ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player in major league history to homer in five straight games, hitting a leadoff shot on the first pitch and later adding a three-run drive to help the surging Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 10-6 on Tuesday night.The 20-year-old Acuna homered on Miami's first pitch for the second straight night and became the first player to hit a leadoff homer in three consecutive games since Baltimore's Brady Anderson went deep in four straight in 1996. On Monday, he became the fourth player in major league history to hit leadoff homers in both games of a doubleheader.Acuna connected in the first off Trevor Richards and homered to right-center, his 19th of the year, off Adam Conley (3-3) to give the Braves a 10-6 lead in the seventh.Freddie Freeman hit his 20th homer to tie it in the sixth, and Dansby Swanson had a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh as the NL East-leading Braves won for the 13th time in 17 games.Acuna, who has homered in seven... [More]

No team has gotten more innings from its starting pitchers this season than the Cleveland Indians. No team has gotten fewer than the Tampa Bay Rays.Yet the Indians and Rays have ended up in a similar spot. Cleveland's team ERA is 3.84. Tampa Bay's is 3.82.The Rays have been unorthodox in their approach , eschewing a normal starting rotation in favor of a system in which one of their usual relievers might take the mound at the beginning of a game. Right now, Tampa Bay's depth chart on MLB.com only lists three pitchers in the rotation — yet the Rays are 60-58 and have a chance for their first winning season since 2013.Tampa Bay has tried using an "opener" at the start of games. One of the team's relievers might start the game and pitch an inning or two. Then another pitcher — who might normally have been the starter — comes in and perhaps pitches through the middle innings. If his outing begins in the third, for example, he may benefit from not having to face the top hitters as often.The... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit the hardest homer ever measured by Major League Baseball's Statcast system, Neil Walker hit two more home runs and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Thursday night.Stanton's 28th homer was measured at 121.7 mph, the fastest long ball tracked by Statcast since the system was introduced in 2015. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also went deep, helping the Yankees win their fourth straight since a five-game skid that included a four-game sweep at AL East-leading Boston.J.A. Happ (12-6) pitched six effective innings in his return from hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ was acquired from Toronto last month and has won both his starts with New York. He allowed three runs, four hits, a walk and struck out nine Thursday.Rookie Ariel Jurado (2-2) got Stanton to hit into a double play in the first inning, then intentionally walked Didi Gregorius before Hicks homered to make it 2-0.All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked two in the ninth before getting... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit the hardest homer ever measured by Major League Baseball's Statcast system, Neil Walker hit two more home runs and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Thursday night.Stanton's 28th homer was measured at 121.7 mph, the fastest long ball tracked by Statcast since the system was introduced in 2015. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also went deep, helping the Yankees win their fourth straight since a five-game skid that included a four-game sweep at AL East-leading Boston.J.A. Happ (12-6) pitched six effective innings in his return from hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ was acquired from Toronto last month and has won both his starts with New York. He allowed three runs, four hits, a walk and struck out nine Thursday.Rookie Ariel Jurado (2-2) got Stanton to hit into a double play in the first inning, then intentionally walked Didi Gregorius before Hicks homered to make it 2-0.All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked two in the ninth before getting... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit the hardest homer ever measured by Major League Baseball's Statcast system, Neil Walker hit two more home runs and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Thursday night.Stanton's 28th homer was measured at 121.7 mph, the fastest long ball tracked by Statcast since the system was introduced in 2015. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also went deep, helping the Yankees win their fourth straight since a five-game skid that included a four-game sweep at AL East-leading Boston.J.A. Happ (12-6) pitched six effective innings in his return from hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ was acquired from Toronto last month and has won both his starts with New York. He allowed three runs, four hits, a walk and struck out nine Thursday.Rookie Ariel Jurado (2-2) got Stanton to hit into a double play in the first inning, then intentionally walked Didi Gregorius before Hicks homered to make it 2-0.All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked two in the ninth before getting... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit the hardest homer ever measured by Major League Baseball's Statcast system, Neil Walker hit two more home runs and the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Thursday night.Stanton's 28th homer was measured at 121.7 mph, the fastest long ball tracked by Statcast since the system was introduced in 2015. Miguel Andujar and Aaron Hicks also went deep, helping the Yankees win their fourth straight since a five-game skid that included a four-game sweep at AL East-leading Boston.J.A. Happ (12-6) pitched six effective innings in his return from hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ was acquired from Toronto last month and has won both his starts with New York. He allowed three runs, four hits, a walk and struck out nine Thursday.Rookie Ariel Jurado (2-2) got Stanton to hit into a double play in the first inning, then intentionally walked Didi Gregorius before Hicks homered to make it 2-0.All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman walked two in the ninth before getting... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley's ninth-inning single gave the Cleveland Indians a 5-4 win over Minnesota on Thursday, their second straight walk-off victory over the Twins.Brantley grounded a 2-1 pitch off Addison Reed (1-6) past the diving Miguel Sano at first base to score Greg Allen. Francisco Lindor's three-run homer in the ninth inning Wednesday gave Cleveland a 5-2 victory. Brantley's hit set off another celebration as he was mobbed by his teammates.Allen started the rally with a single off Reed and stole second with Lindor batting. Lindor's groundout to first moved Allen to third.Andrew Miller (2-3) struck out a batter in the ninth. The left-hander made his fourth appearance since missing two months because of an inflamed right knee.Minnesota rallied from a 4-0 deficit against reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Jake Cave's fifth-inning sacrifice fly scored a run before Jorge Polanco hit first home run of the season — a three-run shot in the sixth — to tie the game.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout this season and new arrival Leonys Martin homered again as the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 Saturday night.After the game, there was a report that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of this season. The report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic cited unidentified major league sources.The 59-year-old Scioscia is the longest-tenured manager in the majors and has guided the Angels since 2000. They are 55-57 this year.Kluber (14-6) matched zeros for five innings with Felix Pena (1-3), who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Martin led off with a homer. Martin has two homers in three games since coming to Cleveland in a trade with Detroit.The Angels were again without All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who missed his third straight game with a sore right wrist.ASTROS 14, DODGERS 0LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josh Reddick's three-run homer highlighted Houston's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout this season and new arrival Leonys Martin homered again as the Cleveland Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 Saturday night.After the game, there was a report that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of this season. The report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic cited unidentified major league sources.The 59-year-old Scioscia is the longest-tenured manager in the majors and has guided the Angels since 2000. They are 55-57 this year.Kluber (14-6) matched zeros for five innings with Felix Pena (1-3), who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Martin led off with a homer. Martin has two homers in three games since coming to Cleveland in a trade with Detroit.The Angels were again without All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who missed his third straight game with a sore right wrist.REDS 7, NATIONALS 1, 1ST GAMENATIONALS 6, REDS 2, 2ND GAMEWASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals slugger... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Trout's right wrist is still sore and the Los Angeles Angels won't risk him making it any worse.The superstar outfielder was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game on Saturday as the Angeles continued their three-game series against the Cleveland Indians.Trout injured his wrist on Wednesday while sliding into second base at Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old had been optimistic that he would be able to return Saturday, but he's still having some issues."Mike is moving in the right direction but he's not able to swing right now so he's day-to-day," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll chart the progress today and tomorrow and see where we are."While Trout seems close to returning, the Angels placed left-hander Tyler Skaggs on the 10-day disabled list with a left adductor strain. He was scheduled to start Sunday's series finale.X-rays and an MRI revealed only inflammation in Trout's wrist, but the Angels are taking an extra-cautious approach with the seven-time... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Trout's right wrist is still sore and the Los Angeles Angels won't risk him making it any worse.The superstar outfielder was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game on Saturday as the Angeles continued their three-game series against the Cleveland Indians.Trout injured his wrist on Wednesday while sliding into second base at Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old had been optimistic that he would be able to return Saturday, but he's still having some issues."Mike is moving in the right direction but he's not able to swing right now so he's day-to-day," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll chart the progress today and tomorrow and see where we are."While Trout seems close to returning, the Angels placed left-hander Tyler Skaggs on the 10-day disabled list with a left adductor strain. He was scheduled to start Sunday's series finale.X-rays and an MRI revealed only inflammation in Trout's wrist, but the Angels are taking an extra-cautious approach with the seven-time... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Sean Newcomb came within one strike of pitching the first no-hitter by the Atlanta Braves since 1994, denied when Chris Taylor sharply singled in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Newcomb had a 2-2 count with two outs in the ninth inning when Taylor hit a hard grounder beyond the reach of diving third baseman Johan Camargo. That came on the career-high 134th and final pitch by the 25-year-old lefty.Newcomb (10-5) left to a thunderous standing ovation from the sellout crowd at SunTrust Park as manager Brian Snitker removed him. Snitker took the ball and gave it back to Newcomb as a keepsake — instead, Newcomb simply tossed it toward the Atlanta dugout as he walked off, wanting no souvenir of the near-miss.Newcomb apologized about an hour after the game for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager, calling them "some stupid stuff."Ross Stripling (8-3) was subpar in his second straight start, allowing four runs, seven hits and one walk with five... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Sean Newcomb came within one strike of pitching the first no-hitter by the Atlanta Braves since 1994, denied when Chris Taylor sharply singled in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.Newcomb had a 2-2 count with two outs in the ninth inning when Taylor hit a hard grounder beyond the reach of diving third baseman Johan Camargo. That came on the career-high 134th and final pitch by the 25-year-old lefty.Newcomb (10-5) left to a thunderous standing ovation from the sellout crowd at SunTrust Park as manager Brian Snitker removed him. Snitker took the ball and gave it back to Newcomb as a keepsake — instead, Newcomb simply tossed it toward the Atlanta dugout as he walked off, wanting no souvenir of the near-miss.Newcomb apologized about an hour after the game for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager, calling them "some stupid stuff."Ross Stripling (8-3) was subpar in his second straight start, allowing four runs, seven hits and one walk with five... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STEEL CITY STREAKThe Pirates aim for their 12th straight win in a series finale against Cleveland. Pittsburgh pounded starters Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber for seven runs apiece in the first two games of the series. Starling Marte has a career-high 17-game hitting streak, and Pittsburgh is averaging 6.6 runs per game during its streak, which has pushed the team to 53-49 overall. Trevor Bauer will try to slow the Buccos and rediscover his command after walking a season-high five in a game against Texas last time out.DEADLINE WATCHMany of baseball's top teams will likely be watching Nathan Eovaldi's start against the Yankees closely. Eovaldi (3-4, 4.26) has been the subject of trade speculation after making a strong return with Tampa Bay following Tommy John surgery. New York may even be among the teams looking to acquire Eovaldi. The Yankees could use another starter, and they know the right-hander well — he pitched in 51 games for New... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:STEEL CITY STREAKThe Pirates aim for their 12th straight win in a series finale against Cleveland. Pittsburgh pounded starters Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber for seven runs apiece in the first two games of the series. Starling Marte has a career-high 17-game hitting streak, and Pittsburgh is averaging 6.6 runs per game during its streak, which has pushed the team to 53-49 overall. Trevor Bauer will try to slow the Buccos and rediscover his command after walking a season-high five in a game against Texas last time out.DEADLINE WATCHMany of baseball's top teams will likely be watching Nathan Eovaldi's start against the Yankees closely. Eovaldi (3-4, 4.26) has been the subject of trade speculation after making a strong return with Tampa Bay following Tommy John surgery. New York may even be among the teams looking to acquire Eovaldi. The Yankees could use another starter, and they know the right-hander well — he pitched in 51 games for... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:DEADLINE WATCHMany of baseball's top teams will likely be watching Nathan Eovaldi's start against the Yankees closely. Eovaldi (3-4, 4.26) has been the subject of trade speculation after making a strong return with Tampa Bay following Tommy John surgery. New York may even be among the teams looking to acquire Eovaldi. The Yankees could use another starter, and they know the right-hander well — he pitched in 51 games for New York between 2015 and '16 before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.GOTTA RUNTrea Turner may return to the Nationals' lineup a day after being benched for a lack of hustle. Turner failed to run to first base after a bunt Monday, angering manager Dave Martinez. Turner said he put the bat up in "self-defense" because he thought he was going to be hit by the pitch and inadvertently put the ball in play, but added that he "probably should have run to first." Martinez said Tuesday that Turner needed... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — St. Louis starter Daniel Poncedeleon made a sensational debut 14 months after suffering a severe head injury, throwing no-hit ball for seven innings Monday night before Eugenio Suarez led the Cincinnati Reds' two-out rally in the ninth for a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals.Suarez's two-out, solo homer off Bud Norris (3-3) tied it 1-1. The closer then loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk, and pinch-hitter Dilson Herrera singled to end the Reds' losing streak at four games. Jared Hughes (3-3) pitched the ninth.The late rally overshadowed Poncedeleon's incredible comeback.The 26-year-old right-hander was hit on the right temple by a line drive while pitching for Triple-A Memphis on May 9 last year, fracturing his skull and causing bleeding in the brain. He had emergency surgery followed by months of slow recovery.Poncedeleon was one of the top pitchers in the Pacific Coast League when St. Louis called him up Monday to help their injury-depleted rotation. He walked... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:YO, YOU GOOD?Yoenis Cespedes and the Mets are awaiting a report and recommendation from doctors after the slugger had an MRI on both feet Monday. Cespedes may need surgery to address calcification on both heels that has bothered him for 15 years, and he said recently that surgery would sideline him for 8-to-10 months. "I guess what we're looking to find out is if it has progressed to the point where it's something that cannot be managed with the conservative treatment that we've been using," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said.Ricco said the Mets were aware of the foot problem when they acquired Cespedes from Detroit in July 2015. The 32-year-old has been treated with anti-inflammatory medication, stretching exercises and orthotics.BIEBER VS BUCCOSThe Pirates offense is rolling, and Cleveland will ask rookie Shane Bieber to slow Pittsburgh's roll. The Bucs have averaged 6.4 runs per game while winning 10 straight, including seven... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — St. Louis starter Daniel Poncedeleon made a sensational debut 14 months after suffering a severe head injury, throwing no-hit ball for seven innings Monday night before Eugenio Suarez led the Cincinnati Reds' two-out rally in the ninth for a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals.Suarez's two-out, solo homer off Bud Norris (3-3) tied it 1-1. The closer then loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk, and pinch-hitter Dilson Herrera singled to end the Reds' losing streak at four games. Jared Hughes (3-3) pitched the ninth.The late rally overshadowed Poncedeleon's incredible comeback.The 26-year-old right-hander was hit on the right temple by a line drive while pitching for Triple-A Memphis on May 9 last year, fracturing his skull and causing bleeding in the brain. He had emergency surgery followed by months of slow recovery.Poncedeleon was one of the top pitchers in the Pacific Coast League when St. Louis called him up Monday to help their injury-depleted rotation. He walked... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:YO, YOU GOOD?Yoenis Cespedes and the Mets are awaiting a report and recommendation from doctors after the slugger had an MRI on both feet Monday. Cespedes may need surgery to address calcification on both heels that has bothered him for 15 years, and he said recently that surgery would sideline him for 8-to-10 months. "I guess what we're looking to find out is if it has progressed to the point where it's something that cannot be managed with the conservative treatment that we've been using," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said.Ricco said the Mets were aware of the foot problem when they acquired Cespedes from Detroit in July 2015. The 32-year-old has been treated with anti-inflammatory medication, stretching exercises and orthotics.SOMETHING BREWING?The Brewers were already rumored to be shopping ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline before starting pitcher Brent Suter said Monday he would need season-ending Tommy... [More]