Royals second. Bubba Starling homers to left field. Meibrys Viloria pops out to Rio Ruiz. Brett Phillips singles to shallow infield. Nicky Lopez flies out to left center field to Stevie Wilkerson. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Orioles 0.Orioles fourth. Anthony Santander homers to right field. DJ Stewart called out on strikes. Hanser Alberto called out on strikes. Chris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 1, Royals 1.Royals fourth. Ryan O'Hearn singles to center field. Bubba Starling singles to center field. Ryan O'Hearn to second. Meibrys Viloria walks. Bubba Starling to second. Ryan O'Hearn to third. Brett Phillips reaches on a sacrifice fly to center field. Meibrys Viloria to second. Bubba Starling to third. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Fielding error by Stevie Wilkerson. Nicky Lopez grounds out to second base, Hanser Alberto to Chris Davis. Brett Phillips to second. Meibrys Viloria to third. Bubba Starling... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield lines out to right field to Anthony Santander. Jorge Soler homers to center field. Hunter Dozier flies out to deep right field to Anthony Santander. Alex Gordon strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Orioles 0.Orioles second. Renato Nunez flies out to right field to Whit Merrifield. Jonathan Villar walks. Pedro Severino singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Jonathan Villar scores. DJ Stewart grounds out to shortstop, Hunter Dozier to Cheslor Cuthbert. Pedro Severino to third. Stevie Wilkerson walks. Richie Martin strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Royals 1.Orioles third. Hanser Alberto doubles to deep left field. Trey Mancini singles to left field. Hanser Alberto to third. Anthony Santander homers to center field. Trey Mancini scores. Hanser Alberto scores. Renato Nunez lines out to left field to Alex Gordon. Jonathan Villar doubles to right field. Pedro Severino singles to shallow center field.... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien homers to left field. Robbie Grossman called out on strikes. Matt Chapman hit by pitch. Matt Olson singles to center field. Matt Chapman to second. Mark Canha walks. Matt Olson to second. Matt Chapman to third. Seth Brown reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Mark Canha out at second. Matt Olson to third. Matt Chapman scores. Jurickson Profar grounds out to first base to Ryan O'Hearn.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 0.Royals third. Nicky Lopez called out on strikes. Whit Merrifield hit by pitch. Jorge Soler reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Whit Merrifield out at second. Hunter Dozier homers to left field. Jorge Soler scores. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Ryan O'Hearn grounds out to first base, Jurickson Profar to Tanner Roark.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 2.Athletics fifth. Robbie Grossman singles to center field. Chad Pinder strikes out swinging. Matt Olson reaches on a fielder's choice to... [More]

Athletics second. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Mark Canha singles to center field. Seth Brown singles to left field. Mark Canha to third. Khris Davis walks. Seth Brown to second. Jurickson Profar walks. Khris Davis to second. Seth Brown to third. Mark Canha scores. Josh Phegley walks. Jurickson Profar to second. Khris Davis to third. Seth Brown scores. Marcus Semien triples to deep center field. Josh Phegley scores. Jurickson Profar scores. Khris Davis scores. Robbie Grossman called out on strikes. Matt Chapman grounds out to shortstop, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn.5 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 5, Royals 0.Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn grounds out to first base to Matt Olson. Meibrys Viloria grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Bubba Starling singles to center field. Brett Phillips homers to right field. Bubba Starling scores. Nicky Lopez grounds out to first base to Matt Olson.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 5, Royals 2.Athletics third.... [More]

Indians third. Oscar Mercado doubles to deep left field. Carlos Santana strikes out on a foul tip. Yasiel Puig called out on strikes. Mike Freeman singles to shallow infield. Oscar Mercado scores. Jason Kipnis walks. Mike Freeman to second. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Jason Kipnis scores. Mike Freeman scores. Tyler Naquin singles to left field. Roberto Perez called out on strikes.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 4, Royals 0.Royals fourth. Hunter Dozier called out on strikes. Alex Gordon strikes out swinging. Cheslor Cuthbert walks. Meibrys Viloria doubles to deep left center field. Cheslor Cuthbert scores. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 4, Royals 1.Royals seventh. Humberto Arteaga hit by pitch. Brett Phillips singles to left field. Humberto Arteaga to second. Whit Merrifield reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Brett Phillips out at second. Humberto Arteaga to third. Jorge Soler reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Whit Merrifield out at second. Humberto Arteaga scores. Hunter Dozier walks. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon lines out to left center field to Tyler Naquin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 4, Royals 2.

