NEW YORK (AP) — This was not what Gerrit Cole had in mind for his debut in pinstripes, and yet it was.Cole won his home debut for the New York Yankees, extending his regular-season streak of victories to 19 with a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.New York improved to 8-1 for the third time after 1988 and 2003. The major league-best Yankees have won seven straight — the equivalent of a 19-game spurt over a 162-game season.Cole (3-0) allowed six hits, struck out four and walked one on 91 pitches, leaving after a 1-hour, 7-minute rain delay ahead of the seventh. His grunts could be heard in empty Yankee Stadium as easily as Rafael Nadal’s at a grand slam final.A month shy of his 30th birthday, the right-hander reached 99.3 mph, but he did not have his best arsenal. Cole threw 46 fastballs, 24 sliders, 18 knuckle-curves and three changeups.Signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract, Cole grew up a Yankees fan, and at his signing news conference in December brought... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu homers to right field. Aaron Judge singles to center field. Aaron Hicks reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Aaron Judge out at second. Giancarlo Stanton grounds out to third base. Aaron Hicks out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Phillies 0.Phillies third. Jay Bruce homers to center field. Scott Kingery grounds out to shallow left field, Gio Urshela to Mike Ford. Adam Haseley grounds out to shallow infield, DJ LeMahieu to Mike Ford. Andrew McCutchen singles to shallow infield. Rhys Hoskins strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 1, Yankees 1.Yankees third. Brett Gardner homers to left field. Tyler Wade grounds out to shallow infield to Rhys Hoskins. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to second base, Scott Kingery to Rhys Hoskins. Aaron Judge doubles to deep left field. Aaron Hicks doubles to deep left center field. Aaron Judge scores. Giancarlo Stanton called out on strikes.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Marlins never considered sitting out a game as health concerns rattled the clubhouse. Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas eased the lineup pain for a day -- and they’ll have an extra night in Philadelphia to think about any potential scares ahead.Anderson and Rojas each hit three-run homers and Miami overcame the late scratch of its starting pitcher and looming coronavirus scares to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-6 on Sunday.“We’re taking risks every day,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “That’s what the players all around the league are doing. You travel all the time .. it’s a risk that we take. We’re going to have to be adjustable, we’re going to have to be flexible, we’re going to have to be patient.”Jose Urena, Miami’s opening day starter in 2018 and 2019, was bumped from his start about 90 minutes before the first pitch. The Marlins did not disclose the reason. Miami’s good vibes from winning two of three were dampened by the potential health scare that could... [More]

Phillies first. Adam Haseley singles to left field. Rhys Hoskins doubles. Adam Haseley to third. Bryce Harper homers to right field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow infield, Brian Anderson to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius flies out to deep left field to Corey Dickerson. Jean Segura singles to left field. Jay Bruce triples to deep center field. Jean Segura scores. Scott Kingery flies out to deep center field to Magneuris Sierra.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Jesus Aguilar homers to center field. Brian Anderson hit by pitch. Francisco Cervelli lines out to deep center field to Adam Haseley. Isan Diaz singles to right field. Brian Anderson to third. Miguel Rojas homers to left field. Isan Diaz scores. Brian Anderson scores. Magneuris Sierra walks. Jonathan Villar grounds out to shallow infield, Didi Gregorius to Rhys Hoskins.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 4, Phillies 4.Phillies second.... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas each hit three-run homers and the Miami Marlins overcame the late scratch of their starting pitcher and a looming health scare to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-6 on Sunday.Jose Urena, Miami’s opening day starter in 2018 and 2019, was bumped from his start about 90 minutes before the first pitch. The Marlins did not disclose the reason. Miami had other players unavailable: Garrett Cooper and Harold Ramirez also were out of the lineup after playing in the first two games of the season-opening, three-game set against the Phillies. Again, the Marlins did not immediately say why the players were not in the lineup. Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro was placed on the injury list with an undisclosed ailment at the start of the series.With the specter of the coronavirus hanging over the franchise, the Marlins refused to wilt and helped turn a steamy Sunday in front of another empty ballpark into a wild one and take two of three in Philly.Yelling... [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]

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]

Marlins third. Isan Diaz strikes out swinging. Francisco Cervelli singles to shallow center field. Miguel Rojas singles to right field. Francisco Cervelli to third. Jonathan Villar out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Roman Quinn. Francisco Cervelli scores. Jesus Aguilar called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Didi Gregorius homers to right field. Jean Segura strikes out swinging. Jay Bruce lines out to Corey Dickerson. Scott Kingery grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 1, Phillies 1.Marlins sixth. Miguel Rojas walks. Jonathan Villar strikes out on a foul bunt. Jesus Aguilar homers to center field. Miguel Rojas scores. Corey Dickerson doubles. Harold Ramirez walks. Brian Anderson strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper doubles to deep left center field. Harold Ramirez scores. Isan Diaz grounds out to shallow infield, Reggie McClain to Rhys Hoskins.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 5, Phillies 1.Phillies seventh. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shallow left field, Brian Anderson to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius walks. Jean Segura lines out to deep center field to Jonathan Villar. Jay Bruce reaches on error to deep center field, advances to 2nd. Didi Gregorius scores. Fielding error by Jonathan Villar. Scott Kingery grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Marlins 5, Phillies 2.

The minute word leaked that the designated hitter was coming to the National League this season, fans and front offices alike began pinpointing the perfect candidates.Kyle Schwarber ... Ryan Braun ... Jay Bruce. And several others.Whether it be an aging slugger returning from injury or a younger hitter who’s not so good with the glove, nearly every NL team has a player who fits the profile: dangerous stick, suspect defense. A natural choice to bat for the pitcher and not play the field. Suddenly there’s an ideal spot in the starting lineup available to those guys, now that the DH has spread beyond the American League under new rules adopted for a postponed season shortened to 60 games because of the coronavirus.It all starts without fans on hand Thursday night in Washington, where the World Series champion Nationals host the New York Yankees. Probably with Eric Thames or Howie Kendrick becoming the first designated hitter for an NL squad playing a regular-season game in its home ballpark.“I... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season (gasp!) with a DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the New York Yankees due to the flu.Phillies manager Joe Girardi said with an off day Wednesday, Nola may rejoin the team on Thursday. The date for Nola's next appearance is not clear."We've got to figure it out," Girardi said. "So much of it depends on how he feels."The right-hander had been on track to start the Phillies' opener at Miami on March 26."It's something we're going to have to look at," Girardi said. "Does it get him off his day that he was suppose to pitch to start the season? Possibility. I don't know."Girardi didn't rule out Nola making one fewer spring training start than originally planned.Nola went 12-7 with a 3.87 ERA in 34 starts last season. He has a 53-35 mark over five big league seasons.HOTBryce Harper had three hits in three at-bats, including a double, in the Phillies' 3-1 win over the Yankees. He is 8 for 16 with six extra-base hits.COLDDidi Gregorius hit the ball hard twice but went 0 for 3 in his first game against his former team and is hitless in 22 at-bats during spring training. TRAINER'S ROOMJay Bruce (left elbow), limited defensively so far to first base, has played long toss and thrown to the bases. He could get a start in the outfield this week.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 61915 — Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year.1926 — Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series.1948 — In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller.1963 — Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series.1966 — Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth inning.1978... [More]

Oct. 61915 _ Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year.1926 _ Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series.1948 _ In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller.1963 _ Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series.1966 _ Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth inning.1978... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton homers to right field. Anthony Rendon grounds out to shortstop, Scott Kingery to Rhys Hoskins. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick singles to right center field. Juan Soto out at home.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Phillies 0.Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to deep right field to Bryce Harper. Victor Robles grounds out to shallow infield, Zach Eflin to Rhys Hoskins. Yan Gomes homers to center field. Patrick Corbin grounds out to shortstop, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Phillies 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton singles to right field. Anthony Rendon walks. Adam Eaton to second. Juan Soto walks. Anthony Rendon to second. Adam Eaton to third. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shallow infield. Juan Soto to second. Anthony Rendon to third. Adam Eaton out at home. Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to first base, Rhys Hoskins to Zach Eflin.1... [More]