SAN DIEGO (AP) — After the Houston Astros bashed the ball all over Dodger Stadium for the past week, they found it a whole lot harder to slug when they moved a couple of hours down the coast for the AL Championship Series. Tampa Bay limited the Astros' star-studded lineup to nine hits — but just one for extra bases — in the Rays' 2-1 victory to open the ALCS at Petco Park on Sunday night. The Houston offense that set off postseason fireworks against Minnesota and Oakland was a dull squib in San Diego — at least after José Altuve's first-inning homer, the Astros' 14th long ball of these playoffs and their 13th in the last five games. The Astros got no more big hits against Blake Snell and the Rays' justifiably vaunted bullpen. They mounted significant rallies in five different innings, but repeatedly failed to get the key knock that would have turned a tight game into something more comfortable for the defending AL champions. Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and the Astros left 10 men on base... [More]

Remorse? Carlos Correa has none. Not for stealing the 2017 World Series from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Certainly not for celebrating on the field at Dodger Stadium after advancing in the MLB playoffs. “I know a lot of people are mad. I know a lot of people don’t want to see us here,’’ the Houston shortstop said. ``But what are they going to say now?” A lot of things, I’m sure, though most are unprintable. Still, the words pale with what they might say if the Astros and Dodgers advance to play in another World Series. That unpleasant possibility is now closer to reality, with no thanks given to commissioner Rob Manfred. He’s the one who allowed Correa and his fellow cheaters to play this season without as much as a slap on the wrist, and he’s the one who expanded the playoffs so much that a losing team like the Astros somehow found a way to get in. Thankfully there were no fans at Dodger Stadium the other day to watch the Astros celebrate another playoff triumph. Still, the cardboard cutouts... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — First baseman Yuli Gurriel and the Houston Astros have agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2022 that guarantees $7 million, a cut of nearly 20% from his 2020 deal. The agreement was announced hours before the defending AL champions started their first-round playoff matchup against at Minnesota on Tuesday, an odd time to reach a contract for a future season. Gurriel’s 2020 contract called for an $8.3 million salary and wound up being worth $3,074,074 prorated. His new deal includes a $6.5 million salary for 2021 and an $8 million club option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. Gurriel can earn $2 million in performance bonuses each year based on plate appearances: $250,000 each for 300 and 350 $350,000 apiece for 400 and 450 and $400,000 each for 500 and 550. He also would get $50,000 for becoming an All-Star, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $100,000 for Word Series MVP, $200,000 for league MVP, $100,000 for second and $50,000 for third. There is a $50,000... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams. Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run. At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season. Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

Rangers ninth. Leody Taveras singles to shallow right field. Willie Calhoun strikes out swinging. Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounds out to shallow infield to Yuli Gurriel. Leody Taveras to second. Joey Gallo doubles. Leody Taveras scores. Nick Solak walks. Rougned Odor called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 1, Astros 0.

Astros first. George Springer homers to center field. Jose Altuve grounds out to third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Ronald Guzman. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow right field, Ronald Guzman to Kyle Cody. Alex Bregman pops out to shallow infield to Anderson Tejeda.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Rangers 0.Rangers fifth. Joey Gallo pops out to shallow infield to Martin Maldonado. Nick Solak singles to left field. Rougned Odor singles to center field. Nick Solak to second. Anderson Tejeda pops out to first base to Yuli Gurriel. Ronald Guzman singles to deep right field. Rougned Odor to third. Nick Solak scores. Sam Huff strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 1, Astros 1.Astros seventh. Martin Maldonado doubles to deep center field. George Springer walks. Jose Altuve walks. George Springer to second. Martin Maldonado to third. Michael Brantley reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Jose Altuve to second. George Springer to third. Martin Maldonado... [More]

Astros first. George Springer doubles to shallow left field. Alex Bregman flies out to left field to AJ Pollock. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow center field, Kike Hernandez to Cody Bellinger. George Springer to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to shallow center field. George Springer scores. Kyle Tucker strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Dodgers 0.Dodgers second. Max Muncy strikes out on a foul tip. Will Smith singles to left field. Cody Bellinger flies out to deep left field to Michael Brantley. Chris Taylor homers to right field. Will Smith scores. Kike Hernandez homers to right field. Gavin Lux flies out to left field to Michael Brantley.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Astros 1.Dodgers third. Mookie Betts strikes out swinging. Corey Seager triples to deep center field. AJ Pollock out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Josh Reddick. Corey Seager scores. Max Muncy grounds out to second base, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel.1... [More]

