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]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners worked on their bullpen again on Monday, acquiring left-hander Zach Duke from the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Adam Warren from the New York Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers.The trades on the eve of the non-waiver deadline provided two more relief options for manager Scott Servais with Seattle in the playoff hunt in the AL West.The Mariners sent pitcher Chase De Jong and infielder Ryan Costello to the Twins, and dealt $1.25 million in international signing bonus allocation to the Yankees for Warren."Obviously a lot of teams are looking to add to the bullpen this time of year with the trade deadline coming up. I'm not surprised," Servais said. "It may not be the last thing we do."General manager Jerry Dipoto said recently he was hoping to add another righty to the bullpen and pick up a left-handed specialist as well to take some stress off James Pazos. He accomplished both by acquiring Sam Tuivailala from St. Louis late last week and then landing... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners worked on their bullpen again on Monday, acquiring left-hander Zach Duke from the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Adam Warren from the New York Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers.The trades on the eve of the non-waiver deadline provided two more relief options for manager Scott Servais with Seattle in the playoff hunt in the AL West.The Mariners sent pitcher Chase De Jong and infielder Ryan Costello to the Twins, and dealt international slot money to the Yankees for Warren."Obviously a lot of teams are looking to add to the bullpen this time of year with the trade deadline coming up. I'm not surprised," Servais said. "It may not be the last thing we do."General manager Jerry Dipoto said recently he was hoping to add another righty to the bullpen and pick up a left-handed specialist as well to take some stress off James Pazos. He accomplished both by acquiring Sam Tuivailala from St. Louis late last week and then landing Duke and Warren.Dipoto said... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have added to their bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever Zach Duke from the Minnesota Twins for a pair of minor leaguers.Seattle made a second move in a matter of days to bolster its relief corps. Seattle sent pitcher Chase De Jong and infielder Ryan Costello to the Twins on Monday, less than 24 hours before the non-waiver trade deadline.Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said recently he was hoping to add another righty to the bullpen and pick up a left-handed reliever as well. He accomplished both by acquiring Sam Tuivailala from St. Louis late last week and then landing Duke. The Mariners are in the middle of the AL West and wild-card races.The 35-year-old Duke is 3-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 45 appearances for the Twins. He has limited left-handed batters to a .237 average this season.The Mariners will be Duke's seventh team in the last six seasons. He signed with Minnesota in the offseason.Minnesota made its third trade in three days. The Twins sent infielder Eduardo Escobar to Arizona and dealt reliever Ryan Pressly to Houston.The 24-year-old De Jong started 21 games for Double-A Arkansas, going 5-5 with a 3.80 ERA. The 22-year-old Costello hit .266 with 70 RBIs for Class A Clinton.To replace Duke on the 25-man roster, the Twins reinstated Addison Reed from the 10-day disabled list. He missed the last 16 games with right triceps tightness.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox had a big offensive night washed away by rain in their series finale against the Orioles.In their series opener against the Twins, it was Kyle Gibson who shut them down.Mitch Garver hit a tiebreaking RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning, and Minnesota held on to beat Boston 2-1 on Thursday night.Gibson (5-7) limited Boston to four hits and one run in eight innings. Fernando Rodney surrendered a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases in the ninth, but he struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. to complete the five-hitter and earn his 22nd save in 27 opportunities.The Twins (48-53) have won four straight. Boston (71-33) has lost three of five. Its lead in the AL East fell to 4½ games over the New York Yankees, who beat Kansas City on Thursday.Despite being down seven games to AL Central-leading Cleveland, Gibson said no one is giving up on the season."I guess we always play inspired," he said. "You always want to win, you always want to do good for the team... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mitch Garver hit a tiebreaking RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Thursday night.Kyle Gibson (5-7) held Boston to four hits and one run in eight innings. Fernando Rodney surrendered a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases in the ninth, but he struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. to complete the five-hitter and earn his 22nd save in 27 opportunities.The Twins have won four straight. Boston has lost three of five. Its lead in the AL East fell to 4½ games over the New York Yankees, who beat Kansas City on Thursday.Boston's Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes (3-3) combined to give up four hits and both of Minnesota's runs after Hembree relieved starter Brian Johnson in the sixth.Johnson allowed three hits in the first inning. He then retired 14 straight before surrendering a walk in the sixth.His night ended after 5 2/3 innings, in which he allowed four hits and struck out five. It was one of the best... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins took nine wins from an 11-game home stand into the All-Star break, a midsummer surge that can boost a middling team into the postseason race.This might not be that kind of year in the American League."I just wish we had more games ahead of us," first baseman Joe Mauer said.Ervin Santana is almost ready to rejoin the rotation. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano are expected back soon from minor league sabbaticals. Even if reinforcements help maintain this momentum, though, the strength of the league leaders might render it moot.Boston, Houston and New York are all on pace for 100 wins, with Seattle right behind. The Twins earned the second wild card spot last season with an 85-77 record that likely won't come close to qualifying this time. They're 44-50 now, 13 games behind the Mariners with Oakland, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles between them.Catching Cleveland, which leads the AL Central division by 7½ games, is the only realistic path."I think we will play... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have placed right-handed reliever Addison Reed on the 10-day disabled list with tightness in his triceps.The move was made before Wednesday's game against Kansas City, the first trip to the disabled list in Reed's seven-year major league career.In 41 games in his first season with the Twins, Reed is 1-5 with a 4.83 ERA. He has allowed eight home runs in 41 innings. Five of those have come in his past 16 appearances, over which he has a 9.42 ERA with 24 hits allowed in 14 1/3 innings. Reed signed a two-year, $16.75 million contract with the Twins before the season.Right-handed reliever Alan Busenitz was recalled from Triple-A Rochester for the third time this year.