CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:HOUSTON HAMMERSRookie Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros have set a franchise record by totaling 36 runs in their last two games, helped by exceptionally fast starts.On Sunday, the AL West leaders built a whopping 13-0 cushion in the first three innings on their way to a 21-1 rout of Seattle — Alvarez had three doubles and a single and drove in six runs.On Monday night, Alvarez homered in each of the first two innings as Houston rushed to an 11-0 lead. The Astros hit seven homers overall and pounded Oakland 15-0.The Astros have won five in a row and next take on A's righty Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA). Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35) starts for host Houston.TROUT OUTAngels star Mike Trout has undergone a cryoablation procedure to alleviate pain in his right foot. Manager Brad Ausmus described the procedure as relatively minor and said the slugging outfielder could return later this series against Cleveland.Trout has been bothered by nerve pain... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:HOUSTON HAMMERSRookie Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros have set a franchise record by totaling 36 runs in their last two games, helped by exceptionally fast starts.On Sunday, the AL West leaders built a whopping 13-0 cushion in the first three innings on their way to a 21-1 rout of Seattle — Alvarez had three doubles and a single and drove in six runs.On Monday night, Alvarez homered in each of the first two innings as Houston rushed to an 11-0 lead. The Astros hit seven homers overall and pounded Oakland 15-0.The Astros have won five in a row and next take on A's righty Tanner Roark (9-8, 3.86 ERA). Wade Miley (13-4, 3.35) starts for host Houston.TROUT OUTAngels star Mike Trout has undergone a cryoablation procedure to alleviate pain in his right foot. Manager Brad Ausmus described the procedure as relatively minor and said the slugging outfielder could return later this series against Cleveland.Trout has been bothered by nerve... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout has undergone a cryoablation procedure to alleviate pain in his right foot.Angels manager Brad Ausmus described the procedure as relatively minor Monday night.Trout wasn't in the Angels' lineup for the second straight game when they opened a homestand against Cleveland. Ausmus says he could return later in the series.Trout has been bothered by nerve pain in his foot for several weeks, but has largely played through it. The cryoablation procedure uses extreme cold to essentially deaden the tissue around the irritated nerve.Trout is batting .291 with an AL-leading 45 homers and 104 RBIs. His .438 on-base percentage leads the majors.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

