BOSTON (AP) — Danny Jansen hit a two-run homer, Travis Shaw had a solo shot and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Boston Red Sox 8-7 in the opener of a doubleheader Friday.The Blue Jays, pushing for a playoff spot, have won three straight and seven of nine. Shaw went 3 for 4 with a double off the top of right field wall and single, Rowdy Tellez had two singles with a sacrifice fly and Randal Grichuk added a two-run single.Yairo Muñoz went 3 for 3 with hit a two-run homer and RBI double for the Red Sox. They have lost five in a row, nine of 12 and fell a season-high 15 games under .500 for the first time since 2014.The Blue Jays had built an 8-4 edge before Boston rallied with three runs in the sixth.A.J. Cole (2-0) pitched an inning of scoreless relief and Anthony Bass got three outs in the seventh and final inning for his fifth save. Zack Godley (0-4) was the loser.BRAVES 7, NATIONALS 1, 1st gameATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered twice, Dansby Swanson added a two-run shot and Atlanta... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García... [More]

Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García with one on... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — In the first major league game with the new, unpopular extra-inning rule, automatic runner Marcus Semien began the bottom of the 10th on second base and scored on Matt Olson’s grand slam, sending the Oakland Athletics over the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 Friday night.Olson, whose alert throw from first base nailed Angels free runner Shohei Ohtani in the top of the 10th, connected with one out. Major League Baseball instituted the controversial extra-inning runner rule for this season to keep games from dragging on amid a compressed, 60-game schedule that started late because of the virus outbreak.After Semien took second, the A’s loaded the bases against Hansel Robles (0-1) on a hit by pitch, wild pitch and a walk.New Angels manager Joe Maddon brought in reliever Hoby Milner and, with a five-man infield in place, Olson hit the first pitch far over the right-field wall.According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. He joined... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

Miguel Sanó and the Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $30 million, three-year contract on Friday, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.Sanó bounced back from a rough 2018 with a career-high 34 homers in just 105 games last season. The 26-year-old third baseman had a career-best .923 OPS.Sanó made $2.65 million last season in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The sides swapped proposed figures in arbitration as placeholders, the player asking for $6.25 million and the team offering $5.1 million.Minnesota reached one-year deals with outfielder Eddie Rosario ($7.75 million), left-hander Taylor Rogers ($4.45 million), outfielder Byron Buxton ($3,075,000), and right-handers Trevor May ($2,205,000) and Tyler Duffey ($1.2 million).Right-hander José Berríos did not reach an agreement and remained on track for a hearing next month. He asked for a raise from $620,000... [More]

Miguel Sanó and the Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $30 million, three-year contract on Friday, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.Sanó bounced back from a rough 2018 with a career-high 34 homers in just 105 games last season. The 26-year-old third baseman had a career-best .923 OPS.Sanó made $2.65 million last season in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The sides swapped proposed figures in arbitration as placeholders, the player asking for $6.25 million and the team offering $5.1 million.Minnesota reached one-year deals with outfielder Eddie Rosario ($7.75 million), left-hander Taylor Rogers ($4.45 million), outfielder Byron Buxton ($3,075,000), and right-handers Trevor May ($2,205,000) and Tyler Duffey ($1.2 million).Right-hander José Berríos did not reach an agreement and remained on track for a hearing next month. He asked for a raise from $620,000... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins bolstered their bullpen Friday by finalizing contracts for two right-handed relievers, adding Tyler Clippard on a $2.75 million, one-year deal and bringing back Sergio Romo with a contract that guaranteed $5 million and includes a 2021 club option.Romo was acquired in a trade with Miami in July. He posted a 3.18 ERA with four walks and 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings for Minnesota. The 36-year-old, who won three World Series with San Francisco, gets $4.75 million next year, and the Twins have a $5 million option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout. Romo has a 2.92 ERA in 623 career innings, for five major league teams.The 34-year-old Clippard had a 2.90 ERA in 62 innings for division rival Cleveland last season, with 15 walks and 64 strikeouts. He has a 3.14 ERA in 816 career innings, for nine different major league teams.The Twins had a 4.17 relief ERA in 2019, ranking 10th in the major leagues. Romo and Clippard will complement the bullpen core of closer Taylor Rogers and setup men Tyler Duffey and Trevor May.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins bolstered their bullpen Friday by finalizing deals for two right-handed relievers, adding Tyler Clippard on a one-year deal and bringing back Sergio Romo with a contract that guaranteed $5 million and includes a 2021 club option.Romo was acquired in a trade with Miami in July. He posted a 3.18 ERA with four walks and 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings for Minnesota. The 36-year-old, who won three World Series with San Francisco, gets $4.75 million next year, and the Twins have a $5 million option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout. Romo has a 2.92 ERA in 623 career innings, for five different major league teams.The 34-year-old Clippard had a 2.90 ERA in 62 innings for division rival Cleveland last season, with 15 walks and 64 strikeouts. He has a 3.14 ERA in 816 career innings, for nine different major league teams.The Twins had a 4.17 relief ERA in 2019, ranking 10th in the major leagues. Romo and Clippard will complement the bullpen core of closer Taylor Rogers and setup men Tyler Duffey and Trevor May.———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins agreed Monday with backup infielder Ehire Adrianza and new reliever Matt Wisler on one-year contracts to avoid salary arbitration, and decided not to tender deals to first baseman C.J. Cron and relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger.The moves came on deadline day for major league teams to offer 2020 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.Adrianza, who will make $1.6 million, played seven positions this year — everywhere but catcher and center field. He took the majority of his turns at third base, shortstop and first base. The 30-year-old batted .272 with a .765 OPS, both career bests. He had five homers and 22 RBIs in 202 at-bats.Adrianza has hit .260 with a .711 OPS in 267 games for the Twins since being claimed off waivers in 2017, playing at least five positions in all three years. He’s eligible for free agency after next season.Wisler, who will make $725,000, was claimed Oct. 29 off waivers from Seattle. He had 16 walks and 63 strikeouts... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins agreed Monday with backup infielder Ehire Adrianza and new reliever Matt Wisler on one-year contracts to avoid salary arbitration, and decided not to tender deals to first baseman C.J. Cron and relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger.The moves came on deadline day for major league teams to offer 2020 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.Adrianza, who will make $1.6 million, played seven positions this year — everywhere but catcher and center field. He took the majority of his turns at third base, shortstop and first base. The 30-year-old batted .272 with a .765 OPS, both career bests. He had five homers and 22 RBIs in 202 at-bats.Adrianza has hit .260 with a .711 OPS in 267 games for the Twins since being claimed off waivers in 2017, playing at least five positions in all three years. He’s eligible for free agency after next season.Wisler, who will make $725,000, was claimed Oct. 29 off waivers from Seattle. He had 16 walks and 63 strikeouts... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins agreed Monday with backup infielder Ehire Adrianza and new reliever Matt Wisler on one-year contracts to avoid salary arbitration, and decided not to tender deals to first baseman C.J. Cron and relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger.The moves came on deadline day for major league teams to offer 2020 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.Adrianza, who will make $1.6 million, played seven positions this year — everywhere but catcher and center field. He took the majority of his turns at third base, shortstop and first base. The 30-year-old batted .272 with a .765 OPS, both career bests. He had five homers and 22 RBIs in 202 at-bats.Adrianza has hit .260 with a .711 OPS in 267 games for the Twins since being claimed off waivers in 2017, playing at least five positions in all three years. He’s eligible for free agency after next season.Wisler was claimed Oct. 29 off waivers from Seattle. He had 16 walks and 63 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings,... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — While the New York Yankees were dousing themselves with cheap drinks down the hall in the Target Field basement, the Minnesota Twins were left to wonder how 101 wins, 307 homers and so much summer fun could lead to such an abrupt autumn exit.Minnesota's major league record streak of 16 straight postseason losses, with 13 of those defeats exacted by the seemingly indefatigable Yankees, will gnaw at the franchise and the fan base for yet another year.For the free agents to be, the 2019 regular season might well be the highlight of their time in Minnesota rather than the start of a dynastic run. The players who return in 2020, even with their experience of October disappointment administered by the nemesis Yankees limited to a mere three or four games, will face the same questions next year about slaying the pinstriped dragon that's bound to be among the AL favorites again.One bad weekend of baseball on the big stage, though, can't erase the remarkable consistency, admirable... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel Sanó (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

Sept. 221911 — Cy Young, 44, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 for his 511th and final major league victory.1936 — The Detroit Tigers swept the St. Louis Browns 12-0 and 14-0 to record the biggest double shutout in major league history.1954 — Karl Spooner of Brooklyn became the first pitcher in the majors to strike out 15 in his first game as the Dodgers beat the New York Giants 3-0.1966 — The Baltimore Orioles clinched their first AL pennant in 22 years with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City A's. Their last pennant came in 1944 when they were the St. Louis Browns.1968 — Cesar Tovar played one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming the second major leaguer in history to do it. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland A's was the other.1969 — Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants became the second player to hit 600 career home runs — joining Babe Ruth. The two-run shot off San Diego's Mike Corkins in the seventh inning, gave the Giants a 4-2 win.1973 — Baltimore's Al Bumbry tied... [More]