ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired catcher Drew Butera from Texas in exchange for cash considerations. The Angels also designated catcher Jack Kruger for assignment Friday. The 37-year-old Butera will back up Kurt Suzuki in Anaheim while catchers Max Stassi and Anthony Bemboom are sidelined by injuries. Stassi went on the injured list Thursday with an apparent concussion after hitting his head on a stanchion while chasing a foul ball two days earlier. Bemboom has back problems that are preventing him from playing, manager Joe Maddon said Friday. Butera appeared in 10 games for the Angels in 2015 before he was traded to Kansas City, where he won a World Series ring. A career .198 hitter and a strong defensive catcher, Butera has been behind the plate for two no-hitters in a 12-year major league career with five teams. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe also went deep to help Tyler Glasnow (5-1) win his fifth straight decision. Tampa Bay will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday. It is the third division crown for the thrifty Rays, who also won the AL East in 2008 and 2010. Their inaugural season was 1998. After missing a chance to clinch Tuesday, the Rays went into Wednesday again needing just a win or a New York Yankees loss against Toronto to lock up the division championship. The Rays (37-20) broke a 2-all tie in the sixth on Arozarena’s two-run homer off Michael Wacha (1-4) and pulled away. As has become customary during this pandemic-shortened season, the celebration was muted. After Nick Anderson fanned Andres Gimenez for the final out, the closer exchanged a hug... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Right-hander Mike Clevinger of the playoff-bound San Diego Padres lasted only one inning in his start against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The team said the right-hander's departure was unplanned but didn't provide any other information. Clevinger's start had been pushed back from Saturday night because of tightness in his right biceps. Manager Jayce Tingler said on Tuesday that the right-hander threw a bullpen session on Monday and seemed good to go for Wednesday afternoon's start. A few days earlier, Tingler held out hope that Clevinger might even be able to make two more starts before the regular season ended, if even if the second one was brief. Clevinger, obtained in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland on Aug. 31, breezed through the first inning on 12 pitches, including striking out Mike Trout and David Fletcher. Rookie Adrian Morejon began warming up in the bullpen while the Padres batted in the bottom of the inning and came out to start the second. Morejon allowed a two-run home run to Shohei Ohtani and solo shots to Justin Upton and Anthony Bemboom that gave the Angels a 4-2 lead. The Padres have clinched their first playoff berth in 14 seasons and their magic number remains at two for clinching homefield advantage in the wild-card round next week. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Nate Lowe hit two homers and drove in four runs as Tampa Bay fielded a lineup of all lefties, Blake Snell worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the AL East-leading Rays routed the cellar-dwelling Boston Red Sox 11-1 on Friday night.Tampa Bay became the first major league team since at least 1900 to use a batting order with only left-handed batters, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Snell (4-1) gave up five hits and two walks. He struck out five.Yoshi Tsutsugo also homered for the Rays, who stopped a three-game skid. Boston rookie Bobby Dalbec had his five-game home run streak end but had an RBI double in the ninth.Rays manager Kevin Cash stacked his lineup with lefties against right-hander Andrew Triggs, who made his second start with Boston.Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke quickly countered by removing Triggs after he allowed a hit and walk in a scoreless first. However, Tsutsugo started the second with a homer off lefty Matt Hall (0-3).Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI... [More]

Angels first. Andrelton Simmons flies out to right field to Charlie Blackmon. Jared Walsh singles to shortstop. Mike Trout singles to left center field. Jared Walsh to second. Anthony Rendon singles to shallow left field. Mike Trout to third. Jared Walsh scores. Throwing error by Trevor Story. Justin Upton singles to left field. Anthony Rendon to second. Mike Trout scores. Shohei Ohtani reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Justin Upton out at second. Anthony Rendon to third. Taylor Ward strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Angels 2, Rockies 0.Rockies third. Josh Fuentes singles to deep center field. Tony Wolters walks. Raimel Tapia flies out to deep left field to Justin Upton. Trevor Story doubles to deep right center field. Tony Wolters to third. Josh Fuentes scores. Charlie Blackmon out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Mike Trout. Trevor Story to third. Tony Wolters scores. Nolan Arenado strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left... [More]

