x-unanimous2020 — Jose Abreu, Chicago 2019 — Mike Trout, Los Angeles 2018 — Mookie Betts, Boston 2017 — Jose Altuve, Houston 2016 — Mike Trout, Los Angeles 2015 — Josh Donaldson, Toronto 2014 — x-Mike Trout, Los Angeles 2013 — Miguel Cabrera, Detroit 2012 — Miguel Cabrera, Detroit 2011 — Justin Verlander, Detroit 2010 — Josh Hamilton, Texas 2009 — Joe Mauer, Minnesota 2008 — Dustin Pedroia, Boston 2007 — Alex Rodriguez, New York 2006 — Justin Morneau, Minnesota 2005 — Alex Rodriguez, New York 2004 — Vladimir Guerrero, Anaheim 2003 — Alex Rodriguez, Texas 2002 — Miguel Tejada, Oakland 2001 — Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle 2000 — Jason Giambi, Oakland 1999 — Ivan Rodriguez, Texas 1998 — Juan Gonzalez, Texas 1997 — x-Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle 1996 — Juan Gonzalez, Texas 1995 — Mo Vaughn, Boston 1994 — Frank Thomas, Chicago 1993 — x-Frank Thomas, Chicago 1992 — Dennis Eckersley, Oakland 1991 — Cal Ripken, Baltimore 1990 — Rickey Henderson, Oakland 1989 — Robin Yount, Milwaukee 1988 — x-Jose Canseco,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Tim Anderson is as curious as anyone to see how new Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa will react the first time the fun-loving shortstop flips his bat following a big home run. Anderson also made a few things clear. He won't change to suit the Hall of Fame skipper who returned to the White Sox last week, 34 years after they fired him. The 2019 AL batting champion is looking forward to playing for La Russa — and having a good time along the way. “There's been a lot of news saying that we might not get along,” Anderson said, chuckling. “Hopefully, we can get along and continue to do what the ultimate goal is — to try to win a championship on the South Side. I'm just ready to pick his brain and learn the knowledge. ... Just try to have fun with it — if he allows that.” Anderson and outfielder Eloy Jiménez spoke Thursday on a Zoom call after they and first baseman Jose Abreu were announced as Silver Slugger Award winners as the top offensive players at their positions.... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Semien and the Oakland Athletics are finally getting a full playoff series. After consecutive losses in the wild-card game, the AL West champions hope a longer series boosts their chances for a deep postseason run. "It’s a little different than last year for us and also in ’18 where it’s just one game and you want to be so perfect and win that game,” Semien said. “It’s a three-game series, we’re at home and play good baseball.” Oakland gets its shot against the Chicago White Sox in the best-of-three wild-card round having advanced just once during 11 previous playoff trips since 2000, when they reached the 2006 AL Championship Series before being swept by Detroit. Both clubs navigated a challenging 60-game regular season, bolstered often by their top sluggers. The A's finished 36-24, Chicago at 35-25. Oakland will send 22-year-old lefty Jesús Luzardo out to start Game 1 on Tuesday. “To be able to do it at a young age is a blessing,” said Luzardo, whose season... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ LET'S GET IT SETTLED St. Louis, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Philadelphia enter the last day of the regular season competing for two postseason spots, and the biggest game of the day pits Christian Yelich's Brewers against Yadier Molina's Cardinals. A team-by-team breakdown of what each club needs to clinch: Cardinals (29-28) — Qualify with a victory over Milwaukee or a loss by the Giants. If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. Brewers (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over St. Louis, or with losses by the Giants and Phillies. Giants (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over San Diego and a Brewers loss. If the Giants and Brewers win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. Phillies (28-31) — Qualify with a win over Tampa Bay and losses by the Brewers and Giants.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday: ___ LET'S GET IT SETTLED St. Louis, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Philadelphia enter the last day of the regular season competing for two postseason spots, and the biggest game of the day pits Christian Yelich's Brewers against Yadier Molina's Cardinals. A team-by-team breakdown of what each club needs to clinch: Cardinals (29-28) — Qualify with a victory over Milwaukee or a loss by the Giants. If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. Brewers (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over St. Louis, or with losses by the Giants and Phillies. Giants (29-30) — Qualify with a victory over San Diego and a Brewers loss. If the Giants and Cardinals win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. Phillies (28-31) — Qualify with a win over Tampa Bay and losses by the Brewers and Giants.... [More]

