KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals spent the 60-game season in 2020 saying farewell to longtime outfielder Alex Gordon, one of the linchpins of their back-to-back World Series runs, and welcome to the young core they hope will take them back there. Brady Singer nearly threw a no-hitter in his abbreviated rookie year. Fellow right-hander Kris Bubic made 10 starts and began to figure things out by the end of September. And their young bullpen, which was an abject failure last season, took massive strides from summer camp to the final out of the season Sunday with an eye toward the future. The Royals may have finished 26-34 and fourth in the AL Central. But simply playing was huge for their rebuilding effort. “I wish we would have had more wins,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “The COVID thing got us early. We started off 3-10 and we weren't completely healthy. But every team deals with health issues, as we know. You can't make excuses. But I do believe if we had another... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield flies out to deep left center field to Travis Demeritte. Adalberto Mondesi reaches on error. Fielding error by Sergio Alcantara. Salvador Perez homers to left field. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Maikel Franco strikes out swinging. Hunter Dozier strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Royals 2, Tigers 0.Royals sixth. Whit Merrifield singles to shallow left field. Adalberto Mondesi flies out to shallow center field to Jorge Bonifacio. Salvador Perez doubles to deep right field. Whit Merrifield scores. Maikel Franco grounds out to first base to Jeimer Candelario. Salvador Perez to third. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 3, Tigers 0.Royals eighth. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shallow left field, Sergio Alcantara to Jeimer Candelario. Whit Merrifield singles to shortstop. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shallow center field. Whit Merrifield to second. Salvador Perez walks. Maikel Franco strikes out swinging. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shallow center field, Willi Castro to Jeimer Candelario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 4, Tigers 0.

Royals first. Whit Merrifield walks. Adalberto Mondesi called out on strikes. Salvador Perez singles to deep right field. Whit Merrifield to second. Maikel Franco singles to shortstop. Salvador Perez to second. Whit Merrifield scores. Hunter Dozier walks. Maikel Franco to second. Salvador Perez to third. Alex Gordon grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Bell to Adam Frazier. Hunter Dozier to second. Maikel Franco to third. Salvador Perez scores. Kelvin Gutierrez walks. Nick Heath strikes out swinging.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 4, Pirates 0.Royals third. Salvador Perez homers to center field. Maikel Franco singles to shallow left field. Hunter Dozier hit by pitch. Maikel Franco to second. Alex Gordon walks. Hunter Dozier to second. Maikel Franco to third. Kelvin Gutierrez called out on strikes. Nick Heath walks. Alex Gordon to second. Hunter Dozier to third. Maikel Franco scores. Nicky Lopez walks. Nick Heath to second. Alex Gordon to third. Hunter Dozier scores. Whit Merrifield... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Bregman singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run ninth inning, and the Astros rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-5 under smoky skies Saturday night in Houston’s first visit since the infamous 2017 World Series.The Dodgers blew a three-run lead in the ninth when Kenley Jansen (3-1) got knocked around, giving up four consecutive hits without an out.Josh James (1-0) got the victory with 1 1/3 innings of relief. Ryan Pressly earned his ninth save.The game lacked the fiery emotion of the teams’ matchup on July 29. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their championship three years ago.A plane towed a banner reading “Houston Cheats Bang Bang” over the stadium.WHITE SOX 14, TIGERS 0CHICAGO (AP) — José Abreu hit two three-run homers and matched a career high with seven RBIs, and the White Sox earned their eighth straight win against the Tigers.Abreu went 4 for 4 a day after his career-best 22-game... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield homers to left field. Adalberto Mondesi strikes out swinging. Salvador Perez grounds out to shallow left field, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Josh Bell. Maikel Franco pops out to Ke'Bryan Hayes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Pirates 0.Pirates second. Colin Moran flies out to Alex Gordon. Josh Bell homers to left field. Gregory Polanco lines out to right field to Nicky Lopez. Bryan Reynolds homers to center field. Kevin Newman grounds out to shallow infield to Hunter Dozier.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 2, Royals 1.Pirates third. Jacob Stallings strikes out swinging. Erik Gonzalez grounds out to shallow infield, Kelvin Gutierrez to Hunter Dozier. Adam Frazier homers to right field. Ke'Bryan Hayes grounds out to shallow center field, Adalberto Mondesi to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 3, Royals 1.Royals third. Whit Merrifield singles to shallow right field. Adalberto Mondesi homers to center field. Whit Merrifield scores.... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield grounds out to shallow infield, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Josh Bell. Adalberto Mondesi homers. Salvador Perez strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco walks. Hunter Dozier singles to shallow center field. Maikel Franco to second. Ryan McBroom strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Pirates 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield lines out to deep left field to Adam Frazier. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Salvador Perez singles to right field. Adalberto Mondesi to third. Maikel Franco singles to shallow center field. Salvador Perez to second. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Hunter Dozier singles to center field. Maikel Franco to second. Salvador Perez to third. Ryan McBroom flies out to right field to Cole Tucker. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 3, Pirates 0.Pirates fourth. Colin Moran singles to deep left field. Josh Bell singles to right center field. Colin Moran to third. Jacob Stallings doubles to deep left... [More]

Royals third. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shallow infield, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Cam Gallagher grounds out to shortstop, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Whit Merrifield singles to center field. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Hunter Dozier singles to right field. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield scores. Maikel Franco singles to left field. Hunter Dozier scores. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Alex Gordon grounds out to shortstop, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 3, Indians 0.Royals sixth. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Matt Reynolds called out on strikes. Edward Olivares homers to center field. Nicky Lopez grounds out to second base, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 4, Indians 0.Royals seventh. Cam Gallagher singles to right field. Whit Merrifield grounds out to shallow infield, Dominic Leone to Carlos Santana. Cam Gallagher... [More]

Royals sixth. Cam Gallagher singles to center field. Whit Merrifield singles to center field. Cam Gallagher to third. Adalberto Mondesi singles to right field. Whit Merrifield to second. Cam Gallagher scores. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield out at third. Alex Gordon reaches on error. Maikel Franco to second. Adalberto Mondesi to third. Fielding error by Cesar Hernandez. Matt Reynolds flies out to shallow center field to Jordan Luplow.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Royals 1, Indians 0.Royals ninth. Maikel Franco grounds out to shortstop, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Alex Gordon singles to shallow left field. Ryan O'Hearn pinch-hitting for Matt Reynolds. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out swinging. Edward Olivares triples to right field. Alex Gordon scores. Nicky Lopez singles to left field. Edward Olivares scores. Cam Gallagher flies out to deep right field to Tyler Naquin.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 3, Indians 0.

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]

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]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]

Indians first. Cesar Hernandez lines out to shallow right field to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman doubles to deep left center field. Francisco Lindor grounds out to first base to Hunter Dozier. Mike Freeman to third. Carlos Santana homers to center field. Mike Freeman scores. Franmil Reyes grounds out to shallow left field, Matt Reynolds to Hunter Dozier.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians second. Tyler Naquin flies out to left field to Alex Gordon. Josh Naylor grounds out to right field, Nicky Lopez to Hunter Dozier. Sandy Leon homers to center field. Delino DeShields grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Edward Olivares strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez doubles to center field. Cam Gallagher walks. Whit Merrifield homers. Cam Gallagher scores. Nicky Lopez scores. Adalberto Mondesi called out on strikes. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors,... [More]

Indians second. Carlos Santana singles to right center field. Franmil Reyes singles to shortstop. Carlos Santana to third. Tyler Naquin reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Franmil Reyes to third. Carlos Santana scores. Fielding error by Whit Merrifield. Josh Naylor reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Tyler Naquin out at second. Franmil Reyes scores. Roberto Perez grounds out to second base. Josh Naylor out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Indians 2, Royals 0.Indians fourth. Francisco Lindor singles to center field. Carlos Santana lines out to left field to Alex Gordon. Franmil Reyes singles to center field. Francisco Lindor to third. Tyler Naquin out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Alex Gordon. Francisco Lindor scores. Josh Naylor grounds out to shallow infield, Brad Keller to Hunter Dozier.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 3, Royals 0.Royals seventh. Bubba Starling grounds out to shortstop, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana. Edward... [More]

White sox third. Yolmer Sanchez doubles to left center field. Tim Anderson flies out to deep right field to Edward Olivares. Yolmer Sanchez to third. Yasmani Grandal singles to second base. Yolmer Sanchez scores. Jose Abreu walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Edwin Encarnacion pops out to shortstop to Adalberto Mondesi. Eloy Jimenez lines out to deep right field to Edward Olivares.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 1, Royals 0.White sox sixth. Edwin Encarnacion strikes out swinging. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging. Luis Robert walks. Nomar Mazara doubles to deep left center field. Luis Robert scores. Danny Mendick singles to shallow infield. Nomar Mazara to third. Yolmer Sanchez walks. Danny Mendick to second. Tim Anderson strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. White sox 2, Royals 0.White sox seventh. Yasmani Grandal walks. Jose Abreu singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Edwin Encarnacion homers to left field. Jose Abreu scores. Yasmani Grandal... [More]

White sox first. Tim Anderson doubles to deep center field. Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging. Jose Abreu homers to left field. Tim Anderson scores. Eloy Jimenez grounds out to shallow left field, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Yoan Moncada called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 2, Royals 0.Royals third. Bubba Starling homers. Cam Gallagher lines out to left center field to Eloy Jimenez. Whit Merrifield grounds out to first base to Yasmani Grandal. Hunter Dozier called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 2, Royals 1.White sox fifth. James McCann reaches on error to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Maikel Franco. Adam Engel flies out to right field to Hunter Dozier. Nick Madrigal grounds out to second base, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. James McCann to third. Tim Anderson singles to third base. James McCann scores. Yasmani Grandal homers to center field. Tim Anderson scores. Jose Abreu flies out to deep... [More]