A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:CENTRAL CONTROLThe NL Central-leading Cardinals are sending another red-hot pitcher to the Wrigley Field mound with a chance to ensure a series victory in their crucial four-game set against the Cubs. Right-hander Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35) is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last seven starts. That's bad news for slumping Chicago, which has totaled nine runs while losing four straight games. St. Louis won the first two games of the series, and its starters have given up two runs in 12 innings — including eight one-run innings from emerging ace Jack Flaherty on Thursday.The Cubs are two games behind Milwaukee for the second NL wild card and five back of St. Louis for the NL Central lead. They will start left-hander Jose Quintana (13-8, 3.35), pitching on an extra day of rest after Chicago shuffled its rotation to let veteran Cole Hamels rest his fatigued left shoulder.The Brewers again face Pittsburgh, with right-hander Zach Davies (10-7,... [More]

Mets sixth. Brandon Nimmo grounds out to second base, Jose Iglesias to Joey Votto. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging. Robinson Cano strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Reds 0.Mets seventh. Wilson Ramos grounds out to second base, Jose Peraza to Joey Votto. Michael Conforto called out on strikes. J.D. Davis walks. Amed Rosario homers to center field. J.D. Davis scores. Jacob deGrom strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 3, Reds 0.Mets eighth. Brandon Nimmo called out on strikes. Jeff McNeil singles to right center field. Pete Alonso homers to center field. Jeff McNeil scores. Robinson Cano doubles to left center field. Wilson Ramos called out on strikes. Michael Conforto walks. J.D. Davis grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 5, Reds 0.Mets ninth. Amed Rosario grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto. Joe Panik pops out to shallow... [More]

Mets first. Brandon Nimmo lines out to third base to Nolan Arenado. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Pete Alonso grounds out to first base to Ryan McMahon. Robinson Cano lines out to right field to Charlie Blackmon.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Ian Desmond lines out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Sam Hilliard homers to center field. Garrett Hampson flies out to Michael Conforto. Dom Nunez pops out to shallow center field to Amed Rosario.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Rockies 1.Rockies fourth. Ian Desmond strikes out swinging. Sam Hilliard homers to left field. Garrett Hampson grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Pete Alonso. Dom Nunez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Mets 1.Rockies fifth. Jeff Hoffman singles to shallow infield. Trevor Story singles to center field. Jeff Hoffman to second. Ryan McMahon walks. Trevor Story to second. Jeff Hoffman to third. Nolan Arenado pops out to Pete Alonso.... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

Mets sixth. Todd Frazier singles to left field. Amed Rosario homers to center field. Todd Frazier scores. Marcus Stroman grounds out to shortstop, Trevor Story to Daniel Murphy. Brandon Nimmo homers to center field. Jeff McNeil flies out to deep right field to Charlie Blackmon. Pete Alonso homers to center field. Robinson Cano singles to shallow infield. Wilson Ramos strikes out swinging.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 4, Rockies 0.Mets eighth. Joe Panik pinch-hitting for Marcus Stroman. Joe Panik singles to left field. Brandon Nimmo walks. Joe Panik to second. Jeff McNeil strikes out swinging. Pete Alonso singles to shallow right field, tagged out at second, Daniel Murphy to Trevor Story. Brandon Nimmo to third. Joe Panik scores. Robinson Cano grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to Daniel Murphy.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 5, Rockies 0.Mets ninth. Wilson Ramos doubles to deep right field. Michael Conforto flies out to deep right field to Charlie Blackmon. Wilson... [More]

Mets first. Brandon Nimmo homers to left field. Jeff McNeil pops out to shallow center field to Trevor Story. Michael Conforto grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to Daniel Murphy. Robinson Cano flies out to left field to Ian Desmond.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Charlie Blackmon called out on strikes. Ryan McMahon strikes out swinging. Ian Desmond homers to center field. Garrett Hampson singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by J.D. Davis. Drew Butera grounds out to third base, Jeff McNeil to Pete Alonso.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Mets 1, Rockies 1.Mets third. Tomas Nido singles to center field. Steven Matz strikes out swinging. Brandon Nimmo flies out to deep center field to Garrett Hampson. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Tomas Nido scores. Michael Conforto grounds out to shallow center field, Trevor Story to Daniel Murphy.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 3, Rockies 1.Mets fourth. Robinson Cano grounds out... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BIG TESTThe Cubs are sending star slugger Anthony Rizzo for an MRI after he sprained his right ankle Sunday, hoping the first baseman can still help with their postseason push. Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base in the third inning during a 16-6 win over Pittsburgh. He had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures, but Chicago will get a clearer prognosis from the MRI. Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.SEEING REDEugenio Suárez takes aim at the major league home run lead as the Reds open a series at Wrigley Field. Suárez connected twice Sunday and has 47 for the season, tying him with Mets slugger Pete Alonso for best in the majors. The 28-year-old Suárez has eight homers this month. The last Cincinnati hitter... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.DODGERS 3, METS 2NEW YORK (AP) — Jedd Gyorko came off the... [More]