White sox first. Tim Anderson singles to center field. Yoan Moncada singles to center field. Tim Anderson to second. Jose Abreu doubles to left field. Yoan Moncada to third. Tim Anderson scores. Eloy Jimenez grounds out to third base, David Fletcher to Jared Walsh. Yoan Moncada scores. James McCann walks. Welington Castillo grounds out to shortstop. James McCann out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 2, Angels 0.Angels third. Luis Rengifo homers to center field. Anthony Bemboom pops out to Jose Abreu. David Fletcher lines out to center field to Adam Engel. Mike Trout flies out to center field to Adam Engel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 2, Angels 1.White sox fifth. Adam Engel walks. Tim Anderson homers to left field. Adam Engel scores. Yoan Moncada flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun. Jose Abreu walks. Eloy Jimenez flies out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Jose Abreu to third. James McCann strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SO, WHERE WERE WE?Before their regularly scheduled matchup in Oakland, the Tigers and Athletics will resume a game that was suspended May 19 at Detroit with the A's leading 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back then, the A's were in the middle of putting together their first 10-game winning streak since 2006. But that could get wiped away if Oakland can't close out the May 19 game against Detroit. If the A's hang on, the winning streak will go to 11 games. If the Tigers rally to win, Oakland's streak from that stretch will only be considered a seven-gamer. Center fielder Ramon Laureano is expected to come off the injured list for the A's and play in the second game.OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSMinnesota has a chance to widen its 6 1/2-game lead in the AL Central over Cleveland and perhaps all but salt away the division title when the Indians come to town for a three-game series. Michael Pineda (11-5, 4.11 ERA) pitches the opener for the Twins,... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while on the mound facing his brother, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Miami Marlins' 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.Brian (1-0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate having doubled in each of his first two at-bats.The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing back-to-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout. Moran hit Josh Bell with a pitch and then got Melky Cabrera to fly out in his only inning of work.The Marlins rallied for four runs in the fifth, allowing Brian to get the win. Colin finished 2 for 4.They became the first siblings to face each other in a pitcher-batter scenario with one of the brothers making his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Dario... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:SO, WHERE WERE WE?Before their regularly scheduled matchup in Oakland, the Tigers and Athletics will resume a game that was suspended May 19 at Detroit with the A's leading 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back then, the A's were in the middle of putting together their first 10-game winning streak since 2006. But that could get wiped away if Oakland can't close out the May 19 game against Detroit. If the A's hang on, the winning streak will go to 11 games. If the Tigers rally to win, Oakland's streak from that stretch will only be considered a seven-gamer. Center fielder Ramon Laureano is expected to come off the injured list for the A's and play in the second game.OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSMinnesota has a chance to widen its 6½-game lead in the AL Central over Cleveland and perhaps all but salt away the division title when the Indians come to town for a three-game series. Michael Pineda (11-5, 4.11 ERA) pitches the opener for the Twins,... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher flies out to deep center field to Mark Canha. Mike Trout singles to shortstop. Albert Pujols singles to third base. Mike Trout to second. Brian Goodwin reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Albert Pujols out at second. Mike Trout to third. Justin Upton doubles to deep center field. Brian Goodwin scores. Mike Trout scores. Kole Calhoun strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Athletics 0.Athletics first. Marcus Semien hit by pitch. Matt Chapman called out on strikes. Marcus Semien steals second. Matt Olson grounds out to first base, Albert Pujols to Luke Bard. Marcus Semien to third. Mark Canha singles to center field. Marcus Semien scores. Jurickson Profar grounds out to shallow right field, Luis Rengifo to Albert Pujols.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Athletics 1.Angels third. David Fletcher singles to shallow infield. Mike Trout homers to center field. David Fletcher scores. Albert Pujols grounds out to shortstop,... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher flies out to left field to Seth Brown. Mike Trout homers to center field. Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging. Albert Pujols flies out to deep center field to Mark Canha.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 0.Angels second. Kole Calhoun walks. Justin Upton singles to left field. Kole Calhoun to second. Andrelton Simmons singles to left field. Justin Upton out at third. Kole Calhoun scores. Luis Rengifo strikes out swinging. Max Stassi pops out to second base to Jurickson Profar.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Athletics 0.Athletics second. Matt Olson doubles to deep right field. Mark Canha grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols. Seth Brown triples to deep right field. Matt Olson scores. Khris Davis grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols. Seth Brown scores. Jurickson Profar walks. Josh Phegley strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Athletics 2.Athletics third.... [More]

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Plus playoff spots and seeding.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, along with sluggers... [More]

