HOUSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers homered off Justin Verlander, and the Boston Red Sox took advantage of two errors by the Houston Astros to avoid a series sweep with a 4-1 victory Sunday.Eduardo Rodriguez (5-3) held Houston to one run and four hits in six innings, improving to 5-1 in his last eight starts.The Astros lost for just the fifth time in 22 games and finished the regular season 4-2 against the Red Sox, who beat them 4-1 in the ALCS last season on the way to a World Series championship.Devers' solo shot in the fourth gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. It was Devers' seventh homer of the season and fourth in six games.Marcus Walden earned his second major league save and first this season.Verlander (8-2) permitted three runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six.ATHLETICS 7, MARINERS 1OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman homered for the second consecutive day, Josh Phegley also went deep and had three RBIs, and the streaking Oakland Athletics won their ninth straight, beating Seattle... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Fiers of the Oakland Athletics pitched his second career no-hitter by shutting down the Cincinnati Reds with help from two spectacular defensive plays in a 2-0 victory Tuesday night.Fiers (3-3) followed up his 2015 gem against the Dodgers with a 131-pitch masterpiece to become the 35th pitcher with multiple no-hitters in his career. He walked two, struck out six and ended it by fanning Eugenio Suarez with a big curveball.The A's poured out of the dugout to mob Fiers in celebration after the final out in front of a few thousand fans remaining — the game started more than 1 ½ hours later because of a light malfunction at the Coliseum. Fiers tipped his hat to the crowd and raised his arms in triumph as he walked off.This one didn't come without tense moments as Fiers was bailed out by back-to-back great defensive plays in the sixth inning. Second baseman Jurickson Profar made a diving catch on Kyle Farmer's popup into short right field for the second out, prompting... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with an RBI groundout and walked once in his season debut as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Tuesday night.The Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list and looking very eager to make an impact, Ohtani swung so hard at times that his helmet flew off his head.The 24-year-old two-way player isn't expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in October. But the Angels, who are under .500, are hoping Ohtani can provide a boost as their designated hitter.Griffin Canning (1-0) earned the win in his second career start, giving up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Hansel Robles pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss.CUBS 5, MARLINS 2CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs over Miami.With runners on the corners, Bryant drove a... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with an RBI groundout and walked once in his season debut as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Tuesday night.The Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list and looking very eager to make an impact, Ohtani swung so hard at times that his helmet flew off his head.The 24-year-old two-way player isn't expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in October. But the Angels, who are under .500, are hoping Ohtani can provide a boost as their designated hitter.Griffin Canning (1-0) earned the win in his second career start, giving up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Hansel Robles pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss.CUBS 5, MARLINS 2CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs over Miami.With runners on the corners, Bryant drove a... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with an RBI groundout and walked once in his season debut as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Tuesday night.The Angels activated the AL Rookie of the Year from the injured list and looking very eager to make an impact, Ohtani swung so hard at times that his helmet flew off his head.The 24-year-old two-way player isn't expected to pitch this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in October. But the Angels, who are under .500, are hoping Ohtani can provide a boost as their designated hitter.Griffin Canning (1-0) earned the win in his second career start, giving up two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. Hansel Robles pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.Daniel Norris (1-1) took the loss.CUBS 5, MARLINS 2CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs over Miami.With runners on the corners, Bryant drove a... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale remained winless after five starts but struck out a season-high 10 in five innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 Tuesday to start their first doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park since August 1965.Spencer Turnbull (1-2) pitched five shutout innings for his first major league win, leading the Tigers to a 4-2 victory in the nightcap that left the World Series champions at 9-15.Brandon Dixon greeted Marcus Walden with a three-run double after the Tigers loaded the bases against Hector Velázquez (0-2), and the Red Sox were swept in a twin-bill for the first time since the Los Angeles Angels accomplished the feat on July 20, 2015.Sale gave up two runs, five hits and two walks, lowering his ERA from 8.50 to 7.43. The 30-year-old, who signed a $160 million, six-year contract late in spring training, had never gone his first five starts in a big league season without a victory.In the first game, Matthew Boyd (2-1) combined with three relievers on a five-hitter... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Sale remained winless after five starts but struck out a season-high 10 in five innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 Tuesday to start their first doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park since August 1965.Spencer Turnbull (1-2) pitched five shutout innings for his first major league win, leading the Tigers to a 4-2 victory in the nightcap that left the World Series champions at 9-15.Brandon Dixon greeted Marcus Walden with a three-run double after the Tigers loaded the bases against Hector Velázquez (0-2), and the Red Sox were swept in a twin-bill for the first time since the Los Angeles Angels accomplished the feat on July 20, 2015.Sale gave up two runs, five hits and two walks, lowering his ERA from 8.50 to 7.43. The 30-year-old, who signed a $160 million, six-year contract late in spring training, had never gone his first five starts in a big league season without a victory.In the first game, Matthew Boyd (2-1) combined with three relievers on a five-hitter... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Domingo German overcame control problems on a chilly night to win for the first time since last June, Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner homered and the banged-up New York Yankees beat the punchless Detroit Tigers 3-1 Monday.Aaron Judge made a sprawling, backhand catch on Niko Goodrum's hard-hit liner after Adam Ottavino walked the first two batters in the eighth inning, a drive that would have tied the score if it had gotten by the right fielder.New York lost two more regulars to the 10-day injured list before the game after they got hurt a day earlier, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton with a strained left biceps and third baseman Miguel Andujar with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Andujar, runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year last season, will be treated conservatively with a rehab program and there is some optimism he will respond well. But if not, he could need season-surgery.They joined a group of sidelined Yankees that includes pitchers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Domingo German overcame control problems on a chilly night to win for the first time since last June, Gary Sanchez and Brett Gardner homered and the banged-up New York Yankees beat the punchless Detroit Tigers 3-1 Monday.Aaron Judge made a sprawling, backhand catch on Niko Goodrum's hard-hit liner after Adam Ottavino walked the first two batters in the eighth inning, a drive that would have tied the score if it had gotten by the right fielder.New York lost two more regulars to the 10-day injured list before the game after they got hurt a day earlier, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton with a strained left biceps and third baseman Miguel Andujar with a small labrum tear in his right shoulder.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Andujar, runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year last season, will be treated conservatively with a rehab program and there is some optimism he will respond well. But if not, he could need seasno-surgery.They joined a group of sidelined Yankees that includes pitchers... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper played the outfield for the first time since signing a record $330 million, 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.Harper started in right field Monday against Tampa Bay. He took a 96 mph fastball for strike three in the first inning from AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell."He's good," Harper said. "I was just happy to go out there and face a guy like him, see some velo, see some offspeed, as well, and just see one of the best in baseball. It's always fun to be able to do that whether it's the third game in spring or the middle of the season. It's good to see."Harper then walked in the fourth after Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura hit consecutive homers off Jalen Beeks.Harper caught two fly balls. He cleanly played a double high off the wall and then made a strong to third base during four innings of defense."It was nice to see him out there," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. "Just kind of take this step by step."Harper was a designated... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper played the outfield for the first time since signing a record $330 million, 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.Harper started in right field Monday against Tampa Bay. He took a 96 mph fastball for strike three in the first inning from AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, then walked in the fourth after Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura hit consecutive homers off Jalen Beeks.Harper caught two fly balls and cleanly played a double high off the wall during four innings of defense.He was a designated hitter Saturday in his spring training debut and walked twice against Toronto. He did not play Sunday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays offer a simple response to critics of the team's creative use of openers to fill out their pitching rotation.It works.And, they plan to do it again this season, when they expect to contend for a playoff berth after winning more games in 2018 than any major league club that didn't make the postseason."At the end of the day, our motives are to win games and put our players in the best position that we believe possible to help us accomplish that. ... That will continue to be our guide," senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager Erik Neander said."We're going to do what we feel is best for our organization and our players," Neander added. "If that leads to winning games, that makes everybody happy."The Rays are coming off a turnaround season in which they won 90 games, in part because of the successful use of relievers to open games on days manager Kevin Cash elected to not begin with a traditional starter.An opener generally... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):5:33 p.m.The Texas Rangers have claimed infielder Carlos Asuaje off waivers from San Diego.Asuaje was designated for assignment Friday after spending parts of the past three seasons with the Padres, hitting .240 in 175 games. He also played at Triple-A El Paso last season, hitting .314 in 47 games.The 27-year-old Asuaje has played mostly second base in the major leagues, but has seen time at third base and left field as a pro. He has a .289 career batting average in the minors.Asuaje was an 11th-round pick by Boston in 2013 and was traded to San Diego two years later in the deal involving closer Craig Kimbrel.___4:15 p.m.Harold Baines knows there a lot of fans questioning whether his credentials are worthy of the Hall of Fame. He's not sweating that."Well, they can't take it away from me now, even if they don't think I should be there," he told The Associated Press.Baines was elected to Cooperstown... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:15 p.m.Harold Baines knows there a lot of fans questioning whether his credentials are worthy of the Hall of Fame. He's not sweating that."Well, they can't take it away from me now, even if they don't think I should be there," he told The Associated Press.Baines was elected to Cooperstown on Sunday by a Hall-picked panel of 16. The six-time All-Star with 2,866 hits was at the winter meetings Monday for a news conference along with newly chosen Lee Smith."I wasn't out there beating my chest and campaigning for this," Baines said. "I'm very honored and humbled."___4:05 p.m.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he has been talking about Manny Machado with the infielder's agent.New York shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to miss at least half of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.Cashman says, "I've had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado. So we are we are... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):4:05 p.m.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says he has been talking about Manny Machado with the infielder's agent.New York shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to miss at least half of next season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.Cashman says, "I've had several conversations with Dan Lozano about Manny Machado. So we are we are definitely focused in the marketplace on those areas of need and he obviously is available and solves that area of need. So, not going to deny we've had a conversation. Or two."___12:15 p.m.New Reds manager David Bell says he's talked to pitcher Homer Bailey about his role in the future. Bell says it was a good conversation and nothing has been finalized.Bailey went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA last season, losing his last nine decisions and his spot in the rotation. The Reds went 1-19 in the games he started.The 32-year-old right-hander, who has pitched two no-hitters for... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:15 p.m.New Reds manager David Bell says he's talked to pitcher Homer Bailey about his role in the future. Bell says it was a good conversation and nothing has been finalized.Bailey went 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA last season, losing his last nine decisions and his spot in the rotation. The Reds went 1-19 in the games he started.The 32-year-old right-hander, who has pitched two no-hitters for the Reds, has been beset by serious injuries in recent years, including Tommy John surgery.The Reds gave Bailey a six-year, $105 million contract in 2014. He has one year left on his contract for $23 million, with an option for 2020 that includes a $5 million buyout."He's had such a great career. My focus and our focus is how can we maximize who he is, not only for us but who he is, and how he can feel great about the career he's had and be able to contribute. That's really the focus there," Bell said."Try to put him... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):12:05 p.m.The Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have added players on waiver claims.The Mariners made the most interesting move, taking Kaleb Cowart from the Los Angeles Angels and announcing him as an infielder and right-handed pitcher.A prep star on the mound and at the plate, the 26-year-old Cowart has not pitched since the Angels drafted in the first round in 2010. He hit .134 with 10 RBIs in 47 games with Los Angeles last season.Texas acquired infielder Carlos Asuaje after he was cut by San Diego last week. The 27-year-old hit .240 in parts of the last three seasons with the Padres, and did well in the field at second base.The Giants got outfielder Mike Gerber from Detroit. The 26-year-old made his big league debut last season and went 4 for 42 in 18 games for the Tigers.___11:30 a.m.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler intends to be publicly critical of his players more in his second... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):11:30 a.m.Phillies manager Gabe Kapler intends to be publicly critical of his players more in his second season following his team's late fade.Philadelphia led the NL East in early August, then went 16-33 and wound up with its sixth straight losing record at 80-82."One thing that I can do immediately that I think will really resonate well with our fans in Philadelphia is ... as much as I illuminate some of the things we're doing very well, I can be a little more assertive in illuminating the things that we need to work on. And I'm committed to taking that step," he said.Kapler said he wouldn't get on a player "just for the sake of calling them out.""However, I do think that our fans demand that we hold them accountable. I think that I've shared and demonstrated to our fans that I do that behind closed doors. And I think that many of them would like to see me create that really high bar publicly. And... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Naturally, Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash was the opening manager to speak at the winter meetings.Cash said Monday the Rays will stick with their revolutionary practice of using an "opener" next season.The Rays deviated from baseball tradition this year, regularly using a relief pitcher to begin games rather than a traditional starting pitcher. Tampa Bay went 46-38 with usual starters and 44-34 when utilizing the bullpen."I think right now we're discussing internally whether we do it two times through the rotation or three times through the rotation," Cash said Monday at the winter meetings. "But the nice thing is we've got all that information last year and we have a bunch of candidates that we can fill in as a traditional starter if need be. Yonny Chirinos, Yarbs (Ryan Yarbrough), Wilmer Font, Jalen Beeks."Tampa Bay's innovation was copied by Oakland, which started reliever Liam Hendriks in the AL wild-card game against the New York Yankees, and Milwaukee. Brewers manager Craig... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on Major League Baseball's winter meetings (all times local):11 a.m.Don Mattingly says he's not dwelling on whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame.A day after Harold Baines was a surprising choice for the Hall, Mattingly says he's content knowing what he accomplished on the field.The Miami manager was a six-time All-Star, won nine Gold Gloves at first base for the Yankees and hit .307 lifetime. Mattingly was the 1985 AL MVP and four times finished in the top seven of the MVP voting.Mattingly finished with 2,153 hits, 222 home runs and 1,099 RBIs in 14 seasons in a career limited by back trouble."I just didn't play long enough. Wasn't able to stay healthy long enough to really put that pile of numbers together," he said at the winter meetings. "So there was a period of time that I could hit with anybody and do things on the field at my position and with the bat that nobody was doing."Baines also was a six-time All-Star. He never finished higher than ninth in MVP... [More]