OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels catcher Francisco Arcia began the day behind the plate, did a brief stint on the mound and ended up in the major league record books.Arcia pitched two innings of relief and hit his sixth home run in the Angels' 21-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.In doing so, Arcia became the first player to catch, pitch and homer in the same game according to the Angels."They just told me that," Arcia said. "I'm pretty happy, I guess."The 29-year-old Arcia was already in the record books after driving in 10 runs in his first two games after being called up from the minors on July 26.Arcia also became the first Angels position player to pitch since 1993, when he threw one scoreless frame against the A's on Aug. 11, but hadn't done much since.That changed Thursday when the Angels fell behind by double digits early. Manager Mike Scioscia felt no need to tax his bullpen, so turned to Arcia.Arcia needed only five pitches to retire the first two batters before... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores will miss the rest of the season because of soreness in both knees.Manager Mickey Callaway said Flores has earl -onset arthritis in both knees and will receive injections to alleviate the pain."It's not like surgery is recommended at this time," Callaway said. "I think rest and a couple injections is supposed to knock this out pretty good."Flores hit .267 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. He's started 73 games this season at first base, nine at third base and six at second base.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres vice president of scouting Don Welke has died. He was 75.The team says he died Wednesday night in San Diego surrounded by family. No cause was given.Welke worked in baseball for more than 50 years. He joined the Padres in 2014, following general manager A.J. Preller from the Texas Rangers to San Diego. Welke also worked the Phillies, Dodgers, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals and Reds.Welke was instrumental in the Rangers reaching consecutive World Series. He was directly involved in the signings and acquisitions of Adrian Beltre, Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus. He also helped sign Dave Stieb, Pat Hentgen and John Olerud.In a statement, Preller calls Welke a "visionary who knew and loved baseball, and he shared that knowledge and passion with me and countless other scouts throughout his five decades in the game."

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and will miss the entire 2019 season.The team says Kuhl had the surgery Wednesday in New York. Kuhl went 5-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 16 starts for Pittsburgh this season. The Pirates initially placed him on the disabled list because of right forearm soreness following a loss to the New York Mets on June 26.Kuhl took a month off hoping to avoid surgery. But he recently endured a setback when the pain resurfaced. He called the decision to have surgery "difficult" but is confident he'll return down the road.The 26-year-old Kuhl is 18-20 with a 4.27 ERA in three seasons with the Pirates.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Burglars caused $10,000 worth of damage to Los Angeles Dodgers star Yasiel Puig's home while attempting to steal a safe.According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the suspects broke into Puig's San Fernando Valley home Tuesday night. They ransacked the residence, found a safe in the second-floor master bedroom, and dragged it downstairs to the front door.Police said Thursday that the suspects then fled, leaving the safe in the entry way. An inventory is being conducted to determine what else was taken. Puig was at Dodger Stadium for a game on Tuesday."I (did) not sleep too much yesterday," Puig said Wednesday, without offering details about the latest incident.Police are seeking the public's help in identifying three suspects, including the driver of a black four-door Toyota vehicle with paper license plates.Police say the same suspects are believed to have been involved in another burglary attempt at Puig's home on Aug. 30.Previous break-ins at Puig's residences occurred in March 2017 and during Game 7 of last year's World Series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BUBBLY ON ICEFor the third night in a row, the Red Sox attempt to clinch the AL East championship at Yankee Stadium. Boston entered the three-game set needing one victory over rival New York to secure its third consecutive division crown. But the Yankees have put the party on hold with two wins, including a 10-1 rout Wednesday night. Eduardo Rodriguez (12-4, 3.53 ERA) pitches the series finale for the Red Sox against Masahiro Tanaka (12-5, 3.47), who has a 2.09 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break. Rodriguez has allowed one run or fewer in five of his past six starts. New York has 245 home runs this season, matching the franchise record set in 2012.NOW OR NEVERTrailing the first-place Braves by 5½ games in the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies begin a four-game series at Atlanta. In fact, seven of Philadelphia's final 11 games are against the Braves, so the Phillies still feel they have a realistic chance to catch up. "We're in a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Luke Voit hit two homers off David Price, Miguel Andujar popped another one barely into the right-field seats and the New York Yankees stalled Boston's division-clinching celebration by beating the Red Sox 10-1 on Wednesday night.Luis Severino (18-8) pitched seven innings of one-run ball, and the Yankees had no need for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on the day they activated him from the disabled list. Chapman had been out since Aug. 21 with left knee tendinitis.Mookie Betts had two strikeouts and no hits in his return to Boston's lineup. He pulled a possible grand slam just foul in the ninth before grounding into a game-ending double play. The AL MVP contender sat out Tuesday after injuring his left side two days earlier, but came back to bat leadoff as the designated hitter.The Yankees will try to send Boston packing Thursday with the AL East still undecided. The Red Sox lead the division by 9 1/2 games and entered this three-game series needing one victory to lock up... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:BUBBLY ON ICEFor the third night in a row, the Red Sox attempt to clinch the AL East championship at Yankee Stadium. Boston entered the three-game set needing one victory over rival New York to secure its third consecutive division crown. But the Yankees have put the party on hold with two wins, including a 10-1 rout Wednesday night. Eduardo Rodriguez (12-4, 3.53 ERA) pitches the series finale for the Red Sox against Masahiro Tanaka (12-5, 3.47), who has a 2.09 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break. Rodriguez has allowed one run or fewer in five of his past six starts. New York has 245 home runs this season, matching the franchise record set in 2012.NOW OR NEVERTrailing the first-place Braves by 5½ games in the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies begin a four-game series at Atlanta. In fact, seven of Philadelphia's final 11 games are against the Braves, so the Phillies still feel they have a realistic chance to catch up. "We're in... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Luke Voit hit two homers off David Price, Miguel Andujar popped another one barely into the right-field seats and the New York Yankees stalled Boston's division-clinching celebration by beating the Red Sox 10-1 on Wednesday night.Luis Severino (18-8) pitched seven innings of one-run ball, and the Yankees had no need for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on the day they activated him from the disabled list. Chapman had been out since Aug. 21 with left knee tendinitis.Mookie Betts had two strikeouts and no hits in his return to Boston's lineup. He pulled a possible grand slam just foul in the ninth before grounding into a game-ending double play. The AL MVP contender sat out Tuesday after injuring his left side two days earlier, but came back to bat leadoff as the designated hitter.The Yankees will try to send Boston packing Thursday with the AL East still undecided. The Red Sox lead the division by 9 1/2 games and entered this three-game series needing one victory to lock up... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Luke Voit hit two homers off David Price, Miguel Andujar popped another one barely into the right-field seats and the New York Yankees stalled Boston's division-clinching celebration by beating the Red Sox 10-1 on Wednesday night.Luis Severino (18-8) pitched seven innings of one-run ball, and the Yankees had no need for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on the day they activated him from the disabled list. Chapman had been out since Aug. 21 with left knee tendinitis.Mookie Betts had two strikeouts and no hits in his return to Boston's lineup. He pulled a possible grand slam just foul in the ninth before grounding into a game-ending double play. The AL MVP contender sat out Tuesday after injuring his left side two days earlier, but came back to bat leadoff as the designated hitter.The Yankees will try to send Boston packing Thursday with the AL East still undecided. The Red Sox lead the division by 9 1/2 games and entered this three-game series needing one victory to lock up... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Luke Voit hit two homers off David Price, Miguel Andujar popped another one barely into the right-field seats and the New York Yankees stalled Boston's division-clinching celebration by beating the Red Sox 10-1 on Wednesday night.Luis Severino (18-8) pitched seven innings of one-run ball, and the Yankees had no need for All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on the day they activated him from the disabled list. Chapman had been out since Aug. 21 with left knee tendinitis.Mookie Betts had two strikeouts and no hits in his return to Boston's lineup. He pulled a possible grand slam just foul in the ninth before grounding into a game-ending double play. The AL MVP contender sat out Tuesday after injuring his left side two days earlier, but came back to bat leadoff as the designated hitter.The Yankees will try to send Boston packing Thursday with the AL East still undecided. The Red Sox lead the division by 9 1/2 games and entered this three-game series needing one victory to lock up... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rhys Hoskins became the seventh-fastest player to hit 50 career home runs and the Philadelphia Phillies kept pace in the NL East with a 4-0 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.Zach Eflin and five relievers combined on a six-hitter and Odubel Herrera added two-run homer for the Phillies. They won consecutive series for the first time since July 25 and stayed 5 1/2 games behind division-leading Atlanta.Seven of Philadelphia's final 11 games are against the Braves, including a four-game series beginning Thursday night in Atlanta.Hoskins' opposite-field solo shot against Noah Syndergaard (12-4) in the first inning was his 32nd homer of the season and 50th in 192 career games. Only Rudy York (153), Mark McGwire (161), Gary Sanchez (161), Ryan Braun (171), Aaron Judge (174) and former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (182) reached 50 quicker, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.The 25-year-old Hoskins later added his 35th double, and Jose Bautista had a pinch-hit... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rhys Hoskins became the seventh-fastest player to hit 50 career home runs and the Philadelphia Phillies kept pace in the NL East with a 4-0 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.Zach Eflin and five relievers combined on a six-hitter and Odubel Herrera added two-run homer for the Phillies. They won consecutive series for the first time since July 25 and stayed 5 1/2 games behind division-leading Atlanta.Seven of Philadelphia's final 11 games are against the Braves, including a four-game series beginning Thursday night in Atlanta.Hoskins' opposite-field solo shot against Noah Syndergaard (12-4) in the first inning was his 32nd homer of the season and 50th in 192 career games. Only Rudy York (153), Mark McGwire (161), Gary Sanchez (161), Ryan Braun (171), Aaron Judge (174) and former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (182) reached 50 quicker, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.The 25-year-old Hoskins later added his 35th double, and Jose Bautista had a pinch-hit... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Colorado slugger Trevor Story is receiving treatment for right elbow inflammation in Arizona, and the Rockies remain encouraged that he will return soon.Manager Bud Black says Story was feeling better Wednesday. The All-Star shortstop may participate in some baseball activities at the team's spring training facility in Phoenix on Thursday.Black said the team would check on Story on Friday. He is listed as day-to-day and no timetable has been set for his return.Story tweaked his elbow on a throw in the first inning of an 8-2 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night and aggravated it on a swing in the fourth.Colorado began Wednesday 1 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers.Story this year became the first shortstop in major league history with at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 25 steals in a season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday and will miss the 2019 season.Kopech, the top pitching prospect in the organization, is expected to be ready for spring training in 2020. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.Kopech, 22, was 1-1 with a 5.02 ERA in four starts this season. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a torn elbow ligament Sept 8."Michael understands intellectually what it's going to require to come back," manager Rick Renteria said. "We're confident that he'll be able to do that and become the kind of pitcher we know he can be."Kopech was acquired in the trade that sent star pitcher Chris Sale to Boston following the 2016 season. He was drafted by Boston in the first round in 2014.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians want Trevor Bauer in their postseason rotation.The next step will come Friday night against the Boston Red Sox in his first appearance since breaking his right leg last month.Indians manager Terry Francona said Bauer will pitch a "couple of innings" and then throw in the bullpen to increase his pitch count.Francona wants Bauer to make two additional starts during the regular season. The right-hander is expected to start Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox and will likely pitch again the last weekend of the season in Kansas City."To give him a chance to start, we felt like he needed to have three outings," Francona said. "So this was the way to do it. Getting him back is great. His goal and ours is to see if he can start."The Indians hope Bauer can build up his pitch count by the time the Division Series begins Oct. 5. Using him as a reliever is another option."Having him in the bullpen is still really positive," Francona said. "We asked him for his... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Chicago White Sox slugger Jose Abreu has been released from a Cleveland hospital after undergoing treatment for an infection in his right thigh.Abreu was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday and released Wednesday. White Sox manager Rick Renteria says Abreu is resting at the team's hotel. He won't play in the series against the Indians.The 31-year-old first baseman spent three weeks on the disabled list (Aug. 22-Sept. 9) after undergoing surgery to repair a testicular torsion. He was activated on Sept. 10 and is hitless in his last 20 at-bats.Abreu was selected to his second All-Star team this season and is batting .265 with 22 homers and 78 RBIs in 128 games.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, Touki Toussaint pitched into the sixth inning and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves snapped a four-game skid with a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.Atlanta began the day with a 5 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia and opens a four-game home series against the Phillies on Thursday. The Braves need any combination of six victories or Philadelphia losses to win their first division title since 2013.St. Louis began the day leading Colorado by 1 1/2 games for the second wild-card spot.Closer A.J. Minter, working in a non-save situation in the ninth, walked two to load the bases, but he struck out Jose Martinez and got Paul DeJong to pop up.Freeman's 23rd homer, an opposite-field shot to left-center, put the Braves up 2-0 in the fourth against Jack Flaherty (8-8). Toussaint (2-1) allowed five hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings.RAYS 9, RANGERS 3ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Tommy Pham homered twice and extended... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The New York Mets are shutting down right-hander Zack Wheeler for the rest of the season as a precaution, ending a career-best year in which he logged nearly 100 more innings than 2017.Manager Mickey Callaway said before Wednesday night's game at Philadelphia that they'd be "probably taking the best care of him" by holding him out of his final two starts."I feel like I had a good season," Wheeler said. "I would have liked to have finished it out, but getting 100 more innings than last season without doing that much the past 2½ years, I think it makes sense to kind of shut it down and not really push it."Wheeler missed two full seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015. He returned last season and was 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 starts. After beginning this season in Triple-A following a difficult spring training, Wheeler was called up in April and went 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA in 29 starts while throwing 182 1/3 innings."He always knew he could be this guy. But when... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Bauer will start for the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Red Sox on Friday in his first appearance since breaking his right leg last month.Indians manager Terry Francona says Bauer will pitch a "couple of innings" and then throw in the bullpen to increase his pitch count.Francona wants Bauer to make two additional starts during the regular season and be in Cleveland's rotation for the playoffs. The right-hander is expected to start Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.Bauer has been sidelined since he was struck on the lower leg by a line drive off the bat of Chicago's Jose Abreu on Aug. 11. He was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right fibula.Bauer is 12-6 with a 2.22 ERA in 25 starts and was named to his first All-Star team.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports