ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pinch-hitter Michael Perez hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning on his 28th birthday, six Tampa Bay pitchers combined on a two-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading New York Yankees 1-0 on Friday night.Yoshi Tsutsugo drew a leadoff walk from Adam Ottavino (2-1) in the eighth and went to second with one out when Kevin Kiermaier walked. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch before Perez put the Rays up 1-0 on his fly to center.Chaz Roe (2-0) went the final two innings for the win.Masahiro Tanaka allowed one hit and struck out five over five innings, retiring his final 13 batters after giving up a first-inning single to Yandy Diaz. The Yankees’ right-hander needed just 59 pitches in his second start after beginning the season on the concussion list after being struck in the head by Giancarlo Stanton’s liner during a July 4th summer camp simulated game.Three New York pitchers also limited the Rays to just two hits.MARLINS 4, METS 3NEW... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4, 11 inningsBALTIMORE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, and Baltimore handed Tampa Bay its fourth straight loss.Newcomer Brian Holaday... [More]

Rangers first. Elvis Andrus doubles to deep left center field. Nick Solak strikes out swinging. Rougned Odor grounds out to first base to Brandon Belt. Joey Gallo walks. Todd Frazier singles to right field. Joey Gallo scores. Elvis Andrus scores. Robinson Chirinos called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Giants 0.Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski walks. Alex Dickerson flies out to left center field to Nick Solak. Donovan Solano lines out to third base to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Brandon Belt walks. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Evan Longoria doubles to deep right center field. Brandon Belt scores. Mike Yastrzemski scores. Pablo Sandoval grounds out to shallow infield, Jordan Lyles to Todd Frazier.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Giants 2.Giants third. Mike Yastrzemski walks. Alex Dickerson walks. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Donovan Solano singles to deep right center field. Alex Dickerson scores. Mike Yastrzemski scores. Brandon Belt called out on strikes.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There is a series of high brick arches along an outfield concourse reminiscent of their old stadium and asymmetrical outfield walls in the new home of the Texas Rangers. Still, Globe Life Field is no retro ballpark. When fans are finally able to go there for games, they just have to look above, and look around, to see that — after walking through the big shaded porch-like entrances to get inside.Those 223 transparent panels in the retractable roof and the walls of windows allow in plenty of natural light. The split seating levels, both in the lower and upper decks, offer full views of the field from wide concourses. “Our stated goal from the very beginning was to do the first next-generation ballpark,” said Bryan Trubey, the executive vice president for HKS who oversees the sports practice for the Dallas-headquartered architecture company that designed the $1.2 billion facility. “We did not want to do a retro ballpark. That’s been done, with some incremental changes... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — There is a series of high brick arches along an outfield concourse reminiscent of their old stadium and asymmetrical outfield walls in the new home of the Texas Rangers. Still, Globe Life Field is no retro ballpark. When fans are finally able to go there for games, they just have to look above, and look around, to see that — after walking through the big shaded porch-like entrances to get inside.Those 223 transparent panels in the retractable roof and the walls of windows allow in plenty of natural light. The split seating levels, both in the lower and upper decks, offer full views of the field from wide concourses. “Our stated goal from the very beginning was to do the first next-generation ballpark,” said Bryan Trubey, the executive vice president for HKS who oversees the sports practice for the Dallas-headquartered architecture company that designed the $1.2 billion facility. “We did not want to do a retro ballpark. That’s been done, with some incremental changes... [More]

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — After Corey Kluber was traded to Texas, his new manager got a lot of texts and calls from people saying what a phenomenal pitcher and person the Rangers got. The only message that surprised Chris Woodward was the one he got from the two-time Cy Young Award winner. “One of the first texts he sent me, 'I've got a lot to prove,'” Woodward said Friday. “You don't expect that to come from a guy who's had so much success."While the 33-year-old right-hander had an injury-plagued final season in Cleveland last year, he was coming off an extended stretch as one of baseball's best pitchers. He was a 20-game winner in 2018, and the American League Cy Young winner in 2014 and 2017 — all that during a five-year span when he threw at least 203 innings with 222 strikeouts or more each season.Kluber was the Indians' opening day starter for the fifth season in a row last year, but suffered a broken right forearm when he was hit by a comeback liner in his seventh start. When he was... [More]

