LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk, but acknowledged after the game that another DL trip might be necessary — this time for a third back injury in three... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drove in two runs, Aaron Nola pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Thursday, spoiling Clayton Kershaw's first start in almost a month.Hitting out of the No. 8 spot in the Phillies' lineup, Alfaro delivered an RBI single in the second inning against Kershaw and had an RBI double off reliever Josh Fields in the seventh.Nola (7-2) struck out seven, including five of the last seven batters he faced. He walked one and allowed just two runners to reach as far as second base. Seranthony Dominguez held the Dodgers scoreless over the final two innings for his second save.Kershaw pitched in his first game since May 1, spending time on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis. He gave up one run and four hits over five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He had five strikeouts and a walk.Alfaro, who had an RBI single in the second, broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning when he doubled to the wall in right-center... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander tamed the Yankees again, slowing down the highest-scoring team in the majors and pitching the Houston Astros past New York 5-1 Monday.Verlander exited in the seventh inning with a major league-best 1.11 ERA. J.D. Davis hit an early three-run homer and Jose Altuve had a solo drive, helping Houston win for the sixth time in eight games.Davis hit his first homer of the season, connecting in the second off Domingo German (0-3).Closer Ken Giles, tagged Sunday as the Astros blew a five-run lead in the ninth at Cleveland, pitched the final inning and worked around a leadoff single.Facing the only club in baseball that hasn't been shut out this season, Verlander (7-2) blanked the Yankees until Greg Bird hit a leadoff home run in the seventh.As he left, Verlander took off his cap and waved it toward a solid contingent of Astros fans wearing bright orange behind the dugout.NATIONALS 6, ORIOLES 0BALTIMORE (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer to back a sharp... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander tamed the Yankees again, slowing down the highest-scoring team in the majors and pitching the Houston Astros past New York 5-1 Monday.Verlander exited in the seventh inning with a major league-best 1.11 ERA. J.D. Davis hit an early three-run homer and Jose Altuve had a solo drive, helping Houston win for the sixth time in eight games.Davis hit his first homer of the season, connecting in the second off Domingo German (0-3).Closer Ken Giles, tagged Sunday as the Astros blew a five-run lead in the ninth at Cleveland, pitched the final inning and worked around a leadoff single.Facing the only club in baseball that hasn't been shut out this season, Verlander (7-2) blanked the Yankees until Greg Bird hit a leadoff home run in the seventh.As he left, Verlander took off his cap and waved it toward a solid contingent of Astros fans wearing bright orange behind the dugout.NATIONALS 6, ORIOLES 0BALTIMORE (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer to back a sharp... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Verlander tamed the Yankees again, slowing down the highest-scoring team in the majors and pitching the Houston Astros past New York 5-1 Monday.Verlander exited in the seventh inning with a major league-best 1.11 ERA. J.D. Davis hit an early three-run homer and Jose Altuve had a solo drive, helping Houston win for the sixth time in eight games.Davis hit his first homer of the season, connecting in the second off Domingo German (0-3).Closer Ken Giles, tagged Sunday as the Astros blew a five-run lead in the ninth at Cleveland, pitched the final inning and worked around a leadoff single.Facing the only club in baseball that hasn't been shut out this season, Verlander (7-2) blanked the Yankees until Greg Bird hit a leadoff home run in the seventh.As he left, Verlander took off his cap and waved it toward a solid contingent of Astros fans wearing bright orange behind the dugout.NATIONALS 6, ORIOLES 0BALTIMORE (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer to back a sharp... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Trout homered and doubled three times during his first five-hit game in the majors, and the Los Angeles Angels quickly erased an early deficit in beating the New York Yankees 11-4 on Saturday night.Playing not far from his southern New Jersey hometown, Trout went deep for the third straight game to tie Boston's Mookie Betts for the big league lead with 17 home runs. The two-time MVP drove in four runs and set career bests with four extra-base hits and 11 total bases.Jose Briceno homered in his major league debut for Los Angeles, and rookie Jaime Barria (4-1) returned from the minors to win his third consecutive major league decision.Brett Gardner, Aaron Judge and Austin Romine homered for the Yankees. Sonny Gray (3-4) was tagged for five runs in 3 2/3 innings.RED SOX 8, BRAVES 6BOSTON (AP) — Andrew Benintendi homered and drove in three runs, helping Boston top Atlanta.The AL East-leading Red Sox celebrated the return of Dustin Pedroia with their sixth win in seven games.... [More]

