CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

Astros first. George Springer flies out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Ryan McBroom. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel pops out to Meibrys Viloria.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Royals 0.Royals eighth. Bubba Starling singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Jake Marisnick. Bubba Starling scores. Whit Merrifield pops out to Yuli Gurriel. Adalberto Mondesi strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Astros 1, Royals 1.Astros ninth. Aledmys Diaz flies out to shallow center field to Bubba Starling. Kyle Tucker singles to right field. Michael Brantley pinch-hitting for Martin Maldonado. Michael Brantley walks. Kyle Tucker to second. Josh Reddick pinch-hitting for Jake Marisnick. Josh Reddick strikes out swinging. George Springer homers to center field. Garrett Stubbs scores. Kyle Tucker scores. Jose Altuve singles to third base. Alex Bregman walks. Jose Altuve to second. Yordan Alvarez walks. Alex Bregman to second. Jose Altuve to third. Yuli Gurriel lines out to center field to Bubba Starling.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Astros 4, Royals 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman left the Braves' game against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning Friday night because of right elbow soreness.The team said the move was precautionary.Freeman's spot in order did not come up in the top of the fourth. and Charlie Culberson replaced him at first base in the bottom of the inning. Freeman flied to right in the first and struck out swinging in the third against Max Scherzer.

CLEVELAND (AP) — While they wait for their current closer, the Indians brought up their likely next one.James Karinchak was added to the roster on Friday as Cleveland opened a critical three-game series with the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins, who lead the Indians by 3½ games.The 23-year-old Karinchak has zoomed through the club's minor-league system, recently pitching in the postseason for Triple-A Columbus.Indians manager Terry Francona said the decision to add Karinchak is not connected to All-Star closer Brad Hand being sidelined for at least the next few days with what the team has called a tired arm.Hand will not pitch against the Twins, and the left-hander said he won't throw again until Sunday at the earliest. He's been struggling for more than a month, with four of his five blown saves coming since July 12 along with a 5.68 ERA in the second half.The Indians sent him home from California on Thursday for an MRI that was clear.Hand said he's never dealt with anything similar... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have brought up highly touted reliever James Karinchak for their biggest series this season while waiting for All-Star closer Brad Hand.Cleveland added the 23-year-old Karinchak to the roster Friday before opening a three-game set against AL Central-leading Minnesota. The Twins lead the Indians by 3 ½ games.Karinchak gives manager Terry Francona another late-inning option. Hand was sent back to Cleveland for an MRI on Thursday.The left-hander has struggled for more than a month, with four of his five blown saves coming since July 12 along with a 5.68 ERA in the second half.Karnichak is viewed as Cleveland's future closer. The right-hander went 1-1 with eight saves and 2.67 ERA across the minors. He recently pitched 3 1/3 scoreless in three postseason appearances for Triple-A Columbus.The Indians also recalled outfielder Bradley Zimmer, who has been rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder and other injuries.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OH, NOAH!Noah Syndergaard is set to pitch — "likely" to Wilson Ramos, manager Mickey Callaway says — when the playoff-contending Mets open a weekend series at home against Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06 ERA) and the NL West champion Dodgers. Kershaw is 9-0 in 14 career starts against the Mets.The issue of who catches Syndergaard has been a topic in New York all week, ever since it got out the big right-hander isn't completely comfortable throwing to Ramos. Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06) has a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts with Ramos as his catcher and a 2.22 ERA with backups Tomás Nido or René Rivera.Ramos' bat has helped keep the Mets in the playoff picture. Coming off a four-game sweep in which they outscored Arizona 26-4, the Mets are two games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the second NL wild-card spot.SOMETHING BREWIN'Ryan Braun and the Brewers have won seven in a row, matching their longest streak of the season, and are tied with the Cubs for the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OH, NOAH!Noah Syndergaard is set to pitch — "likely" to Wilson Ramos, manager Mickey Callaway says — when the playoff-contending Mets open a weekend series at home against Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06 ERA) and the NL West champion Dodgers. Kershaw is 9-0 in 14 career starts against the Mets.The issue of who catches Syndergaard has been a topic in New York all week, ever since it got out the big right-hander isn't completely comfortable throwing to Ramos. Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06) has a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts with Ramos as his catcher and a 2.22 ERA with backups Tomás Nido or René Rivera.Ramos' bat has helped keep the Mets in the playoff picture. Coming off a four-game sweep in which they outscored Arizona 26-4, the Mets are two games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the second NL wild-card spot.SOMETHING BREWIN'Ryan Braun and the Brewers have won seven in a row, matching their longest streak of the season, and are tied with the Cubs for the... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Mariners rookie Kyle Lewis has tied a major league record by hitting a home run in his first three games.Lewis joined Trevor Story as the only players to accomplish the feat. Story connected in his first four games — totaling six homers in that span — for Colorado in 2016.Lewis hit a solo drive in the fifth inning Thursday night against Cincinnati. He doubled and singled earlier in the game.Called up Tuesday from Double-A Arkansas, Lewis got his first career hit that night when homered in the fifth inning for Seattle's first hit against the Reds' Trevor Bauer. On Wednesday, he homered in the seventh to end Sonny Gray's no-hit bid.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Nationals first. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton pops out to Willians Astudillo. Anthony Rendon homers to center field. Juan Soto singles to right field, tagged out at second, Eddie Rosario to C.J. Cron to Ehire Adrianza.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Twins 0.Twins first. Mitch Garver grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Matt Adams. Luis Arraez doubles to deep right field. Nelson Cruz flies out to deep right field to Adam Eaton. Luis Arraez to third. Eddie Rosario singles to right field. Luis Arraez scores. C.J. Cron reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Eddie Rosario out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Twins 1.Nationals third. Trea Turner doubles to left center field. Adam Eaton singles to right field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon walks. Adam Eaton to second. Juan Soto reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Anthony Rendon out at second. Adam Eaton to third. Trea Turner scores. Howie Kendrick strikes out... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Matt Chapman strikes out swinging. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Mark Canha walks. Marcus Semien to second. Seth Brown doubles to left field. Mark Canha to third. Marcus Semien scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Astros 0.Athletics third. Marcus Semien singles to left field. Matt Chapman strikes out swinging. Matt Olson homers to right field. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha singles to center field. Seth Brown walks. Mark Canha to second. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Jurickson Profar grounds out to first base to Aledmys Diaz.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 0.Astros third. Robinson Chirinos singles to right center field. Josh Reddick doubles to deep right field. Robinson Chirinos to third. George Springer grounds out to second base, Jurickson Profar to Matt Olson. Josh Reddick to third. Robinson Chirinos scores. Jose Altuve strikes out swinging. Michael... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:OH, NOAH!Noah Syndergaard is set to pitch — "likely" to Wilson Ramos, manager Mickey Callaway says — when the playoff-contending Mets open a weekend series at home against Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06 ERA) and the NL West champion Dodgers.The issue of who catches Syndergaard has been a topic in New York all week, ever since it got out the big right-hander isn't completely comfortable throwing to Ramos. Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06) has a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts with Ramos as his catcher and a 2.22 ERA with backups Tomás Nido or René Rivera.Ramos' bat has helped keep the Mets in the playoff picture. Coming off a four-game sweep in which they outscored Arizona 26-4, the Mets are two games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the second NL wild-card spot.SOMETHING BREWIN'Ryan Braun and the Brewers have won seven in a row, matching their longest streak of the season, and are tied with the Cubs for the second NL wild-card spot. Braun homered Thursday at... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BIG BROOMThe Mets will try for a four-game sweep over Arizona amid a crowded NL wild-card race. The Diamondbacks had won 11 of 13 entering the series, but New York has shut them down completely, outscoring them 15-3 through the first three games. Right-hander Marcus Stroman (7-13, 3.42) will try to keep that domination going, although he hasn't been sharp since a July trade from Toronto.Arizona will start lefty Alex Young (7-3, 3.38) in the finale. He gave up two hits and struck out 12 over eight innings in a 2-0 win over Cincinnati in his previous outing.CY-ZING IT UPJustin Verlander can enhance his Cy Young Award credentials when he starts for the AL West-leading Astros at Minute Maid Park against Oakland. Verlander tries for his major league-leading 19th win — he tops the AL with a 2.52 ERA and leads the majors with 200 innings. His 264 strikeouts are second to teammate Gerrit Cole's 281 for most in the big league.Homer Bailey (12-8,... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Sonny Gray lost a no-hit bid in the seventh inning when Seattle Mariners rookie Kyle Lewis hit a three-run homer Wednesday night.Gray hit a batter, issued a walk and got one out in the seventh before Lewis hit a drive out to right-center. Lewis also connected to end Reds righty Trevor Bauer's no-hit bid Tuesday night in the fifth inning of the outfielder's major league debut.Gray allowed a single to Daniel Vogelbach before being lifted trailing 3-2. He struck out nine, walked three, hit two batters and allowed two hits on 111 pitches.Seattle has already been no-hit twice this season, by the Los Angeles Angels on July 12 and the Houston Astros on Aug. 3. No club has ever been no-hit three times.Dee Gordon nearly had a hit in the third inning when he bounced a comebacker off the back of Gray's knee, but Gray calmly scooped up the ball and got the out. Phillip Ervin also tracked down a hard-hit ball by rookie Kyle Lewis in the right-center field gap in the fifth.The Reds turned a first-inning double play and picked off Donnie Walton trying to steal after an eight-pitch walk in the third. It was the second night in a row the Mariners failed to get a hit through five innings against the Reds.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:BIG BROOMThe Mets will try for a four-game sweep over Arizona amid a crowded NL wild-card race. The Diamondbacks had won 11 of 13 entering the series, but New York has shut them down completely, outscoring them 15-3 through the first three games. Right-hander Marcus Stroman (7-13, 3.42) will try to keep that domination going, although he hasn't been sharp since a July trade from Toronto.Arizona will start lefty Alex Young (7-3, 3.38) in the finale. He gave up two hits and struck out 12 over eight innings in a 2-0 win over Cincinnati in his previous outing.CY-ZING IT UPJustin Verlander can enhance his Cy Young Award credentials when he starts for the AL West-leading Astros at Minute Maid Park against Oakland. Verlander tries for his major league-leading 19th win — he tops the AL with a 2.52 ERA and leads the majors with 200 innings. His 264 strikeouts are second to teammate Gerrit Cole's 281 for most in the big league.Homer Bailey (12-8,... [More]

Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson grounds out to first base to Daniel Murphy. Dexter Fowler singles to shortstop. Kolten Wong lines out to second base to Trevor Story. Paul Goldschmidt doubles to left field. Dexter Fowler scores. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to second base, Ryan McMahon to Daniel Murphy.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Rockies 0.Rockies fifth. Sam Hilliard walks. Tony Wolters doubles to deep right field. Sam Hilliard scores. Antonio Senzatela strikes out swinging. Trevor Story walks. Charlie Blackmon grounds out to shallow infield, Dakota Hudson to Paul Goldschmidt. Trevor Story to second. Tony Wolters to third. Nolan Arenado is intentionally walked. Daniel Murphy flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cardinals 1, Rockies 1.Rockies sixth. Ryan McMahon grounds out to second base, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Ian Desmond homers to center field. Sam Hilliard doubles. Tony Wolters strikes out swinging. Yonder Alonso pinch-hitting for Antonio Senzatela. Yonder Alonso strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 1.

