A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:THE BIG 2-0Justin Verlander tries to become a 20-game winner for the second time in his career when he starts for the playoff-bound Astros at home against the Angels. He reached the mark in 2011, going 24-5 for Detroit and winning the AL MVP and Cy Young Award.Verlander (19-6, 2.50 ERA) leads the majors in victories. A couple other big, round numbers are on his radar as the 36-year-old righty makes his second-to-last start of the regular season — he needs 11 strikeouts to reach 3,000 for his career, and he's 17 shy of his first 300-strikeout year.Verlander has dominated since the All-Star break, going 9-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 13 starts while striking out 130 and walking just 13.WINDY CITY WIND DOWNThe Cubs have lost five in a row, pushing themselves out of playoff position. They've dropped four straight games by one run for the first time since 1972, according to STATS — their latest defeat came Saturday, when closer Craig Kimbrel gave up... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of former Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, homered in his first game in Fenway Park, and Alex Dickerson had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the 15th inning to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 7-6 victory over Boston on Tuesday night.The game featured a major league record-tying 24 pitchers — including a team-record 13 by the Giants — and had 50 players overall, lasting 5 hours, 54 minutes. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played in the middle of the 14th inning.San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who is retiring at the end of the season, moved one win away from becoming the 11th big-league manager to reach 2,000 victories.Donovan Solano opened the 15th with a ground-rule double against Trevor Kelley (0-2) and advanced on a wild pitch before the Dickerson's sac fly.Dereck Rodriguez (6-9) worked two innings for the victory.BLUE JAYS 8, ORIOLES 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, leading Toronto to the victory.Biggio... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Rookie Cavan Biggio hit for the cycle, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-5 on Tuesday night.Biggio homered in the third inning, singled in the sixth, doubled in the eighth and tripled in the ninth. He drove in four runs and scored three times.Biggio and his father, Craig, a Hall of Famer with the Houston Astros, are the second father-son duo in major league history to hit for the cycle, joining Daryle and Gary Ward.It was also the first time an opponent hit for the cycle in the 27-year history of Camden Yards.Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar homered for last-place Baltimore, which lost for the third time in four games. Mychal Givens (2-6) got the loss.Derek Law (1-2) earned the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning.YANKEES 8, ANGELS 0NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched four dominant innings in his injury-delayed season debut for the Yankees.A two-time All-Star and the ace of the Yankees staff, Severino got hurt while warming up before his first... [More]

Nationals second. Howie Kendrick triples to deep center field. Asdrubal Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Howie Kendrick scores. Victor Robles hit by pitch. Yan Gomes lines out to center field to Harrison Bader. Patrick Corbin grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Miles Mikolas singles to left field. Dexter Fowler singles to deep left field. Miles Mikolas to second. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rendon to Asdrubal Cabrera. Dexter Fowler to second. Miles Mikolas to third. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna strikes out swinging. Paul DeJong reaches on error. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Dexter Fowler to third. Miles Mikolas scores. Fielding error by Trea Turner. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 3 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 1.Nationals fourth. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Howie Kendrick homers... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Kolten Wong homers to center field. Paul DeJong grounds out to shallow infield, Tim Melville to Josh Fuentes. Marcell Ozuna strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter grounds out to first base to Josh Fuentes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Rockies 0.Rockies first. Garrett Hampson walks. Ryan McMahon called out on strikes. Nolan Arenado doubles to deep left field. Garrett Hampson scores. Charlie Blackmon lines out to right field to Dexter Fowler. Sam Hilliard strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Rockies 1.Cardinals second. Rangel Ravelo homers to center field. Andrew Knizner singles to center field. Harrison Bader walks. Andrew Knizner to second. Miles Mikolas reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Andrew Knizner out at third. Dexter Fowler walks. Miles Mikolas to second. Harrison Bader to third. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice fly to Nolan Arenado. Harrison... [More]

Cardinals second. Paul DeJong singles to third base. Yadier Molina lines out to left field to Bryan Reynolds. Tommy Edman homers to right field. Paul DeJong scores. Harrison Bader flies out to deep left field to Bryan Reynolds. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Pirates 0.Pirates third. Adam Frazier singles to center field. Jacob Stallings strikes out swinging. Alex McRae strikes out on a foul bunt. Kevin Newman doubles to deep left center field. Adam Frazier scores. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Pirates 1.Cardinals seventh. Yadier Molina strikes out on a foul tip. Tommy Edman homers to center field. Harrison Bader walks. Matt Carpenter pinch-hitting for Tyler Webb. Matt Carpenter doubles to right field. Harrison Bader scores. Dexter Fowler reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Randy Arozarena out at second. Kolten Wong grounds out to... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Marcus Semien provided just enough early offense and Mike Fiers and three Oakland relievers combined to shut down the Kansas City Royals in a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.Semien scored in the first inning and drove in a run in the second. That was all the offense the A's pitchers needed one day after Oakland had a season-high 19 runs.Fiers (13-3) scattered eight hits in his 5 1/3 innings, but allowed just Alex Gordon's RBI double in the sixth. He's now won 11 straight decisions, dating to May 7, tying Mark Mulder for the second-longest winning streak in Oakland history.Mike Montgomery (3-7) surrendered an unearned run in the first and another run in the second, but gave up nothing else through 6 1/3 innings.ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 0WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Brooks came up with an unexpected pitching gem against the torrid-hitting Nationals, throwing six innings of two-hit ball to help Baltimore end Washington's five-game winning streak.The Nationals were coming off a weekend... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Marcus Semien provided just enough early offense and Mike Fiers and three Oakland relievers combined to shut down the Kansas City Royals in a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.Semien scored in the first inning and drove in a run in the second. That was all the offense the A's pitchers needed one day after Oakland had a season-high 19 runs.Fiers (13-3) scattered eight hits in his 5 1/3 innings, but allowed just Alex Gordon's RBI double in the sixth. He's now won 11 straight decisions, dating to May 7, tying Mark Mulder for the second-longest winning streak in Oakland history.Mike Montgomery (3-7) surrendered an unearned run in the first and another run in the second, but gave up nothing else through 6 1/3 innings.ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 0WASHINGTON (AP) — Aaron Brooks came up with an unexpected pitching gem against the torrid-hitting Nationals, throwing six innings of two-hit ball to help Baltimore end Washington's five-game winning streak.The Nationals were coming off a weekend... [More]

