ATLANTA (AP) — Sean Newcomb came within one strike of pitching the first no-hitter by the Atlanta Braves since 1994, denied when Chris Taylor sharply singled in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Newcomb had a 2-2 count with two outs in the ninth inning when Taylor hit a hard grounder beyond the reach of diving third baseman Johan Camargo. That came on the career-high 134th and final pitch by the 25-year-old lefty.Newcomb (10-5) left to a thunderous standing ovation from the sellout crowd at SunTrust Park as manager Brian Snitker removed him. Snitker took the ball and gave it back to Newcomb as a keepsake — instead, Newcomb simply tossed it toward the Atlanta dugout as he walked off, wanting no souvenir of the near-miss.Newcomb apologized about an hour after the game for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager, calling them "some stupid stuff."Ross Stripling (8-3) was subpar in his second straight start, allowing four runs, seven hits and one walk with five... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko was nervous. Not about making his second major league start, really. It was all about stepping to the plate.Once that was over, everything fell into place.Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night."We know when (Plutko) commands everything, he can be pretty good," manager Terry Francona said. "But on a night when he didn't command real well, he still did pretty damn good."Plutko (2-0) was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace the struggling Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation. The right-hander issued each of his four walks in the first two innings, but settled down after a successful sacrifice in the third in his first at-bat since he was a junior in high school in 2009."I was really nervous to hit, and so as soon as I got that bunt down in the third, I felt like a lot more calm and everything was a lot better," he said.Plutko's... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander got some run support for the first time in nearly a month and led the Houston Astros over the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Wednesday.Verlander (6-2) struck out nine and walked one in six innings, allowing one run and three hits as his major league-leading ERA rose slightly to 1.08. He had given up just three runs over 29 innings during his previous four starts, but the Astros had scored just three runs in that span, getting shut out twice.Ken Giles pitched the ninth to remain perfect in nine save chances.George Springer hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the fifth on a 93 mph fastball from Jeff Samardzija (1-3), driving the ball off the facade above the left-field seats. Carlos Correa added an RBI single later in the inning.INDIANS 1, CUBS 0CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping Cleveland beat Chicago.Plutko (2-0) struck out four and walked four in his second major league... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.Plutko (2-0) struck out four and walked four in his second major league start. The right-hander was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace the struggling Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation.Michael Brantley, Francisco Lindor and Rajai Davis had two hits apiece as the AL Central leaders won for the third time in four games. Brantley extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and Davis also contributed a leaping catch against the wall in center, robbing Addison Russell of a likely run-scoring hit in the second.The Indians completed a sweep of their two-game set versus the Cubs in their first appearance at Wrigley Field since they lost the 2016 World Series.Chicago wasted a terrific start by Jon Lester (4-2) in its second straight loss after taking three of four last weekend in Cincinnati. The lefty... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have dealt with record-low temperatures, snow flurries and bone-chilling winds during their first homestand.The Indians managed to play the first eight games despite the obstacles. That run ended when Saturday's game against Toronto was postponed by rain.Heavy rain began falling about two hours before the scheduled 4:10 p.m. first pitch, and the game was called at 5:28 p.m. It was rescheduled for 1:10 p.m. on May 3, previously an off day for both teams.Sunday's series finale could also be in jeopardy because the rain is predicted to last through the weekend. The Blue Jays are making their only scheduled trip to Cleveland.Both teams will go with Saturday's scheduled starters in the series finale. Corey Kluber (1-1), the reigning AL Cy Young winner, will pitch for Indians. The right-hander struck out 13 and allowed two hits in eight innings against Detroit on Monday.Jaime Garcia (1-0) will make his third start for Toronto. He pitched into the sixth inning... [More]

The outfield used to be a prime destination for the fantasy needs of every baseball shopper. Times have changed.Other positions are more fruitful and stolen bases are more valuable than ever because they're not as readily available.In 2017, outfielders accounted for 38 percent of all plate appearance in Major League Baseball, and accordingly represented 38.9 percent of home runs and 37.9 percent of all RBIs. Looking at other standard categories, outfielders accounted for 41 percent of runs scored and 54.9 percent of stolen bases. They hit an average of .260 versus the typical .255 batting average. They were even better with on-base percentage, earning a .332 mark compared to baseball's average OBP of .324.Combine those numbers with the reality that HRs overall are up 45.8 percent since 2014, and RBIs increased by just 15 percent - but stolen bases are down 29.8 percent from their peak this decade.The takeaway: You can get power anywhere, but steals are at a premium and the outfield is a... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had four singles in his spring training debut for the Toronto Blue Jays, a 9-3 win at the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.The 18-year-old third baseman, whose father Vladimir will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer, signed with Toronto in July 2015 for a $3.9 million bonus.He was the designated hitter and had hits in the second inning off Nestor Cortes Jr., in the sixth and seventh against Tim Melville and in the ninth versus Asher Wojciechowski. He also flied out in the fourth against Darren O'Day. He hit .323 with 13 homers and 76 RBIs at a pair of Class A teams last year with a .910 OPS."Good looking hitter," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He looks like he has fun playing."Bo Bichette, a son of former major leaguer Dante Bichette, had two hits and drove in two runs for Toronto. The Blue Jays' Anthony Alford had two doubles and his second triple. Aaron Sanchez allowed one run in three innings and struck out five.ELSEWHERE AROUND... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Jason Kipnis was warned the day would come when his body betrayed him.Early in his major league career, veterans warned Kipnis the bruises would take longer to heal and those late nights would be harder to shake in the early mornings.That time has arrived."When you're 24, the excitement, the way your body feels, you can roll out of bed with a Red Bull and feel great," said Cleveland's steady second baseman. "Now, I need a Red Bull to get out of bed."But following an injury-riddled 2017 season, Kipnis has found another gear under the warm Arizona sun.An All-Star in 2013 and 2015, Kipnis homered in each of his first six exhibition games, evidence the 30-year-old may be primed to produce more this season."I'm not trying to hit home runs," Kipnis said. "If I had my choice, I'd save them for the regular season but you don't get to do that."Kipnis spent all last year battling injuries, which limited him to 90 games. He arrived at camp with a sore right shoulder, and the... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $7.5 million, two-year contract Monday.Arizona announced the move shortly after the Boston Red Sox reached agreement on a $110 million, five-year deal with former Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez. The right-handed-hitting outfielder had a big half-season with Arizona last year after being acquired from Detroit in a trade, and the Diamondbacks were hopeful they could work out some sort of agreement to bring him back. But in the end, he was out of Arizona's price range.Unlike Martinez, Dyson is no slugger. The left-handed hitter batted .251 and stole 28 bases for the Seattle Mariners last season. He had five home runs and 30 RBIs in 111 games.Dyson played all seven of his previous major league seasons with the Kansas City Royals.Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen has said all spring that the team's top priority was to add outfield depth, so Dyson might have been signed regardless of what... [More]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The bat Rajai Davis used to hit one of the biggest home runs in Cleveland Indians history is nicely displayed in his office. The moment is deeply engraved in his memory.Now the 37-year-old outfielder who hit that game-tying homer late in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series is back in the Indians spring training clubhouse after a season away."I just want to be able to deliver now, and I want to be able to help us win a World Series," Davis said Sunday, a day after signing a minor league deal. "That's my goal, that's my mission, and I'm going to do everything in my ability in preparing to do that."In that Game 7 two seasons ago, Davis hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman. But the Indians then lost that season-ending game in 10 innings.Davis led the American League with 43 stolen bases in 134 games in 2016. He had a reunion with Oakland in free agency last year before being traded midseason to Boston, hitting a combined .235... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East 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:___Boston Red SoxManager: Alex Cora (first season).2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: JetBlue Park.First Workout: Feb. 14/19.He's Here: Manager Alex Cora.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, INF Eduardo Nunez, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Blaine Boyer.Going campin': The Red Sox won 93 games for the second straight season and claimed the franchise's first back-to-back AL East titles. But Farrell was fired after they failed to advance in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. They are virtually the same team as last year; boss Dave Dombrowski said he was looking for a bat with power and still might add one of the free agents remaining on the market, including... [More]

OF Rajai Davis was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases Tuesday in the 3-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The former Blue Jay moved into a tie with OF Otis Nixon for the third-most stolen bases at the Rogers Centre (69).

OF Rajai Davis, acquired from the Oakland A's earlier in the week, got his first start with his new team. He went 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch.

OF Rajai Davis, acquired in a trade with Oakland on Wednesday, joined the Red Sox Thursday. Davis didn't start the game, but entered the game in the eighth inning, replacing injured OF Mookie Betts. Ironically, the Red Sox acquired Davis on the day they were playing the Indians, for whom Davis played last year, when he led the American League in stolen bases and hit one of the most famous home runs in Indians history, his game-tying home run off Cubs LHP Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series. The Indians chose not to re-sign Davis, but enjoyed him in his one year with the team. "He was one of the most popular guys we had, especially for somebody who was only here one year," Manager Terry Francona said. "When we didn't bring him back we knew we would miss those 50 stolen bases."

OF Rajai Davis was acquired by the Red Sox from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league outfielder Rafael Rincones, the teams announced Wednesday. "These things happen," Davis said. "It was a great time. I learned so much from the coaches (in Oakland)." Davis, 36, is batted .233 with 17 doubles, two triples, and five home runs in 100 games with the A's this season. He also stole 26 bases in 32 attempts. In 30 games since the All-Star break, Davis has hit .303 with 11 stolen bases. Davis has recorded five assists and two double plays in 79 games in center field, also making nine starts in right field and two in left field. Davis appeared in the postseason in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers and in 2016 for the Cleveland Indians. In Game 7 of last year's World Series against the Chicago Cubs, he tied the score at 6-6 with a two-out, two-run home run off Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning.

OF Rajai Davis was acquired from the Oakland A's in a trade that sent minor league OF Rafael Rincones to Oakland. Davis, 36, was hitting .233 with Oakland, with five home runs and 18 RBIs. Davis, who led the American League with 43 stolen bases last year with Cleveland, has 26 steals this year. "He's a guy with postseason experience, and adds the speed element," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He's a good fit for us at a really important time." Farrell said Davis will play center field. He is expected to join the team on Thursday.

The Boston Red Sox acquired another player they hope will help them down the stretch and in the postseason, obtaining outfielder Rajai Davis from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league outfielder Rafael Rincones, the teams announced Wednesday.To make room for Davis on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated outfielder Steve Selsky for assignment.With Jackie Bradley Jr. going on the disabled list earlier Wednesday, the Red Sox need help in the outfield.Davis, 36, is batted .233 with 17 doubles, two triples, and five home runs in 100 games with the A's this season. He also stole 26 bases in 32 attempts.In 30 games since the All-Star break, Davis has hit .303 with 11 stolen bases.Davis has recorded five assists and two double plays in 79 games in center field, also making nine starts in right field and two in left field.Davis appeared in the postseason in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers and in 2016 for the Cleveland Indians. In Game 7 of last year's World Series against the Chicago... [More]

CF Rajai Davis extended a hitting streak to four straight games by leading off the bottom of the first inning with a single to left field on a 2-2 pitch. He is batting .329 with 17 runs scored over his last 25 games. Davis is hitting .333 since the All-Star Game after batting just .210 before the break.