Orioles second. Renato Nunez walks. Jonathan Villar homers to center field. Renato Nunez scores. Pedro Severino doubles to right center field. DJ Stewart singles to shallow center field. Pedro Severino to third. Stevie Wilkerson doubles to deep left center field. Pedro Severino scores. Richie Martin hit by pitch. Hanser Alberto walks. Richie Martin to second. Stevie Wilkerson to third. Trey Mancini grounds out to shortstop. Hanser Alberto out at second.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield homers to center field. Jorge Soler grounds out to third base, Hanser Alberto to Trey Mancini. Hunter Dozier called out on strikes. Alex Gordon singles to center field. Cheslor Cuthbert lines out to left field to Anthony Santander.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Orioles 3, Royals 1.Orioles fifth. Trey Mancini grounds out to first base to Ryan O'Hearn. Anthony Santander homers to center field. Renato Nunez homers to center field. Jonathan Villar singles... [More]

Royals second. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Ryan O'Hearn singles to right field. Alex Gordon to third. Meibrys Viloria out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Anthony Santander. Alex Gordon scores. Bubba Starling called out on strikes. Brett Phillips strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Orioles 0.Orioles seventh. Jace Peterson singles to center field. Hanser Alberto flies out to deep right field to Bubba Starling. DJ Stewart singles to second base. Jace Peterson to second. Rio Ruiz singles to left field. DJ Stewart to second. Jace Peterson scores. Chance Sisco lines out to deep center field to Brett Phillips. DJ Stewart to third. Jonathan Villar flies out to Bubba Starling.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Orioles 1.Orioles eighth. Trey Mancini walks. Anthony Santander pops out to Hunter Dozier. Trey Mancini to second. Renato Nunez pops out to Ryan O'Hearn. Jace Peterson walks. Hanser Alberto homers to center field. Jace Peterson scores. Richie Martin scores. DJ Stewart flies out to deep left field to Alex Gordon.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 4, Royals 1.

Mets first. Amed Rosario singles to right field. Joe Panik triples to deep left field. Pete Alonso is intentionally walked. Michael Conforto homers to right field. Pete Alonso scores. Joe Panik scores. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shortstop, Nicky Lopez to Ryan O'Hearn. Todd Frazier grounds out to third base, Cheslor Cuthbert to Ryan O'Hearn.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 3, Royals 0.Royals fourth. Nicky Lopez grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Zack Wheeler. Hunter Dozier doubles to deep left field. Jorge Soler reaches on catcher interference. Interference error by Tomas Nido. Ryan O'Hearn grounds out to shallow center field, Joe Panik to Pete Alonso. Jorge Soler to third. Hunter Dozier scores. Cheslor Cuthbert grounds out to third base, Todd Frazier to Pete Alonso.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Mets 3, Royals 1.Royals fifth. Bubba Starling singles to left field. Brett Phillips singles to center field. Bubba Starling to second. Nick Dini reaches on a sacrifice bunt to... [More]

Mets third. Amed Rosario flies out to right field to Brett Phillips. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Pete Alonso reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. J.D. Davis to second. Fielding error by Whit Merrifield. Michael Conforto singles to left center field. Pete Alonso to third. J.D. Davis scores. Todd Frazier grounds out to shortstop. Michael Conforto out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Mets 1, Royals 0.Royals fifth. Bubba Starling called out on strikes. Ryan O'Hearn singles to deep right field. Meibrys Viloria doubles to deep right field, advances to 3rd. Ryan O'Hearn scores. Throwing error by Joe Panik. Nicky Lopez doubles to shallow left field. Meibrys Viloria scores. Whit Merrifield flies out to right field to Michael Conforto. Alex Gordon grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Noah Syndergaard.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Royals 2, Mets 1.Royals eighth. Alex Gordon singles to right center field. Hunter Dozier singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Alex Gordon to third. Jorge Soler walks. Brett Phillips walks. Jorge Soler to second. Hunter Dozier to third. Alex Gordon scores. Bubba Starling singles to shallow center field. Brett Phillips to second. Jorge Soler to third. Hunter Dozier scores. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out swinging. Meibrys Viloria grounds out to second base. Bubba Starling out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 4, Mets 1.

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Brett Phillips has always been the fastest player on his team, whether he was playing in Little League, starring at Seminole High School or climbing the rungs of the minor league ladder.When he looks around the Kansas City Royals' clubhouse, though, the fleet-footed outfielder was left to ask a very sobering and sincere question: "What am I, the 10th fastest now?"Not quite. But just about.You see, the Royals identified a market inefficiency a few years ago when it came to bullpen arms, stockpiling huge talents at low costs and effectively shortening games. The result was twofold: They won back-to-back American League pennants and the 2015 World Series, and every other team noticed what they had done and began to offer big contracts to premier relievers.Unable to keep up with those escalating costs, the Royals turned their attention to speed and defense as they dive headlong into a rebuild. Now, they view stolen bases as grossly undervalued in an era of power hitters,... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeff Samardzija kept a locker at Oracle Park in San Francisco this offseason and worked out at the ballpark three days a week. The Giants pitcher also spent two days per week rehabbing at a clinic in San Mateo, California.The work paid off Wednesday in his first spring start, the next phase of his comeback from a disappointing 2018 season.Making his first in-game appearance since July 14, Samardzija threw 32 pitches over two scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one against the Royals at Scottsdale Stadium."I think everybody saw last year that I was hurt," said Samardzija, who was limited to 10 starts in 2018 because of soreness in his right shoulder. "For a lot of the year, I thought I could muscle through it. That's usually how I approach injuries, is ignore and move on. That had worked for me in the past, but that had been other parts of the body — obliques and hamstrings and quads."What I learned is you can pitch with all those feeling 50 percent,... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeff Samardzija kept a locker at Oracle Park in San Francisco this offseason and worked out at the ballpark three days a week. The Giants pitcher also spent two days per week rehabbing at a clinic in San Mateo, Calif.The work paid off Wednesday in his first spring start, the next phase of his comeback from a disappointing 2018 season.Making his first in-game appearance since July 14, Samardzija threw 32 pitches over two scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one against the Royals at Scottsdale Stadium."I think everybody saw last year that I was hurt," said Samardzija, who was limited to 10 starts in 2018 because of soreness in his right shoulder. "For a lot of the year, I thought I could muscle through it. That's usually how I approach injuries, is ignore and move on. That had worked for me in the past, but that had been other parts of the body — obliques and hamstrings and quads."What I learned is you can pitch with all those feeling 50 percent,... [More]

