SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

Red sox third. Mitch Moreland singles to left field. Brock Holt hit by pitch. Mitch Moreland to second. Nathan Eovaldi reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Brock Holt to second. Mitch Moreland out at third. Mookie Betts singles to right field. Nathan Eovaldi to second. Brock Holt scores. Rafael Devers strikes out swinging. Xander Bogaerts grounds out to second base, Greg Garcia to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 1, Padres 0.Red sox fourth. J.D. Martinez singles to center field. Andrew Benintendi walks. J.D. Martinez to second. Christian Vazquez doubles to deep left center field. Andrew Benintendi scores. J.D. Martinez scores. Mitch Moreland singles to center field. Christian Vazquez scores. Brock Holt lines out to shortstop to Luis Urias. Nathan Eovaldi called out on strikes. Mookie Betts lines out to deep left field to Josh Naylor.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 4, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Manny Machado singles to center field. Eric Hosmer... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone, Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees again hammered away at the umpires, this time in prolonged rants that brought several members of the team spilling onto the field, while beating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Saturday.Gleyber Torres hit two home runs and Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu also connected for the AL East-leading Yankees.But what really fired up the crowd of 47,347 at Yankee Stadium occurred in the sixth inning after Cameron Maybin was called out on strikes by Triple-A ump Ben May.For the third time in a month — each time with a minor league call-up umpire behind the plate — the team with the best record in American League lost its temper in a big way. This episode led to Boone, Gardner and pitcher CC Sabathia being ejected.James Paxton (9-6) went five innings for the win. Zach Plesac (6-4) was chased in the fifth.Aroldis Chapman closed for his 35th save in 40 chances.BREWERS 15, NATIONALS 14, 14 INNINGSWASHINGTON (AP) — Eric Thames hit a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone, Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees again hammered away at the umpires, this time in prolonged rants that brought several members of the team spilling onto the field, while beating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Saturday.Gleyber Torres hit two home runs and Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu also connected for the AL East-leading Yankees.But what really fired up the crowd of 47,347 at Yankee Stadium occurred in the sixth inning after Cameron Maybin was called out on strikes by Triple-A ump Ben May.For the third time in a month — each time with a minor league call-up umpire behind the plate — the team with the best record in American League lost its temper in a big way. This episode led to Boone, Gardner and pitcher CC Sabathia being ejected.James Paxton (9-6) went five innings for the win. Zach Plesac (6-4) was chased in the fifth.Aroldis Chapman closed for his 35th save in 40 chances.CUBS 2, PIRATES 0PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kris Bryant homered in the seventh inning,... [More]

Phillies second. Jean Segura doubles to deep left field. Cesar Hernandez flies out to left field to Josh Naylor. Scott Kingery doubles to deep left field. Jean Segura scores. Adam Haseley strikes out swinging. Zach Eflin singles to center field. Scott Kingery scores. Rhys Hoskins strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Padres 0.Phillies third. Bryce Harper grounds out to first base to Eric Hosmer. J.T. Realmuto homers to left field. Corey Dickerson flies out to center field to Manuel Margot. Jean Segura flies out to deep center field to Manuel Margot.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 3, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Hunter Renfroe singles to left field. Ty France reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Hunter Renfroe out at second. Luis Urias called out on strikes. Dinelson Lamet singles to left field. Ty France to second. Manuel Margot singles to left field. Dinelson Lamet to second. Ty France scores. Josh Naylor doubles to deep left field. Manuel... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Charlie Morton struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep by beating David Price and Boston 3-2 in a game that the Red Sox protested on Wednesday.Confusion reigned in the top of the eighth when a series of defensive changes involving reliever Adam Kolarek prompted Boston manager Alex Cora to protest the game due to the placement of subs into the Rays lineup after the designated hitter was removed.Kolarek replaced Morton and retired pinch-hitter Sam Travis on a pop fly. The left-hander then shifted to first base when Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in reliever Chaz Roe, who got a fly ball from Mookie Betts.After Kolarek then returned to the mound and Nate Lowe entered to play first base, Cora met with the umpires, which prompted around a 15-minute stoppage as the umpires discussed the matter.After the protest was made and the game resumed, Kolarek got a first-pitch grounder from Rafael Devers.An unhappy Cora again talked... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.WELL METRobinson Canó has finally found his groove with the Mets. The veteran second baseman slugged three homers in a game Tuesday night for the first time in his career, helping New York beat the Padres 5-2. Canó began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Of his nine homers this season, five have come since the All-Star break.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.HOMER SPIKEPowered by upper-cut swings and higher-flying baseballs, big league hitters entered the day with 4180 homers, six shy of the total from the 2014 season. The league is on pace to eclipse the record 6,105 homers hit in 2017. The 2014 total was baseball's lowest since 1995. The Twins lead the majors with 191 homers, including four of them during a wild 14-12... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:DEADLINE SHOWCASEContenders will be tuned into starts by Texas left-hander Mike Minor and Toronto righty Marcus Stroman as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The free-falling Rangers have just about played their way out of contention for an AL wild card, and the 31-year-old could fetch a useful package of future pieces. Minor (8-5, 2.86) is set to face Seattle in a matinee. Stroman (6-10, 3.06) and the Blue Jays are set to play the Indians, who will pitch All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69). Stroman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Tigers in his previous start.WELL METRobinson Canó has finally found his groove with the Mets. The veteran second baseman slugged three homers in a game Tuesday night for the first time in his career, helping New York beat the Padres 5-2. Canó began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Of his nine homers this season, five have come since the All-Star... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Besides figuring out how to fill the glaring hole at third base, San Diego Padres manager Andy Green will have a lot of decisions to make this spring to round out the young, largely inexperienced rotation.With veterans Clayton Richard, Tyson Ross, Phil Hughes and Jordan Lyles gone, the rotation will be headed by left-handers Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer, both of whom made their big league debut last year. There will be plenty competition for the other spots, and long-suffering fans should see some of the team's highly touted prospects reach the big leagues this season."You can feel it in the rotation and the guys competing for spots," Green said Wednesday. "It's real competing and talent with some high-ceiling guys that are coming in. There's real excitement about those guys coming in. It's a young group that's very talented."Lucchesi started 26 games last season and led the team in strikeouts by a wide margin with 145 in 130 innings. Lauer started 23 games and pitched... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who had been projected as the San Diego Padres' No. 2 starter this season, will have season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery next week.The 25-year-old Lamet was hurt during his final start of spring training on March 25 and began the season on the disabled list.Manager Andy Green said Friday that Lamet was the closest of the organization's young pitchers to earn a spot at the top of the rotation this season."It's tough for all of us," Green said. "He was going to be the guy we looked to to anchor our staff this year and we were hopeful right after the injury that he'd be able to avoid surgery. ... Disappointing, to say the least, and tough for him. The hope and expectation is sometime next year he'll be back on the mound pitching for us. He's a guy we still have a ton of faith in, a ton of belief in. It's a tough loss."Lamet made his big league debut last year, going 7-8 with a 4.57 ERA in 21 starts, with 139 strikeouts and 54 walks."It's... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres manager Andy Green says right-hander Dinelson Lamet will have season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery next week.The 25-year-old Lamet was hurt during his final start of spring training on March 25 and began the season on the disabled list.Lamet had been penciled in as the Padres' No. 2 starter.He made his big league debut last year, going 7-8 with a 4.57 ERA in 21 starts, with 139 strikeouts and 54 walks.Green says Lamet was the closest of the organization's young pitchers to earn a spot at the top of the rotation this season, "so it's a tough loss for us."Lamet's injury opened the way for lefty Joey Lucchesi to be promoted from the minors. While nothing is imminent, Green says lefty Eric Lauer could be the next of San Diego's hotshot pitching prospects to be called up.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The rebuilding San Diego Padres will get their first real look at one of their hotshot pitching prospects, Joey Lucchesi, earlier than originally expected.The 24-year-old lefty, sent down to the minors on Saturday after a strong spring training, is scheduled to make his big league debut Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.He'll start in place of Dinelson Lamet, who strained his right elbow on Sunday in the Padres' final game in Arizona and is expected to be out for a month.The Padres figured they'd bring up Lucchesi sometime this season, just not this quickly.He had a 1.54 ERA in four spring starts."He made the decision a lot easier just by his performance over the last month," general manager A.J. Preller said Thursday."He throws strikes with three pitches and he did that all last year in the minor leagues and did that in spring training. I think he's earned the right to be in the rotation from the beginning of the year," the GM said.Lucchesi was a fourth-round... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The rebuilding San Diego Padres won't be hurting for veteran presence when they open the season Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.Left-hander Clayton Richard, at 34 the second-oldest player on the team, will make his first career opening-day start. First baseman Eric Hosmer, 28, will make his Padres debut after signing a $144 million, eight-year free agent contract early in spring training. Third baseman Chase Headley, 33, is back after spending the last 3 1/2 seasons with the New York Yankees.Owner Ron Fowler doesn't expect the Padres to be competitive for another year or two, after another few waves of prospects come up from the minor leagues.That doesn't mean the veterans are going to mail it in."I mean, that's their vision from 30,000 feet," Headley said Wednesday. "I think guys in this clubhouse expect more than that. And that's really the only way to approach it as a player. You understand where he's coming from, you understand the philosophy that's going on,... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — San Diego Padres right-hander Dinelson Lamet left Sunday's spring training start with an elbow injury, possibly jeopardizing his chance to pitch this week in the regular season.Padres manager Andy Green said he didn't have a medical update on Lamet's condition after an 11-7 loss to Seattle."Hopefully he's not out for long, but usually when you walk off the mound and your elbow hurts, it's not a good thing," Green said.The 25-year-old Lamet made his fourth spring training start. He had been expected to be the second-day starter in the Padres' rotation after Clayton Richard opened Thursday at home against Milwaukee."He threw a slider and felt it," Green said. "It was the last or second-to-last pitch. Anytime you pull one of your main guys out of a game, at any time in spring training, it's concerning. The last tuneup outing before the season, it's very concerning. We'd love to have him, he's a big part of what we plan on doing."Lamet exited in the top of the second inning after a pitch he threw got away for a passed ball. His start lasted 1 1-3 innings and he allowed an earned run on two hits with two strikeouts.Last season, Lamet went 7-8 in 21 starts with a 4.57 ERA. He struck out 139 in 114 1-3 innings.This spring, Lamet posted a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings.