LOS ANGELES (AP) — Joc Pederson and Enrique Hernandez each hit two of the Los Angeles Dodgers' eight home runs Thursday in a 12-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.The Dodgers set a major league record for homers on opening day and tied the franchise mark for any game.Hernandez, Austin Barnes and Corey Seager all homered in the fourth inning to chase Arizona ace Zack Greinke (0-1). Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Hernandez connected in the seventh for the power-packed Dodgers, whose pursuit of a third straight National League got off to a thrilling start.Adam Jones and Christian Walker homered for the Diamondbacks, but their pitching staff's eight homers allowed also set a team record.The Dodgers and Diamondbacks weren't the only ones going deep, either, as teams around the majors combined to set an all-time high for home runs on opening day.Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0) struck out eight over six stellar innings as Los Angeles' first opening day starter not named Clayton Kershaw since 2010. Kershaw's... [More]

Jose Ramirez is expected to be in the Cleveland Indians' opening day lineup Thursday, four days after fouling a pitch off the area below his left knee.Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Ramirez should be ready to go for the opener at Minnesota. The All-Star third baseman worked out Monday and Tuesday in Arizona, testing his bruised left knee while Cleveland finished its exhibition schedule with games against the Rangers in Texas. Ramirez will join the team for a workout Wednesday in Minnesota.Ramirez left the field on a cart Sunday in an alarming scene for the Indians, who will already be without star shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jason Kipnis. Both players are working back from right calf strains.Ramirez had 39 home runs and 105 RBIs last season, finishing third in AL MVP voting for the second straight year.Cleveland lost to Texas 5-4 on Tuesday in its final spring training game. Mike Clevinger allowed four runs (two earned) in three innings. He walked two, struck... [More]

Bryce, Manny and Ichiro. London calling, and Cleveland rocks. Lots of intrigue on the baseball schedule this summer.Here are a handful of dates to mark on the calendar:WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics: Ichiro Suzuki returns to his native Japan when Seattle and Oakland open the season with a two-game set at the Tokyo Dome. The 45-year-old Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star, is nearing the end of his storied career after he hit .205 in 15 games last year before moving into Seattle's front office. But the lure of playing another game or two in his home country helped draw him back to the field this spring. The Mariners and Athletics also faced each other in the last opening series at Tokyo, splitting two games in 2012.TUESDAY, APRIL 2Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper doesn't have to wait very long to get his first game against Washington out of the way. Harper played for the Nationals for seven seasons, winning the NL MVP award in 2015 and making the... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a one-year contract that pays a $605,000 salary in the major leagues, a $20,000 raise from last year.A unanimous pick as NL Rookie of the Year in 2017, the outfielder/first baseman hit .260 with 25 homers and 76 RBIs last year, down from a .267 average, 39 homers and 97 RBIs in his debut season.His salary would drop to $292,500 this year in the unlikely event he is sent to the minor leagues.Bellinger has 1 year, 160 days of major league service and likely will be eligible for free agency after this season. He would be eligible for free agency following the 2024 season — falling 12 days shy of being eligible after the 2023 season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — The biggest play from the Phillies' spring training game Thursday: great communication behind the home dugout.Philadelphia fans with an eye on their smartphones cried out when reports emerged that Bryce Harper had agreed to a deal with the Phillies, breaking the news to manager Gabe Kapler and his players during a 5-5 split-squad tie with the Orioles. Harper agreed to a $330 million, 13-year deal with the club, the largest contract in baseball history. Harper's agent, Scott Boras, said the deal was agreed to shortly before noon, subject to a successful physical."If the reports are true, it's a huge moment for our baseball team," Kapler said. "Certainly I think that the city of Philadelphia would embrace Bryce Harper. I think he would be very happy in this city because our fans care deeply about winning."A 26-year-old All-Star who had spent his entire big league career with the Washington Nationals, Harper topped the $325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo... [More]

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andrew Toles was not at spring training camp for Monday's voluntary full squad reporting day because of an unspecified personal matter.Manager Dave Roberts said there is no timeline for Toles' arrival. The mandatory reporting date is Saturday."We'll get Andrew here when things work out; he works through some personal things," Roberts said Monday. "He has our full support, certainly."Roberts said Toles' absence was surprising."Obviously, things are sometimes unpredictable and family, personal issues obviously have to come before baseball," Roberts said.Toles has a challenge to make the major league roster, even after outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp were traded to Cincinnati. Outfielders include A.J. Pollock, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo are on the roster, and Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez could compete for time,The left-handed hitting Toles spent most of last year at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he batted .306 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs in 71 games. He was the Dodgers' starting left fielder in the second half of 2016 and until May 9 the following year, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.Pederson is aware of speculation he could be traded."I guess it's nice to know that there are some other teams out there that would want you," he said.