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]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Matt Chapman singles to right center field. Marcus Semien to third. Matt Olson singles to right field. Matt Chapman to second. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha reaches on a fielder's choice to third base, advances to 2nd. Matt Olson scores. Matt Chapman out at third. Throwing error by Nick Solak. Ramon Laureano doubles to deep right field. Mark Canha scores. Khris Davis walks. Chad Pinder walks. Khris Davis to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Sheldon Neuse out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Shin-Soo Choo. Khris Davis to third. Ramon Laureano scores. Josh Phegley singles to left field. Chad Pinder to second. Khris Davis scores. Marcus Semien walks. Josh Phegley to second. Chad Pinder to third. Matt Chapman singles to center field. Marcus Semien to third. Josh Phegley scores. Chad Pinder scores. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Athletics 7, Rangers 0.Athletics second. Mark Canha singles to shallow... [More]

Astros fifth. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow center field, Rougned Odor to Ronald Guzman. Alex Bregman flies out to deep center field to Scott Heineman. Yordan Alvarez singles to left field. Yuli Gurriel homers to center field. Yordan Alvarez scores. Kyle Tucker lines out to center field to Scott Heineman.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 2, Rangers 0.Rangers seventh. Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun singles to shortstop. Danny Santana singles to right field. Willie Calhoun to third. Nick Solak grounds out to shortstop, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel. Danny Santana to third. Rougned Odor flies out to right field to Kyle Tucker.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Astros 2, Rangers 1.Astros seventh. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Michael Brantley grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Ronald Guzman. Alex Bregman strikes out swinging. Yordan Alvarez singles to left field. Yuli Gurriel strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 3, Rangers 1.Rangers eighth. Ronald Guzman homers to right field. Scott Heineman grounds out to second base, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel. Jose Trevino singles to shallow infield. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Jose Trevino to second. Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun lines out to right field to Kyle Tucker.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 3, Rangers 2.

Athletics third. Sean Murphy strikes out swinging. Robbie Grossman walks. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Robbie Grossman scores. Matt Chapman grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman. Matt Olson walks. Mark Canha walks. Matt Olson to second. Seth Brown doubles to right center field. Mark Canha scores. Matt Olson scores. Khris Davis strikes out on a foul tip.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Rangers 0.Athletics sixth. Khris Davis singles to shallow center field. Jurickson Profar walks. Khris Davis to second. Sean Murphy singles to shallow left field. Jurickson Profar to third. Khris Davis scores. Chad Pinder pinch-hitting for Robbie Grossman. Chad Pinder strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien strikes out swinging. Matt Chapman pops out to shortstop to Elvis Andrus.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 5, Rangers 0.Rangers eighth. Jose Trevino doubles to left field. Shin-Soo Choo singles to shortstop. Jose Trevino to third. Elvis Andrus walks. Willie Calhoun walks. Elvis Andrus to second. Nick Solak strikes out swinging. Rougned Odor strikes out swinging. Scott Heineman grounds out to first base to Matt Olson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 5, Rangers 1.Athletics ninth. Marcus Semien strikes out swinging. Matt Chapman homers to center field. Matt Olson pops out to shallow infield to Ronald Guzman. Mark Canha strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 6, Rangers 1.

Rangers second. Nick Solak grounds out to third base, Matt Chapman to Matt Olson. Nomar Mazara flies out to deep center field to Mark Canha. Danny Santana singles to left field. Rougned Odor homers to center field. Danny Santana scores. Delino DeShields walks. Jose Trevino pinch-hitting for Jeff Mathis. Jose Trevino singles to right field. Delino DeShields scores. Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rangers 3, Athletics 0.Athletics third. Josh Phegley grounds out to shallow infield, Nick Solak to Danny Santana. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Ramon Laureano singles to left field. Marcus Semien to second. Matt Chapman homers to left field. Ramon Laureano scores. Marcus Semien scores. Matt Olson reaches on error. Fielding error by Nick Solak. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Mark Canha flies out to shallow center field to Delino DeShields.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 3.Athletics fourth. Chad Pinder singles to left field.... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman. Ramon Laureano grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman. Matt Olson homers to center field. Mark Canha flies out to center field to Delino DeShields.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Rangers 0.Athletics second. Chad Pinder called out on strikes. Khris Davis homers to center field. Jurickson Profar grounds out to shallow infield to Ronald Guzman. Sean Murphy doubles to deep left field. Sheldon Neuse singles to shallow left field, advances to 2nd. Sean Murphy scores. Marcus Semien flies out to center field to Delino DeShields.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Rangers 0.Rangers second. Danny Santana walks. Rougned Odor called out on strikes. Delino DeShields grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Danny Santana to third. Ronald Guzman doubles to right field. Danny Santana scores. Jose Trevino singles to right field. Ronald Guzman to third. Shin-Soo... [More]