Two years ago, the Cleveland bullpen led the way when the Indians overcame significant injuries in their starting rotation and won the American League pennant.Now, the fickle nature of relief pitching is holding the AL Central favorites back.After Sunday night's 3-1 loss at Houston, Cleveland's relievers are 3-11 with an AL-worst 5.72 ERA. It has been a precipitous drop for a team that had the best bullpen ERA in all of baseball while storming to 102 wins a season ago. In fact, the Indians ranked in the top seven in that category every year from 2014-2017.In 2016, Cleveland reliever Andrew Miller was the MVP of the AL Championship Series against Toronto. In Game 3, starter Trevor Bauer had to leave in the first inning, and the bullpen pieced together the final 25 outs of a 4-2 victory.Closer Cody Allen has blown only one save this season, and Miller remains a force — although he has already walked nine hitters in 11 2/3 innings. Those two are the only Cleveland relievers who have been remotely... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians have placed outfielder Tyler Naquin on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and activated left-hander Tyler Olson from the paternity list.Naquin pulled up running into second base Friday night after his two-run double in the fourth inning against Kansas City. He was replaced in the top of the fifth and an MRI revealed the strain.Naquin, primarily playing right field, is batting .333 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 30 games.Olson was placed on the paternity list Friday when Andrew Miller was activated after missing more than two weeks with a hamstring injury. Miller gave up a two-run homer to Salvador Perez in the seventh inning Friday and took the loss in a 9-8 defeat.Olson is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 15 appearances.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrew Miller's return to the bullpen was a huge relief for the Cleveland Indians.Miller was activated from the 10-day disabled list Friday after the Indians struggled mightily without the star left-hander, who was sidelined since April 26 because of a strained left hamstring."That is good," manager Terry Francona said. "It sure is nice to have him back. He's healthy."Cleveland's relievers complied a 9.50 ERA in 36 innings and the Indians went 5-9 without Miller. Five of the losses came after Cleveland was leading or tied in the eighth inning or later.Miller admitted not being able to contribute was difficult. His absence led to several relievers having their roles changed. Roster moves due to poor performances and injuries followed."Those are things that stand out," Miller said. "When you lose guys who you really like and you want to be a part of the team. And guys get hurt. Those are bigger picture items."Francona said consideration was given to have Miller make a couple... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Andrew Miller was activated from the 10-day disabled list by the Cleveland Indians, who struggled mightily without their star reliever because of a strained left hamstring.The relievers complied a 9.50 ERA in 36 innings and the Indians went 5-9 without the left-hander.Cleveland leads the AL Central, but is 18-18 going into Friday night's game against Kansas City.Miller has pitched 10 scoreless innings and struck out 17 in 11 appearances. He grabbed the back of his leg after throwing a pitch against the Chicago Cubs on April 25 and was placed on the DL the following day.Left-hander Tyler Olson was placed on the paternity list.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols had a two-run double for his 2,999th career hit, and Luis Valbuena and Andrelton Simmons drove in three runs apiece in the Los Angeles Angels' 12-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.Pujols did not get a hit in his final three plate appearances after moving to the brink of the 3,000-hit club in the second inning. He gets another chance Friday in Seattle.Angels rookie right-hander Jaime Barria (2-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his third career start, finishing with six innings of four-hit ball.Manny Machado drove in two runs for the last-place Orioles, who have lost 15 of 18. Chris Tillman (1-5) recorded just three outs and was charged with seven runs.MARINERS 4, ATHLETICS 1SEATTLE (AP) — Dee Gordon had a big night on the bases, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer and the Mariners won their first game since Ichiro Suzuki was moved from the roster to the front office.Hours after the Mariners announced Suzuki's new role for the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Reliever Andrew Miller has been placed on the 10-day disabled list by the Cleveland Indians because of a strained left hamstring.Miller grabbed the back of his leg after throwing a pitch to the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo in the seventh inning Wednesday night and was removed from the game. Miller had an MRI on Thursday."The weather was warming up and I feel like I was kind of making the adjustments I had been looking to make," he said. "It's just unfortunate this kind of stalled what I thought was going to be a really nice run."Miller struck out 17 and walked four over 10 scoreless innings in 11 games this year."We lean on him so hard," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Then there's the temptation to bring him back early. Even though he doesn't want to go on the DL, it's the right think to do. It's just hard to do it. But it's the right thing to do."Miller doesn't think he'll be out longer than the 10 days."I think I won't have to shut it down for too long," he said.... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his major league pitching debut, throwing three-hit ball over six innings and leading the Los Angeles Angels past the Oakland Athletics 7-4 on Sunday.The two-way star from Japan took the mound three days after he was the designated hitter in the opener. Reaching the upper-90s (mph) with his fastball and showing a nifty splitter, Ohtani struck out six and retired 14 of his final 15 batters.Ohtani didn't hit while pitching. Albert Pujols was the DH and went 0 for 5.Ohtani (1-0) pounded his glove following a 1-2-3 shutdown fifth. He walked one, and the only damage against him came on Matt Chapman's three-run homer in the second.Mike Trout hit a tying double in the fifth and Justin Upton followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Keynan Middleton earned his first save.Daniel Gossett (0-1) allowed four runs in four innings for Oakland.ASTROS 8, RANGERS 2ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Gerrit Cole struck out 11 over seven innings in his Houston debut, and the defending... [More]

Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]

LHP Tyler Olson made his 30th consecutive appearance this year without allowing a run in Sunday's win. In those 30 appearances, Olson pitched 20 scoreless innings, with 13 hits, 18 strikeouts and six walks. It is the second longest scoreless appearance streak to begin a season in major league history. Colorado LHP Mike Myers had 33 consecutive scoreless appearances to start the 2000 season.

LHP Tyler Olson got the last two outs of the seventh inning. It marked Olson's 29th consecutive scoreless appearance. That tied Oakland's Brad Ziegler (2008) for the second longest scoreless appearance streak to open a season in major league history. Colorado's Mike Myers began the 2000 season with 33 consecutive scoreless appearances.

LHP Tyler Olson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and has not allowed a run in any of his 28 appearances this year. That's the longest streak in the major leagues to begin a season since Brad Ziegler had 29 straight for Oakland in 2008.

LHP Tyler Olson set an Indians record for most appearances from the start of the season without giving up a run. Olson, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 21, has made 23 relief appearances and pitched 15 1/3 scoreless innings, with 15 strikeouts and three walks. "He's been really reliable," manager Terry Francona said. "We're giving him more responsibility to see how he reacts, and he's handled everything that we've thrown at him. He seems to like getting people out."

LHP Tyler Olson, who came in to get the last out of the seventh inning Wednesday, has not allowed a run in any of his 21 appearances this season, which is an Indians record for most consecutive scoreless appearances to start a season. In those 21 appearances Olson has pitched 13 2/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, with 15 strikeouts and three walks.

LHP Tyler Olson continues to quietly put up zeroes. Olson retired the side in order in the seventh inning on Friday night. In 19 relief appearances covering 13 innings overall, Olson has not allowed a run, extending his franchise record for consecutive scoreless appearances to begin a season. Olson was called up from Triple-A Columbus on July 21.