SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A baseball fan's treasure trove sat on a table outside the San Francisco Giants clubhouse Saturday morning — hundreds of baseball cards signed by the franchise's biggest stars. Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Evan Longoria and more, all ready for eager autograph seekers at the club's spring training home in Scottsdale.A generous gesture, but also a measure aimed at keeping players and fans safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.“You know just the amount of people that come to games, come to ask for autographs and stuff like that, that’s the biggest fear,” Longoria said. “But outside of that, what are you gonna do?”That's what clubs are trying to figure out. The COVID-19 strain has already been diagnosed in patients in Florida and Arizona, the home bases for all 30 major league teams during spring training. Like pro sports leagues around the world, Major League Baseball is trying to balance fan experience with public health. At the Giants' facility in Scottsdale, personnel... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A baseball fan's treasure trove sat on a table outside the San Francisco Giants clubhouse Saturday morning — hundreds of baseball cards signed by the franchise's biggest stars. Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Evan Longoria and more, all ready for eager autograph seekers at the club's spring training home in Scottsdale.A generous gesture, but also a measure aimed at keeping players and fans safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.“You know just the amount of people that come to games, come to ask for autographs and stuff like that, that’s the biggest fear,” Longoria said. “But outside of that, what are you gonna do?”That's what clubs are trying to figure out. The COVID-19 strain has already been diagnosed in patients in Florida and Arizona, the home bases for all 30 major league teams during spring training. Like pro sports leagues around the world, Major League Baseball is trying to balance fan experience with public health. At the Giants' facility in Scottsdale, personnel... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A baseball fan's treasure trove sat on a table outside the San Francisco Giants clubhouse Saturday morning — hundreds of baseball cards signed by the franchise's biggest stars. Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Evan Longoria and more, all ready for eager autograph seekers at the club's spring training home in Scottsdale.A generous gesture, but also a measure aimed at keeping players and fans safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.“You know just the amount of people that come to games, come to ask for autographs and stuff like that, that’s the biggest fear,” Longoria said. “But outside of that, what are you gonna do?”That's what clubs are trying to figure out. The COVID-19 strain has already been diagnosed in patients in Florida and Arizona, the home bases for all 30 major league teams during spring training. Like pro sports leagues around the world, Major League Baseball is trying to balance fan experience with public health. At the Giants' facility in Scottsdale, personnel... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeff Samardzija calls himself old school, and that seems fairly fitting given the San Francisco Giants’ veteran right-hander is now 35 and entering his 13th major league season.But he sounds willing to embrace the style of his new manager, Gabe Kapler. In fact, the two spent some time together during the offseason in the Bay Area after Kapler was hired in November.“He’s good, man. I’m excited for the young guys to get to be around him and he’s going to be a great liaison for those guys to figure out what it’s going to take to be successful here,” Samardzija said.After four seasons with Bruce Bochy, whose managerial style was in line with Samardzija’s approach to the game, the pitcher realizes a new regime isn’t necessarily a bad thing.“I’m excited to see his way,"' he said.Samardzija didn’t need much time to process the change in managers. He has been around the game long enough to know nothing stays the same forever.“This is what we do,” he said. “There’s turnover... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Buster Posey caught a pair of bullpens on Day 1 and his body recovered beautifully. Sure, that's hardly his full workload or even close to comparable to a long regular season of travel and quick turnarounds. But Posey can certainly relish how reassuring it is to finally feel like himself again following a winter without rehabbing. A year ago when spring training began, San Francisco's veteran catcher was still recovering from right hip surgery.He can already sense a significant difference in his swing both in the cage and during on-field batting practice, and he clobbered several balls Thursday under the desert sun at Scottsdale Stadium that left spectators marveling. “I can say it's night and day right now, from this time last year,” Posey said. “Just able to do everything normal for me at this point. Running was an issue last year. If I were to take a pitch, that quick stop that I would have to make was an issue. So, none of that. I think it's just time, having... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Gabe Kapler’s bright orange shoes stood out in a room decorated with blackboards, a black standing work desk on which sat a dark laptop and speakers, gray interior wall paint, black furniture and a dark large screen.Kapler’s manager’s office at spring training will take some time to get accustomed to, as with everything for the first-year skipper of the San Francisco Giants. But so much, on the day the Giants reported to spring training, was new around the facility on Tuesday.Kapler took over from three-time World Series winner Bruce Bochy, and the Giants opened their new three-story spring training facility at Scottsdale Stadium, their longtime spring home. While the playing field and seating areas remain largely unchanged, the building behind the first-base seats includes a new clubhouse, coaches offices, a recreation room, weight room, balconies with views of the practice and main fields plus a large event space.“We tried to create unique spaces that were not... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Zack Cozart has had surgery on his left shoulder twice in two years.The San Francisco Giants will wait patiently for the 2017 All-Star to heal.They bolstered their infield Tuesday by acquiring Cozart and prized prospect in Will Wilson in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named or cash.San Francisco also announced Tuesday it signed right-hander Kevin Gausman to a $9 million, one-year contract. Cozart, if healthy after missing significant time in 2019 with shoulder and neck injuries, can play second or provide versatility behind third baseman Evan Longoria. The Giants are taking on Cozart's salary for next year of $12,666,667. Cozart is eligible for free agency after 2020.“He's got a ways to go in rehab," president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. “He's had a couple of shoulder surgeries. He's swinging the bat, but he's got a ways to go and we're obviously going to do everything we can to help him get back on the field. "All-Star in 2017, his... [More]

