CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):10:25 p.m.Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will face New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso for the All-Star Home Run Derby title.Guerrero beat the Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson 40-39 in the semifinals after they extended to a third tiebreaker. They tied 29-29 in the initial 4-minute round and 8-8 during 60 extra seconds. They each hit one during a three-swing tiebreaker, and Guerrero hit two in a second three-swing tiebreaker, finally winning when Pederson grounded out on his third swing. Guerrero also hit the longest of the night at 488 feet.Alonso, batting second, overcame Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. 20-19, his last dropping over the center-field fence after the horn.___9:28 p.m.Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Houston's Alex Bregman 21-16 in the first round of the Home Run Derby, and Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated Oakland's Matt Chapman 29-13 — a first-round record, one more than Josh Hamilton's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):9:28 p.m.Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Houston's Alex Bregman 21-16 in the first round of the Home Run Derby, and Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated Oakland's Matt Chapman 29-13 — a first-round record, one more than Josh Hamilton's total in 2008.Chapman hit one 477 feet, the longest of the night thus far, by 1 foot over Guerrero.Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. defeated Pittsburgh's Josh Bell 25-18, and New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso sparked boos when he beat Cleveland's Carlos Santana 14-13, hitting his last with 1 second left on the 4-minute clock.___6:25 p.m.Even though he's not on the roster, CC Sabathia was looming large around Progressive Field.The 38-year-old Yankees pitcher is playing his final season. He was invited by Major League Baseball to take part in this week's festivities, and was set to be honored for his contributions on and off the field."I'm just having a good time, being a fake... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):6:25 p.m.Even though he's not on the roster, CC Sabathia was looming large around Progressive Field.The 38-year-old Yankees pitcher is playing his final season. He was invited by Major League Baseball to take part in this week's festivities, and was set to be honored for his contributions on and off the field."I'm just having a good time, being a fake All-Star here," he said, laughing. "When the Yankees asked me to announce my retirement, I was like, 'Announce what? I'm not Derek Jeter. No one will care.' But this whole deal has been pretty cool."Sabathia began his big league career in Cleveland and stayed in town until being traded to Milwaukee during the 2008 season. He still maintains close connections to the city.The lefty is 5-4 with a 4.03 ERA this season. Overall, the six-time All-Star has 251 wins and 3,057 strikeouts."I'm on my way out, I only have three more months, but as a fan, I love offense. There is definitely... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Sitting next to Justin Verlander, American League manager Alex Cora cheekily declared "we've got the opener" as he described his pitching plans.Touché!Houston's ace has been among the players most critical of some teams' practice of using relief pitchers as ersatz starters for an inning or two.Verlander will be making his second All-Star start on Tuesday night. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts selected Hyun-Jin Ryu from his own staff to make his first start for the National League.A 36-year-old right-hander, Verlander is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Houston Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings.He allowed five runs in the first inning during the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City, including the first bases-loaded triple in All-Star history, to Pablo Sandoval."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander,... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):4:05 p.m.Justin Verlander's start in the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City was memorable — unfortunately for him.Ryan Braun hit an RBI double, Pablo Sandoval had the first bases-loaded triple and Dan Uggla followed with a run-scoring infield single as the NL started rolling to an 8-0 win."I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder," Verlander said a day ahead of his start for the American League on Tuesday night. "He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw 100.' OK, Prince, here we go. So that was back then."Verlander threw five pitches clocked at 100 mph and another at 101 during a 35-pitch inning."I don't quite throw 100 anymore. Maybe I'll try tomorrow," he said. "The goal is to get guys out. That's it. Thanks for bringing that up, by the way."___12:45 p.m.Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time, and Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time, and Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start for the National League.Verlander, a 36-year-old right-hander, is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Houston Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings.He allowed five runs in the first inning during the 2012 All-Star Game at Kansas City, including the first-bases loaded triple in All-Star history, to Pablo Sandoval. Verlander, who played for the Detroit Tigers, threw five pitches clocked at 100 mph and another at 101 during a 35-pitch inning.Ryu, a 32-year-old left-hander from South Korea, is 10-2 with a major league-leading 1.73 ERA for the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the second Asian All-Star starter after Dodgers rookie Hideo Nomo of Japan in 1995.Houston's George Springer leads off and plays right field for the AL and is followed in the batting order by New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Los Angeles Angels center... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Surrounded by sweet-swinging sluggers Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and Ronald Acuña Jr., All-Star stalwart Nolan Arenado is set for a new role with the National League — elder statesman."It shows how good these young guys are," Arenado said.The five-time All-Star will be joined by a bumper crop of talent in one of the youngest All-Star Game lineups ever — a millennial-heavy NL group that could make history at the midsummer showcase in Cleveland on July 9.Major League Baseball revealed the results from fan balloting for its All-Star starters Thursday, and the average age of the eight NL starters is 25.8 years old. Depending on who is chosen as the club's designated hitter, the starting position players could be the youngest ever, surpassing the 1967 NL and 2017 AL clubs, which averaged 26.0 years old."I've never seen this much young talent in the game," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will lead the NL. "There's a lot of fun players to watch — talented and the personalities... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Surrounded by sweet-swinging sluggers Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and Ronald Acuña Jr., All-Star stalwart Nolan Arenado is set for a new role with the National League — elder statesman."It shows how good these young guys are," Arenado said.The five-time All-Star will be joined by a bumper crop of talent in one of the youngest All-Star Game lineups ever — a millennial-heavy NL group that could make history at the midsummer showcase in Cleveland on July 9.Major League Baseball revealed the results from fan balloting for its All-Star starters Thursday, and the average age of the eight NL starters is 25.8 years old. Depending on who is chosen as the club's designated hitter, the starting position players could be the youngest ever, surpassing the 1967 NL and 2017 AL clubs, which averaged 26.0 years old."I've never seen this much young talent in the game," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will lead the NL. "There's a lot of fun players to watch — talented and the personalities... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich have been elected starters for one of the youngest All-Star Game lineups ever, leading the millennial-heavy National League for the Midsummer Classic in Cleveland.Major League Baseball revealed the results from fan balloting for its All-Star starters Thursday. The All-Star Game is July 9.The Dodgers' Bellinger, Brewers' Yelich and Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. are set to play outfield for the NL, leading a lineup averaging just 25.8 years old. Depending on who is chosen as the club's designated hitter, the starting position players could be younger than the 1967 NL and 2017 AL clubs, which averaged 26.0 years old."I've never seen this much young talent in the game," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who will lead the NL. "There's a lot of fun players to watch — talented and the personalities from some of these young players."Angels star Mike Trout was the leading vote getter in the final round. He'll be joined on the AL squad by three Astros... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is that every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Looking to spice up the All-Star Game election, Major League Baseball essentially introduced a primary this year.Candidates were narrowed down in fan voting to three finalists per position, including nine outfielders for three starting spots in each league. Fans then had 28 hours beginning Wednesday at noon EDT to go online and choose from those finalists the starters for the July 9 showcase in Cleveland.Results will be announced Thursday night, with pitchers and reserves revealed Sunday.So, with that in mind, let's take a look at who belongs.Each roster has 32 slots, with 12 going to pitchers. Perhaps the most difficult part is every club must be represented — although Miami is really the only team without a worthy All-Star this season.Alex Cora of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox will manage the American League, which has won six times in a row and is 18-3-1 in the last 22 years.After capturing consecutive pennants, Dave Roberts from the Los Angeles Dodgers pilots... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich first met Giannis Antetokounmpo last month in downtown Milwaukee.The encounter happened inside a hallway at Fiserv Forum after Antetokounmpo and the Bucks eliminated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.The meeting of the Milwaukee stars occurred about six months after Yelich won the 2018 NL MVP award.Now, Antetokounmpo could bring another MVP trophy to the city situated on Lake Michigan's western shore.The Bucks forward is a finalist for NBA MVP along with Oklahoma City swingman Paul George and Houston guard James Harden, who won the award last season.The winner will be announced Monday night."Obviously I'm happy to be one of the three finalists," Antetokounmpo said two days after losing to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals. "Hopefully I get it. If not, I have many more years to be able to help my teammates be successful and put me in a situation that we can get it."Antetokounmpo set career highs... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger was the top vote-getter in the major leagues and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout led the AL in the first stage of Major League Baseball's new two-phase fan balloting to determine All-Star Game starters.Bellinger got 3.69 million votes and finished about 39,000 ahead of Milwaukee outfielder Christian Yelich, the commissioner's office said Friday. Trout received 3.37 million, well ahead of Houston outfielder George Springer at 2.57 million,Candidates to start for the July 9 game at Cleveland were narrowed to three at infield positions in each league and AL designated hitter, and nine in the outfield. The remaining contenders will start from zero for phase two, which begins at noon EDT Wednesday and ends at 4 p.m. EDT Thursday.Texas' Joey Gallo beat Minnesota's Max Kepler by 138 votes for the ninth AL outfield spot, and the Yankees' Gleyber Torres edged Cleveland's Francisco Lindor by fewer than 14,000 votes for the third... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu homered in a hurry, connecting in a six-run fourth inning that powered the New York Yankees past the Houston Astros 10-6 on Thursday night for their sixth straight win.Edwin Encarnación hit his AL-leading 23rd home run, and second since being acquired by New York from Seattle, as the Yankees handed Houston its season-worst fifth loss in a row.The Astros dropped a matchup of division leaders despite Jake Marisnick's two home runs and solo drives by Alex Bregman and rookie Yordan Álvarez.Sánchez opened the fourth with his 22nd homer. With rain falling, Torres connected for a three-run jolt off rookie Framber Valdéz (3-3). LeMahieu tagged reliever Chris Devenski for a two-run homer and a 6-0 lead. The inning included two delays — a short break to fix the mound and a 37-minute stoppage when the showers fell too hard.Nestor Cortes Jr. (2-0) pitched three innings after another fine start by opener Chad Green. The veteran reliever struck... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Iannetta's two-run, bases-loaded single in the 10th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-4 victory Thursday that completed a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.Iannetta, a former Diamondbacks catcher, singled off the center-field wall against Yoshihisa Hirano (3-4) with one out to drive in Ian Desmond and Brendan Rodgers. The Rockies had tied it at 4 on Tony Wolters' pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth off Arizona closer Greg Holland.Scott Oberg (5-0) got the win with two scoreless innings in relief, but had to pitch out of jam in the bottom of the 10th when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out. He got Ildemaro Vargas to fly out, and then struck out David Peralta swinging to end the game.Charlie Blackmon and Desmond homered for the Rockies, who have won eight in a row over the Diamondbacks. Nolan Arenado left with a bruised left big toe after fouling a ball off his foot.Christian Walker's two-run, pinch-hit homer keyed a three-run sixth for the... [More]

June 161916 — Tom Hughes of the Boston Braves pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh Pirates.1938 — Jimmie Foxx didn't get a chance to hit as the St. Louis Browns walked him six straight times. The Boston Red Sox won anyway, 12-8.1953 — The St. Louis Browns beat New York 3-1 to break the Yankees' 18-game winning streak and end their 14-game losing streak.1957 — Relief pitcher Dixie Howell hit two home runs in the 3 2-3 innings he pitched to lead the Chicago White Sox to an 8-6 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators.1971 — The Oakland Athletics hit five solo home runs in a 5-1 win over the Washington Senators. Mike Epstein and Joe Rudi had a pair homers and Dave Duncan one. Epstein's home runs came in his first two at-bats to give him homers in four straight at-bats over two games.1978 — After three ninth-inning near misses, Tom Seaver threw the first no-hitter of his 12-year career as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0.1991... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the lineup Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game after getting hit with a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he was a little stiff and sore, and he would test his arm during batting practice before Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres."It's going to be stiff for a while, a little sore and bruised but something I have to play through," he said. "It's bruised but I can play through a bruise."We have a day off Monday so I should be fine the next four games and hopefully the day off will help me big time."Arenado took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game while wearing a wrap around the forearm."I'll wear something to cover it throughout the game and definitely protect it just in case something happens again," he said. "I feel fortunate in that I haven't gotten hit there before, or not in a long time. I think I'll be OK."Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was in the lineup Thursday, a day after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm.Arenado said he would test his arm during batting practice before the game against the San Diego Padres. He was pulled from Wednesday's game."It's going to be stiff for a while, a little sore and bruised but something I have to play through," he said. "It's bruised, but I can play through a bruise."We have a day off Monday, so I should be fine the next four games and hopefully the day off will help me big time."Arenado took batting practice and fielded grounders before Thursday's game while wearing a wrap around the forearm."I'll wear something to cover it throughout the game and definitely protect it just in case something happens again," he said. "I feel fortunate in that I haven't gotten hit there before, or not in a long time. I think I'll be OK."Arenado was batting in the bottom of the third when Chicago starter Cole Hamels hit him with a 90 mph... [More]