BOSTON (AP) — Center fielder Greg Allen made two superb catches to help fellow rookie Shane Bieber hold down Boston, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Red Sox 6-3 Tuesday night in a matchup of AL division leaders.Melky Cabrera homered for the second straight game and Yan Gomes also connected for Cleveland. The Indians have won nine of 10, including the first two of the four-game series at Fenway Park.Boston, with the best record in the majors, has lost three in a row for just the second time this season.Allen doubled, singled and drove in a run. But he made the biggest impact with his glove.First, Allen raced back and slammed into the padded wall to take away an extra-base hit from Xander Bogaerts leading off the fifth inning. Then, with the Red Sox trying to rally in the seventh, Mitch Moreland hit a long drive toward the dirt triangle in deep center. Allen slid to a stop as he caught the ball over his shoulder — it was a sacrifice fly and finished Bieber, but thwarted Boston's momentum.Bieber... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak and Atlanta's five-game winning streak, rallying for three unearned runs in the ninth inning to beat the Braves 5-3 on Thursday night.David Dahl homered in the third and capped the winning rally with a two-out, two-run single off Brad Brach (1-3). The Rockies took advantage of an error by shortstop Danby Swanson leading off the ninth to win for the fifth time in six games.One night after being plunked in the left arm by Miami's Jose Urena, Acuna was back in the lineup looking to extend his homer streak to six games. Wearing a red protective guard, the 20-year-old slugger received a standing ovation his first time up and lined the second pitch — one more than he saw the previous game — into center field for a single, extending his hitting streak to nine games.That was the highlight of his night. Acuna finished 1 for 4, lining out to right in the eighth in his last chance to become the first player in Braves franchise history... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak and Atlanta's five-game winning streak, rallying for three unearned runs in the ninth inning to beat the Braves 5-3 on Thursday night.David Dahl homered in the third and capped the winning rally with a two-out, two-run single off Brad Brach (1-3). The Rockies took advantage of an error by shortstop Danby Swanson leading off the ninth to win for the fifth time in six games.One night after being plunked in the left arm by Miami's Jose Urena, Acuna was back in the lineup looking to extend his homer streak to six games. Wearing a red protective guard, the 20-year-old slugger received a standing ovation his first time up and lined the second pitch — one more than he saw the previous game — into center field for a single, extending his hitting streak to nine games.That was the highlight of his night. Acuna finished 1 for 4, lining out to right in the eighth in his last chance to become the first player in Braves franchise history... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak and Atlanta's five-game winning streak, rallying for three unearned runs in the ninth inning to beat the Braves 5-3 on Thursday night.David Dahl homered in the third and capped the winning rally with a two-out, two-run single off Brad Brach (1-3). The Rockies took advantage of an error by shortstop Danby Swanson leading off the ninth to win for the fifth time in six games.One night after being plunked in the left arm by Miami's Jose Urena, Acuna was back in the lineup looking to extend his homer streak to six games. Wearing a red protective guard, the 20-year-old slugger received a standing ovation his first time up and lined the second pitch — one more than he saw the previous game — into center field for a single, extending his hitting streak to nine games.That was the highlight of his night. Acuna finished 1 for 4, lining out to right in the eighth in his last chance to become the first player in Braves franchise history... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak and Atlanta's five-game winning streak, rallying for three unearned runs in the ninth inning to beat the Braves 5-3 on Thursday night.David Dahl homered in the third and capped the winning rally with a two-out, two-run single off Brad Brach (1-3). The Rockies took advantage of an error by shortstop Danby Swanson leading off the ninth to win for the fifth time in six games.One night after being plunked in the left arm by Miami's Jose Urena, Acuna was back in the lineup looking to extend his homer streak to six games. Wearing a red protective guard, the 20-year-old slugger received a standing ovation his first time up and lined the second pitch — one more than he saw the previous game — into center field for a single, extending his hitting streak to nine games.That was the highlight of his night. Acuna finished 1 for 4, lining out to right in the eighth in his last chance to become the first player in Braves franchise history... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOT TEMPERSSuspensions could be on deck after Wednesday night's melee between the Braves and Marlins. Ronald Acuna's chance to extend his home run streak was put on hold when Miami pitcher Jose Urena hit the rookie slugger in the left elbow with his first pitch, a 97 mph fastball that left Acuna in obvious pain. The benches and bullpens for both teams emptied twice. Urena and Atlanta manager Brian Snitker were ejected, and Snitker had angry words for the pitcher. The 20-year-old Acuna exited in the second inning — the Braves said X-rays were negative and results of further tests would be announced Thursday. Atlanta won 5-2 to complete a four-game sweep.REDBIRDS SOARINGMarcell Ozuna and the Cardinals try to extend their season-best winning streak to nine games when they go for a four-game sweep of fading Washington. St. Louis, which is 18-9 since the All-Star break, hopes to have Matt Carpenter back in the lineup. On a major tear at the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:HOT TEMPERSSuspensions could be on deck after Wednesday night's melee between the Braves and Marlins. Ronald Acuna's chance to extend his home run streak was put on hold when Miami pitcher Jose Urena hit the rookie slugger in the left elbow with his first pitch, a 97 mph fastball that left Acuna in obvious pain. The benches and bullpens for both teams emptied twice. Urena and Atlanta manager Brian Snitker were ejected, and Snitker had angry words for the pitcher. The 20-year-old Acuna exited in the second inning — the Braves said X-rays were negative and results of further tests would be announced Thursday. Atlanta won 5-2 to complete a four-game sweep.REDBIRDS SOARINGMarcell Ozuna and the Cardinals try to extend their season-best winning streak to nine games when they go for a four-game sweep of fading Washington. St. Louis, which is 18-9 since the All-Star break, hopes to have Matt Carpenter back in the lineup. On a major tear at the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:SCIOSCIA'S FUTURELos Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia might address a report that he plans to step down at the end of the season. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the 59-year-old is expected to leave.The 59-year-old Scioscia has managed the Angels since 2000 and is the longest-tenured manager in the majors. The Angels are 55-57 as their series wraps up in Cleveland.GETTING HOT IN WASHINGTONNationals star Bryce Harper might be hobbled for a bit after getting hit by a curveball in the right knee Saturday night. Harper struggled initially to put weight on the leg, but eventually made his way to first base. A half-inning later, he was replaced in right field by Adam Eaton. Washington reliever Ryan Madson hit Reds star Joey Votto with a pitch later, and an infuriated Votto yelled at Madson throughout the rest of the inning. That tension might spill over when the teams conclude their four-game series.OSUNA RETURNSReliever Robert... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:GETTING HOT IN WASHINGTONNationals star Bryce Harper might be hobbled for a bit after getting hit by a curveball in the right knee Saturday night. Harper struggled initially to put weight on the leg, but eventually made his way to first base. A half-inning later, he was replaced in right field by Adam Eaton. Washington reliever Ryan Madson hit Reds star Joey Votto with a pitch later, and an infuriated Votto yelled at Madson throughout the rest of the inning. That tension might spill over when the teams conclude their four-game series.OSUNA RETURNSReliever Robert Osuna joins the Astros, ending his 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. The World Series champs acquired the 2017 All-Star from Toronto on July 31 for Ken Giles in a swap of closers. The 23-year-old Osuna had a 2.93 ERA in 15 games for the Blue Jays this season when he was penalized.Osuna is expected to talk to the team before the game... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets placed left-hander Steven Matz on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a flexor pronator strain in his left arm.Matz and the team believe he will miss only one start."We have the time right now just to miss one start," Matz said. "It's not the end of the world and (we can) just let it calm down and try to finish strong."An MRI Thursday revealed no structural damage, but New York opted to be cautious with the oft-injured Matz. The DL stint will be his fifth since he made his major league debut in 2015."It's something that there's no reason to push him through at this point," manager Mickey Callaway said. "A different scenario we could, but it doesn't make much sense right now."Matz will play catch before Saturday's game, one day before he was scheduled to start, and will be re-evaluated after that, Callaway said.Matz didn't get out of the first inning of his most recent start. He allowed seven runs on eight hits in a 25-4 loss at Washington on Tuesday, the most lopsided... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets left-hander Steven Matz was diagnosed with a mild flexor pronator strain in his left forearm on Thursday and could be placed on the disabled list.Matz didn't get out of the first inning of his most recent start. He allowed seven runs on eight hits in what became a 25-4 loss at Washington on Tuesday, the most lopsided defeat in Mets history.Matz complained of tightness in his left forearm after the game. An MRI on Thursday showed mild inflammation but did not reveal any structural damage.Matz is still listed as the starter for Sunday against Atlanta, but the Mets are expected to decide Friday whether to put him on the DL."I just think we need to see how he comes in tomorrow," manager Mickey Callaway said Thursday. "He came in today a lot better than he was before."Even if Matz is feeling better, he still could get skipped. Matz has thrown 107 2/3 innings, 25 shy of his career high, and his workload could also be a consideration."He's getting up there in innings this year," Callaway said. "So we have to keep that in consideration, whether or not it's better to give him a little bit of a break."Matz is 5-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 21 starts this season. Since the All-Star break, he has a 12.34 ERA in three starts.If Matz does not pitch against the Braves, Corey Oswalt would likely start. Oswalt is 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA in six appearances for the Mets.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLBbaseball

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Sergio Romo relieved in the eighth inning, shifted to third base when Jonny Venters replaced him in the ninth, then struck out Brett Gardner to end the game with two on and give the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.Scheduled Rays starter Nathan Eovaldi was traded to AL East-leading Boston about two hours before game time, and six pitchers combined on a seven-hitter.New York has lost just two series since May, and both are against the Rays. Tampa Bay swept three games in late June, took two of three this week and has won six of its past seven against the Yankees. New York, 14-14 over its past 28 games, acquired reliever Zach Britton from Baltimore late Tuesday but said he will not report until Thursday's homestand opener against Kansas City.Neil Walker hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the Rays took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Kevin Kiermaier hit a two-run homer off Luis Cessa (1-2) and C.J. Cron added a solo drive against... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Sergio Romo relieved in the eighth inning, shifted to third base when Jonny Venters replaced him in the ninth, then struck out Brett Gardner to end the game with two on and give the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.Scheduled Rays starter Nathan Eovaldi was traded to AL East-leading Boston about two hours before game time, and six pitchers combined on a seven-hitter.New York has lost just two series since May, and both are against the Rays. Tampa Bay swept three games in late June, took two of three this week and has won six of its past seven against the Yankees. New York, 14-14 over its past 28 games, acquired reliever Zach Britton from Baltimore late Tuesday but said he will not report until Thursday's homestand opener against Kansas City.Neil Walker hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the Rays took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Kevin Kiermaier hit a two-run homer off Luis Cessa (1-2) and C.J. Cron added a solo drive against... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Sergio Romo relieved in the eighth inning, shifted to third base when Jonny Venters replaced him in the ninth, then struck out Brett Gardner to end the game with two on and give the Tampa Bay Rays a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.Scheduled Rays starter Nathan Eovaldi was traded to AL East-leading Boston about two hours before game time, and six pitchers combined on a seven-hitter.New York has lost just two series since May, and both are against the Rays. Tampa Bay swept three games in late June, took two of three this week and has won six of its past seven against the Yankees. New York, 14-14 over its past 28 games, acquired reliever Zach Britton from Baltimore late Tuesday but said he will not report until Thursday's homestand opener against Kansas City.Neil Walker hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the Rays took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Kevin Kiermaier hit a two-run homer off Luis Cessa (1-2) and C.J. Cron added a solo drive against... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest bizarre medical development for the baffling New York Mets, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list after contracting hand-foot-and-mouth disease.The team figures it's likely Syndergaard caught the contagious virus when he made an appearance at a baseball camp for kids last Thursday during the All-Star break. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that probably explains why Syndergaard weakened and his velocity decreased during Friday night's victory at Yankee Stadium."Hand-foot-and-mouth, are you serious? I guess it's very uncommon in adults, period," Callaway said Sunday. "It's kind of odd. Maybe the first DL stint in Major League Baseball with hand-foot-and-mouth? I don't know. A record or something."According to WebMD.com, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease that "most often occurs in children under 10 and is characterized by a rash of small blister-like sores on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and in the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest bizarre medical development for the baffling New York Mets, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list after contracting hand-foot-and-mouth disease.The team figures it's likely Syndergaard caught the contagious virus when he made an appearance at a baseball camp for kids last Thursday during the All-Star break. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that probably explains why Syndergaard weakened and his velocity decreased during Friday night's victory at Yankee Stadium."Hand-foot-and-mouth, are you serious? I guess it's very uncommon in adults, period," Callaway said Sunday. "It's kind of odd. Maybe the first DL stint in Major League Baseball with hand-foot-and-mouth? I don't know. A record or something."According to WebMD.com, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease that "most often occurs in children under 10 and is characterized by a rash of small blister-like sores on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and in the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest bizarre medical development for the baffling New York Mets, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list after contracting hand-foot-and-mouth disease.The team figures it's likely Syndergaard caught the contagious virus when he made an appearance at a baseball camp for kids last Thursday during the All-Star break. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that probably explains why Syndergaard weakened and his velocity decreased during Friday night's victory at Yankee Stadium."Hand-foot-and-mouth, are you serious? I guess it's very uncommon in adults, period," Callaway said Sunday. "It's kind of odd. Maybe the first DL stint in Major League Baseball with hand-foot-and-mouth? I don't know. A record or something."According to WebMD.com, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease that "most often occurs in children under 10 and is characterized by a rash of small blister-like sores on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and in the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest bizarre medical development for the baffling New York Mets, ace pitcher Noah Syndergaard is headed back to the disabled list after contracting hand-foot-and-mouth disease.The team figures it's likely Syndergaard caught the contagious virus when he made an appearance at a baseball camp for kids last Thursday during the All-Star break. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that probably explains why Syndergaard weakened and his velocity decreased during Friday night's victory at Yankee Stadium."Hand-foot-and-mouth, are you serious? I guess it's very uncommon in adults, period," Callaway said Sunday. "It's kind of odd. Maybe the first DL stint in Major League Baseball with hand-foot-and-mouth? I don't know. A record or something."According to WebMD.com, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious disease that "most often occurs in children under 10 and is characterized by a rash of small blister-like sores on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and in the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes homered in his return to the New York Mets, who said he could be shifted to first base later this season.Cespedes had been out two months with a strained right hip flexor. He flied out in the first inning against the Yankees, then hit a drive down the left-field line against Domingo German with a 3-0 count leading off the third. Cespedes didn't run at first, apparently thinking it would be an out or a foul ball, but the ball glance off the foul side of the foul pole for his ninth home run.Cespedes has appeared in just 118 of the Mets' 256 games since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract, primarily because of lower-body ailments. The 32-year-old was the designated hitter in the series opener, likely will DH on Saturday and could return to the outfield on Sunday.Playing first base is a bit off."I don't know that I can say exactly when," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "I think he needs more reps, practicing, feels more comfortable around the bag... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Back with the New York Mets after two months on the disabled list caused by a strained right hip flexor, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes could be shifted to first base later this season."I don't know that I can say exactly when," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said before Friday's series opener at the Yankees. "I think he needs more reps, practicing, feels more comfortable around the bag and things like that."Cespedes has appeared in just 118 of the Mets' 256 games since he signed a $110 million, four-year contract, primarily because of lower-body ailments. The 32-year-old was the designated hitter and batting second in the series opener. He likely will DH on Saturday and could return to the outfield on Sunday."One of the thoughts about first base is that he's going to stay hot the whole game because he's moving around all the time," Callaway said. "There's not that component of standing out in left field for five, six minutes and all of a sudden having to sprint 30 yards and dive... [More]