Astros sixth. Josh Reddick doubles to shallow right field. Aledmys Diaz singles to center field. Josh Reddick to third. Martin Maldonado grounds out to second base. Aledmys Diaz out at second. Josh Reddick scores. George Springer strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Athletics 0.Athletics sixth. Tommy La Stella lines out to deep right field to Josh Reddick. Marcus Semien grounds out to shallow infield, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Ramon Laureano walks. Matt Olson homers to right field. Ramon Laureano scores. Robbie Grossman flies out to left center field to Michael Brantley.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 1.Athletics seventh. Mark Canha walks. Vimael Machin grounds out to shallow infield, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel. Chad Pinder singles to center field. Mark Canha scores. Jonah Heim lines out to right field to Josh Reddick. Tommy La Stella walks. Chad Pinder to second. Marcus Semien walks. Tommy La Stella to second. Chad Pinder to third. Ramon Laureano pops out to shallow center field to Aledmys Diaz.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 1.

Astros first. George Springer homers to center field. Aledmys Diaz strikes out swinging. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow infield, Tony Kemp to Matt Olson. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep right field to Mark Canha.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Athletics 0.Astros sixth. Aledmys Diaz lines out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Michael Brantley strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel homers to center field. Kyle Tucker flies out to left field to Robbie Grossman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 2, Athletics 0.Athletics seventh. Mark Canha pops out to Yuli Gurriel. Vimael Machin walks. Sean Murphy walks. Vimael Machin to second. Tony Kemp pops out to Jack Mayfield. Tommy La Stella doubles. Sean Murphy scores. Vimael Machin scores. Marcus Semien walks. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Athletics 2.Athletics ninth. Sean Murphy walks. Tony Kemp hit by pitch. Stephen Piscotty to second. Tommy La Stella reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Tony Kemp out at second. Stephen Piscotty to third. Marcus Semien reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Tommy La Stella to second. Stephen Piscotty out at home. Ramon Laureano singles to deep center field. Marcus Semien to second. Tommy La Stella scores.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 2.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

Athletics third. Vimael Machin singles to left center field. Jonah Heim pops out to shallow left field to Carlos Correa. Tommy La Stella singles to deep right center field. Vimael Machin to third. Tony Kemp out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Kyle Tucker. Vimael Machin scores. Ramon Laureano singles to center field. Tommy La Stella to third. Matt Olson homers to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Robbie Grossman walks. Khris Davis pops out to first base to Yuli Gurriel.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Astros 0.Astros fourth. Myles Straw singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley singles to left field. Myles Straw to second. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Myles Straw to third. Kyle Tucker walks. Michael Brantley to second. Carlos Correa hit by pitch. Kyle Tucker to second. Michael Brantley to third. Myles Straw scores. Aledmys Diaz lines out to center field to Ramon Laureano. Abraham Toro walks. Carlos Correa... [More]

Athletics third. Khris Davis homers to right field. Chad Pinder singles to shortstop. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Tommy La Stella walks. Chad Pinder to second. Marcus Semien reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Tommy La Stella out at second. Chad Pinder to third. Ramon Laureano singles to left field. Marcus Semien to second. Chad Pinder scores. Matt Olson grounds out to second base, Jack Mayfield to Yuli Gurriel.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 0.Astros fifth. Jack Mayfield called out on strikes. George Springer singles to left field. Alex Bregman pops out to shallow infield to Chad Pinder. Michael Brantley homers to right field. George Springer scores. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep right field to Mark Canha.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 2.Athletics sixth. Ramon Laureano doubles. Matt Olson grounds out to second base, Jack Mayfield to Yuli Gurriel. Ramon Laureano to third. Robbie Grossman singles to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Mark Canha flies out to left field to Michael Brantley. Khris Davis doubles to deep right center field. Robbie Grossman scores. Chad Pinder strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Astros 2.