SEATTLE (AP) — Mike Leake of the Seattle Mariners lost his bid to pitch a perfect game on a leadoff single in the ninth inning by rookie Luis Rengifo, then finished off the Los Angeles Angels for a 10-0 win Friday night.A week after the worst start of his career, Leake almost achieved baseball immortality.The Angels hadn't come close to a hit and Leake hadn't gone to a three-ball count before Rengifo grounded a clean hit to right field on Leake's 79th pitch.The fans gave Leake a standing ovation and he quickly waved to acknowledge their cheers.After a walk, Leake (8-8) retired the next three batters for a one-hitter, striking out Mike Trout on a full-count pitch to end it. Leake fanned six overall and walked one.Leake's second career shutout came exactly a week after he was tagged by the Angels in his previous start, giving up seven runs on eight hits and a walk while getting just two outs. The Angels pitched a combined no-hitter that night in Anaheim while the entire club wore jerseys... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Donaldson's bases-loaded single off Fernando Rodney in the ninth inning lifted the Atlanta Braves over the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Friday night after Luke Jackson allowed a tying, two-run homer to Victor Robles in the top half.Ronald Acuña Jr., who had three hits, led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk off Rodney (0-3) and took second on Dansby Swanson's single. Freddie Freeman walked on four pitches, loading the bases.Nationals manager Dave Martinez brought in left fielder Juan Soto as a fifth infielder, including three on the left side against the right-handed hitting Donaldson.Donaldson hit a 2-0 pitch over Robles to center-field warning track, and the Braves boosted their NL East lead to 6½ games over the second-place Nationals. Atlanta had lost its previous five home games against Washington.YANKEES 8, ROCKIES 2NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Encarnación hit a go-ahead grand slam, a trio of ex-Rockies beat up on their former team and New York defeated Colorado.Encarnación... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone got fired up at a rookie umpire in a profane rant, and New York awoke from a sleepy start to rally past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 in a doubleheader opener Thursday.New York rallied to win the second game 5-1 and reopen an eight-game AL East lead over the second-place Rays. Luke Voit tied the score in the fifth with his first home run since June 14, and catcher Mike Zunino caused Charlie Morton to balk home the tiebreaking run in a four-run sixth that included Didi Gregorius' two-run single. The Yankees won three straight after wasting a ninth-inning lead in the series opener and improved to 34-11 against the AL East, including 12-5 against Tampa Bay.After Domingo Germán (12-2) gave up solo homers to his first two batters in the first game, Gio Urshela hit a tying home run in the second off Yonny Chirinos (9-5), and Gary Sánchez smashed a go-ahead 110 mph single off the glove of third baseman Yandy Díaz during a three-run fifth. Díaz had helped the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:REMEMBER WHENRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale faces the Dodgers for the first time since he came out of the bullpen to finish last year's World Series, striking out the side in the ninth inning of Boston's 5-1 victory in Game 5. Sale struggled in his final two starts before the All-Star break, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ross Stripling pitches for NL-leading Los Angeles.ON THE MENDAll-Star infielder Alex Bregman could return to Houston's starting lineup after he took a groundball off his chin during the Astros' 5-0 loss at Texas on Thursday night. Manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit and is doing OK. He says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all." Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit him below his mouth in the third inning. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:REMEMBER WHENRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale faces the Dodgers for the first time since he came out of the bullpen to finish last year's World Series, striking out the side in the ninth inning of Boston's 5-1 victory in Game 5. Sale struggled in his final two starts before the All-Star break, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ross Stripling pitches for NL-leading Los Angeles.ON THE MENDAll-Star infielder Alex Bregman could return to Houston's starting lineup after he took a groundball off his chin during the Astros' 5-0 loss at Texas on Thursday night. Manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit and is doing OK. He says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all." Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit him below his mouth in the third inning. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman,... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star infielder Alex Bregman is out of Houston's starting lineup a night after a groundball took a nasty hop and hit him in the chin.Astros manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit, is doing OK and begging to play. The manager says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all."Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener at Texas when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit Bregman below his mouth in the third inning.Bregman went through much of his normal routine before Friday's game, including some batting practice and taking some groundballs.Myles Straw, who replaced him in the field Thursday, started at shortstop Friday night. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman, has been playing shortstop with Carlos Correa on the injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star infielder Alex Bregman left Houston's game at Texas on Thursday night after a groundball bounced up and hit him on the chin.Manager A.J. Hinch said during an in-game interview on the ESPN broadcast that it looked like Bregman's chin was split open. Hinch said Bregman wanted to stay in the game, but the team got him out to get checked by a doctor.Bregman was playing shortstop, and shifted toward the middle of the infield in the third inning when he went to field a grounder hit by Shin-Soo Choo. The ball took a late high hop and caught Bregman squarely on the lower half of his face, and there appeared to be blood when he was tended to by a trainer.Bregman is Houston's primary third baseman, but has been playing shortstop with Carlos Correa on the injured list.Myles Straw replaced Bregman at shortstop.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

July 141916 — St. Louis Browns pitcher Ernie Koob went the distance in a 17-inning 0-0 tie with the Boston Red Sox. Carl Mays went the first 15 innings for the Red Sox and Dutch Leonard finished.1946 — Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau hit four doubles and a home run in the first game of a doubleheader against Boston, but Ted Williams connected for three home runs and drove in eight runs for an 11-10 Red Sox victory.1956 — Mel Parnell of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox for a 4-0 victory at Fenway Park.1967 — Eddie Mathews of the Astros hit his 500th home run off San Francisco's Juan Marichal at Candlestick Park. Houston beat the Giants 8-6.1968 — Hank Aaron got his 500th home run off Mike McCormick as the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2.1968 — Don Wilson of the Houston Astros struck out 18 Reds in a 6-1 victory over Cincinnati in the nightcap of a doubleheader.1969 — Oakland's Reggie Jackson knocked in 10 runs in a 21-7 win over... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mets rookie Pete Alonso has a million-dollar swing.New York's newest slugger outlasted a worn-down Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night to win $1 million — nearly double his 2019 salary.Alonso somehow had enough to edge Guerrero, who hit 91 homers but ran out of gas in the last round following an epic semifinal matchup against Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson.Needing 23 homers to beat Guerrero, Alonso connected for a homer to left-center before flipping his bat high into the air and hugging his pitcher, cousin Derek Morgan. Alonso was then swarmed by the NL All-Stars who were treated to a power display unlike any in the event's history."This was surreal," Alonso said.Alonso is the second rookie to win outright, following Yankees star Aaron Judge in 2017. He's also the first Mets player to win the derby since Darryl Strawberry shared the title with Wally Joyner in 1986.Alonso, making the major league minimum of $555,000 this... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):10:25 p.m.Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will face New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso for the All-Star Home Run Derby title.Guerrero beat the Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson 40-39 in the semifinals after they extended to a third tiebreaker. They tied 29-29 in the initial 4-minute round and 8-8 during 60 extra seconds. They each hit one during a three-swing tiebreaker, and Guerrero hit two in a second three-swing tiebreaker, finally winning when Pederson grounded out on his third swing. Guerrero also hit the longest of the night at 488 feet.Alonso, batting second, overcame Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. 20-19, his last dropping over the center-field fence after the horn.___9:28 p.m.Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Houston's Alex Bregman 21-16 in the first round of the Home Run Derby, and Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated Oakland's Matt Chapman 29-13 — a first-round record, one more than Josh Hamilton's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):9:28 p.m.Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Houston's Alex Bregman 21-16 in the first round of the Home Run Derby, and Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated Oakland's Matt Chapman 29-13 — a first-round record, one more than Josh Hamilton's total in 2008.Chapman hit one 477 feet, the longest of the night thus far, by 1 foot over Guerrero.Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. defeated Pittsburgh's Josh Bell 25-18, and New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso sparked boos when he beat Cleveland's Carlos Santana 14-13, hitting his last with 1 second left on the 4-minute clock.___6:25 p.m.Even though he's not on the roster, CC Sabathia was looming large around Progressive Field.The 38-year-old Yankees pitcher is playing his final season. He was invited by Major League Baseball to take part in this week's festivities, and was set to be honored for his contributions on and off the field."I'm just having a good time, being a fake... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):6:25 p.m.Even though he's not on the roster, CC Sabathia was looming large around Progressive Field.The 38-year-old Yankees pitcher is playing his final season. He was invited by Major League Baseball to take part in this week's festivities, and was set to be honored for his contributions on and off the field."I'm just having a good time, being a fake All-Star here," he said, laughing. "When the Yankees asked me to announce my retirement, I was like, 'Announce what? I'm not Derek Jeter. No one will care.' But this whole deal has been pretty cool."Sabathia began his big league career in Cleveland and stayed in town until being traded to Milwaukee during the 2008 season. He still maintains close connections to the city.The lefty is 5-4 with a 4.03 ERA this season. Overall, the six-time All-Star has 251 wins and 3,057 strikeouts."I'm on my way out, I only have three more months, but as a fan, I love offense. There is definitely... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — We've seen Reggie hit the light tower, Pete Rose crush a catcher to score the winning run and a tribute to Ted Williams that sent shivers through Fenway Park.But come the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, baseball fans might witness something they've never seen before.Automatic runners.Already employed in the minors, the World Baseball Classic and Olympic softball, a new rule will take effect in front of a major league audience: Every extra inning in All-Star play — top half and bottom — begins with a free runner at second base."They're doing that? Really?" Houston reliever Ryan Pressly asked Monday. "I did not know that."The crowd at Progressive Field got a glimpse of the future, maybe, on Sunday night when the Futures Game tried the rule for an inning. No one scored, and the showcase for young talent wound up in a tie.Jeff McNeil, the top hitter in the majors this year, saw the scenario a lot last season in Triple-A. There, the goal is to shorten games and save wear and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Sitting next to Justin Verlander, American League manager Alex Cora cheekily declared "we've got the opener" as he described his pitching plans.Touché!Houston's ace has been among the players most critical of some teams' practice of using relief pitchers as ersatz starters for an inning or two.Verlander will be making his second All-Star start on Tuesday night. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts selected Hyun-Jin Ryu from his own staff to make his first start for the National League.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Houston Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings.He allowed five runs in the first inning during the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City, including the first bases-loaded triple in All-Star history, to Pablo Sandoval."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander,... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):4:05 p.m.Justin Verlander's start in the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City was memorable — unfortunately for him.Ryan Braun hit an RBI double, Pablo Sandoval had the first bases-loaded triple and Dan Uggla followed with a run-scoring infield single as the NL started rolling to an 8-0 win."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said a day ahead of his start for the American League on Tuesday night. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander threw five pitches clocked at 100 mph and another at 101 during a 35-pitch inning."I don't quite throw 100 anymore. Maybe I'll try tomorrow," he said. "The goal is to get guys out. That's it. Thanks for bringing that up, by the way."___12:45 p.m.Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time, and Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time, and Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start for the National League.Verlander, a 36-year-old right-hander, is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Houston Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings.He allowed five runs in the first inning during the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City, including the first-bases loaded triple in All-Star history, to Pablo Sandoval. Verlander, who played for the Detroit Tigers, threw five pitches clocked at 100 mph and another at 101 during a 35-pitch inning.Ryu, a 32-year-old left-hander from South Korea, is 10-2 with a major league-leading 1.73 ERA for the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the second Asian All-Star starter after Dodgers rookie Hideo Nomo of Japan in 1995.Houston's George Springer leads off and plays right field for the AL and is followed in the batting order by New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Los Angeles Angels center... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:DERBY DAYThe All-Star Game might not count anymore, but the Home Run Derby is upping the stakes. This year's derby includes a $1 million top prize, and the participants are taking it seriously. Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and several others have been practicing before games, trying to simulate derby conditions. Yelich, however, backed out of the field Sunday after tweaking his back and was replaced by Oakland's Matt Chapman. The rest of the field is Cleveland's Carlos Santana, New York's Pete Alonso, Pittsburgh's Josh Bell, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr., Houston's Alex Bregman and the Dodgers' Joc Pederson.SCARY MOMENTThe Angels are awaiting test results for catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who was bowled over by Houston's Jake Marisnick at home plate Sunday. The team said Lucroy was sent to a hospital for a CT scan and being evaluated for a possible concussion and broken nose. Marisnick crashed into Lucroy as he... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:DERBY DAYThe All-Star Game might not count anymore, but the Home Run Derby is upping the stakes. This year's derby includes a $1 million top prize, and the participants are taking it seriously. Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and several others have been practicing before games, trying to simulate derby conditions. Yelich, however, backed out of the field Sunday after tweaking his back and was replaced by Oakland's Matt Chapman. The rest of the field is Cleveland's Carlos Santana, New York's Pete Alonso, Pittsburgh's Josh Bell, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr., Houston's Alex Bregman and the Dodgers' Joc Pederson.SCARY MOMENTThe Angels are awaiting test results for catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who was bowled over by Houston's Jake Marisnick at home plate Sunday. The team said Lucroy was sent to a hospital for a CT scan and being evaluated for a possible concussion and broken nose. Marisnick crashed into Lucroy as he... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Thome holds the record for the longest home run in Progressive Field history, a 511-foot shot against Kansas City in 1999. Two years earlier, the Hall of Fame slugger recorded a more dubious mark during the All-Star Home Run Derby."I didn't hit one," Thome said sheepishly.It's a safe bet that none of the eight participants in this year's field, which no longer includes Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, the majors' home-run leader, will get blanked Monday night as some of baseball's biggest bats swing for the fences while vying for $1 million — the richest winning prize in the popular event's 34-year history.The players will take aim at the downtown ballpark's towering left-field bleachers, which Mark McGwire cleared with a mammoth blast in 1997 that dented a giant Budweiser billboard. There's a pedestrian bridge down the line that could see some action, and if the wind is blowing just so to right-center, it could give Cleveland's own Carlos Santana an advantage.One thing... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jim Thome holds the record for the longest home run in Progressive Field history, a 511-foot shot against Kansas City in 1999. Two years earlier, the Hall of Fame slugger recorded a more dubious mark during the All-Star Home Run Derby."I didn't hit one," Thome said sheepishly.It's a safe bet that none of the eight participants in this year's field, which no longer includes Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, the majors' home-run leader, will get blanked Monday night as some of baseball's biggest bats swing for the fences while vying for $1 million — the richest winning prize in the popular event's 34-year history.The players will take aim at the downtown ballpark's towering left-field bleachers, which Mark McGwire cleared with a mammoth blast in 1997 that dented a giant Budweiser billboard. There's a pedestrian bridge down the line that could see some action, and if the wind is blowing just so to right-center, it could give Cleveland's own Carlos Santana an advantage.One thing... [More]