Athletics first. Marcus Semien homers. Ramon Laureano called out on strikes. Matt Chapman singles to shallow center field. Mark Canha singles to shallow left field. Matt Chapman to second. Matt Olson flies out to center field to Myles Straw. Chad Pinder strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Astros 0.Athletics sixth. Marcus Semien singles to shallow center field. Ramon Laureano called out on strikes. Marcus Semien steals second, advances to third. Throwing error by Dustin Garneau. Matt Chapman grounds out to shallow infield, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha walks. Matt Olson reaches on error to shallow right field, advances to 2nd. Mark Canha out at home. Fielding error by Jose Altuve.1 run, 1 hit, 2 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 0.Athletics eighth. Ramon Laureano called out on strikes. Matt Chapman homers to right field. Mark Canha singles to left field. Matt Olson grounds out to second base. Mark Canha out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 0.Astros ninth. Kyle Tucker doubles to deep right field. Jose Altuve grounds out to shortstop, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Kyle Tucker to third. Alex Bregman singles to center field. Kyle Tucker scores. Michael Brantley strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel grounds out to second base, Chad Pinder to Matt Olson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 1.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pinch-hitter Michael Perez hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning on his 28th birthday, six Tampa Bay pitchers combined on a two-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading New York Yankees 1-0 on Friday night.Yoshi Tsutsugo drew a leadoff walk from Adam Ottavino (2-1) in the eighth and went to second with one out when Kevin Kiermaier walked. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch before Perez put the Rays up 1-0 on his fly to center.Chaz Roe (2-0) went the final two innings for the win.Masahiro Tanaka allowed one hit and struck out five over five innings, retiring his final 13 batters after giving up a first-inning single to Yandy Diaz. The Yankees’ right-hander needed just 59 pitches in his second start after beginning the season on the concussion list after being struck in the head by Giancarlo Stanton’s liner during a July 4th summer camp simulated game.Three New York pitchers also limited the Rays to just two hits.MARLINS 4, METS 3NEW... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Eloy Jiménez has no interest in the designated hitter job with the Chicago White Sox. Doesn't want to hear anything about a late-inning defensive replacement, either.His team wants the same thing for him.Jiménez was back in left field for Chicago's 2-0 victory over Cleveland on Friday, one night after an ugly misplay led to another round of questions over whether the talented slugger might be better off at DH. He made a running catch on Francisco Lindor's fly ball in the eighth, calling off center fielder Luis Robert.The response from the team to his latest fielding miscue was the same as it has been — just wait.“I’m expecting that over time Eloy will fall into a good category on the defensive side and if it doesn’t, we’ll find ways to continue to augment his playing time out there,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We’re going to continue to work.”The 23-year-old Jiménez was acquired in the July 2017 trade that sent pitcher José Quintana to the crosstown Cubs. There are no questions... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Eloy Jiménez has no interest in the designated hitter job with the Chicago White Sox. Doesn't want to hear anything about a late-inning defensive replacement, either.His team wants the same thing for him.Jiménez was back in left field Friday against Cleveland, one night after an ugly misplay led to another round of questions over whether the talented slugger might be better off at DH.The response from the team was the same as it has been — just wait.“I’m expecting that over time Eloy will fall into a good category on the defensive side and if it doesn’t, we’ll find ways to continue to augment his playing time out there,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We’re going to continue to work.”The 23-year-old Jiménez was acquired in the July 2017 trade that sent pitcher José Quintana to the crosstown Cubs. There are no questions about Jiménez's bat after he led AL rookies with 31 homers, 79 RBIs and 240 total bases last year. But he remains an adventure in the field.The White Sox were... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Eloy Jiménez has no interest in the designated-hitter job with the Chicago White Sox. Doesn't want to hear anything about a late-inning defensive replacement, either.His team wants the same thing for him.Jiménez was back in left field Friday against Cleveland, one night after an ugly misplay led to another round of questions over whether the talented slugger might be better off at DH.The response from the team was the same as it has been — just wait.“I’m expecting that over time Eloy will fall into a good category on the defensive side and if it doesn’t, we’ll find ways to continue to augment his playing time out there,” manager Rick Renteria said. “We’re going to continue to work.”The 23-year-old Jiménez was acquired in the July 2017 trade that sent pitcher José Quintana to the crosstown Cubs. There are no questions about Jiménez's bat after he led AL rookies with 31 homers, 79 RBIs and 240 total bases last year. But he remains an adventure in the field.The White Sox were... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday.Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, and made his first appearance Friday in federal court, according to Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas.Kay was the Angels' director of communications, and he served as their public relations contact on many road trips. He was placed on leave shortly after Skaggs' death, and he never returned to the team.In a statement issued Friday after news of Kay's court appearance, the Angels said they opened an independent investigation into Skaggs' death. The team reaffirmed its position that management didn't know Skaggs was an opioids user and didn't know any employees were providing drugs to players.Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area on July 1, 2019, before the start... [More]

