HOUSTON (AP) — Spenser Watkins was at a crossroads this winter. The right-hander had toiled in the minors since 2014 without making it to the majors. And with spring training fast approaching and no job, he was prepared to quit baseball and accept a job coaching the freshman team at a Phoenix high school. “There was a lot of uncertainty and a lot of pressure for me to figure out a way to provide for my family,” he said. Then came the call that revived a career that was oh-so-close to ending. The Baltimore Orioles signed the 28-year-old pitcher to a minor league deal, leaving those freshmen without a coach but giving Watkins one more chance to make it to the big leagues. On Wednesday, that decision to give his lifelong dream another shot paid off big time. Baltimore selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk, and he joined the Orioles in Houston, where he could make his major league debut. “I’m still just on cloud nine and it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Watkins said. “My phone is lighting... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Jarred Kelenic hit a two-run homer for his first major league hit and tacked on two doubles, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. After going hitless in his big league debut Thursday, Kelenic brought the crowd to its feet with a drive to right-center against Aaron Civale in the third inning. The ball was clocked at 109.3 mph off the bat and Kelenic’s sprint around the bases seemed just as fast. Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger also connected for Seattle. Chris Flexen (4-1) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, and Rafael Montero recorded the final out for his fifth save. Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Cleveland. Civale (5-1) allowed a season-high five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. PADRES 5, CARDINALS 4 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Joe Musgrove got through five innings for his first victory since throwing a no-hitter on April 9, and San Diego beat St. Louis in their first meeting since the Padres eliminated the Cardinals from... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Jarred Kelenic hit a two-run homer for his first major league hit and tacked on two doubles, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. After going hitless in his big league debut Thursday, Kelenic brought the crowd to its feet with a drive to right-center against Aaron Civale in the third inning. The ball was clocked at 109.3 mph off the bat and Kelenic’s sprint around the bases seemed just as fast. Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger also connected for Seattle. Chris Flexen (4-1) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, and Rafael Montero recorded the final out for his fifth save. Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Cleveland. Civale (5-1) allowed a season-high five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. NATIONALS 17, DIAMONDBACKS 2 PHOENIX (AP) — Trea Turner hit his 14th career leadoff homer and Yan Gomes had five hits, powering Washington to the runaway win. Turner’s ninth homer of the season on Riley Smith’s second pitch was a no-doubter... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Jarred Kelenic hit a two-run homer for his first major league hit and tacked on two doubles, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 7-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. After going hitless in his big league debut Thursday, Kelenic brought the crowd to its feet with a drive to right-center against Aaron Civale in the third inning. The ball was clocked at 109.3 mph off the bat and Kelenic’s sprint around the bases seemed just as fast. Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger also connected for Seattle. Chris Flexen (4-1) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, and Rafael Montero recorded the final out for his fifth save. Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer in the ninth for Cleveland. Civale (5-1) allowed a season-high five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. NATIONALS 17, DIAMONDBACKS 2 PHOENIX (AP) — Trea Turner hit his 14th career leadoff homer and Yan Gomes had five hits, powering Washington to the runaway win. Turner’s ninth homer of the season on Riley Smith’s second pitch was a no-doubter... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge went deep twice and Gio Urshela delivered a key pinch-hit shot, leading the banged-up New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Judge is now 10 for 19 with five homers against the Orioles this season. He has 13 career multihomer games, five of them against Baltimore. Urshela is still hampered by a left knee injury but was available off the bench in the seventh. After Miguel Andújar singled and Kyle Higashioka walked, Urshela hit the second pinch-hit homer of his career off Travis Lakins (1-4) to erase a 4-2 deficit. The Yankees were missing several key players, including shortstop Gleyber Torres (COVID-19), center fielder Aaron Hicks (left wrist) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who was a late scratch with left quad tightness. Yankees starter Corey Kluber (3-2) allowed four runs over six innings. Jonathan Loáisiga picked up his second save. RAYS 3, METS 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips hit an RBI single with two... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge went deep twice and Gio Urshela delivered a key pinch-hit shot, leading the banged-up New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Judge is now 10 for 19 with five homers against the Orioles this season. He has 13 career multihomer games, five of them against Baltimore. Urshela is still hampered by a left knee injury but was available off the bench in the seventh. After Miguel Andújar singled and Kyle Higashioka walked, Urshela hit the second pinch-hit homer of his career off Travis Lakins (1-4) to erase a 4-2 deficit. The Yankees were missing several key players, including shortstop Gleyber Torres (COVID-19), center fielder Aaron Hicks (left wrist) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who was a late scratch with left quad tightness. Yankees starter Corey Kluber (3-2) allowed four runs over six innings. Jonathan Loáisiga picked up his second save. RAYS 3, METS 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips hit an RBI single with two... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge went deep twice and Gio Urshela delivered a key pinch-hit shot, leading the banged-up New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Judge is now 10 for 19 with five homers against the Orioles this season. He has 13 career multihomer games, five of them against Baltimore. Urshela is still hampered by a left knee injury but was available off the bench in the seventh. After Miguel Andújar singled and Kyle Higashioka walked, Urshela hit the second pinch-hit homer of his career off Travis Lakins (1-4) to erase a 4-2 deficit. The Yankees were missing several key players, including shortstop Gleyber Torres (COVID-19), center fielder Aaron Hicks (left wrist) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who was a late scratch with left quad tightness. Yankees starter Corey Kluber (3-2) allowed four runs over six innings. Jonathan Loáisiga picked up his second save. RAYS 3, METS 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips hit an RBI single with two... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge went deep twice and Gio Urshela delivered a key pinch-hit shot, leading the banged-up New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. Judge is now 10 for 19 with five homers against the Orioles this season. He has 13 career multihomer games, five of them against Baltimore. Urshela is still hampered by a left knee injury but was available off the bench in the seventh. After Miguel Andújar singled and Kyle Higashioka walked, Urshela hit the second pinch-hit homer of his career off Travis Lakins (1-4) to erase a 4-2 deficit. The Yankees were missing several key players, including shortstop Gleyber Torres (COVID-19), center fielder Aaron Hicks (left wrist) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who was a late scratch with left quad tightness. Yankees starter Corey Kluber (3-2) allowed four runs over six innings. Jonathan Loáisiga picked up his second save. RAYS 3, METS 2 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips hit an RBI single with two... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Trey Mancini hit a go-ahead solo homer and later knocked in an insurance run, Jorge López and four relievers combined on a four-hitter and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Monday night. The Orioles had dropped their first six games at Camden Yards this season against the Red Sox and avoided a four-game sweep. It was the first time the home team won in 10 games between the teams this season. Boston still has the best record (22-14) and the best road record (12-5) in baseball. Baltimore’s bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, retiring all 10 batters it faced. Tanner Scott (2-2) struck out his only hitter to complete the sixth, Travis Lakins Sr. and Paul Fry both completed perfect innings, and César Valdez worked the ninth for his eighth save. Mancini put the Orioles ahead 2-1 with a blast to center off reliever Matt Andriese (1-2) to lead off the sixth. ANGELS 5, ASTROS 4 HOUSTON (AP) — Jared Walsh homered and matched a career high with four hits,... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Trey Mancini hit a go-ahead solo homer and later knocked in an insurance run, Jorge López and four relievers combined on a four-hitter and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Monday night. The Orioles had dropped their first six games at Camden Yards this season against the Red Sox and avoided a four-game sweep. It was the first time the home team won in 10 games between the teams this season. Boston still has the best record (22-14) and the best road record (12-5) in baseball. Baltimore’s bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, retiring all 10 batters it faced. Tanner Scott (2-2) struck out his only hitter to complete the sixth, Travis Lakins Sr. and Paul Fry both completed perfect innings, and César Valdez worked the ninth for his eighth save. Mancini put the Orioles ahead 2-1 with a blast to center off reliever Matt Andriese (1-2) to lead off the sixth. ANGELS 5, ASTROS 4 HOUSTON (AP) — Jared Walsh homered and matched a career high with four hits,... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Trey Mancini hit a go-ahead solo homer and later knocked in an insurance run, Jorge López and four relievers combined on a four-hitter and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Monday night. The Orioles had dropped their first six games at Camden Yards this season against the Red Sox and avoided a four-game sweep. It was the first time the home team won in 10 games between the teams this season. Boston still has the best record (22-14) and the best road record (12-5) in baseball. Baltimore’s bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, retiring all 10 batters it faced. Tanner Scott (2-2) struck out his only hitter to complete the sixth, Travis Lakins Sr. and Paul Fry both completed perfect innings, and César Valdez worked the ninth for his eighth save. Mancini put the Orioles ahead 2-1 with a blast to center off reliever Matt Andriese (1-2) to lead off the sixth. REDS 14, PIRATES 1 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tyler Naquin homered and drove in four runs, Tucker Barnhart... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Huascar Ynoa (3-1) hit a grand slam and allowed an unearned run and four hits in seven innings, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. Ynoa drove a fastball from Tanner Rainey 427 feet to center field in the sixth inning for the first grand slam by a major league pitcher since Cincinnati’s Anthony DeSclafani on June 23, 2018. Ronald Acuña Jr. also homered for the Braves, breaking a scoreless tie in the fifth against Joe Ross (2-2). Atlanta stopped a four-game skid while ending Washington’s four-game winning streak. YANKEES 7, ASTROS 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Boos and bad words streamed loudly from the seats in Houston’s return to Yankee Stadium, and New York got a homer and four hits from Giancarlo Stanton to sate those spiteful fans. In Houston’s first visit to the Bronx since its sign-stealing scam was exposed, an error by Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in the sixth inning let New York blow the game open. A pandemic-limited,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pete Alonso capped New York’s six-run eighth inning with a three-run double, and the Mets used a defensive meltdown by Philadelphia and a replay reversal to beat the Phillies 8-7 on Sunday night. Michael Conforto snapped a tie with a bases-loaded walk against José Alvarado, driving in Jose Peraza, and Alonso followed with a liner off David Hale that split the gap in right-center for an 8-4 lead. Philadelphia got a run back in the ninth on Roman Quinn’s RBI triple. After a Matt Joyce walk, Rhys Hoskins hit an opposite-field drive off Edwin Díaz that was initially ruled a tying three-run homer first base umpire Jose Navas. A replay review showed the ball hit the top railing of the fence on the out-of-town scoreboard in right, never clearing the wall itself. Hoskins was placed at second with a two-run double. Díaz then departed with an injury and Jeurys Familia struck out Bryce Harper on a high fastball, earning his first save. Didi Gregorius and Andrew McCutchen homered for... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A.J. Pollock drove in eight runs and Matt Beaty knocked in seven, with both players hitting early grand slams in a startling power show that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers 16-4 on Sunday. Pollock homered twice and doubled while Beaty went 4 for 6 and scored three times. Their slams came against Alec Bettinger (0-1), who gave up 11 runs in his big league debut after never pitching above Double-A. This was the first time in franchise history that the Dodgers had two players with at least seven RBIs in the same game. The last time it happened for any major league team was on Aug. 22, 2007, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ramon Vazquez each had seven RBIs for the Texas Rangers in a 30-3 blowout of Baltimore. The last time two Dodgers hit grand slams in the same game came when Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green did it in a 12-3 victory over the Marlins on May 21, 2000. Pollock’s eight RBIs matched the highest single-game total by any player in the history... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A.J. Pollock drove in eight runs and Matt Beatty knocked in seven, with both players hitting early grand slams in a startling power show that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers 16-4 on Sunday. Pollock homered twice and doubled while Beaty went 4 for 6 and scored three times. Their slams came against Alec Bettinger (0-1), who gave up 11 runs in his big league debut after never pitching above Double-A. This was the first time in franchise history that the Dodgers had two players with at least seven RBIs in the same game. The last time it happened for any major league team was on Aug. 22, 2007, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ramon Vazquez each had seven RBIs for the Texas Rangers in a 30-3 blowout of Baltimore. The last time two Dodgers hit grand slams in the same game came when Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green did it in a 12-3 victory over the Marlins on May 21, 2000. Pollock’s eight RBIs matched the highest single-game total by any player in the history... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A.J. Pollock drove in eight runs and Matt Beatty knocked in seven, with both players hitting early grand slams in a startling power show that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers 16-4 on Sunday. Pollock homered twice and doubled while Beaty went 4 for 6 and scored three times. Their slams came against Alec Bettinger (0-1), who gave up 11 runs in his big league debut after never pitching above Double-A. This was the first time in franchise history that the Dodgers had two players with at least seven RBIs in the same game. The last time it happened for any major league team was on Aug. 22, 2007, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ramon Vazquez each had seven RBIs for the Texas Rangers in a 30-3 blowout of Baltimore. The last time two Dodgers hit grand slams in the same game came when Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green did it in a 12-3 victory over the Marlins on May 21, 2000. Pollock’s eight RBIs matched the highest single-game total by any player in the history... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The last-place New York Yankees lost their fifth straight game as Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a tiebreaking double off Gerrit Cole in the seventh inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win Sunday and a three-game sweep. Four pitchers combined on the Rays’ second three-hitter of a series in which New York managed 11 hits in all. Cole (2-1) was hurt by slipshod defense that made three mistakes in the third inning alone, two by center fielder Aaron Hicks and one by left fielder Clint Frazier. Joey Wendle added a ninth-inning home run off Darren O’Day. Tampa Bay has won 18 of its last 23 against the Yankees, including in last year’s Division Series. Ryan Yarbrough (2-1) followed opener Andrew Kittredge and allowed one run and two hits in five innings. Diego Castillo got four outs, and Jeffrey Springs pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first big league save. PADRES 5, DODGERS 2 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Eric Hosmer delivered the tying and go-ahead RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings, helping... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The last-place New York Yankees lost their fifth straight game as Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a tiebreaking double off Gerrit Cole in the seventh inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win Sunday and a three-game sweep. Four pitchers combined on the Rays’ second three-hitter of a series in which New York managed 11 hits in all. Cole (2-1) was hurt by slipshod defense that made three mistakes in the third inning alone, two by center fielder Aaron Hicks and one by left fielder Clint Frazier. Joey Wendle added a ninth-inning home run off Darren O’Day. Tampa Bay has won 18 of its last 23 against the Yankees, including in last year’s Division Series. Ryan Yarbrough (2-1) followed opener Andrew Kittredge and allowed one run and two hits in five innings. Diego Castillo got four outs, and Jeffrey Springs pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first big league save. PADRES 5, DODGERS 2 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Eric Hosmer delivered the tying and go-ahead RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings, helping... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The last-place New York Yankees lost their fifth straight game as Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a tiebreaking double off Gerrit Cole in the seventh inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win Sunday and a three-game sweep. Four pitchers combined on the Rays’ second three-hitter of a series in which New York managed 11 hits in all. Cole (2-1) was hurt by slipshod defense that made three mistakes in the third inning alone, two by center fielder Aaron Hicks and one by left fielder Clint Frazier. Joey Wendle added a ninth-inning home run off Darren O’Day. Tampa Bay has won 16 of its last 21 against the Yankees, including in last year’s Division Series. Ryan Yarbrough (2-1) followed opener Andrew Kittredge and allowed one run and two hits in five innings. Diego Castillo got four outs, and Jeffrey Springs pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first big league save. INDIANS 6, REDS 3 CINCINNATI (AP) — Shane Bieber kept up his record strikeout run, fanning 13 and pitching Cleveland past Cincinnati.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manuel Margot hit a tiebreaking two-run homer, Tyler Glasnow overcame cramps and poor control to pitch five innings of one-run ball and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 6-3 Saturday and dropped New York to an AL-worst 5-9. New York lost its seventh straight series to the Rays is last this late in the season for the first time since 1991, per Elias Sports. Fans in the Bronx again booed the Bombers, but they were more restrained a day after some hurled baseballs and other items on the field late in an 8-2 loss to the Rays. Francisco Mejía hit a solo shot in the second off Jordan Montgomery (1-1), and Margot made it 3-1 with his homer off the left-hander in the fourth. Joey Wendle added a two-run shot against Jonathan Loaisiga in the seventh, and Mejía had an RBI double in the ninth. Glasnow (2-0) walked four but also struck out seven and limited New York to two hits as the Rays (7-8) won their second straight in the series. DODGERS 2, PADRES 0 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mookie Betts... [More]