BOSTON (AP) — Tyler Austin rushed the mound after being hit by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly, triggering a bench-clearing brawl in a ramped-up rivalry as the New York Yankees ended Boston's nine-game winning streak with a 10-7 victory Wednesday night.Benches cleared briefly in the third after Austin's spikes clipped Brock Holt's leg on a slide into second base. Holt took issue with the contact and they exchanged words before being separated.Then with the Yankees leading 10-6 in the seventh, Kelly caught Austin on the side with a 98 mph fastball. Austin slammed his bat on the plate, threw it down and took four steps toward the mound while hollering. Kelly waved Austin at him, and things quickly escalated.Austin, Kelly, New York reliever Tommy Kahnle and Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin were ejected.The Yankees scored four runs off David Price (1-1) in the first inning before the lefty ace exited the game with a tingling sensation in his pitching hand.Gary Sanchez hit two home... [More]

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Chicago Cubs2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Manager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly, C Chris Gimenez.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Projected Lineup: CF Ian Happ (.253, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs, .842 OPS) or Albert Almora Jr. (.298, 8, 46), 3B Kris Bryant (.295, 29, 73, 38 2Bs, 111 runs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.273, 32, 109, 91 BBs), C Willson Contreras (.276, 21, 74), LF Kyle Schwarber (.211, 30, 59), SS Addison Russell (.239, 12, 43), RF Jason Heyward (.259, 11, 59), 2B Javier Baez (.273, 23, 75, .796 OPS).Rotation: LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03), RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86, 209 Ks with Rangers and Dodgers), LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15, 207 Ks with White Sox and Cubs), RH Tyler Chatwood (8-15, 4.69 with Rockies).Key Relievers: RH Brandon... [More]

Capsules of National League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Chicago Cubs2017: 92-70, first place, lost to Dodgers in NLCS.Manager: Joe Maddon (fourth season).He's Here: RHP Yu Darvish, RHP Brandon Morrow, RHP Tyler Chatwood, RHP Steve Cishek, LHP Drew Smyly, C Chris Gimenez.He's Outta Here: RHP Wade Davis, C Alex Avila, C Rene Rivera.Projected Lineup: CF Ian Happ (.253, 24 HRs, 68 RBIs, .842 OPS) or Albert Almora Jr. (.298, 8, 46), 3B Kris Bryant (.295, 29, 73, 38 2Bs, 111 runs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.273, 32, 109, 91 BBs), C Willson Contreras (.276, 21, 74), LF Kyle Schwarber (.211, 30, 59), SS Addison Russell (.239, 12, 43), RF Jason Heyward (.259, 11, 59), 2B Javier Baez (.273, 23, 75, .796 OPS).Rotation: LH Jon Lester (13-8, 4.33 ERA, 180 Ks), RH Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.03), RH Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86, 209 Ks with Rangers and Dodgers), LH Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15, 207 Ks with White Sox and Cubs), RH Tyler Chatwood (8-15, 4.69 with Rockies).Key Relievers: RH Brandon... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Left-hander Brian Duensing and Chicago have finalized a $7 million, two-year contract for the reliever to remain with the Cubs.Duensing gets $3.5 million in each of the next two seasons as part of the agreement announced Monday. His 2019 salary can escalate by up to $1.25 million based on pitching appearances this year: $250,000 for 50, $333,333 each for 55 and 60, and $333,334 for 65.Duensing went 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances last season. He had agreed to the deal last week, pending a successful physical.Duensing helped Chicago win the NL Central last season, but its bullpen faltered in the playoffs and the Cubs were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.All-Star closer Wade Davis left as a free agent and agreed to a $52 million, three-year contract with Colorado, but the Cubs signed relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek before coming to an agreement with Duensing.Duensing, who turns 35 next month, was selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2005 amateur draft. He broke into the majors with the Twins in 2009 and is 43-38 with a 4.01 ERA in nine seasons.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs bolstered their revamped bullpen on Wednesday, bringing back Brian Duensing with a $7 million, two-year contract.Duensing returns to Chicago after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs last winter. The left-hander went 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances last season.A person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the contract to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because it is pending a physical.Duensing helped Chicago win the NL Central last season, but its bullpen faltered in the playoffs and it was eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. All-Star closer Wade Davis then left in free agency, agreeing to a $52 million, three-year contract with Colorado, but the Cubs signed relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek before coming to an agreement with Duensing.Duensing, who turns 35 next month, played college ball at Nebraska before he was selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2005 draft. He broke into the majors with the Twins in 2009 and is 43-38 with a 4.01 ERA in nine seasons.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

RHP Brian Duensing (1-1) picked up his first victory of the season and first since Sept. 28, 2016, while with Baltimore. Duensing gave up a leadoff single and then retired the side in a scoreless eighth. He's made 68 appearances this season, all out of the bullpen.

LHP Brian Duensing hadn't had a decision all year in 46 games before taking Wednesday's loss. He'd been on a hot streak, too, with 16 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings before Jarrett Parker's single in the seventh inning produced the eventual winning run. The scoreless streak was one inning shy of the longest such roll of his career. It was also the second-longest active streak behind only Brad Hand's 24 innings with the Padres.

LHP Brian Duensing pitched 1 1/3 innings Thursday and struck out two and allowed a hit. Duensing logged his 18th consecutive scoreless appearance, which covers 14 1/3 innings. He has a 1.35 ERA in his last 39 games.

LHP Brian Duensing threw a season-high 2 2/3 innings of relief Monday in the Cubs' 6-1 loss to the Mets. Duensing allowed one run on three hits while walking one and striking out one. It was Duensing's longest appearance since June 26, 2015, when he tossed three innings for the Minnesota Twins against the Milwaukee Brewers. Duensing is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings in 23 games this season.

LHP Brian Duensing was activated off the 10-day disabled list (lower back tightness) on Friday. Duensing, 34, made two rehab outings with Triple-A Iowa, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out five and walking none. He is 45-37 with two saves, 45 holds and a 4.13 ERA in 368 big league appearances.

LHP Brian Duensing (lower back spasms) was placed on the 10-day disabled list on March 30. He will be eligible to return on April 9. Duensing, who came up in the Minnesota organization, could figure into the team's plans as a second left-hander out of the bullpen when he returns to health. Manager Joe Maddon likes to have multiple lefties in the 'pen for matchup reasons, and Duensing would help in that regard.

LHP Brian Duensing was very effective Monday. He came on to start the sixth against the Red Sox and retired all four batters he faced in his 10th appearance this year. He lowered his ERA to 5.40, though batters are still hitting .310 against him.

LHP Brian Duensing came off the 60-day disabled list Monday. Duensing underwent surgery in June to remove cartilage chips from his left elbow. He has appeared in seven games for Baltimore, allowing four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

LHP Brian Duensing is expected to come off the disabled list and will travel with the Orioles for their three-game series in Tampa Bay that begins Monday. Duensing underwent surgery in June to remove cartilage chips from his left elbow. He has appeared in seven games for Baltimore, allowing four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

RHP Brian Duensing (left elbow inflammation) was sent on a rehab assignment to Double-A Bowie. Duensing went on the DL July 3. He pitched two innings Saturday for Bowie and allowed one hit and struck out two.

RHP Brian Duensing (left elbow inflammation) threw seven pitches in his Gulf Coast League outing, according to manager Buck Showalter. He is slated to throw Saturday for Double-A Bowie of the Eastern League. Duensing went on the DL July 3.

LHP Brian Duensing (left elbow surgery in June 2016) began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League on Monday. He threw one scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

LHP Brian Duensing (elbow surgery) starts his rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Monday. He was moved to the 60-day disabled list on July 3 and the team has been looking to get him back in September.

LHP Brian Duensing (surgery, left elbow inflammation, DL retroactive to June 20) will start rehab work in the Gulf Coast League on Monday. The Orioles moved him to the 60-day disabled list on July 3 after his operation.

LHP Brian Duensing (left elbow inflammation), is on pace to return to the club in about three weeks, Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. Duensing, who is on the 60-day disabled list, had surgery in June to remove cartilage chips from his elbow. Duensing has allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings.