Brandon Lowe homered for the fifth time in six games, Austin Meadows also connected and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading New York Yankees 6-3 Tuesday night.The second-place Rays cut their deficit to 1 1/2 games in the opener of this three-game set. Tampa Bay has won four of five in the season series.Luke Voit hit his third homer in two days and Gary Sánchez also went deep, but New York ended a six-game winning streak and dropped to 10-1 at Yankee Stadium this season. Kevin Kiermaier lined a one-out triple in the third inning and scored on a hit by nine-hole hitter Michael Perez. Meadows followed with a base hit, and then Lowe drilled a three-run shot to center off Masahiro Tanaka (0-1) for a 4-0 lead.Tanaka was charged with six runs — five earned — and eight hits over four innings.Blake Snell (2-0) allowed three runs, four hits and two walks. Nick Anderson and Chaz Roe combined for a scoreless eighth and ninth, with Roe converting his first save opportunity.NATIONALS 8, BRAVES... [More]

Cubs first. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo homers to left field. Javier Baez strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber walks. Willson Contreras walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Ian Happ doubles to left field. Willson Contreras to third. Kyle Schwarber scores. Jason Heyward walks. Victor Caratini grounds out to shortstop, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cubs 2, Brewers 0.Cubs second. Jason Kipnis singles to shallow infield. Kris Bryant lines out to deep right center field to Ryan Braun. Anthony Rizzo doubles to center field. Jason Kipnis scores. Javier Baez grounds out to shallow infield, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 3, Brewers 0.Brewers fourth. Keston Hiura pops out to Anthony Rizzo. Christian Yelich singles to left field. Avisail Garcia singles to shallow center field. Christian Yelich to third. Justin Smoak doubles to left center field. Avisail Garcia scores. Christian... [More]

Twins second. Marwin Gonzalez grounds out to second base, Keston Hiura to Justin Smoak. Miguel Sano walks. Jake Cave doubles to deep left field. Miguel Sano scores. Byron Buxton grounds out to shortstop, Keston Hiura to Justin Smoak. Jake Cave to third. Luis Arraez singles to left field. Jake Cave scores. Mitch Garver singles to center field. Luis Arraez to third. Jorge Polanco singles to center field. Mitch Garver to second. Luis Arraez scores. Nelson Cruz singles to center field. Jorge Polanco to third. Mitch Garver scores. Eddie Rosario grounds out to shallow infield, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 5, Brewers 0.Twins third. Marwin Gonzalez strikes out on a foul tip. Miguel Sano homers to left field. Jake Cave grounds out to second base, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak. Byron Buxton singles to shallow right field. Luis Arraez walks. Byron Buxton to second. Mitch Garver flies out to deep left field to Christian Yelich.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Semien homered in the first after hitting a walkoff single to end a 13-inning win a night earlier and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.Frankie Montas (2-1) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing two hits without walking a batter and striking out five for the AL West-leading A’s.The three-time reigning division champion Astros lost their fourth in a row. The last three defeats had been by a total of four runs.Semien became the first player in A’s franchise history with a game-ending hit and a leadoff homer on back-to-back days. Matt Chapman homered in the eighth and added an RBI groundout in the sixth as Oakland (11-4) matched the 2014 club for the best record through 15 games over the last 30 years. Houston starter Framber Valdéz (0-2) gave up two runs and seven hits, striking out nine with one walk over seven innings.GIANTS 5, DODGERS 4LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Slater had his first multi-homer... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice and Tampa Bay pitchers set a team nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts in the Rays’ 14-5 romp over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) gave up six runs, four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. The 2018 All-Star was designated for assignment after the game.Tyler Glasnow struck out nine and allowed one hit over four innings in first start after missing part of summer camp with the Rays after testing positive for the coronavirus. Diego Castillo (1-0) struck out two in a 10-pitch fifth and Jalen Beeks fanned seven over his three innings.Dansby Swanson and Matt Adams homered for the Braves. Swanson tied a career-high with five RBIs and stopped a 41-game homerless streak in Atlanta’s 14-1 win Sunday night over the New York Mets.CUBS 8, REDS 7CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony Rizzo homered for the third time and Chicago let most of a seven-run lead slip away before Jeremy Jeffress closed out a victory over... [More]

Cubs first. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo walks. Javier Baez hit by pitch. Anthony Rizzo to second. Kyle Schwarber called out on strikes. Willson Contreras singles to left field. Javier Baez to third. Anthony Rizzo scores. Jason Heyward grounds out to shallow infield to Justin Smoak.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Lorenzo Cain doubles to deep left field. Ben Gamel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Orlando Arcia pops out to shallow center field to Jason Kipnis. Eric Sogard singles to center field. Ben Gamel to second. Lorenzo Cain scores. Christian Yelich grounds out to shallow infield, Jason Kipnis to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 1, Cubs 1.Brewers fourth. Omar Narvaez hit by pitch. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Omar Narvaez to second. Ben Gamel triples to deep right center field. Lorenzo Cain scores. Omar Narvaez scores. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shallow... [More]

Cubs third. Victor Caratini grounds out to shallow infield, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak. Nico Hoerner singles to shallow center field. Ian Happ homers to center field. Nico Hoerner scores. Kris Bryant grounds out to third base, Eric Sogard to Justin Smoak. Anthony Rizzo hit by pitch. Javier Baez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Anthony Rizzo out at second.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 2, Brewers 0.Cubs eighth. Ian Happ pops out to shallow center field to Eric Sogard. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo homers to right field. Javier Baez grounds out to shallow infield, Orlando Arcia to Justin Smoak.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 3, Brewers 0.

With the start of Major League Baseball's shortened season a week away, games in empty stadiums and strange extra-inning rules are on the verge of becoming reality.Now that players have gotten used to COVID-19 tests, social distancing and wearing masks in the clubhouse, it's just about time to see if 30 teams can handle a 60-game schedule amid a pandemic.“Obviously, it’s going to feel a little different the way things are going with no fans and what-not," Brewers infielder Eric Sogard said, “but we’re all excited to get going and get back out there.”The season begins next Thursday night with the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals hosting the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers welcoming the rival San Francisco Giants. The rest of the league joins the fray Friday, the common thread being that all games will be played without fans in the stands, each team will have a designated hitter and that a runner will be placed on second base during extra innings.When summer... [More]

Big league players will still hear the roar of the crowd even though the stands will be empty when the baseball season opens next week. Taking a cue from two European soccer leagues, Major League Baseball will play crowd noise from its official video game through ballpark sound systems during games. Stadium sound engineers will have access to around 75 different effects and reactions, according to MLB, which has provided teams with crowd sounds captured from “MLB The Show.” San Diego Studios, a branch of Sony Interactive Entertainment, compiled the noise during games over several seasons. Clubs started using the sounds during summer camp games and will be able to test them further during exhibition games. “There was some reticence when you first talk about crowd noise in an empty ballpark because you don’t want to do something that is distracting,” said Chris Marinak, who is MLB's Executive Vice President for strategy, technology, and innovation. “It is heard in a way that is natural with... [More]

With the start of Major League Baseball's shortened season a week away, games in empty stadiums and strange extra-inning rules are on the verge of becoming reality.Now that the players have gotten used to COVID-19 tests, social distancing and wearing masks in the clubhouse, it's just about time to see if 30 teams can handle a 60-game schedule amid a pandemic.“Obviously, it’s going to feel a little different the way things are going with no fans and what-not," Brewers infielder Eric Sogard said, “but we’re all excited to get going and get back out there.”The season begins next Thursday night with the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals hosting the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers welcoming the rival San Francisco Giants. The rest of the league joins the fray Friday, the common thread being that all games will be played without fans in the stands, each team will have a designated hitter and that a runner will be placed on second base during extra innings.When... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, and Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow rejoined the Rays after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, while Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow re-joined the Rays on after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]

Opening day rosters gained clarity on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig, while Tampa Bay pitcher Tyler Glasnow provided hopes for teams awaiting players to be cleared following positive tests for the coronavirus.Puig agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is not official until Puig passes the physical.The 29-year-old Puig, who began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hit a combined .267 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019. He also stole 19 bases.Puig was the last big-name free agent from the offseason who had not signed with a team. He helps the Braves fill a void left when Nick Markakis opted out for the season.Glasnow re-joined the Rays on after missing the first 11 days of summer camp following his positive test. The right-hander immediately jumped into a simulated game at Tropicana... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___New York YankeesManager: Aaron Boone (third season). 2019: 103-59, first place, lost to Houston in AL Championship Series. Training Town: Tampa, Florida. Park: George Steinbrenner Field. First Workout: Feb. 13/18. He's Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avil�nHe's Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Austin Romine, RHP Dellin Betances, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Jacoby Ellsbury, 1B Greg Bird, RHP Chance Adams, LHP Stephen Tarpley, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., RHP Cory GearrinGoing campin': After a big league-record 30 players went on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, health remains a concern. Left-hander James Paxton had back surgery Feb. 5 and is expected to be sidelined until May or... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Infielder Jedd Gyorko signed a $2 million, one-year deal Friday with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes a club option for 2021. The 31-year-old Gyorko has played seven major league seasons with San Diego, St. Louis and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was hampered by injuries in 2019 and batted .174 with two homers in 62 games with the Cardinals and Dodgers. He had been a steady contributor prior to last season and hit 30 homers for St. Louis in 2016.“We think he fits our team really well with a right-handed bat and the ability to play multiple positions,” general manager David Stearns said, adding “we believe he's healthy now.”A right-handed hitter with a sharp defensive reputation, Gyorko is expected to split time with left-handed hitting Eric Sogard at third base after Mike Moustakas and Travis Shaw left Milwaukee as free agents. Gyorko has also played second base, first base and shortstop, although he's unlikely to play much short going forward.Milwaukee designated right-hander Jake Faria for assignment. Stearns said he hopes Faria clears waivers and remains in the organization.The club settled with catcher Omar Narvaez on a one-year deal for $2,725,000.The Brewers exchanged salary arbitration figures with All-Star closer Josh Hader — he asked for $6.4 million and was offered $4.1 million — and left-hander Brent Suter, who sought $1.25 million and was offered $825,000.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Infielder Jedd Gyorko signed a $2 million, one-year deal Friday with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes a club option for 2021. The 31-year-old Gyorko has played seven major league seasons with San Diego, St. Louis and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was hampered by injuries in 2019 and batted .174 with two homers in 62 games with the Cardinals and Dodgers. He had been a steady contributor prior to last season and hit 30 homers for St. Louis in 2016.“We think he fits our team really well with a right-handed bat and the ability to play multiple positions,” general manager David Stearns said, adding “we believe he's healthy now.”A right-handed hitter with a sharp defensive reputation, Gyorko is expected to split time with left-handed hitting Eric Sogard at third base after Mike Moustakas and Travis Shaw left Milwaukee as free agents. Gyorko has also played second base, first base and shortstop, although he's unlikely to play much short going forward.Milwaukee designated right-hander Jake Faria for assignment. Stearns said he hopes Faria clears waivers and remains in the organization.The club settled with catcher Omar Narvaez on a one-year deal but will exchange salary arbitration figures with All-Star closer Josh Hader and left-hander Brent Suter.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — After hitting a career-low .134 for Milwaukee in 2018, Eric Sogard is getting a second chance with the Brewers."I'm not afraid to admit that I had some issues going on off the field that kind of took my mind away from the field," Sogard said Friday after Milwaukee finalized his $4.5 million, one-year contract along with a $5 million, one-year deal for first baseman Justin Smoak.Sogard split last season between Toronto and Tampa Bay, which acquired him in late July. He was teammates on the Blue Jays with Smoak, who spent the past five seasons in Toronto.He did not detail his off-field issues from last year but said they had cleared by the time he reported to spring training with Blue Jays. He hit .300 with a career-high 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 323 plate appearances for Toronto, then batted .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 119 plate appearances for Tampa Bay.Sogard's deal includes a $4 million salary next season and gives Milwaukee a $4.5 million option for 2021 with... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:54 p.m.Juan Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Washington Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros 5-4 Tuesday night in the World Series opener.Not even a history-making home run by postseason star George Springer and another drive that nearly tied it in the eighth inning could deter Washington.Ryan Zimmerman, still full of sock at 35, also homered to back a resourceful Max Scherzer and boost the wild-card Nationals in their first World Series game.Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for the save, only the second 1-2-3 inning on a night that Washington relievers were given a three-run lead and just held on.___10:40 p.m.The Houston Astros are closer, but still have some work to do in the ninth inning to avoid losing Game 1 of the World Series at home.Washington held on to a 5-4 lead after eight innings in its first-ever World Series game, after getting... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:15 p.m.George Springer greeted Tanner Rainey with a home run leading off the seventh inning, cutting the Houston Astros' deficit to 5-3 against the Washington Nationals in the World Series opener.Springer set a record by homering in his fifth straight World Series game, breaking a record he had shared with Lou Gehrig and Reggie Jackson.Houston loaded the bases when Rainey walked Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman with one out, and Carlos Correa reached on a two-out single to shortstop off Daniel Hudson.Hudson then struck out rookie Yordan Álvarez with the bases loaded.___9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa... [More]