SEATTLE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve hit a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday after Evan Gattis hit into a 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning.Morton (3-0) retired 15 straight at one stretch and didn't allow a runner to reach second base.Marco Gonzales (1-2) allowed three runs — all unearned because of a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Seager — and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.CUBS 8, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester (2-0) was dominant through six innings of two-hit ball in his 100th start as Cub, and Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer.Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber each had two RBIs as Chicago took a 6-1 lead after two innings. Every Cubs starter had a hit, including three by Anthony Rizzo and two each by Heyward, Schwarber and Javier Baez.Brandon Morrow pitched a perfect ninth to complete a five-hitter and remain perfect in three save chances.Ten of Chicago's first 16 batters reached... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve hit a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday after Evan Gattis hit into a 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning.Morton (3-0) retired 15 straight at one stretch and didn't allow a runner to reach second base.Marco Gonzales (1-2) allowed three runs — all unearned because of a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Seager — and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.CUBS 8, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester (2-0) was dominant through six innings of two-hit ball in his 100th start as Cub, and Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer.Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber each had two RBIs as Chicago took a 6-1 lead after two innings. Every Cubs starter had a hit, including three by Anthony Rizzo and two each by Heyward, Schwarber and Javier Baez.Brandon Morrow pitched a perfect ninth to complete a five-hitter and remain perfect in three save chances.Ten of Chicago's first 16 batters reached... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve hit a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday after Evan Gattis hit into a 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning.Morton (3-0) retired 15 straight at one stretch and didn't allow a runner to reach second base.Marco Gonzales (1-2) allowed three runs — all unearned because of a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Seager — and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.CUBS 8, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester (2-0) was dominant through six innings of two-hit ball in his 100th start as Cub, and Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer.Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber each had two RBIs as Chicago took a 6-1 lead after two innings. Every Cubs starter had a hit, including three by Anthony Rizzo and two each by Heyward, Schwarber and Javier Baez.Brandon Morrow pitched a perfect ninth to complete a five-hitter and remain perfect in three save chances.Ten of Chicago's first 16 batters reached... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Jose Altuve hit a three-run double and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 9-2 on Thursday after Evan Gattis hit into a 5-4-3 triple play in the fourth inning.Morton (3-0) retired 15 straight at one stretch and didn't allow a runner to reach second base.Marco Gonzales (1-2) allowed three runs — all unearned because of a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Seager — and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.CUBS 8, CARDINALS 5CHICAGO (AP) — Jon Lester (2-0) was dominant through six innings of two-hit ball in his 100th start as Cub, and Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer.Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber each had two RBIs as Chicago took a 6-1 lead after two innings. Every Cubs starter had a hit, including three by Anthony Rizzo and two each by Heyward, Schwarber and Javier Baez.Brandon Morrow pitched a perfect ninth to complete a five-hitter and remain perfect in three save chances.Ten of Chicago's first 16 batters reached... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after being sidelined by lower back tightness.Rizzo was activated from the 10-day disabled list before Chicago's series opener against St. Louis. He was eligible to return on Monday, but the Cubs' game against the Cardinals was postponed because of poor weather.It wasn't exactly ideal conditions for Rizzo's return, especially after being sidelined by a back issue. It was another cold, windy night in Chicago."It's unfortunate, but there's nothing you can really do about it," he said. "You just have fun with it, you have fun with the guys and you make the best of it."While Rizzo was feeling good again, veteran utilityman Ben Zobrist was scratched with back tightness. Ian Happ replaced Zobrist in the leadoff spot and started in center field, and Jason Heyward moved from center to right.Baseball has been hit hard by lousy April weather, wiping out several games. Rizzo advocated for a shorter season in an interview with ESPN 1000 earlier Tuesday, but said it was just his opinion."I also play first base, so I know my lane," he said.Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Rizzo on the roster.The matchup with the Cardinals was Rizzo's first game since April 5. He batted .107 (3 for 28) with a homer and three RBIs in his first six games this season.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the 10-day disabled list.Rizzo had been sidelined by lower back tightness. He returned to the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against St. Louis.Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room on the roster.The matchup with the Cardinals was Rizzo's first game since April 5. He batted .107 (3 for 28) with a homer and three RBIs in his first six games this season.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Showing some fight seems to be a good thing for the rebuilding San Diego Padres.While awaiting word on punishment from MLB for their brawl Wednesday with the Colorado Rockies, the Padres vowed not to get pushed around by anyone.After five Padres batters were hit in six games against the Rockies this season, including Manuel Margot taking a fastball to the ribs Tuesday night and going on the disabled list, the Padres felt enough was enough.Luis Perdomo threw a pitch behind Nolan Arenado in the third inning Wednesday and the All-Star rushed the mound, setting off a brawl that led to five ejections, including Perdomo, Arenado and San Diego catcher A.J. Ellis.It also led to a sense of camaraderie for the Padres, who were labeled as soft by some last year when they chose not to retaliate after Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs slammed into Austin Hedges at the plate last year, sidelining the catcher for a few games. MLB determined that Rizzo violated the home plate collision... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:BACK IN THE BOXShohei Ohtani is expected back in the starting lineup for the first time since taking a perfect game into the seventh inning against Oakland on Sunday. The two-way Japanese star has homered in his last three games as a designated hitter for the Angels, the spot he'll likely fill at Texas. Ohtani didn't play Monday and grounded out as a pinch hitter Tuesday night against Bartolo Colon as Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia sticks to his plan of carefully monitoring the newcomer's workload. Ohtani's next turn on the mound will be Sunday at Kansas City.HOME IMPROVEMENT?The White Sox will try to avoid the worst home start in franchise history when James Shields faces his former Tampa Bay teammates. Chicago is 0-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field, matching its skid at Comiskey Park to begin the 1975 season. A charter member of the American League, the White Sox have never lost their first six home games.GLOVE GUYSThe Boston Red Sox... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:BACK IN THE BOXShohei Ohtani is expected back in the starting lineup for the first time since taking a perfect game into the seventh inning against Oakland on Sunday. The two-way Japanese star has homered in his last three games as a designated hitter for the Angels, the spot he'll likely fill at Texas. Ohtani didn't play Monday and grounded out as a pinch hitter Tuesday night against Bartolo Colon as Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia sticks to his plan of carefully monitoring the newcomer's workload. Ohtani's next turn on the mound will be Sunday at Kansas City.HOME IMPROVEMENT?The White Sox will try to avoid the worst home start in franchise history when James Shields faces his former Tampa Bay teammates. Chicago is 0-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field, matching its skid at Comiskey Park to begin the 1975 season. A charter member of the American League, the White Sox have never lost their first six home games.GLOVE GUYSThe Boston Red... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors Wednesday:BACK IN THE BOXShohei Ohtani is expected back in the lineup for the first time since taking a perfect game into the seventh inning against Oakland on Sunday. The two-way Japanese star has homered in his last three games as designated hitter, the spot he'll likely fill at Texas. Manager Mike Scioscia held Ohtani out of the lineup Monday and Tuesday, sticking to his plan to manage Ohtani's workload carefully. Ohtani's next turn on the mound will be Sunday at Kansas City.HOME IMPROVEMENT?The White Sox will try to avoid the worst home start in franchise history when James Shields faces his former Tampa Bay teammates. Chicago is 0-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field, matching its skid at Comiskey Park to begin the 1975 season. A charter member of the American League, the White Sox have never lost their first six home games.GLOVE GUYSThe Boston Red Sox haven't made an error this season. Gold Glove outfielder Mookie Betts and his teammates are... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs are taking the safe route with Anthony Rizzo, placing the first baseman on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with lower back tightness.Rizzo hasn't played since he went 0 for 5 in Thursday's 8-0 win at Milwaukee. The 28-year-old slugger is a key part of Chicago's lineup, hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs in each of the past two years."It stinks, especially not being able to play the home opener," Rizzo said before the Cubs' 8-5 loss to the Pirates. "But it's a long season. It's a marathon. You got to stay smart and that's what we're doing."Rizzo said he is feeling better and hopes to be ready when he is eligible to come off the DL on Monday. The move was made retroactive to Friday."Usually, you know, if it's July, August, September, you mentally grind through it and as long as you can move you can play," he said. "But this is one of those things where we talked and we don't want to, I don't want to be locked up the entire year. So hopefully we put a nip to it the next five days here and don't have to deal with this hopefully for the rest of my career."Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Rizzo's spot on the roster. He pinch-hit in the fifth against Pittsburgh and reached on an infield single.Ben Zobrist started at first for the home opener and went 0 for 5 in the loss.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs are taking the safe route with Anthony Rizzo, placing the first baseman on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with lower back tightness.Rizzo hasn't played since he went 0 for 5 in Thursday's 8-0 win at Milwaukee. The 28-year-old slugger is a key part of Chicago's lineup, hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs in each of the past two years."It stinks, especially not being able to play the home opener," Rizzo said. "But it's a long season. It's a marathon. You got to stay smart and that's what we're doing."Rizzo said he is feeling better and hopes to be ready when he is eligible to come off the DL on Monday. The move was made retroactive to Friday."Usually, you know, if it's July, August, September, you mentally grind through it and as long as you can move you can play," he said. "But this is one of those things where we talked and we don't want to, I don't want to be locked up the entire year. So hopefully we put a nip to it the next five days here and don't have to deal with this hopefully for the rest of my career."Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Rizzo's spot on the roster. Navarro is a .243 hitter with three homers and 22 RBIs in 153 career major league games with the Angels and Tigers.Ben Zobrist started at first base for Tuesday's home opener against Pittsburgh.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have placed first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the 10-day disabled list with lower back tightness.The move was made retroactive to Friday. Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Rizzo's spot on the roster.The 28-year-old Rizzo is a key part of Chicago's lineup, hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs in each of the past two years. He is off to a slow start this season, batting .107 (3 for 28) in his first six games.The Cubs announced the move before Tuesday's home opener against Pittsburgh.Navarro is a .243 hitter with three homers and 22 RBIs in 153 career major league games with the Angels and Tigers.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening all around baseball today:___AT LASTWeather-permitting, the Chicago Cubs finally get to play their home opener when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs closed out a 5-4 trip with a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was the franchise's longest road trip to open the season since a 12-game jaunt in 1899. There is a chance for snow for the team's return to Chicago, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also is questionable. The slugger has been sidelined by back tightness.HEALTH CONCERNSThe Boston Red Sox should know more about Xander Bogaerts after the shortstop injured his left ankle in the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Bogaerts got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout. He is hitting .368 (14 of 38) this season with two homers and nine RBIs. Boston has won eight in a row heading into Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees. Brock Holt could fill in if Bogaerts misses any time.CY YOUNGSReigning... [More]

A look at what's happening all around baseball Monday:___AT LASTWeather-permitting, the Chicago Cubs finally get to play their home opener when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs closed out a 5-4 trip with a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was the franchise's longest road trip to open the season since a 12-game jaunt in 1899. There is a chance for snow for the team's return to Chicago, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also is questionable. The slugger has been sidelined by back tightness.HEALTH CONCERNSThe Boston Red Sox should know more about Xander Bogaerts after the shortstop injured his left ankle in the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Bogaerts got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout. He is hitting .368 (14 of 38) this season with two homers and nine RBIs. Boston has won eight in a row heading into Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees. Brock Holt could fill in if Bogaerts misses any time.CY YOUNGSReigning... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___LOST LUMBERCubs star Anthony Rizzo is hitting .130 this season, and the rest of his team isn't doing much better. Chicago has been shut out in its last two games, and managed only one run in a 17-inning loss to Miami over the weekend. Kris Bryant and the Cubs will try to break out the bats in Cincinnati when they face 24-year-old Cody Reed, who's 1-8 in his big league career.SECRET OF HIS SUCCESSStuck in a 0-for-13 slump to begin the season, Cardinals leadoff man Dexter Fowler wrote "I will get a hit" 13 times in a tweet. He then played at Milwaukee on Monday and, after a flyout to lead off the game, blooped a single for that elusive first hit.TRY AGAINA day after getting snowed out, Giancarlo Stanton and the New York Yankees hope to play their home opener. The Tampa Bay Rays are in town for two more days — rain is in the forecast, too.Six games have already been postponed across the majors. These were the earliest non-international openers ever, moved up as baseball adjusted its schedule this year to add three extra off-days during the season.V FOR VICTORYJustin Verlander is back on the mound for Houston, starting against the visiting Orioles. He won on opening day, pitching six shutout innings for the World Series champs at Texas.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 7, 15 INNINGSPHOENIX (AP) — Chris Owings hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Kenley Jansen with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to force... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.RED SOX 7, MARLINS 3MIAMI (AP) — Brian Johnson gave the Red Sox their fifth solid start in five games, allowing one run in six innings.All five Boston starters have allowed... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings, Marwin Gonzalez homered and the Houston Astros unveiled their World Series banner before defeating the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Monday night in their home opener.Morton (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out six. The right-hander picked up where he left off after getting the final 12 outs in Game 7 against the Dodgers to help secure Houston's first championship.Brad Peacock pitched a perfect seventh and Will Harris allowed one hit in the eighth before Collin McHugh took over. The starter-turned-reliever allowed a homer to Trey Mancini and a double to Colby Rasmus before retiring the last three batters.Baltimore has dropped three straight after winning its opener. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-1) was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four-plus innings.RED SOX 7, MARLINS 3MIAMI (AP) — Brian Johnson gave the Red Sox their fifth solid start in five games, allowing one run in six innings.All five Boston starters have allowed... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors Tuesday:___LOST LUMBERCubs star Anthony Rizzo is hitting .130 this season, and the rest of his team isn't doing much better. Chicago has been shut out in its last two games, and managed only one run in a 17-inning loss to Miami over the weekend. Kris Bryant and the Cubs will try to break out the bats in Cincinnati when they face 24-year-old Cody Reed, who's 1-8 in his big league career.SECRET OF HIS SUCCESSStuck in a 0-for-13 slump to begin the season, Cardinals leadoff man Dexter Fowler wrote "I will get a hit" 13 times in a tweet. He then played at Milwaukee on Monday and, after a flyout to lead off the game, blooped a single for that elusive first hit.TRY AGAINA day after getting snowed out, Giancarlo Stanton and the New York Yankees hope to play their home opener. The Tampa Bay Rays are in town for two more days — rain is in the forecast, too.Six games have already been postponed across the majors. These were the earliest non-international openers ever, moved up as baseball adjusted its schedule this year to add three extra off-days during the season.V FOR VICTORYJustin Verlander is back on the mound for Houston, starting against the visiting Orioles. He won on opening day, pitching six shutout innings for the World Series champs at Texas.