PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — For Marco Gonzales, better that this game came in his first start of spring training and not opening day at T-Mobile Park.The Seattle Mariners left-hander gave up five runs on three hits and two outs while getting just two outs Monday against the Chicago Cubs.“You go out in the first one, you just want to throw strikes. Timing was a little off and frustrated a little bit by my execution. But for the first time out, I wanted to feel good and have the ball feel good coming out got my hand,” Gonzales said. “So the results are what they are this time of year.”Gonzales, fresh off a four-year, $30 million contract he signed earlier this month, is expected to make his second consecutive opening day start for Seattle next month. At age 28, he’s coming off a 2019 season in which we he went 16-13 with a 3.99 ERA in 34 starts.Gonzales, who will make $1 million in this his third season with the Mariners, set career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched (203) and strikeouts with... [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]

SEATTLE (AP) — When Marco Gonzales was first brought to Seattle during the 2017 season, there were limitations and benchmarks placed on his pitching. Sometimes he was pulled before facing the order a third time. Or maybe his arm was monitored closely because of previous injuries. Seattle had scouted out Gonzales' potential, but the Mariners had to see the left-hander up close to realize he could be a leader in their rotation. “He’s a hardcore competitor. That’s what he does,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “I think what you saw with our early development with Marco in the big leagues is indicative of, we don’t believe player development is over in the big leagues and Marco’s minor league development was abbreviate because of a very quick assent to the big leagues and then an injury. "We had to make sure we got him through those gates so to speak.”Seattle signed the 27-year-old to a $30 million, four-year deal Tuesday that will keep him in their rotation through at least 2024.... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Left-hander Marco Gonzales and the Seattle Mariners agreed Monday to a $30 million contract covering 2021-24, a deal that includes a club option and could be worth $45 million over five seasons. Gonzales is about to begin his third full season with the Mariners after arriving in 2017 via a trade from St. Louis. Gonzales gets $1 million this year in the final season of a $1.9 million, two-year deal. His new contract calls for a $1 million signing bonus, half payable within 30 days and half next Jan. 15, and salaries of $5 million in 2021, $5.5 million in 2022, $6.5 million in 2023 and $12 million in 2024, when he would have been eligible for free agency. The Mariners' 2025 option is for $15 million with no buyout.Gonzales would get a $250,000 assignment bonus if traded, a provision that also covers 2020.“Since joining the Mariners, Marco has been a model of consistency, quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Left-hander Marco Gonzales and the Seattle Mariners agreed Monday to a $30 million contract covering 2021-24, a deal that includes a club option and could be worth $45 million over five seasons. Gonzales is about to begin his third full season with the Mariners after arriving in 2017 via a trade from St. Louis. Gonzales gets $1 million this year in the final season of a $1.9 million, two-year deal. His new contract calls for a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $5 million in 2021, $5.5 million in 2022, $6.5 million in 2023 and $12 million in 2024, when he would have been eligible for free agency. The Mariners' 2025 option is for $15 million with no buyout.Gonzales would get a $250,000 assignment bonus if traded.“Since joining the Mariners, Marco has been a model of consistency, quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “His presence, competitiveness, preparation and leadership make... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners signed left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales to a $30 million, four-year contract Monday that includes a club option for the 2025 season.Gonzales is about to begin his third full season with the Mariners after arriving in 2017 via trade from St. Louis. Gonzales gets $1 million this year in the final season of a $1.9 million, two-year deal. His new contract calls for a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $5 million in 2021, $5.5 million in 2022, $6.5 million in 2023 and $12 million in 2024, when he would have been eligible for free agency. The Mariners' option for 2025 is for $15 million with no buyout.Gonzales would get a $250,000 assignment bonus if traded.“Since joining the Mariners, Marco has been a model of consistency, quietly ranking among the most productive starting pitchers in the AL,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “His presence, competitiveness, preparation and leadership make him a key part of our future.”Gonzales... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Kendall Graveman wants to be part of the most memorable team in Seattle Mariners history.Seattle is the only one of the current 30 franchises that has never played in the World Series. The Mariners have not even reached the postseason since consecutive AL Championship Series losses to the New York Yankees in 2000 and 2001.“There's no secret Seattle hasn't been to the playoffs in 20 years,” Graveman said Monday after agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $2 million. “I mean, why not? So everyone knows. Everyone talks about it. I want to come into this organization and help this organization win, get to the playoffs. A franchise that hasn't won a World Series could do that. And I don't think speaking about these things should be stuff that is not spoken about. I believe that there's power in that. I believe there's power in words and things that we do.”Graveman, who turns 29 next month, would earn $8 million if Seattle exercises a 2021 option and he pitches at least... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Mariners have added another option for their rotation by agreeing to a one-year contract with Kendall Graveman that guarantees the right-hander $2 million as he returns from Tommy John surgery.Graveman, who turns 29 next month, would earn $8 million if Seattle exercises a 2021 option and he pitches at least 150 innings in each season.He has not pitched in the major leagues since May 11, 2018, for Oakland and had surgery that July 24. Cut by the Athletics after the season, he signed a $575,000, one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs and made a pair of three-inning minor league injury rehabilitation outings on Aug. 22 and Sept. 1.Graveman will have a chance to earn a spot in Seattle’s starting rotation that has a couple of openings. Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi and prospect Justus Sheffield are likely the only set starters for Seattle heading into the season.Graveman is 23-29 with a 4.38 ERA in five major league season.He gets a $1.5 million salary next year, and Seattle has a $3.5 million option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.Graveman could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses in each season year based on innings: $100,000 each for 15, 25, 40, 50, 65, 75 and 90, and $200,000 apiece for 100, 115, 140 and 150.He would become a free agent if the option is declined.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — There were bound to be bumps and headaches along the way when the Seattle Mariners embarked on a major makeover.After using a major league-record 67 players in one season, the first year of Seattle's rebuild was quite the roller coaster for those involved. It nearly turned out to be one player for every win."I would characterize it as organizationally we knew what we were in for. You hear the saying expect things that are expected," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. "When we left spring training we knew we were going to have a ton of transition, a ton of turnover on our roster. We have. We have gotten to a point I knew we were eventually going to get there."The Mariners weren't going to be contenders this year. They knew that back in spring training and even after starting off the season with an unexpected 13 wins in their first 15 games. They were flawed. They accepted it as they turned the team over to a young core that they hope to build around for the future.Along the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major league batters finished with 6,776 home runs, shattering the previous record of 6,105 set two years ago.Dominic Smith hit the final long ball of the season, a three-run drive in the 11th inning Sunday off Atlanta's Grant Dayton that lifted the New York Mets over the NL East champion Braves 7-6.Oakland's Steven Piscotty started the barrage on March 20 in Tokyo against Seattle's Marco Gonzales, the sixth batter of the season.This year's total was 11% above the old record and 21% higher than last year's 5,585.Minnesota hit three home runs Sunday to establish the big league team record with 307, one more than the Yankees. The previous mark of 267 was set last year by New York. This year's Yankees became the first team with 14 players reaching double-digits in home runs."I don't think anybody will ever forget the 'Bomba Squad,'" first-year Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said.Major League Baseball has asked for more scientific tests on baseballs, and Commissioner Rob Manfred... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major league batters finished with 6,776 home runs, shattering the previous record of 6,105 set two years ago.Dominic Smith hit the final long ball of the season, a three-run drive in the 11th inning Sunday off Atlanta's Grant Dayton that lifted the New York Mets over the NL East champion Braves 7-6.Oakland's Steven Piscotty started the barrage on March 20 in Tokyo against Seattle's Marco Gonzales, the sixth batter of the season.This year's total was 11% above the old record and 21% higher than last year's 5,585.Minnesota hit three home runs Sunday to establish the big league team record with 307, one more than the Yankees. The previous mark of 267 was set last year by New York. This year's Yankees became the first team with 14 players reaching double-digits in home runs."I don't think anybody will ever forget the 'Bomba Squad,'" first-year Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said.Major League Baseball has asked for more scientific tests on baseballs, and Commissioner Rob Manfred... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major league batters finished with 6,776 home runs, shattering the previous record of 6,105 set two years ago.Dominic Smith hit the final long ball of the season, a three-run drive in the 11th inning Sunday off Atlanta's Grant Dayton that lifted the New York Mets over the NL East champion Braves 7-6.Oakland's Steven Piscotty started the barrage on March 20 in Tokyo against Seattle's Marco Gonzales, the sixth batter of the season.This year's total was 11% above the old record and 21% higher than last year's total of 5,585.Minnesota hit three home runs Sunday to set the big league team record with 307, one more than the Yankees. The previous mark of 267 was set last year by New York. This year's Yankees became the first team with 14 players reaching double-digits in home runs.Strikeouts set a record for the 12th consecutive season at 42,823, up 4% from 41,207 last year and 33% from 32,189 in 2007. A year after strikeouts exceeded hits for the time, the gap was ever greater.Tim... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer hit a career-high three homers, Justin Verlander posted his MLB-leading 20th win and the Houston Astros clinched their third straight AL West title in grand fashion, routing the Los Angeles Angels 13-5 on Sunday.A crowd at Minute Maid Park that was cheering from Verlander's first pitch got even louder as Springer homered three times in the first four innings. The Astros kept breaking away and improved to 102-54, a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for the best record in the majors.After the final out, the Astros held a bouncing group hug in the middle of the diamond and posed for a team picture. It hasn't been determined who they will face in the playoffs as they try for their second World Series championship in three years.Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series, had two chances to tie the big league record for home runs in a game. He popped up with the bases loaded in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh.Verlander (20-6) yielded six hits and... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

Mariners second. Kyle Lewis strikes out swinging. Omar Narvaez singles to left field. Austin Nola doubles to deep right field. Omar Narvaez to third. Dee Gordon out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Melky Cabrera. Omar Narvaez scores. Mallex Smith grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 1, Pirates 0.Mariners fifth. Marco Gonzales doubles to right field. Shed Long singles to shallow center field. Marco Gonzales scores. J.P. Crawford lines out to right field to Melky Cabrera. Kyle Seager strikes out on a foul tip. Kyle Lewis strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 2, Pirates 0.Mariners sixth. Omar Narvaez homers to right field. Austin Nola homers to left field. Dee Gordon lines out to third base to Colin Moran. Mallex Smith lines out to deep left field to Kevin Kramer. Marco Gonzales called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 4, Pirates 0.Mariners seventh. Shed Long homers to right field. J.P. Crawford walks. Kyle Seager grounds out to second base, Adam Frazier to Jose Osuna. J.P. Crawford to second. Kyle Lewis strikes out swinging. Omar Narvaez singles to left field. J.P. Crawford scores. Austin Nola reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Omar Narvaez out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 6, Pirates 0.

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered and had four hits, including an RBI single in the 11th inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 7-5 on Sunday for their fifth straight victory.Juan Soto added three hits and Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in six innings, helping Washington finish off its first sweep of Chicago since September 2012. The Nationals outscored the Cubs 23-10 in a three-game series between the top two teams in the NL wild-card standings.Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell and Victor Caratini homered for Chicago, which had won five in a row before Washington rolled into town. The Cubs fell 2½ games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.The Nationals grabbed the lead for good when Howie Kendrick scored on Tyler Chatwood's wild pitch with Rendon at the plate in the 11th. Rendon then drove in Trea Turner with a single off Chatwood (5-2).Daniel Hudson (7-3) pitched two innings for the win.The Cubs played without Anthony Rizzo, sidelined by tightness in... [More]