Angels first. Andrelton Simmons singles to shallow center field. Matt Thaiss strikes out swinging. Mike Trout strikes out swinging. Andrelton Simmons steals second. Anthony Rendon singles to center field. Andrelton Simmons scores. Shohei Ohtani singles to right field. Anthony Rendon to third. Albert Pujols grounds out to third base, Isiah Kiner-Falefa to Ronald Guzman.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 1, Rangers 0.Angels fourth. Jo Adell lines out to deep left field to Eli White. Anthony Bemboom singles. Luis Rengifo reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Anthony Bemboom out at second. Andrelton Simmons reaches on error to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Luis Rengifo scores. Throwing error by Anderson Tejeda. Matt Thaiss grounds out to shallow right field to Ronald Guzman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Rangers 0.Rangers fourth. Isiah Kiner-Falefa doubles. Nick Solak singles to shallow infield. Isiah Kiner-Falefa scores. Joey Gallo flies out to deep right center... [More]

Angels first. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Jared Walsh flies out to deep right field to Kyle Tucker. Mike Trout doubles to shallow left field. Shohei Ohtani singles to left field. Mike Trout scores. Justin Upton flies out to right field to Kyle Tucker.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Astros 0.Astros second. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep center field to Mike Trout. Kyle Tucker homers to center field. Carlos Correa pops out to shallow infield to Franklin Barreto. Martin Maldonado grounds out to shortstop, Franklin Barreto to Jared Walsh.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Angels 1.Astros third. Abraham Toro grounds out to shallow infield, Griffin Canning to Jared Walsh. Jack Mayfield singles to right field. George Springer walks. Jack Mayfield to second. Myles Straw called out on strikes. Michael Brantley walks. George Springer to second. Jack Mayfield to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to shallow center field. Michael Brantley... [More]

Angels third. Jared Walsh doubles to deep right field. Jo Adell walks. Anthony Bemboom pops out to shallow infield to Mike Clevinger. Andrelton Simmons singles to left field. Jo Adell out at third. Jared Walsh scores. Mike Trout flies out to deep center field to Jorge Mateo.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Padres 0.Angels fourth. Anthony Rendon triples to deep right field. Justin Upton singles to center field. Anthony Rendon scores. Shohei Ohtani flies out to deep left field to Jurickson Profar. Franklin Barreto grounds out to shallow infield to Austin Nola. Jared Walsh grounds out to shallow right field, Jake Cronenworth to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 2, Padres 0.

Angels third. Anthony Bemboom strikes out swinging. Luis Rengifo strikes out swinging. Shohei Ohtani walks. Mike Trout homers to center field. Shohei Ohtani scores. Anthony Rendon grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 2, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Eric Hosmer walks. Mitch Moreland singles to shallow left field. Eric Hosmer to second. Jake Cronenworth grounds out to second base. Mitch Moreland out at second. Eric Hosmer to third. Jurickson Profar homers to right field. Eric Hosmer scores. Jason Castro grounds out to first base to Albert Pujols.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 2, Angels 2.Angels fourth. Justin Upton singles to left field. Albert Pujols doubles. Justin Upton scores. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr. to Eric Hosmer. Jo Adell flies out to right field to Greg Allen. Anthony Bemboom lines out to center field to Greg Allen.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Padres 2.Padres... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher strikes out swinging. Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging. Mike Trout singles to shallow infield. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep left field. Mike Trout scores. Albert Pujols grounds out to shallow left field, J.P. Crawford to Jose Marmolejos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Mariners 0.Mariners second. Austin Nola grounds out to shallow infield to Dylan Bundy. Jose Marmolejos doubles to deep center field. Tim Lopes doubles to left field. Jose Marmolejos scores. Shed Long Jr. grounds out to shallow infield, David Fletcher to Albert Pujols. Tim Lopes to third. Jake Fraley walks. J.P. Crawford pops out to shallow center field to Andrelton Simmons.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mariners 1, Angels 1.Angels second. Justin Upton walks. Jo Adell homers to left field. Justin Upton scores. Anthony Bemboom flies out to center field to Kyle Lewis. Andrelton Simmons strikes out swinging. David Fletcher lines out to deep left field to Sam Haggerty.2 runs,... [More]

