A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."CHICAGO BLUESThe Cubs have fallen to third place in the NL Central for the first time since April, but they can fix that as they continue a four-game set against first-place St. Louis. The Cardinals regrouped after blowing a late lead in the opener, winning on Matt Carpenter's 10th-inning homer... [More]

Royals second. Alex Gordon grounds out to second base, Jorge Polanco to Marwin Gonzalez. Ryan McBroom singles to third base. Erick Mejia walks. Ryan McBroom to second. Meibrys Viloria singles to shallow center field. Erick Mejia to third. Ryan McBroom out at home. Nicky Lopez singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria to second. Erick Mejia scores. Whit Merrifield walks. Nicky Lopez to second. Meibrys Viloria to third. Adalberto Mondesi walks. Whit Merrifield to second. Nicky Lopez to third. Meibrys Viloria scores. Jorge Soler walks. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Whit Merrifield to third. Nicky Lopez scores. Hunter Dozier grounds out to third base, Miguel Sano to Marwin Gonzalez.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Royals 3, Twins 0.Twins third. Ryan LaMarre flies out to deep center field to Erick Mejia. Mitch Garver singles to left field. Jorge Polanco doubles to deep right center field. Mitch Garver to third. Nelson Cruz homers to right field. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie... [More]

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor doubles to deep left field. Oscar Mercado out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Daniel Norris to Jeimer Candelario. Francisco Lindor to third. Carlos Santana out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Christin Stewart. Francisco Lindor scores. Yasiel Puig strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 1, Tigers 0.Indians fourth. Carlos Santana singles to center field. Yasiel Puig doubles to deep left field. Carlos Santana scores. Jordan Luplow grounds out to shortstop, Jordy Mercer to Jeimer Candelario. Yasiel Puig to third. Franmil Reyes homers to center field. Yasiel Puig scores. Roberto Perez singles to center field. Yu Chang called out on strikes. Mike Freeman called out on strikes.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 4, Tigers 0.Indians fifth. Francisco Lindor doubles to deep right field. Oscar Mercado singles to center field. Francisco Lindor scores. Carlos Santana flies out to deep center field to Harold Castro. Yasiel Puig singles to left center field. Oscar Mercado to second. Greg Allen pinch-hitting for Jordan Luplow. Greg Allen called out on strikes. Yasiel Puig steals second. Oscar Mercado steals third. Franmil Reyes walks. Roberto Perez singles to center field. Franmil Reyes to second. Yasiel Puig scores. Oscar Mercado scores. Yu Chang grounds out to shallow infield, Grayson Greiner to Jeimer Candelario.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 7, Tigers 0.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy on Thursday, casting doubt over whether New York's top winner this season will be available for the playoffs.Manager Aaron Boone was informed of the decision while he was driving to Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. New York won 9-1 to clinch its first AL East title since 2012."Set baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously," Boone said. "When you hear the words domestic violence, it's one of those things that stops you in your tracks."Details on what prompted the action weren't disclosed. The leave may last up to seven days, barring an extension.The Yankees begin the AL playoffs on Oct. 4, likely at home.A 27-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut in 2017, Germán entered this season with a 2-7 record in 14 starts and 14 relief appearances. He became a full-time member of the... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has agreed to a contract extension and will return for a fifth season in 2020, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn't announced the deal. A news conference with CEO Derek Jeter was scheduled for Friday.Mattingly's contract was to expire after this season. He became the Marlins' manager in 2016 and has guided the team during a rebuilding project under Jeter, who traded away All-Stars Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon and J.T. Realmuto.With the roster depleted, the Marlins this season have the worst record in the National League at 53-99, and they're set to exceed 100 losses for the first time since 1998. But Mattingly has been supportive of the team's reboot since Jeter's group bought the franchise two years ago, and the Marlins believe they're on the verge of a turnaround thanks to an... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:POPPIN'Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A win by Atlanta or a loss by second-place Washington at Miami will seal it.At 21, Acuña will be able to take part in a champagne toast. The star outfielder with 40 home runs wasn't yet of legal age when the Braves won the division a year ago."They wouldn't let me drink because I was a minor," Acuña recalled, breaking into a big smile. "This year, it's going to be different. I'm looking forward to it."GOING, GOING ...A year after setting a team record with 108 wins on their way to the World Series championship, Mookie Betts and the Red Sox are on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention.Boston (80-72) will be bounced with one loss in this weekend's series against Tampa Bay.... [More]

Orioles third. Austin Wynns singles to center field. Jonathan Villar grounds out to third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Rowdy Tellez. Austin Wynns to second. Hanser Alberto flies out to left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. Trey Mancini doubles to deep right center field. Austin Wynns scores. Anthony Santander reaches on third strike. Trey Mancini to third. Renato Nunez grounds out to shortstop, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Orioles 1, Blue jays 0.Blue jays fourth. Bo Bichette grounds out to second base, Hanser Alberto to Renato Nunez. Cavan Biggio homers to center field. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homers to center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. flies out to deep center field to Austin Hays. Justin Smoak lines out to right field to Trey Mancini.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 2, Orioles 1.Orioles fifth. Jonathan Villar strikes out swinging. Hanser Alberto singles to center field. Trey Mancini singles to center field. Hanser Alberto to third. Anthony... [More]

Yankees second. Cameron Maybin walks. Brett Gardner reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Cameron Maybin out at second. Clint Frazier flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun. Austin Romine singles to shallow infield. Brett Gardner to second. DJ LeMahieu homers to center field. Austin Romine scores. Brett Gardner scores. Giancarlo Stanton strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 3, Angels 0.Angels fourth. Kole Calhoun homers to center field. Albert Pujols lines out to shortstop to Didi Gregorius. Jared Walsh grounds out to first base, Luke Voit to Masahiro Tanaka. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop, Didi Gregorius to Luke Voit.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 3, Angels 1.Yankees fourth. Cameron Maybin called out on strikes. Brett Gardner homers to center field. Clint Frazier flies out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Austin Romine pops out to second base to David Fletcher.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 4, Angels 1.Yankees... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo hit a tying home run in his surprise return to the lineup Thursday night for the opener of a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Four days after suffering a sprained right ankle that threatened his status for the rest of the regular season, Rizzo was inserted atop Chicago's lineup 20 minutes before first pitch. He homered off Jack Flaherty in the third inning to tie the game at 1, and fans at Wrigley Field celebrated wildly as he slowly circled the bases.Rizzo left a game against Pittsburgh on Sunday after spraining the ankle fielding a bunt, and he was expected to be in a walking boot for up to a week. He warmed up in the outfield prior to Thursday's game while team medical personnel looked on, then was inserted into the leadoff spot and tabbed to play first base.The Cubs also got closer Craig Kimbrel and infielder Addison Russell back.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow.... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain flies out to right field to Hunter Renfroe. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas walks. Ryan Braun doubles to deep center field. Mike Moustakas scores. Tyler Austin grounds out to third base, Seth Mejias-Brean to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Padres 0.Brewers third. Keston Hiura doubles to deep left field. Mike Moustakas flies out to center field to Wil Myers. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Keston Hiura to third. Tyler Austin strikes out swinging. Hernan Perez reaches on third strike. Ryan Braun to second. Keston Hiura scores. Manny Pina walks. Hernan Perez to second. Ryan Braun to third. Orlando Arcia flies out to deep right field to Hunter Renfroe.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Brewers 2, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Eric Hosmer homers to center field. Hunter Renfroe grounds out to third base, Mike Moustakas to Tyler Austin. Seth Mejias-Brean grounds out to shallow infield, Jordan Lyles to Tyler Austin. Luis Urias... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated closer Craig Kimbrel from the injured list before opening a crucial four-game series against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.Kimbrel has been out since Sept. 1 due to inflammation in his right elbow. He'll be available Thursday against the Cardinals, who are three games ahead of the Cubs.The 31-year-old Kimbrel signed a $43 million, three-year contract as a free agent in June. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances, posting a 5.68 ERA in 21 appearances. He also spent time on the IL with right knee inflammation in August.The Cubs also got infielder Addison Russell back Thursday. He cleared concussion protocol and was set to be available off the bench. He missed 10 games after being hit in the head by a fastball.Left-hander Cole Hamels will miss his next rotation turn because of persistent fatigue in his left shoulder. The veteran hopes to pitch again during a three-game series at Pittsburgh next week.Righty Alec Mills will start Friday,... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians third baseman José Ramírez took batting practice Thursday for the first time since breaking his right hand last month and is hoping to return before the end of the regular season.Ramírez had surgery for a broken hamate bone Aug. 26, and the expected recovery window had him slated for game action in early October. The last day of the regular season is Sept. 29.Cleveland manager Terry Francona said there's no new timeline for Ramírez's return, but it was encouraging that Ramírez felt good after swinging from both sides of the plate.Ramírez is batting .254 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs despite a sluggish start. He hit .325 with 15 homers, 47 RBIs and a 1.045 OPS in the 53 games before the surgery.The club is already without second baseman Jason Kipnis for the rest of the season, also because of a broken right hamate bone.Cleveland is four games behind first-place Minnesota in the AL Central and a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card. The Indians trail Oakland by 2 ½ games for the top wild card.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees reliever Dellin Betances has been told surgery is not recommended for the partially torn Achilles tendon that ended his season after eight pitches.Betances received a second opinion from Dr. Martin O'Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery, who concurred with Dr. Justin Greisberg of New York-Presbyterian Hospital."He'll be in a walking boot for another four weeks, and then they'll kind of re-evaluate where he is, but the belief is that he will not need surgery," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday. "I guess that could possibly change, but they feel pretty confident that this is something that will not need surgery."Betances hurt his left foot when he hopped on the mound Sunday at Toronto after striking out Brandon Drury, his second and final batter.Betances appeared to think it was the third out of the inning and landed awkwardly on the artificial turf at Rogers Centre . His foot was sore when he arrived at Yankee Stadium before Tuesday's game .A four-time... [More]

Mariners second. Austin Nola called out on strikes. Daniel Vogelbach walks. Tim Lopes doubles to deep right center field. Daniel Vogelbach to third. Donnie Walton reaches on error. Tim Lopes to third. Daniel Vogelbach scores. Throwing error by Cole Tucker. Braden Bishop singles to center field. Donnie Walton to second. Tim Lopes scores. Yusei Kikuchi reaches on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield. Braden Bishop to second. Donnie Walton to third. Fielding error by Joe Musgrove. Shed Long singles to right field. Yusei Kikuchi to second. Braden Bishop scores. Donnie Walton scores. Mallex Smith grounds out to second base. Shed Long out at second.4 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 1 left on. Mariners 4, Pirates 0.Pirates second. Colin Moran doubles to deep right center field. Elias Diaz doubles to left field. Colin Moran scores. Cole Tucker strikes out swinging. Jake Elmore doubles to center field. Elias Diaz scores. Erik Gonzalez lines out to left field to Braden Bishop. Joe Musgrove doubles to deep... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was placed on administrative leave under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy on Thursday, casting doubt over whether New York's top winner this season will be available for the playoffs.Manager Aaron Boone was informed of the decision while he was driving to Yankee Stadium for a game against the Los Angeles Angels. New York was in position to clinch its first AL East title since 2012 with a victory."Set baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously," Boone said. "When you hear the words domestic violence, it's one of those things that stops you in your tracks."Details on what prompted the action weren't disclosed. MLB said the leave "may last up to seven days, barring an extension."The Yankees are likely to begin the AL playoffs on Oct. 4 at home.A 27-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his major league debut in 2017, Germán entered this season with a 2-7 record in 14 starts and 14 relief appearances.... [More]

Giants first. Mauricio Dubon singles to left field. Austin Slater called out on strikes. Kevin Pillar reaches on error. Mauricio Dubon to third. Fielding error by Marco Hernandez. Evan Longoria out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Andrew Benintendi. Mauricio Dubon scores. Buster Posey strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Giants 1, Red sox 0.Red sox first. Andrew Benintendi doubles to deep center field. Christian Vazquez walks. Rafael Devers singles to right field. Christian Vazquez to third. Andrew Benintendi scores. Xander Bogaerts singles to center field. Rafael Devers to second. Christian Vazquez scores. Brock Holt strikes out on a foul tip. Gorkys Hernandez called out on strikes. Jackie Bradley Jr. flies out to right field to Austin Slater.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 2, Giants 1.Red sox second. Chris Owings grounds out to shortstop, Mauricio Dubon to Aramis Garcia. Marco Hernandez strikes out swinging. Andrew Benintendi singles to left... [More]

Braves third. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Mike Soroka out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Scott Kingery to Cesar Hernandez. Tyler Flowers to second. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to left field. Tyler Flowers scores. Ozzie Albies singles to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Adam Duvall singles to third base. Ozzie Albies to second. Adeiny Hechavarria strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Jean Segura grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Scott Kingery triples to deep center field. Adam Haseley doubles to deep right field. Scott Kingery scores. Aaron Nola singles to left center field. Adam Haseley to third. Cesar Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Aaron Nola out at second. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 2.Braves fifth. Matt Joyce pinch-hitting... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves has become only the third player in baseball history to hit 40 homers while 21 years old or younger.The other two were Eddie Mathews and Mel Ott, who are both in the Hall of Fame.The 21-year-old Acuña launched a two-run shot Thursday in the third inning, a towering 432-foot drive into the second level at SunTrust Park off Philadelphia's Aaron Nola.With eight games left in the regular season, Acuña also has a shot at becoming just the fifth player in baseball history to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a season. He has 37 stolen bases.Mathews hit 47 homers as a 21-year-old for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. Ott was 20 when he hit 42 homers for the New York Giants in 1929.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SO CLOSEThe Yankees can clinch their first AL East title since 2012 with a win over the Angels in the Bronx. New York pushed back J.A. Happ's scheduled start by a day and will throw Masahiro Tanaka (10-8, 4.60 ERA) against Los Angeles.The Yankees' magic number stayed at one Wednesday night when they lost to the Angels 3-2 and second-place Tampa Bay rallied past the Dodgers 8-7 in 11 innings.HEAD TO HEADOld rivals meet at Wrigley Field when the first-place Cardinals face the Cubs in the opener of a four-game series that could go a long way toward deciding the NL Central. Jack Flaherty (10-8, 3.05 ERA) pitches against Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks (11-9, 3.26). The teams play seven times in their final 10 games, pivotal matchups in a three-way division race that also includes Milwaukee. St. Louis is three games ahead of both the Cubs and Brewers."Now we've got to beat those Cubs in Chicago," veteran Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright... [More]