ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles Angels are picking up the option on general manager Billy Eppler's contract for next season.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Friday because the move has not been announced.Eppler is in his fourth year with the Angels. They began the day with a 64-71 record and appear headed for their fifth straight losing season. The Angels haven't been to the playoffs since 2014.Eppler signed two-time AL MVP Mike Trout to a 10-year, $360 million contract extension before the season. But his free-agent signees for this year — catcher Jonathan Lucroy, pitcher Matt Harvey and reliever Cody Allen — are no longer with the club.Eppler spoke before the Angels' game against the Boston Red Sox about the findings into the July 1 death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. A Texas coroner said in his report that Skaggs died with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles Angels are picking up the option on general manager Billy Eppler's contract for next season.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Friday because the move has not been announced.Eppler is in his fourth year with the Angels. They began the day with a 64-71 record and appear headed for their fifth straight losing season. The Angels haven't been to the playoffs since 2014.Eppler signed two-time AL MVP Mike Trout to a 10-year, $360 million contract extension before the season. But his free-agent signees for this year — catcher Jonathan Lucroy, pitcher Matt Harvey and reliever Cody Allen — are no longer with the club.Eppler spoke before the Angels' game against the Boston Red Sox about the findings into the July 1 death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. A Texas coroner said in his report that Skaggs died with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died of an accidental overdose from a toxic mix of the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol, a Texas medical examiner said in a report released Friday.Skaggs' family issued a statement suggesting a team employee was part of the investigation into the death."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 who supplied them."The 27-year-old 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.The Tarrant County Medical... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died from a toxic mix of the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol in an accidental overdose, a medical examiner in Texas said in a report released Friday.The 27-year-old 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.The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office issued a technical report that said Skaggs died as a result of "mixed ethanol, fentanyl, oxycodone intoxication with terminal aspiration of gastric contents."It said simply: "Manner of death: Accident."Skaggs' death laid bare the emotions of manager Brad Ausmus, star outfielder Mike Trout and fellow left-hander Andrew Heaney, his best friend on the team, along with the rest of his teammates and LA staff members.The first game after Skaggs died was played without... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Marcus Semien provided just enough early offense and Mike Fiers and three Oakland relievers combined to shut down the Kansas City Royals in a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.Semien scored in the first inning and drove in a run in the second. That was all the offense the A's pitchers needed one day after Oakland had a season-high 19 runs.Fiers (13-3) scattered eight hits in his 5 1/3 innings, but allowed just Alex Gordon's RBI double in the sixth. He's now won 11 straight decisions, dating to May 7, tying Mark Mulder for the second-longest winning streak in Oakland history.Mike Montgomery (3-7) surrendered an unearned run in the first and another run in the second, but gave up nothing else through 6 1/3 innings.ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 0WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Brooks came up with an unexpected pitching gem against the torrid-hitting Nationals, throwing six innings of two-hit ball to help Baltimore end Washington's five-game winning streak.The Nationals were coming off a weekend... [More]

Rangers third. Rougned Odor pops out to shallow right field to Luis Rengifo. Delino DeShields singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Kole Calhoun. Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging. Shin-Soo Choo singles to right field. Delino DeShields scores. Danny Santana reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Shin-Soo Choo out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Angels 0.Angels seventh. Shohei Ohtani singles to left field. Justin Upton walks. Shohei Ohtani to second. Albert Pujols walks. Justin Upton to second. Shohei Ohtani to third. Andrelton Simmons pops out to second base to Rougned Odor. Kole Calhoun doubles to deep right center field. Albert Pujols to third. Justin Upton scores. Shohei Ohtani scores. Luis Rengifo lines out to shortstop to Elvis Andrus. Brian Goodwin pinch-hitting for Max Stassi. Brian Goodwin singles to center field. Kole Calhoun scores. Albert Pujols scores.4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 4, Rangers 1.Rangers eighth. Danny... [More]

Astros first. Jose Altuve doubles to deep left center field. Michael Brantley walks. Alex Bregman flies out to deep center field to Mike Trout. Michael Brantley to second. Jose Altuve to third. Yordan Alvarez grounds out to third base, David Fletcher to Albert Pujols. Jose Altuve scores. Yuli Gurriel pops out to David Fletcher.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Angels 0.Angels second. Albert Pujols strikes out swinging. Andrelton Simmons homers to left field. Brian Goodwin hit by pitch. Kevan Smith grounds out to shortstop. Brian Goodwin out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Astros 1.Astros fourth. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel singles to deep right field, tagged out at second, Brian Goodwin to Andrelton Simmons. Yordan Alvarez to third. Abraham Toro grounds out to second base, Luis Rengifo to Albert Pujols. Josh Reddick singles to center field. Yordan Alvarez scores. Martin Maldonado strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 2,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BREEZIN'Despite tying a major league record by striking out 26 times, the Braves kept their winning streak going. The NL East leaders outlasted the Mets 2-1 in 14 innings Friday night for their sixth straight victory.Atlanta is 9-3 against the Mets this season and tries to boost that mark when lefty Max Fried (14-4, 3.84 ERA) starts at Citi Field. Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.40) is set to pitch for New York.Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil, on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, played third base and right field for Class A Brooklyn and went 1 for 4 in a rehab appearance. Manager Mickey Callaway left open the possibility that McNeil could be back to face the Braves.BRYCE'S BABYPhiladelphia star Bryce Harper is on the paternity list while awaiting the birth of his first child. He traveled home to Las Vegas and could be out of action through the weekend.Harper is hitting .254 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs in 125 games.The Phillies' drive for... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Saturday:BREEZIN'Despite tying a major league record by striking out 26 times in a game, the Braves kept their winning streak going. The NL East leaders outlasted the Mets 2-1 in 14 innings Friday night for their sixth straight victory.Atlanta is 9-3 against the Mets this season and tries to boost that mark when lefty Max Fried (14-4, 3.84 ERA) starts at Citi Field. Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.40) is set to pitch for New York.BRYCE'S BABYPhiladelphia star Bryce Harper is on the paternity list while awaiting the birth of his first child. He traveled home to Las Vegas and could be out of action through the weekend.Harper is hitting .254 with 27 homers and 92 RBIs in 125 games.The Phillies' drive toward an NL wild-card spot took a damaging blow Friday night when they blew a seven-run lead at last-place Miami and lost 19-11. Zach Eflin (7-11, 4.57 ERA) will next against the Marlins — he's 0-4 with an 8.42 ERA over his last 10 games, including six starts.The... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit as a Brave, and Atlanta beat the New York Mets 2-1 Friday night for its sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including 13 by deGrom — but had their five-game winning streak end.At 21, Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. became the second-youngest player with a 30-homer, 30-steal season. Only Mike Trout did it faster than Acuña.Hamilton's grounder off Jeurys Familia (4-2) was just out of reach for diving second baseman Joe Panik, allowing Tyler Flowers to score from third.DeGrom homered and struck out eight straight batters during one dominant stretch, pitching seven innings of one-run ball.Luke Jackson (7-2) pitched two scoreless innings to win. Mark Melancon delivered a 1-2-3 14th to close out the 4 hour, 37-minute game for his fifth save.MARLINS 19, PHILLIES 11MIAMI (AP) — Starlin Castro homered twice... [More]

Angels second. Kole Calhoun singles to center field. Justin Upton singles to center field. Kole Calhoun to second. Albert Pujols singles to center field. Justin Upton to third. Kole Calhoun scores. Andrelton Simmons reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Albert Pujols out at second. Justin Upton scores. Matt Thaiss reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Andrelton Simmons out at second. Anthony Bemboom reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Matt Thaiss out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Astros 0.Astros third. Jake Marisnick walks. Josh Reddick singles to center field. Jake Marisnick to second. George Springer grounds out to shortstop. Josh Reddick out at second. Jake Marisnick to third. Jose Altuve singles to center field. Jake Marisnick scores. Michael Brantley singles to center field. Jose Altuve to third. Alex Bregman pops out to shortstop to Andrelton Simmons.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 2, Astros 1.Astros fourth. Yuli Gurriel lines... [More]

Rangers second. Hunter Pence strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun homers to center field. Nick Solak doubles to deep left field. Logan Forsythe lines out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Delino DeShields doubles to deep left field. Nick Solak scores. Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Angels 0.Angels fourth. Kole Calhoun grounds out to first base to Danny Santana. Albert Pujols doubles to deep right field. Brian Goodwin doubles to center field. Albert Pujols scores. Luis Rengifo singles to left field. Brian Goodwin to third. Wilfredo Tovar grounds out to second base, Nick Solak to Danny Santana. Luis Rengifo to second. Brian Goodwin scores. Max Stassi grounds out to shortstop, Elvis Andrus to Danny Santana.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Rangers 2.Rangers fourth. Willie Calhoun singles to right field. Nick Solak doubles to deep left field. Willie Calhoun scores. Logan Forsythe grounds out to third base, David Fletcher to Albert... [More]

Rangers fifth. Logan Forsythe pops out to shallow infield to David Fletcher. Nick Solak homers to right field. Scott Heineman grounds out to second base, Luis Rengifo to Albert Pujols. Jose Trevino doubles to left field. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Danny Santana singles to left field. Shin-Soo Choo to second. Jose Trevino scores. Elvis Andrus strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 2, Angels 0.Angels eighth. Kole Calhoun pinch-hitting for Max Stassi. Kole Calhoun strikes out swinging. David Fletcher singles to center field. Mike Trout strikes out swinging. Shohei Ohtani doubles to right field. David Fletcher scores. Justin Upton called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 2, Angels 1.Angels ninth. Albert Pujols strikes out swinging. Brian Goodwin homers to right field. Luis Rengifo flies out to center field to Delino DeShields. Matt Thaiss pinch-hitting for Wilfredo Tovar. Matt Thaiss strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 2, Rangers 2.Rangers eleventh. Elvis Andrus grounds out to third base, Matt Thaiss to Albert Pujols. Delino DeShields singles to right field. Rougned Odor strikes out swinging. Logan Forsythe walks. Nick Solak reaches on error. Logan Forsythe to second. Delino DeShields scores. Fielding error by Albert Pujols.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Rangers 3, Angels 2.

Angels first. David Fletcher singles to right field. Mike Trout homers to left field. David Fletcher scores. Brian Goodwin singles to second base. Justin Upton walks. Brian Goodwin to second. Kole Calhoun walks. Justin Upton to second. Brian Goodwin to third. Luis Rengifo strikes out swinging. Matt Thaiss reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Kole Calhoun out at second. Justin Upton to third. Brian Goodwin scores. Wilfredo Tovar grounds out to third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Scott Heineman.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 3, Rangers 0.Angels fifth. Brian Goodwin singles to shallow infield. Justin Upton flies out to deep right field to Hunter Pence. Kole Calhoun strikes out swinging. Luis Rengifo homers to center field. Brian Goodwin scores. Matt Thaiss flies out to deep right field to Hunter Pence.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 5, Rangers 0.Rangers sixth. Jeff Mathis strikes out swinging. Delino DeShields strikes out swinging. Willie Calhoun homers to center field. Hunter Pence strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 5, Rangers 1.

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation, but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the... [More]

It was late in the 2015 season when Baltimore's Manny Machado smoked a pitch from Tampa Bay's Chris Archer into center field at Camden Yards.Kevin Kiermaier sprinted to the wall, turned and leaped high above it before reaching back and snatching the ball . He banged off the wall and landed on his feet with the ball firmly planted in his glove for the out.The play sent a dejected Machado back to the dugout and left a stunned Archer simply mouthing, "Wow."Archer, now with Pittsburgh, was so grateful for Kiermaier's extraordinary effort that he searched for a fitting way to thank his center fielder for keeping that run off the board.He found it by commissioning a painting of the catch, which he presented to Kiermaier at spring training the next year."It happens so rarely you're in awe," Archer said. "It's an awesome feeling. They have the defensive runs saved calculation but when you actually see a run taken away it feels so good."Kiermaier recalled the team meeting where he received the painting... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher grounds out to third base, Danny Santana to Scott Heineman. Mike Trout singles to center field. Shohei Ohtani reaches on catcher interference. Mike Trout to second. Interference error by Jose Trevino. Justin Upton doubles to deep left center field. Shohei Ohtani to third. Mike Trout scores. Kole Calhoun singles to right field. Justin Upton to third. Shohei Ohtani scores. Albert Pujols homers to left field. Kole Calhoun scores. Justin Upton scores. Luis Rengifo pops out to Jose Trevino. Wilfredo Tovar singles to right field. Max Stassi called out on strikes.5 runs, 5 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Angels 5, Rangers 0.Rangers first. Shin-Soo Choo walks. Danny Santana grounds out to shallow infield, Max Stassi to Albert Pujols. Shin-Soo Choo to second. Elvis Andrus lines out to first base to Albert Pujols. Hunter Pence singles to right field. Shin-Soo Choo to third. Rougned Odor walks. Hunter Pence to second. Nomar Mazara reaches on error. Rougned Odor to second. Hunter... [More]