BALTIMORE (AP) — The Oakland Athletics won their 12th consecutive game — their longest winning streak in almost two decades — with a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Oakland’s string is its longest since it won a franchise-record 20 in a row in 2002. It is the Athletics’ third-longest winning streak since moving to Oakland in 1968, and is the longest in the majors since Houston’s 12-game run from June 6-18, 2018. Ramón Laureano homered and Cole Irvin won consecutive starts for the first time in nearly two years as the A’s improved to 13-1 since dropping their first six games. Baltimore has lost seven of its eight home games. Irvin (2-2) had won back-to-back starts just once before, his first two career starts for Philadelphia in May 2019. Coming off six shutout innings against Detroit on Saturday, he stymied the Orioles for five innings. But Baltimore stitched together four singles in the sixth, capped by Pedro Severino’s RBI single, to end Irvin’s night. Jake Diekman... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a 451-foot homer and pitched two-hit ball into the fifth inning in a historic two-way performance, and Jared Walsh hit a walkoff homer in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday night. Walsh hit two homers, including a big three-run shot off Matt Foster to end the Angels’ third win over Chicago in their four-game, season-opening series. Ohtani reached another milestone in his unique career when he took the mound and occupied the No. 2 slot in the batting order for the Angels. He was just the third pitcher in 45 seasons to hit for himself in a game with the designated hitter available, and the first to bat second since Jack Dunleavy did it for the Cardinals in 1903. In the first inning alone, Ohtani both threw the hardest pitch by any starting pitcher in baseball this season and produced the hardest hit by any batter this season. Ohtani touched 101 mph with a fastball, and his first-pitch homer off Chicago’s Dylan... [More]

Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, Zach Eflin gave Philadelphia another strong start and the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves with a 2-1 win Sunday. Philadelphia’s starting trio of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Eflin (1-0) surrendered three runs, 11 hits and one walk in 20 2/3 innings against an Atlanta lineup that led the majors in 2020 with 556 hits. The Phillies bullpen, which posted a 7.06 ERA in 2020, didn’t yield a run in 7 1/3 innings in the set. Philadelphia regained the lead in the eighth as Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper and Bohm hit consecutive singles off Chris Martin (0-1). Hector Neris got his first save. REDS 12, CARDINALS 1 Nick Castellanos came out swinging with his bat a day after being ejected for inciting a bench-clearing melee, hitting a three-run homer off Carlos Martinez (0-1) and triple to finish the series 6 for 11 with five RBIs. Tyler Naquin also a three-run shot for the Reds, who won two in... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Jake Odorizzi decided to fashion his game like Zack Greinke’s when he was still in high school. Now entering his 10th season in the majors, the right-hander has become teammates with the man he’s looked up to for so long after Odorizzi signed with the Houston Astros. “I’m looking forward to getting to know him on a personal level and talking pitching with him because he’s got a great mind for pitching,” Odorizzi said Tuesday. “He’s the guy that mechanically I tried to emulate, repertoire, everything like that. So, if I can keep doing it, as long as he’s done it, I’d be pretty darn happy with myself.” Odorizzi and the Astros finalized a contract Monday that guarantees $20.25 million over two years or $23.5 million over three seasons if a player option is exercised for 2023. The deal contains additional performance bonuses that could make it worth at least $33.25 million over three years and possibly more depending on appearances in 2021 and ’22. Odorizzi enhances a Houston... [More]

