OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched just well enough to earn his 200th career win and the Houston Astros hit five home runs, beating the Oakland Athletics 9-4 Sunday to avoid a sweep and retake sole possession of the AL West lead.The surging A's had won the first two games at the Coliseum to tie shaky Houston atop the division. But Yuli Gurriel hit a three-run homer in the third inning and Evan Gattis, Alex Bergman, Marwin Gonzalez and Martin Maldonado later homered for the defending World Series champions. Maldonado also tripled and doubled.Verlander (12-8) gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings while becoming the 114th pitcher with at least 200 career wins.Oakland's Sean Manaea (11-9) was charged with six runs and nine hits in four-plus innings.DODGERS 12, MARINERS 1SEATTLE (AP) — Clayton Kershaw pitched seven sharp innings for his 150th career win, Justin Turner homered and drove in five runs, and Los Angeles routed Seattle.Kershaw (6-5) gave up four hits, struck out seven and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Guzman became the first rookie to hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees, powering the Texas Rangers past New York 12-7 on Friday night.Eight days after Boston's Steve Pearce connected three times off the Yankees, Guzman duplicated the feat in ending New York's four-game winning streak.Guzman grounded out his first time up, then hit solo home runs in three straight at-bats. The 23-year-old first baseman batted again in the eighth with a chance to tie the big league record for homers in a game — no rookie has ever hit four — but struck out swinging against Chad Green.Guzman's two homers off Masahiro Tanaka (9-3) and one off A.J. Cole made him the first Texas player to hit three home runs in a game since Adrian Beltre in 2012.Overall, Guzman has 12 home runs this season, six against the Yankees.Beltre also joined in the fun with his seventh homer of the season, tying recent Hall of Fame inductee Chipper Jones for the 33rd spot on baseball's career list with... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward broke up a no-hitter with a tying two-run single in the sixth inning, Anthony Rizzo drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Friday.In the first meeting between the teams since Chicago beat Washington in the NL Division Series, the Cubs won even though they didn't get a hit against Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson.Rizzo walked three times. Manager Joe Maddon got ejected, but the Cubs pulled out the victory.Hellickson was sailing along, retiring 17 in a row after issuing a leadoff walk to Rizzo in the first. But things took a wild turn with two out in the sixth.He walked Rizzo on 13 pitches and both Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist on four to load the bases. Heyward took two balls from Sammy Solis (1-2) before lining the tying single past second baseman Daniel Murphy.Chicago took a 3-2 lead in the seventh after Maddon got tossed for arguing an interference call against Willson Contreras on the bases.Kyle... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout this season and new arrival Leonys Martin homered again as the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 Saturday night.After the game, there was a report that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of this season. The report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic cited unidentified major league sources.The 59-year-old Scioscia is the longest-tenured manager in the majors and has guided the Angels since 2000. They are 55-57 this year.Kluber (14-6) matched zeros for five innings with Felix Pena (1-3), who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Martin led off with a homer. Martin has two homers in three games since coming to Cleveland in a trade with Detroit.The Angels were again without All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who missed his third straight game with a sore right wrist.ASTROS 14, DODGERS 0LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh Reddick's three-run homer highlighted Houston's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout this season and new arrival Leonys Martin homered again as the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 Saturday night.After the game, there was a report that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of this season. The report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic cited unidentified major league sources.The 59-year-old Scioscia is the longest-tenured manager in the majors and has guided the Angels since 2000. They are 55-57 this year.Kluber (14-6) matched zeros for five innings with Felix Pena (1-3), who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Martin led off with a homer. Martin has two homers in three games since coming to Cleveland in a trade with Detroit.The Angels were again without All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who missed his third straight game with a sore right wrist.REDS 7, NATIONALS 1, 1ST GAMENATIONALS 6, REDS 2, 2ND GAMEWASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals slugger... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shawn Kelley's outburst on the mound got him booted from the Washington Nationals.The Nationals designated Kelley for assignment on Wednesday, a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning of a 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets.Kelley entered the game with Washington leading 25-1. He appeared agitated and was working quickly, and he had already allowed a run when the plate umpire warned him to slow down. After the warning, he gave up a two-run homer to Austin Jackson, prompting the outburst."I thought (the way) he acted, portrayed on the field last night, was disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, specifically (manager) Davey Martinez," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "You're either in or you're in the way. I thought he was in the way. That's something you don't come back from. It was a disrespectful act. ... I thought it warranted him leaving the team. I couldn't see how... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shawn Kelley's outburst on the mound got him booted from the Washington Nationals.The Nationals designated Kelley for assignment on Wednesday, a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning of a 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets.Kelley entered the game with Washington leading 25-1. He appeared agitated and was working quickly, and he had already allowed a run when the plate umpire warned him to slow down. After the warning, he gave up a two-run homer to Jeff McNeil, prompting the outburst."I thought (the way) he acted, portrayed on the field last night, was disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, specifically (manager) Davey Martinez," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "You're either in or you're in the way. I thought he was in the way. That's something you don't come back from. It was a disrespectful act. ... I thought it warranted him leaving the team. I couldn't see how... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shawn Kelley's outburst on the mound got him booted from the Washington Nationals.The Nationals designated Kelley for assignment on Wednesday, a day after he threw his glove to the ground and glared into the dugout while working the ninth inning of a 25-4 blowout of the New York Mets.Kelley entered the game with Washington leading 25-1. He appeared agitated and was working quickly, and he had already allowed a run when the plate umpire warned him to slow down. After the warning, he gave up a two-run homer to Jeff McNeil, prompting the outburst."I thought (the way) he acted, portrayed on the field last night, was disrespectful to the name on the front of the jersey, the organization, specifically (manager) Davey Martinez," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "You're either in or you're in the way. I thought he was in the way. That's something you don't come back from. It was a disrespectful act. ... I thought it warranted him leaving the team. I couldn't see how... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STARTING OUTBrian Dozier could make his first start for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they host Milwaukee. The power-hitting Minnesota second baseman was traded Tuesday, shortly before the deadline for making deals without waivers. The defending NL champion Dodgers have revamped their infield in the last two weeks, also getting star Manny Machado.MOVING DAYChris Archer, Jonathan Scoop and Wilson Ramos were part of the 15 trades made Tuesday as contenders prepped for the playoff race. Brandon Kintzler will celebrate his 34th birthday finishing the move from Washington to the Cubs — on his birthday last year, he was going from Minnesota to the Nationals.HURTINGAstros center fielder George Springer will see how his sore left shoulder is feeling. The World Series MVP jarred himself making a diving try, hoping to cut off a ball Tuesday night at Seattle. Houston already has star infielders Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa on the disabled list.WELCOMECole... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper is still a member of the Washington Nationals, with the two-time defending NL East champions hoping he can lead them on another playoff run after a season-long funk.Washington opted not to trade Harper, who'll be a free agent after the season, after listening to offers for him. The Nationals didn't do much else, either, before Tuesday's trade deadline, shipping out a relief pitcher but otherwise standing pat as the two teams ahead of them in the division — Atlanta and Philadelphia — made moves to upgrade their rosters.General manager Mike Rizzo said he had discussions with other teams about a litany of players and Harper was one of them, with several teams having more than a passing interest. He said the team did its due diligence on Harper and five or six other players, but there wasn't a deal that made sense."It would have to be a spectacular set of circumstances for us to move a player of Bryce Harper's ability level, and we didn't get anything that met... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — From the perspective of manager Brian Snitker, the addition of right-hander Kevin Gausman means the Atlanta Braves added help in all the right places for their push to win the NL East.Snitker applauded four trades made by general manager Alex Anthopoulos."I feel really good," Snitker said. "We talked about what you would like to have, and I think he hit all the boxes. Bullpen depth, starting pitcher, maybe a bat off the bench. I think they did a great job."The Braves acquired Gausman and veteran reliever Darren O'Day from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for four prospects Tuesday. The Braves also added outfielder Adam Duvall, acquired from the Reds late Monday, and relievers Brad Brach and Jonny Venters in the last five days.Atlanta didn't part with any of its top prospects in the process, either.The Orioles acquired Triple-A right-hander Evan Phillips, Class A infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion and two Double-A prospects — catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce... [More]

For Brian Dozier, getting traded meant a dash to the airport and a long trip to Dodger Stadium. For Jake Diekman, it was a lot easier — he simply rode the bullpen cart from one clubhouse to the other at Chase Field.Chris Archer, Jonathan Schoop and a bunch of relievers moved on deadline day, a flurry of 15 swaps Tuesday before time ran out to make deals without waivers.The trade market kept spinning at a dizzying pace. Every team except San Francisco made at least one deal since the All-Star Game, with Tampa Bay swinging seven.Archer, a two-time All-Star, hugged teammates at Tropicana Field before heading to Pittsburgh. He is 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 17 starts this season, and joins a Pirates club that has pushed back into the playoff race even after trading away Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen in the offseason."They're super-hot right now, and they want me," Archer said. "I'm excited to be part of the organization that wants me, part of a rich baseball history, a hard-working community.