All-Star lefty Mike Minor feels like the Texas Rangers will be in pretty good shape if he and hard-throwing right-hander Lance Lynn can do again what they did last season. The workhorse starters now have some veteran help in the rotation with the additions of a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner and a pair of right-handers coming off career highs in wins while pitching for playoff teams.“Last year there was a lot of pressure on me and Lance to win the games that we pitched,” Minor said. “And there were some young guys in there just getting some time up there just to see how it was.”While Lynn and Minor combined for 30 wins and each pitched 208 1-3 innings with at least 200 strikeouts, there were 17 other pitchers who started games for Texas. Nine of them were rookies, some relievers pitching in an “opener” role. The Rangers got started this offseason by signing free-agent right-handers Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles, but weren't finished there. They acquired Texas native and former Cy Young... [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]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central 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:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

Robinson Chirinos and the Texas Rangers were close Wednesdayto a $6.5 million, one-year contract to reunite after the veteran catcher spent a season with the AL West rival Houston Astros.A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was contingent on a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no official announcement.Chirinos would have a $5.5 million salary this season. The deal includes a $6.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout. After six seasons with the Rangers, Chirinos became a free agent when Texas declined a $4.5 million option after the 2019 season and he signed a $5.75 million deal with Houston. He hit .238 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 114 games for the American League champions, while catching for AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Gerrit Cole. He homered in Games 3 and 4 of the World Series, including a pair in Game 4.The 35-year-old likely will become the Rangers starting... [More]

Robinson Chirinos and the Texas Rangers were close Wednesdayto a $6.5 million, one-year contract to reunite after the veteran catcher spent a season with the AL West rival Houston Astros.A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was contingent on a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no official announcement.Chirinos would have a $5.5 million salary this season. The deal includes a $6.5 million option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout. After six seasons with the Rangers, Chirinos became a free agent when Texas declined a $4.5 million option after the 2019 season and he signed a $5.75 million deal with Houston. He hit .238 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs in 114 games for the American League champions, while catching for AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Gerrit Cole. He homered in Games 3 and 4 of the World Series, including a pair in Game 4.The 35-year-old likely will become the Rangers starting... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Corey Kluber is returning to Texas to pitch for the Rangers.The two-time Cy Young Award winner will leave it to others to say whether his hometown team has its next ace.“I think having a starting pitcher you can rely on every fifth day to give your team a chance to win, keep you in the ballgame, I think that stuff carries just as much weight,” Kluber said Tuesday, two days after the Rangers acquired him in a trade with Cleveland that sent outfielder Delino DeShields and reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians.“As far as expecting myself to be a No. 1 starter, I feel like if you do that stuff in between starts and you prepare yourself and you do the things I talked about, I think that stuff just kind of falls in line. But that’s not what I set out to do.”Kluber missed most of last season after breaking his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive during a start at Miami. The 33-year-old came close to returning to the Indians' rotation but injured an oblique during a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner — and their unquestioned ace — over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old reliever with “electric stuff.”Indians president Chris Antonetti said he received calls from numerous teams with interest in Kluber. But the offer from Texas made the most sense for Cleveland because it included players who can have an immediate impact and “help us be a better team in 2020.”But dealing the stoic and steady Kluber wasn't easy.Since the Indians acquired him in a 2010 trade with San Diego, he has blossomed into one of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Kluber won his first Cy Young in 2014, when he went... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner — and their unquestioned ace — over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old with huge potential.The stoic and steady Kluber has been one of baseball's most dominant pitchers since 2014, when he went 18-9 and won his first Cy Young. He got his second in 2017, going 18-4 and leading the AL with a 2.25 ERA. But his future with the money-conscious Indians grew more uncertain last season when the club managed to stay in the playoff chase until late September despite not having him after May 1.Kluber broke his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive during a start at Miami and never made... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers completed a $16 million, two-year contract with free agent right-hander Jordan Lyles, finalizing a deal that had been agreed upon before this week's winter meetings.Texas agreed to a $585,000, one-year contract on Friday with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, designated for assignment by the Rangers 11 days earlier.The additions came a day after the end of the meetings in San Diego where the Rangers missed out on free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon. Lyles gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million in each season. He was 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts at the end of last season for Milwaukee after he was acquired from Pittsburgh. Lyles has been a reliever and starter in his career, with a 43-60 record and 5.11 ERA. He has 143 starts and 102 relief appearances with five teams over nine big league seasons. Texas signed right-hander Kyle Gibson to a $28 million, three-year contract last week. Lyles turns 29 in October, joined Texas to be in a rotation with 30-something pitchers All-Star lefty Mike Minor, and right-handers Lance Lynn and Gibson. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Rangers completed a $16 million, two-year contract with free agent right-hander Jordan Lyles, finalizing a deal that had been agreed upon before this week's winter meetings.Texas agreed to a $585,000, one-year contract on Friday with left-hander Jeffrey Springs, designated for assignment by the Rangers 11 days earlier.The additions came a day after the end of the meetings in San Diego where the Rangers missed out on free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon. Lyles gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million in each season. He was 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts at the end of last season for Milwaukee after he was acquired from Pittsburgh. Lyles has been a reliever and starter in his career, with a 43-60 record and 5.11 ERA. He has 143 starts and 102 relief appearances with five teams over nine big league seasons. Texas signed right-hander Kyle Gibson to a $28 million, three-year contract last week. Lyles turns 29 in October, joined Texas to be in a rotation with 30-something pitchers All-Star lefty Mike Minor, and right-handers Lance Lynn and Gibson. ———More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 141905 — Christy Mathewson blanked the Philadelphia Athletics 2-0 to give the New York Giants the World Series in five games. All were shutouts, with Mathewson getting three, Joe McGinnity one, and Chief Bender of Philadelphia one.1929 — The Philadelphia A's rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 and take the World Series in five games. Mule Haas' two-run homer tied the game and Bing Miller's RBI double won it.1965 — Sandy Koufax tossed his second shutout to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins and the world championship in seven games.1969 — New York's Tommie Agee made two spectacular catches to save five runs and secure a 5-0 victory over Baltimore as the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the World Series.1971 — Pittsburgh's Nelson Briles threw a two-hitter against the Orioles for a 4-0 victory to give the Pirates a 3-2 edge in the World Series.1972 — Oakland catcher Gene Tenace became the first player to hit home runs in each... [More]