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole and other baseball players will be pushing for changes that make more teams competitive as they think about looming labor negotiations that could lead to a work stoppage at the start of 2022. Many veterans who are not top stars have taken substantial paycuts in recent years. Others have turned down cuts and retired. The players’ association is upset that some teams have lowered major league payroll in favor of rebuilding with youth, a process it calls tanking and that management defends as long-allowed refocusing on retooling for long-term gain. “For me, it just goes back to competitiveness,” Cole said Thursday. “We have a lot of great veterans that offer great entertainment, a quality style of baseball, that continuously are being pushed out because of surplus value on younger players is too high — the analytics are driving the game in that direction. And we want to have an open field for the clubs to be able to find talent, find surplus value.” Cole... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Oakland Athletics Manager: Bob Melvin (11th season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in Division Series. Training Town: Mesa, Arizona. Park: Hohokam Stadium. First Workout: Feb. 17/22. He’s Here: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP Nik Turley, INF Jed Lowrie. He’s Outta Here: SS Marcus Semien, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Khris Davis, 2B Tommy La Stella, OF Robbie Grossman, RHP Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Joakim Soria, LHP T.J. McFarland, 3B Jake Lamb, LHP Mike Minor. Going campin’: After winning their first division title in seven years, the A’s took some serious hits this offseason with Semien leaving to sign a one-year deal in Toronto after not getting a qualifying offer from Oakland and star closer Hendriks signing with the White Sox. The A’s acquired Andrus to replace... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Los Angeles Dodgers Manager: Dave Roberts (sixth season). 2019: 43-17, first place, World Series champions. Training Town: Glendale, Arizona. Park: Camelback Ranch. First Workout: Feb. 18/23. He’s Here: RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP Garrett Cleavinger. He’s Outta Here: 3B Justin Turner, RHP Pedro Báez, INF/OF Enrique Hernández, LF Joc Pederson, LHP Alex Wood, RHP Jimmy Nelson, OF Terrance Gore. Going campin’: After winning their first World Series title since 1988 during the pandemic-shortened season, the Dodgers are looking to repeat. They made a major splash just before spring training, signing Bauer a year after trading for Mookie Betts and David Price in February. The roster boasts an enviable three MVPs and three Cy Young Award winners, making the Dodgers the favorites... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro and the Houston Astros finalized a $7 million, two-year contract. He gets a $2 million signing bonus as part of Friday's deal and guaranteed salaries of $2.5 million annually. His 2022 salary can escalate by up to $2 million based on games caught this year: $250,000 each for 10 and each additional 10 through 80. Castro would get $200,000 for winning an MVP award, $100,000 for second and $50,000 for third. He would get get $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 each for League Championship Series MVP, for All-Star selection, winning a Gold Glove or winning a Silver Slugger. This will be Castro’s second stint with the team after he was selected in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the Astros and spent his first six MLB seasons with the team. The 33-year-old, who has lived in Houston since 2013, gives the Astros another veteran catcher to play behind starter Martín Maldonado. Castro started last season with the Los Angeles Angels and was acquired... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro and the Houston Astros finalized a $7 million, two-year contract on Friday. This will be Castro’s second stint with the team after he was selected in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the Astros and spent his first six MLB seasons with the team. The 33-year-old, who has lived in Houston since 2013, gives the Astros another veteran catcher to play behind starter Martín Maldonado. Castro started last season with the Los Angeles Angels and was acquired at the trade deadline by San Diego. He appeared in 27 games overall and hit .188 in 80 at-bats with two homers and nine RBIs. He spent the previous three seasons with the Twins where he played 208 games and hit .229. Castro had his best years with the Astros in 2010 and from 2012-16, a period that included an All-Star season in 2013, when he had 35 doubles and an .835 OPS. He hit .232 with 62 homers and 212 RBIs during six seasons in Houston. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro has agreed to a $7 million, two-year contract with the Houston Astros, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced. The agreement is pending completion of a successful physical. This will be Castro’s second stint with the team after he was selected in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the Astros and spent his first six MLB seasons with the team. The 33-year-old gives Houston another veteran catcher to play behind starter Martín Maldonado. Castro played for both the Angels and the Padres last season where he appeared in 27 games and hit .188 with two homers and nine RBIs. He spent the previous three seasons with the Twins where he played 208 games and hit .229. Castro had his best years with the Astros where he 617 games and was named to the All-Star game in 2013. He hit .232 with 62 homers and 212 RBIs in his six seasons in Houston. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Catcher Jason Castro has agreed to a $7 million, two-year contract with the Houston Astros, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced. The agreement is pending completion of a successful physical. This will be Castro’s second stint with the team after he was selected in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the Astros and spent his first six MLB seasons with the team. The 33-year-old gives Houston another veteran catcher to play behind starter Martín Maldonado. Castro played for both the Angels and the Padres last season where he appeared in 27 games and hit .188 with two homers and nine RBIs. He spent the previous three seasons with the Twins where he played 208 games and hit .229. Castro had his best years with the Astros where he 617 games and was named to the All-Star game in 2013. He hit .232 with 62 homers and 212 RBIs in his six seasons in Houston. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitchers Zack Britton and Gerrit Cole, free agent catcher Jason Castro, Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor and free agent shortstop Marcus Semien were elected Friday to the executive subcommittee of the Major League Baseball Players Association. They join St. Louis pitcher Andrew Miller, free agent pitcher James Paxton and Washington pitcher Max Scherzer on the union’s highest-ranking member body. The newcomers replace Elvis Andrus, Cory Gearrin, Chris Iannetta, Collin McHugh and Daniel Murphy on the executive subcommittee. Lindor and Semien were elected alternate association player representatives, Britton a pension committee representative, and Cole an alternate pension committee representatives. Britton, Cole, Paxton and Scherzer are clients of agent Scott Boras. Semien is represented by the Wasserman agency, Lindor by SportsMeter, Miller by Frontline Athlete Management and Castro by ISE Baseball. Cole at $324 million over eight years and Scherzer at $210 million over six seasons are among baseball's highest-paid players. Britton has a $53 million, three-year deal and Miller a $34.5 million, three-year contract. Lindor is eligible for arbitration after making $17.5 million. Semien had a $13 million salary last season, Paxton $12.5 million and Castro $6.85 million. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports ¶

BOSTON (AP) — Adam Duvall hit three home runs a night after teammate Marcell Ozuna become the first NL player ever to hit three homers in Fenway Park, and the East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-5 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Ozuna added a long, tiebreaking solo drive for the Braves, who entered the three-game set 0-12-3 in their last 15 series against the Red Sox.It was Atlanta’s first sweep in Boston since capturing a three-game set in 2002. Freddie Freeman had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and J.D. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox.Ozuna’s drive also cleared the Monster, sailing over a billboard and completely out of Fenway against Andrew Triggs (0-2) in the seventh. Duvall’s third homer hit off a back wall near the bleachers after his second homer had tied it at... [More]

Angels third. Anthony Bemboom strikes out swinging. Luis Rengifo strikes out swinging. Shohei Ohtani walks. Mike Trout homers to center field. Shohei Ohtani scores. Anthony Rendon grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 2, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Eric Hosmer walks. Mitch Moreland singles to shallow left field. Eric Hosmer to second. Jake Cronenworth grounds out to second base. Mitch Moreland out at second. Eric Hosmer to third. Jurickson Profar homers to right field. Eric Hosmer scores. Jason Castro grounds out to first base to Albert Pujols.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 2, Angels 2.Angels fourth. Justin Upton singles to left field. Albert Pujols doubles. Justin Upton scores. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr. to Eric Hosmer. Jo Adell flies out to right field to Greg Allen. Anthony Bemboom lines out to center field to Greg Allen.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Padres 2.Padres... [More]

The contending San Diego Padres acquired Mike Clevinger in a multiplayer deal with the Cleveland Indians on Monday, bolstering their rotation with another bold move ahead of baseball's trade deadline.San Diego got Clevinger, outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named from Cleveland for a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges.Led by exciting young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and suddenly hot Manny Machado, San Diego is going for its first playoff appearance since 2006. The acquisition of Clevinger is the Padres' fifth big trade since Saturday. They made a smaller deal right at the deadline, picking up reliever Taylor Williams from Seattle for a player to be named.Clevinger said the Padres are “the most exciting team in baseball by far right now. It’s definitely kind of the place to be right now. I’m stoked that they wanted me here. This is definitely a destination a lot of guys would like to be. Definitely... [More]