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bryce Harper is still a Washington National, with the two-time defending NL East champions hoping he can lead them on another playoff run after a season-long funk.Washington opted not to trade Harper, who'll be a free agent after the season, after listening to offers for him. The Nationals didn't do much else, either, before Tuesday's trade deadline, shipping out a relief pitcher but otherwise standing pat as the two teams ahead of them in the division — Atlanta and Philadelphia — made moves to upgrade their rosters.General manager Mike Rizzo said he had discussions with other teams about a litany of players and Harper was one of them, with several teams having more than a passing interest. He said the team did its due diligence on Harper and five or six other players, but there wasn't a deal that made sense."It would have to be a spectacular set of circumstances for us to move a player of Bryce Harper's ability level, and we didn't get anything that met those qualifications,"... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have traded reliever Brandon Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs, exactly a year after the right-hander moved in another deadline deal.The NL Central-leading Cubs sent minor league pitcher Jhon Romero in the trade announced less than an hour before Tuesday's non-waiver deadline.Kintzler, who turns 34 on Wednesday, is 1-2 with two saves and a 3.59 ERA in 45 games this season. He had been especially tough in 14 games since coming back from the disabled list from a strained forearm."Pretty shocked but get to go to a great situation right now," Kintzler said. "I've already talked to them, they're excited. You want to feel wanted wherever you go so they're in a great situation, a great team, obviously we played against them last year. They're tough."Kintzler was an All-Star closer last year with Minnesota, then was traded on July 31 to Washington. The Nationals built up the back end of their bullpen in a postseason push, but were beaten by the Cubs in the... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):5:15 p.m.The Arizona Diamondbacks have bolstered their bullpen for the second time at the trade deadline, acquiring left-hander Jake Diekman from the Texas Rangers for right-hander Wei-Chieh Huang and a player to be named.The deal comes after the Diamondbacks picked up right-hander Brad Ziegler in a trade with the Miami Marlins.The 31-year-old Diekman was 1-1 with two saves and a 3.69 ERA in 47 appearances with the Rangers this season. He is 4-4 with a 3.57 ERA in seven big league seasons with Philadelphia and Texas.The 24-year-old Huang was a combined 6-2 with a 2.31 ERA in 29 games with Class A Visalia and Double-A Jackson this season.Arizona also designed left-hander Jorge De La Rosa for assignment.___5 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-hander John Axford from Toronto in exchange for minor league pitcher Corey Cropping.Axford is 4-1 with... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):5 p.m.The Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-hander John Axford from Toronto in exchange for minor league pitcher Corey Cropping.Axford is 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA in 45 games for the Blue Jays this season. He's held hitters to a .234 average.Axford has been particularly strong against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .147 average.During Axford's 10-year big league career, he's also pitched with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Colorado and Oakland.Cropping is 4-0 with three saves and a 2.52 ERA in 35 combined games with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa this season.___4:40 p.m.The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired second baseman Jonathan Schoop in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.The playoff-hopeful Brewers sent second baseman Jonathan Villar, along with two prospects to Baltimore.Schoop is the second infielder to be acquired... [More]

The latest on Major League Baseball trades on the deadline day for deals without waivers (all times Eastern):4:25 p.m.The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-handers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for four prospects.The 27-year-old Gausman is 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA in 21 games started for Baltimore. He is under team control through 2020.The Orioles acquired Triple-A Gwinnett right-hander Evan Phillips, Class A Rome infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion and two Double-A Mississippi prospects — catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmerman. Baltimore also received international signing bonus slot money.This is the second deal between the teams in three days. Atlanta boosted its bullpen by acquiring right-hander Brad Brach from Baltimore for an international signing slot on Sunday.Gausman will provide another veteran arm in a Braves rotation that has lost rookie Mike Soroka and right-hander Brandon McCarthy to injuries. O'Day is on the 60-day disabled... [More]

There are 11 teams within six games of a playoff spot in the National League, which could make for a thrilling last two months of the regular season.It also means some front offices are facing tough decisions as the non-waiver trade deadline looms.It's easy to deal away your top players when you're 20 games behind, but if the postseason is still a possibility, the decision to buy or sell becomes trickier. The Washington Nationals, for example, are six games back in their division and trail the second wild card by the same margin — but there are enough legitimate stars on that roster that a medium-sized deficit is certainly surmountable with this much time to go.Fangraphs.com gives the Nats a 42.5 percent chance to make the postseason, while fivethirtyeight.com (20 percent) and baseballprospectus.com (22 percent as of Sunday morning) are more pessimistic. Whichever website you believe, it would be unusual for a team in Washington's position to become a seller at the deadline. That tends... [More]