Royals first. Whit Merrifield hit by pitch. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Salvador Perez doubles to shallow left field. Whit Merrifield to third. Ryan O'Hearn singles to center field. Salvador Perez to third. Whit Merrifield scores. Adalberto Mondesi reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Ryan O'Hearn to second. Salvador Perez out at home. Alex Gordon walks. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Ryan O'Hearn to third. Maikel Franco reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Alex Gordon out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. Royals 1, Twins 0.Royals third. Jorge Soler homers to left field. Salvador Perez pops out to shallow center field to Luis Arraez. Ryan O'Hearn walks. Adalberto Mondesi lines out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Alex Gordon strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Twins 0.Twins fourth. Nelson Cruz homers to center field. Miguel Sano flies out to left center field to Brett Phillips. Eddie Rosario flies out to deep center field... [More]

Twins third. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Max Kepler grounds out to first base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Jorge Polanco singles to first base. Miguel Sano flies out to deep left center field to Alex Gordon. Eddie Rosario flies out to shallow left field to Alex Gordon.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Royals 0.Royals third. Maikel Franco doubles to deep left field. Nicky Lopez out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Devin Smeltzer to Miguel Sano. Maikel Franco to third. Nick Heath singles to left field. Maikel Franco scores. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging. Jorge Soler pops out to shortstop to Jorge Polanco.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Royals 1.Twins fourth. Jake Cave grounds out to shallow right field, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Marwin Gonzalez homers to center field. Mitch Garver grounds out to shallow infield, Maikel Franco to Ryan McBroom. Ehire Adrianza strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Royals 1.Royals fifth.... [More]

Twins second. Jake Cave hit by pitch. Luis Arraez grounds out to shallow left field, Erik Gonzalez to Josh Bell. Jake Cave to second. Mitch Garver strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez singles to shallow left field. Jake Cave scores. Ehire Adrianza pops out to shallow right field to Adam Frazier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, Pirates 0.Twins ninth. Byron Buxton doubles to left field. Luis Arraez flies out to left field to Bryan Reynolds. Mitch Garver walks. Marwin Gonzalez singles to left center field. Mitch Garver to third. Byron Buxton scores. Ehire Adrianza called out on strikes. Max Kepler homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Mitch Garver scores. Jorge Polanco strikes out swinging.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 5, Pirates 0.Pirates ninth. JT Riddle pinch-hitting for Jacob Stallings. JT Riddle strikes out swinging. Adam Frazier walks. Kevin Newman flies out to right field to Max Kepler. Josh Bell homers to center field. Adam Frazier scores. Colin Moran strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 5, Pirates 2.