Mets second. Wilson Ramos grounds out to first base, Max Muncy to Walker Buehler. Robinson Cano walks. J.D. Davis singles to right field. Robinson Cano to second. Brandon Nimmo triples to right field. J.D. Davis scores. Robinson Cano scores. Amed Rosario strikes out swinging. Zack Wheeler grounds out to first base to Max Muncy.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 2, Dodgers 0.Dodgers fourth. Max Muncy singles to right field. Chris Taylor grounds out to third base, Jeff McNeil to Pete Alonso. Max Muncy to second. Cody Bellinger lines out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Corey Seager singles to shallow left field. Max Muncy scores. Will Smith strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 2, Dodgers 1.Dodgers eighth. Jedd Gyorko pinch-hitting for Joc Pederson. Jedd Gyorko walks. Max Muncy strikes out swinging. Chris Taylor doubles to deep right center field. Jedd Gyorko scores. Cody Bellinger is intentionally walked. Corey Seager strikes out swinging. Will Smith flies out to deep left field to Brandon Nimmo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Dodgers 2, Mets 2.Dodgers ninth. Gavin Lux grounds out to first base, Pete Alonso to Seth Lugo. Kike Hernandez doubles to deep left center field. Edwin Rios pinch-hitting for Kenley Jansen. Edwin Rios strikes out swinging. Jedd Gyorko singles to center field. Kike Hernandez scores. Max Muncy called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 3, Mets 2.

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.BREWERS 7, CARDINALS 6ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Braun overcame... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:BIG TESTThe Cubs are sending star slugger Anthony Rizzo for an MRI after he sprained his right ankle Sunday, hoping the first baseman can still help with their postseason push. Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base in the third inning during a 16-6 win over Pittsburgh. He had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures, but Chicago will get a clearer prognosis from the MRI. Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.SEEING REDEugenio Suárez takes aim at the major league home run lead as the Reds open a series at Wrigley Field. Suárez connected twice Sunday and has 47 for the season, tying him with Mets slugger Pete Alonso for best in the majors. The 28-year-old Suárez has eight homers this month. The last Cincinnati hitter... [More]

Mets first. Amed Rosario grounds out to shortstop, Corey Seager to Max Muncy. J.D. Davis homers to left field. Jeff McNeil flies out to center field to Cody Bellinger. Wilson Ramos walks. Robinson Cano grounds out to first base to Max Muncy.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Dodgers 0.Dodgers fourth. Matt Beaty grounds out to third base, Jeff McNeil to Todd Frazier. Cody Bellinger walks. Corey Seager singles to right center field. Cody Bellinger to third. A.J. Pollock singles to center field. Corey Seager to second. Cody Bellinger scores. Gavin Lux homers to center field. A.J. Pollock scores. Corey Seager scores. Will Smith grounds out to second base, Robinson Cano to Todd Frazier. Clayton Kershaw grounds out to shortstop, Amed Rosario to Todd Frazier.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 4, Mets 1.Dodgers seventh. Will Smith lines out to left center field to Juan Lagares. Clayton Kershaw strikes out swinging. Joc Pederson singles to shallow left field. Max Muncy walks. Joc... [More]