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday.Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, and made his first appearance Friday in federal court, according to Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas.Kay was the Angels' director of communications, and he served as their public relations contact on many road trips. He was placed on leave shortly after Skaggs' death, and he never returned to the team.In a statement issued Friday after news of Kay's court appearance, the Angels said they opened an independent investigation into Skaggs' death. The team reaffirmed its position that management didn't know Skaggs was an opioids user and didn't know any employees were providing drugs to players.Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area on July 1, 2019, before the start... [More]

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday.Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, and made his first appearance Friday in federal court, according to Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas.Kay was the Angels' director of communications, and he served as their public relations contact on many road trips. He was placed on leave shortly after Skaggs' death, and he never returned to the team.In a statement issued Friday after news of Kay's court appearance, the Angels said they opened an independent investigation into Skaggs' death. The team reaffirmed its position that management didn't know Skaggs was an opioids user and didn't know any employees were providing drugs to players.Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area on July 1, 2019, before the start... [More]

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday.Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, and made his first appearance Friday in federal court, according to Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Kay was communications director for the Angels. Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area July 1, 2019, before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed before the teams played the final three games.Skaggs died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system, a coroner's report said. Prosecutors accused Kay of providing the fentanyl to Skaggs and others, who were not named.“Tyler Skaggs’s overdose – coming, as it did, in the midst of an ascendant baseball career – should be a wake-up call: No one is immune from this deadly drug, whether sold as a powder or hidden inside an innocuous-looking tablet,” Nealy Cox said.If convicted, Kay faces up to 20 years in prison. Federal court records do not list an attorney representing him, and an attorney who previously spoke on his behalf did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A former Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday.Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, and made his first appearance Friday in federal court, according to Erin Nealy Cox, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Kay was communications director for the Angels. Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area July 1, 2019, before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed before the teams played the final three games.Skaggs died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system, a coroner's report said. Prosecutors accused Kay of providing the fentanyl to Skaggs and others, who were not named.“Tyler Skaggs’s overdose – coming, as it did, in the midst of an ascendant baseball career – should be a wake-up call: No one is immune from this deadly drug, whether sold as a powder or hidden inside an innocuous-looking tablet,” Nealy Cox said.If convicted, Kay faces up to 20 years in prison. Federal court records do not list an attorney representing him, and an attorney who previously spoke on his behalf did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals’ game Friday against the Chicago Cubs was postponed after another St. Louis player tested positive for COVID-19. Major League Baseball said the game was postponed to allow more time for additional testing and to complete the contact tracing process.The Cardinals have been off since last Friday, when two players returned positive coronavirus tests. Eight players in total have tested positive, including star catcher Yadier Molina.

ATLANTA (AP) — An apparent roster snafu forced the Toronto Blue Jays to change their pitching plans for Thursday night’s game at the Atlanta Braves.After Nate Pearson gave up three runs in five innings, manager Charlie Montoyo brought in right-hander Jacob Waguespack to open the sixth.As Waguespack walked to the mound, he was greeted by home plate umpire Alan Porter, who apparently delivered some bad news: The right-hander wasn’t on the 28-man active roster for the game.The Blue Jays optioned Waguespack and infielder Santiago Espinal to the team’s alternate training site on Thursday to reach the 28-man roster limit.Montoyo told reporters before the game Waguespack had been recalled when right-hander Trent Thornton was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. That move apparently was not processed, leaving Waguespack off the active roster.Waguespack walked to the dugout and Montoyo brought in Rafael Dolis as the official replacement for Pearson.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — Limited to the batter's box for the rest of this season, Shohei Ohtani is still helping the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani homered Thursday against the Seattle Mariners in his first plate appearance since being shut down as a pitcher for the rest of the year with a right forearm strain. The two-way Japanese sensation drove a 1-0 pitch from Taijuan Walker out to the opposite field just beyond the leap of left fielder Dee Gordon. It was Ohtani’s third home run of the season, all coming against the Mariners. Ohtani homered twice last week at home against Seattle. The Angels shut down Ohtani's arm for the truncated season after he strained the flexor pronator mass near the elbow. His recovery from the strain requires him to abstain from throwing for four to six weeks, which covers most of the shortened 2020 season.Ohtani had Tommy John surgery and did not pitch during the 2019 season. He made two starts this year, struggling with his command and velocity in both.Ohtani said Wednesday that he would like to continue being a two-way player for the Angels, but if the club asked him to consider focusing on one or the other he’d listen. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BALTIMORE (AP) — Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly’s undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep.Brian Anderson homered in opener, and Miami won 1-0 despite getting only two hits.The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami’s manager, tying Jack McKeon’s club record.The Marlins won their third straight game since emerging from a coronavirus-prompted layoff that left them with a roster filled with callups, free agents and rookies. Miami has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in those three games at Camden Yards.In the nightcap. Jon Berti hit an RBI double off Asher Wojciechowski (0-2) in the first inning and scored on a fly ball by Jesús Aguilar. That proved to be enough. Josh A. Smith started, Brian Moran (1-0) struck out three over one inning and Stephen Tarpley got four outs for his first save.In the opener, Anderson produced the game’s... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter for Don Mattingly’s undermanned, gritty and first-place Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 Wednesday night for a doubleheader sweep.Brian Anderson homered in opener, and Miami won 1-0 despite getting only two hits.The sweep kept the Marlins atop the NL East and earned Mattingly his 281st win as Miami’s manager, tying Jack McKeon’s club record.The Marlins won their third straight game since emerging from a coronavirus-prompted layoff that left them with a roster filled with callups, free agents and rookies. Miami has allowed a total of one run and 10 hits in those three games at Camden Yards.In the nightcap. Jon Berti hit an RBI double off Asher Wojciechowski (0-2) in the first inning and scored on a fly ball by Jesús Aguilar. That proved to be enough. Josh A. Smith started, Brian Moran (1-0) struck out three over one inning and Stephen Tarpley got four outs for his first save.In the opener, Anderson produced the game’s... [More]

Yankees second. Giancarlo Stanton called out on strikes. Luke Voit homers to left field. Mike Tauchman strikes out on a foul tip. Gary Sanchez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Yankees 1, Phillies 0.Phillies second. Jay Bruce grounds out to first base to Luke Voit. Scott Kingery strikes out swinging. Neil Walker doubles to right field. Andrew Knapp singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Neil Walker scores. Adam Haseley flies out to Aaron Judge.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 1, Phillies 1.Yankees seventh. Giancarlo Stanton singles to center field. Luke Voit singles to shallow center field. Giancarlo Stanton to second. Mike Tauchman doubles to shallow center field. Tyler Wade to third. Giancarlo Stanton scores. Gary Sanchez hit by pitch. Gio Urshela singles to right field. Gary Sanchez to second. Mike Tauchman to third. Tyler Wade scores. Brett Gardner strikes out swinging. DJ LeMahieu grounds out to shortstop. Gio Urshela out at second.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Yankees 3, Phillies 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto was set to make his 2020 debut for the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night against the New York Mets, starting in left field and batting cleanup after beginning the season on the COVID-19 injured list.The slugger failed a coronavirus test — he later said he thought it was a false positive — and went on the injured list on opening day July 23. He missed Washington’s first eight games of the truncated season. Soto was reinstated from the IL on Tuesday, but didn't play in a 5-3 victory over the Mets, instead hopping atop the dugout to celebrate homers by teammates Howie Kendrick and Josh Harrison. “I talked to him last night. He did everything yesterday and he felt good. He said he’s ready,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. “He took a bunch of swings yesterday, I know. He ran. He did some outfield work. He said he feels like he can go out there.”Soto produced 34 homers and 110 RBIs in the 2019 regular season and helped the Nationals win their... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher flies out to right center field to Kyle Lewis. Mike Trout homers to center field. Anthony Rendon strikes out swinging. Brian Goodwin walks. Albert Pujols homers to left field. Brian Goodwin scores. Tommy La Stella walks. Jo Adell singles to shallow infield. Tommy La Stella to second. Jason Castro flies out to deep left field to Dee Gordon.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 3, Mariners 0.Mariners sixth. Tim Lopes strikes out swinging. Kyle Lewis grounds out to shortstop, David Fletcher to Albert Pujols. Kyle Seager walks. Austin Nola triples to deep left center field. Kyle Seager scores. Evan White strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Mariners 1.Angels seventh. Jo Adell grounds out to first base to Evan White. Jason Castro flies out to deep center field to Kyle Lewis. Luis Rengifo singles to center field. David Fletcher homers. Luis Rengifo scores. Mike Trout pops out to shallow right field to Shed Long Jr..2 runs, 2 hits,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Left fielder Juan Soto was reinstated by the Washington Nationals from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday after missing the team’s first seven games of the season.Manager Dave Martinez did not put the slugger in Washington’s starting lineup against the New York Mets for the opener of a two-game series Tuesday night. Martinez did say Soto was available to pinch hit.“I talked to him last night and he really felt like he probably could use another day or two. He said his legs felt a little heavy. His arm was a little sore,” Martinez said. “He tried to ramp it up. ... The last four days, he probably got about 20 at-bats. In that respect, he doesn’t feel that bad, but I want to make sure we keep him healthy. We just got him back. He missed a lot of time.”Soto was sidelined on opening day, July 23, after testing positive for the coronavirus. He only was allowed to return to workouts on Saturday, part of an unusual four-day break for the Nationals caused by the suspension of the... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gone for now are the days of baseball players, often dirt-stained and still in uniform, gathering in the clubhouse to scarf down a late night meal before heading their separate ways until doing it all again some 24 hours later.The coronavirus pandemic has changed that cherished time when players could sit together at a table to decompress from a long game, celebrate a hard-fought win or support each other through a tough defeat. Still, many teams are trying to find smart and creative ways to mingle safely and have some semblance of that close-knit normalcy while paying close attention to season-stalling outbreaks for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.The San Francisco Giants arrived at their team hotel in Denver on Sunday night and discovered what manager Gabe Kapler thought would be an ideal space for planning meetings and players to hang out during the club's current four-game series with the Colorado Rockies.Then he found something safer.“We scoped them out... [More]