping much of the country is having an effect around the major leagues. The Yankees and Rockies have called off most of the pregame activities for their afternoon game — New York is forecast to come close to its first 100-degree day since 2012.It is expected to be 100 in Baltimore, where the Orioles host Boston at night.And it was 94 at Target Field on Friday night — the second-hottest start in park's 10-year history, trailing only a 97-degree reading on July 16, 2012 — when Minnesota faced Oakland.Players appeared to have trouble at times gripping the ball. Twins starter Jake Odorizzi took off his glove during a mound visit in the first inning and peppered both arms with the rosin bag."It was only like pitching in a rain forest," Odorizzi said. "I was taking the rosin bag and going up and down my arms so I could stop the sweat coming from my hand because I was just pouring sweat. I changed my jersey after... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:BE CAREFULThe extreme heat gripping much of the country is having an effect around the major leagues. The Yankees and Rockies have called off most of the pregame activities for their afternoon game — New York is forecast to come close to its first 100-degree day since 2012.It is expected to be 100 in Baltimore, where the Orioles host Boston at night.And it was 94 at Target Field on Friday night — the second-hottest start in park's 10-year history, trailing only a 97-degree reading on July 16, 2012 — when Minnesota faced Oakland.Players appeared to have trouble at times gripping the ball. Twins starter Jake Odorizzi took off his glove during a mound visit in the first inning and peppered both arms with the rosin bag."It was only like pitching in a rain forest," Odorizzi said. "I was taking the rosin bag and going up and down my arms so I could stop the sweat coming from my hand because I was just pouring sweat. I changed my jersey after... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez hit a three-run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays to 3½ games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April.Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career.Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks.ANGELS 11, BLUE JAYS 6TORONTO (AP) — Mike Trout hit two home runs, including his sixth career grand slam, and had a career-best seven RBIs as Los Angeles beat Toronto.Justin Upton also homered for the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:AILINGThe Mets will check Robinson Canó, a day after he left the game against Washington because of tightness in his left quadriceps.Canó appeared to hurt the leg while running to first base when he grounded out in the third inning. The 36-year-old second baseman is batting .241 with three homers and 13 RBIs. The eight-time All-Star was acquired by New York from Seattle in December.Twice last weekend Canó failed to run out grounders in Miami, both of them resulting in double plays.MISSING MARTINEZBoston star J.D. Martinez wasn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game at Toronto because of a sore back and manager Alex Cora says the slugger is unlikely to play again until Friday.Cora said he was hesitant to play Martinez in the series finale, citing the artificial surface and the early afternoon start. The Red Sox will certainly miss Martinez's presence in the lineup, but the Blue Jays will not — he has 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in 40 career games... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:AILINGThe Mets will check Robinson Canó, a day after he left the game against Washington because of tightness in his left quadriceps.Canó appeared to hurt the leg while running to first base when he grounded out in the third inning. The 36-year-old second baseman is batting .241 with three homers and 13 RBIs. The eight-time All-Star was acquired by New York from Seattle in December.Twice last weekend Canó failed to run out grounders in Miami, both of them resulting in double plays.MISSING MARTINEZBoston star J.D. Martinez wasn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game at Toronto because of a sore back and manager Alex Cora says the slugger is unlikely to play again until Friday.Cora said he was hesitant to play Martinez in the series finale, citing the artificial surface and the early afternoon start. The Red Sox will certainly miss Martinez's presence in the lineup, but the Blue Jays will not — he has 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in 40 career... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The way things have been going, José Ramirez's deep drive figured to be swallowed by the wind.Once it cleared the wall, the Indians could exhale.Ramirez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday night, giving Cleveland a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox that snapped an Indians' losing streak that felt like more than three games.Francisco Lindor singled with one out against Jace Fry (1-1) before Jason Kipnis struck out. Chicago manager Rick Renteria brought in right-hander Kelvin Herrera to face the switch-hitting Ramirez and Lindor stole second on a 2-1 pitch.Ramirez crushed Herrera's next pitch — a 96 mph fastball — through a stiff wind blowing straight into home plate that knocked down at least six previous flies and kept them in the ballpark.When Ramirez's shot landed in the seats in right, it set off a much-needed celebration by the Indians, who have been looking for something to break them out of a season-long offensive slump."I understand we're... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramirez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, giving Cleveland a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox and snapping the Indians' three-game losing streak Wednesday night.Francisco Lindor singled with one out against Jace Fry (1-1) before Jason Kipnis struck out. Chicago manager Rick Renteria brought in right-hander Kelvin Herrera to face the switch-hitting Ramirez and Lindor stole second on a 2-1 pitch.Ramirez crushed Herrera's next pitch — a 96 mph fastball — through a stiff wind and into the seats in right for his third homer, setting off a much-needed celebration by the Indians.Ramirez's teammates ran to the plate with trays of water cups to greet and douse him. The Indians have been in a season-long offensive slump and have been looking for something to get them going.Brad Hand (2-1) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.José Abreu homered for Chicago.The Indians came in as the AL's worst hitting team — last in average, hits, doubles and triples — and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians decided during the winter their starting pitching would carry them to another October.Cleveland's ride might end before then.Corey Kluber's broken right arm may alter the plans for a season the Indians hoped would include a fourth straight AL Central title.Kluber sustained a non-displaced fracture Wednesday night when he was struck by a line drive in the fifth inning of a start against Miami. Kluber, who struggled through the season's first month, couldn't avoid the 102-mph comebacker hit by Marlins infielder Brian Anderson. After being nailed, Kluber chased after the ball while his right arm stayed motionless against his side. He swatted the ball with his glove toward the bag before walking dejectedly back to the mound.The 33-year-old underwent further imaging tests Thursday to determine the length of his absence. The team is reviewing those results and will place him on the 10-day injured list while providing an update Friday before the opener of a three-game... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians decided during the winter their starting pitching would carry them to another October.Cleveland's ride might end before then.Corey Kluber's broken right arm may alter the plans for a season the Indians figured would include a fourth straight AL Central title. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner's injury may change plans dramatically.Kluber sustained a non-displaced fracture Wednesday night when he was struck by a line drive in the fifth inning of a start against Miami. Kluber, who struggled through the season's first month, couldn't avoid the 102 mph comebacker hit by Brian Anderson. After being nailed, Kluber chased after the ball with his right arm motionless against his side before swatting it with his glove toward the bag.The 33-year-old was undergoing further imaging tests Thursday to determine the length of his absence. He may miss more than one month to allow his ulna bone to heal.Kluber has been among baseball's most consistent pitchers for the past... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians decided during the winter their starting pitching would carry them to another October.Cleveland's ride might before then.Corey Kluber's broken right arm may alter the plans for a season the Indians figured would include a fourth straight AL Central title. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner's injury may change plans dramatically.Kluber sustained a non-displaced fracture Wednesday night when he was struck by a line drive in the fifth inning of a start against Miami. Kluber, who struggled through the season's first month, couldn't avoid the 102 mph comebacker hit by Brian Anderson. After being nailed, Kluber chased after the ball with his right arm motionless against his side before swatting it with his glove toward the bag.The 33-year-old was undergoing further imaging tests Thursday to determine the length of his absence. He may miss more than one month to allow his ulna bone to heal.Kluber has been among baseball's most consistent pitchers for the past five... [More]

