BALTIMORE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics won their 12th consecutive game — their longest winning streak in almost two decades — with a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Oakland’s string is its longest since it won a franchise-record 20 in a row in 2002. It is the Athletics’ third-longest winning streak since moving to Oakland in 1968, and is the longest in the majors since Houston’s 12-game run from June 6-18, 2018. Ramón Laureano homered and Cole Irvin won consecutive starts for the first time in nearly two years as the A’s improved to 13-1 since dropping their first six games. Baltimore has lost seven of its eight home games. Irvin (2-2) had won back-to-back starts just once before, his first two career starts for Philadelphia in May 2019. Coming off six shutout innings against Detroit on Saturday, he stymied the Orioles for five innings. But Baltimore stitched together four singles in the sixth, capped by Pedro Severino’s RBI single, to end Irvin’s night. Jake Diekman... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Urías threw seven dominant innings of one-hit ball, striking out a career-high 11 and leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Corey Seager drove in the only run with a two-out single in the third inning after AJ Pollock’s leadoff double. Those were the Dodgers’ only hits in the game. Seattle’s lone hit against Urías (3-0) was Mitch Haniger’s slow infield single with two outs in the third inning. Victor González worked the eighth, and Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save to complete the one-hittter. Gonzales (1-2) allowed two hits and struck out six. He retired the final 13 batters he faced. ATHLETICS 7, TWINS 0, 1ST GAME ATHLETICS 1, TWINS 0, 2ND GAME OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Olson hit a grand slam and Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea’s shutout, and Jesús Luzardo followed with his own Game 2 gem as Oakland swept a doubleheader against depleted Minnesota. The Athletics have won 10 straight.... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Urías threw seven dominant innings of one-hit ball, striking out a career-high 11 and leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Corey Seager drove in the only run with a two-out single in the third inning after AJ Pollock’s leadoff double. Those were the Dodgers’ only hits in the game. Seattle’s lone hit against Urías (3-0) was Mitch Haniger’s slow infield single with two outs in the third inning. Victor González worked the eighth, and Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save to complete the one-hittter. Gonzales (1-2) allowed two hits and struck out six. He retired the final 13 batters he faced. ATHLETICS 7, TWINS 0, 1ST GAME ATHLETICS 1, TWINS 0, 2ND GAME OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Olson hit a grand slam and Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea’s shutout, and Jesús Luzardo followed with his own Game 2 gem as Oakland swept a doubleheader against depleted Minnesota. The Athletics have won 10 straight.... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Urías threw seven dominant innings of one-hit ball, striking out a career-high 11 and leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Corey Seager drove in the only run with a two-out single in the third inning after AJ Pollock’s leadoff double. Those were the Dodgers’ only hits in the game. Seattle’s lone hit against Urías (3-0) was Mitch Haniger’s slow infield single with two outs in the third inning. Victor González worked the eighth, and Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save to complete the one-hittter. Gonzales (1-2) allowed two hits and struck out six. He retired the final 13 batters he faced. ATHLETICS 7, TWINS 0, 1ST GAME ATHLETICS 1, TWINS 0, 2ND GAME OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Olson hit a grand slam and Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea’s shutout, and Jesús Luzardo followed with his own Game 2 gem as Oakland swept a doubleheader against depleted Minnesota. The Athletics have won 10 straight.... [More]

DENVER (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom struck out nine straight batters against Colorado on Saturday, falling one shy of matching the major league record set 51 years earlier by Mets great Tom Seaver. DeGrom became just the ninth pitcher to strike out as many as nine in a row. He started the streak with a called third strike against Josh Fuentes for the first out of the second inning, then got Sam Hillard and Dom Nunez swinging. He struck out Chi Chi González, Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon in the third, and Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon and C.J. Cron in the fourth. Fuentes grounded an 0-1 pitch leading off the fifth and reached on a throwing error by second baseman Jeff McNeil, ending the streak. Detroit reliever Tyler Alexander was the previous pitcher to strike out nine in a row, accomplishing the feat last Aug. 2 against Cincinnati. Seaver set the record against San Diego on April 22, 1970, striking out his final 10 batters in a 19-strikeout performance. Colorado took a 3-1... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Rodón threw the second no-hitter of the young baseball season Wednesday night, losing his bid for a perfect game on a hit batter with one out in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The left-hander retired his first 25 batters before he plunked Roberto Pérez on the back foot with an 0-2 slider. An incredulous Rodón looked on almost in bewilderment as Pérez made his way to first. Rodón (2-0) regained his composure in time to strike out Yu Chang looking and retire Jordan Luplow on a sharp grounder to third, starting a joyous celebration. It was the first no-hitter for the White Sox since Lucas Giolito pitched one Aug. 25 last year against Pittsburgh and No. 20 in franchise history, second-most among major league teams behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (23). Rodón’s gem came just five days after Joe Musgrove threw a no-hitter for his hometown Padres at Texas. Rodón threw 75 of his 114 pitches for strikes. He struck... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chris Owings gets a $1 million salary as part of his one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies and can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Owings agreed to a minor league contract in January, and the Rockies selected the contract of the middle infielder and outfielder to the 40-man roster on Saturday along with the contract of first baseman C.J. Cron. Owings, 29, hit .268 with two homers and five RBIs in 41 at-bats for the Rockies last year and is hitting .267 in spring training with two doubles, two homers and four RBIs in 30 at-bats. Cron, 31, batted .190 with four homers and eight RBIs in 42 at-bats for Detroit last year and is hitting .324 in spring training two doubles, three homers and five RBIs in 37 at-bats. Owings can earn $200,000 each for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 plate appearances. Cron gets a $1 million, one-year contract and can earn $1.4 million in performance bonuses for games: $200,000 each for 50, 75, 100 and 125, and $300,000 apiece for 140 and 145. He would get a $500,000 one-time assignment bonus if traded. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chris Owings gets a $1 million salary as part of his one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies and can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Owings agreed to a minor league contract in January, and the Rockies selected the contract of the middle infielder and outfielder to the 40-man roster on Saturday along with the contract of first baseman C.J. Cron. Owings, 29, hit .268 with two homers and five RBIs in 41 at-bats for the Rockies last year and entered Monday hitting .259 in spring training with two doubles, one home and three RBIs in 27 at-bats. Cron, 31, batted .190 with four homers and eight RBIs in 42 at-bats for Detroit last year and entered Monday hitting .308 in spring training two doubles, two homers and four RBIs in 36 at-bats. Owings can earn $200,000 each for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 plate appearances. Cron gets a $1 million, one-year contract and can earn $1.4 million in performance bonuses for games: $200,000 each for 50, 75, 100 and 125, and $300,000 apiece for 140 and 145. He would get a $500,000 one-time assignment bonus if traded. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [More]

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox. Judging by his first Cactus League appearance, it looks like he's going to be just fine. The talented right-hander worked a perfect fourth inning Tuesday against San Diego. It was his first game since he opted out of the pandemic-shortened season for a variety of reasons, including concerns about his mental health. “It’s been a while, obviously,” Kopech said. “But it just felt good to kind of knock some rust off and get back out there and compete.” The 24-year-old Kopech, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, was a starter coming up through the minors and likely will return to Chicago’s rotation at some point. But he is expected to begin the year in the White Sox bullpen. Part of his spring training work involves getting up to speed when it comes to life as a reliever. He worked out of the stretch against the Padres. “If I am going to be throwing out of the bullpen for part of this year at least and maybe... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies will be taking a look at another first baseman after signing C.J. Cron to a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training. Cron, 31, hit .190 with four homers and eight RBIs in 13 games with Detroit last season. He was the 17th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 and has appeared in 686 career games in stints with the Angels, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and the Tigers. Last week, the Rockies agreed to a minor league contract with Greg Bird as they try to shore up first base. Josh Fuentes and Ryan McMahon could be options at first or at third after the blockbuster trade that sent Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. Colorado's pitchers, catchers and injured players are scheduled to start reporting to Scottsdale, Arizona, on Thursday, with the other players beginning to report on Feb. 23. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A team-by-team look at the American 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: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Ron Gardenhire's Detroit Tigers sensed an opportunity this season — and these last few weeks have shown why.Detroit is 9-7 and in second place in the AL Central, 1 1/2 games out of first. It may not sound like much, but the Tigers are now more than a quarter of the way through their schedule. They've been competitive even without promoting any of their top pitching prospects. It's an example of just how quickly a team can turn into a postseason contender in this shortened season with expanded playoffs.“We’ve got some confidence in our dugout," said Gardenhire, Detroit's manager. "We’ve got some guys that have been there and done it, along with some kids. It’s fun. It’s a good atmosphere in the clubhouse, and so far we’re doing OK.”Before the season started, one of the big questions for the Tigers was how much Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Tarik Skubal might contribute in 2020. Those pitching prospects gave Detroit hope after the Tigers dropped 114 games last year. None of... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers put first baseman C.J. Cron on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left knee sprain.Cron exited Monday night's game against the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning. He was hurt on a freak play in which a hard-hit ball by Danny Mendick bounced off him and was recovered by pitcher Daniel Norris, who retired Mendick with a diving tag.Cron stayed on the ground in apparent pain during the play and afterward.The Tigers added Cron this offseason to provide more power in what was an anemic lineup in 2019. He’s hitting .190 but has four home runs.Detroit recalled infielder Willi Castro.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ANGELS 10, ATHLETICS 9ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) —... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Hosmer singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the series opener Monday night.Joc Pederson bobbled the ball on Hosmer’s hit to left and couldn’t attempt a throw as Trent Grisham scored from second after Dustin May (1-1) walked him, giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.Austin Hedges homered with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 1. It was Hedges’ third hit and first homer of the season and only the second home run given up by May.Emilio Pagán retired Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in order in the eighth, and the Dodgers managed just four hits. Betts, Bellinger and Turner were 1 for 4 with a strikeout each. Los Angeles was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.Cal Quantrill (2-0) got the victory with three innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three.Drew Pomeranz retired the side in the ninth for his third save.ASTROS 6, GIANTS 4HOUSTON (AP) — Lance McCullers... [More]

Tigers fourth. Niko Goodrum singles to center field. Jonathan Schoop strikes out on a foul tip. Miguel Cabrera walks. Niko Goodrum to second. Dawel Lugo pinch-hitting for C.J. Cron. Dawel Lugo reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Miguel Cabrera out at second. Niko Goodrum to third. Jeimer Candelario doubles. Dawel Lugo to third. Niko Goodrum scores. Victor Reyes grounds out to shortstop, Leury Garcia to Jose Abreu.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, White sox 0.Tigers sixth. Niko Goodrum homers to center field. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to shortstop, Leury Garcia to Jose Abreu. Miguel Cabrera walks. Dawel Lugo grounds out to third base. Miguel Cabrera out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 2, White sox 0.White sox seventh. James McCann grounds out to shallow infield to Jeimer Candelario. Danny Mendick triples to deep center field. Adam Engel grounds out to shallow infield, Jonathan Schoop to Jeimer Candelario. Danny Mendick scores. Leury Garcia singles... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Tigers first baseman C.J. Cron exited Monday night's game against the Chicago White Sox with a left knee injury.Cron was struck by Danny Mendick's hard-hit grounder in the fourth inning and stayed down for a while. He eventually walked off with some assistance.Detroit pitcher Daniel Norris made an acrobatic play, hustling over to retrieve the ball and retiring Mendick with a diving tag while Cron lay on the ground in pain.The Tigers added Cron this offseason to provide more power in what was an anemic lineup in 2019. He's hitting .190 but does have four home runs.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Pirates fourth. Colin Moran hit by pitch. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to first base, C.J. Cron to Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron. Colin Moran to second. JT Riddle grounds out to shallow infield, Niko Goodrum to C.J. Cron. Colin Moran to third. Erik Gonzalez singles to shallow center field. Colin Moran scores. Jarrod Dyson grounds out to shallow infield, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Pirates 1, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Christin Stewart strikes out swinging. Victor Reyes doubles to deep left field. Austin Romine singles to shallow infield. Victor Reyes scores. Harold Castro reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Austin Romine out at second. Niko Goodrum grounds out to second base, Adam Frazier to Josh Bell.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 1, Pirates 1.Tigers eighth. Harold Castro flies out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Niko Goodrum grounds out to shallow right field, Josh Bell to Richard Rodriguez. Jonathan Schoop hit by pitch. Miguel Cabrera singles to shallow center field. Jonathan Schoop scores. C.J. Cron strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 2, Pirates 1.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Semien homered in the first after hitting a walkoff single to end a 13-inning win a night earlier and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.Frankie Montas (2-1) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing two hits without walking a batter and striking out five for the AL West-leading A’s.The three-time reigning division champion Astros lost their fourth in a row. The last three defeats had been by a total of four runs.Semien became the first player in A’s franchise history with a game-ending hit and a leadoff homer on back-to-back days. Matt Chapman homered in the eighth and added an RBI groundout in the sixth as Oakland (11-4) matched the 2014 club for the best record through 15 games over the last 30 years. Houston starter Framber Valdéz (0-2) gave up two runs and seven hits, striking out nine with one walk over seven innings.GIANTS 5, DODGERS 4LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Slater had his first multi-homer... [More]