A look at what's happening around the majors today:GETAWAY DAYWith both teams chasing an NL West title, the Diamondbacks and Rockies wrap up their pivotal four-game series. Colorado leads the division by 1� games over the Dodgers, while Arizona is 3� back. Clay Buchholz (7-2, 2.01 ERA) makes his first career start at Coors Field against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (14-7, 2.91), who is 8-2 at home this season. Colorado won 5-4 Wednesday night on DJ LeMahieu's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yoshihisa Hirano. It was LeMahieu's first career walk-off homer. "Just a great moment," he said. "That was awesome."NO DAYS OFFClinging to a one-game lead in the NL Central, the Cubs have a one-day pit stop in Washington to make up Sunday's rainout. They're not happy about breaking up their homestand and losing a scheduled day off, because it means going 30 straight days without one. "Playing 30 consecutive days is the difficult part," manager Joe Maddon said. "For me, I don't... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:GETAWAY DAYWith both teams chasing an NL West title, the Diamondbacks and Rockies wrap up their pivotal four-game series. Colorado leads the division by 1� games over the Dodgers, while Arizona is 3� back. Clay Buchholz (7-2, 2.01 ERA) makes his first career start at Coors Field against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (14-7, 2.91), who is 8-2 at home this season. Colorado won 5-4 Wednesday night on DJ LeMahieu's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yoshihisa Hirano. It was LeMahieu's first career walk-off homer. "Just a great moment," he said. "That was awesome."NO DAYS OFFClinging to a one-game lead in the NL Central, the Cubs have a one-day pit stop in Washington to make up Sunday's rainout. They're not happy about breaking up their homestand and losing a scheduled day off, because it means going 30 straight days without one. "Playing 30 consecutive days is the difficult part," manager Joe Maddon said. "For me, I don't... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins pitcher Jake Odorizzi has given up an RBI double to Greg Bird with one out in the eighth inning, ending the right-hander's bid for a no-hitter against the New York Yankees.After a walk to Luke Voit, Bird lined the next pitch deep into the left-center gap. It was the 120th pitch for Odorizzi on Wednesday night, matching his career high.He was immediately removed from the game by Twins manager Paul Molitor and tipped his cap to the crowd as he walked off the field to a standing ovation.Odorizzi struck out five and walked three. Minnesota leads 3-1.Odorizzi is in his first season with the Twins after pitching for Tampa Bay the past five years. The 28-year-old righty entered 5-10 with a 4.57 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman could return next week from nearly a month on the disabled list.Chapman has not pitched since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis, which has bothered him throughout the season. The 30-year-old left-hander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and was to return to New York for treatment. Manager Aaron Boone anticipates another bullpen session this weekend, then a return."Hopefully back with us, if everything goes well, sometime next week," Boone said before Wednesday's game at Minnesota.Chapman has a 2.11 ERA and 31 saves in 33 chances. Dellin Betances has closed mostly in Chapman's absence. New York's bullpen also includes David Robertson, Zach Britton and Chad Green."You can look at it the same way you look at our lineup," Boone said. "When we were at our best, one of the reasons was the length of our lineup. We're able to hurt you from everywhere. ... Same way with our bullpen. When you add another guy of Chapman's capabilities to an already strong group, it just allows you in some cases and on some days to shorten the game even more."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — New York Yankees All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman could return next week from nearly a month on the disabled list.Chapman has not pitched since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis, which has bothered him throughout the season. The 30-year-old left-hander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and was to return to New York for treatment. Manager Aaron Boone anticipates another bullpen session this weekend, then a return."Hopefully back with us, if everything goes well, sometime next week," Boone said before Thursday's game at Minnesota.Chapman has a 2.11 ERA and 31 saves in 33 chances. Dellin Betances has closed mostly in Chapman's absence. New York's bullpen also includes David Robertson, Zach Britton and Chad Green."You can look at it the same way you look at our lineup," Boone said. "When we were at our best, one of the reasons was the length of our lineup. We're able to hurt you from everywhere. ... Same way with our bullpen. When you add another guy of Chapman's capabilities to an already strong group, it just allows you in some cases and on some days to shorten the game even more."