TOKYO (AP) — The Yomiuri Giants have agreed to a deal with American first baseman Justin Smoak. Smoak played last season with the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants. The deal was announced on the Yomiuri Giants website on Thursday and confirmed by a team spokesman. The Yomiuri Giants did not provide any financial details. The 34-year-old Smoak broke in with the Texas Rangers in 2008 and has also played for Seattle and Toronto. He is a switch-hitting batter and has a career average of .229 with 196 home runs. He was an All-Star in 2017. He hit only .176 in the short season last year with the Brewers and Giants. The Yomiuri Giants won the Central League last season but lost in the Japan Series to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in four games. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Sept. 20 1902 — Chicago’s Jim Callaghan tossed the White Sox’s first no-hitter, beating Detroit 2-0. 1907 — Pittsburgh’s Nicholas Maddox became the first Pirates pitcher to throw a no-hitter by defeating the Brooklyn Superbas, 2-1, at Exposition Park. Pirates player-manager Fred Clarke had the only two hits of the game, both off Elmer Stricklett. All three runs in the game were unearned. Brooklyn scored its run in the fourth, thanks to errors by Maddox and shortstop Honus Wagner. Maddox made a high throw over first baseman Harry Swacina’s head, allowing Emil Batch to reach base. Batch scored when Wagner threw away Al Burch’s ground ball. 1908 — Frank Smith of the Chicago White Sox threw his second career no-hitter for a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. 1912 — The Detroit Tigers snapped Joe Wood’s 16-game win streak with a 6-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. 1924 — Grover Cleveland Alexander won his 300th game as the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Giants 7-3 in 12 innings. 1958... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills has completed eight hitless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.Mills has walked three Sunday and hasn't let a runner past first base. He's struck out four and thrown 102 pitches. He's due to face nine-hitter Jacob Nottingham to start the ninth, followed by late-game replacements Tyrone Taylor and Jace Peterson. Those two filled in for Avisail Garcia and 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich after the game turned into a blowout.The 28-year-old right-hander has been rounding back into form for Chicago after starting the year strong and then slumping. He pitched six shutout innings in his previous start Tuesday against Cincinnati and entered Sunday 4-3 with a 4.74 ERA this season.Garcia nearly got to Mills twice. He hit a hard liner to right to lead off the Brewers’ first and nearly legged out an infield hit to short for the final out of the sixth. He crossed first and immediately called to the Brewers dugout for a review, but after a very brief stoppage,... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants released Pablo Sandoval on Thursday, parting ways for a second time with the former fan favorite and 2012 World Series MVP.Sandoval ends a second stint with the club after he rejoined the Giants following parts of three seasons away with the Boston Red Sox after winning a third World Series in five years with the Giants in 2014.“Such an incredible contributor to the organization, his teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire city of San Francisco," manager Gabe Kapler said. “It was very difficult to deliver that news and for Pablo to receive it. He was a pro and a gentleman, every step of the way.”The Giants posted a thank you to the Kung Fu Panda on their Twitter page. A switch-hitter, the 34-year-old Sandoval was batting .220 with one home run and six RBIs in 33 games. He had a prorated salary of $740,741.Sandoval came back this spring from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last September, after retired manager Bruce Bochy — a father... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants released Pablo Sandoval on Thursday, parting ways for a second time with the former fan favorite and 2012 World Series MVP.Sandoval ends a second stint with the club after he rejoined the Giants following parts of three seasons away with the Boston Red Sox after winning a third World Series in five years with the Giants in 2014.The Giants posted a thank you to the Kung Fu Panda on their Twitter page. A switch-hitter, the 34-year-old Sandoval was batting .220 with one home run and six RBIs in 33 games. He had a prorated salary of $740,741.He came back this spring from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last September, after retired manager Bruce Bochy — a father figure to the Venezuelan slugger — gave him one final at-bat. But Sandoval arrived at summer training in July noticeably heavier. He recently shared how his wife and children healed from the coronavirus, and manager Gabe Kapler gave him time off to monitor the situation from afar.Newly acquired infielder Justin Smoak was added to the major league roster. In addition, left-hander Drew Smyly was activated from the 10-day injured list after dealing with a sprained index finger on his pitching hand. Right-hander Rico Garcia was optioned to the team’s Sacramento alternate site.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers released first baseman Justin Smoak on Tuesday after designating him for assignment last week.Smoak hit .186 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 33 games for the Brewers. Milwaukee claimed first baseman Daniel Vogelbach off waivers last week. The Brewers entered Tuesday night's game at Detroit trailing the final playoff spot in the National League by 1 1/2 games.Smoak's struggles came after he hit 85 homers over the previous three seasons with Toronto — although his home run totals and batting average slipped over the course of that span.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers claimed first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach off waivers and designated Justin Smoak for assignment as they attempt to boost their struggling lineup and make another September surge.Smoak, 33, had been hitting .186 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 113 at-bats. Smoak went 1 of 21 over his last eight games, though he did walk twice and score two runs Wednesday in an 8-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.“Determining whether and the likelihood of a player snapping out of a slump is always a really tough judgment call,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said. “In this case, with the volume of playing time that Justin had to try to get this going and where we are in the season, we felt like it was the right time.”The Brewers are taking a leap of faith in regard to Vogelbach, who made the All-Star Game last year but has struggled ever since. Vogelbach, 27, has batted .088 (5 of 57) in a combined 20 games this season with Seattle... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers claimed first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach off waivers and designated Justin Smoak for assignment as they attempt to boost their struggling lineup and make another September surge.Smoak, 33, had been hitting .186 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 113 at-bats. Smoak went 1 of 21 over his last eight games, though he did walk twice and score two runs Wednesday in an 8-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.“Determining whether and the likelihood of a player snapping out of a slump is always a really tough judgment call,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said. “In this case, with the volume of playing time that Justin had to try to get this going and where we are in the season, we felt like it was the right time.”The Brewers are taking a leap of faith in regard to Vogelbach, who made the All-Star Game last year but has struggled ever since. Vogelbach, 27, has batted .088 (5 of 57) in a combined 20 games this season with Seattle... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers claimed first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach off waivers and designated Justin Smoak for assignment as they attempt to boost their struggling lineup and make another September surge.Smoak, 33, had been hitting .186 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 113 at-bats. Smoak went 1 of 21 over his last eight games, though he did walk twice and score two runs Wednesday in an 8-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.“Determining whether and the likelihood of a player snapping out of a slump is always a really tough judgment call,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said. “In this case, with the volume of playing time that Justin had to try to get this going and where we are in the season, we felt like it was the right time.”The Brewers are taking a leap of faith in regard to Vogelbach, who made the All-Star Game last year but has struggled ever since. Vogelbach, 27, has batted .088 (5 of 57) in a combined 20 games this season with Seattle... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Adam Duvall hit three home runs a night after teammate Marcell Ozuna become the first NL player ever to hit three homers in Fenway Park, and the East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-5 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Ozuna added a long, tiebreaking solo drive for the Braves, who entered the three-game set 0-12-3 in their last 15 series against the Red Sox.It was Atlanta’s first sweep in Boston since capturing a three-game set in 2002. Freddie Freeman had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and J.D. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox.Ozuna’s drive also cleared the Monster, sailing over a billboard and completely out of Fenway against Andrew Triggs (0-2) in the seventh. Duvall’s third homer hit off a back wall near the bleachers after his second homer had tied it at... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Adam Duvall hit three home runs a night after teammate Marcell Ozuna become the first NL player ever to hit three homers in Fenway Park, and the East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the stumbling Boston Red Sox 7-5 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Ozuna added a long, tiebreaking solo drive for the Braves, who entered the three-game set 0-12-3 in their last 15 series against the Red Sox.It was Atlanta’s first sweep in Boston since capturing a three-game set in 2002. Freddie Freeman had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a solo homer and J.D. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox.Ozuna’s drive also cleared the Monster, sailing over a billboard and completely out of Fenway against Andrew Triggs (0-2) in the seventh. Duvall’s third homer hit off a back wall near the bleachers after his second homer had tied it at... [More]

Tigers first. Victor Reyes doubles to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop singles to shallow infield. Victor Reyes to third. Miguel Cabrera reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Jonathan Schoop out at second. Jeimer Candelario walks. Miguel Cabrera to second. Willi Castro singles to shallow infield. Jeimer Candelario to second. Miguel Cabrera to third. Victor Reyes scores. Christin Stewart strikes out swinging. Jorge Bonifacio doubles to deep center field. Willi Castro to third. Jeimer Candelario scores. Miguel Cabrera scores. Austin Romine grounds out to shallow infield, Adrian Houser to Justin Smoak.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Tigers 3, Brewers 0.Tigers third. Miguel Cabrera flies out to Ben Gamel. Jeimer Candelario singles to left field. Willi Castro singles to left center field. Jeimer Candelario to third. Christin Stewart singles to left field. Willi Castro to second. Jeimer Candelario scores. Jorge Bonifacio reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Christin... [More]

Tigers third. Christin Stewart homers to right field. Grayson Greiner flies out to left field to Jace Peterson. Willi Castro doubles. Victor Reyes singles to right field. Willi Castro to third. Jonathan Schoop hit by pitch. Victor Reyes to second. Miguel Cabrera strikes out swinging. Jeimer Candelario walks. Jonathan Schoop to second. Victor Reyes to third. Willi Castro scores. Niko Goodrum flies out to deep left field to Jace Peterson.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Tigers 2, Brewers 0.Tigers fourth. JaCoby Jones walks. Christin Stewart pops out to shortstop to Orlando Arcia. Grayson Greiner called out on strikes. Willi Castro triples to deep right field. JaCoby Jones scores. Victor Reyes singles to right field. Willi Castro scores. Jonathan Schoop singles to right center field. Victor Reyes to third. Miguel Cabrera reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Jonathan Schoop out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Tigers 4, Brewers 0.Tigers sixth. Christin Stewart singles... [More]

