NEW YORK (AP) — Aroldis Chapman had flamed out, throwing three of 19 pitches for strikes and enabling the Mets to cut a four-run, ninth-inning deficit in half.Chasen Shreve to the rescue. Yes, Chasen Shreve.Maligned last month, Shreve entered with the bases loaded, got Devin Mesoraco to hit into a run-scoring, double-play grounder and retired Wilmer Flores on a slow roller in front of the mound.With his second big league save and first since August 2016, Shreve preserved a 7-6 Subway Series victory Saturday that enabled Sonny Gray (7-7) to win consecutive starts for the first time since the Yankees acquired him last summer.On another tumult-filled day for the last-place Mets, closer Jeurys Familia was traded to Oakland for a pair of minor leaguers and slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was out of the lineup because of body soreness, one game after returning from a two-month absence. Cespedes said Friday night he may need surgery on both heels that would require an eight-to-10-month recovery.Aaron... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have activated Ryan Braun from the 10-day disabled list after the outfielder was sidelined by a strained back.Braun returns to a team that has lost seven straight and fallen three games behind of the first-place Cubs in the NL Central. He was hitting cleanup Saturday against the Dodgers and left-handed ace Clayton Kershaw.Braun is hitting just .235 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs. Manager Craig Counsell says he expects Braun to improve after the outfielder had some bad luck at the plate in the season's first half.The banged-up Brewers are slowly getting healthier, with starting catcher Manny Pina returning from DL on Friday from a left biceps strain. Outfielder-first baseman Eric Thames (right hamstring) and starter Junior Guerra (right forearm) are among other key players on the disabled list.Catcher Jacob Nottingham was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room for Braun.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

A look at what's happening around the majors today:ST. LOUIS STUNNERThe Cardinals will play their first game under interim manager Mike Shildt after firing Mike Matheny late Saturday night. Matheny's stunning dismissal comes with the team 47-46 and 7 1/2 games back of the NL Central-leading Cubs. The prospect of a third straight year without a postseason berth, paired with reports of clubhouse unrest, spelled the end for Matheny, who was 591-473 and made four postseasons in 6 1/2 years on the job. St. Louis will send All-Star Miles Mikolas (10-3, 2.65 ERA) to the mound against Cincinnati.STAR-STUDDED SLIDEDespite boasting an NL-best four All-Stars, the Braves are freefalling going into the midsummer break. Atlanta has lost 8 of 10, including the first two games of its series against Arizona, to drop out of first place in the NL East. Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.26) tries to get the Braves a victory to close out the unofficial first half against the Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.09).AILING... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:STAR-STUDDED SLIDEDespite boasting an NL-best four All-Stars, the Braves are freefalling going into the midsummer break. Atlanta has lost 8 of 10, including the first two games of its series against Arizona, to drop out of first place in the NL East. Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.26) tries to get the Braves a victory to close out the unofficial first half against the Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.09).AILING ALL-STARRays catcher Wilson Ramos said he's "probably" going to the DL after experiencing left hamstring tightness Saturday and will miss next week's All-Star Game as well. Ramos was voted the AL's starting catcher, his second All-Star nod overall, and has hit .297 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs this season. "I worked really hard to make that team," a disappointed Ramos said. Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes was named to the AL team in Ramos' place.KRAKEN SIGHTINGYankees catcher Gary Sanchez is expected to begin a rehab stint with Triple-A... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:STAR-STUDDED SLIDEDespite boasting an NL-best four All-Stars, the Braves are freefalling going into the midsummer break. Atlanta has lost 8 of 10, including the first two games of its series against Arizona, to drop out of first place in the NL East. Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.26) tries to get the Braves a victory to close out the unofficial first half against the Diamondbacks' Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.09).AILING ALL-STARRays catcher Wilson Ramos said he's "probably" going to the DL after experiencing left hamstring tightness Saturday and will miss next week's All-Star Game as well. Ramos was voted the AL's starting catcher, his second All-Star nod overall, and has hit .297 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs this season. "I worked really hard to make that team," a disappointed Ramos said. Major League Baseball had not yet named a replacement for Ramos as of Saturday night.KRAKEN SIGHTINGYankees catcher Gary Sanchez is expected to begin a rehab stint... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder-statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The six-time All-Star said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the basement of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room."I just want you guys to know that I've signed a five-year extension," Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes and Kenta Maeda joining him.Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach Turner Ward used his phone to capture... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder-statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The six-time All-Star said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the bowels of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room."I just want you guys to know that I've signed a five-year extension," Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes and Kenta Maeda joining him.Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach Turner Ward used his phone to capture video.