A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:HALL OF A DAYWill closer Mariano Rivera rattle? Will clutch hitter Edgar Martinez choke up? We'll see whether the baseball greats get overwhelmed by emotion when they're enshrined at the Hall of Fame.The induction ceremonies in Cooperstown include another full class, with six new members. Rivera, the only unanimous selection in Hall history, will be joined by Martinez, Mike Mussina, Lee Smith, Harold Baines and the late Roy Halladay.A sizable contingent of Yankees fans is expected to cheer Rivera — and Mussina — in the upstate New York village, which sees its population swell for this annual event.MOONSHOTSVladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jackie Bradley Jr. were among the many players hitting moonshots on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. A couple ballparks took note of the date Saturday to remember the moment.At Yankee Stadium, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino threw a ceremonial first ball to former pitcher Jack Aker before... [More]

At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the majors. The National Weather Service said it was part of "a dangerous heat wave" gripping much of the country.From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits in big league broilers.Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive."I told Chance, 'Do not go outside until the game starts,'" Hyde said.Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness."I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him walking,"... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier has left Tampa Bay's game against the Chicago White Sox with a sprained left thumb.Kiermaier was hurt diving headfirst into first base on an infield single for the Rays in the eighth inning Saturday night. He will be evaluated on Sunday.The two-time Gold Glove winner has missed time in each of the past three seasons due to a variety of physical issues including right hip, left wrist and right thumb injuries.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:HALL OF A DAYWill closer Mariano Rivera rattle? Will clutch hitter Edgar Martinez choke up? We'll see whether the baseball greats get overwhelmed by emotion when they're enshrined at the Hall of Fame.The induction ceremonies in Cooperstown include another full class, with six new members. Rivera, the only unanimous selection in Hall history, will be joined by Martinez, Mike Mussina, Lee Smith, Harold Baines and the late Roy Halladay.A sizable contingent of Yankees fans is expected to cheer Rivera — and Mussina — in the upstate New York village, which sees its population swell for this annual event.MOONSHOTSVladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jackie Bradley Jr. were among the many players hitting moonshots on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. A couple ballparks took note of the date Saturday to remember the moment.At Yankee Stadium, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino threw a ceremonial first ball to former pitcher Jack Aker before... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Candelaria can't quite pinpoint when the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates adopted "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge as the club's de facto theme song on the way to a World Series title.Ultimately, the timing doesn't really matter. What matters is that every word rang true. The proof came on those off days on the road during that memorable summer and fall, when Candelaria and his teammates would rent a hotel suite, open up a few pops — "or whatever" as the pitcher put it with a smile — and open the floor for discussion."If there was anything on anyone's mind, right then and there in that room, that's where it stayed," Candelaria said Saturday while joining more than a dozen members of the 1979 team for a 40th anniversary celebration at PNC Park. "And we were good about that."Candelaria — who won 14 games for the Pirates in 1979 and earned the victory in Game 6 of the World Series against Baltimore as Pittsburgh became the first team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven... [More]

At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the major leagues. The National Weather Service said it was part of "a dangerous heat wave" gripping much of the country.From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits in big league broilers.Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive."I told Chance, 'Do not go outside until the game starts,'" Hyde said.Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness."I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him... [More]

At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the major leagues. The National Weather Service said it was part of "a dangerous heat wave" gripping much of the country.From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits.Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive."I told Chance, 'Do not go outside until the game starts,'" Hyde said.Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness."I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him walking," Hyde said. "When... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BE CAREFULThe extreme heat gripping much of the country is having an effect around the major leagues. The Yankees and Rockies have called off most of the pregame activities for their afternoon game — New York is forecast to come close to its first 100-degree day since 2012.It is expected to be 100 in Baltimore, where the Orioles host Boston at night.And it was 94 at Target Field on Friday night — the second-hottest start in park's 10-year history, trailing only a 97-degree reading on July 16, 2012 — when Minnesota faced Oakland.Players appeared to have trouble at times gripping the ball. Twins starter Jake Odorizzi took off his glove during a mound visit in the first inning and peppered both arms with the rosin bag."It was only like pitching in a rain forest," Odorizzi said. "I was taking the rosin bag and going up and down my arms so I could stop the sweat coming from my hand because I was just pouring sweat. I changed my jersey after... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:BE CAREFULThe extreme heat gripping much of the country is having an effect around the major leagues. The Yankees and Rockies have called off most of the pregame activities for their afternoon game — New York is forecast to come close to its first 100-degree day since 2012.It is expected to be 100 in Baltimore, where the Orioles host Boston at night.And it was 94 at Target Field on Friday night — the second-hottest start in park's 10-year history, trailing only a 97-degree reading on July 16, 2012 — when Minnesota faced Oakland.Players appeared to have trouble at times gripping the ball. Twins starter Jake Odorizzi took off his glove during a mound visit in the first inning and peppered both arms with the rosin bag."It was only like pitching in a rain forest," Odorizzi said. "I was taking the rosin bag and going up and down my arms so I could stop the sweat coming from my hand because I was just pouring sweat. I changed my jersey after... [More]