Twins second. Eddie Rosario homers to right field. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Byron Buxton flies out to deep right field to Nomar Mazara. Marwin Gonzalez walks. Ehire Adrianza grounds out to shallow infield, Lucas Giolito to Yasmani Grandal.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 1, White sox 0.Twins fourth. Eddie Rosario walks. Miguel Sano flies out to right field to Nomar Mazara. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Eddie Rosario scores. Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes. Ehire Adrianza lines out to shallow right field to Nick Madrigal.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, White sox 0.White sox fourth. Jose Abreu homers to left field. Eloy Jimenez pops out to shallow infield to Alex Avila. Yoan Moncada flies out to center field to Byron Buxton. James McCann strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, White sox 1.Twins eighth. Josh Donaldson walks. Nelson Cruz grounds out to shallow infield, Yoan Moncada to Yasmani Grandal. Josh Donaldson to second. Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Josh Donaldson scores. Byron Buxton grounds out to third base, Yoan Moncada to Yasmani Grandal.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 5, White sox 1.

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to shallow infield. Yoan Moncada flies out to left field to Eddie Rosario. Yasmani Grandal flies out to left field to Eddie Rosario. Jose Abreu singles to shallow right field. Tim Anderson to third. Eloy Jimenez singles to right center field. Jose Abreu to second. Tim Anderson scores. James McCann strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 1, Twins 0.Twins third. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Ryan Jeffers called out on strikes. Max Kepler flies out to deep right field to Adam Engel. Josh Donaldson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 1, White sox 1.White sox third. Yasmani Grandal walks. Jose Abreu singles to shallow left field. Yasmani Grandal to third. Throwing error by Jorge Polanco. Eloy Jimenez strikes out swinging. James McCann doubles to right center field. Jose Abreu to third. Yasmani Grandal scores. Luis Robert singles to second base. James McCann scores. Jose Abreu scores. Adam Engel... [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]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes walks. Willi Castro walks. Miguel Cabrera singles to shallow left field. Willi Castro to second. Jeimer Candelario flies out to Eloy Jimenez. Jorge Bonifacio singles to shallow center field, advances to 2nd. Miguel Cabrera to third. Willi Castro scores. Daz Cameron strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 1, White sox 0.White sox second. Eloy Jimenez flies out to deep right field to Daz Cameron. James McCann singles to shallow center field. Yoan Moncada doubles to deep center field. James McCann scores. Nomar Mazara lines out to deep left center field to Victor Reyes. Yoan Moncada to third. Danny Mendick grounds out to shortstop, Willi Castro to Jeimer Candelario.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Tigers 1, White sox 1.White sox fourth. Jose Abreu strikes out swinging. Eloy Jimenez homers to center field. James McCann strikes out swinging. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Nomar Mazara reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop.... [More]

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to right field. Yoan Moncada flies out to Jorge Bonifacio. Yasmani Grandal walks. Tim Anderson to second. Jose Abreu singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal to third. Tim Anderson scores. Eloy Jimenez doubles to right field. Jose Abreu to third. Yasmani Grandal scores. Edwin Encarnacion singles to center field. Eloy Jimenez to third. Jose Abreu scores. Luis Robert pops out to Jeimer Candelario. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 0.White sox third. Jose Abreu singles to shallow center field. Eloy Jimenez singles to shallow left field. Jose Abreu to second. Edwin Encarnacion flies out to center field to Victor Reyes. Luis Robert pops out to shallow infield to Grayson Greiner. Nomar Mazara doubles to left center field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Jose Abreu scores. Nick Madrigal lines out to center field to Victor Reyes.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 5, Tigers 0.White sox fourth. Tim Anderson... [More]

White sox third. James McCann homers to center field. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging. Nick Madrigal grounds out to shallow infield, Erik Gonzalez to Colin Moran. Tim Anderson grounds out to third base, Ke'Bryan Hayes to Colin Moran.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 1, Pirates 0.White sox fourth. Yoan Moncada singles to deep right center field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Gregory Polanco. Yasmani Grandal singles to shallow center field. Yoan Moncada scores. Jose Abreu singles to shallow infield. Yasmani Grandal to second. Eloy Jimenez walks. Jose Abreu to second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Luis Robert strikes out swinging. James McCann out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Bryan Reynolds. Yasmani Grandal scores. Nomar Mazara walks. Eloy Jimenez to second. Jose Abreu to third. Nick Madrigal singles to shallow center field. Nomar Mazara to second. Eloy Jimenez scores. Jose Abreu scores. Tim Anderson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Nick Madrigal out... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn pitched seven strong innings, Elvis Andrus homered and the Texas Rangers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Angels, who had won five in a row.Lynn (5-2), the first major league pitcher to make 10 starts this season, struck out six, walked two and limited the Angels to one run on four hits. The right-hander had lost his previous two starts, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) — more than he had allowed combined his first seven starts. Andrus put the Rangers ahead to stay with a solo shot in the second. They went ahead 3-0 with two unearned runs in the fourth on second baseman Matt Thaiss’ two-out error. Andrew Heaney (3-3) allowed five runs (three earned) in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Heaney had won his last two starts and had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Andrus went deep. The lefty also gave up five runs (over 3 2-3 innings) in his first start at the Rangers’ new ballpark... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Khris Davis homered and hit an RBI double against previously unbeaten Zack Greinke, and the Oakland Athletics sent the Houston Astros to their sixth straight loss, 4-2 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.Ash from nearby wildfires fell inside the Coliseum as the A’s stretched their AL West lead over second-place Houston to 5 1/2 games.Robbie Grossman hit a go-ahead double in the sixth and Ramón Laureano added an RBI single for Oakland.The A’s played as the visiting team in a makeup of a postponement from Aug. 30 after pitcher Daniel Mengden’s positive coronavirus test result.Davis snapped an 0-for-8 stretch playing for the first time since Aug. 26 at Texas. He began the day 3 for 8 lifetime against Greinke with a home run and a double.Greinke (3-1) allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings. He struck out six.A’s starter Frankie Montas (3-3), 0-2 over his previous three outings, gave up two runs on six hits in five innings. Liam Hendriks finished for... [More]

White sox fifth. Nomar Mazara strikes out swinging. Nick Madrigal doubles to deep left center field. Tim Anderson singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Nick Madrigal out at home. Yoan Moncada singles to shallow center field. Tim Anderson scores. Yasmani Grandal homers to right field. Yoan Moncada scores. Jose Abreu strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Pirates 0.Pirates fifth. Colin Moran grounds out to first base, Jose Abreu to Dylan Cease. Gregory Polanco grounds out to second base, Nick Madrigal to Jose Abreu. Josh Bell doubles to left field. Ke'Bryan Hayes triples to deep right field. Josh Bell scores. Kevin Newman singles to shallow left field. Ke'Bryan Hayes scores. Jacob Stallings flies out to shallow right field to Nomar Mazara.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 3, Pirates 2.White sox eighth. Yoan Moncada grounds out to shallow right field, Josh Bell to Chris Stratton. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to shallow infield, Chris Stratton... [More]

Sept. 91914 — George Davis of the Boston Braves pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader. Davis’ no-hitter was the first thrown at Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox.1922 — Baby Doll Jacobson hit three triples to lead the St. Louis Browns to a 16-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.1936 — The New York Yankees clinched their eighth American League pennant with a doubleheader sweep of the Cleveland Indians, 11-3 and 12-9. The Yankees finished 19½ games ahead of the Detroit Tigers for the largest margin in team history.1945 — Dick Fowler of the Philadelphia Athletics pitched a 1-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader.1948 — Rex Barney of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitched a 2-0 no-hit victory against the New York Giants on a rainy day at the Polo Grounds. He walked two and struck out four.1965 — Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers tossed his fourth no-hitter, a perfect game, against the Chicago Cubs. Koufax... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders. The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.The Angels have a won a season-high five straight. They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth... [More]