Rays first. Joey Wendle singles to right field. Tommy Pham doubles to deep left field. Joey Wendle scores. Austin Meadows flies out to center field to Danny Santana. Travis d'Arnaud grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Ronald Guzman. Tommy Pham to third. Ji-Man Choi walks. Matt Duffy singles to center field. Ji-Man Choi to second. Tommy Pham scores. Kean Wong strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 2, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo singles to right field. Elvis Andrus singles to right field. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Willie Calhoun singles to deep right field. Elvis Andrus to third. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Nomar Mazara singles to left field. Willie Calhoun to second. Elvis Andrus scores. Nick Solak walks. Nomar Mazara to second. Willie Calhoun to third. Danny Santana singles to left field. Nick Solak to second. Nomar Mazara scores. Willie Calhoun scores. Rougned Odor called out on strikes. Ronald Guzman walks. Danny Santana to second. Nick Solak to third.... [More]

Rangers fourth. Shin-Soo Choo hit by pitch. Elvis Andrus lines out to right field to Avisail Garcia. Willie Calhoun doubles to deep left field. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Nick Solak homers to left field. Willie Calhoun scores. Danny Santana strikes out swinging. Rougned Odor grounds out to shortstop, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 3, Rays 0.Rays fifth. Kean Wong pops out to shallow left field to Elvis Andrus. Guillermo Heredia doubles to deep left field. Michael Perez flies out to deep right center field to Delino DeShields. Guillermo Heredia to third. Joey Wendle singles to right field. Guillermo Heredia scores. Austin Meadows walks. Joey Wendle to second. Avisail Garcia flies out to right field to Shin-Soo Choo.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 3, Rays 1.Rays eighth. Joey Wendle triples to deep right field. Austin Meadows homers to center field. Joey Wendle scores. Avisail Garcia strikes out swinging. Nate Lowe singles to shallow right field.... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo grounds out to second base, Jonathan Villar to Renato Nunez. Rougned Odor walks. Willie Calhoun singles to right center field. Rougned Odor to third. Nick Solak singles to left field. Willie Calhoun to second. Rougned Odor scores. Logan Forsythe flies out to shallow left field to Anthony Santander. Ronald Guzman grounds out to first base, Renato Nunez to Asher Wojciechowski.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 1, Orioles 0.Rangers second. Delino DeShields flies out to right center field to Trey Mancini. Isiah Kiner-Falefa singles to left field. Jose Trevino singles to shallow center field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa to second. Shin-Soo Choo singles to shallow center field. Jose Trevino to second. Isiah Kiner-Falefa scores. Rougned Odor called out on strikes. Willie Calhoun hit by pitch. Shin-Soo Choo to second. Jose Trevino to third. Nick Solak singles to right field. Willie Calhoun to third. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Jose Trevino scores. Logan Forsythe strikes out... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo hit by pitch. Elvis Andrus walks. Shin-Soo Choo to second. Willie Calhoun singles to right field. Elvis Andrus to second. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Nick Solak reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Willie Calhoun to second. Elvis Andrus to third. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Throwing error by Aaron Brooks. Danny Santana singles to left field. Nick Solak to second. Willie Calhoun scores. Elvis Andrus scores. Rougned Odor homers to right field. Danny Santana scores. Nick Solak scores. Delino DeShields called out on strikes. Ronald Guzman called out on strikes. Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging.6 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Rangers 6, Orioles 0.Orioles first. Jonathan Villar singles to right field. Trey Mancini reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Jonathan Villar to third. Throwing error by Danny Santana. Anthony Santander singles to shallow right field. Trey Mancini to third. Jonathan Villar scores. Dwight Smith Jr. walks. Anthony Santander to second.... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo grounds out to second base, Richie Martin to Trey Mancini. Elvis Andrus grounds out to shortstop, Richie Martin to Trey Mancini. Willie Calhoun homers to right field. Nick Solak strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Orioles 0.Orioles first. Hanser Alberto grounds out to shallow infield, Danny Santana to Ronald Guzman. Trey Mancini homers to center field. Anthony Santander grounds out to second base, Nick Solak to Ronald Guzman. Renato Nunez flies out to deep left field to Willie Calhoun.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Orioles 1.Orioles second. Jonathan Villar lines out to second base to Nick Solak. Mason Williams singles to second base. Pedro Severino reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Mason Williams out at second. DJ Stewart walks. Pedro Severino to second. Richie Martin homers to center field. DJ Stewart scores. Pedro Severino scores. Hanser Alberto grounds out to third base, Danny Santana to Ronald Guzman.3... [More]

