OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Lucas Giolito dazzled in his postseason debut, stymieing the Oakland Athletics through six perfect innings and sending the Chicago White Sox to a 4-1 victory in the opener of their best-of-three wild-card series Tuesday. Giolito (1-0), who pitched a no-hitter against Pittsburgh on Aug. 25, didn’t allow a baserunner to the AL West champions until Tommy La Stella’s single up the middle to start the seventh. Giolito gave up one run on two hits over seven innings, struck out eight and walked one before giving way to Evan Marshall after a stellar 100-pitch outing. Giolito got plenty of support: José Abreu hit a two-run homer and Adam Engel also connected for Chicago against Jesus Luzardo (0-1). Yasmani Grandal homered in the eighth. Alex Colome, Chicago’s third reliever, worked the ninth for a save in the 2-hour, 53-minute game. Now, Oakland must win Game 2 on Wednesday at home to avoid another early playoff exit. The A’s are in the postseason for a third straight year,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday: MARQUEE MATCHUP Shane Bieber dominated this year for Cleveland, leading the American League in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122). He didn’t allow a run in six of his 12 starts. Gerrit Cole delivered for the Yankees in his first season since signing a $324 million, nine-year contract, going 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA. Now they meet in the playoff opener at Progressive Field, a classic pitching duel in the making on the first day of the postseason. “We’re fired up,” Bieber said. “We think this is a good matchup.” For all Bieber and Cole have accomplished in the shortened regular season, it will mean little if they don’t perform well to start the best-of-three series. WE’RE PLAYING WHO? In a year where so much about baseball has looked different, this 16-team postseason has at least one throwback element. “It’s like the old days, man, when you played a team you’ve never played before. It’s exactly what it is,” said Sandy Alomar Jr.,... [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]

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]

Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to first base, Matt Olson to Jesus Luzardo. Donovan Solano flies out to shallow right field to Stephen Piscotty. Evan Longoria homers to center field. Wilmer Flores singles to left field. Hunter Pence strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Giants 1, Athletics 0.Giants third. Donovan Solano singles to center field. Evan Longoria lines out to deep right field to Stephen Piscotty. Wilmer Flores singles to shallow left field. Donovan Solano to second. Hunter Pence homers to center field. Wilmer Flores scores. Donovan Solano scores. Darin Ruf grounds out to shallow infield, Jesus Luzardo to Matt Olson. Pablo Sandoval pops out to shallow infield to Matt Chapman.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 4, Athletics 0.Giants fourth. Chadwick Tromp singles to deep center field. Mauricio Dubon singles to shallow center field. Chadwick Tromp to second. Mike Yastrzemski flies out to left field to Robbie Grossman. Donovan Solano walks.... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

