BALTIMORE (AP) — Jonathan Villar hit a first-pitch leadoff homer to spark a robust offensive performance by the Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 Thursday night to complete a startling four-game sweep and make Don Mattingly the winningest manager in franchise history.Villar had three hits and Brian Anderson drove in three runs for the upstart Marlins, who emerged from a team-wide coronavirus outbreak to dominate the Orioles and forge the best winning percentage in the big leagues.Miami is 6-1 and in first place in the NL East despite putting 18 players on the injured list before the series opener Tuesday.The Marlins were the “home” team because this was a makeup of a July 28 game that was to be held in Miami but postponed in the wake of the Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak.Batting in the bottom of the seventh, the Marlins broke a 6-6 tie with a sacrifice fly by Jesús Aguilar off Evan Phillips (1-1) and an RBI triple by Anderson.Mike Morin (1-0) pitched two shutout innings and... [More]

BALTIMORE (AP) — Jonathan Villar hit a first-pitch leadoff homer to spark a robust offensive performance by the Miami Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 Thursday night to complete a startling four-game sweep and make Don Mattingly the winningest manager in franchise history.Villar had three hits and Brian Anderson drove in three runs for the upstart Marlins, who emerged from a team-wide coronavirus outbreak to dominate the Orioles and forge the best winning percentage in the big leagues.Miami is 6-1 and in first place in the NL East despite putting 18 players on the injured list before the series opener Tuesday.The Marlins were the “home” team because this was a makeup of a July 28 game that was to be held in Miami but postponed in the wake of the Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak.Batting in the bottom of the seventh, the Marlins broke a 6-6 tie with a sacrifice fly by Jesús Aguilar off Evan Phillips (1-1) and an RBI triple by Anderson.Mike Morin (1-0) pitched two shutout innings and... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — Shohei Ohtani homered in his first plate appearance since being shut down as a pitcher, Dylan Bundy struck out 10 in the third complete game of his career and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 6-1 on Thursday. Ohtani drove a 1-0 pitch from Seattle starter Taijuan Walker (1-2) to the opposite field just beyond the leap of left fielder Dee Gordon leading off the second inning.Max Stassi added a two-run homer in the eighth inning, his fourth of the season.Bundy (2-1) has been superb since his offseason arrival from Baltimore via trade. The right-hander has pitched at least six innings in all three of his starts, with 25 strikeouts and two walks in 21 2/3 innings.Bundy allowed four hits and picked up his 10th strikeout getting Kyle Seager leading off the ninth. His only mistake was an elevated changeup that Daniel Vogelbach lined into the right field seats for a solo home run in the fourth inning.PIRATES 6, TWINS 5PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kevin Newman’s two-run pinch-single... [More]

Rockies sixth. David Dahl strikes out swinging. Trevor Story homers to center field. Charlie Blackmon walks. Nolan Arenado lines out to deep center field to Mauricio Dubon. Matt Kemp singles to center field. Charlie Blackmon to second. Ryan McMahon lines out to deep left field to Austin Slater.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 0.Giants seventh. Hunter Pence grounds out to shortstop, Nolan Arenado to Ryan McMahon. Darin Ruf strikes out swinging. Pablo Sandoval singles to center field. Chadwick Tromp singles to shallow center field. Pablo Sandoval to second. Mauricio Dubon homers to center field. Chadwick Tromp scores. Pablo Sandoval scores. Austin Slater strikes out swinging.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 3, Rockies 1.Rockies seventh. Garrett Hampson doubles to deep left field. Chris Owings doubles. Garrett Hampson scores. Daniel Murphy pinch-hitting for Drew Butera. Daniel Murphy homers to center field. Chris Owings scores. David Dahl singles to second base.... [More]

