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]

Angels first. David Fletcher homers to left field. Andrelton Simmons walks. Albert Pujols flies out to deep center field to Myles Straw. Andrelton Simmons to second. Kole Calhoun singles to left field. Andrelton Simmons to third. Kevan Smith grounds out to second base, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel. Kole Calhoun to second. Andrelton Simmons scores. Taylor Ward singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Kole Calhoun scores. Justin Bour grounds out to first base, Yuli Gurriel to Wade Miley.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Angels 3, Astros 0.Angels second. Michael Hermosillo hit by pitch. Kaleb Cowart singles to right field. Michael Hermosillo to third. David Fletcher singles to shallow right field. Kaleb Cowart to second. Michael Hermosillo scores. Andrelton Simmons pops out to Yuli Gurriel. Albert Pujols pops out to shallow right field to Jose Altuve. Kole Calhoun strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Angels 4, Astros 0.Astros second. Yordan Alvarez homers to left field.... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor reaches on error. Throwing error by Jean Segura. Oscar Mercado strikes out swinging. Francisco Lindor steals second, advances to third. Throwing error by J.T. Realmuto. Carlos Santana singles to left field. Francisco Lindor scores. Yasiel Puig called out on strikes. Jordan Luplow singles to right field. Carlos Santana to second. Franmil Reyes singles to center field. Jordan Luplow to third. Carlos Santana scores. Kevin Plawecki lines out to deep left center field to Brad Miller.2 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 2 left on. Indians 2, Phillies 0.Phillies second. Jean Segura doubles to deep left field. Brad Miller flies out to center field to Oscar Mercado. Scott Kingery pops out to Carlos Santana. Adam Haseley doubles to deep left center field. Jean Segura scores. Cesar Hernandez lines out to deep center field to Oscar Mercado.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 2, Phillies 1.Indians second. Yu Chang flies out to deep center field to Adam Haseley. Ryan Flaherty... [More]

Nationals second. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Victor Robles grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker. Yan Gomes doubles to deep left field. Stephen Strasburg singles to center field. Yan Gomes scores. Trea Turner flies out to right field to Harold Ramirez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Marlins 0.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner doubles to deep center field. Adam Eaton strikes out swinging. Anthony Rendon walks. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to left field. Anthony Rendon to second. Trea Turner scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Neil Walker.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Marlins 0.Nationals eighth. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman singles to right field. Michael A. Taylor to second. Victor Robles singles to center field. Ryan Zimmerman to third. Michael A. Taylor scores. Yan Gomes reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop.... [More]

Royals second. Hunter Dozier grounds out to shortstop, Luis Arraez to Marwin Gonzalez. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Ryan McBroom singles to right field. Alex Gordon to second. Ryan O'Hearn doubles to deep right field. Ryan McBroom to third. Alex Gordon scores. Meibrys Viloria out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Eddie Rosario. Ryan McBroom scores. Brett Phillips strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Twins 0.Twins third. Jason Castro flies out to deep center field to Brett Phillips. LaMonte Wade Jr homers to center field. Luis Arraez singles to left field. Jorge Polanco strikes out on a foul tip. Nelson Cruz grounds out to third base, Hunter Dozier to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Twins 1.Twins fifth. LaMonte Wade Jr triples to deep center field. Luis Arraez doubles to right field. LaMonte Wade Jr scores. Jorge Polanco walks. Nelson Cruz singles to center field. Jorge Polanco to second. Luis Arraez scores. Eddie Rosario pops... [More]

Pirates first. Kevin Newman flies out to center field to Lorenzo Cain. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Eric Thames. Adam Frazier singles to deep right field. Jose Osuna singles to center field. Adam Frazier to second. Colin Moran reaches on error. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Fielding error by Keston Hiura. Elias Diaz flies out to deep left field to Ryan Braun.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Brewers 0.Brewers first. Trent Grisham grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep right field to Kevin Kramer. Keston Hiura homers to center field. Yasmani Grandal scores. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Colin Moran to Jose Osuna.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Pirates 1.Brewers fourth. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Eric Thames hit by pitch. Ryan Braun to second. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Eric Thames to second. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando... [More]

Rays third. Austin Meadows singles to right field. Tommy Pham strikes out swinging. Ji-Man Choi walks. Austin Meadows to second. Travis d'Arnaud singles to center field. Ji-Man Choi to third. Austin Meadows scores. Nate Lowe grounds out to first base to Mitch Moreland. Travis d'Arnaud to second. Matt Duffy hit by pitch. Joey Wendle singles to shallow right field. Matt Duffy to second. Travis d'Arnaud out at home. Ji-Man Choi scores.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 2, Red sox 0.Red sox fourth. Xander Bogaerts homers to left field. J.D. Martinez strikes out swinging. Mitch Moreland strikes out swinging. Brock Holt lines out to third base to Matt Duffy.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 2, Red sox 1.Rays seventh. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging. Willy Adames homers to center field. Austin Meadows singles to center field. Tommy Pham reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Austin Meadows out at second. Ji-Man Choi flies out to deep left field to Brock Holt.1 run, 2 hits,... [More]