Compiled by PAUL MONTELLAOct. 131903 — The Boston Pilgrims won the first World Series, five games to three, with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.1914 — The Boston Braves completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, first in World Series history, with a 3-1 victory.1921 — Art Nehf tossed a 1-0, four-hitter against the New York Yankees for the World Series title in eight games. The Giants scored their run in the first inning on an error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.1960 — Bill Mazeroski opened the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory and the World Series in seven games.1971 — The first World Series night game was played in Pittsburgh with the Pirates beating Baltimore 4-3. Roberto Clemente had three hits for Pittsburgh.1978 — New York third baseman Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented seven runs as the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 3 of the World Series.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich watched helplessly from the dugout as Milwaukee’s season ended.The Brewers controlled the first 7 1/3 innings of Tuesday’s NL wild-card game in Washington before a stunning collapse. All-Star closer Josh Hader was wild, and Milwaukee got stung by a disputed hit-by-pitch, a broken-bat base hit and an error by overaggressive rookie right fielder Trent Grisham. Minutes later, the Nationals wildly celebrated their 4-3 victory on the infield while the Brewers _ pummeled by injuries, especially down the stretch _ limped into the offseason.“I think when all the dust settles and you really evaluate the year, we can be proud of a lot of things,” Yelich said. “I really think we'll be better off for a lot of those experiences.”Yelich overcame lingering back issues to put himself in contention for a second straight NL MVP before a foul ball broke his right kneecap Sept. 10. Fellow outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun battled through leg injuries in the last week,... [More]

A look at the National League wild-card game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals:___Schedule: Tuesday, at Washington, 8:08 p.m. EDT (TBS).___Season Series: Brewers won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Brewers: RF Trent Grisham (.231, 6 HRs, 24 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.246, 28, 77, 109 walks), 3B Mike Moustakas (.254, 35, 87), LF Ryan Braun (.285, 22, 75), 2B Keston Hiura (.303, 19, 49), 1B Eric Thames (.247, 25, 61), CF Lorenzo Cain (.260, 11, 48) or Ben Gamel (.248, 7, 33), SS Orlando Arcia (.223, 15, 59).Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19, 57, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63).___Starting Pitchers:Brewers: RH Brandon Woodruff... [More]