Pirates first. Cole Tucker homers to left field. Kevin Newman flies out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Josh Bell grounds out to shallow left field, Ehire Adrianza to Miguel Sano. Jose Osuna flies out to deep right field to Max Kepler.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 1, Twins 0.Pirates second. Bryan Reynolds strikes out on a foul tip. Phillip Evans singles to left center field. Guillermo Heredia singles to left center field. Phillip Evans to second. Jacob Stallings singles to left field. Guillermo Heredia to second. Phillip Evans scores. Erik Gonzalez lines out to right field to Max Kepler. Cole Tucker reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Guillermo Heredia out at third.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 2, Twins 0.Pirates fourth. Bryan Reynolds walks. Phillip Evans grounds out to shallow infield. Bryan Reynolds out at second. Guillermo Heredia walks. Jacob Stallings walks. Guillermo Heredia to second. Erik Gonzalez doubles to deep right center field. Jacob... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge homered twice and drove in five runs, connecting for the fifth straight game and breaking an eighth-inning tie with a tape-measure shot that powered the New York Yankees past the Boston Red Sox 9-7 on Sunday night for their sixth consecutive victory. Luke Voit also went deep in a back-and forth slugfest to help the Yankees (7-1) finish a three-game sweep in the first series this season between the longtime rivals. New York has won six in a row and 11 of 12 against Boston since last July.DJ LeMahieu tied it 7 in the eighth with a two-out RBI single off Matt Barnes (0-1) past diving second baseman José Peraza. The clutch hit came after Mike Tauchman, who entered on defense in the seventh, walked and stole second.Judge then launched a no-doubt drive that landed several rows up in the raised bleachers beyond the left-center bullpen for his sixth home run already this year. The big slugger socked a three-run shot in the second, making him the first Yankees player... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Wright and the Atlanta bullpen combined on a 10-hit shutout and the Braves won their fifth in a row, beating the Mets 4-0 Sunday and blanking a New York lineup that found out late that slugger Yoenis Céspedes had opted out of playing any more this season.The Mets released a statement from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in the early innings that Céspedes wasn’t at the ballpark and the team hadn’t been able to contact him.After the game, Van Wagenen said: “He’s decided to opt out of the remainder of the season for COVID-related reasons.”A two-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Céspedes returned to the lineup this season for the first time since July 20, 2018, after a series of injuries.The Braves sent New York to its fifth straight loss.Wright worked around five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Relievers Tyler Matzek (1-0), A.J. Minter, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings.New York's David Peterson (1-1) went six innings, striking out... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Wright and the Atlanta bullpen combined on a 10-hit shutout and the Braves won their fifth in a row, beating the Mets 4-0 Sunday and blanking a New York lineup that found out late that slugger Yoenis Céspedes had opted out of playing any more this season.The Mets released a statement from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in the early innings that Céspedes wasn’t at the ballpark and the team hadn’t been able to contact him.After the game, Van Wagenen said: “He’s decided to opt out of the remainder of the season for COVID-related reasons.”A two-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Céspedes returned to the lineup this season for the first time since July 20, 2018, after a series of injuries.The Braves sent New York to its fifth straight loss.Wright worked around five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Relievers Tyler Matzek (1-0), A.J. Minter, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings.New York's David Peterson (1-1) went six innings, striking out... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Wright and the Atlanta bullpen combined on a 10-hit shutout and the Braves won their fifth in a row, beating the Mets 4-0 Sunday and blanking a New York lineup that found out late that slugger Yoenis Céspedes had opted out of playing any more this season.The Mets released a statement from general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in the early innings that Céspedes wasn’t at the ballpark and the team hadn’t been able to contact him.After the game, Van Wagenen said: “He’s decided to opt out of the remainder of the season for COVID-related reasons.”A two-time All-Star, the 34-year-old Céspedes returned to the lineup this season for the first time since July 20, 2018, after a series of injuries.The Braves sent New York to its fifth straight loss.Wright worked around five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Relievers Tyler Matzek (1-0), A.J. Minter, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings.New York's David Peterson (1-1) went six innings, striking out... [More]

Twins first. Max Kepler doubles to deep right field. Jorge Polanco singles to shallow left field. Max Kepler scores. Nelson Cruz strikes out on a foul tip. Eddie Rosario lines out to right center field to Oscar Mercado.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 1, Indians 0.Twins second. Mitch Garver homers to left field. Luis Arraez strikes out swinging. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez flies out to deep center field to Oscar Mercado.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Indians 0.Twins third. Byron Buxton called out on strikes. Max Kepler doubles to right field. Jorge Polanco called out on strikes. Nelson Cruz singles to shortstop. Max Kepler scores. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians fourth. Cesar Hernandez doubles to deep right center field. Jose Ramirez grounds out to shallow left field, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano. Francisco Lindor singles to deep left field, tagged out at second, Eddie Rosario to Luis Arraez. Cesar Hernandez scores. Carlos Santana walks. Mike Freeman flies out to left field to Eddie Rosario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 1.

Twins third. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to left field. Byron Buxton lines out to center field to Bradley Zimmer. Max Kepler grounds out to first base. Marwin Gonzalez out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 1, Indians 0.Twins fourth. Jorge Polanco grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana. Nelson Cruz strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario homers to left field. Mitch Garver hit by pitch. Luis Arraez lines out to deep left center field to Bradley Zimmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Indians 0.Twins fifth. Miguel Sano homers to left field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to shallow left field. Byron Buxton reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Marwin Gonzalez out at second. Max Kepler strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.

White sox third. James McCann singles to right field. Leury Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow right field. James McCann out at second. Tim Anderson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Leury Garcia out at second. Yoan Moncada doubles to deep left field. Tim Anderson scores. Jose Abreu grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 1, Twins 0.White sox fifth. Leury Garcia homers to center field. Tim Anderson strikes out swinging. Yoan Moncada grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Miguel Sano. Jose Abreu singles to right field. Edwin Encarnacion homers to left field. Jose Abreu scores. Eloy Jimenez homers to right field. Nicky Delmonico grounds out to second base, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 5, Twins 0.Twins sixth. Max Kepler pops out to shallow right field to Leury Garcia. Ehire Adrianza singles to shallow center field. Mitch Garver singles to center... [More]

Twins first. Max Kepler homers to right field. Josh Donaldson walks. Jorge Polanco reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Josh Donaldson out at second. Nelson Cruz singles to shortstop. Jorge Polanco to second. Eddie Rosario walks. Mitch Garver out on a sacrifice fly to Nicky Delmonico. Eddie Rosario to second. Nelson Cruz to third. Jorge Polanco scores. Jake Cave singles to shallow center field. Eddie Rosario scores. Nelson Cruz scores. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 4, White sox 0.White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to shallow left field. Yoan Moncada doubles to deep left field. Tim Anderson to third. Jose Abreu grounds out to shallow infield, Luis Arraez to Miguel Sano. Yoan Moncada to third. Tim Anderson scores. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to second base, Luis Arraez to Miguel Sano. Edwin Encarnacion lines out to shortstop to Jorge Polanco.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 4, White sox 1.Twins second. Luis Arraez grounds... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When the Minnesota Twins signed Rich Hill from the bargain aisle of free agency last winter, they expected the left-hander to be available around midseason after his recovery from elbow surgery. Now the 40-year-old is on track to be ready right away, thanks to the virus outbreak that shoved the schedule back by four months and shrunk it to 60 games. The Twins, who open on the road against the Chicago White Sox on July 24, are setting up a rotation with Hill in it. The 15-year veteran faced hitters at Target Field on Monday, logging four simulated innings in his latest step forward in yet another injury comeback.“There’s a lot of people who put in the time and the effort and gave me their time to make sure that I can be in the best position possible to go out there and perform,” Hill said Tuesday on a video conference call with reporters. "I put in the time and put in the effort, and it’s definitely paid off. I feel great, and yesterday was just one step in the right direction.”Over... [More]

Major League Baseball released its pandemic-shortened schedule Monday, featuring a tantalizing season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, even as some teams were still bogged down by coronavirus concerns. By the time MLB revealed each team’s 60-game slate Monday evening, the Nationals and Houston Astros — last year’s pennant winners — had canceled workouts because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season. The St. Louis Cardinals also scrubbed their practice for the same reason.“We got camps being shut down and people going three and four days without tests. You just don’t know what’s going on,” Dodgers star Mookie Betts said. “We have to just figure out the right way to do it.” Nick Markakis became the second Atlanta Braves veteran to opt out of the season, swayed by a phone call with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has been stricken with COVID-19. The Texas Rangers said All-Star slugger Joey Gallo tested... [More]

Major League Baseball released its pandemic-shortened schedule Monday, featuring a tantalizing season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, even as some teams were still bogged down by coronavirus concerns. By the time MLB revealed each team’s 60-game slate Monday evening, the Nationals and Houston Astros — last year’s pennant winners — had canceled workouts because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.“We got camps being shut down and people going three and four days without tests. You just don’t know what’s going on,” Dodgers star Mookie Betts said. “We have to just figure out the right way to do it.” Nick Markakis became the second Atlanta Braves veteran to opt out of the season, swayed by a phone call with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has been stricken with COVID-19. The Texas Rangers said All-Star slugger Joey Gallo tested positive and is asymptomatic. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kole Calhoun... [More]