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chase Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder statesman role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The six-time All-Star said he's leaving to spend more time with his wife and two young sons."I'm ready to be a full-time dad," he said.Utley announced his decision at a jammed news conference in the bowels of Dodger Stadium on Friday, with several of his teammates surprising him by crowding into the small, steamy room."I just want you guys to know that I've signed a five-year extension," Utley deadpanned, drawing laughter from manager Dave Roberts, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Alex Wood, Andrew Toles, Joc Pederson, Logan Forsythe and Ross Stripling.Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw sat on the floor in a corner, with Matt Kemp, Rich Hill, Corey Seager, Austin Barnes, and Kenta Maeda joining him.Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on, while hitting coach... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Brett Gardner had four hits, homered and drove in three runs to help the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-2 Monday night for a doubleheader split.In the opener, Danny Valencia snapped an 0-for-25 skid with a three-run homer off CC Sabathia, and Baltimore ended a six-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory.The split left the Yankees a 4-4 record against Baltimore and dropped them 2½ games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.The first game ended with Gardner grounding out as a pinch hitter with the potential tying run on third base. He returned in the nightcap to torment the Orioles at the plate and in center field, where he made several fine, running catches.Gardner led off with a single off Jefry Ramirez (0-3) and scored on a double by Didi Gregorius. In the fourth, Gardner hit his seventh homer, a two-run drive that made it 3-0.That was enough offense for Luis Cessa (1-1), who allowed three hits over six shutout innings.RED SOX 5, RANGERS 0BOSTON (AP)... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BACK HOME IN BOSTONThe Red Sox went 7-2 on their recent road trip against the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Kansas City Royals. After winning six straight, they return home for a seven-game homestand leading into the All-Star break, beginning with a series against the Rangers. Eduardo Rodriguez (10-3, 3.84 ERA) starts the opener for Boston, and Mike Minor (6-4, 4.63) goes for Texas.BIG APPLE TWINBILLBoth teams from New York play a single-admission doubleheader to make up a previous postponement. Aaron Judge and the Yankees are in Baltimore to face the Orioles, who have lost six in a row and own the worst record in the majors. The struggling Mets, shut out in their past two games by Tampa Bay, host the first-place Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.CHAMPS ON A ROLLHouston All-Star Gerrit Cole (9-2) opposes Oakland's Frankie Montas (4-2) when the World Series champion Astros try to extend their winning streak to seven games... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Now that fan voting is finished, it's a good time to take a hard look at All-Star Game selections.Which players are worthy of participating July 17 in Washington, and who gets left out?Let's touch on this topic first: Shohei Ohtani is incredibly talented and fascinating to watch, but the Los Angeles Angels' two-way Japanese star simply hasn't been on the field enough to earn a spot. Not at pitcher OR designated hitter.Ohtani just returned to the lineup from an elbow injury that's knocked him off the mound for now. He's only made nine major league pitching starts, and the Angels have limited his at-bats all season due to concerns about the rookie's workload.So while it would definitely be fun to see him in baseball's summer showcase, there are several more deserving American League sluggers at DH. It wouldn't be fair to deny one of them in favor of Ohtani. And he's unavailable to pitch at this point.Let him win his invitation next season with a fully healthy and productive... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer during a six-run fifth inning, J.D. Martinez and Eduardo Nunez also went deep, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Washington Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday.Martinez drove in four and leads the majors with 26 homers and 71 RBIs. Boston has won 17 of its last 19 interleague games.Washington has lost four straight and 16 of 21 to fall to 42-42, its first time at .500 since it was 17-17.Red Sox starter Brian Johnson allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Brandon Workman (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh.Nationals starter Tanner Roark (3-10) allowed a career-high nine runs in seven innings and is 1-8 with a 5.19 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) since May 5.YANKEES 8, BRAVES 5NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and New York went ahead early and hung on to beat Atlanta.Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight... [More]

Here's a look at what's happening around the majors today:RECOVERING ACEDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw goes for his first win in 2 1/2 months when he faces Pittsburgh in the middle game of the teams' three-game series in Los Angeles. Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) has no decisions with a 2.77 ERA in three starts since going on the disabled list in early May with biceps tendinitis. He returned to start against Philadelphia on May 31, but then went right back on the DL with a lower back injury. Kershaw, whose only win this season was against Arizona on April 15, gave up one run and four hits with no walks and six strikeouts in five innings against Chicago in his second start back last Thursday.REALMUTO ON A ROLLMarlins catcher J.T. Realmuto looks to get a base hit in his 11th straight game as Miami continues its interleague series against Tampa Bay. He is 15 for 42 (.357 average) with two homers and 10 RBIs over his last 10 contests, a stretch broken up by him sitting out four straight games last week.... [More]