____More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Having lost in the World Series for the second straight year, the Dodgers enter an offseason filled with decisions about some of the franchise's biggest names, including Clayton Kershaw, Manny Machado and manager Dave Roberts.First up is Kershaw, who has until Wednesday to decide whether to opt out of the last two years and $65 million of his contract.If he does, the 30-year-old pitcher who has spent his entire 11-season career in Los Angeles can become a free agent. The front office has made it clear it wants Kershaw to remain the face of the franchise."I just hope they do the right thing," pitcher Rich Hill said about management retaining his fellow left-hander.Kershaw wasn't able to rewrite his postseason legacy of struggles, giving up three home runs Sunday in the Dodgers' loss to the Red Sox in the deciding Game 5 .The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner is 9-10 with a 4.32 ERA in the postseason. In two straight World Series, he's 1-2 with an ERA of 5.40. Four of... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:17 p.m.The Boston Red Sox won their fourth World Series championship in 15 years, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 Sunday night behind David Price's pitching and Steve Pearce's power.Alex Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to guide a team to the title. He's just the fifth rookie skipper to do it overall.After posting a team-record 108 wins in the regular season and romping through the AL playoffs, the Red Sox finished off a one-sided Series.Price threw three-hit ball into the eighth inning. Pearce hit two home runs, a night after his homer and double spurred a late rally.Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez also connected as the Red Sox hit three homers off Clayton Kershaw.Los Angeles lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston, also at Dodger Stadium by the same 5-1 score.___8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8 p.m.David Price is out of the game for Boston.Price was stellar in staking the Red Sox to a 5-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers after eight innings.The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. Price struck out five and walked two.Joe Kelly took over and struck out pinch-hitters Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson and Cody Bellinger to end the inning.Boston's Steve Pearce homered for the second time, getting a solo shot off Pedro Baez with two outs in the top of the inning.___7:27 p.m.Those Boston Red Sox bats are getting loud. So are their fans.J.D. Martinez hit his first World Series home run, a line drive over the center-field fence in the seventh inning that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.Martinez hit Boston's third homer of the game off Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw. Dodger Stadium is dotted with fans wearing red, and those Red Sox rooters began chanting as the ball sailed out.Boston starter David Price is... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:27 p.m.Those Boston Red Sox bats are getting loud. So are their fans.J.D. Martinez hit his first World Series home run, a line drive over the center-field fence in the seventh inning that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.Martinez hit Boston's third homer of the game off Los Angeles lefty Clayton Kershaw. Dodger Stadium is dotted with fans wearing red, and those Red Sox rooters began chanting as the ball sailed out.Boston starter David Price is in total control. He's retired 14 straight batters and got a big cheer from the Boston fans when he retired Yasiel Puig on a soft comebacker to end the seventh.___7:06 p.m.Mookie Betts homered on a Clayton Kershaw slider in the sixth inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 3-1 lead in Game 5 as they close in on their fourth World Series title in 15 years.Betts had been 0 for 13 with four strikeouts and a pair of intentional walks during the weekend in Los Angeles before his drive into the... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):7:06 p.m.Mookie Betts homered on a Clayton Kershaw slider in the sixth inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 3-1 lead in Game 5 as they close in on their fourth World Series title in 15 years.Betts had been 0 for 13 with four strikeouts and a pair of intentional walks during the weekend in Los Angeles before his drive into the left-field pavilion.David Price has allowed just two hits since David Freese's leadoff homer, retiring 11 in a row through the sixth. He struck out five, walked one and threw 76 pitches.Kershaw gave up three runs and four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He threw 73 pitches.___6:51 p.m.The pitching duel continues in Game 5 of the World Series.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw set down the Red Sox in order in the top of the fifth.Brock Holt lined out, Rafael Devers took a called third strike and Christian Vazquez lined out to left.Kershaw has retired 13 of his last 14 batters since giving up a two-run... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):6:23 p.m.J.D. Martinez almost cost Boston in right field, losing David Freese's one-out fly ball in the twilight sky above Dodger Stadium and allowing the drive to fall behind him for a triple.Martinez usually is a designated hitter for the Red Sox, but Boston wanted to keep the big league RBIs leader in the lineup in the National League city.Freese, who homered leading off the bottom of the first, was stranded. Justin Turner grounded to third with the infield playing halfway and Enrique Hernandez fouled out to Martinez.Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw retired eight in a row after Steve Pearce's two-run homer in the first. Kershaw threw 41 pitches in the first three innings and Boston starter Clayton Kershaw threw 47___6:20 p.m.The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw retired the side in the top of the second. Boston's David Price gave up only a single to Yasiel Puig while retiring three other batters.Boston leads 2-1.Brock Holt, Christian... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):5:40 p.m.David Freese hit a leadoff home run for the Dodgers to cut Boston's lead to 2-1 in the first inning of Game 5.Boston's Steve Pearce had connected on the sixth pitch of the game from Clayton Kershaw for a two-run homer at the top of the first.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:23 p.m.That was quick! Steve Pearce tags Clayton Kershaw for a home run and it's already 2-0 Boston.Pearce connected on the sixth pitch of the game from the LA ace, and raised his right arm as he rounded first base. Several Red Sox players spilled from the dugout to greet him.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:18 p.m.The chants of "Let's go, Red Sox!" have already started at... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):5:23 p.m.That was quick! Steve Pearce tags Clayton Kershaw for a home run and it's already 2-0 Boston.Pearce connected on the sixth pitch of the game from the LA ace, and raised his right arm as he rounded first base. Several Red Sox players spilled from the dugout to greet him.That made it two homers and a three-run double for Pearce in his last three at-bats.Kershaw took off his glove and showed little emotion as Pearce finished his trot.___5:18 p.m.The chants of "Let's go, Red Sox!" have already started at Dodger Stadium.A good-sized pocket of Boston fans in right field began cheering 15 minutes before the first pitch and got louder when David Price strolled from the bullpen to the dugout.They're here, wanting to see the Red Sox win the World Series with a victory in Game 5. Boston leads 3-1 and is hoping to head home for a parade.Former Dodgers star Orel Hershiser threw out the first ball, then told the crowd that while... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):3:55 p.m.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he talked to his players and coaching staff about President Donald Trump's tweet criticizing Roberts for taking Rich Hill out of Saturday's Game 4 but that he hasn't thought much about it beyond that.Los Angeles trails 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and is trying to avoid seeing another team celebrate a championship at its own park. Houston won last year's World Series here in seven games."I'm focused on winning today. So I really don't have too much bandwidth to kind of really take in all the criticism," Roberts said. "I think that there's a lot of thoughts and opinions that people don't have all the information, which is commonplace these days and cultivate opinions and give out there. So I think for me it's noise."___2:53 p.m.Cody Bellinger is on the bench for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.His left-handed bat has been replaced in the lineup by Enrique... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cody Bellinger is on the bench for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.His left-handed bat has been replaced in the lineup by Enrique Hernandez, who will hit third and play center field on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.First baseman David Freese leads off again for the Dodgers, who face elimination trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven Series.Third baseman Justin Turner hits second, followed by Hernandez, shortstop Manny Machado in the cleanup spot and left-handed-hitting second baseman Max Muncy.Right fielder Yasiel Puig, who hit a three-run homer in Game 4, bats sixth. Left fielder Chris Taylor hits seventh, catcher Austin Barnes is eighth and left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw bats ninth.The Red Sox made one change to their lineup: Rafael Devers starts at third base instead of Eduardo Nunez.Center fielder Mookie Betts leads off, followed by left-handed-hitting Andrew Benintendi in left field, first baseman Steve Pearce and right fielder J.D. Martinez in the cleanup spot.Shortstop Xander Bogaerts bats fifth, second baseman Brock Holt brings his left-handed bat to the sixth spot, with Devers seventh, catcher Christian Vazquez eighth and left-handed starter David Price in the ninth spot.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):10:20 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.David Price starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):9:08 p.m.Steve Pearce hit a tying homer in the eighth and a three-run double in the ninth, and the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit in the seventh inning for a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night and a 3-1 World Series lead.The improbable surge all started with pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the seventh, shortly after Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth had put the Dodgers up 4-0.Pinch-hitter Rafael Devers singled in Brock Holt with the tiebreaking run in the ninth, with also included Xander Bogaert's RBI single.Craig Kimbrel gave up Enrique Hernandez's two-run homer in the bottom half before getting the final three outs.Chris Sale starts for the Red Sox on Sunday against Clayton Kershaw, tying to close out Boston's fourth title in 15 seasons.___8:19 p.m.Thanks to Steve Pearce, we're tied again in the late innings at Dodger Stadium. Anyone up to play 18?Pearce... [More]