Major League Baseball released its pandemic-shortened schedule Monday, featuring a tantalizing season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, even as some teams were still bogged down by coronavirus concerns. By the time MLB revealed each team’s 60-game slate Monday evening, the Nationals and Houston Astros — last year’s pennant winners — had canceled workouts because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.Nick Markakis became the second Atlanta Braves veteran to opt out of the season, swayed by a phone call with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has been stricken with COVID-19. The Texas Rangers said All-Star slugger Joey Gallo tested positive and is asymptomatic. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kole Calhoun also tested positive but is asymptomatic and feels good, manager Torey Lovullo said.Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola reported to camp after waiting a few extra days because he was in contact with someone... [More]

Major League Baseball released its pandemic-shortened schedule Monday, featuring a tantalizing season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, even as some teams were still bogged down by coronavirus concerns. By the time MLB revealed each team’s 60-game slate Monday evening, the Nationals and Houston Astros — last year’s pennant winners — had canceled workouts because of COVID-19 testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.Nick Markakis became the second Atlanta Braves veteran to opt out of the season, swayed by a phone call with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has been stricken with COVID-19. The Texas Rangers said All-Star slugger Joey Gallo tested positive and is asymptomatic.Opening night on July 23 will feature the Yankees and their new ace, Gerrit Cole, visiting the Nationals. On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers and their big offseason acquisition, Mookie Betts, will host the rival San Francisco Giants.Everybody... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says his state is willing to host all 30 major league teams at the time public health concerns allow, which eventually could lead to the start of the baseball season primarily in empty spring training ballparks.MLB and the players' association have had preliminary discussion of potential ways for the season to start if given the go-ahead by federal, state and local governments and health officials. Having all teams based in the Phoenix area is among the contingency plans being examined. There are 10 spring training parks plus the Diamondbacks' Chase Field, which has a retractable roof, and several college facilities.“Arizona, at the right time, is very open minded to hosting whatever Major League Baseball would like from the state,” Ducey, a Republican, said Tuesday. “At the time that it would be appropriate for public health, if Arizona were in a position to reopen, we have the facilities that are here."“We have the hotel space that is here,” he... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Arizona governor Doug Ducey says his state is willing to host all 30 major league teams at the time public health concerns allow, which eventually could lead to the start of the baseball season primarily in empty spring training ballparks.MLB and the players' association have had preliminary discussion of potential ways for the season to start if given the go-ahead by federal, state and local governments and health officials. Having all teams based in the Phoenix area is among the contingency plans being examined. There are 10 spring training parks plus the Diamondbacks' Chase Field, which has a retractable roof, and several college facilities.“Arizona, at the right time, is very open minded to hosting whatever Major League Baseball would like from the state,” Ducey, a Republican, said Tuesday. “At the time that it would be appropriate for public health, if Arizona were in a position to reopen, we have the facilities that are here."“We have the hotel space that is here,”... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Kenta Maeda got off to a memorable start for the Minnesota Twins, that's for sure.The Twins newcomer gave up a home run to Boston's Andrew Benintendi to begin the game Monday, prompting the Japanese pitcher to laugh later."First time facing hitters so I just wanted to get that feel back," Maeda said through an interpreter. "And I wasn't scheduled to give up a home run on the first hitter, just so you know."Maeda threw 37 pitches in two innings, allowing two hits with one walk and one strikeout. The Twins won 3-2."Everything felt fine. Velocity is up there way more than I expected. It's just the little things that need to be refined, adjusted," he said.It's all about adjustments for Maeda right now.Maeda, 32 in April, is entering his fifth MLB season after four with the Dodgers and eight years in Japan. He went 10-8 with a 4.04 ERA last season for Los Angeles.Minnesota acquired the right-hander earlier this month in a deal that sent its top pitching prospect, right-hander... [More]