Braves second. Francisco Cervelli walks. Austin Riley grounds out to third base, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater. Francisco Cervelli to second. Dansby Swanson walks. Billy Hamilton doubles to right field. Dansby Swanson to third. Francisco Cervelli scores. Max Fried grounds out to first base, Austin Slater to Buster Posey to Austin Slater. Billy Hamilton to third. Dansby Swanson scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Adeiny Hechavarria doubles to deep left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Billy Hamilton scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shallow infield, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Giants 0.Braves fifth. Adeiny Hechavarria singles to left field. Josh Donaldson flies out to deep right field to Jaylin Davis. Adam Duvall flies out to deep left field to Joey Rickard. Francisco Cervelli homers to left field. Adeiny Hechavarria scores. Austin Riley strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 6, Giants 0.Giants seventh. Kevin Pillar... [More]

White sox fifth. Leury Garcia grounds out to shortstop, Willi Castro to Jeimer Candelario. Tim Anderson homers to center field. Jose Abreu singles to left field. Eloy Jimenez singles to center field. Jose Abreu to second. Yoan Moncada triples to deep left center field. Eloy Jimenez scores. Jose Abreu scores. James McCann strikes out swinging. Welington Castillo called out on strikes.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 0.Tigers fifth. Jake Rogers singles to left center field. Willi Castro doubles to right center field. Jake Rogers to third. Victor Reyes grounds out to second base, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Willi Castro to third. Jake Rogers scores. Brandon Dixon out on a sacrifice fly to Jose Abreu. Willi Castro scores. Harold Castro flies out to left field to Eloy Jimenez.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Tigers 2.White sox eighth. Welington Castillo flies out to right field to Travis Demeritte. Yolmer Sanchez singles to second base. Adam Engel strikes... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler called out on strikes. Tommy Edman triples to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep right center field. Kris Bryant walks. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Kris Bryant scores. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to deep right center field to Dexter Fowler.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson singles to center field. Dexter Fowler singles to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — One year ago, just winning the NL East was enough for the rebuilding Atlanta Braves.Now manager Brian Snitiker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos expect more.Even as players celebrated their second straight division title with beer and bubbly on Friday night, focus shifted."Our first goal was to win the East and we did, and I think now that's not good enough," Snitker said Saturday. "I think our guys know they're capable of a lot more than that. The goal now is the big prize. We feel like we have a team that can do that. We are deep enough, strong enough. I think that is a realistic goal, not just to want to get in but to win the whole thing."After Friday night's clinching 6-0 win over the Giants, Anthopoulos stood outside the clubhouse doors while the rowdy celebration continued inside.The GM didn't allow himself to be sprayed. He was looking ahead to the Division Series starting Oct. 3."Kind of by design," Anthopoulos said when asked how he stayed dry. "Hopefully we're... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone clashed Saturday with another rookie umpire, and this time, veteran crew chief Joe West stepped in.Boone was ejected by West, umpiring at third base, for arguing balls and strikes during a 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton struck out looking at three low strikes from rookie T.J. Zeuch for the final out of the first inning. Stanton argued briefly with plate umpire Jeremie Rehak — an injury replacement from Triple-A — before heading back to the dugout.Boone, meanwhile, shouted profanities from the bench, and West signaled his ejection from across the field. Rehak also booted Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames during the exchange."I was just upset within an at-bat where G's coming back and I felt like there were a few in there in his at-bat where it kind of got taken away, so I just got animated," Boone said. "The bottom line is I probably wasn't going to get thrown out from Jeremie. I was starting to walk away... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The playoff-bound Yankees dodged a September scare.An MRI of Gleyber Torres' achy right hamstring came back negative, a day after the star second baseman fell awkwardly fielding a ground ball.The team announced the results about 15 minutes before New York played the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Torres was not in the lineup for the 7-2 win and also won't play Sunday, but he said he feels good."Last night, scary moment," he said. "After that play I felt really good, but during the couple innings later, I started to feel like, not powerful, weak, and I prefer to be smart and be safe with my leg."New York will be cautious with Torres despite the promising diagnosis. The AL East champions have six more games after Saturday before opening their postseason Oct. 4."I felt like he was going to be OK," Boone said. "But still, once you kind of get that news, because you know MRIs are going to find things, so the fact it came back clean kind of confirmed what we had hoped."Torres... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Andy Green was fired as manager of the San Diego Padres on Saturday morning, about 12 hours after one of their worst losses this season seemed to sum up their second-half collapse.General manager A.J. Preller said Green, in his fourth season, was fired because the team had regressed in the second half.San Diego was 45-45 at the All-Star break but has played poorly since. The Padres have lost eight of their last nine, including an ugly, mistake-filled 9-0 loss to Arizona on Friday night that dropped them to 69-85. They became the first team to change managers this season."We feel like we've got a young talented group that has a chance to be competitive," Preller told The Associated Press. "We made some progress in the earlier part of season, but as the second half went on we didn't see the team getting into a spot where we could see continual improvement."We feel like a different person in that chair has a chance to take a young, talented group into a different spot."Green... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected by crew chief Joe West in the first inning of New York's game against Toronto for arguing balls and strikes.Boone yelled from the dugout Saturday at plate umpire Jeremie Rehak after Giancarlo Stanton struck out looking against Blue Jays starter T.J. Zeuch to end the inning. West tossed Boone from third base, and Rehak — a recent call-up from Triple-A — ejected Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames.Stanton watched three called strikes near the bottom of the strike zone and then exchanged words near home plate with Rehak. As Stanton walked off, Boone shouted profanities from the dugout, prompting his ejection. He then came out and argued with West near third base during the inning break.The ejection was Boone's fifth of the season. He memorably called his players "savages" during a tirade aimed at rookie umpire Brennan Miller in July. He wasn't as lively jawing with West on Saturday.The Yankees already were peeved with West over his strike zone Friday night, when Brett Gardner argued animatedly after a called strike in the ninth. There were no ejections Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have fired Andy Green in the midst of a season-ending collapse.General manager A.J. Preller announced the firing Saturday, less than 24 hours after the Padres played one of their worst games of the season in a 9-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.Green was 274-366 since being before the 2016 season.Although the Padres were rebuilding, the season started with promise after the signing of slugger Manny Machado to a $300 million contract and top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. was named to the opening day roster.San Diego was 45-45 at the All-Star break but collapsed in the second half. They've lost eight of their last nine.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected by crew chief Joe West in the first inning of New York's game against Toronto for arguing balls and strikes.Boone yelled from the dugout Saturday at plate umpire Jeremie Rehak after Giancarlo Stanton struck out looking against Blue Jays starter T.J. Zeuch to end the inning. West tossed Boone from third base, and Rehak — a recent call-up from Triple-A — ejected Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames.Stanton watched three called strikes near the bottom of the strike zone and then exchanged words near home plate with Rehak. As Stanton walked off, Boone shouted profanities from the dugout, prompting his ejection. He then came out and argued with West near third base during the inning break.The ejection was Boone's fifth of the season. He memorably called his players "savages" during a tirade aimed at rookie umpire Brennan Miller in July. He wasn't as lively jawing with West on Saturday.The Yankees already were peeved with West over his strike zone Friday night, when Brett Gardner argued animatedly after a called strike in the ninth. There were no ejections Friday.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The playoff-bound Yankees have dodged a September scare.An MRI of Gleyber Torres' achy right hamstring came back negative a day after the star second baseman fell awkwardly fielding a ground ball.The team announced the MRI results about 15 minutes before New York played the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Torres was not in the lineup, although manager Aaron Boone said he was feeling good.Boone had said the Yankees would be cautious with Torres regardless of the MRI results. The AL East champions have six more games after Saturday before opening their postseason Oct. 4.Torres slipped after backhanding a grounder Friday night, prompting an audible gasp from the Yankee Stadium crowd. He was pulled later and felt weakness in his lower legs.The 22-year-old Torres leads the team with 38 homers and is hitting .284 with 90 RBIs and an .889 OPS. The 100-win Yankees are in a tight race with Houston for home-field advantage, and Boone is trying to strike a balance between battling the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — An MRI of Gleyber Torres' achy right hamstring has come back negative, a day after the New York Yankees star second baseman fell awkwardly fielding a ground ball.The Yankees announced the MRI results about 15 minutes before they played the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. He was not in the lineup, although manager Aaron Boone said Torres was feeling good.Boone had said the Yankees would be cautious with Torres regardless of the MRI results. The AL East champions play seven more games before opening their postseason Oct. 4.Torres slipped after backhanding a grounder Friday night, prompting an audible gasp from the Yankee Stadium crowd. He was pulled later and felt weakness in his lower legs.The 22-year-old Torres leads the team with 38 homers and is hitting .284 with 90 RBIs and an .889 OPS.___Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres will have an MRI on his right hamstring Saturday, a day after the New York Yankees star second baseman fell awkwardly fielding a ground ball.Torres slipped after backhanding a grounder Friday night, prompting an audible gasp from the crowd at Yankee Stadium. He was pulled later and said he felt weakness in his lower legs. He was not in the lineup Saturday against Toronto, although manager Aaron Boone said Torres was feeling good."We want to go and make sure, see if there's anything," Boone said. "We'll just see what we have and go from there."The 22-year-old Torres leads the team with 38 homers and is hitting .284 with 90 RBIs and an .889 OPS. With Torres out, DJ LeMahieu would be New York's primary second baseman, with Gio Urshela starting at third. LaMaheiu was held out of the lineup for rest Saturday.Regardless of the MRI results, Boone said the AL East champions will be careful with Torres over the last week of the regular season. New York has seven games... [More]