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Oh, and playoff spots.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, plus sluggers Giancarlo Stanton... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major league batters broke the monthly home run record for the third time this year and are on pace to shatter the season mark with weeks to spare, part of a season in which strikeouts also are occurring at an unprecedented rate.Batters hit 1,228 home runs hit in the majors in August, the Elias Sports Bureau said Sunday. That topped the 1,142 in June and 1,135 in May.Six of the top seven home run months have been in the last three seasons. August 2017 is third at 1,119, followed by June 2017 (1,101), May 2000 (1,069) and May 2017 (1,060).The New York Yankees hit a big league record of 74 homers in August — the previous mark for any month was 58 by Baltimore in May 1987 and Seattle in May 1999.Minnesota set the season record Saturday with 27 games remaining, Mitch Garver's second home run of the night, the Twins' sixth of the game, raised their total to 268, one more than the New York Yankees hit last year.Big league batters entered Sunday with 5,706 homers, 399 shy of the... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels star outfielder Mike Trout said he was shocked to hear the details of Tyler Skaggs' death, but that it doesn't change his opinions about his late teammate.A Texas medical examiner said in a report released Friday that Skaggs died of an accidental overdose from a toxic mix of the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol on July 1. The 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area before the start of a series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed and later made up last month."It's pretty crazy. Obviously, it doesn't change my view on Tyler," Trout said before Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. "He made a big impact on my life and this team."Trout added that he was also surprised to hear that a team employee might have been involved. The Southlake, Texas, police, as well as an attorney hired by the family, are investigating. Major League Baseball said on Friday that it would... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Minnesota Twins capped a night of sensational slugging by breaking the major league record for home runs in a season, but that wasn't enough to overcome Detroit's seven-run third inning in the Tigers' 10-7 victory Saturday.The Twins homered six times to bring their season total to 268, one more than the New York Yankees managed last year. Minnesota broke the mark when Mitch Garver led off the ninth with a drive to left for his second homer of the game.Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, C.J. Cron and Nelson Cruz also went deep for Minnesota, which passed the 1997 Mariners (264 homers) during the game. Martín Perez (9-6) got the loss.Ronny Rodriguez hit a pair of two-run homers for the Tigers, who snapped a six-game skid and halted a six-game winning streak by the AL Central-leading Twins. Matthew Boyd (7-10) earned the win.ANGELS 10, RED SOX 4ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols homered in a seven-run eighth inning, Mike Trout became the youngest player to reach at least 275 home... [More]

Red sox first. Mookie Betts singles to center field. Rafael Devers reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Mookie Betts out at second. Xander Bogaerts strikes out on a foul tip. J.D. Martinez doubles to deep right center field. Rafael Devers scores. Sam Travis strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 1, Angels 0.Angels second. Andrelton Simmons singles to shortstop. Luis Rengifo reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Andrelton Simmons out at second. Kevan Smith walks. David Fletcher flies out to center field to Mookie Betts. Mike Trout singles to right field. Kevan Smith to third. Luis Rengifo scores. Brian Goodwin strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Red sox 1, Angels 1.Red sox third. Mookie Betts doubles to deep left field. Rafael Devers grounds out to second base, Luis Rengifo to Albert Pujols. Mookie Betts to third. Xander Bogaerts lines out to second base to Albert Pujols. J.D. Martinez singles to center field. Mookie Betts scores.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The family of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs says it was startled to learn that a club employee "may" be part of the investigation into the 27-year-old's death from an accidental drug overdose.A Texas coroner said in a report made public Friday that Skaggs died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area July 1 before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed before the teams played the final three games."That is completely out of character for someone who worked so hard to become a Major League Baseball player and had a very promising future in the game he loved so much," the family said less than two hours after the coroner's report was made public. "We will not rest until we learn the truth about how Tyler came into possession of these narcotics, including... [More]

Red sox first. Mookie Betts homers to left field. Rafael Devers hit by pitch. Xander Bogaerts strikes out swinging. J.D. Martinez grounds out to shortstop. Rafael Devers out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 1, Angels 0.Red sox second. Sam Travis walks. Andrew Benintendi hit by pitch. Sam Travis to second. Christian Vazquez grounds out to third base. Andrew Benintendi out at second. Sam Travis to third. Brock Holt singles to left field. Sam Travis scores. Sandy Leon flies out to center field to Mike Trout.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Red sox 2, Angels 0.Red sox third. Mookie Betts singles to center field. Rafael Devers lines out to center field to Mike Trout. Xander Bogaerts lines out to deep right center field to Kole Calhoun. J.D. Martinez homers to left field. Mookie Betts scores. Sam Travis grounds out to third base, David Fletcher to Albert Pujols.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Red sox 4, Angels 0.Angels third. Max Stassi called out on strikes. Brian... [More]