HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift. After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party. Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who celebrated his 72nd birthday. Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all. Nate Lowe’s RBI single off Ryan Pressly (3-1) with two outs in the 10th put the Rangers up. GIANTS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 8 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks blew a seven-run lead and lost... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift. After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party. Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who celebrated his 72nd birthday. Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all. Nate Lowe’s RBI single off Ryan Pressly (3-1) with two outs in the 10th put the Rangers up. METS 3, CUBS 2 NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift. After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party. Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who celebrated his 72nd birthday. Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all. Nate Lowe’s RBI single off Ryan Pressly (3-1) with two outs in the 10th put the Rangers up. METS 3, CUBS 2 NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve belted a grand slam in the 10th inning and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa’s tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night to give manager Dusty Baker quite an exciting birthday gift. After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half. Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party. Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who celebrated his 72nd birthday. Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all. Nate Lowe’s RBI single off Ryan Pressly (3-1) with two outs in the 10th put the Rangers up. METS 3, CUBS 2 NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three runs and the surging New York Mets threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Walker (6-2) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, and he walked none for the third time. Javier Báez put the Cubs ahead 2-0 in the third with his 15th home run. Alonso hit a two-run single in the bottom half and a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Seth Lugo got six outs for his first save since returning on June 2 from elbow surgery, and the NL East-leading Mets (34-25) won for the fifth time in six games to move nine games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2019 season. Alec Mills (2-1) allowed three runs, five hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. CARDINALS 2, MARLINS 1 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a game-ending homer in the ninth inning and drove in both runs as St. Louis beat Miami. St. Louis has won two in a row... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three runs and the surging New York Mets threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Walker (6-2) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, and he walked none for the third time. Javier Báez put the Cubs ahead 2-0 in the third with his 15th home run. Alonso hit a two-run single in the bottom half and a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Seth Lugo got six outs for his first save since returning on June 2 from elbow surgery, and the NL East-leading Mets (34-25) won for the fifth time in six games to move nine games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2019 season. Alec Mills (2-1) allowed three runs, five hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. WHITE SOX 3, RAYS 0 CHICAGO (AP) — Dallas Keuchel pitched seven innings of crisp four-hit ball to win his fifth straight decision, leading Chicago past Tampa Bay. Adam Engel hit a... [More]

Taijuan Walker struck out a career-high 12, Pete Alonso drove in three runs and the surging New York Mets threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Walker (6-2) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, and he walked none for the third time. Javier Báez put the Cubs ahead 2-0 in the third with his 15th home run. Alonso hit a two-run single in the bottom half and a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Seth Lugo got six outs for his first save since returning on June 2 from elbow surgery, and the NL East-leading Mets (34-25) won for the fifth time in six games to move nine games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2019 season. Alec Mills (2-1) allowed three runs, five hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. NATIONALS 8, PIRATES 1 WASHINGTON (AP) — Yan Gomes connected for a grand slam and Trea Turner got four hits, leading Patrick Corbin and Washington past Pittsburgh. The Nationals won their third in... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Trevor Williams on the 10-day injured list Monday, adding another name to their long list of injured players. Williams was scheduled to start Monday against San Diego, but he had an appendectomy Sunday. Kohl Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Williams' turn against the Padres. Despite a rash of injuries, the Cubs won 12 of 16 heading into the series with San Diego. Williams, Jason Heyward, Jake Marisnick, Nico Hoerner, Matt Duffy, Alec Mills and Justin Steele have gone on the IL since May 10. “You want to cry uncle sometimes,” manager David Ross said with a chuckle. “But it is what we're dealing with and guys have done a nice job of coming up and helping us win ballgames.” There is no timetable for Williams' return. Ross said the pitcher has a follow-up appointment on Thursday. While Williams went on the IL, it looked as if a couple of key players for Chicago were moving closer to playing again. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was out of the starting lineup for the sixth consecutive game because of back tightness. But Rizzo took some swings and fielded grounders before the matchup with the Padres. Heyward (left hamstring strain) and Marisnick (right hamstring strain) also worked out on the field. “We're on the verge of getting some guys healthy, which is the good news on the back end of some bad news,” Ross said. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

American LeagueBaltimore — John Means, Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners, 6-0, May 5,2021 Boston — Jon Lester vs. Kansas City, 7-0, May 19, 2008 Chicago — Carlos Rodon vs. Cleveland Indians, 8-0, April 14, 2021 Cleveland — x-Len Barker vs. Toronto, 3-0, May 15, 1981 Detroit — Spencer Turnbull at Seattle, 5-0, May 18, 2021 Houston — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 2-0, Sept. 1, 2019 Kansas City — Bret Saberhagen vs. Chicago White Sox, 7-0, Aug. 26, 1991 Los Angeles — Taylor Cole, Felix Pena (3), vs. Seattle, 13-0, July 12, 2019 Minnesota — Francisco Liriano at Chicago White Sox, 1-0, May 3, 2011 New York — Corey Kluber at Texas, 2-0, May 19, 2021 Oakland — Mike Fiers vs. Cincinnati, 2-0, May 7, 2019 Seattle — James Paxton at Toronto, 5-0, May 8, 2018 Tampa Bay — Matt Garza vs. Detroit, 5-0, July 26, 2010 Texas — x-Kenny Rogers vs. California, 4-0, July 28, 1994 Toronto — Dave Stieb at Cleveland, 3-0, Sept. 2, 1990 National League Arizona — Edwin Jackson at Tampa Bay, 1-0, June 26, 2010... [More]

American LeagueBaltimore — John Means, Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners, 6-0, May 5,2021 Boston — Jon Lester vs. Kansas City, 7-0, May 19, 2008 Chicago — Carlos Rodon vs. Cleveland Indians, 8-0, April 14, 2021 Cleveland — x-Len Barker vs. Toronto, 3-0, May 15, 1981 Detroit — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 9-0, May 7, 2011 Houston — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 2-0, Sept. 1, 2019 Kansas City — Bret Saberhagen vs. Chicago White Sox, 7-0, Aug. 26, 1991 Los Angeles — Taylor Cole, Felix Pena (3), vs. Seattle, 13-0, July 12, 2019 Minnesota — Francisco Liriano at Chicago White Sox, 1-0, May 3, 2011 New York — x-David Cone vs. Montreal, 6-0, July 18, 1999 Oakland — Mike Fiers vs. Cincinnati, 2-0, May 7, 2019 Seattle — James Paxton at Toronto, 5-0, May 8, 2018 Tampa Bay — Matt Garza vs. Detroit, 5-0, July 26, 2010 Texas — x-Kenny Rogers vs. California, 4-0, July 28, 1994 Toronto — Dave Stieb at Cleveland, 3-0, Sept. 2, 1990 National League Arizona — Edwin Jackson at Tampa Bay, 1-0, June 26,... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — John Means threw the major leagues’ third no-hitter this season and came within a wild pitch on a third strike of a perfect game, pitching the Baltimore Orioles over the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Wednesday. Means (4-0) struck out 12. Seattle’s Sam Haggerty raced to first after he struck out swinging on a curveball in the dirt on a 1-2 count with one outs in the third inning that bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino. Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second. Means threw 79 strikes among 113 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to 26 of 27 batters. When Seattle did make contact against the 28-year-old left-hander, it was weak and there were no threats to fall in for a hit. Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug,. 13, 1969. It was the 10th no-hitter in franchise history — six in Baltimore after four as the St. Louis Browns. Means joined a... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — John Means threw the major leagues’ third no-hitter this season and came within a wild pitch on a third strike of a perfect game, pitching the Baltimore Orioles over the Seattle Mariners 6-0 on Wednesday. Means (4-0) struck out 12. Seattle’s Sam Haggerty raced to first after he struck out swinging on a curveball in the dirt on a 1-2 count with one outs in the third inning that bounced away from catcher Pedro Severino. Haggerty wasn’t on base long, getting thrown out attempting to steal second. Means threw 79 strikes among 113 pitches, including first-pitch strikes to 26 of 27 batters. When Seattle did make contact against the 28-year-old left-hander, it was weak and there were no threats to fall in for a hit. Means lowered his ERA to 1.37 and became the first individual Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter since Jim Palmer against Oakland on Aug,. 13, 1969. It was the 10th no-hitter in franchise history — six in Baltimore after four as the St. Louis Browns. Means joined a... [More]

American LeagueBaltimore — John Means, Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners, 6-0, May 5,2021 Boston — Jon Lester vs. Kansas City, 7-0, May 19, 2008 Chicago — Carlos Rodon vs. Cleveland Indians, 8-0, April 14, 2021 Cleveland — x-Len Barker vs. Toronto, 3-0, May 15, 1981 Detroit — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 9-0, May 7, 2011 Houston — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 2-0, Sept. 1, 2019 Kansas City — Bret Saberhagen vs. Chicago White Sox, 7-0, Aug. 26, 1991 Los Angeles — Taylor Cole, Felix Pena (3), vs. Seattle, 13-0, July 12, 2019 Minnesota — Francisco Liriano at Chicago White Sox, 1-0, May 3, 2011 New York — x-David Cone vs. Montreal, 6-0, July 18, 1999 Oakland — Mike Fiers vs. Cincinnati, 2-0, May 7, 2019 Seattle — James Paxton at Toronto, 5-0, May 8, 2018 Tampa Bay — Matt Garza vs. Detroit, 5-0, July 26, 2010 Texas — x-Kenny Rogers vs. California, 4-0, July 28, 1994 Toronto — Dave Stieb at Cleveland, 3-0, Sept. 2, 1990 National League Arizona — Edwin Jackson at Tampa Bay, 1-0, June 26,... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Victor Caratini is a no-no catcher. When hometown pitcher Joe Musgrove threw the first no-hitter for the San Diego Padres in their franchise history, Caratini became the first MLB catcher to be behind the plate for consecutive no-hitters in the league for different teams. “He was the first one to embrace me,” Musgrove said of Caratini. “And it just felt good. I know he wanted that as bad as I did.” While Musgrove had never thrown a no-hitter at any level, Caratini was on the receiving end last Sept. 13 when Alec Mills threw one for the Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee. The offseason acquisitions by the Padres got one together Friday night in a 3-0 win against the Rangers in Texas. “Just super happy. I think it’s pretty rare to find yourself in those situations,” Caratini said Saturday through a translator. “Joe had everything working, had all of his pitches working. It’s really awesome. Really happy to be a part of it, really happy for him, and really happy for the team... [More]

American LeagueBaltimore — Bob Milacki (6 innings), Mike Flanagan (1), Mark Williamson (1) and Gregg Olson (1) vs. Oakland, 2-0, July 13, 1991 Boston — Jon Lester vs. Kansas City, 7-0, May 19, 2008 Chicago — Lucas Giolito, vs. Pittsburgh, 4-0, August 25, 2020 Cleveland — x-Len Barker vs. Toronto, 3-0, May 15, 1981 Detroit — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 9-0, May 7, 2011 Houston — Justin Verlander at Toronto, 2-0, Sept. 1, 2019 Kansas City — Bret Saberhagen vs. Chicago White Sox, 7-0, Aug. 26, 1991 Los Angeles — Taylor Cole, Felix Pena (3), vs. Seattle, 13-0, July 12, 2019 Minnesota — Francisco Liriano at Chicago White Sox, 1-0, May 3, 2011 New York — x-David Cone vs. Montreal, 6-0, July 18, 1999 Oakland — Mike Fiers vs. Cincinnati, 2-0, May 7, 2019 Seattle — James Paxton at Toronto, 5-0, May 8, 2018 Tampa Bay — Matt Garza vs. Detroit, 5-0, July 26, 2010 Texas — x-Kenny Rogers vs. California, 4-0, July 28, 1994 Toronto — Dave Stieb at Cleveland, 3-0, Sept. 2, 1990 National League Arizona... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam over the visitors’ bullpen that landed in the left-bleachers 471 feet from home plate, helping New York hand Baltimore its first loss this season. New York was ahead 1-0 on Aaron Judge’s fourth-inning homer when starter Jorge López (0-1) walked the bases loaded in the fifth, and Shawn Armstrong forced in a run with a walk to slumping Aaron Hicks. Stanton sent a 92 mph fastball soaring for the longest home run of the young major league season and his eighth career slam. New York improved to 8-0 when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game, including three postseason wins. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (1-0) allowed four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. DODGERS 10, ATHLETICS 3 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Will Smith homered off the left-field foul pole, Corey Seager and Zach McKinstry each drove in three runs, and Los Angeles pounded winless Oakland. Justin Turner also went deep as the defending World Series champions provided... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam over the visitors’ bullpen that landed in the left-bleachers 471 feet from home plate, helping New York hand Baltimore its first loss this season. New York was ahead 1-0 on Aaron Judge’s fourth-inning homer when starter Jorge López (0-1) walked the bases loaded in the fifth, and Shawn Armstrong forced in a run with a walk to slumping Aaron Hicks. Stanton sent a 92 mph fastball soaring for the longest home run of the young major league season and his eighth career slam. New York improved to 8-0 when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game, including three postseason wins. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (1-0) allowed four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. BLUE JAYS 6, RANGERS 2 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Steven Matz struck out nine in his Toronto debut, Marcus Semien and Cavan Biggio hit back-to-back homers and the Blue Jays spoiled Texas’ home opener before the largest MLB crowd since the pandemic. Toronto, 3-1 for the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam over the visitors’ bullpen that landed in the left-bleachers 471 feet from home plate, helping New York hand Baltimore its first loss this season. New York was ahead 1-0 on Aaron Judge’s fourth-inning homer when starter Jorge López (0-1) walked the bases loaded in the fifth, and Shawn Armstrong forced in a run with a walk to slumping Aaron Hicks. Stanton sent a 92 mph fastball soaring for the longest home run of the young major league season and his eighth career slam. New York improved to 8-0 when Judge and Stanton homer in the same game, including three postseason wins. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (1-0) allowed four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. BLUE JAYS 6, RANGERS 2 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Steven Matz struck out nine in his Toronto debut, Marcus Semien and Cavan Biggio hit back-to-back homers and the Blue Jays spoiled Texas’ home opener before the largest MLB crowd since the pandemic. Toronto, 3-1 for the... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — David Bote has won the second-base job with the Chicago Cubs, and Trevor Williams and Adbert Alzolay will round out the team's pitching rotation at the beginning of the season. The Cubs cleared the way for Bote when they optioned infielder Nico Hoerner to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Bote, Hoerner and Eric Sogard had been in the mix at second, and manager David Ross said Bote was the choice. Bote, who turns 28 on April 7, batted .200 with seven homers and 29 RBIs during the pandemic-shortened season last year. He was selected by Chicago in the 18th round of the 2012 amateur draft. The 34-year-old Sogard is in camp on a minor league deal, but the team has told Major League Baseball he will be added to the big league roster. The Cubs also optioned reliever Brad Wieck to Iowa and released veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin. Right-handers Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill were assigned to minor league camp, along with outfielder Rafael Ortega. Miller, Strop, Megill... [More]

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross selected Kyle Hendricks to start on opening day last season, and it worked out quite well. He sees no reason to make a change this year. Ross announced Tuesday that Hendricks will get the ball when the Cubs begin the season against Pittsburgh on April 1 at Wrigley Field. The right-hander tossed a three-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Milwaukee on opening day last summer. “I feel like we've got a lot of talent,” Ross said. “I feel like Kyle, his resume, his leadership, his poise, all that goes into being the opening-day starter, just the extra, kind of, pomp and circumstance that goes with opening day, especially this coming year as well, every arrow points to Kyle.” Ross said he wasn't ready to announce the order for the rest of his starting pitchers. Chicago also has Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies, and Trevor Williams, Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay and Shelby Miller are in the mix for the last two spots. But there is no question about the leader of the rotation,... [More]