Mets second. Todd Frazier homers to center field. Juan Lagares flies out to right field to Jarrod Dyson. Tomas Nido called out on strikes. Marcus Stroman lines out to third base to Jake Lamb.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Diamondbacks 0.Mets third. Amed Rosario strikes out on a foul tip. Pete Alonso reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Nick Ahmed. Robinson Cano grounds out to second base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Pete Alonso to third. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Pete Alonso scores. Michael Conforto singles to center field. J.D. Davis to third. Todd Frazier walks. Michael Conforto to second. Juan Lagares homers to center field. Todd Frazier scores. Michael Conforto scores. J.D. Davis scores. Tomas Nido pops out to shallow center field to Nick Ahmed.5 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Mets 6, Diamondbacks 0.Mets fifth. Robinson Cano homers to center field. J.D. Davis flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Michael Conforto walks.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso has been full of surprises during a memorable rookie season with the Mets. For fans in his new home city, his gesture Wednesday night might be the biggest home run yet.Alonso coordinated the purchase and production of custom 9/11 cleats for Mets players to wear on the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The shoes were painted red, white and blue and included "We will never forget" and lettering for first responder units.Following the Mets' 9-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Alonso said he wanted to design hats the Mets could wear on the field, but that idea was rejected by Major League Baseball, which hasn't allowed the Mets to wear first responder hats during games since 2001."I think it's kind of sad that first game back, they've kind of shot it down every single year since," Alonso said. "It's real unfortunate. So a way to kind of get around that was the cleats."Alonso said he went around the Mets locker room and collected shoe sizes and preferred... [More]

Major League Baseball hitters have punctuated a power-packed year by shattering the record for most home runs in a season.Jonathan Villar of the Baltimore Orioles connected Wednesday night for the 6,106th homer. That topped the mark of 6,105 set in 2017.There are plenty more to come, too — the record was broken with 18 days left in the regular season. The rise in home runs during recent seasons has been tied to changes in the baseballs that have made them fly farther.Villar's three-run shot off Caleb Ferguson of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camden Yards was the 22nd home run of the night. It was Villar's career-high 21st homer."Somebody told me after the homer. That's unbelievable," Villar said. "That's impressive for me, not for me, it's for the team because we hit it here. That's awesome. They put the bat in the Hall of Fame. I'm excited for that."The Orioles have allowed a record 280 homers."The home runs are up everywhere and it's tough to keep the ball in the ballpark. It's tough to... [More]

Mets first. Amed Rosario doubles to deep left field. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging. Jeff McNeil hit by pitch. Wilson Ramos grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker. Jeff McNeil to third. Amed Rosario scores. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Jeff McNeil scores. Todd Frazier homers to center field. J.D. Davis scores. Brandon Nimmo homers to center field. Juan Lagares doubles to deep right center field. Steven Matz pops out to shallow center field to Wilmer Flores.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 5, Diamondbacks 0.Mets second. Amed Rosario flies out to deep right field to Adam Jones. Pete Alonso pops out to Christian Walker. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Wilson Ramos grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 6, Diamondbacks 0.Mets third. J.D. Davis strikes out swinging. Todd Frazier homers to center field. Brandon Nimmo grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Juan Lagares pops out to Christian Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 7, Diamondbacks 0.Mets sixth. Jed Lowrie pinch-hitting for Steven Matz. Jed Lowrie grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Amed Rosario walks. Pete Alonso reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Amed Rosario out at second. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Pete Alonso scores. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 9, Diamondbacks 0.

Major League Baseball hitters have punctuated a power-packed year by shattering the record for most home runs in a season.Jonathan Villar of the Baltimore Orioles connected Wednesday night for the 6,106th homer. That topped the mark of 6,105 set in 2017.There are plenty more to come, too — the record was broken with 18 days left in the regular season. The rise in home runs during recent seasons has been tied to changes in the baseballs that have made them fly farther.Villar's three-run shot off Caleb Ferguson of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camden Yards was the 22nd home run of the night. It was Villar's career-high 21st homer. Baltimore entered Wednesday having allowed a record 279 home runs.New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso began the day with a major league-leading 47 home runs.The Minnesota Twins led the majors with 277 after Jorge Polanco connected in the third inning against Washington ace Stephen Strasburg at Target Field. The Twins' total is the most for a team in a single season.In August, big league batters broke the monthly home run record for the third time this year when they hit 1,228 home runs, the Elias Sports Bureau said Sunday. That surpassed the 1,142 in June and 1,135 in May.There were 5,585 home runs last year.In 2017, Alex Gordon hit the record-breaking 5,694th homer of the season. That topped the mark set in 2000 at the height of the Steroids Era.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports