OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mookie Betts made a running catch in foul territory and immediately spotted something just over the padded outfield wall at Dodger Stadium: a lonely, stray baseball.After signing a $365 million, 12-year contract, Betts apparently wasn't above a little cleanup duty in his Los Angeles debut. He leaned over the railing, scooped up the ball and tossed it behind the right-field fence.From Target Field to PNC Park and Busch Stadium, there are baseballs scattered everywhere with no fans inside to chase them down during this coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.No scrambles for souvenirs in the upper deck. No races for home run blasts in the bleachers. No jump balls for foul balls in the box seats.Some clubs have been more frugal than others when it comes to collecting baseballs. Betts, for instance, took it upon himself to grab that abandoned ball after making a nifty grab in the sixth inning of Thursday night's season opener against the San Francisco Giants.The Mets, meanwhile,... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mookie Betts made a running catch in foul territory and immediately spotted something just over the padded outfield wall at Dodger Stadium: a lonely, stray baseball. After signing a $365 million, 12-year contract, Betts apparently wasn't above a little clean-up duty in his Los Angeles debut. He leaned over the railing, scooped up the ball and tossed it behind the right-field fence.From Target Field to PNC Park and Busch Stadium, there are baseballs scattered everywhere with no fans inside to chase them down during this coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.No scrambles for souvenirs in the upper deck. No races for home run blasts in the bleachers. No jump balls for foul balls in the box seats.Without fans clamoring to claim every ball that winds up in the stands, baseballs have been left scattered everywhere. Some clubs have been more frugal than others when it comes to collecting them. Betts, for instance, took it upon himself to grab that abandoned ball after making... [More]

Rockies third. David Dahl grounds out to shallow infield, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Trevor Story singles to left field. Charlie Blackmon singles to right field. Trevor Story to third. Nolan Arenado out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Robbie Grossman. Charlie Blackmon to second. Trevor Story scores. Daniel Murphy flies out to deep right field to Mark Canha.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rockies 1, Athletics 0.Athletics third. Marcus Semien flies out to left field to Sam Hilliard. Ramon Laureano singles to right field. Matt Chapman walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Matt Olson walks. Matt Chapman to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Mark Canha out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to David Dahl. Ramon Laureano scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Athletics 1.Rockies fourth. Ryan McMahon grounds out to second base, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Raimel Tapia singles to shallow center field. Sam Hilliard homers to right field.... [More]

Athletics third. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Tony Kemp walks. Marcus Semien singles to second base. Tony Kemp to third. Ramon Laureano out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Justin Upton. Marcus Semien to second. Tony Kemp scores. Matt Chapman doubles to deep center field. Marcus Semien scores. Matt Olson strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 2, Angels 0.Athletics fourth. Mark Canha homers to center field. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Stephen Piscotty strikes out swinging. Sean Murphy flies out to deep right field to Brian Goodwin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Angels 0.

Angels fourth. David Fletcher grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Mike Trout called out on strikes. Justin Upton homers to left field. Albert Pujols grounds out to third base, Matt Chapman to Matt Olson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 0.Angels fifth. Taylor Ward singles to center field. Tommy La Stella lines out to center field to Ramon Laureano. Michael Hermosillo pops out to shallow infield to Chad Pinder. Max Stassi singles to left field. Taylor Ward to second. Andrelton Simmons doubles. Max Stassi to third. Taylor Ward scores. David Fletcher doubles to deep left center field. Andrelton Simmons scores. Max Stassi scores. Mike Trout flies out to right field to Stephen Piscotty.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 4, Athletics 0.Athletics seventh. Matt Olson lines out to deep center field to Mike Trout. Khris Davis flies out to Taylor Ward. Stephen Piscotty doubles. Robbie Grossman singles to left field. Stephen Piscotty scores. Chad Pinder walks. Robbie Grossman to third. Austin Allen grounds out to second base, Tommy La Stella to Albert Pujols.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 4, Athletics 1.

