A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___PLAYOFF PURSUITSecond place in the AL East is up for grabs when Toronto opens a critical three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Cavan Biggio and the Blue Jays are a half-game ahead of New York — the top two teams in each division qualify for the postseason this year without needing a wild card. Prized rookie Deivi García (1-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won five straight following a 5-16 slide. Taijuan Walker (3-2, 2.95) goes for Toronto. Both clubs are chasing Tampa Bay. New York expects to get third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga back from the injured list. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman also could hear back on his appeal of a three-game suspension.WILD WESTThe surging San Diego Padres go for their ninth straight victory and try to close within a half-game of the West-leading Dodgers when the NL's top two teams square off again at Petco Park. Trent Grisham added some spice to the rivalry when... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___PLAYOFF PURSUITSecond place in the AL East is up for grabs when Toronto opens a critical three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Cavan Biggio and the Blue Jays are a half-game ahead of New York — the top two teams in each division qualify for the postseason this year without needing a wild card. Prized rookie Deivi García (1-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won five straight following a 5-16 slide. Taijuan Walker (3-2, 2.95) goes for Toronto. Both clubs are chasing Tampa Bay. New York expects to get third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga back from the injured list. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman also could hear back on his appeal of a three-game suspension.TOUGH ASSIGNMENTClinging to an American League wild-card spot, the Cleveland Indians attempt to stop a six-game losing streak when they face Yu Darvish (7-2, 1.77 ERA) and the first-place Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. On the mound for the Indians... [More]

Cardinals first. Kolten Wong singles to shallow center field. Tommy Edman singles to center field. Kolten Wong to second. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Tommy Edman to second. Kolten Wong to third. Brad Miller doubles to shallow right field. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong scores. Paul DeJong grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Moustakas to Joey Votto. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter walks. Dexter Fowler singles to deep right center field. Matt Carpenter to third. Brad Miller scores. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Lane Thomas walks. Dexter Fowler to second. Kolten Wong singles to shallow right field. Lane Thomas to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Matt Carpenter scores. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging.6 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 6, Reds 0.Cardinals second. Paul Goldschmidt doubles. Brad Miller homers to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong flies out to left field to Aristides Aquino. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Matt... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam for his first major league homer and the Detroit Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against Cleveland by beating the Indians 10-5 on Friday night.The Tigers also ended a nine-game slide that included being swept at home last weekend by the Indians.The 21-year-old Paredes connected in the fourth inning when the Tigers scored seven times off Adam Plutko (1-2). Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer as the Tigers topped the Indians for the first time since April 10, 2019.Cleveland’s 20-game dominance of Detroit was the second-longest streak against one opponent since division play began in 1969. Baltimore holds the record with 23 consecutive wins over Kansas City in 1969-70.Rony Garcia (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, who got off to a surprising 9-4 start before staggering.Franmil Reyes hit a two-run homer as the Indians had their winning streak stopped at six. They were again without manager Terry Francona. He underwent a medical... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros surrendered a tiebreaking two-run single to rookie Kyle Lewis in the eighth inning of a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, and then announced ace Justin Verlander will be shut down for at least two weeks with a strained right forearm.Astros manager Dusty Baker denied a report that said the injury would end Verlander’s season. He said Verlander would be evaluated after two weeks.Lewis and Shed Long Jr. each had two hits and two RBIs for the Mariners, who had dropped their last 15 games against Houston.Dan Altavilla (1-0) got the win. Taylor Williams yielded an RBI double to Michael Brantley before striking out Alex Bregman for his first career save.Martín Maldonado drove in two runs for Houston. Chris Devenski (0-1) got the loss.MARLINS 11, PHILLIES 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Miami scratched right-hander José Ureña from its victory at Philadelphia and delayed its postgame trip home amid concerns about a possible coronavirus outbreak within the team. No... [More]

Tigers third. Grayson Greiner called out on strikes. JaCoby Jones flies out to left field to Shogo Akiyama. Niko Goodrum homers to center field. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to shortstop, Freddy Galvis to Joey Votto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 0.Reds fifth. Freddy Galvis flies out to Christin Stewart. Travis Jankowski walks. Curt Casali flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Jesse Winker singles to right field. Travis Jankowski to third. Joey Votto singles to center field. Jesse Winker to third. Travis Jankowski scores. Eugenio Suarez walks. Joey Votto to second. Nick Castellanos strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Tigers 1, Reds 1.Tigers ninth. Miguel Cabrera walks. C.J. Cron homers to right field. Cameron Maybin scores. Jordy Mercer grounds out to shallow infield, Freddy Galvis to Joey Votto. Harold Castro grounds out to shallow infield, Michael Lorenzen to Joey Votto. Victor Reyes lines out to deep center field to Phillip Ervin.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 3, Reds 1.Reds ninth. Freddy Galvis doubles to deep center field. Aristides Aquino doubles to left center field. Freddy Galvis scores. Curt Casali flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Aristides Aquino to third. Jesse Winker hit by pitch. Joey Votto grounds out to second base. Jesse Winker out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 3, Reds 2.

Three or four hours before a National League game, they’d be cackling around the cage.Madison Bumgarner and buddies — or pitchers from any home team, really — taking batting practice under an afternoon sun in an otherwise empty ballpark. After all the bunting drills, when they finally got to swing some lumber, you’d hear oohs and aahs, hoots and hollers, boasting and bragging, teasing and laughing. Maybe even the occasional wager or two. But that merry pursuit of a secondary skill is suddenly an endangered species in baseball. Under new rules for this abbreviated season delayed by the coronavirus, all games will include the designated hitter — knocking NL pitchers right out of the batter’s box.“Well, obviously my thoughts don’t really matter,” said a smiling Bumgarner, the Arizona Diamondbacks newcomer who leads active pitchers with 19 career home runs. “I do what I’m told. I’ll sit there and pitch and that’s it for now. I think that’s obviously where everybody wants the game to go, so... [More]

Three or four hours before a National League game, they’d be cackling around the cage.Madison Bumgarner and buddies — or pitchers from any home team, really — taking batting practice under an afternoon sun in an otherwise empty ballpark. After all the bunting drills, when they finally got to swing some lumber, you’d hear oohs and aahs, hoots and hollers, boasting and bragging, teasing and laughing. Maybe even the occasional wager or two. But that merry pursuit of a secondary skill is suddenly an endangered species in baseball. Under new rules for this abbreviated season delayed by the coronavirus, all games will include the designated hitter — knocking NL pitchers right out of the batter’s box.“Well, obviously my thoughts don’t really matter,” said a smiling Bumgarner, the Arizona Diamondbacks newcomer who leads active pitchers with 19 career home runs. “I do what I’m told. I’ll sit there and pitch and that’s it for now. I think that’s obviously where everybody wants the game to go, so... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The experimental aspect of the Cactus League was fully on display Saturday when Reds right-hander Sonny Gray tossed a changeup on a 2-0 count, only to see his rare offering deposited by the Royals' Ryan McBroom over the center field fence at Surprise Stadium.It was part of a third inning in which Gray surrendered three hits before leaving the game with a strikeout -- also on a changeup."I just wanted to do it to see what would happen,'' said Gray, who estimated that he threw only three changeups in 2019, an All-Star season in which he posted a 2.87 ERA.In 2 1/3 innings on this afternoon, the Cincinnati starter allowed five hits and three earned runs while striking out three and walking one.Several swings and misses were produced from another work in progress: throwing high strikes to get batters to chase."It has never been a super strength of mine to throw the ball up here,'' Gray said, holding his hand shoulder high. "So I've been trying to do that and see how it... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Trevor Bauer agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, bypassing salary arbitration after the All-Star pitcher had a contentious hearing with Cleveland last offseason.Bauer, acquired from the Indians in July, relished beating Cleveland in arbitration the past two offseasons but complained after last winter's hearing that Major League Baseball labor relations staff attempted “character assassination” against him.The right-hander was awarded $13 million over the Indians' $11 million offer in 2019, a year after winning a raise to $6,525,000 against Cleveland's $5.3 million offer. Bauer donated his extra winnings in 2018 to charity in what he called “69 days of giving” — an online campaign that leaned on sexual innuendo and a reference to marijuana to raise awareness. Bauer said MLB labor relations department representatives attempted to use the operation to “demean my character” in the 2019 hearing."That kind of put a black mark on what... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Trevor Bauer agreed to a $17.5 million, one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, avoiding salary arbitration after the All-Star pitcher had a contentious hearing with Cleveland last offseason.Bauer, acquired from the Indians in July, relished beating Cleveland in arbitration the past two offseasons but complained after last winter's hearing that Major League Baseball labor relations staff attempted “character assassination” against him.The right-hander was awarded $13 million over the Indians' $11 million offer in 2019, a year after winning a raise to $6,525,000 against Cleveland's $5.3 million offer. Bauer donated his extra winnings in 2018 to charity in what he called “69 days of giving” — an online campaign that leaned on sexual innuendo and a reference to marijuana to raise awareness. Bauer said MLB labor relations department representatives attempted to use the operation to “demean my character” in the 2019 hearing."That kind of put a black mark on what I... [More]

