Twins fourth. Jorge Polanco strikes out swinging. Miguel Sano reaches on error. Fielding error by Rougned Odor. Max Kepler homers to right field. Miguel Sano scores. C.J. Cron grounds out to third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Danny Santana. Marwin Gonzalez singles to left field. Jonathan Schoop reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Marwin Gonzalez out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Twins 2, Rangers 0.Rangers fourth. Danny Santana strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus singles to left center field. Willie Calhoun singles to center field. Elvis Andrus to third. Nomar Mazara strikes out on a foul tip. Rougned Odor flies out to center field to Max Kepler.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 2, Rangers 1.Rangers sixth. Shin-Soo Choo doubles to deep left center field. Danny Santana strikes out swinging. Elvis Andrus grounds out to shallow center field, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Willie Calhoun walks. Nomar Mazara doubles to deep right center field.... [More]

Twins second. Eddie Rosario lines out to shallow right field to Rougned Odor. C.J. Cron reaches on error. Fielding error by Logan Forsythe. Luis Arraez homers to right field. C.J. Cron scores. Marwin Gonzalez doubles to right center field. Jason Castro walks. Jake Cave doubles to deep right field. Jason Castro to third. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Max Kepler reaches on a fielder's choice to second base, advances to 2nd. Jake Cave scores. Jason Castro scores. Throwing error by Elvis Andrus. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Jorge Polanco grounds out to shortstop, Logan Forsythe to Danny Santana.5 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, Rangers 0.Twins third. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. C.J. Cron grounds out to shallow center field, Rougned Odor to Danny Santana. Luis Arraez doubles to deep right field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to center field. Luis Arraez scores. Jason Castro flies out to deep left field to Willie Calhoun.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 6, Rangers 0.Twins... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Santana hit a grand slam in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Sunday to win the four-game series and forge another tie for the AL Central lead.The Twins tied the game with four hits in a two-run ninth against Brad Hand (5-3), using a single by Luis Arraez and a double by Marwin Gonzalez to extend the game.As pinch-runner Ehire Adrianza tried to score the winning run from first base, left fielder Tyler Naquin grabbed the ball off the bounce from the wall and zipped a throw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose relay home was in perfect position for catcher Kevin Plawecki to tag Adrianza with ease.Twins closer Taylor Rogers (2-3) allowed a single, a walk and another single on a bunt by Greg Allen to load the bases with none out for Santana, who quickly erased the late-inning drama with one big swing.The Twins and Indians play six more times, all in September.ORIOLES 8, ASTROS 7BALTIMORE (AP) — Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer with... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Santana hit a grand slam in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Sunday to win the four-game series and forge another tie for the AL Central lead.The Twins tied the game with four hits in a two-run ninth against Brad Hand (5-3), using a single by Luis Arraez and a double by Marwin Gonzalez to extend the game.As pinch-runner Ehire Adrianza tried to score the winning run from first base, left fielder Tyler Naquin grabbed the ball off the bounce from the wall and zipped a throw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose relay home was in perfect position for catcher Kevin Plawecki to tag Adrianza with ease.Twins closer Taylor Rogers (2-3) allowed a single, a walk and another single on a bunt by Greg Allen to load the bases with none out for Santana, who quickly erased the late-inning drama with one big swing.The Twins and Indians play six more times, all in September.ORIOLES 8, ASTROS 7BALTIMORE (AP) — Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer with... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game and the New York Yankees outslugged rookie Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays 12-6 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best nine games.Playing in Toronto for the first time, Bichette became the first player in major league history to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 career games. Bichette is the first rookie to have an extra-base hit in nine straight games since Ted Williams in 1939, according to STATS.The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their last four games, including at least five in each win during a three-game sweep at Baltimore this week. Mike Tauchman also homered Thursday to give New York three connections.Domingo Germán (15-2) pitched five innings to win his sixth consecutive decision for New York.Both of Urshela's homers came off left-hander Thomas Pannone (2-5), who matched a career worst by... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game and the New York Yankees outslugged rookie Bo Bichette and the Toronto Blue Jays 12-6 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to a season-best nine games.Playing in Toronto for the first time, Bichette became the first player in major league history to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 career games. Bichette is the first rookie to have an extra-base hit in nine straight games since Ted Williams in 1939, according to STATS.The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their last four games, including at least five in each win during a three-game sweep at Baltimore this week. Mike Tauchman also homered Thursday to give New York three connections.Domingo Germán (15-2) pitched five innings to win his sixth consecutive decision for New York.Both of Urshela's homers came off left-hander Thomas Pannone (2-5), who matched a career worst by... [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:COOKIE HEALINGIndians pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, and he says it's going to make him stronger than he was before. Carrasco hasn't played for Cleveland since May 30. The 32-year-old right-hander says he got a blood test after a spring training physical prompted some concern, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in May. He said he feels positive about his prognosis and he'll be back with the team "at the end of July." Following his diagnosis, Carrasco spoke with long-time teammate Jason Kipnis, who helped him research and understand what he was dealing with.NO-BLAME BEARSPresident of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein insists he's not pinning the Cubs' struggles on manager Joe Maddon. The way Epstein sees it, there's blame to go around. "I see us as in it together," he said. The Cubs have been in a funk for weeks, struggling at the plate and making mistakes in the field and on the bases. Epstein said Saturday "the sloppiness... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:COOKIE HEALINGIndians pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, and he says it's going to make him stronger than he was before. Carrasco hasn't played for Cleveland since May 30. The 32-year-old right-hander says he got a blood test after a spring training physical prompted some concern, and he was diagnosed with leukemia in May. He said he feels positive about his prognosis and he'll be back with the team "at the end of July." Following his diagnosis, Carrasco spoke with long-time teammate Jason Kipnis, who helped him research and understand what he was dealing with.NO-BLAME BEARSPresident of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein insists he's not pinning the Cubs' struggles on manager Joe Maddon. The way Epstein sees it, there's blame to go around. "I see us as in it together," he said. The Cubs have been in a funk for weeks, struggling at the plate and making mistakes in the field and on the bases. Epstein said Saturday "the... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The signs of a potent lineup were evident with the Minnesota Twins in spring training, factoring in the addition of a few accomplished power hitters and the anticipation of further development by their homegrown players.Even the most optimistic member of the organization would've had trouble envisioning a start like this, though. One-third of the way through the season, the Twins have been hitting like the famed 1927 New York Yankees. Well, better than that, actually.The Twins (37-17) lead the major leagues in several hitting categories, the most obvious reason they have the best record in the major leagues. Their 106 home runs are the most, fueling a .515 team slugging percentage that, if sustained, would be the best in big league history. Those '27 Yankees slugged at .488, a clip that stood until the Boston Red Sox finished at .491 in 2003 ."Everybody's happy when you're hitting a lot of bombas," left fielder Eddie Rosario said as he switched from English to Spanish... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Very little has slowed the Minnesota Twins of late. A rare Southern California rain shower did the trick Wednesday night.The Twins had their series finale against the Los Angeles Angels postponed because of weather and unplayable field conditions. It has been rescheduled for Thursday.It is only the third postponement at Angel Stadium since 1995 and the 12th since the stadium opened in 1966. The last postponement occurred on July 19, 2015, against Boston.Minnesota is 31-16 and has a seven-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central, which is the earliest it has been up that much in the division. The previous earliest was June 24, 2002, when they were seven games ahead of the Chicago White Sox.The Twins — who haven't won a division title since 2010 — have taken five of six on this road trip and are trying to get a sweep in Anaheim for the first time since 1996.Manager Rocco Baldelli wasn't thrilled with the decision to postpone the game, but he also said he realized... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Twins placed catcher Mitch Garver on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle and returned third baseman Miguel Sanó from his rehabilitation assignment, nearly four months after he sustained a severe cut on his right heel.Minnesota made the moves on Wednesday before its game against Los Angeles, following Garver's injury the previous night in a home plate collision with Angels star Shohei Ohtani. Garver was diagnosed with a high sprain, which can take longer to heal than other varieties, but both Garver and manager Rocco Baldelli expressed optimism that the injury was not worse. Garver was wearing a walking boot in the clubhouse. No timetable for his return to action was announced."There's not much inflammation, which we're happy about," said Garver, who caught center fielder Byron Buxton's throw in the eighth inning on Tuesday and tagged Ohtani out to prevent the tying run from scoring when Ohtani slid into his leg to cause his ankle to awkwardly twist... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Twins have placed catcher Mitch Garver on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle and returned third baseman Miguel Sanó from his rehabilitation assignment, nearly four months after he sustained a severe cut on his right heel.Minnesota made the moves on Wednesday before its game against Los Angeles, following Garver's injury the night before in a home plate collision with Angels star Shohei Ohtani. Garver was diagnosed with a high sprain, which can take longer to heal than other varieties, but both Garver and manager Rocco Baldelli expressed optimism that the injury was not worse. Garver was wearing a walking boot in the clubhouse. No timetable for his return to action was announced."There's not much inflammation, which we're happy about," said Garver, who caught center fielder Byron Buxton's throw in the eighth inning on Tuesday and tagged Ohtani out to prevent the tying run from scoring when Ohtani slid into his leg to cause his ankle to awkwardly twist... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.CUBS 13, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit his fourth career grand slam in Chicago's six-run eighth inning and the Cubs pounded St. Louis for their season-high seventh consecutive victory.Willson... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.CUBS 13, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit his fourth career grand slam in Chicago's six-run eighth inning and the Cubs pounded St. Louis for their season-high seventh consecutive victory.Willson... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe hit a grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen to give the San Diego Padres a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Renfroe drove an 0-1 pitch into a balcony on the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner. He dropped his bat and raised his arms before beginning his trot.The Padres, who avoided a three-game sweep, started the winning rally with three straight singles off Jansen (2-1), who was trying for his third save in three games. Eric Hosmer hit a leadoff single to left and Manuel Margot and Wil Myers followed with bunt singles to load the bases. Jansen struck out Greg Garcia and got rookie Francisco Mejia to pop up before Renfroe's slam.Adam Warren (2-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.ASTROS 10, ANGELS 4MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a grand slam, his third homer during a two-game series in Mexico, and Houston blew out Los Angeles for the second straight day.The... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joc Pederson and Enrique Hernandez each hit two of the Los Angeles Dodgers' eight home runs Thursday in a 12-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.The Dodgers set a major league record for homers on opening day and tied the franchise mark for any game.Hernandez, Austin Barnes and Corey Seager all homered in the fourth inning to chase Arizona ace Zack Greinke (0-1). Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Hernandez connected in the seventh for the power-packed Dodgers, whose pursuit of a third straight National League got off to a thrilling start.Adam Jones and Christian Walker homered for the Diamondbacks, but their pitching staff's eight homers allowed also set a team record.The Dodgers and Diamondbacks weren't the only ones going deep, either, as teams around the majors combined to set an all-time high for home runs on opening day.Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0) struck out eight over six stellar innings as Los Angeles' first opening day starter not named Clayton Kershaw since 2010. Kershaw's... [More]

Bryce Harper bowed to his new fans, Mookie Betts and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox drew cheers far from Fenway Park and the great Mariano Rivera threw one more strike from the mound at Yankee Stadium.Then it was time to play Home Run Derby on a record-setting opening day.The ball was flying Thursday — Joc Pederson and the Los Angeles Dodgers connected eight times, and the total of 48 across the majors was the most ever to start."Everyone kind of knocked us last year for scoring too many runs off homers," said Max Muncy, who also connected at Dodger Stadium. "But if you're going to do it, you might as well do it like that."Elsewhere, Lorenzo Cain made a game-saving catch in Milwaukee, Javier Baez swung a powerful bat for the Cubs and Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann came close to giving Major League Baseball a perfect start.A week after Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners swept two games from Oakland at the Tokyo Dome, everybody was in action.The packed crowd at Citizens Bank Park... [More]

Bryce Harper bowed to his new fans, Mookie Betts and the Boston Red Sox began the defense of their World Series crown and the great Mariano Rivera threw one more strike from the mound at Yankee Stadium.Then, in ballparks across the land, it was time to begin on a homer-filled opening day.Lorenzo Cain made the big catch. Javier Baez swung a powerful bat. And Jordan Zimmermann came close to giving Major League Baseball a perfect start Thursday.A week after Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners swept two games from Oakland at the Tokyo Dome, everyone was in action. In many places, the ball was flying — at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles set an opening day record by hitting eight home runs.The packed crowd at Citizens Bank Park was especially energized by Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies in a 10-4 win over Atlanta."The atmosphere was unbelievable," Harper said. "The atmosphere was rocking all through the game."A year after the conditions were more fit for snowballs than baseballs at some stadiums,... [More]