Benches cleared and even the stands emptied during Oakland’s 7-2 victory over the Astros on Sunday, tempers flaring at last between the AL West rivals months after Houston’s sign-stealing scandal was brought to light by Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers.Oakland’s Ramon Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh. Laureano began exchanging words with animated Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, then left first base, threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward him.Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A’s outfielder reached Cintron, and a wild scene ensued.Players rushed out of both dugouts to join the fray. A’s and Astros players who were sitting in the seats, observing COVID-19 social-distancing protocols, also rushed onto the field. Laureano was ejected by plate ump Ted Barrett. Oakland won its ninth straight, and Houston lost its fifth in a row.Matt Olson hit a three-run... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:STRASBURG SETWorld Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his season debut for Washington after being sidelined by a nerve problem in his pitching hand. The right-hander is ready to start at Nationals Park against Baltimore.Strasburg missed what would have been his first two appearances of 2020 after making all 33 starts last year and then becoming the first pitcher to finish a postseason with a 5-0 record.The 32-year-old Strasburg led the NL with 209 innings and 18 wins in 2019.STRAIGHT A’SThe Athletics try for their ninth straight win when rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo makes his second career start, taking on Houston at the Coliseum. Luzardo threw five scoreless innings Tuesday vs. Texas in his starting debut.Rookie righty Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.42 ERA) counters for the Astros, who have lost four in a row. Houston center fielder George Springer has missed two straight starts because of a sprained right wrist.WELCOMEPrized... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Sunday:STRASBURG SETWorld Series MVP Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to make his season debut for Washington after being sidelined by a nerve problem in his pitching hand. The right-hander is ready to start at Nationals Park against Baltimore.Strasburg missed what would have been his first two appearances of 2020 after making all 33 starts last year and then becoming the first pitcher to finish a postseason with a 5-0 record.The 32-year-old Strasburg led the NL with 209 innings and 18 wins in 2019.STRAIGHT A’SThe Athletics try for their ninth straight win when rookie left-hander Jesus Luzardo makes his second career start, taking on Houston at the Coliseum. Luzardo threw five scoreless innings Tuesday vs. Texas in his starting debut.Rookie righty Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.42 ERA) counters for the Astros, who have lost four in a row. Houston center fielder George Springer has missed two straight starts because of a sprained right wrist.WELCOMEPrized... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — After enduring one final delay in their effort to return from an eight-day, coronavirus-induced hiatus, the Miami Marlins found enough power and pitching within their vastly overhauled roster to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 Tuesday night.Francisco Cervelli and Jesús Aguilar homered for the Marlins, who had their season halted after 18 players tested positive for COVID-19 following the opening series in Philadelphia.Pablo López (1-0) threw five innings of two-hit ball and the bullpen allowed just one hit in Miami’s first shutout victory since Sept. 8 against Kansas City.Late Tuesday afternoon, the Marlins were still awaiting the result of further COVID-19 tests, a process that stalled their arrival at Camden Yards and pushed back the scheduled 7:35 p.m. start by 41 minutes.Orioles starter John Means (0-1) allowed one run and two hits in 4 2/3 innings. He retired 13 in a row before Cervelli drove a 3-1 pitch into the left-field seats to end the left-hander’s night. After... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___FRESH FISHThe Miami Marlins are set to resume play in Baltimore following an outbreak that left 21 members of their traveling party infected with the coronavirus, including 18 players. The team has not played since July 26. Miami is replacing sidelined players with prospects, along with veterans the organization scrambled to acquire. Manager Don Mattingly said he has never spoken with some of the players joining the team.Right-hander Pablo Lopez will start against the Orioles. The pitching staff was especially hard hit by the outbreak and will rely heavily on newcomers.NO SHOAngels star Shohei Ohtani will be shut down from throwing for four to six weeks with a right forearm strain near his surgically repaired elbow. With only about eight weeks left in the season, Ohtani might not pitch again until 2021. Ohtani reported discomfort in his arm Sunday after struggling through his second start since having Tommy John surgery in 2018. The... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday:___FRESH FISHThe Miami Marlins are set to resume play in Baltimore following an outbreak that left 21 members of their traveling party infected with the coronavirus, including 18 players. The team has not played since July 26. Miami is replacing sidelined players with prospects, along with veterans the organization scrambled to acquire. Manager Don Mattingly said he has never spoken with some of the players joining the team.Right-hander Pablo Lopez will start against the Orioles. The pitching staff was especially hard hit by the outbreak and will rely heavily on newcomers.NO SHOAngels star Shohei Ohtani will be shut down from throwing for four to six weeks with a right forearm strain near his surgically repaired elbow. With only about eight weeks left in the season, Ohtani might not pitch again until 2021. Ohtani reported discomfort in his arm Sunday after struggling through his second start since having Tommy John surgery in 2018. The... [More]

Athletics first. Marcus Semien strikes out swinging. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging. Matt Chapman homers to left field. Matt Olson grounds out to shallow right field, Garrett Hampson to Ryan McMahon.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 1, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Daniel Murphy walks. Ryan McMahon singles to right field. Daniel Murphy to second. Sam Hilliard strikes out swinging. Garrett Hampson walks. Ryan McMahon to second. Daniel Murphy to third. Tony Wolters singles to deep right field. Garrett Hampson to second. Ryan McMahon to third. Daniel Murphy scores. David Dahl pops out to shallow center field to Marcus Semien. Trevor Story grounds out to first base, Matt Olson to Vimael Machin to Matt Olson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Rockies 1, Athletics 1.Rockies fourth. Ryan McMahon singles to left field. Sam Hilliard singles to right field. Ryan McMahon to third. Garrett Hampson out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Robbie Grossman. Ryan McMahon scores. Tony Wolters... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Oakland Athletics left-hander A.J. Puk received an injection in his troublesome pitching shoulder and is likely to be sidelined for at least two weeks. The prized prospect, who had been set to pitch in the rotation, is dealing with inflammation in the strained shoulder that also bothered him during spring training. He was given both cortisone and platelet rich plasma into the area after being examined Monday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Puk went on the 10-day injured list Monday.“There’s some inflammation in there similar to what we saw in spring training,” manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday. “He’ll rest for 48 hours and then just go through a ramp up playing catch type of thing for probably two weeks. So it’s going to be a little bit of time before we see him.”Right-hander Daniel Mengden is filling Puk's spot at the back end of the rotation to begin the shortened 60-game season.The 25-year-old Puk, the sixth overall pick in the 2016 amateur draft out of Florida,... [More]