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays ace Blake Snell has a no-hitter through six innings in Wednesday's game against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians.Snell, who is seeking a major league-leading 19th win, has struck out eight batters and walked two. He has thrown 82 pitches.The lefty retired his first seven batters before walking Roberto Perez on a 3-2 pitch with one out in the third. Snell also issued a fourth-inning walk to Edwin Encarnacion, who stared and shook his head toward the mound earlier in the plate appearance after a high-and-inside pitch.Snell made a nice defensive play in the fifth, fielding Melky Cabrera's comebacker and throwing out the Cleveland right fielder at first base.The Rays lead 2-0 on Ji-Man Choi's two-run homer in the first.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled off Blake Parker with one out in the eighth inning, spoiling the Los Angeles Angels' bid for an unprecedented no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.Los Angeles was closing in on the record for most pitchers used in a no-hitter. The Houston Astros set the mark with six pitchers while shutting down the Yankees in 2003. Roy Oswalt started that game but was injured in the first inning. The Mariners matched that record in 2012.Jim Johnson opened Tuesday night's game with 1 1/3 innings, and Noe Ramirez, Hansel Robles, Cam Bedrosian, Justin Anderson and Jose Alvarez followed with no-hit ball. Parker retired Willie Calhoun to start the eighth before Kiner-Falefa lined a clean single into right field.The Angels led 1-0 through seven innings.Unlike the Astros in their no-hit bid, the Angels planned to make this one a bullpen game, following a trend started by the Tampa Bay Rays this season of using relievers as openers. Los Angeles is using the strategy to cover for an injury-decimated rotation that is without Shohei Ohtani, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and more. Manager Mike Scioscia used four bullpen games in August.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot this season, rallying on pinch-hitter Brock Holt's go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2 Tuesday night.The Red Sox assured themselves at least a spot in the AL wild-card game while reaching the postseason for the third straight year. The AL East leaders began the night with an eight-game lead over the New York Yankees.Boston starter Chris Sale came off the disabled list and pitched one scoreless inning, striking out two and throwing 26 pitches. Sale has been slowed by inflammation in his left shoulder, and the Red Sox had said they would ease their ace back into action.Ryan Brasier (2-0) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief as Boston used seven relievers after limiting Sale in his return.Ryan Tepera (5-5) took the loss.ASTROS 5, TIGERS 4DETROIT (AP) — Jose Altuve homered on the game's first pitch, and Houston powered past Detroit.The Astros maintained... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma intends to try and continue his professional career next year pitching in Japan.The 37-year-old Iwakuma has missed the entire 2018 season as he's tried to recover from major shoulder surgery in September 2017. Iwakuma was hoping to contribute to the Mariners rotation later in the season, but had several setbacks along the way and only pitched in rehab outings in the minors.Seattle manager Scott Servais said Iwakuma would not pitch for the Mariners in the final few weeks of the regular season."Looking at the big picture, it's been long process of rehab, and finally in this long tunnel, I'm starting to see light," Iwakuma said through a translator on Tuesday. "And at this point, it's unfortunate that I cannot come back as a Mariner. But Japan is my origin. It's where I started my career and by saying that, I think it's a good place to end my career too. With that said, I wanted to explore how much more I could do back in... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma intends to try and continue his professional career next year pitching in Japan.The 37-year-old Iwakuma has missed the entire 2018 season as he's tried to recover from major shoulder surgery in September 2017. Iwakuma was hoping to contribute to the Mariners rotation later in the season, but had several setbacks along the way and only pitched in rehab outings in the minors.Seattle manager Scott Servais said Iwakuma would not pitch for the Mariners in the final few weeks of the regular season."I think he saw enough out of his last outing or two that he wants to continue to play, which is a good thing," Servais said.Iwakuma pitched six seasons with the Mariners and had a career mark of 63-39 with a 3.42 ERA in 150 career games. He threw a no-hitter during the 2015 season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Josh Donaldson was activated from the disabled by AL Central-leading Cleveland and set to make his Indians debut Tuesday night at Tampa Bay.Cleveland also said 18-game winner Corey Kluber will not start this weekend, allowing him to get extra days off and to line him up for the postseason.Donaldson was acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31. The 2015 AL MVP had not played in the major leagues since May 28 because of a left calf strain.Jose Ramirez moved from third to second to make room in the field for Donaldson. Jason Kipnis was moved from second to center field.For the first time, probably, all year we're getting close to where we have our team and hopefully nothing else happens and we can work towards becoming a team that can be a factor," Indians manager Terry Francona said.Donaldson was sidelined from April 11-May 2 with a shoulder problem.Francona is leaning toward using a four-man playoff rotation.Kluber allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings in Monday."Barring anything crazy, he can go into a playoff game with one extra days rest, which is what he wants," Francona said.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander drew several big cheers and pitched seven sharp innings in his return to Comerica Park while leading the Houston Astros over the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Monday night.Verlander struck out 10 in his first game in Detroit since being traded to Houston in August 2017. The World Series champion Astros opened a three-game lead over Oakland atop the AL West.Verlander (15-9) made his major league debut with Detroit in 2005 and ranks among the top 10 on several of the team's career pitching lists.The 35-year-old righty received a long standing ovation after a video tribute was played as he walked in from the bullpen, and another when he came out to warm up for the first inning. Both times, he tipped his cap and waved to the crowd.Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and one walk, improving to 98-50 at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer is second in career wins at the stadium with 46, while Jordan Zimmermann leads current Tigers with 14.The Tigers put two runners on in the seventh,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:REMEMBERINGMajor League Baseball will hold a moment of silence before all games to honor the victims and first responders of 9/11. Players, coaches and umpires will wear caps with a "We Shall Not Forget" ribbon patch.During batting practice before the Miami-Mets game at Citi Field, New York players will wear caps of the five agencies that took part in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site: New York Police Department, Fire Department of New York, Port Authority Police Department, New York City Office of Emergency Management and the City of New York Department of Sanitation.WELCOME BACKFormer AL MVP Josh Donaldson is set to debut with Cleveland in his first big league game since May 28. The third baseman, who was traded from Toronto to the AL Central-leading Indians on Aug. 31, has been out most of the season because of a strained left calf. He recently played in four Triple-A rehab games, and is lined up to start... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander drew several big cheers and pitched seven sharp innings in his return to Comerica Park while leading the Houston Astros over the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Monday night.Verlander struck out 10 in his first game in Detroit since being traded to Houston in August 2017. The World Series champion Astros opened a three-game lead over Oakland atop the AL West.Verlander (15-9) made his major league debut with Detroit in 2005 and ranks among the top 10 on several of the team's career pitching lists.The 35-year-old righty received a long standing ovation after a video tribute was played as he walked in from the bullpen, and another when he came out to warm up for the first inning. Both times, he tipped his cap and waved to the crowd.Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and one walk, improving to 98-50 at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer is second in career wins at the stadium with 46, while Jordan Zimmermann leads current Tigers with 14.The Tigers put two runners on in the seventh,... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander drew several big cheers and pitched seven sharp innings in his return to Comerica Park while leading the Houston Astros over the Detroit Tigers 3-2 Monday night.Verlander struck out 10 in his first game in Detroit since being traded to Houston in August 2017. The World Series champion Astros opened a three-game lead over Oakland atop the AL West.Verlander (15-9) made his major league debut with Detroit in 2005 and ranks among the top 10 on several of the team's career pitching lists.The 35-year-old righty received a long standing ovation after a video tribute was played as he walked in from the bullpen, and another when he came out to warm up for the first inning. Both times, he tipped his cap and waved to the crowd.Verlander allowed two runs on six hits and one walk, improving to 98-50 at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer is second in career wins at the stadium with 46, while Jordan Zimmermann leads current Tigers with 14.The Tigers put two runners on in the seventh,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:REMEMBERINGMajor League Baseball will hold a moment of silence before all games to honor the victims and first responders of 9/11. Players, coaches and umpires will wear caps with a "We Shall Not Forget" ribbon patch.During batting practice before the Miami-Mets game at Citi Field, New York players will wear caps of the five agencies that took part in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site: New York Police Department, Fire Department of New York, Port Authority Police Department, New York City Office of Emergency Management and the City of New York Department of Sanitation.WELCOME BACKFormer AL MVP Josh Donaldson is set to debut with Cleveland in his first big league game since May 28. The third baseman, who was traded from Toronto to the AL Central-leading Indians on Aug. 31, has been out most of the season because of a strained left calf. He recently played in four Triple-A rehab games, and is lined up to start... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians got star reliever Andrew Miller back Monday and plan to put former AL MVP third baseman Josh Donaldson in the starting lineup Tuesday.Miller has been out since late August with a left shoulder injury, the latest setback in a rough season for the two-time All-Star. Miller has a 3.38 ERA in 24 innings, though he pitched better in August before his shoulder flared up.The Indians made the move before playing at Tampa Bay."He's raring to go, so that's exciting," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He doesn't have a minor league game under his belt, so he might not command (at first). He might, but if he doesn't, we have 19 games (left in the regular season)."Donaldson, acquired from Toronto on Aug. 31, batted .234 with five home runs and 16 RBIs this season for the Blue Jays. He hasn't played in the majors since May 28 because of a left calf strain. He also was out from April 11-May 2 with a shoulder problem.Donaldson went... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sunday's game between the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals was postponed because of rain and rescheduled for Thursday at 4:05 p.m.The decision was announced three hours after the scheduled 1:35 p.m. start time. Thursday is the teams' only remaining mutual day off.Rain fell at Nationals Park throughout the weekend.The start of Friday's game was delayed 1 hour, 21 minutes. The rain returned with two outs in the top of the second inning and play was stopped. The game was postponed after a wait of 2 hours, 55 minutes when the rain had stopped.Saturday became a doubleheader that was supposed to start at 3:05 p.m. but didn't get underway until 5 p.m. A between-games ceremony honoring former National Jason Werth and another rain delay in the nightcap led to 1:44 a.m. conclusion as Washington swept the Cubs.Chicago began Sunday with a 2½-game lead in the NL Central while Washington was 7½ games behind Atlanta in the NL East.The Cubs, in the midst of 23 games in 23 days,... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sunday's game between the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals was postponed because of rain and rescheduled for Thursday at 4:05 p.m.The decision was announced three hours after the scheduled 1:35 p.m. start time. Thursday is the teams' only remaining mutual day off.Rain fell at Nationals Park throughout the weekend.The start of Friday's game was delayed 1 hour, 21 minutes. The rain returned with two outs in the top of the second inning and play was stopped. The game was postponed after a wait of 2 hours, 55 minutes when the rain had stopped.Saturday became a doubleheader that was supposed to start at 3:05 p.m. but didn't get underway until 5 p.m. A between-games ceremony honoring former National Jason Werth and another rain delay in the nightcap led to 1:44 a.m. conclusion as Washington swept the Cubs.Chicago began Sunday with a 2½-game lead the NL Central while Washington was 7½ games behind Atlanta in the NL East.The Cubs, in the midst of 23 games in 23 days,... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kansas City rookie Jorge Lopez came within three outs of a perfect game before Max Kepler walked leading off the ninth inning and Robbie Grossman followed with a single in the Royals' 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.The 25-year-old right-hander made just his seventh big league start, his fifth for Kansas City since he was acquired from Milwaukee in the late-July trade that sent Mike Moustakas to the Brewers.Lopez (2-4) retired his first 24 batters before walking Kepler on a 3-1 fastball. Grossman followed with a clean single to center field on a changeup with a 1-2 count.Lopez was removed from the game after 110 pitches, 11 more than his previous high.Ehire Adrianza hit a sacrifice fly off Wily Peralta, who retired Joe Mauer and Jorge Polanco on flyouts for his ninth save, completing the one-hitter.Jose Berrios (11-11) gave up one run and three hits in six innings.ASTROS 5, RED SOX 3BOSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit his 30th home run, Charlie Morton returned... [More]