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]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels gave up on their $11 million investment in Matt Harvey, designating the 30-year-old right-hander for assignment on Friday.Harvey was 3-5 with a 7.09 ERA in 12 starts. He gave up six runs, seven hits and five walks over six innings in a 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday night."The decision was made because we felt like it would increase our chance of winning games," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said after discussing the move with general manager Billy Eppler. "Matt was a very well-liked teammate, a guy that everyone pulled for, including myself. But we're in the business of winning baseball games. In talking to Billy, we just felt like this was the best move to make in order to help us win games."Once dubbed The Dark Knight, Harvey was among baseball's most dominant starters for a time with the New York Mets. He started the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field but hurt his elbow later that summer and never consistently regained his 98 mph fastball... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Left-hander Drew Smyly has agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and is on track to start Sunday against Pittsburgh.Manager Gabe Kapler said Friday the agreement is pending a successful physical.Right-hander Nick Pivetta is being moved to the bullpen.The 30-year-old Smyly was 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA in nine starts and four relief appearances this year for Texas, which released him in late June.Philadelphia starters entered Friday with a 4.62 ERA, 12th in the National League.Pivetta is 4-4 with a 5.74 ERA in 13 starts this season and has made just one relief appearance in his three-year big league career.Right-hander Vince Velasquez, originally slated to start Sunday, would be pushed back in the rotation.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer won't come off the 10-day injured list to start for Washington against Atlanta this weekend.Scherzer was given a cortisone shot on Tuesday to address inflammation in the bursa sac under his right shoulder blade. Manager Dave Martinez says Scherzer still has to overcome "that last little bit" of discomfort before he can throw a bullpen session and prove he's ready to pitch in a game.The Nationals listed Scherzer's injury as a mid-back strain when he was placed on the injured list on July 13, a move retroactive to July 10.Martinez says he has told Scherzer "we don't want to push it." Right-hander Austin Voth is expected to start in Sunday's final game of the four-game series.Scherzer is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — All-Star outfielder David Dahl was a late scratch by the Colorado Rockies for a series opener Friday night against the New York Yankees due to a bruised left foot.Dahl fouled a ball off his foot during a game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. He was initially in Colorado's lineup Friday, and manager Bud Black said about two hours before first pitch that Dahl was fine.The Rockies scratched the 25-year-old about an hour later. Dahl was replaced in left field by Garrett Hampson.Dahl is batting .303 with 13 homers and an .874 OPS.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer won't come off the 10-day injured list to start for Washington against Atlanta this weekend.Scherzer was given a cortisone shot on Tuesday to address inflammation in the bursa sac under his right shoulder blade. Manager Dave Martinez says Scherzer still has to overcome "that last little bit" of discomfort before he can throw a bullpen session and prove he's ready to pitch in a game.The Nationals listed Scherzer's injury as a mid-back strain when he was placed on the injured list on July 13, a move retroactive to July 10.Martinez says he has told Scherzer "we don't want to push it." Right-hander Austin Voth is expected to start in Sunday's final game of the four-game series.Scherzer is 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone expected to be suspended following his profane rant at a rookie umpire and opted to serve his one-game ban against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.Boone aimed a memorable tirade at plate umpire Brennan Miller following his ejection during a doubleheader opener against Tampa Bay on Thursday. MLB executive Joe Torre announced Friday that Boone had been suspended one game and fined, neither of which surprised Boone, who acknowledged making contact with Miller with the bill of his cap."I figured I'd be getting a call at some point from Mr. Torre," he said. "And I did."Boone was ejected in the second inning for arguing from the dugout with Miller, who had called a third strike on Brett Gardner. The rant was captured by television microphones, and Boone's repeated reference to his hitters as "savages" in the batter's box went viral and was being sold online on T-shirts before the game ended.Tensions were running hot in New York's dugout, where... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi is poised to return to the Boston pitching staff as a reliever after missing three months with an elbow injury.The right-hander passed his final test Thursday, striking out the side in a one-inning rehab appearance with Triple-A Pawtucket. Barring any setback, Eovaldi will come off the 60-day injured list on Saturday in Baltimore.Signed as a free agent in December, Eovaldi made four starts for the Red Sox before being placed on the injured list on April 20.The 29-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007 and 2016, and Boston will be judicious in rationing his workload.Manager Joey Cora said, "We obviously have to protect him. ... The game will dictate how we're going to use him."Cora said Eovaldi would be used "in high level situations," perhaps as a closer."Obviously we'll use him late in games," Cora said. "We know that he can do the job. He's going to help us get better."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been suspended for one game for his rant that followed his ejection in a doubleheader opener against Tampa Bay.MLB executive Joe Torre also said Friday that Boone has been fined.Boone was ejected in the second inning Thursday for arguing from the dugout with rookie umpire Brennan Miller, who had called a third strike on Brett Gardner. Torre said Boone made contract with Miller during his profane rant, which was captured by television microphones.Miller was umpiring just his fifth big league game behind the plate.Boone was to serve the suspension Friday during New York's series opener against Colorado.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THAT'S SAVAGEThe Yankees open a three-game home series against Colorado with a new rallying cry inspired by manager Aaron Boone's profane rant during a doubleheader sweep of the Rays on Thursday. Boone repeatedly called his hitters "savages" in the batter's box while chewing out rookie plate umpire Brennan Miller during the second inning of the opener. Television microphones picked up the audio, which went viral and was being printed on t-shirts before the first game ended. Asked about the unusual expression, Boone said "Sometimes in the heat of the battle, you just kind of utter some things."STARTER SHOWCASEEvaluators figure to be tuned into starts by Toronto's Marcus Stroman and Texas' Mike Minor with the July 31 trade deadline approaching. The 28-year-old Stroman (5-10, 3.25) is set to face Detroit knowing he's likely auditioning for a number of contenders. Minor's Rangers opened the second half as wild-card hopefuls, but they have lost... [More]