A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ GONE STREAKING The Yankees can clinch their fourth consecutive postseason berth and set a new mark for supremacy in their rivalry with Boston in the finale of a series at Fenway Park. New York has won 10 straight games since ending a 5-15 slump, improving to 31-21 and ensuring their 28th consecutive winning season, second in big league history behind their 39 in a row from 1926-64. They'll lock up a playoff spot if they beat the Red Sox or if Seattle loses to San Diego. The Bronx Bombers have also beaten Boston in 12 straight meetings, matching their best run ever in the rivalry. The Yankees also won 12 straight spanning the 1952-32 seasons while Red Sox star Ted Williams was off fighting in the Korean War. SHUT DOWN Justin Verlander’s bid to rejoin the Astros for a playoff push is over. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner says he needs Tommy John surgery, likely putting him out of action through all of next year. The 37-year-old... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday: ___ SHUT DOWN Justin Verlander’s bid to rejoin the Astros for a playoff push is over. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner says he needs Tommy John surgery, likely putting him out of action through all of next year. The 37-year-old right-hander threw to hitters on the side Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24. “I tried as hard as I could to come back and play this season,” Verlander said. “Unfortunately, my body just didn’t cooperate.” The Astros hold the eighth and final spot in the AL playoff race. Verlander went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA last year, striking out a career-high 300 and throwing his third no-hitter. He pitched 223 innings, most in the majors, and then made six more starts in the postseason as the Astros reached the World Series. TRY AGAIN Madison Bumgarner makes another attempt at his first win since signing an $85 million, five-year contract in the offseason as a free agent with... [More]

White sox second. Yoan Moncada walks. Luis Robert grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Berrios to LaMonte Wade Jr.. Yoan Moncada to second. Nomar Mazara called out on strikes. Nick Madrigal singles to right field. Yoan Moncada scores. Tim Anderson singles to left field. Nick Madrigal to second. Yasmani Grandal hit by pitch. Tim Anderson to second. Nick Madrigal to third. Jose Abreu reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Yasmani Grandal out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 4 left on. White sox 1, Twins 0.Twins fifth. Ehire Adrianza walks. Max Kepler singles to center field. Ehire Adrianza to second. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shortstop. Max Kepler out at second. Ehire Adrianza to third. Nelson Cruz is intentionally walked. Jorge Polanco singles to shallow center field. Nelson Cruz to second. Ehire Adrianza scores. LaMonte Wade Jr. walks. Jorge Polanco to second. Nelson Cruz to third. Byron Buxton flies out to deep right field to Nomar Mazara.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left... [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]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical exam.Pineda went 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 146 innings over 26 starts for the Twins in 2019, his first season with the team, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the Division Series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have 39 games left on the suspension... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal had not been announced and was subject to a successful physical exam.Pineda went 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 146 innings over 26 starts for the Twins in 2019, his first season with the team, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the division series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have 39 games left on the suspension... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Michael Pineda agreed Thursday to a two-year, $20 million contract to bring the right-hander back after a suspension for a banned diuretic, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because the deal, pending completion of a physical exam, had not been finalized.Pineda went 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 26 starts for the Twins in 2019, before Major League Baseball announced Sept. 7 a 60-game suspension for a positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide, which can be used for weight loss and blood pressure management. It's outlawed because it can mask the presence of steroids.That kept Pineda out of the postseason for the American League Central champion Twins, who were swept in three games in the division series by the New York Yankees. Pineda, who will turn 31 next month, will have a significant chunk of the suspension left to serve before he can take the mound for the Twins.Pineda was one of four starters in Minnesota's rotation who became free agents this fall. The Twins re-signed Jake Odorizzi to supplement fellow All-Star Jose Berrios, but there is still a spot or two to likely be filled on the market this winter.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP MLB coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel San� (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at New York, 7:07 p.m. (MLB); Game 2, Saturday, at New York, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Monday, Oct. 7, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1 or MLB); x-Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Minnesota, TBA (FS1); x-Game 5, Thursday, Oct. 10, at New York, TBA (FS1).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Twins: C Mitch Garver (.273, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, .630 slugging percentage in 93 games), SS Jorge Polanco (.295, 22, 79, 40 2Bs), DH Nelson Cruz (.311, 41, 108, .639 slugging percentage in 120 games), 3B Miguel San� (.247, 34, 79, 159 Ks in 105 games), LF Eddie Rosario (.276, 32, 109), CF Max Kepler (.252, 36, 90), 1B C.J. Cron (.253, 25, 78), RF Marwin Gonzalez (.264, 15, 55) or Jake Cave (.258, 8, 25 in 72 games) or LaMonte Wade Jr. (.196, 2, 5, 11 walks in 69 PAs), 2B Jonathan Schoop (.256, 23, 59) or Luis Arraez (.334, 4, 28 in 92 games).Yankees:... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:AL WILD CARDOakland and Tampa Bay could clinch the AL wild-card spots and close out Cleveland.Francisco Lindor and the Indians put themselves in danger by losing 8-0 to the White Sox on Thursday night. The loss dropped them two games behind the Rays for the second wild-card slot — the three playoff contenders each have three games left.Mike Fiers (15-4, 3.91) is ready to pitch for the Athletics as they continue their series at Seattle. The A's seal a spot with a win or a Cleveland loss.Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.92 ERA) is expected to start for Tampa Bay at Toronto. He's pitched a total of eight innings in three starts since missing most of the season with forearm trouble. The Rays get in with a win and an Indians loss.Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.82) is set to start for the Indians when they visit playoff-bound Washington in an interleague matchup.SOMETHING BREWIN'Sparkplug rookie Keston Hiura and the Brewers take a seven-game winning streak into Coors... [More]