Rockies first. David Dahl reaches on error. Fielding error by Donovan Solano. Trevor Story flies out to deep center field to Mike Yastrzemski. David Dahl to third. Charlie Blackmon singles to center field. David Dahl scores. Nolan Arenado grounds out to shortstop. Charlie Blackmon out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 0.Rockies third. Sam Hilliard singles to left center field. Tony Wolters grounds out to shallow infield, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt. Sam Hilliard to third. David Dahl out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Alex Dickerson. Sam Hilliard scores. Trevor Story flies out to right field to Alex Dickerson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Giants 0.Giants fourth. Mike Yastrzemski reaches on error. Fielding error by Trevor Story. Alex Dickerson flies out to deep right field to Raimel Tapia. Donovan Solano singles to left center field. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Brandon Belt homers to right field. Donovan Solano scores. Mike Yastrzemski... [More]

Rockies first. David Dahl triples to deep center field. Trevor Story strikes out swinging. Charlie Blackmon out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Alex Dickerson. David Dahl scores. Nolan Arenado reaches on error. Fielding error by Brandon Crawford. Daniel Murphy lines out to left field to Steven Duggar.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 0.Rockies fourth. Charlie Blackmon singles to center field. Nolan Arenado walks. Charlie Blackmon to second. Daniel Murphy reaches on catcher interference. Nolan Arenado to second. Charlie Blackmon to third. Interference error by Tyler Heineman. Matt Kemp reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow center field. Daniel Murphy out at second. Nolan Arenado to third. Charlie Blackmon scores. Sam Hilliard singles to deep right center field. Matt Kemp to second. Nolan Arenado scores. Chris Owings strikes out swinging. Tony Wolters lines out to shallow right field to Mauricio Dubon.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Rockies 3, Giants... [More]

Rockies first. David Dahl grounds out to second base, Evan Longoria to Brandon Belt. Trevor Story singles to center field. Charlie Blackmon reaches on error. Trevor Story to second. Fielding error by Evan Longoria. Nolan Arenado lines out to deep right field to Alex Dickerson. Trevor Story to third. Daniel Murphy singles to shallow right field. Charlie Blackmon to third. Trevor Story scores. Ryan McMahon strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Giants 0.Giants third. Chadwick Tromp homers to center field. Steven Duggar hit by pitch. Mike Yastrzemski homers to right field. Steven Duggar scores. Alex Dickerson singles to right field. Donovan Solano called out on strikes. Brandon Belt singles to center field. Alex Dickerson to second. Evan Longoria reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Brandon Belt to second. Alex Dickerson out at third. Wilmer Flores pops out to Daniel Murphy.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 3, Rockies 1.Giants fifth. Mike Yastrzemski... [More]

Rockies second. Daniel Murphy homers to right field. Ryan McMahon called out on strikes. Matt Kemp grounds out to third base, Greg Garcia to Jake Cronenworth. Chris Owings walks. Tony Wolters strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rockies 1, Padres 0.Rockies fourth. Nolan Arenado flies out to deep center field to Trent Grisham. Daniel Murphy singles to left field. Ryan McMahon reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Daniel Murphy out at second. Matt Kemp homers to left field. Ryan McMahon scores. Chris Owings flies out to deep right field to Wil Myers.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 3, Padres 0.Padres sixth. Jake Cronenworth triples to deep left center field. Fernando Tatis Jr. strikes out swinging. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging. Manny Machado doubles to deep left field. Jake Cronenworth scores. Tommy Pham walks. Greg Garcia flies out to center field to David Dahl.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 3, Padres 1.Rockies sixth. Charlie... [More]

Rockies first. David Dahl lines out to deep right center field to Wil Myers. Trevor Story singles to center field. Charlie Blackmon homers to center field. Trevor Story scores. Nolan Arenado flies out to deep center field to Trent Grisham. Daniel Murphy lines out to center field to Trent Grisham.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rockies 2, Padres 0.Padres sixth. Jake Cronenworth singles to shortstop. Fernando Tatis Jr. strikes out swinging. Trent Grisham walks. Jake Cronenworth to second. Manny Machado singles to right field. Trent Grisham to third. Jake Cronenworth scores. Tommy Pham reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow center field. Manny Machado to third. Trent Grisham scores. Fielding error by Trevor Story. Jurickson Profar pops out to shallow left field to Nolan Arenado. Wil Myers lines out to deep left field to Sam Hilliard.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Padres 3, Rockies 2.Rockies sixth. Nolan Arenado grounds out to shallow infield, Fernando Tatis Jr. to Jake Cronenworth.... [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]

Rockies third. David Dahl grounds out to shallow infield, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Trevor Story singles to left field. Charlie Blackmon singles to right field. Trevor Story to third. Nolan Arenado out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Robbie Grossman. Charlie Blackmon to second. Trevor Story scores. Daniel Murphy flies out to deep right field to Mark Canha.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rockies 1, Athletics 0.Athletics third. Marcus Semien flies out to left field to Sam Hilliard. Ramon Laureano singles to right field. Matt Chapman walks. Ramon Laureano to second. Matt Olson walks. Matt Chapman to second. Ramon Laureano to third. Mark Canha out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to David Dahl. Ramon Laureano scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rockies 1, Athletics 1.Rockies fourth. Ryan McMahon grounds out to second base, Marcus Semien to Matt Olson. Raimel Tapia singles to shallow center field. Sam Hilliard homers to right field.... [More]

Rangers second. Joey Gallo homers. Rougned Odor lines out to shallow right field to Ryan McMahon. Todd Frazier strikes out on a foul tip. Robinson Chirinos walks. Willie Calhoun called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Rockies 0.Rangers third. Rob Refsnyder doubles to center field. Elvis Andrus singles to shallow infield. Rob Refsnyder to third. Nick Solak singles to shallow right field. Elvis Andrus to second. Rob Refsnyder scores. Danny Santana grounds out to shortstop. Nick Solak out at second. Elvis Andrus to third. Joey Gallo walks. Rougned Odor pops out to shallow center field to Trevor Story.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rangers 2, Rockies 0.Rockies fourth. David Dahl walks. Trevor Story homers to right field. David Dahl scores. Charlie Blackmon singles to right field. Nolan Arenado singles to deep center field. Charlie Blackmon to second. Daniel Murphy reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Nolan Arenado to second. Charlie Blackmon to... [More]

Rangers sixth. Elvis Andrus grounds out to shortstop, Trevor Story to Daniel Murphy. Danny Santana doubles to deep left field. Joey Gallo strikes out swinging. Rougned Odor doubles to deep right center field. Danny Santana scores. Todd Frazier lines out to deep left field to Sam Hilliard.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rangers 1, Rockies 0.

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. Injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”BRUISEDAstros second baseman Jose Altuve bruised his left leg in Houston's exhibition win over Kansas City... [More]

Yoenis Céspedes expects to be the designated hitter for the New York Mets on Friday when they open the season against the Atlanta Braves.It will be his first major league game in more than two years. Injuries to his feet and legs have sidelined him since July 20, 2018.Céspedes said he’s feeling good and is confident that he’ll also play left field at some point this season. But he told reporters through a translator Tuesday that “at least for the first game, for opening day, I’ll be the DH.”The 34-year-old slugger, an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, had surgery on both heels and then broke his right ankle in a nasty fall at his Florida ranch. Now he's healthy and eager to help the Mets.“I think the strongest part of me is my mind, is my mentality,” Céspedes said. “I think whether it’s a good day or a bad day, my mentality has always been strong. I’ll be ready to play once the time comes.”BRUISEDAstros second baseman Jose Altuve bruised his left leg in Houston's exhibition win over Kansas City... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season (gasp!) with a DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Rangers veteran Shin-Soo Choo is helping out financially strapped minor league players with the season on hold, giving $1,000 each to 191 of them who are in the Texas organization.Choo said Wednesday that he remembers the financial struggles when he was in the minors. The 37-year-old outfielder-designated hitter hopes the gifts will help ease those worries for the current minor leaguers, most he has never met, allowing them to stay focused on their baseball careers instead of having to figure out ways to make money.“I've done it before, minor leagues, seven years,” said Choo, who was 18 when he left South Korea to join the Seattle Mariners organization before the 2001 season. “I know right now the minor league system is better than 15-20 years ago, but still tough. Everything's very difficult, especially money wise."Choo is one of a few major league players helping out with the baseball season on hold. Colorado Rockies infielder Daniel Murphy gifted $100,000 on Wednesday to a fund operated... [More]