CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley came back, took a well-deserved bow and delivered like always. Shane Bieber pitched a perfect inning and took home an MVP trophy and a shiny new pickup truck.Carlos Carrasco stood up to cancer.On an idyllic night for baseball, Cleveland connections shined brightest at the All-Star Game.Even Sandy Alomar Jr., whose storybook home run the last time the game was played at Progressive Field in 1997 made him an MVP and local legend, enjoyed another moment on the star-studded stage.And then Bieber matched him, winning MVP honors after striking out the side in the fifth as the AL staff combined for 16 strikeouts in a 4-3 win over the NL and returned pitching to prominence a night after Vladimir Guerrereo Jr., Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson knocked balls over Progressive Field's walls with stunning ease."It's an incredible feeling now, now that it's kind of sinking in," Bieber said. "Just to be able to do it in front of the home crowd and my first All-Star Game is... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley came back, took a well-deserved bow and delivered like always. Shane Bieber pitched a perfect inning and took home an MVP trophy and a shiny new pickup truck.Carlos Carrasco stood up to cancer.On an idyllic night for baseball, Cleveland connections shined brightest at the All-Star Game.Even Sandy Alomar Jr., whose storybook home run the last time the game was played at Progressive Field in 1997 made him an MVP and local legend, enjoyed another moment on the star-studded stage.And then Bieber matched him, winning MVP honors after striking out the side in the ninth as the AL staff combined for 16 strikeouts in a 4-3 win over the NL and returned pitching to prominence a night after Vladimir Guerrereo Jr., Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson knocked balls over Progressive Field's walls with stunning ease."It's an incredible feeling now, now that it's kind of sinking in," Bieber said. "Just to be able to do it in front of the home crowd and my first All-Star Game is... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Brantley came back, took a well-deserved bow and delivered like always. Shane Bieber pitched a perfect inning and took home an MVP trophy and a shiny new pickup truck.Carlos Carrasco stood up to cancer.On an idyllic night for baseball, Cleveland connections shined brightest at the All-Star Game.Even Sandy Alomar Jr., whose storybook home run the last time the game was played at Progressive Field in 1997 made him an MVP and local legend, enjoyed another moment on the star-studded stage.And then Bieber matched him, winning MVP honors after striking out the side in the ninth as the AL staff combined for 16 strikeouts in a 4-3 win over the NL and returned pitching to prominence a night after Vladimir Guerrereo Jr., Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson knocked balls over Progressive Field's walls with stunning ease."I kind of lost all feeling in my body," Bieber said when asked for his reaction to winning.Bieber was a late All-Star injury replacement, only added Friday to give... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):11:04 p.m.Justin Verlander blazed 97 mph heat from the start, Cleveland's Shane Bieber struck out the side and the AL staff combined to fan 16, dominating a loaded NL lineup 4-3 in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night for its seventh straight win.With fans hoping to see a replay of Monday's jaw-dropping aerial show when 312 homers cleared the walls, the diamond became a pitchers' paradise — at least until the late innings.Derby champ Pete Alonso grounded a two-out, two-run single past Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning to pull the NL to 4-3, but Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for the save on the same field he got the win three years ago in World Series Game 7 for the Chicago Cubs' first title since 1908 — and denying the Indians their first since 1948.___10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the fifth inning of the All-Star Game during Major League Baseball's "Stand Up to Cancer" campaign.The 32-year-old stood in the third-base coach's box, flanked by four All-Star teammates and Indians manager Terry Francona. Carrasco held a sign that read "I Stand'" while Lindor's said: "Cookie," which is the pitcher's nickname.Carrasco had been feeling fatigued in May, and was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia following an exam at the Cleveland Clinic.He has been cleared to resume conditioning and throwing activities to the extent he can tolerate them. Carrasco could pitch a bullpen session later this week and believes he'll return to the team at some point this season.He had been scheduled to start against Minnesota on June 5, when the Indians issued a statement saying... [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]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians 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."I never thought that I would have something like this, because I play baseball, I'm like super healthy or something like that," Carrasco says in a video posted on the Indians' Twitter account. "But you never know what's going on inside your body."When I found out, it made me even stronger, then I push myself to work through this. Then I have a lot of people behind me, helping me, especially my teammates and family."Manager Terry Francona said the club knew the details of Carrasco's condition before the video was released. Carrasco plans to talk to the media in Cleveland next Thursday. Francona declined to talk about the pitcher's condition beyond... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians 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."I never thought that I would have something like this, because I play baseball, I'm like super healthy or something like that," Carrasco says in a video posted on the Indians' Twitter account. "But you never know what's going on inside your body."When I found out, it made me even stronger, then I push myself to work through this. Then I have a lot of people behind me, helping me, especially my teammates and family."The 32-year-old Carrasco also told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while visiting a hospital, where he was seeing patients. He said he feels positive about his prognosis and he'll be back with the team "at the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starter Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia, but remains hopeful he'll pitch again this season.Carrasco, who was diagnosed in June, told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while visiting a hospital, where he was seeing patients. The 32-year-old Carrasco feels positive about his prognosis and said he'll be back with the team "at the end of July."Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are numerous forms of the disease, many of which are highly treatable.Carrasco was not pitching up to his standards and feeling lethargic for weeks in May before getting checked. He told CDN that doctors "saw something different in my blood."The right-hander said he received more tests, and he and his wife were given his diagnosis.The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Following his diagnosis, Carrasco spoke with long-time teammate Jason Kipnis, who helped him research and understand what he was dealing... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has revealed he is being treated for leukemia.Carrasco, who was diagnosed in June, told a TV station in the Dominican Republic about his condition while on a visit to a hospital, where he was seeing patients. Carrasco remains positive about his prognosis and believes he will pitch again this season.The 32-year-old right-hander was feeling lethargic for weeks in May before getting checked. He told CDN that doctors "saw something different in my blood."The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Carrasco has developed into one of the AL's steadiest pitchers in recent years. He won 17 games last season and went 18-6 in 2017, when he finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.He has been with Cleveland since 2009. The Indians signed him to a $47 million, four-year contract in December.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco is being treated for leukemia.Carrasco made the revelation to a TV station while on a visit to the Dominican Republic, where he was visiting a hospital. Carrasco, who was diagnosed with the blood disorder in June, remains positive about his prognosis and believes he will pitch again this season.The 32-year-old right-hander was feeling lethargic in May and told CDN doctors "saw something different in my blood."The Indians have not commented on Carrasco's diagnosis.Carrasco has developed into one of the AL's steadiest pitchers in recent years. He won 17 games last season and went 18-6 in 2017, when he finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting.He has been with Cleveland since 2009. The Indians signed him to a $47 million, four-year contract in December.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

June 301908 — At 41 years, 3 months, Cy Young of the Boston Red Sox pitched the third no-hitter of his career, an 8-0 win over the New York Highlanders.1948 — Cleveland's Bob Lemon pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers for the first American League no-hitter at night.1962 — Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 13 New York Mets en route to the first of four career no-hitters, a 5-0 victory at Dodger Stadium.1970 — Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati was dedicated, but Henry Aaron spoiled the show for the crowd of 51,050 with a first-inning homer off Jim McGlothlin as Atlanta beat the Reds 8-2.1978 — Willie McCovey became the 12th player in major league history to hit 500 home runs. His milestone shot off Atlanta's Jamie Easterly wasn't enough, as the Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 10-5 in the second game of a doubleheader at Fulton County Stadium.1995 — Eddie Murray of the Cleveland Indians became the second switch-hitter and the 20th player in baseball history... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Leonys Martin's struggles at the plate forced the Indians to make a tough decision with the outfielder.Martín, who overcame a life-threatening bacterial infection last summer after arriving in a trade, was designated for assignment on Saturday. He was batting .199 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs in 65 games.Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the decision to part ways with the 31-year-old Martín was difficult."Obviously, with all the things we've been through with Leonys and his family to this point, it wasn't easy," Antonetti said before the Indians hosted the Detroit Tigers. "But we also have an obligation to do what we think is the right thing for the rest of the team."Cleveland acquired Martín from the Tigers at the trade deadline last season, but he played only six games before becoming ill and being hospitalized.Antonetti said the move had nothing to do with the argument Martín had with star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the dugout on Wednesday... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have designated outfielder Leonys Martin for assignment on Saturday.Martin, who overcame a life-threatening bacterial infection last summer, batted .199 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs in 65 games.Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the decision to part ways with Martin was difficult but he felt it was the right move for the team.Cleveland acquired Martin from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline last season, but he played only six games before becoming ill and missed the rest of the season.Antonetti said the move had nothing to do with the dugout argument Martin had with star shortstop Francisco Lindor after the center fielder didn't make a catch at the wall Wednesday against Texas.The Indians purchased the contract of right-hander Aaron Civale from Triple-A Columbus to start Saturday against Detroit.Antonetti said pitcher Carlos Carrasco has been going through treatment and is making progress from the blood disorder that sidelined him earlier this month.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Clevinger is confident his latest stint on the injured list will be a short one.The Cleveland Indians placed Clevinger on the 10-day IL prior to Friday night's game against Detroit because of a sprained left ankle. The right-hander was scheduled to start Saturday.Clevinger twisted his ankle while coming off the mound to cover first base in the second inning against Texas on Tuesday. He was making his first start since April 7 when he strained a back muscle.Clevinger expects his next start will come when the Indians visit Baltimore for a three-game series that begins June 28."It's nothing bad," he said. "If this was October, I'd probably be out there but coming back from the long layoff, right now everything lines up perfectly for me to only miss one start. It's more logical to do that."Clevinger remained in Tuesday's game but struggled, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings. The move is retroactive to June 18.The Indians have been dealing with a depleted rotation for... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have placed pitcher Mike Clevinger on the 10-day injured list because of a sprained left ankle.He twisted the ankle while coming off the mound to cover first base in the second inning against Texas on Tuesday. He was making his first start since April 7 when he strained a back muscle.Clevinger remained in the game but struggled, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings. The move is retroactive to June 18.The right-hander was scheduled to start Saturday against Detroit. Injuries have limited Clevinger to three starts this season in which he's 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA.Aaron Civale will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start Saturday. Reliever Josh Smith was recalled from Columbus for Friday night's game.The Indians have been dealing with injuries to their rotation this season. Corey Kluber (broken right arm) and Carlos Carrasco (blood condition) are also out.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mike Clevinger is rejoining the Indians' rotation sooner than anyone — other than him — expected.The right-hander, whose season seemed in jeopardy when he strained a muscle in his upper back on April 7, will start Monday when Cleveland opens a four-game series at Texas. It's been an unexpectedly quick comeback for Clevinger.The team's medical staff didn't think he'd pick up a ball for 6 to 8 weeks, but the hard-working, hard-throwing Clevinger bounced back. He'll face major league hitters following two minor league rehab starts."I got lucky, I guess you could say," Clevinger said Wednesday before the Indians wrapped up a two-game series with Cincinnati. "It's hard to say after an injury you got lucky, but that was kind of the case here."It's also finally some good fortune for the Indians, who have been without ace Corey Kluber (broken arm) and Carlos Carrasco (blood condition) as they try to stay in striking distance of the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins.Kluber will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Hours before the first pitch of Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber sprinted across the sun-soaked outfield inside an empty Progressive Field.Except for getting the occasional glance from ushers and vendors preparing for the crowd, Kluber was alone.When he finished a down-and-back between neon yellow cones, Kluber checked a stopwatch to make sure he was hitting his marks. In a day or two, his broken right arm will be re-evaluated to see if he can pitch for Cleveland again this season.For now, his status remains uncertain.Same as the Indians.Approaching the halfway point of a season starting to snake sideways, it is hard to get a handle on the three-time defending AL Central champions, who will host next month's All-Star game.Slowed by a too-often-limp offense, injuries to Kluber as well as starters Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco and the curious case of All-Star third baseman José Ramirez, the Indians are at a crossroads.They're... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Charlie Morton allowed five hits in seven innings, extending his unbeaten streak to 20 starts and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.Morton (7-0) hasn't lost since Aug. 11, and only Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, at 21 starts, has a longer active unbeaten streak. Morton struck out eight with no walks and needed just 83 pitches to complete seven innings.Austin Meadows tripled and scored on a throwing error in the third to open the scoring. Tampa Bay scored two more runs in the fifth and snapped its four-game losing streak.Spencer Turnbull (3-5) allowed three runs in five innings.METS 7, GIANTS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Vargas pitched his first shutout in two years, Amed Rosario hit a three-run homer and New York won despite losing Robinson Canó hours after his return from the injured list.Michael Conforto and Adeiny Hechavarría each had a solo homer for the Mets, who ended a three-game skid with their second win in seven games.Canó... [More]