ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays reliever Sergio Romo played 11 seasons before making his first major league start.Not even 24 hours later, Romo will make his second.Romo will start for the second consecutive day in the finale of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, Rays manager Kevin Cash said following a 5-3 win on Saturday night."I'm sure it will be talked about, but hopefully it works," Cash said.Romo struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning, using 18 pitches to fan Zack Cozart, Mike Trout and Justin Upton.Cash said Romo would have continued pitching if not for Daniel Robertson's grand slam in the second inning. Instead, Cash decided to take advantage of the 4-0 lead and immediately turn to rookie left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who gave up one run in 6 1/3 innings.Cash's plan going into the game was to minimize the number of times Yarbrough would have to face the heart of an Angels' lineup heavy on right-handed batters."Try not to read too... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Bartolo Colon laughed off having Jean Segura's line drive hit him in the stomach, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings and giving the Texas Rangers a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.Colon (2-1), who turns 45 on May 24, struck out two, walked none and threw 71 of 96 pitches for strikes.Delino DeShields gave Texas the lead with a two-out RBI double in the eighth inning that scored Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had singled off James Pazos (1-1). The Rangers added four more in the ninth, all after Ryon Healy's two-out error.ASTROS 2, ANGELS 0ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched a five-hitter for his first shutout in three years and Evan Gattis hit a two-run homer as Houston beat Los Angeles.Verlander (5-2) was superb in ending his two-game skid, finishing with seven strikeouts to reach 2,500 for his career. He walked one and lowered his ERA from 1.21 to 1.05.The right-hander threw 118 pitches in his 24th career complete game and first since 2016 with... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Bartolo Colon laughed off having Jean Segura's line drive hit him in the stomach, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings and giving the Texas Rangers a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.Colon (2-1), who turns 45 on May 24, struck out two, walked none and threw 71 of 96 pitches for strikes.Delino DeShields gave Texas the lead with a two-out RBI double in the eighth inning that scored Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had singled off James Pazos (1-1). The Rangers added four more in the ninth, all after Ryon Healy's two-out error.PHILLIES 4, ORIOLES 1BALTIMORE (AP) — Nick Pivetta (3-2) tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts, and Cesar Hernandez homered as Philadelphia (24-16) climbed eight games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2011 season.Odubel Herrera singled in the first and extended his on-base streak to 42 games for the Phillies, who have won six of seven.Andrew Cashner (1-5) allowed three runs, five hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. He... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts belted three solo homers and J.D. Martinez also went deep, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Ted Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history.AL East-leading Boston won for the third time in four games after losing 7-6 in 13 innings on Tuesday night.Cheslor Cuthbert homered for Kansas City, and Drew Butera had a two-run double. Danny Duffy (0-4) was tagged for five runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.Drew Pomeranz (1-1) worked six innings for the win and Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save.YANKEES 4, ASTROS 0HOUSTON (AP) — Luis Severino pitched a five-hitter and struck out 10 for his first career complete game while Giancarlo Stanton homered twice and drove in all four runs for New York.The Yankees have beaten Houston by the exact same 4-0 score for tow straight days.Severino... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts belted three solo homers and J.D. Martinez also went deep, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Ted Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history.AL East-leading Boston won for the third time in four games after losing 7-6 in 13 innings on Tuesday night.Cheslor Cuthbert homered for Kansas City, and Drew Butera had a two-run double. Danny Duffy (0-4) was tagged for five runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.Drew Pomeranz (1-1) worked six innings for the win and Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save.INDIANS 12, RANGERS 4CLEVELAND (AP) — Edwin Encarnacion homered three times and drove in six runs, helping the Indians to the runaway win.Encarnacion hit a three-homer in the first, a two-run shot in the second and a solo drive in the eighth. The designated hitter leads the team with nine... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mookie Betts belted three solo homers and J.D. Martinez also went deep, powering the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.It was the fourth three-homer game for the 25-year-old Betts, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Ted Williams for most three-homer games in franchise history.AL East-leading Boston won for the third time in four games after losing 7-6 in 13 innings on Tuesday night.Cheslor Cuthbert homered for Kansas City, and Drew Butera had a two-run double. Danny Duffy (0-4) was tagged for five runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.Drew Pomeranz (1-1) worked six innings for the win and Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save.INDIANS 12, RANGERS 4CLEVELAND (AP) — Edwin Encarnacion homered three times and drove in six runs, helping the Indians to the runaway win.Encarnacion hit a three-homer in the first, a two-run shot in the second and a solo drive in the eighth. The designated hitter leads the team with nine... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:NINE IN LINEThe resurgent Rays try for their ninth straight win when Matt Andriese starts at Fenway Park. Tampa Bay has its longest success streak since taking nine in a row in July 2014. Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.93 ERA) pitches for Boston. ... The Yankees also look to extend their winning streak to nine in the finale of their series at the Angels. New York's CC Sabathia (1-0, 1.86) has not lost in his last 12 regular season starts. He'll face Tyler Skaggs (3-1, 2.96).CHECK HIMJapanese star Shohei Ohtani was out of the starting lineup for the Angels on Saturday night against the Yankees because of a sprained left ankle. The two-way player hurt himself trying to beat out a grounder on Friday night.WE'LL SEEThe Dodgers will monitor right fielder Yasiel Puig, a day after he hurt his hip and foot when he ran into a wall chasing a foul ball. Puig left the game in San Francisco, and said his foot was the bigger concern. ... Nationals third baseman... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors Sunday:NINE IN LINEThe resurgent Rays try for their ninth straight win when Matt Andriese starts at Fenway Park. Tampa Bay has its longest success streak since taking nine in a row in July 2014. Rick Porcello (4-0, 1.93 ERA) pitches for Boston.CHECK HIMJapanese star Shohei Ohtani was out of the starting lineup for the Angels on Saturday night against the Yankees because of a sprained left ankle. The two-way player hurt himself trying to beat out a grounder on Friday night.WE'LL SEEThe Dodgers will monitor right fielder Yasiel Puig, a day after he hurt his hip and foot when he ran into a wall chasing a foul ball. Puig left the game in San Francisco, and said his foot was the bigger concern. ... Nationals third baseman 3B Anthony Rendon (toe contusion) is eligible to come off the disabled list.DECISION DAYThe Brewers must decide by Sunday whether to call up lefty Wade Miley. He signed a minor league deal with the Brewers and has been slowed by a groin problem. He struck out 11 for Double-A Biloxi this weekend.STREAKINGThe Diamondbacks are the first NL team since the 1907 Cubs to win their first nine series in a season. They'll go for a sweep in Washington when Robbie Ray (2-0, 5.13 ERA) pitches against Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 3.04). ... Odubel Herrera of the Phillies has reached base in a career-best 28 straight games. ... Kansas City's Jorge Soler has walked in nine straight games, the longest string in the majors this season.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.One day after Ohtani hit an electrifying three-run homer in his first home plate appearance, the Japanese two-way rookie connected for a tying two-run homer off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in his second game at the Big A.Neither team scored again after Ohtani's blast until Cozart, the Angels' new infielder, connected for his first career walk-off homer against Zach McAllister (0-1).Ohtani also singled leading off the 10th to go 2 for 5, giving him six hits this season and five in his only two home games. The Angels' rookie sensation will make his first home pitching start Sunday against Oakland, one week after beating the Athletics on the road in his big-league pitching debut.The Angels hadn't had a walk-off homer in extra innings since Aug. 9,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.One day after Ohtani hit an electrifying three-run homer in his first home plate appearance, the Japanese two-way rookie connected for a tying two-run homer off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in his second game at the Big A.Neither team scored again after Ohtani's blast until Cozart, the Angels' new infielder, connected for his first career walk-off homer against Zach McAllister (0-1).Ohtani also singled leading off the 10th to go 2 for 5, giving him six hits this season and five in his only two home games. The Angels' rookie sensation will make his first home pitching start Sunday against Oakland, one week after beating the Athletics on the road in his big-league pitching debut.The Angels hadn't had a walk-off homer in extra innings since Aug. 9,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.One day after Ohtani hit an electrifying three-run homer in his first home plate appearance, the Japanese two-way rookie connected for a tying two-run homer off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in his second game at the Big A.Neither team scored again after Ohtani's blast until Cozart, the Angels' new infielder, connected for his first career walk-off homer against Zach McAllister (0-1).Ohtani also singled leading off the 10th to go 2 for 5, giving him six hits this season and five in his only two home games. The Angels' rookie sensation will make his first home pitching start Sunday against Oakland, one week after beating the Athletics on the road in his big-league pitching debut.The Angels hadn't had a walk-off homer in extra innings since Aug. 9,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his second homer in two games at Angel Stadium in the fifth inning, and Zack Cozart had walk-off homer in the 13th inning of the Los Angeles Angels' 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.One day after Ohtani hit an electrifying three-run homer in his first home plate appearance, the Japanese two-way rookie connected for a tying two-run homer off AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber in his second game at the Big A.Neither team scored again after Ohtani's blast until Cozart, the Angels' new infielder, connected for his first career walk-off homer against Zach McAllister (0-1).Ohtani also singled leading off the 10th to go 2 for 5, giving him six hits this season and five in his only two home games. The Angels' rookie sensation will make his first home pitching start Sunday against Oakland, one week after beating the Athletics on the road in his big-league pitching debut.The Angels hadn't had a walk-off homer in extra innings since Aug. 9,... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Patrick Corbin shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers on one hit over 7 1/3 innings, striking out a career-high 12 in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 3-0 victory Wednesday.The Diamondbacks swept the three-game series and won their ninth straight regular-season game against the Dodgers, going back to a pair of three-game series sweeps last season.Corbin (2-0) retired 14 batters in a row to start the game, eight on strikeouts. The Dodgers struggled to make solid contact, and it took Matt Kemp's bloop double with two outs in the fifth to break up Corbin's no-hit bid. Kemp had the Dodgers' only hit of the game.Corbin was taken out after walking Kemp with one out in the eighth inning.Brad Boxberger earned his second save with a scoreless ninth. The Dodgers had only four base runners, two in the ninth on Boxberger walks. The Diamondbacks scored a run in each of the first three innings.YANKEES 7, RAYS 2NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton turned boos to cheers with his first Yankee Stadium home... [More]