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is headed for Tommy John surgery and out for the season. New York Yankees ace Luis Severino is shut down, too — at least through opening day.Hours after Severino stopped warming up in the bullpen because of an inflamed right shoulder, the Royals announced more damaging news Tuesday: Perez will have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, keeping the six-time All-Star off the field for the entire year.Perez hurt the elbow during a workout last week and said over the weekend that he was harboring a slim hope he might be able to play through it. Instead, he is expected to undergo surgery Wednesday."There was nothing that can prepare us for this. There was no information we had that led us this direction," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Salvy was having no issues. He's asymptomatic. He has wear and tear, just like any 28-year-old catcher who's been squatting and catching since he was 12 years old. There was no warning sign... [More]

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is headed for Tommy John surgery and out for the season. New York Yankees ace Luis Severino is shut down, too — at least through opening day.Hours after Severino stopped warming up in the bullpen because of an inflamed right shoulder, the Royals announced more damaging news Tuesday: Perez would have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow, keeping the six-time All-Star off the field for the entire year.Perez hurt the elbow during a workout last week and said over the weekend that he was harboring a slim hope that he might be able to play through it. Instead, he is expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday."There was nothing that can prepare us for this. There was no information we had that led us this direction," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Salvy was having no issues. He's asymptomatic. He has wear and tear, just like any 28-year-old catcher who's been squatting and catching since he was 12 years old. There was no warning... [More]

New York Yankees ace Luis Severino will miss opening day because of an inflamed right shoulder that acted up while he was getting loose for his first spring training start.Severino felt something wrong when he threw his first slider in the bullpen and was immediately scratched. He won't throw for two weeks, manager Aaron Boone said after a 5-1 win over Atlanta."Obviously, anytime a starting pitcher and a guy like Sevie walks off while he's warming up to start a game, you always get worried and concerned about that," Boone said. "But it sounds like the shoulder is pretty clean, it's just the inflammation issue. So if that's the case, then hopefully two weeks is something that will do the trick, then he can start ramping back up with his throwing program, but we'll re-evaluate it also at the same time."Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ are also projected to be in the Yankees' rotation. Luis Cessa, Jonathan Loaisiga and Domingo German are possible short-term replacements... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The NL West-leading Colorado Rockies locked up a playoff berth for the second straight season, beating the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Friday night for their eighth win in a row behind a resilient start from Kyle Freeland.David Dahl homered for the fifth consecutive game and Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer against his former team to help Colorado clinch at least a wild card with two games remaining. The Rockies remained one game ahead of Los Angeles as they try to wrap up the franchise's first division crown. The Dodgers won 3-1 in San Francisco.Wade Davis struck out Bryce Harper looking to end the game and earn his 43rd save. The sellout crowd at Coors Field roared and fireworks went off.The Rockies are headed to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in team history. This is their fifth playoff trip since the franchise began in 1993 — last year, they lost to Arizona in the NL wild-card game.Freeland (17-7) wiggled out of jam after jam on a cool night to... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The NL West-leading Colorado Rockies locked up a playoff berth for the second straight season, beating the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Friday night for their eighth win in a row behind a resilient start from Kyle Freeland.David Dahl homered for the fifth consecutive game and Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer against his former team to help Colorado clinch at least a wild card with two games remaining. The Rockies remained one game ahead of Los Angeles as they try to wrap up the franchise's first division crown. The Dodgers won 3-1 in San Francisco.Wade Davis struck out Bryce Harper looking to end the game and earn his 43rd save. The sellout crowd at Coors Field roared and fireworks went off.The Rockies are headed to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in team history. This is their fifth playoff trip since the franchise began in 1993 — last year, they lost to Arizona in the NL wild-card game.Freeland (17-7) wiggled out of jam after jam on a cool night to... [More]