Brewers second. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Eric Thames pops out to Paul Goldschmidt. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Keston Hiura to third. Cory Spangenberg strikes out swinging. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Lorenzo Cain to second. Keston Hiura scores. Adrian Houser strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Paul DeJong grounds out to third base, Cory Spangenberg to Eric Thames. Yadier Molina homers to center field. Matt Carpenter singles to deep left center field. Harrison Bader singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Matt Carpenter out at third. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Brewers 1.Cardinals seventh. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to shortstop, Cory Spangenberg to Eric Thames. Paul DeJong walks. Yadier Molina homers to left field. Paul DeJong scores. Matt Carpenter grounds out to first base to Eric Thames. Harrison Bader singles to right field. Kolten Wong... [More]

Rockies second. Daniel Murphy singles to left field. Raimel Tapia singles to right field. Daniel Murphy to second. Ryan McMahon singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Raimel Tapia to third. Daniel Murphy scores. Throwing error by Harrison Bader. Ian Desmond strikes out swinging. Tony Wolters out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Harrison Bader. Raimel Tapia scores. German Marquez grounds out to shallow infield, Miles Mikolas to Paul Goldschmidt.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul Goldschmidt singles to left field. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong reaches on error. Fielding error by Trevor Story. Yadier Molina grounds out to third base. Paul DeJong out at second. Tommy Edman singles to left field. Harrison Bader grounds out to shortstop, Trevor Story to Daniel Murphy.2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 2, Cardinals 2.Rockies fifth. Tony Wolters grounds out to first base, Paul Goldschmidt... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone, Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees again hammered away at the umpires, this time in prolonged rants that brought several members of the team spilling onto the field, while beating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Saturday.Gleyber Torres hit two home runs and Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu also connected for the AL East-leading Yankees.But what really fired up the crowd of 47,347 at Yankee Stadium occurred in the sixth inning after Cameron Maybin was called out on strikes by Triple-A ump Ben May.For the third time in a month — each time with a minor league call-up umpire behind the plate — the team with the best record in American League lost its temper in a big way. This episode led to Boone, Gardner and pitcher CC Sabathia being ejected.James Paxton (9-6) went five innings for the win. Zach Plesac (6-4) was chased in the fifth.Aroldis Chapman closed for his 35th save in 40 chances.BREWERS 15, NATIONALS 14, 14 INNINGSWASHINGTON (AP) — Eric Thames hit a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone, Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees again hammered away at the umpires, this time in prolonged rants that brought several members of the team spilling onto the field, while beating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Saturday.Gleyber Torres hit two home runs and Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu also connected for the AL East-leading Yankees.But what really fired up the crowd of 47,347 at Yankee Stadium occurred in the sixth inning after Cameron Maybin was called out on strikes by Triple-A ump Ben May.For the third time in a month — each time with a minor league call-up umpire behind the plate — the team with the best record in American League lost its temper in a big way. This episode led to Boone, Gardner and pitcher CC Sabathia being ejected.James Paxton (9-6) went five innings for the win. Zach Plesac (6-4) was chased in the fifth.Aroldis Chapman closed for his 35th save in 40 chances.CUBS 2, PIRATES 0PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kris Bryant homered in the seventh inning,... [More]

Reds first. Nick Senzel homers to center field. Josh VanMeter walks. Freddy Galvis strikes out on a foul tip. Aristides Aquino lines out to shortstop to Yairo Munoz. Phillip Ervin flies out to deep right field to Tommy Edman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals second. Kolten Wong pops out to Tucker Barnhart. Matt Carpenter homers to right field. Yairo Munoz grounds out to third base, Jose Peraza to Josh VanMeter. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Reds 1.Reds fourth. Phillip Ervin singles to right field. Tucker Barnhart singles to right field. Phillip Ervin to third. Jose Iglesias out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Tommy Edman. Phillip Ervin scores. Jose Peraza grounds out to shortstop. Tucker Barnhart out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Cardinals 1.Reds fifth. Anthony DeSclafani strikes out swinging. Nick Senzel grounds out to shortstop, Yairo Munoz to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh VanMeter... [More]