Capsules of American League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Boston Red Sox2017: 93-69, first place, lost to Houston in ALDS.Manager: Alex Cora (first season).He's Here: DH J.D. Martinez.He's Outta Here: Manager John Farrell, RHP Doug Fister, OF Chris Young, RHP Addison Reed, OF Rajai Davis, LHP Henry Owens, LHP Fernando Abad.Projected Lineup: RF Mookie Betts (.264, 24 HRs, 102 RBIs), LF Andrew Benintendi (.271, 20, 90), 1B Hanley Ramirez (.242, 23, 62) or Mitch Moreland (.246, 22, 79), DH J.D. Martinez (.303, 45, 104 with Tigers and Diamondbacks), 3B Rafael Devers (.284, 10, 30 in 58 games), SS Xander Bogaerts (.273, 10, 62), CF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.245, 17, 63), C Christian Vazquez (.290, 5, 32) or Sandy Leon (.225, 7, 39), 2B Eduardo Nunez (.313, 12, 58, 24 SBs with Giants and Red Sox) or Dustin Pedroia (.293, 7, 62, .369 OBP in 105 games, expected to be out until late May following knee surgery).Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA, MLB-best 308 Ks, MLB-high 214... [More]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays intend to use a four-man rotation while filling a fifth starter's role with a combination of multi-inning relievers this season.Manager Kevin Cash delivered the surprising news Wednesday, saying the club thinks it has enough pitching depth to make the plan work long-term."We're going to schedule in a bullpen day as our fifth starter," Cash said, noting the Rays will "learn a lot in the first six weeks" while determining whether it's feasible to try to stick with a four-man rotation for an entire season.The projected rotation currently features Chris Archer, Nathan Eovaldi, Blake Snell and Jake Faria.The group of potential multi-inning relievers who'll be considered for "bullpen day" roles include Matt Andriese, Yonny Chirinos and Anthony Banda."It's a reflection of who we have available," Cash said. "We feel like we have a lot of good pitchers."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