Angels fourth. Tommy La Stella grounds out to first base, Matt Olson to Frankie Montas. Albert Pujols walks. Jason Castro walks. Albert Pujols to second. Andrelton Simmons flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Brian Goodwin singles to deep right field. Jason Castro out at home. Albert Pujols scores.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 0.Athletics fourth. Marcus Semien strikes out swinging. Ramon Laureano homers to left field. Matt Chapman lines out to deep left field to Justin Upton. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 1.Angels seventh. Andrelton Simmons reaches on error to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Matt Chapman. Brian Goodwin flies out to deep right center field to Stephen Piscotty. Andrelton Simmons to third. David Fletcher out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Andrelton Simmons scores. Mike Trout grounds out to shallow infield, Joakim Soria to Matt Olson.1... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Marcus Semien stayed with his batting cage routine from the start of last season, and it paid off with career numbers for the Oakland Athletics’ slugging shortstop.Semien posted career-best numbers with 33 home runs, 92 RBIs, a .285 batting average and 187 hits. All from almost exclusively the leadoff spot in 2019, from where he helped lead the A’s to their second straight AL wild-card game.“In years past I felt like I was searching a little bit, trying to find something that felt right,” Semien said Wednesday at spring training. “And I stuck with something the whole year. I did in my lower half. It was more in my legs with my swing and just learned a lot about my swing.”Semien, at 29 years old now in his sixth season with the A’s, said his home runs were a byproduct of being ahead in the count more often and swinging at strikes. He hit 22 of his home runs from July to September.Semien was as reliable as any A’s player in the A’s 97-win 2019 campaign. He played all 162... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West 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:___Houston Astros Manager: Dusty Baker (first season). 2019: 107-55, first place, lost to Nationals in World Series. Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida. Park: Ballpark of Palm Beaches. First Workout: Feb. 13/17. He's Here: Manager Dusty Baker, RHP Austin Pruitt, C Dustin Garneau.He's Outta Here: Manager AJ Hinch, RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Will Harris, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Tony Kemp. Going campin': The Astros enter the spring reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. They brought in Baker to steady the team, and it gives the 70-year-old another chance to chase his first World Series title as a manager. He’ll get a crash course learning his new team this spring after being hired less than three weeks before pitchers and catchers... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Manager Bob Melvin knows the Oakland Athletics might need to find a way to win the AL West to guarantee themselves a long playoff series.Pulling past the powerful Astros is the next aim for the A’s, daunting as it might be.Two straight AL wild-card losses following 97-win seasons have left the A’s going into the offseason again wondering what it will take to finally get over the hump in a tough division dominated by Houston the past three years. Oakland has lost nine straight winner-take-all games since 2000 after a 5-1 defeat to the Rays on Wednesday night with Tampa Bay getting to Sean Manaea from the start.The A’s were playing at home this time, a far different scenario from the 7-2 loss at Yankee Stadium in the 2018 wild-card game.“We really had a great feeling about yesterday, so it's disappointing for a lot of reasons,” Melvin said Thursday. “Trying to digest that but as far as the season goes, it was another great season. We're proud of the fact that we backed... [More]

A look at the American League wild-card game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics:___Schedule: Wednesday, at Oakland, California, 8:09 p.m. EDT (ESPN).___Season Series: Athletics won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Rays: 2B Joey Wendle (.231, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs in 75 games), LF Tommy Pham (.273, 21, 68, 33 2Bs), RF Austin Meadows (.291, 33, 89 in 138 games), C Travis d'Arnaud (.263, 16, 67 in 92 games with Rays; .087, 0, 2 in 10 games with Mets, and 1 at-bat in only game with Dodgers), 1B Ji-Man Choi (.261, 19, 63), DH Brandon Lowe (.270, 17, 51 in 82 games) or Avisail Garcia (.282, 20, 72, 25 2Bs in 125 games), 3B Matt Duffy (.252, 1, 12 in 46 games), CF Kevin Kiermaier (.228, 14, 55, 19 SBs in 129 games), SS Willy Adames (.254, 20, 52).Athletics: SS Marcus Semien (.285, 33, 92, 123 runs, 43 2Bs), RF Ramon Laureano (.288, 24, 67, 10 assists), 3B Matt Chapman (.249, 36, 91, 102 runs, 36 2Bs), 1B Matt Olson (.267, 36, 91), CF Mark Canha (.273, 26, 58), DH Khris Davis (.220, 23, 73), LF... [More]

A look at the American League wild-card game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics:___Schedule: Wednesday, at Oakland, California, 8:09 p.m. EDT (ESPN).___Season Series: Athletics won 4-3.___Projected Lineups:Rays: 2B Joey Wendle (.231, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs in 75 games), LF Tommy Pham (.273, 21, 68, 33 2Bs), RF Austin Meadows (.291, 33, 89 in 138 games), C Travis d'Arnaud (.263, 16, 67 in 92 games with Rays; .087, 0, 2 in 10 games with Mets, and 1 at-bat in only game with Dodgers), 1B Ji-Man Choi (.261, 19, 63), DH Brandon Lowe (.270, 17, 51 in 82 games) or Avisail Garcia (.282, 20, 72, 25 2Bs in 125 games), 3B Matt Duffy (.252, 1, 12 in 46 games), CF Kevin Kiermaier (.228, 14, 55, 19 SBs in 129 games), SS Willy Adames (.254, 20, 52).Athletics: SS Marcus Semien (.285, 33, 92, 123 runs, 43 2Bs), RF Ramon Laureano (.288, 24, 67, 10 assists), 3B Matt Chapman (.249, 36, 91, 102 runs, 36 2Bs), 1B Matt Olson (.267, 36, 91), CF Mark Canha (.273, 26, 58), DH Khris Davis (.220, 23, 73), LF... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Ramon Laureano flies out to deep center field to Dylan Moore. Matt Chapman lines out to center field to Dylan Moore. Matt Olson walks. Mark Canha grounds out to shallow infield, Tom Murphy to Austin Nola.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 1, Mariners 0.Mariners first. Shed Long grounds out to shortstop, Matt Chapman to Matt Olson. J.P. Crawford walks. Austin Nola singles to left field. J.P. Crawford to third. Kyle Seager grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Austin Nola to third. J.P. Crawford scores. Kyle Lewis grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 1, Mariners 1.Mariners third. Dylan Moore strikes out swinging. Shed Long doubles to left field. J.P. Crawford flies out to shallow right field to Ramon Laureano. Austin Nola singles to center field. Shed Long scores. Kyle Seager flies out to shallow left field to Chad Pinder.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