White sox first. Leury Garcia singles to right field. Yoan Moncada doubles to deep right field. Leury Garcia to third. Jose Abreu out on a sacrifice fly to center field to LaMonte Wade Jr. Yoan Moncada out at third. Leury Garcia scores. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 1, Twins 0.White sox second. James McCann homers to center field. Matt Skole grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Sano to Marwin Gonzalez. Danny Mendick strikes out swinging. Yolmer Sanchez walks. Ryan Goins grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Berrios to Marwin Gonzalez.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Twins 0.Twins second. Miguel Sano singles to left center field. Marwin Gonzalez singles to right field. Miguel Sano to second. LaMonte Wade Jr flies out to left field to Eloy Jimenez. Luis Arraez singles to center field. Marwin Gonzalez to second. Miguel Sano to third. Jorge Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Eloy Jimenez. Miguel Sano scores. Nelson... [More]

Twins first. Max Kepler grounds out to second base, Rougned Odor to Logan Forsythe. Miguel Sano singles to left center field. Jorge Polanco singles to right field. Miguel Sano to third. Eddie Rosario reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Jorge Polanco out at second. Miguel Sano scores. Fielding error by Ariel Jurado. Mitch Garver walks. Luis Arraez singles to center field. Mitch Garver to second. Eddie Rosario scores. Marwin Gonzalez doubles to deep left center field. Luis Arraez scores. Mitch Garver scores. C.J. Cron homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Jake Cave lines out to deep left field to Shin-Soo Choo.6 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Twins 6, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo singles to right field. Danny Santana homers to right field. Shin-Soo Choo scores. Elvis Andrus grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Berrios to C.J. Cron. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging. Hunter Pence pops out to shallow right field to Luis Arraez.2 runs, 2... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Josh Donaldson homered against Sean Doolittle in the top of the 10th, and the Atlanta Braves pulled out a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday to take two of three in the series and pad their NL East lead to 6 1/2 games.After the Nationals scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, Donaldson swatted a fastball from Doolittle over the center-field wall for his 25th homer of the season.Adam Duvall homered for the fourth time in five games. Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Tyler Flowers also drove in runs for the Braves, who won consecutive series in Washington for the first time since 2013. They also won two of three in late June.Atlanta got another quality road start from Mike Soroka (10-2), who pitched seven innings and allowed just three hits, including a leadoff homer to Juan Soto in the second.Washington starter Aníbal Sánchez (6-6) could not keep pace, allowing four runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.YANKEES 7, DIAMONDBACKS 5NEW... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:PINSTRIPE AUDITION?All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman (5-9, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Last month, the Long Island native strongly hinted that he wouldn't mind a trade to the Yankees.Stroman has been sidelined with a left pectoral cramp since June 29, but threw a bullpen session Friday and was cleared to return to the rotation against the AL East leaders.TRADE TIMEThe Boston Red Sox made the first significant trade since the All-Star break, getting pitcher Andrew Cashner from Baltimore. The 32-year-old righty was 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 starts for the team with the worst record in the majors.The Red Sox got Cashner and nearly $1.78 million in cash to help with his salary for a pair of 17-year-old prospects.This year's trade deadline is July 31 — no more swaps can be made after that to have a player eligible for the postseason.ALL-STAR ACTIONAL All-Star teammates Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios pitch against each... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:PINSTRIPE AUDITION?All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman (5-9, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Last month, the Long Island native strongly hinted that he wouldn't mind a trade to the Yankees.Stroman has been sidelined with a left pectoral cramp since June 29, but threw a bullpen session Friday and was cleared to return to the rotation against the AL East leaders.TRADE TIMEThe Boston Red Sox made the first significant trade since the All-Star break, getting pitcher Andrew Cashner from Baltimore. The 32-year-old righty was 9-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 starts for the team with the worst record in the majors.The Red Sox got Cashner and nearly $1.78 million in cash to help with his salary for a pair of 17-year-old prospects.This year's trade deadline is July 31 — no more swaps can be made after that to have a player eligible for the postseason.ALL-STAR ACTIONAL All-Star teammates Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios pitch against each... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]