Angels first. Mike Trout lines out to deep center field to Myles Straw. Tommy La Stella walks. David Fletcher singles to shortstop. Shohei Ohtani flies out to left center field to Kyle Tucker. Andrelton Simmons walks. David Fletcher to second. Tommy La Stella to third. Brian Goodwin singles to second base, advances to 3rd. Andrelton Simmons scores. David Fletcher scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Fielding error by Josh Reddick. Jo Adell doubles to right field. Brian Goodwin scores. Anthony Bemboom walks. Luis Rengifo lines out to left field to Kyle Tucker.4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Angels 4, Astros 0.Angels fourth. Luis Rengifo homers to left field. Mike Trout called out on strikes. Tommy La Stella lines out to deep left field to Kyle Tucker. David Fletcher grounds out to shallow infield, Andre Scrubb to Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 5, Astros 0.Angels fifth. Shohei Ohtani walks. Andrelton Simmons singles to shallow right field. Shohei Ohtani... [More]

Angels first. Mike Trout lines out to deep center field to Myles Straw. Tommy La Stella walks. David Fletcher singles to shortstop. Shohei Ohtani flies out to left center field to Kyle Tucker. Andrelton Simmons walks. David Fletcher to second. Tommy La Stella to third. Brian Goodwin singles to second base, advances to 3rd. Andrelton Simmons scores. David Fletcher scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Fielding error by Josh Reddick. Jo Adell doubles to right field. Brian Goodwin scores. Anthony Bemboom walks. Luis Rengifo lines out to left field to Kyle Tucker.4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Angels 4, Astros 0.Angels fourth. Luis Rengifo homers to left field. Mike Trout called out on strikes. Tommy La Stella lines out to deep left field to Kyle Tucker. David Fletcher grounds out to shallow infield, Andre Scrubb to Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 5, Astros 0.Angels fifth. Shohei Ohtani walks. Andrelton Simmons singles to shallow right field. Shohei Ohtani... [More]

Astros second. Kyle Tucker homers to center field. Yuli Gurriel doubles to deep right center field. Michael Brantley lines out to deep left field to Justin Upton. Josh Reddick singles to left center field. Yuli Gurriel scores. Martin Maldonado singles to left field. Josh Reddick to second. Jack Mayfield reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Martin Maldonado out at second. Josh Reddick to third. George Springer strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Angels 0.Angels third. Andrelton Simmons walks. Anthony Bemboom out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Jack Mayfield to Yuli Gurriel. Andrelton Simmons to second. David Fletcher singles to second base. Andrelton Simmons scores. Shohei Ohtani reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. David Fletcher to second. Fielding error by Jose Altuve. Mike Trout flies out to center field to George Springer. Anthony Rendon lines out to deep right center field to Josh Reddick.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Astros... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Ramon Laureano lines out to center field to Mike Trout. Matt Chapman doubles to deep left field. Mark Canha walks. Matt Olson pops out to Anthony Rendon. Stephen Piscotty doubles to deep left field. Mark Canha scores. Matt Chapman scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Angels 0.Angels fifth. David Fletcher doubles to right field. Tommy La Stella walks. Mike Trout flies out to deep left field to Mark Canha. Anthony Rendon singles to shallow left field. Tommy La Stella to second. David Fletcher scores. Brian Goodwin flies out to left field to Mark Canha. Albert Pujols reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Tommy La Stella out at third.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 3, Angels 1.Athletics fifth. Ramon Laureano flies out to Jo Adell. Matt Chapman grounds out to shallow infield, David Fletcher to Albert Pujols. Mark Canha doubles to deep left field. Matt Olson doubles... [More]

Angels first. David Fletcher strikes out swinging. Tommy La Stella doubles to deep center field. Mike Trout strikes out swinging. Anthony Rendon singles to center field. Tommy La Stella scores. Shohei Ohtani grounds out to second base, Evan Longoria to Brandon Belt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Giants 0.Giants first. Austin Slater doubles to deep left field. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shallow infield, Max Stassi to Tommy La Stella. Wilmer Flores homers to center field. Austin Slater scores. Evan Longoria grounds out to shallow infield, Luis Rengifo to Tommy La Stella. Brandon Belt walks. Joey Bart hit by pitch. Brandon Belt to second. Darin Ruf reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Brandon Belt out at third.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 2, Angels 1.Giants second. Brandon Crawford singles to shallow right field. Mauricio Dubon singles to left field. Brandon Crawford to second. Austin Slater grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Suarez to Tommy... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels declined to offer a 2020 contract to catcher Kevan Smith on Monday, making him a free agent.The 31-year-old Smith played in just 67 games last season with the Angels after they claimed him off waivers from the White Sox. He batted .251 with five homers and 12 RBIs while missing time with injuries including a lower back strain and a concussion.The Angels tendered a contract to catcher Max Stassi, but his recovery from right hip surgery could keep him sidelined past opening day. Anthony Bemboom is the only other catcher on the Angels’ 40-man roster.The Angels also tendered contracts to their other seven arbitration-eligible players, infielder Tommy La Stella, outfielder Brian Goodwin and left-hander Andrew Heaney.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Astros first. George Springer singles to right field. Jose Altuve doubles to deep left field. George Springer scores. Michael Brantley lines out to center field to Brian Goodwin. Jose Altuve to third. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Alex Bregman out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Angels 0.Astros second. Aledmys Diaz homers to center field. Martin Maldonado grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols. Myles Straw grounds out to third base, Matt Thaiss to Albert Pujols. George Springer homers to center field. Jose Altuve grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 3, Angels 0.Astros third. Michael Brantley flies out to right center field to Kole Calhoun. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez lines out to center field to Brian Goodwin. Yuli Gurriel homers to left field. Alex Bregman scores. Aledmys Diaz lines out... [More]

Astros second. Alex Bregman homers to center field. Yordan Alvarez grounds out to shallow infield, Anthony Bemboom to Albert Pujols. Yuli Gurriel walks. Robinson Chirinos strikes out swinging. Kyle Tucker grounds out to second base, Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Angels 0.Astros eighth. Kyle Tucker lines out to shortstop, Luis Garcia to Andrelton Simmons to Albert Pujols. Jack Mayfield singles to right center field. George Springer walks. Jack Mayfield to second. Jose Altuve called out on strikes. Michael Brantley homers to center field. George Springer scores. Jack Mayfield scores. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 4, Angels 0.

Angels second. Jared Walsh called out on strikes. Taylor Ward homers to center field. Kaleb Cowart flies out to left field to Chad Pinder. Anthony Bemboom pops out to shallow left field to Matt Chapman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Angels 1, Athletics 0.Athletics fifth. Marcus Semien grounds out to shortstop, David Fletcher to Jared Walsh. Ramon Laureano homers to center field. Matt Chapman grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Jared Walsh. Matt Olson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Angels 1.Angels seventh. Jared Walsh doubles to deep center field. Taylor Ward flies out to center field to Chad Pinder. Michael Hermosillo to third. Kaleb Cowart doubles to deep right field. Michael Hermosillo scores. Kevan Smith pinch-hitting for Anthony Bemboom. Kevan Smith called out on strikes. David Fletcher is intentionally walked. Brian Goodwin flies out to left field to Seth Brown.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 2, Athletics 1.Athletics ninth. Marcus Semien singles to center field. Ramon Laureano out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Hansel Robles to Matt Thaiss. Marcus Semien to second. Matt Chapman homers to center field. Marcus Semien scores. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Franklin Barreto doubles to deep left field. Chad Pinder called out on strikes.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Angels 2.

Astros first. George Springer homers to center field. Jose Altuve flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun. Michael Brantley walks. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Kole Calhoun. Yordan Alvarez singles to right center field. Michael Brantley to second. Yuli Gurriel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yordan Alvarez out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Angels 0.Angels second. Kole Calhoun grounds out to shallow center field, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel. Andrelton Simmons grounds out to third base, Aledmys Diaz to Yuli Gurriel. Jared Walsh triples to deep center field. Michael Hermosillo triples to deep center field. Jared Walsh scores. Matt Thaiss grounds out to shallow infield, Justin Verlander to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 1, Astros 1.Astros second. Aledmys Diaz singles to right center field. Robinson Chirinos strikes out swinging. Josh Reddick pops out to Matt Thaiss. George Springer homers to left field. Aledmys Diaz... [More]