Athletics fourth. Matt Olson pops out to Kevan Smith. Mark Canha lines out to center field to Brian Goodwin. Ramon Laureano singles to shortstop. Khris Davis homers to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Chad Pinder grounds out to shortstop, David Fletcher to Jared Walsh.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 2, Angels 0.Angels fifth. Taylor Ward singles to left field. Matt Thaiss singles to shallow center field. Taylor Ward to second. Kaleb Cowart strikes out swinging. David Fletcher singles to center field. Matt Thaiss to third. Taylor Ward scores. Brian Goodwin doubles to left field. David Fletcher to third. Matt Thaiss scores. Albert Pujols out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Chad Pinder. David Fletcher scores. Kole Calhoun flies out to deep right field to Ramon Laureano.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Athletics 2.

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Matt Chapman singles to right center field. Marcus Semien to third. Matt Olson singles to right field. Matt Chapman to second. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha reaches on a fielder's choice to third base, advances to 2nd. Matt Olson scores. Matt Chapman out at third. Throwing error by Nick Solak. Ramon Laureano doubles to deep right field. Mark Canha scores. Khris Davis walks. Chad Pinder walks. Khris Davis to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Sheldon Neuse out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Shin-Soo Choo. Khris Davis to third. Ramon Laureano scores. Josh Phegley singles to left field. Chad Pinder to second. Khris Davis scores. Marcus Semien walks. Josh Phegley to second. Chad Pinder to third. Matt Chapman singles to center field. Marcus Semien to third. Josh Phegley scores. Chad Pinder scores. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Athletics 7, Rangers 0.Athletics second. Mark Canha singles to shallow... [More]

Athletics second. Ramon Laureano singles to shallow right field. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Sean Murphy walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Chad Pinder homers to center field. Sean Murphy scores. Ramon Laureano scores. Sheldon Neuse grounds out to first base, Ronald Guzman to Mike Minor. Marcus Semien flies out to left field to Willie Calhoun.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 0.Athletics third. Matt Chapman walks. Matt Olson grounds out to first base to Ronald Guzman. Matt Chapman to second. Mark Canha doubles to deep right field. Matt Chapman scores. Ramon Laureano pops out to shallow infield to Rougned Odor. Khris Davis flies out to center field to Delino DeShields.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Rangers 0.Athletics fourth. Sean Murphy walks. Chad Pinder singles to left field. Sean Murphy to second. Sheldon Neuse grounds out to second base. Chad Pinder out at second. Sean Murphy to third. Marcus Semien doubles to deep left field. Sean Murphy... [More]

Royals fifth. Ryan McBroom doubles to deep right field. Cheslor Cuthbert singles to center field. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling strikes out swinging. Nick Dini out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Robbie Grossman. Ryan McBroom scores. Whit Merrifield flies out to right center field to Robbie Grossman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Athletics 0.Athletics seventh. Matt Olson homers to center field. Mark Canha hit by pitch. Seth Brown doubles to deep right center field. Mark Canha scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Jurickson Profar reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Seth Brown to third. Robbie Grossman walks. Jurickson Profar to second. Ramon Laureano pinch-hitting for Josh Phegley. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien lines out to right field to Ryan McBroom.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 1.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Marcell Ozuna drove in four runs and threw out a runner at home plate from left field, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Monday night.St. Louis retained its two-game lead over the second-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Washington is one-half game ahead of the Cubs for the top NL wild card.Nationals manager Dave Martinez missed the game following a heart procedure in Washington, and bench coach Chip Hale was in charge of the dugout.Dexter Fowler walked against Sean Doolittle (6-5) with one out in the seventh, Hunter Strickland walked Paul Goldschmidt with two outs and Ozuna doubled just inside the left-field line, just the second hit in 11 at-bats for the Cardinals with runners in scoring position.Dakota Hudson (16-7) won for the sixth time in seven starts. Carlos Martínez got his 20th save in 23 chances.ROCKIES 9, METS 4DENVER (AP) — Pitcher Antonio Senzatela hit a tying, two-run single that ended a year-long 0-for-44 slide at the... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield singles to left field. Adalberto Mondesi triples to deep right center field. Whit Merrifield scores. Jorge Soler flies out to right field to Ramon Laureano. Hunter Dozier flies out to right field to Ramon Laureano. Alex Gordon strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Athletics 0.Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to center field. Ramon Laureano walks. Matt Chapman pops out to shallow infield to Whit Merrifield. Matt Olson doubles to deep left field. Ramon Laureano scores. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha walks. Seth Brown pops out to shallow left field to Adalberto Mondesi. Khris Davis flies out to deep right field to Bubba Starling.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 1.Athletics second. Jurickson Profar flies out to deep left field to Alex Gordon. Sean Murphy doubles to deep left field. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Sean Murphy scores. Ramon Laureano singles to second base. Matt Chapman grounds out... [More]