Giants third. Mauricio Dubon singles to left center field. Jeff Samardzija out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Nolan Arenado to Ryan McMahon. Mauricio Dubon to second. Brandon Crawford grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to Josh Fuentes. Mauricio Dubon to third. Mike Yastrzemski walks. Kevin Pillar singles to left center field. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Mauricio Dubon scores. Stephen Vogt grounds out to first base to Josh Fuentes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 1, Rockies 0.Rockies seventh. Josh Fuentes singles to shallow right field. Tony Wolters hit by pitch. Josh Fuentes to second. Yonder Alonso pinch-hitting for Phillip Diehl. Yonder Alonso reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Garrett Hampson strikes out swinging. Raimel Tapia reaches on error. Peter Lambert to second. Josh Fuentes scores. Throwing error by Brandon Crawford. Fielding error by Brandon Belt. Nolan Arenado strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 2 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 1.Giants ninth. Alex Dickerson pinch-hitting for Will Smith. Alex Dickerson grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to Josh Fuentes. Jaylin Davis homers to center field.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 2, Rockies 1.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

Pirates first. Adam Frazier grounds out to first base, Brandon Belt to Jeff Samardzija. Bryan Reynolds singles to center field. Colin Moran flies out to deep center field to Kevin Pillar. Josh Bell singles to right center field. Bryan Reynolds to third. Jose Osuna doubles to deep left field. Josh Bell to third. Bryan Reynolds scores. Cole Tucker flies out to center field to Kevin Pillar.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Giants 0.Pirates fourth. Jose Osuna grounds out to shallow infield, Jeff Samardzija to Brandon Belt. Cole Tucker triples to deep right field. Kevin Kramer out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Kevin Pillar. Cole Tucker scores. Jacob Stallings grounds out to second base, Mauricio Dubon to Brandon Belt.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 2, Giants 0.Pirates fifth. Joe Musgrove triples to deep right center field. Adam Frazier singles to deep right field. Joe Musgrove scores. Bryan Reynolds reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Adam Frazier out... [More]

Dodgers second. Matt Beaty flies out to deep right field to Austin Slater. A.J. Pollock homers to center field. Gavin Lux grounds out to first base, Aramis Garcia to Jeff Samardzija. Will Smith strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 1, Giants 0.Giants fourth. Aramis Garcia called out on strikes. Mauricio Dubon homers to left field. Jeff Samardzija grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Matt Beaty. Donovan Solano grounds out to third base, Justin Turner to Matt Beaty.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 1, Dodgers 1.Giants fifth. Austin Slater singles to right center field. Kevin Pillar walks. Austin Slater to second. Evan Longoria grounds out to first base, Matt Beaty to Dylan Floro. Kevin Pillar to second. Austin Slater to third. Buster Posey is intentionally walked. Mike Yastrzemski pinch-hitting for Joey Rickard. Mike Yastrzemski doubles to deep right center field. Buster Posey to third. Kevin Pillar scores. Austin Slater scores. Brandon Belt pinch-hitting... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SO, WHERE WERE WE?Before their regularly scheduled matchup in Oakland, the Tigers and Athletics will resume a game that was suspended May 19 at Detroit with the A's leading 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back then, the A's were in the middle of putting together their first 10-game winning streak since 2006. But that could get wiped away if Oakland can't close out the May 19 game against Detroit. If the A's hang on, the winning streak will go to 11 games. If the Tigers rally to win, Oakland's streak from that stretch will only be considered a seven-gamer. Center fielder Ramon Laureano is expected to come off the injured list for the A's and play in the second game.OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSMinnesota has a chance to widen its 6 1/2-game lead in the AL Central over Cleveland and perhaps all but salt away the division title when the Indians come to town for a three-game series. Michael Pineda (11-5, 4.11 ERA) pitches the opener for the Twins,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:SO, WHERE WERE WE?Before their regularly scheduled matchup in Oakland, the Tigers and Athletics will resume a game that was suspended May 19 at Detroit with the A's leading 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back then, the A's were in the middle of putting together their first 10-game winning streak since 2006. But that could get wiped away if Oakland can't close out the May 19 game against Detroit. If the A's hang on, the winning streak will go to 11 games. If the Tigers rally to win, Oakland's streak from that stretch will only be considered a seven-gamer. Center fielder Ramon Laureano is expected to come off the injured list for the A's and play in the second game.OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSMinnesota has a chance to widen its 6�-game lead in the AL Central over Cleveland and perhaps all but salt away the division title when the Indians come to town for a three-game series. Michael Pineda (11-5, 4.11 ERA) pitches the opener for the Twins,... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Ketel Marte homers to right field. David Peralta singles to left field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep left center field to Kevin Pillar. Christian Walker singles to center field. David Peralta to second. Jake Lamb reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Christian Walker out at second. David Peralta to third. Josh Rojas pops out to shallow center field to Brandon Crawford.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 0.Giants third. Brandon Belt homers to center field. Brandon Crawford pops out to shallow right field to Eduardo Escobar. Jeff Samardzija grounds out to shallow infield, Mike Leake to Christian Walker. Mike Yastrzemski homers to right field. Buster Posey singles to right field. Alex Dickerson flies out to David Peralta.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 1.Giants fourth. Evan Longoria flies out to deep center field to Ketel Marte. Scooter Gennett singles to left center field. Kevin Pillar homers to left field.... [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: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]