Astros third. Myles Straw grounds out to shallow infield, Brett Anderson to Matt Olson. George Springer homers to center field. Jose Altuve flies out to deep right field to Ramon Laureano. Michael Brantley called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Athletics 0.Athletics fourth. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Matt Chapman strikes out swinging. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Mark Canha strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Astros 1.Astros fourth. Alex Bregman called out on strikes. Yordan Alvarez singles to shortstop. Aledmys Diaz doubles to deep center field. Yordan Alvarez scores. Josh Reddick walks. Martin Maldonado singles to left field. Josh Reddick to second. Aledmys Diaz to third. Myles Straw grounds out to second base. Martin Maldonado out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Athletics 1.Athletics sixth. Sean Murphy homers to left field. Marcus Semien singles to shortstop. Matt Chapman hit by pitch.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets manager Mickey Callaway says it is "likely" that Noah Syndergaard will pitch to catcher Wilson Ramos on Friday in his first start since Syndergaard's misgivings over Ramos' defense became public.Callaway said Wednesday that Ramos would sit out Thursday afternoon in the series finale against Arizona, setting up New York's primary backstop to start Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The New York Post reported Monday that Syndergaard and his agents have lobbied to let the right-hander pitch to backups Tomás Nido or René Rivera.Callaway says he plans to make lineups that are best for the team, and that means keeping the hot-hitting Ramos in the lineup as often as possible, including Friday."That's something that's a likely possibility," Callaway said. "I wouldn't just go ahead and print that he's catching that day, because anything can happen."But Noah obviously understands at this point that whoever is in the lineup, he's going to go ahead and compete."Syndergaard has a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts with Ramos as his catcher and a 2.22 ERA with Nido or Rivera.Ramos leads the National League with a .402 batting average since Aug. 1, and Van Wagenen and Callaway made it clear to Syndergaard that Ramos will catch most of the starts the rest of the way. The Mets began Wednesday three games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second NL wild card.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to right center field. Matt Chapman lines out to center field to George Springer. Matt Olson walks. Marcus Semien to second. Mark Canha singles to right center field. Matt Olson to second. Marcus Semien scores. Chad Pinder singles to center field. Mark Canha to third. Matt Olson scores. Khris Davis singles to center field. Chad Pinder to second. Mark Canha scores. Jurickson Profar singles to right field. Khris Davis to second. Chad Pinder to third. Sean Murphy singles to left field. Jurickson Profar to second. Khris Davis to third. Chad Pinder scores. Robbie Grossman singles to right center field. Sean Murphy to second. Jurickson Profar scores. Khris Davis scores. Marcus Semien flies out to center field to George Springer. Matt Chapman singles to right field. Robbie Grossman to second. Sean Murphy scores. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.7 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 7, Astros 0.Astros first. George Springer homers to center field.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets starter Noah Syndergaard said Tuesday it was "unfortunate" his complaints to New York's front office and coaching staff about catcher Wilson Ramos were made public and he denied any role in leaking the conversations.The New York Post reported on Syndergaard's frustrations Monday, saying the right-hander or his agents have implored the Mets numerous times to let Syndergaard pitch to another catcher.Syndergaard said he was surprised by the report, and manager Mickey Callaway said he believes Syndergaard was not the one who disclosed their talks to the Post."It is unfortunate that a private conversation I had with the front office and the coaching staff became public, but it is what it is," Syndergaard said.The right-hander said it is "completely false" that he was livid in conversations with club officials, calling discussions "very cordial and adult." He also said he has "nothing but respect" for Ramos.Syndergaard has a 5.09 ERA in 15 games pitching to Ramos and a 2.45... [More]