The contending San Diego Padres acquired Mike Clevinger in a multiplayer deal with the Cleveland Indians on Monday, bolstering their rotation with another bold move ahead of baseball's trade deadline.San Diego got Clevinger, outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named from Cleveland for a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges.Led by exciting young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and suddenly hot Manny Machado, San Diego is going for its first playoff appearance since 2006. The acquisition of Clevinger is the Padres' fifth big trade since Saturday. They made a smaller deal right at the deadline, picking up reliever Taylor Williams from Seattle for a player to be named.Clevinger said the Padres are “the most exciting team in baseball by far right now. It’s definitely kind of the place to be right now. I’m stoked that they wanted me here. This is definitely a destination a lot of guys would like to be. Definitely... [More]

The contending San Diego Padres acquired Mike Clevinger in a multiplayer deal with the Cleveland Indians on Monday, bolstering their rotation with another bold move ahead of baseball's trade deadline.San Diego got Clevinger, outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named from Cleveland for a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges.Led by exciting young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and suddenly hot Manny Machado, San Diego is going for its first playoff appearance since 2006. The acquisition of Clevinger is the Padres' fifth trade since Saturday.Clevinger said the Padres are "the most exciting team in baseball by far right now. It’s definitely kind of the place to be right now. I’m stoked that they wanted me here. This is definitely a destination a lot of guys would like to be. Definitely something special brewing here and I think it’s going to be something special for coming years, not just this year.”Clevinger... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The San Diego Padres acquired veteran catcher Jason Castro from the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in a trade for right-handed reliever Gerardo Reyes.The Padres completed their fourth trade in two days by acquiring Castro as they bolster their roster for their first postseason appearance since 2006. San Diego also added reliever Trevor Rosenthal, slugger Mitch Moreland and catcher Austin Nola over the weekend as the trade deadline approaches Monday.Castro will be a free agent this winter after agreeing to a $6.85 million, one-year deal with the Angels in January. The 33-year-old batted .192 with two homers and six RBIs over his 18 games with Los Angeles, but the longtime Astros and Twins backstop is a strong defensive catcher and normally a solid hitter who has produced at least 10 homers in six seasons of his career.San Diego has the NL's third-best record and second-most victories at 21-15 after beating Colorado on Sunday. Steaming toward the playoffs with a deep,... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle and San Diego completed a seven-player trade Sunday night, with catcher Austin Nola joining the contending Padres and prized outfield prospect Taylor Trammel going to the Mariners as centerpieces of the deal.Seattle sent Nola and right-handed relievers Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla to the Padres, while Trammell led a list of youngsters headed back to the Mariners. Also going to Seattle is infielder Ty France, catcher Luis Torres and reliever Andres Muñoz. Nola has the versatility to play several positions. He played first, second and third base, and both corner outfield positions last season for Seattle. This season, Nola has started 23 games behind the plate and two at first base. Nola is hitting .306 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 29 games, and his defense behind the plate has been praised by Seattle manager Scott Servais after Nola came up through the minors as a middle infielder. He's the older brother of Phillies ace Aaron Nola.Altavilla has been part of... [More]

Mariners sixth. J.P. Crawford doubles to deep right field. Sam Haggerty singles to shallow center field. J.P. Crawford scores. Kyle Lewis flies out to right field to Jo Adell. Kyle Seager grounds out to shallow infield, Anthony Rendon to Albert Pujols. Sam Haggerty to second. Austin Nola is intentionally walked. Jose Marmolejos strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mariners 1, Angels 0.Angels sixth. Shohei Ohtani walks. Mike Trout called out on strikes. Anthony Rendon flies out to deep right center field to Braden Bishop. Albert Pujols doubles to left field. Shohei Ohtani scores. Justin Upton singles to left field, tagged out at second, Tim Lopes to Kyle Seager to Shed Long Jr.. Albert Pujols scores.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Mariners 1.Angels eighth. Mike Trout homers to center field. Anthony Rendon hit by pitch. Albert Pujols hit by pitch. Anthony Rendon to second. Justin Upton strikes out swinging. Jo Adell strikes out swinging. Jason Castro called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 3, Mariners 1.Mariners ninth. Kyle Seager doubles to deep center field. Austin Nola grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Jared Walsh. Jose Marmolejos walks. Tim Lopes singles to deep right field. Jose Marmolejos out at third. Kyle Seager scores. Shed Long Jr. flies out to left field to Brian Goodwin.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Mariners 2.