Mike Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because the agreement will be subject to a successful physical. The sides were negotiating a deal that includes a mutual option for 2020, the person said.Talks toward a deal were first reported by The Athletic.Moustakas' deal would be his second in a row for one guaranteed year on the free-agent market. He rejected a $17.4 million qualifying offer from Kansas City after the 2017 season and returned to the Royals in mid-March for a one-year contract that included a guaranteed $6.5 million: a $5.5 million salary and $1 million option buyout. Moustakas earned an additional $2.2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances, raising his total earnings in the deal to $8.7 million.Moustakas hit .256 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 54 games... [More]

Mike Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.The person spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because the agreement will be subject to a successful physical. The sides were negotiating a deal that would include a mutual option for 2020, the person said.Talks toward a deal were first reported by The Athletic.Moustakas' deal would be his second in a row for one guaranteed year on the free-agent market. He rejected a $17.4 million qualifying offer from Kansas City after the 2017 season and returned to the Royals in mid-March for a one-year contract that included a guaranteed $6.5 million: a $5.5 million salary and $1 million option buyout. Moustakas earned an additional $2.2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances, raising his total earnings in the deal to $8.7 million.Moustakas hit .256 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 54... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton finalized a $5.25 million contract Tuesday that includes up to $1 million in performance bonuses and a mutual option for 2020.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds."Speed, athleticism, defensive ability. He brings a sense of trepidation when he steps on the field, not only as a defender but as an offensive player, too," manager Ned Yost said at the winter meetings in Las Vegas. "I've talked to a lot of Cincinnati people about him and they absolutely loved him. But we've been spoiled for years with Lorenzo Cain in center field, a tremendous defender in a big ballpark and having Billy roaming that ground from gap to gap out there."Hamilton's deal, announced Tuesday, calls for a $4.25 million salary next year and a $7.5 million mutual option with... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton have finalized a $5.25 million contract that includes up to $1 million in performance bonuses and a mutual option for 2020.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds.His deal, announced Tuesday, calls for a $4.25 million salary next year and a $7.5 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout He can earn $100,000 each for making 325 plate appearances and every additional 25 through 550.The 28-year-old made his big league debut in 2013, then proceeded to have four consecutive seasons in which he stole at least 50 bases. That number dipped to 34 last season, when the switch-hitting Hamilton hit .236 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Reds' everyday center fielder.The Reds ultimately did not tender Hamilton a contract after paying him $4.6 million... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton have agreed to a $5.25 million contract for next season that includes up to $1 million in incentives.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds.His deal, announced Tuesday, includes a mutual option for 2020.The 28-year-old Hamilton made his big league debut in 2013, then proceeded to have four consecutive seasons in which he stole at least 50 bases. That number dipped to 34 last season, when the switch-hitting Hamilton hit .236 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Reds' everyday center fielder.The Reds ultimately did not tender Hamilton a contract after paying him $4.6 million in the second year of arbitration. The Royals now control him through the 2019 season and Kansas City now has three of the top eight base-stealers in the majors last season.The... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton have agreed to a $5.25 million contract for next season that includes up to $1 million in incentives, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.The Royals hope that spacious Kauffman Stadium will allow Hamilton to better use his speed than the bandbox of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where he spent his first six seasons with the Reds. The person who confirmed the deal spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was pending a physical.The 28-year-old Hamilton made his big league debut in 2013, then proceeded to have four consecutive seasons in which he stole at least 50 bases. That number dipped to 34 last season, when the switch-hitting Hamilton hit .236 with four homers and 29 RBIs as the Reds' everyday center fielder.The Reds ultimately did not tender Hamilton a contract after paying him $4.6 million in the second year of arbitration. The Royals now... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.Porcello (16-7) gave up one run and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the road this year. He had been 0-2 in his previous three starts overall since an Aug. 14 win at Philadelphia.Atlanta pitchers walked nine, including five by starter Sean Newcomb (11-8), who matched his season high. He allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.The Braves' lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.Kurt Suzuki homered for the Braves.BREWERS 11, CUBS 1MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and Milwaukee romped past Chicago to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.Miley (3-2) allowed one run and three hits, struck out five and walked none as Milwaukee won for the... [More]