ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The shrine that has become Tyler Skaggs' locker in the Los Angeles clubhouse had a new addition Saturday — the ball from the final out of the no-hitter the Angels pitched while wearing their late teammate's jersey.As they prepared to face Seattle on what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, the Angels were still trying to take in everything that transpired a day earlier in a remarkable 13-0 victory.Taylor Cole started with two perfect innings and Félix Peña held the Mariners hitless the rest of the way in the Angels' first home game since Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas on July 1.Cole was wearing a T-shirt with Skaggs' catchphrase — "We're Nasty" — in the clubhouse before the game. He said he was still hyped up after the win."I feel great to have been a part of history and helping this city cope a little bit," he said. "When you can comfort and help people heal, and help people realize that there is something more to this than baseball,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — When the Los Angeles Angels think about Tyler Skaggs in the months and years ahead, Andrew Heaney is grateful they'll have the memory of one incredible night to assuage their sadness.With Skaggs' name and No. 45 on all of their jerseys Friday night, the Angels played practically perfect baseball throughout their first home game since their 27-year-old teammate's death.After they completed a combined no-hitter and a 13-0 victory over Seattle, the Angels gathered on the field and placed those No. 45 jerseys on the mound until it was more red than brown.The Angels then stood reverently in a circle to pay one more tribute to the ebullient, lanky left-hander who definitely would have called them nasty."For us, it's emotionally therapeutic," said Heaney, Skaggs' best friend and fellow starting pitcher. "After the game, we ran out on the field and everybody was celebrating. Like three hours earlier, I don't know about everybody else, (but) I had tears in my eyes. You're... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:REMEMBER WHENRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale faces the Dodgers for the first time since he came out of the bullpen to finish last year's World Series, striking out the side in the ninth inning of Boston's 5-1 victory in Game 5. Sale struggled in his final two starts before the All-Star break, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Ross Stripling pitches for NL-leading Los Angeles.ON THE MENDAll-Star infielder Alex Bregman could return to Houston's starting lineup after he took a groundball off his chin during the Astros' 5-0 loss at Texas on Thursday night. Manager AJ Hinch says Bregman, who needed four stitches, has been evaluated a couple of times since getting hit and is doing OK. He says Bregman "has not been diagnosed with a concussion at all." Bregman was playing shortstop in the series opener when a grounder by Shin-Soo Choo popped up and hit him below his mouth in the third inning. Bregman, the team's primary third baseman,... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels all wore Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys as they stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike with her first pitch.Three incredible hours later, the Angels walked back onto the Angel Stadium field, some with tears in their eyes. One by one, they removed those No. 45 jerseys and spread them over the mound until nearly all of the dirt was covered in red.In between those two melancholy, magical moments, the Angels played their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Their 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday was a combined no-hitter by Taylor Cole and Félix Peña. Mike Trout contributed six RBIs, including a 454-foot homer on the first pitch he saw.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight was in honor of him," Trout said. "He was... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels all put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight was in honor of him," Trout said. "He was definitely looking over us tonight. He's probably up there saying we're nasty. What an unbelievable game to be a part of. I'm speechless. This is the best way possible to honor him tonight. It was pretty crazy."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation. Still reeling from the... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight is about him," injured Angels infielder Zack Cozart said before the game. "We're going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation, however.Still reeling from the loss of their left-handed starter early last week in Texas, the Angels somehow excelled in every aspect... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels put on Tyler Skaggs' No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch.The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher's death.Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, these astonishing Angels played a practically perfect game with his memory in their minds."Tonight is about him," injured Angels infielder Zack Cozart said before the game. "We're going to do what we can to honor him and keep his legacy going."This tribute ended up exceeding all logic and expectation, however.Still reeling from the loss of their left-handed starter early last week in Texas, the Angels somehow excelled in every aspect... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Angels throw a combined no-hitter in first home game since death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels pitcher Taylor Cole and Felix Pena have combined for eight no-hit innings against the Seattle Mariners.The only Seattle player to reach base was designated hitter Omar Narvaez, who walked with one out in the fifth inning.Cole was the opener and worked two innings, striking out two on 22 pitches, 13 strikes. Pena has worked six innings and struck out six with one walk. The right-hander has thrown 76 pitches, 48 strikes.Pena got some help in the sixth inning when third baseman Matt Thaiss made a diving stop, gloved Mac Williamson's grounder and threw him out at first.The Angels have 10 no-hitters in their history, but only one combined. Mark Langston and Mike Whitt combined to no hit Seattle on April 11, 1990.The Angels led 13-0 after eight innings. It is Los Angeles' first home game since the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.Skaggs was found in his hotel room in Texas on July 1.On Friday, the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, every Angels' players wore Skaggs' No. 45 jersey. Skaggs' mother, Debbie, threw out the first pitch during an emotional pregame ceremony which included a 45-second moment of silence after a tribute video was played___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Skaggs' jersey hangs in his untouched locker in the Los Angeles Angels' clubhouse, his pristine cleats and gloves ready for a ballgame.The big stereo system in the room's center is silent because the affable left-hander who controlled the Angels' musical choices is no longer here.And on the far wall of the clubhouse, two photos of Skaggs now flank his competitive catchphrase printed in tall letters: "WE'RE NASTY."The pitcher's grieving teammates returned to Angel Stadium on Friday night for the first time since Skaggs was found in his hotel room in Texas nearly two weeks ago. On the day before what would have been Skaggs' 28th birthday, every Los Angeles player wore Skaggs' No. 45 jersey as they faced the Seattle Mariners."He's still a part of the team, even though he's not here," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.During a poignant pregame ceremony, both teams lined the basepaths as Skaggs' family took the mound led by his mother, Debbie, the longtime softball... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Skaggs' jersey hangs in his untouched locker in the Los Angeles Angels' clubhouse, his pristine cleats and gloves ready for a ballgame.The big stereo system in the room's center is silent because the affable left-hander who controlled the Angels' musical choices is no longer here.And on the far wall of the clubhouse, two photos of Skaggs now flank his competitive catchphrase written in foot-high letters: "WE'RE NASTY."The late pitcher's grieving teammates returned to Angel Stadium on Friday night for the first time since Skaggs was found in his hotel room in Texas nearly two weeks ago. His presence will be felt at the stadium for the rest of the Angels' season, from his intact locker to a large likeness of the pitcher now displayed prominently on the center field wall."He's still a part of the team, even though he's not here," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said.A memorial created by fans in front of the Big A's main entrance has grown to the size of a pitcher's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):11:04 p.m.Justin Verlander blazed 97 mph heat from the start, Cleveland's Shane Bieber struck out the side and the AL staff combined to fan 16, dominating a loaded NL lineup 4-3 in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night for its seventh straight win.With fans hoping to see a replay of Monday's jaw-dropping aerial show when 312 homers cleared the walls, the diamond became a pitchers' paradise — at least until the late innings.Derby champ Pete Alonso grounded a two-out, two-run single past Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning to pull the NL to 4-3, but Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for the save on the same field he got the win three years ago in World Series Game 7 for the Chicago Cubs' first title since 1908 — and denying the Indians their first since 1948.___10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):10 p.m.Carlos Carrasco hopes to strike out cancer.The Indians right-hander, who was recently diagnosed with a form of leukemia, was saluted in the fifth inning of the All-Star Game during Major League Baseball's "Stand Up to Cancer" campaign.The 32-year-old stood in the third-base coach's box, flanked by four All-Star teammates and Indians manager Terry Francona. Carrasco held a sign that read "I Stand'" while Lindor's said: "Cookie," which is the pitcher's nickname.Carrasco had been feeling fatigued in May, and was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia following an exam at the Cleveland Clinic.He has been cleared to resume conditioning and throwing activities to the extent he can tolerate them. Carrasco could pitch a bullpen session later this week and believes he'll return to the team at some point this season.He had been scheduled to start against Minnesota on June 5, when the Indians issued a statement saying... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):8:55 p.m.Two Cleveland baseball mainstays, whose careers are forever linked, were saluted before the All-Star Game.For CC Sabathia, it was a final bow. For Michael Brantley, it was welcome back.Sabathia, who will retire at the end of this season, threw out the ceremonial first pitch, a fitting tribute for the 38-year-old Yankees left-hander who began his career with the Indians in 2001.One of just 14 pitchers to record 250 career wins and 3,000 strikeouts, Sabathia said he cried when he was traded by the Indians to Milwaukee in 2008 — for Brantley."I wanted to stay here," Sabathia said. "It's just one of those cities."Brantley received a loud ovation when the Houston outfielder was introduced with the other AL players. Brantley spent 10 seasons with the Indians, who elected not to re-sign him as a free agent last winter.He later gave the AL a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the second."I know the relationships that... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on baseball's All-Star Game (all times local):8:15Late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs is being honored at the All-Star Game by two grieving teammates — and all of baseball.Superstar outfielder Mike Trout and infielder Tommy La Stella are both wearing No. 45 — Skaggs' jersey number — in Tuesday's game. The 27-year-old Skaggs died unexpectedly on July 1. He was found unresponsive in the team's hotel in Texas, hours before the Angels were scheduled to play the Rangers."It's been a difficult last couple of days for all of us," Trout said. "Being at the field — at my home — really helps."A moment of silence was held before the game and players on both squads wore black patches with Skaggs' number in white.His death sent a shockwave through baseball and deeply affected the Angels. He was one of the team's most popular players, liked by everyone for his engaging personality."There is a saying, 'You don't realize what you have until you lose it.' It's spot-on,"... [More]

July 71923 — Lefty O'Doul, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, allowed 13 runs in the sixth inning to the Cleveland Indians, who won 27-3. In 1928, he was to return to the majors as a great hitting outfielder.1936 — The NL won its first All-Star game 4-3 at Braves Field in Boston.1937 — Lou Gehrig drove in four runs with a home run and a double to pace the AL to an 8-3 victory over the NL in the All-Star game at Washington's Griffith Stadium. In attendance was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.1959 — At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, the first of two All-Star games played that season went to the NL, 5-4. The NL scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the eighth when Hank Aaron singled in a run and scored on a triple by Willie Mays.1964 — The NL beat the AL 7-4 in the All-Star game on Johnny Callison's two-out, three-run homer off Dick Radatz in the bottom of the ninth inning at New York's Shea Stadium. The win pulled the NL even with its rivals (17-17-1) for the first time since the... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lance Lynn matched the major league lead with his 11th win and the Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep with a 9-3 victory over the grieving Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, the Fourth of July game that the late Tyler Skaggs had been scheduled to start.The Angels won the first two games of the series after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Texas on Monday, and that night's scheduled game was postponed until August.Mike Trout hit another impressive homer for Los Angeles in the first inning, his AL best-tying 25th. But Lynn (11-4) limited Los Angeles to only one more run over his seven innings and Rougned Odor homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.An emotional trip for the Angels that began with them traveling to Texas in cowboy hats and Western attire — a theme initiated by Skaggs — now takes them to Houston for three games this weekend against the Astros before the All-Star break.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE REPLACEMENTSJosé Berríos will fill in for fellow Minnesota right-hander Jake Odorizzi in the All-Star Game. Odorizzi left Tuesday's game in Oakland with a blister on his right middle finger and was headed for the injured list. Hunter Pence was replaced by Boston's Xander Bogaerts.Pence has been out since June 16 with a right groin strain and was pulled off his rehab assignment Tuesday after aggravating the injury during a minor league game. Brandon Lowe was set to replace Tommy La Stella on the AL squad. But Lowe's status also is questionable because of a right leg injury. Lowe also fouled a ball off his leg and left a game Tuesday night.TRADITIONAL STARTERSThe AL East-leading New York Yankees and second-place Tampa Bay start a four-game series in Florida on Thursday night and neither team is scheduled to use an opener.The Rays have done it 28 times, while Yankees right-hander Chad Green has filled the role seven times and left-hander... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in 7 1/3 shutout innings, Brian Dozier and Matt Adams homered, and the Washington Nationals continued their midseason surge with a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.Washington has won seven of its last eight and is 25-10 since May 24. The Nationals improved to 44-41, the first time they've been three games over .500 this season.Strasburg (10-4) was, as usual, brilliant against the Marlins. He allowed two hits and two walks while extending his personal winning streak against Miami to 11. The right-hander is 20-7 with a 2.86 ERA in 34 career starts against the Marlins, who didn't get a man past first until the eighth.Strasburg's gem included the first immaculate inning of his career. Strasburg needed just nine pitches to strike out Garrett Cooper, Neil Walker and Starlin Castro in the fourth.Miami's Sandy Alcantara (4-8), making his first start since earning an All-Star nod Sunday, allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.ANGELS 6,... [More]