Reds second. Josh VanMeter lines out to center field to Pablo Reyes. Phillip Ervin grounds out to shortstop, Kevin Newman to Jose Osuna. Tucker Barnhart homers to right field. Jose Iglesias grounds out to third base, Erik Gonzalez to Jose Osuna.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Pirates 0.Pirates second. Jose Osuna singles to left field. Kevin Kramer walks. Jose Osuna to second. Jake Elmore flies out to center field to Phillip Ervin. Jose Osuna to third. Erik Gonzalez grounds out to shortstop, Jose Iglesias to Joey Votto. Kevin Kramer to third. Steve Baron doubles to deep left field. Kevin Kramer scores. James Marvel grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Pirates 2, Reds 1.Reds fourth. Phillip Ervin doubles to left field. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to third base, Erik Gonzalez to Jose Osuna. Phillip Ervin to third. Jose Iglesias singles to shallow center field. Phillip Ervin scores. Brian O'Grady lines out to shortstop to Kevin... [More]

Reds first. Jose Peraza doubles to deep left field. Phillip Ervin walks. Eugenio Suarez called out on strikes. Aristides Aquino doubles to deep right field. Phillip Ervin to third. Jose Iglesias grounds out to third base, Erik Gonzalez to Jose Osuna. Aristides Aquino to third. Phillip Ervin scores. Curt Casali strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Reds 2, Pirates 0.Reds fifth. Alex Blandino walks. Jose Peraza singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Alex Blandino to third. Phillip Ervin singles to center field. Jose Peraza scores. Alex Blandino scores. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging. Jose Iglesias lines out to center field to Pablo Reyes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 4, Pirates 0.Pirates fifth. Erik Gonzalez singles to center field. Steven Brault singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Erik Gonzalez to third. Fielding error by Eugenio Suarez. Kevin Newman homers to left field. Steven Brault scores. Erik Gonzalez... [More]

Reds first. Jose Peraza pops out to Eric Thames. Joey Votto called out on strikes. Aristides Aquino homers to left field. Josh VanMeter walks. Phillip Ervin strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Brewers 0.Brewers fourth. Yasmani Grandal walks. Keston Hiura walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Manny Pina called out on strikes. Cory Spangenberg reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Keston Hiura out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Travis Shaw walks. Orlando Arcia doubles to left center field. Travis Shaw scores. Cory Spangenberg scores. Yasmani Grandal scores. Ben Gamel doubles to deep left field. Orlando Arcia scores. Chase Anderson strikes out swinging.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 4, Reds 1.Brewers fifth. Trent Grisham flies out to right center field to Aristides Aquino. Yasmani Grandal walks. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Manny Pina doubles to deep left field. Keston Hiura out at home. Yasmani Grandal... [More]

Reds fourth. Joey Votto grounds out to shortstop, Nico Hoerner to Victor Caratini. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging. Phillip Ervin singles to left field. Jose Iglesias grounds out to second base, Ben Zobrist to Victor Caratini.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Cubs 0.Cubs fourth. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to left center field. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Aristides Aquino. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Cubs 1.Reds seventh. Jose Iglesias singles to center field. Curt Casali singles to left field. Jose Iglesias to second. Michael Lorenzen lines out to right field to Nicholas Castellanos. Jose Iglesias to third. Jose Peraza pinch-hitting for Tyler Mahle. Jose Peraza walks. Curt Casali to second. Alex Blandino out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Kyle Schwarber.... [More]