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CAREFULTexas has won seven in a row, and things got a little testy Saturday during a 9-6 victory at Target Field. Jurickson Profar tied a Rangers record when he was hit by pitches three times. Profar stole second base in the fourth inning with a 9-2 lead — his next at-bat, Minnesota reliever Addison Reed threw three inside fastballs, finally hitting him in the leg.Said Texas manager Jeff Banister: "I thought the intent there was excessive, especially they tried to dial him up three different times."Said Twins manager Paul Molitor: "The thought process between the unwritten rules of the game is not clearly defined. What I might think and what he might think might be different things. I was surprised that (Profar) ran with the score the way it was, when he did. And getting hit there was something that Banister felt wasn't appropriate."A GRAND TIMEThe last-place Reds have won six straight, boosted by a bunch of grand slams. Cincinnati has... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:CAREFULTexas has won seven in a row, and things got a little testy Saturday during a 9-6 victory at Target Field. Jurickson Profar tied a Rangers record when he was hit by pitches three times. Profar stole second base in the fourth inning with a 9-2 lead — his next at-bat, Minnesota reliever Addison Reed threw three inside fastballs, finally hitting him in the leg.Said Texas manager Jeff Banister: "I thought the intent there was excessive, especially they tried to dial him up three different times."Said Twins manager Paul Molitor: "The thought process between the unwritten rules of the game is not clearly defined. What I might think and what he might think might be different things. I was surprised that (Profar) ran with the score the way it was, when he did. And getting hit there was something that Banister felt wasn't appropriate."A GRAND TIMEThe last-place Reds have won six straight, boosted by a bunch of grand slams. Cincinnati has... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Chris Sale took a two-hitter into the seventh inning before being ejected, and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 5-1 victory Wednesday.After issuing two walks to open the seventh in a 5-0 game, Sale (6-4) was lifted by manager Alex Cora. As he was making his way to the dugout, the left-hander yelled at plate umpire Brian Knight and was promptly ejected.Sale struck out nine, allowed one run and gave up two hits in ending a run of three straight losing starts. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez homered for the Red Sox, who are 9-1 against the Orioles this season. Baltimore has lost seven straight and 14 of 16.Betts, the major league leader in batting average, came off the disabled list Monday after missing 14 games with an abdominal strain. He played Monday, was rested Tuesday and returned to the top of the lineup in the series finale. Betts hit a 3-2 pitch from Yefry Ramirez over the center-field wall in the third for his 18th home... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Chris Sale took a two-hitter into the seventh inning before being ejected, and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 5-1 victory Wednesday.After issuing two walks to open the seventh in a 5-0 game, Sale (6-4) was lifted by manager Alex Cora. As he was making his way to the dugout, the left-hander yelled at plate umpire Brian Knight and was promptly ejected.Sale struck out nine, allowed one run and gave up two hits in ending a run of three straight losing starts. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez homered for the Red Sox, who are 9-1 against the Orioles this season. Baltimore has lost seven straight and 14 of 16.Betts, the major league leader in batting average, came off the disabled list Monday after missing 14 games with an abdominal strain. He played Monday, was rested Tuesday and returned to the top of the lineup in the series finale. Betts hit a 3-2 pitch from Yefry Ramirez over the center-field wall in the third for his 18th home... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Wacha lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single, leaving to a huge ovation and pitching the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.This was the second time Wacha had a no-hit try broken up in the ninth. As a rookie in 2013, he was one out away from a no-hitter when Washington's Ryan Zimmerman got an infield single.Wacha (7-1) came close to pitching the fourth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. He struck out eight and walked two.Moran fouled off the first three pitches before the Pirates rookie lined a clean single well over the head of second baseman Kolten Wong into right field.That was all for Wacha, and the 26-year-old righty was pulled after 111 pitches.Marcell Ozuna hit a grand slam on the eighth pitch of the game from Nick Kingham (2-2).GIANTS 6, PHILLIES 1SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dereck Rodriguez earned his first big league win, giving up a home run to Jake Arrieta but outpitching the... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Wacha lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single, leaving to a huge ovation and pitching the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.This was the second time Wacha had a no-hit try broken up in the ninth. As a rookie in 2013, he was one out away from a no-hitter when Washington's Ryan Zimmerman got an infield single.Wacha (7-1) came close to pitching the fourth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. He struck out eight and walked two.Moran fouled off the first three pitches before the Pirates rookie lined a clean single well over the head of second baseman Kolten Wong into right field.That was all for Wacha, and the 26-year-old righty was pulled after 111 pitches.Marcell Ozuna hit a grand slam on the eighth pitch of the game from Nick Kingham (2-2).GIANTS 6, PHILLIES 1SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dereck Rodriguez earned his first big league win, giving up a home run to Jake Arrieta but outpitching the... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Wacha lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning when pinch-hitter Colin Moran led off with a single, leaving to a huge ovation and pitching the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.This was the second time Wacha had a no-hit try broken up in the ninth. As a rookie in 2013, he was one out away from a no-hitter when Washington's Ryan Zimmerman got an infield single.Wacha (7-1) came close to pitching the fourth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. He struck out eight and walked two.Moran fouled off the first three pitches before the Pirates rookie lined a clean single well over the head of second baseman Kolten Wong into right field.That was all for Wacha, and the 26-year-old righty was pulled after 111 pitches.Marcell Ozuna hit a grand slam on the eighth pitch of the game from Nick Kingham (2-2).GIANTS 6, PHILLIES 1SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dereck Rodriguez earned his first big league win, giving up a home run to Jake Arrieta but outpitching the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk, but acknowledged after the game that another DL trip might be necessary — this time for a third back injury in three... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk.Alfaro, who had an RBI single in the second, broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning when he doubled to the wall in right-center... [More]