RHP Matt Andriese allowed three earned runs and five hits in five innings Wednesday but was pleased about throwing at least 100 pitches for the first time since being activated from the disabled list. He finished the season 0-4 with an 8.03 ERA in his last seven starts.

RHP Matt Andriese (5-3, 4.44 ERA) has not pitched past the sixth inning since returning from the disabled list Aug. 28 from a right hip stress reaction.

RHP Matt Andriese gave up two runs and five hits and struck out three in 4 1/3 innings on Friday night. Andriese threw just 62 pitches (43 strikes) in the outing.

RHP Matt Andriese did not fare any better in his second start back from a hip injury Saturday against the Red Sox. Andriese (5-3, 4.46 ERA) coughedd up eight runs (six earned) on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. In 6 2/3 innings since returning from the injury that sidelined him for two months, Andriese has allowed 11 earned runs (14.85 ERA). "Obviously coming back from the injury, I was just trying to go out there and put up zeroes obviously," Andriese said.

RHP Matt Andriese (5-2) drew the loss Sunday against the White Sox in his first start since coming off the 60-day disabled list because of a stress reaction in his right hip. Andriese allowed five runs on six hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five, and he left the game after 74 pitches. "I liked that I felt healthy," Andriese said. "I was consistent in the strike zone, but I think I made a couple pitches that were easier to hit."