Brewers second. Justin Smoak walks. Ben Gamel singles to right field. Justin Smoak to second. Jedd Gyorko singles to left field. Ben Gamel to second. Justin Smoak to third. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Jace Peterson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Jedd Gyorko to second. Ben Gamel to third. Justin Smoak out at home. Eric Sogard singles to shallow right field. Jace Peterson to third. Jedd Gyorko scores. Ben Gamel scores. Throwing error by Kevin Newman. Luis Urias strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Brewers 2, Pirates 0.Pirates third. Gregory Polanco grounds out to shallow right field, Luis Urias to Justin Smoak. Jose Osuna strikes out swinging. Cole Tucker walks. Erik Gonzalez homers to left field. Cole Tucker scores. Adam Frazier grounds out to shallow infield, Luis Urias to Justin Smoak.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 2, Brewers 2.Brewers third. Christian Yelich singles to shortstop. Keston Hiura hit by pitch. Christian Yelich to... [More]

Pirates first. Erik Gonzalez singles to right field. Cole Tucker singles to shallow right field. Erik Gonzalez to third. Kevin Newman reaches on a fielder's choice to third base, advances to 2nd. Cole Tucker to third. Erik Gonzalez out at home. Josh Bell out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Jace Peterson. Kevin Newman to third. Cole Tucker scores. Jacob Stallings strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Pirates 1, Brewers 0.Brewers first. Luis Urias called out on strikes. Christian Yelich homers to right field. Keston Hiura grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Frazier to Josh Bell. Justin Smoak flies out to deep center field to Cole Tucker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 1, Brewers 1.Brewers second. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Ben Gamel doubles to left center field. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Ben Gamel to third. Jace Peterson walks. Orlando Arcia to second. Eric Sogard reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Jace Peterson to... [More]

Reds second. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas singles to right center field. Freddy Galvis hit by pitch. Mike Moustakas to second. Mark Payton flies out to deep center field to Avisail Garcia. Kyle Farmer singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Freddy Galvis to third. Mike Moustakas scores. Tucker Barnhart singles to center field. Kyle Farmer to third. Freddy Galvis scores. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to shallow infield, Keston Hiura to Jedd Gyorko.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 2, Brewers 0.Reds fifth. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to shallow right field, Orlando Arcia to Jedd Gyorko. Shogo Akiyama walks. Nick Castellanos doubles to deep center field. Shogo Akiyama scores. Jesse Winker doubles to right field. Nick Castellanos scores. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas walks. Freddy Galvis strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 4, Brewers 0.Reds seventh. Jesse Winker singles to center field. Eugenio Suarez homers to left field. Jesse Winker scores. Mike Moustakas singles to center field. Freddy Galvis pops out to shallow infield to Justin Smoak. Mark Payton strikes out swinging. Kyle Farmer strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 6, Brewers 0.

Reds second. Mike Moustakas pops out to first base to Justin Smoak. Freddy Galvis walks. Mark Payton strikes out swinging. Jose Garcia singles to shallow infield. Freddy Galvis to second. Curt Casali singles to third base. Jose Garcia to second. Freddy Galvis scores. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to shallow infield, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 1, Brewers 0.Reds third. Nick Castellanos homers to center field. Jesse Winker homers to left field. Eugenio Suarez singles to left field. Mike Moustakas grounds out to shallow infield. Eugenio Suarez out at second. Freddy Galvis grounds out to second base, Jace Peterson to Justin Smoak.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 3, Brewers 0.Reds fifth. Nick Castellanos doubles to left field. Jesse Winker homers to center field. Nick Castellanos scores. Eugenio Suarez walks. Mike Moustakas strikes out swinging. Freddy Galvis singles to left field. Eugenio Suarez to second. Phillip Ervin pinch-hitting for Mark Payton.... [More]

Reds fourth. Joey Votto called out on strikes. Nick Castellanos hit by pitch. Jesse Winker flies out to deep left field to Jace Peterson. Eugenio Suarez singles to right field. Nick Castellanos to third. Mike Moustakas singles to right field. Eugenio Suarez scores. Nick Castellanos scores. Shogo Akiyama grounds out to third base, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 2, Brewers 0.Brewers fourth. Christian Yelich singles to shallow right field. Keston Hiura singles to right field. Christian Yelich to second. Justin Smoak reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Keston Hiura to third. Christian Yelich scores. Throwing error by Joey Votto. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Ben Gamel doubles to deep right field. Justin Smoak to third. Keston Hiura scores. Eric Sogard pops out to shortstop to Freddy Galvis. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Ben Gamel out at home. Justin Smoak scores.3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Reds 2.

DETROIT (AP) — Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Javier Báez hit two home runs and the Chicago Cubs became the second franchise in major league history to post 11,000 wins, beating the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Monday night.Only the Giants have won more, with 11,179 victories after starting in New York in 1883 and later moving to San Francisco.The Cubs, who earned their first victory in 1876, improved to 11,000-10,414. The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers are close behind with 10,996 wins.David Bote homered and drove in four runs for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Báez had three RBIs.Cubs starter Alec Mills (3-2) got the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven. Tigers top prospect Casey Mize (0-1) made his first home start, allowing four runs — three earned — on five hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two.BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Toronto beat Tampa Bay.Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García... [More]