PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jean Segura hit an RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies over the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in their season opener Thursday. After Nate Jones (0-1) intentionally walked Did Gregorius, Segura hit a bouncer down the third-base line to score Bryce Harper, who began the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third on a grounder. In the top of the 10th, center fielder Roman Quinn made a perfect throw to the plate to retire Ozzie Albies, who was trying to score on Marcell Ozuna’s fly ball. Catcher J.T. Realmuto caught the ball and slid in front of the plate in one slick motion, successfully blocking Albies’ path. Phillies ace Aaron Nola was one strike away from tossing seven scoreless innings before pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval ripped an 0-2 pitch into the second deck in right field to tie it at 2. The Phillies got 3 1/3 scoreless innings from four relievers, with Connor Brogdon (1-0) working the 10th. They had the worst... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Randy Dobnak's road to the major leagues was so far off the traditional path he even chauffeured some ride-share customers along the way. The Minnesota Twins delivered the overachieving right-hander another big-time moment on Monday, in the form of a $9.25 million, five-year contract that includes three club options and could be worth $29.75 million over eight seasons. “I always believed in myself, even since I was a little kid. You have career days and stuff when you’re in elementary school and whatnot, and I was always like, ‘I want to be a baseball player,'” said Dobnak, whose place as the swingman of the 13-pitcher staff was secured last week. He'll be the team’s primary long reliever for now, essentially the sixth starter behind José Berríos, Kenta Maeda, Matt Shoemaker, Michael Pineda and J.A. Happ. This is a lot of money to guarantee a pitcher with 75 career major league innings, but the Twins saw enough improvement in his fastball and his slider this spring to... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins optioned prized prospect Alex Kirilloff to their alternate training site on Tuesday, leaving a wide-open competition for playing time in left field while giving the 2016 first-round draft pick more time to develop. Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick and Brent Rooker are the primary candidates at that position, vacated when Eddie Rosario was not tendered a contract during the offseason. Luis Arraez, a natural infielder who has moved into a super-sub role this year, has also been in the mix in left field. Kirilloff made his major league debut in last year's postseason but has yet to appear in a regular season game. Excluding him from the major league roster to start the year will allow the Twins to keep his service time clock from running and potentially delay his eligibility for free agency by a year. This issue has become increasingly tense between clubs and players following the union's loss of a grievance against the Chicago Cubs for holding back third baseman... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins optioned prized prospect Alex Kirilloff to their alternate training site on Tuesday, leaving a wide-open competition for playing time in left field while giving the 2016 first-round draft pick more time to develop. Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick and Brent Rooker are the primary candidates at that position, vacated when Eddie Rosario was not tendered a contract during the offseason. Luis Arraez, a natural infielder who has moved into a super-sub role this year, has also been in the mix in left field. Excluding Kirilloff from the major league roster to start the season will of course allow the Twins to keep his service time clock from running and potentially delay his eligibility for free agency by a year, an issue that has become increasingly tense between the clubs and the players following the union's loss of a grievance against the Chicago Cubs for holding back third baseman Kris Bryant as a rookie in 2015. Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told reporters on Sunday that service time wouldn't factor into the decisions about the roster. Kirilloff has four hits in 31 at-bats with one home run and eight strikeouts in spring training exhibitions, which didn't help his cause to make the team out of camp. ___ More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alex Kirilloff has never played in a regular season major league game. He's on track to soon become Minnesota's regular left fielder. “We know what he’s capable of. We’re going to have to wait and see how this spring plays out,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. There's no doubt about how the Twins view the multi-talented 23-year-old, their first-round draft pick in 2016. Kirilloff played so well last summer at the team's alternate training site, when minor league games were halted by the pandemic, that he earned a spot on the postseason roster and a place in the lineup in right field for the elimination game in the AL wild-card series. Kirilloff got a hit, too, in Minnesota's loss to Houston. After the Twins declined in December to offer a contract to Eddie Rosario — their left fielder for the past six seasons who brought a consistent dose of spunk to the lineup while compiling a .478 slugging percentage — the door swung fully open for Kirilloff. “I’ve worked hard my whole... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe also went deep to help Tyler Glasnow (5-1) win his fifth straight decision. Tampa Bay will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday. It is the third division crown for the thrifty Rays, who also won the AL East in 2008 and 2010. Their inaugural season was 1998. After missing a chance to clinch Tuesday, the Rays went into Wednesday again needing just a win or a New York Yankees loss against Toronto to lock up the division championship. The Rays (37-20) broke a 2-all tie in the sixth on Arozarena’s two-run homer off Michael Wacha (1-4) and pulled away. As has become customary during this pandemic-shortened season, the celebration was muted. After Nick Anderson fanned Andres Gimenez for the final out, the closer exchanged a hug... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano flies out to center field to Delino DeShields. Brent Rooker doubles. Byron Buxton pops out to Carlos Santana. Marwin Gonzalez homers to right field. Brent Rooker scores. Willians Astudillo homers to left field. Jorge Polanco lines out to deep center field to Delino DeShields.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians fourth. Jose Ramirez homers to left field. Carlos Santana doubles to deep right center field. Franmil Reyes flies out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Carlos Santana to third. Jordan Luplow walks. Oscar Mercado out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Brent Rooker. Carlos Santana scores. Roberto Perez called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 2.Twins fourth. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Brent Rooker hit by pitch. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Jake Cave scores. Marwin Gonzalez singles to deep right field, tagged out at second, Jordan Luplow to Francisco Lindor. Willians Astudillo... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano flies out to deep center field to Delino DeShields. Jake Cave doubles to deep left field. Byron Buxton homers to left field. Jake Cave scores. Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes. Ryan Jeffers grounds out to shallow center field, Cesar Hernandez to Carlos Santana.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 2, Indians 0.Twins seventh. Byron Buxton strikes out swinging. Marwin Gonzalez pops out to shallow infield to Francisco Lindor. Ryan Jeffers homers to left field. Jorge Polanco grounds out to shallow infield, Francisco Lindor to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians ninth. Cesar Hernandez flies out to deep right center field to Jake Cave. Jose Ramirez homers to left field. Carlos Santana grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Miguel Sano. Franmil Reyes doubles. Oscar Mercado pinch-hitting for Tyler Naquin. Oscar Mercado grounds out to shallow infield to Taylor Rogers.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 1.

Twins third. Byron Buxton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Willians Astudillo singles to left field. Luis Arraez singles to shallow center field. Willians Astudillo to third. Josh Donaldson homers to left field. Luis Arraez scores. Willians Astudillo scores. Jorge Polanco grounds out to shallow infield, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt. Nelson Cruz walks. Eddie Rosario doubles to deep right center field. Nelson Cruz to third. Miguel Sano grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 3, Cardinals 0.Twins fourth. Jake Cave strikes out swinging. Byron Buxton pops out to Paul Goldschmidt. Willians Astudillo doubles to deep center field. Luis Arraez singles to deep right field. Willians Astudillo scores. Josh Donaldson walks. Marwin Gonzalez to second. Jorge Polanco flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 4, Cardinals 0.Twins fifth. Nelson Cruz homers to center... [More]

Twins third. Ehire Adrianza flies out to center field to Victor Reyes. Ryan Jeffers homers to center field. LaMonte Wade Jr. doubles to shallow left field. Josh Donaldson walks. Brent Rooker singles to right field. Josh Donaldson to second. LaMonte Wade Jr. to third. Eddie Rosario doubles to shallow right field, tagged out at third, Jorge Bonifacio to Jonathan Schoop to Isaac Paredes to Willi Castro. Brent Rooker scores. Josh Donaldson scores. LaMonte Wade Jr. scores. Marwin Gonzalez grounds out to third base, Isaac Paredes to Jeimer Candelario.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 4, Tigers 0.Tigers fourth. Jonathan Schoop flies out to center field to Byron Buxton. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to shortstop, Ehire Adrianza to LaMonte Wade Jr.. Jeimer Candelario doubles. Willi Castro singles to shallow left field. Jeimer Candelario scores. Christin Stewart flies out to deep left center field to Eddie Rosario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 4, Tigers 1.Twins fourth. Byron Buxton... [More]

Tigers second. Willi Castro grounds out to shallow center field, Luis Arraez to Miguel Sano. Jorge Bonifacio doubles. Travis Demeritte singles to left field. Jorge Bonifacio scores. Grayson Greiner grounds out to shortstop. Travis Demeritte out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Twins 0.Tigers third. Sergio Alcantara homers to left field. Victor Reyes pops out to shallow right field to Miguel Sano. Jonathan Schoop lines out to shallow infield to Luis Arraez. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to shortstop, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 2, Twins 0.Twins third. Jake Cave walks. Ehire Adrianza doubles to deep right field. Jake Cave to third. Willians Astudillo singles to shallow center field. Ehire Adrianza scores. Jake Cave scores. Jorge Polanco reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Willians Astudillo out at second. Luis Arraez singles to shallow infield. Jorge Polanco to second. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Eddie Rosario pops... [More]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes homers. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Miguel Sano. Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. Jeimer Candelario strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Twins 0.Twins fifth. Brent Rooker singles to right field. Miguel Sano singles to right field. Jake Cave to third. Eddie Rosario grounds out to shallow infield. Miguel Sano out at second. Jake Cave scores. Byron Buxton strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Twins 1.Tigers seventh. Jonathan Schoop walks. Miguel Cabrera singles to left field. Jonathan Schoop to third. Jeimer Candelario singles to deep right field. Miguel Cabrera to second. Jonathan Schoop scores. Willi Castro singles to left field. Jeimer Candelario to second. Miguel Cabrera to third. Jorge Bonifacio singles to center field. Willi Castro to second. Jeimer Candelario to third. Miguel Cabrera scores. Christin Stewart reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield.... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Adam Duvall hit three home runs a night after teammate Marcell Ozuna become the first NL player ever to hit three homers in Fenway Park, and the East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-5 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Ozuna added a long, tiebreaking solo drive for the Braves, who entered the three-game set 0-12-3 in their last 15 series against the Red Sox.It was Atlanta’s first sweep in Boston since capturing a three-game set in 2002. Freddie Freeman had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and J.D. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox.Ozuna’s drive also cleared the Monster, sailing over a billboard and completely out of Fenway against Andrew Triggs (0-2) in the seventh. Duvall’s third homer hit off a back wall near the bleachers after his second homer had tied it at... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Adam Duvall hit three home runs a night after teammate Marcell Ozuna become the first NL player ever to hit three homers in Fenway Park, and the East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-5 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Ozuna added a long, tiebreaking solo drive for the Braves, who entered the three-game set 0-12-3 in their last 15 series against the Red Sox.It was Atlanta’s first sweep in Boston since capturing a three-game set in 2002. Freddie Freeman had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and J.D. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox.Ozuna’s drive also cleared the Monster, sailing over a billboard and completely out of Fenway against Andrew Triggs (0-2) in the seventh. Duvall’s third homer hit off a back wall near the bleachers after his second homer had tied it at... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano called out on strikes. Luis Arraez flies out to deep left field to Eloy Jimenez. Jake Cave homers to center field. Ryan Jeffers walks. Max Kepler reaches on error. Ryan Jeffers to second. Fielding error by Nick Madrigal. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep center field. Max Kepler scores. Ryan Jeffers scores. Jorge Polanco walks. Nelson Cruz grounds out to shallow infield, Ross Detwiler to Jose Abreu.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Twins 3, White sox 0.White sox third. Nick Madrigal singles to shortstop. Tim Anderson reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Nick Madrigal out at second. Yoan Moncada walks. Tim Anderson to second. Yasmani Grandal walks. Yoan Moncada to second. Tim Anderson to third. Jose Abreu grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Sano to Jose Berrios. Yasmani Grandal to second. Yoan Moncada to third. Tim Anderson scores. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 3, White sox 1.Twins third. Eddie Rosario grounds... [More]

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to shallow infield. Yasmani Grandal flies out to left field to Eddie Rosario. Jose Abreu singles to left center field. Tim Anderson to second. Edwin Encarnacion lines out to deep left center field to Byron Buxton. Tim Anderson to third. Eloy Jimenez doubles to deep left center field. Jose Abreu scores. Tim Anderson scores. Luis Robert lines out to left field to Eddie Rosario.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Twins 0.Twins fifth. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Jorge Polanco singles to center field. Nelson Cruz singles to deep right center field. Jorge Polanco to third. Marwin Gonzalez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Nelson Cruz out at second. Jorge Polanco scores. Fielding error by Jose Abreu. Eddie Rosario singles to right field. Marwin Gonzalez to second. Ehire Adrianza lines out to center field to Luis Robert.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. White sox 2, Twins 1.Twins sixth. Byron Buxton pops out to Jose Abreu.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Glasnow flummoxed the Yankees for six innings, Ji-Man Choi and Kevin Kiermaier homered off Gerrit Cole, and the Tampa Bay Rays extended their mastery of New York with a 5-3 victory Monday night.The AL East leaders improved to 7-1 against the Yankees this season and stretched their division cushion to 4 1/2 games.New York had won three straight since snapping a seven-game skid, but crumbled early with Cole on the mound.Glasnow (2-1) had a no-hitter through five and completed six innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. He struck out nine and walked one.Gio Urshela hit a solo homer, and Luke Voit added his eighth homer in 12 games for the Yankees.Diego Castillo stranded a runner in the ninth for his third save.Cole (4-2) labored through five innings, allowing four runs, eight hits and four walks. He struck out seven.PHILLIES 8, NATIONALS 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Spencer Howard threw five effective innings, Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in three runs and Philadelphia beat Washington.Juan... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyler Glasnow flummoxed the Yankees for six innings, Ji-Man Choi and Kevin Kiermaier homered off Gerrit Cole, and the Tampa Bay Rays extended their mastery of New York with a 5-3 victory Monday night.The AL East leaders improved to 7-1 against the Yankees this season and stretched their division cushion to 4 1/2 games.New York had won three straight since snapping a seven-game skid, but crumbled early with Cole on the mound.Glasnow (2-1) had a no-hitter through five and completed six innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. He struck out nine and walked one.Gio Urshela hit a solo homer, and Luke Voit added his eighth homer in 12 games for the Yankees.Diego Castillo stranded a runner in the ninth for his third save.Cole (4-2) labored through five innings, allowing four runs, eight hits and four walks. He struck out seven.PHILLIES 8, NATIONALS 6PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Spencer Howard threw five effective innings, Rhys Hoskins homered and drove in three runs and Philadelphia beat Washington.Juan... [More]

Twins second. Eddie Rosario walks. Miguel Sano singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Eddie Rosario to third. Fielding error by Adam Engel. Luis Arraez singles to deep left center field. Miguel Sano to third. Eddie Rosario scores. Marwin Gonzalez reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Luis Arraez scores. Miguel Sano scores. Throwing error by Nick Madrigal. Jake Cave strikes out swinging. Ryan Jeffers lines out to deep left center field to Luis Robert. Max Kepler reaches on error. Marwin Gonzalez to third. Fielding error by Lucas Giolito. Jorge Polanco strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors, 2 left on. Twins 3, White sox 0.Twins third. Nelson Cruz called out on strikes. Eddie Rosario lines out to shallow right field to Jose Abreu. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Luis Arraez flies out to center field to Luis Robert.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 4, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Edwin Encarnacion walks. James McCann walks. Edwin Encarnacion... [More]