Yankees first. DJ LeMahieu lines out to right field to Shin-Soo Choo. Aaron Judge walks. Didi Gregorius reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Aaron Judge out at second. Gary Sanchez homers to center field. Didi Gregorius scores. Edwin Encarnacion flies out to right field to Shin-Soo Choo.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 2, Rangers 0.Yankees sixth. DJ LeMahieu singles to right field. Aaron Judge singles to right field. DJ LeMahieu to second. Didi Gregorius homers to center field. Aaron Judge scores. DJ LeMahieu scores. Gary Sanchez homers to center field. Edwin Encarnacion singles to shortstop. Brett Gardner homers to right field. Edwin Encarnacion scores. Luke Voit walks. Tyler Wade strikes out swinging. Mike Tauchman flies out to left field to Willie Calhoun. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shallow infield, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana.6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 8, Rangers 0.Yankees seventh. Aaron Judge grounds out to third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo lines out to second base to Gleyber Torres. Elvis Andrus singles to left field. Willie Calhoun singles to deep right field. Elvis Andrus to third. Nomar Mazara out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Clint Frazier. Elvis Andrus scores. Danny Santana grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Yankees 0.Rangers fifth. Jose Trevino homers to center field. Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus singles to center field. Willie Calhoun flies out to deep right center field to Aaron Judge. Nomar Mazara walks. Elvis Andrus to second. Danny Santana singles to left center field. Nomar Mazara to second. Elvis Andrus out at home.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 2, Yankees 0.Rangers eighth. Willie Calhoun flies out to right center field to Mike Tauchman. Nomar Mazara singles to left center field. Danny Santana flies out to left center field to Mike Tauchman. Rougned Odor walks. Nomar Mazara... [More]

Mariners second. Tom Murphy grounds out to shallow infield, Brock Burke to Logan Forsythe. Daniel Vogelbach grounds out to shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Logan Forsythe. Dylan Moore doubles to left field. Dee Gordon singles to shallow right field. Dylan Moore scores. Keon Broxton grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Logan Forsythe.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 1, Rangers 0.Rangers third. Delino DeShields flies out to center field to Keon Broxton. Jose Trevino doubles to left field. Shin-Soo Choo strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus doubles to center field. Jose Trevino scores. Willie Calhoun flies out to center field to Keon Broxton.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 1, Rangers 1.Mariners sixth. Austin Nola flies out to deep right field to Shin-Soo Choo. Kyle Seager flies out to deep left field to Willie Calhoun. Tom Murphy doubles to deep left center field. Daniel Vogelbach singles to left center field. Tom Murphy scores. Dylan Moore lines out to center... [More]

