OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Baltimore manager Buck Showalter receives regular calls from veteran, out-of-work scouts looking for jobs.Many are longtime baseball men who once hit the road to major league cities ahead of their clubs to offer detailed insight of upcoming opponents. Now, advance scouting for many teams has turned to technology: video from every angle and situation, and analytics."Advance scouting by humans is history," said Bay Area-based Mets scout Shooty Babitt, who also works as an analyst on Oakland Athletics broadcasts. "Thank goodness I'm a scout who evaluates talent. Advance guys prepare strategy."Showalter's Orioles don't have an advance scout working in the ballpark. Same goes for World Series champion Houston, Minnesota, the Angels, Oakland and others."I'd like to know how many clubs have a human being advance anymore," Showalter said.With the push of a button, a hitter can watch video of every 2-2 breaking pitch Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has tossed, or flame-throwing... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his major league-leading 25th home run, Rafael Devers delivered a tiebreaking double and the Boston Red Sox beat the skidding Los Angeles Angels 9-6 on Wednesday night after squandering a six-run lead.Martinez's homer capped a six-run second for the Red Sox, who won for the fifth time in six games. Eduardo Nunez and Sandy Leon also went deep in the inning. Boston improved to 5-0 against the Angels this season and has outscored them 45-10.Martin Maldonado launched a three-run homer and Ian Kinsler had a solo shot for the Angels. They lost their fifth straight and 12th in 16 games.Los Angeles reliever Jake Jewell was carted off the field with what appeared to be a gruesome injury to his right ankle after covering the plate on a run-scoring wild pitch in the eighth.Angels star Mike Trout went 1 for 4 as a sprained right index finger kept him as the designated hitter for the eighth consecutive game.Devers doubled off reliever Jose Alvarez (3-3) in the seventh,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STEPPING DOWNThe Mets march on in their difficult season a day after learning general manager Sandy Alderson had effectively stepped down because his cancer has returned. Officially, Alderson will take a leave of absence, but he said Tuesday that he was essentially ending his tenure both for his health and because he doesn't think he's been successful enough to continue. Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya will run the club's baseball operations in Alderson's absence. Minaya preceded Alderson as Mets general manager, and Ricciardi was GM of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2001-09.CAIN NOT ABLELorenzo Cain is missing the chance to face his former teammates this week due to a left groin strain. The Brewers center fielder was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, just as Milwaukee opened a series against Kansas City. Cain left the Royals last offseason for an $80 million, five-year deal with... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge and Miguel Andujar hit two-run homers off James Paxton in the first inning that sent the New York Yankees over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.Luis Severino and the Yankees boosted the best record in the majors to 50-22. They've won four in a row and 17 of 21. Seattle has lost a season-high four straight.Severino (11-2) wasn't at his best. He gave up Kyle Seager's two-run homer in the second and permitted eight hits overall, matching a season most. He was pulled with two outs in the sixth after Ben Gamel's RBI single cut Seattle's deficit to one run.David Robertson and Dellin Betances protected the lead, and Aroldis Chapman struck out Dee Gordon on three pitches with a runner on second for his 22nd save in 23 chances.Paxton (6-2) had been 5-0 in 10 starts since April, including a no-hitter at Toronto. He went five innings and threw 107 pitches, the same total as Severino.GIANTS 3, PADRES 0SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner pitched... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BIG ARMS IN THE BRONXWith slugger Giancarlo Stanton heating up at the plate, the major league-leading Yankees (49-22) go for a three-game sweep of visiting Seattle. Luis Severino (10-2, 2.09 ERA) pitches for New York against lefty James Paxton (6-1, 3.44), who is 5-0 with a 2.55 ERA since the beginning of May — a nine-start span that includes a no-hitter in Toronto. The Mariners have lost three straight for the first time since April 17-19 against the World Series champion Astros.STRANGE TO SEEThree-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (10-3, 2.06 ERA) tries to avoid his first three-game losing streak since August 2015 when the Nationals host lowly Baltimore. He'll hope to get some help on offense from slumping slugger Bryce Harper, who went 0 for 4 in a rain-delayed 3-0 loss Wednesday night, dropping his batting average to .209. Washington manager Dave Martinez said Harper has been working hard with batting coach Kevin Long. "He's going... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants closer Hunter Strickland broke his pitching hand punching a door in frustration after blowing the save and taking the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Miami Marlins on Monday night.The right-hander had surgery Tuesday and expected to be out six to eight weeks, manager Bruce Bochy said. An X-ray after the game revealed the break of Strickland's pinkie, similar to what sidelined lefty ace Madison Bumgarner to begin the season after he was hurt in his final spring training start."I'm thoroughly disappointed, trust me. I'm crushed because this guy had just grown as a pitcher and a player and a person," Bochy said. "But I know Hunter, he cares. He cares deeply. He let his emotions get away ... he had a temporary snap."Strickland blew his fourth save in 17 chances and second straight, allowing more than two runs for only the fourth time in his career.He posted an apology on Instagram and Twitter."Life has an interesting and sometimes disappointing way of opening up our... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants closer Hunter Strickland broke his pitching hand punching a door in frustration after blowing the save and taking the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Miami Marlins on Monday night.The right-hander was undergoing surgery Tuesday and expected to be out six to eight weeks, manager Bruce Bochy said. An X-ray after the game revealed the break of Strickland's pinkie, similar to what sidelined lefty ace Madison Bumgarner to begin the season after he was hurt in his final spring training start."I'm thoroughly disappointed, trust me. I'm crushed because this guy had just grown as a pitcher and a player and a person," Bochy said. "But I know Hunter, he cares. He cares deeply. He let his emotions get away ... he had a temporary snap."Strickland blew his fourth save in 17 chances and second straight, allowing more than two runs for only the fourth time in his career.Bochy said Strickland had shown maturity and made progress keeping his emotions in check since last year's fight... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Houston Astros won their 10th straight game, with Dallas Keuchel getting three-run homers from Max Stassi and Alex Bregman to rout the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Saturday.Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the first inning to send the World Series champions on their way. The Astros had an 11-game win streak last season that ended in Kansas City.The Royals have lost five in a row and are just 2-12 in June.Keuchel (4-8) began to emerge from a monthlong funk, allowing two unearned runs and six hits in six innings. The 2015 Cy Young winner had surrendered a combined 17 runs over his last three outings, and had not won since tossing seven scoreless innings against Texas on May 13.Danny Duffy (3-7) had been pitching well of late, but the Royals left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings.YANKEES 4, RAYS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched eight sharp innings and also jumped to steal away a popup from catcher Gary Sanchez as New York... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Houston Astros won their 10th straight game, with Dallas Keuchel getting three-run homers from Max Stassi and Alex Bregman to rout the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Saturday.Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the first inning to send the World Series champions on their way. The Astros had an 11-game win streak last season that ended in Kansas City.The Royals have lost five in a row and are just 2-12 in June.Keuchel (4-8) began to emerge from a monthlong funk, allowing two unearned runs and six hits in six innings. The 2015 Cy Young winner had surrendered a combined 17 runs over his last three outings, and had not won since tossing seven scoreless innings against Texas on May 13.Danny Duffy (3-7) had been pitching well of late, but the Royals left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings.YANKEES 4, RAYS 1NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched eight sharp innings and also jumped to steal away a popup from catcher Gary Sanchez as New York... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT AS THE WEATHEREvan Gattis and the World Series champion Astros have the longest active winning streak in the majors. They go for their 10th straight victory when they play at Kansas City, where temperatures are expected to approach triple digits. Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8) pitches against Danny Duffy (3-6). Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, has allowed 13 runs over 11 innings in two June starts — raising his ERA from 3.65 to 4.45. The Royals have lost four in a row and 10 of 11.OUCH!With a franchise-record 15 players on the disabled list, the Angels try for a second consecutive victory in Oakland. Los Angeles added four more players to the DL on Friday: infielder Zack Cozart (partially dislocated right shoulder), right-hander Jim Johnson (lower back strain), right-hander Garrett Richards (strained left hamstring) and right-hander Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation). Only 12 players from the opening day... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT AS THE WEATHEREvan Gattis and the World Series champion Astros have the longest active winning streak in the majors. They go for their 10th straight victory when they play at Kansas City, where temperatures are expected to approach triple digits. Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8) pitches against Danny Duffy (3-6). Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner, has allowed 13 runs over 11 innings in two June starts — raising his ERA from 3.65 to 4.45. The Royals have lost four in a row and 10 of 11.OUCH!With a franchise-record 15 players on the disabled list, the Angels try for a second consecutive victory in Oakland. Los Angeles added four more players to the DL on Friday: infielder Zack Cozart (partially dislocated right shoulder), right-hander Jim Johnson (lower back strain), right-hander Garrett Richards (strained left hamstring) and right-hander Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation). Only 12 players from the opening day... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:GOLDEN GOLDYPaul Goldschmidt tries to keep up his torrid pace at the plate when the NL West-leading Diamondbacks host the Mets. Goldschmidt entered this month hitting a paltry .209 after slogging his way through May, when he had only 14 hits in 97 at-bats (.144). The slugger has returned to form in June, batting .442 with six homers, 13 RBIs and 15 runs going into Friday night's game. Overall, he raised his season average nearly 50 points in the first 13 games of the month to .258.MAD MAXWashington ace Max Scherzer has won the last two NL Cy Young Awards. The right-hander appears well on his way to a third straight — and fourth Cy Young overall — going into his start at Toronto. Scherzer (10-2, 2.00 ERA) leads the majors with 142 strikeouts in 94 2/3 innings, and he's allowed more than five hits in a game only twice in 13 starts this season.KEUCHEL'S STRUGGLESHouston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8) has had a rough go of things in two... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Brock Holt and Jackie Bradley Jr. each delivered a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning, and the Boston Red Sox limited the Baltimore Orioles to five hits in a 2-0 victory Monday night.A pitching duel between Dylan Bundy and Steven Wright was ultimately decided long after both starters departed.Xander Bogaerts led off the 12th with a single against Mychal Givens (0-3), and the Red Sox went on to load the bases before Holt broke the scoreless deadlock with a fly to center. Bradley followed with a fly ball to score Rafael Devers, who had doubled.Heath Hembree (3-1) struck out the side in the 11th and Craig Kimbrel got three outs for his 21st save.It was the fifth straight loss for the Orioles, who have been shut out seven times this season.CUBS 7, BREWERS 2, 11 INNINGSMILWAUKEE (AP) — Anthony Rizzo homered down the right-field line on the first pitch of a five-run 11th inning to help Chicago beat Milwaukee and jump into first place in the NL Central.Rizzo turned on a fastball... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Brock Holt and Jackie Bradley Jr. each delivered a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning, and the Boston Red Sox limited the Baltimore Orioles to five hits in a 2-0 victory Monday night.A pitching duel between Dylan Bundy and Steven Wright was ultimately decided long after both starters departed.Xander Bogaerts led off the 12th with a single against Mychal Givens (0-3), and the Red Sox went on to load the bases before Holt broke the scoreless deadlock with a fly to center. Bradley followed with a fly ball to score Rafael Devers, who had doubled.Heath Hembree (3-1) struck out the side in the 11th and Craig Kimbrel got three outs for his 21st save.It was the fifth straight loss for the Orioles, who have been shut out seven times this season.INDIANS 4, WHITE SOX 0CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Carrasco struck out 11 while pitching two-hit ball over seven innings as Cleveland blanked Chicago.Michael Brantley hit his 11th homer, Yan Gomes had a two-run double and the AL Central leaders took... [More]

Yes, the baseball draft can feel like a bit of a crapshoot, but it does help to be picking near the top.This year's draft took place Monday night, with the Detroit Tigers selecting Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with the top pick . San Francisco followed by picking Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart. It could be a while before either of those players makes an impact in the majors, but if the past two decades are any indication, the top two picks are as likely as anybody to provide major value.From 1998-2017, the 20 players picked No. 1 overall have been worth a total of 313.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com. That's more value than any other slot in the first round. The 20 players drafted at No. 2 have been worth 261.3 WAR, which is the second-most value.After the top two picks, the draft has been more hit-or-miss. For example, the No. 7 pick (222.4 WAR) has yielded significantly more value than the No. 4 pick (82.1). That's not to say that a team should rather pick... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:GOLDENArizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt is swinging a bruising bat after being stuck in a slump for much of the season. He tripled and doubled Sunday, and went 8 for 13 with four home runs and nine RBIs in a three-game sweep at Colorado. Goldschmidt and the Diamondbacks next host Pittsburgh.Q'ED UPCubs lefty Jose Quintana (6-4, 4.20 ERA) has pitched 24 straight shutout innings against Milwaukee. He'll start the series opener at Miller Park when Chicago, trailing the NL Central-leading Brewers by a half-game, face Junior Guerra (3-4, 2.83).GIANT ARMSSan Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner makes his second start of the season, pitching at Miami. The lefty broke the pinkie on his throwing hand in his final spring training game. Bumgarner returned to the rotation last week and tossed six strong innings in a loss to Arizona. Giants pitchers Johnny Cueto (right elbow inflammation) and Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder tightness) are both expected to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched eight strong innings to become the first 10-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 13 in the Washington Nationals' 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.Scherzer (10-1) won his ninth consecutive decision while scattering five hits and did not allow a runner past second base until pinch hitter Brad Miller's two-out double in the eighth.Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 16 opportunities.Scherzer struck out Johnny Field, Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson on a combined nine pitches in the sixth inning. It was the third nine pitch/three strikeout inning in Nationals history and the first since Scherzer did it against Philadelphia on May 14, 2017.Tampa Bay starter Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) gave up four runs in five innings in his second start back from Tommy John surgery.DIAMONDBACKS 3, GIANTS 2SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner tossed six solid innings in his long-awaited season debut but was outpitched... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:WELCOME BACKGiants lefty Madison Bumgarner makes his season debut, more than two months after a line drive broke the pinkie on his pitching hand in a spring training game. The ace rejoins a San Francisco team that has hovered around .500, but has won four in a row and is right in the middle of an NL West race where no one has seized control. Bumgarner struck out 15 in 8 1/3 innings of two minor league outings. Manager Bruce Bochy says the 2014 World Series MVP can throw "90 or so" pitches for this home start against the division-leading Diamondbacks.WHO'S WHERE?We'll see if Jake Arrieta's critical comments about Philadelphia's defensive positioning have any effect. The star pitcher called his team "the worst in the league with shifts" after Sunday's loss at San Francisco. Now 2-5 on a 10-game road trip, the Phillies open a series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.HITLESS WONDERRays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi tries to duplicate what he... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:WELCOME BACKGiants lefty Madison Bumgarner makes his season debut, more than two months after a line drive broke the pinkie on his pitching hand in a spring training game. The ace rejoins a San Francisco team that has hovered around .500, but has won four in a row and is right in the middle of an NL West race where no one has seized control. Bumgarner struck out 15 in 8 1/3 innings of two minor league outings. Manager Bruce Bochy says the 2014 World Series MVP can throw "90 or so" pitches for this home start against the division-leading Diamondbacks.WHO'S WHERE?We'll see if Jake Arrieta's critical comments about Philadelphia's defensive positioning have any effect. The star pitcher called his team "the worst in the league with shifts" after Sunday's loss at San Francisco. Now 2-5 on a 10-game road trip, the Phillies open a series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.HITLESS WONDERRays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi tries to duplicate what he... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:WELCOME BACKGiants lefty Madison Bumgarner makes his season debut, more than two months after a line drive broke the pinkie on his pitching hand in a spring training game. The ace rejoins a San Francisco team that has hovered around .500, but has won four in a row and is right in the middle of an NL West race where no one has seized control. Bumgarner struck out 15 in 8 1/3 innings of two minor league outings. Manager Bruce Bochy says the 2014 World Series MVP can throw "90 or so" pitches for this home start against the division-leading Diamondbacks.WHO'S WHERE?We'll see if Jake Arrieta's critical comments about Philadelphia's defensive positioning have any effect. The star pitcher called his team "the worst in the league with shifts" after Sunday's loss at San Francisco. Now 2-5 on a 10-game road trip, the Phillies open a series at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.HITLESS WONDERRays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi tries to duplicate what he... [More]