Here's a look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:RECOVERING ACEDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw goes for his first win in 2 1/2 months when he faces Pittsburgh in the middle game of the teams' three-game series in Los Angeles. Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) has no decisions with a 2.77 ERA in three starts since going on the disabled list in early May with biceps tendinitis. He returned to start against Philadelphia on May 31, but then went right back on the DL with a lower back injury. Kershaw, whose only win this season was against Arizona on April 15, gave up one run and four hits with no walks and six strikeouts in five innings against Chicago in his second start back last Thursday.REALMUTO ON A ROLLMarlins catcher J.T. Realmuto looks to get a base hit in his 11th straight game as Miami continues its interleague series against Tampa Bay. He is 15 for 42 (.357 average) with two homers and 10 RBIs over his last 10 contests, a stretch broken up by him sitting out four straight games last... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rookie Walker Buehler, the Dodgers' top prospect, has been optioned to the minor leagues after struggling in a relief appearance.The team says Buehler was sent to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga before Friday night's game against Colorado.The Dodgers had no choice in making the move since he had been activated on Thursday, when Buehler gave up five runs in one-plus inning of relief in an 11-5 loss to the Cubs. There was no indication when Buehler will next pitch or when he would be recalled to the big-league team.Buehler originally was set to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday after missing 19 days with a rib microfracture.He flew to Oklahoma, but the plan was changed and he was immediately called back to Los Angeles. He landed Thursday morning, was activated off the DL and came on in relief of Clayton Kershaw.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Lance McCullers pitched seven strong innings, Jake Marisnick homered and the Houston Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Thursday night to tie a franchise record with their 11th straight road win.McCullers (9-3) gave up three hits while striking out seven. The Astros have won his last six starts and have won 18 of 21 overall. Their 11th straight road win matched the club record set last May 14-June 5 on the way to winning the franchise's first World Series title.The Rays, who had won five straight overall and eight straight at home, had runners on first and third with none out in the eighth against reliever Chris Devenski, but Matt Duffy lined into a double play and Jake Bauers grounded out.Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his fifth save in seven opportunities.Marisnick's homer in the fifth came off Ryan Yarbrough (7-4) and was his seventh of the season. It ended the Rays' streak of 26 scoreless innings, the second-longest in franchise history.RED SOX 4,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Rizzo's three-run double and Addison Russell's two-run homer highlighted a seven-run seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs broke loose after Clayton Kershaw exited, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 on Thursday.The Cubs pounded out 15 hits, including four by Rizzo. Russell drove in four runs in the final regular-season meeting between the teams that played each other in the NL Championship Series the last two years.They met seven times in 10 days, with the Cubs winning four games over the two series.The Dodgers staked Kershaw to a 3-1 lead before he departed after five innings because of a pitch limit.The Cubs jumped on reliever Walker Buehler (4-2), who arrived earlier in the morning from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he had been set for a rehab assignment. Albert Almora Jr. homered on Buehler's second pitch and Russell's sacrifice fly tied it at 3 in the sixth.Steve Cishek (2-0) got the win with 1 2/3 innings of relief.ROCKIES 9, GIANTS 8SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CLUTCH CITYAlex Bregman is red-hot at the plate as the Astros travel to Tampa Bay for a four-game series, and he's been especially good late in games. Bregman has homered in three straight, including a game-ending two-run shot Wednesday to cap Houston's rally from five runs down against Toronto. That was the second walk-off hit this month for Bregman, who also had a game-ending single in Game 5 of last year's World Series. Bregman is 9 for 17 with three homers and five doubles since shaving his mustache midway through a game Sunday.TAKE TWODodgers ace Clayton Kershaw looks to sharpen his stuff against the Cubs in his second start since ending a DL stint for a lower back strain. Kershaw stumbled through three innings against the Mets last Saturday after surprisingly nixing a scheduled minor league rehab assignment, though Los Angeles beat New York 8-3 that day behind stellar relief work from rookie Caleb Ferguson. The 21-year-old left-hander... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:CLUTCH CITYAlex Bregman is red-hot at the plate as the Astros travel to Tampa Bay for a four-game series, and he's been especially good late in games. Bregman has homered in three straight, including a game-ending two-run shot Wednesday to cap Houston's rally from five runs down against Toronto. That was the second walk-off hit this month for Bregman, who also had a game-ending single in Game 5 of last year's World Series. Bregman is 9 for 17 with three homers and five doubles since shaving his mustache midway through a game Sunday.TAKE TWODodgers ace Clayton Kershaw looks to sharpen his stuff against the Cubs in his second start since ending a DL stint for a lower back strain. Kershaw stumbled through three innings against the Mets last Saturday after surprisingly nixing a scheduled minor league rehab assignment, though Los Angeles beat New York 8-3 that day behind stellar relief work from rookie Caleb Ferguson. The 21-year-old left-hander... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Font worked into the sixth inning to get his first major league win, Willy Adames homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday.Font (1-3) allowed three hits, one walk and struck out four over 5 2/3 innings. Four relievers completed a four-hitter.Adames had an RBI single during a two-run second and added a solo homer in the seventh off Sonny Gray (5-5).The Rays have won the first two of a three-game series against the Yankees, who have the best record in the majors.New York (50-24), coming off a three-game sweep over Seattle, is the only team in the big leagues not to have dropped more than two straight games this year. This is the latest the Yankees have gone into a season without losing three in a row since August 1954.REDS 11, CUBS 2CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony DeSclafani hit the first grand slam by a Cincinnati pitcher in 59 years, helping the last-place Reds beat the Chicago Cubs for their sixth consecutive victory.It was Cincinnati's... [More]