Mariners first. Mallex Smith singles to right center field. J.P. Crawford walks. Mallex Smith to second. Austin Nola grounds out to shortstop. J.P. Crawford out at second. Mallex Smith scores. Kyle Seager pops out to shortstop to Elvis Andrus.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mariners 1, Rangers 0.Rangers second. Nick Solak doubles to deep left field. Danny Santana lines out to right field to Mallex Smith. Rougned Odor doubles to deep center field. Nick Solak scores. Delino DeShields pops out to first base to Austin Nola. Scott Heineman pops out to Austin Nola.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 1, Rangers 1.Rangers third. Jose Trevino doubles to deep center field. Shin-Soo Choo grounds out to second base, Dee Gordon to Austin Nola. Jose Trevino to third. Elvis Andrus reaches on error. Throwing error by J.P. Crawford. Willie Calhoun out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Mallex Smith. Jose Trevino scores. Nick Solak flies out to deep left field to Tim Lopes.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error,... [More]

Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo flies out to deep right center field to Mallex Smith. Danny Santana grounds out to second base, Dee Gordon to Austin Nola. Willie Calhoun homers to right field. Nick Solak grounds out to shortstop, J.P. Crawford to Austin Nola.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rangers 1, Mariners 0.Mariners second. Kyle Seager singles to right field. Omar Narvaez lines out to deep right center field to Shin-Soo Choo. Daniel Vogelbach walks. Kyle Seager to second. Jake Fraley singles to center field. Daniel Vogelbach to second. Kyle Seager to third. Dylan Moore hit by pitch. Jake Fraley to second. Daniel Vogelbach to third. Kyle Seager scores. Dee Gordon reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Dylan Moore out at second. Jake Fraley scores. Daniel Vogelbach scores. Fielding error by Logan Forsythe. Mallex Smith walks. Dee Gordon to second. J.P. Crawford flies out to left field to Willie Calhoun.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Mariners 3, Rangers 1.Rangers second. Rougned... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Marcus Semien provided just enough early offense and Mike Fiers and three Oakland relievers combined to shut down the Kansas City Royals in a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.Semien scored in the first inning and drove in a run in the second. That was all the offense the A's pitchers needed one day after Oakland had a season-high 19 runs.Fiers (13-3) scattered eight hits in his 5 1/3 innings, but allowed just Alex Gordon's RBI double in the sixth. He's now won 11 straight decisions, dating to May 7, tying Mark Mulder for the second-longest winning streak in Oakland history.Mike Montgomery (3-7) surrendered an unearned run in the first and another run in the second, but gave up nothing else through 6 1/3 innings.ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 0WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Brooks came up with an unexpected pitching gem against the torrid-hitting Nationals, throwing six innings of two-hit ball to help Baltimore end Washington's five-game winning streak.The Nationals were coming off a weekend... [More]

Rangers third. Rougned Odor pops out to shallow right field to Luis Rengifo. Delino DeShields singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Kole Calhoun. Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging. Shin-Soo Choo singles to right field. Delino DeShields scores. Danny Santana reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Shin-Soo Choo out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Angels 0.Angels seventh. Shohei Ohtani singles to left field. Justin Upton walks. Shohei Ohtani to second. Albert Pujols walks. Justin Upton to second. Shohei Ohtani to third. Andrelton Simmons pops out to second base to Rougned Odor. Kole Calhoun doubles to deep right center field. Albert Pujols to third. Justin Upton scores. Shohei Ohtani scores. Luis Rengifo lines out to shortstop to Elvis Andrus. Brian Goodwin pinch-hitting for Max Stassi. Brian Goodwin singles to center field. Kole Calhoun scores. Albert Pujols scores.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 4, Rangers 1.Rangers eighth. Danny... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox right-hander Reynaldo López was pulled after five no-hit innings due to dehydration and flu-like symptoms against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.Aaron Bummer replaced López to start the sixth. The first batter he faced, Shin-Soo Choo, lined a single to left.Lopez struck out six and allowed only four baserunners while throwing 52 of 80 pitches for strikes. He walked two, hit Nick Solak, and Jose Trevino reached on the first of two errors by shortstop Tim Anderson.Lopez rebounded from two straight losses when he allowed eight runs in 12 innings. In his last nine starts, the 25-year-old right-hander has a 2.82 ERA.The White Sox lead the Rangers 1-0 in the seventh.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports