WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched eight strong innings to become the first 10-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 13 in the Washington Nationals' 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.Scherzer (10-1) won his ninth consecutive decision while scattering five hits and did not allow a runner past second base until pinch hitter Brad Miller's two-out double in the eighth.Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 16 opportunities.Scherzer struck out Johnny Field, Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson on a combined nine pitches in the sixth inning. It was the third nine pitch/three strikeout inning in Nationals history and the first since Scherzer did it against Philadelphia on May 14, 2017.Tampa Bay starter Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) gave up four runs in five innings in his second start back from Tommy John surgery.DIAMONDBACKS 3, GIANTS 2SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner tossed six solid innings in his long-awaited season debut but was outpitched... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched eight strong innings to become the first 10-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 13 in the Washington Nationals' 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.Scherzer (10-1) won his ninth consecutive decision while scattering five hits and did not allow a runner past second base until pinch hitter Brad Miller's two-out double in the eighth.Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 16 opportunities.Scherzer struck out Johnny Field, Christian Arroyo and Daniel Robertson on a combined nine pitches in the sixth inning. It was the third nine pitch/three strikeout inning in Nationals history and the first since Scherzer did it against Philadelphia on May 14, 2017.Tampa Bay starter Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) gave up four runs in five innings in his second start back from Tommy John surgery.RED SOX 6, TIGERS 0BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit his 20th home run, Steven Wright pitched seven sharp innings in his first start of the season... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched six innings of no-hit ball in his return to the majors following a second Tommy John surgery, leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.Eovaldi (1-0) faced one over the minimum through six innings in his Tampa Bay debut. He threw 70 pitches and had four strikeouts. The only runner to reach base against him was Matt Chapman, who drew a one-out walk in the first.Wilmer Font, acquired by the Rays from the A's last Friday, gave up Jed Lowrie's one-out single in the seventh for Oakland's only hit of the game. Vidal Nuno got the last three outs to finish the one-hitter.Rob Refsnyder hit a three-run home run off A's starter Sean Manaea (5-6), and Johnny Field also homered for the Rays.The game drew an announced crowd of 6,295, the smallest at the Coliseum since April 3, 2003.Eovaldi last pitched in the majors on Aug. 10, 2016, for the Yankees. Nine days later, he underwent a second elbow surgery. Eovaldi... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Jose Iglesias hit a two-run single in Detroit's five-run sixth inning and the Tigers took advantage of Shohei Ohtani's departure following a second rain delay, beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-1 Wednesday night.Ohtani, starting for the first time since May 20th, allowed one run in five innings. He walked three and struck out five while throwing 83 pitches.Tigers starter Mike Fiers was also knocked out by the second rain delay in the top of the sixth, allowing one run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.The Tigers quickly took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases against Cam Bedrosian (1-1) on a single, a walk and a hit by pitch. Greyson Greiner struck out, but Iglesias lined a two-run single to center to put Detroit ahead 3-1.Louis Coleman (2-0) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief.YANKEES 5, ASTROS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino struck out 11 in seven overpowering innings, beating longtime Yankees nemesis Dallas Keuchel for the second time this year.Gary... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Jose Iglesias hit a two-run single in Detroit's five-run sixth inning and the Tigers took advantage of Shohei Ohtani's departure following a second rain delay, beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-1 Wednesday night.Ohtani, starting for the first time since May 20th, allowed one run in five innings. He walked three and struck out five while throwing 83 pitches.Tigers starter Mike Fiers was also knocked out by the second rain delay in the top of the sixth, allowing one run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.The Tigers quickly took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases against Cam Bedrosian (1-1) on a single, a walk and a hit by pitch. Greyson Greiner struck out, but Iglesias lined a two-run single to center to put Detroit ahead 3-1.Louis Coleman (2-0) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief.YANKEES 5, ASTROS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino struck out 11 in seven overpowering innings, beating longtime Yankees nemesis Dallas Keuchel for the second time this year.Gary... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest American League player to homer in four straight games, Aaron Judge threw out a pair of runners from right field and the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Friday night.Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese rookie sensation, came up with the potential tying run on base and two outs in the eighth. New York brought in closer Aroldis Chapman to face Ohtani with Justin Upton at first. Chapman threw a wild pitch that advanced the runner, Ohtani sent a 100 mph pitch just foul of the left-field pole, then grounded out on a 101 mph offering.Mike Trout tied the score in the fifth for Los Angeles with his 16th homer.Torres drove in New York's first run with an infield hit in the second. He broke a 1-all tie in the seventh against Jim Johnson (2-2) with a drive over the right-field scoreboard, his ninth homer since coming up to the Yankees on April 22 and his fifth in four games. At 21 years, 163 days, he became the fourth-youngest... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest American League player to homer in four straight games, Aaron Judge threw out a pair of runners from right field and the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Friday night.Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese rookie sensation, came up with the potential tying run on base and two outs in the eighth. New York brought in closer Aroldis Chapman to face Ohtani with Justin Upton at first. Chapman threw a wild pitch that advanced the runner, Ohtani sent a 100 mph pitch just foul of the left-field pole, then grounded out on a 101 mph offering.Mike Trout tied the score in the fifth for Los Angeles with his 16th homer.Torres drove in New York's first run with an infield hit in the second. He broke a 1-all tie in the seventh against Jim Johnson (2-2) with a drive over the right-field scoreboard, his ninth homer since coming up to the Yankees on April 22 and his fifth in four games. At 21 years, 163 days, he became the fourth-youngest... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest American League player to homer in four straight games, Aaron Judge threw out a pair of runners from right field and the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Friday night.Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese rookie sensation, came up with the potential tying run on base and two outs in the eighth. New York brought in closer Aroldis Chapman to face Ohtani with Justin Upton at first. Chapman threw a wild pitch that advanced the runner, Ohtani sent a 100 mph pitch just foul of the left-field pole, then grounded out on a 101 mph offering.Mike Trout tied the score in the fifth for Los Angeles with his 16th homer.Torres drove in New York's first run with an infield hit in the second. He broke a 1-all tie in the seventh against Jim Johnson (2-2) with a drive over the right-field scoreboard, his ninth homer since coming up to the Yankees on April 22 and his fifth in four games. At 21 years, 163 days, he became the fourth-youngest... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gleyber Torres became the youngest American League player to homer in four straight games, Aaron Judge threw out a pair of runners from right field and the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Friday night.Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese rookie sensation, came up with the potential tying run on base and two outs in the eighth. New York brought in closer Aroldis Chapman to face Ohtani with Justin Upton at first. Chapman threw a wild pitch that advanced the runner, Ohtani sent a 100 mph pitch just foul of the left-field pole, then grounded out on a 101 mph offering.Mike Trout tied the score in the fifth for Los Angeles with his 16th homer.Torres drove in New York's first run with an infield hit in the second. He broke a 1-all tie in the seventh against Jim Johnson (2-2) with a drive over the right-field scoreboard, his ninth homer since coming up to the Yankees on April 22 and his fifth in four games. At 21 years, 163 days, he became the fourth-youngest... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The idea of Manny Machado joining Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in a powerhouse lineup sure is a tantalizing one.Whether that happens or not, the Chicago Cubs are banking on the players they have to perform up to expectations. So far, that hasn't happened. And if fans are frustrated, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein understands."I think we should have high expectations," he said Friday. "I think this group has earned a tremendous amount of trust. It's OK to be really frustrated with our inability to really get locked in and get hot and play up to our talent and our expectations, while at the same time being really optimistic that this group really figures it out."Epstein insisted his team has not engaged in trade talks, despite speculation about a potential deal with Baltimore for Machado.He wouldn't comment on reports that the Cubs could be a landing spot for the slick-fielding slugger. He said there are "zero trade talks" at the moment and Chicago has enough... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko was nervous. Not about making his second major league start, really. It was all about stepping to the plate.Once that was over, everything fell into place.Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night."We know when (Plutko) commands everything, he can be pretty good," manager Terry Francona said. "But on a night when he didn't command real well, he still did pretty damn good."Plutko (2-0) was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace the struggling Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation. The right-hander issued each of his four walks in the first two innings, but settled down after a successful sacrifice in the third in his first at-bat since he was a junior in high school in 2009."I was really nervous to hit, and so as soon as I got that bunt down in the third, I felt like a lot more calm and everything was a lot better," he said.Plutko's... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Adam Plutko carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Andrew Miller provided stellar relief work, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.Plutko (2-0) struck out four and walked four in his second major league start. The right-hander was promoted from Triple-A Columbus to replace the struggling Josh Tomlin in Cleveland's rotation.Michael Brantley, Francisco Lindor and Rajai Davis had two hits apiece as the AL Central leaders won for the third time in four games. Brantley extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and Davis also contributed a leaping catch against the wall in center, robbing Addison Russell of a likely run-scoring hit in the second.The Indians completed a sweep of their two-game set versus the Cubs in their first appearance at Wrigley Field since they lost the 2016 World Series.Chicago wasted a terrific start by Jon Lester (4-2) in its second straight loss after taking three of four last weekend in Cincinnati. The lefty... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Robinson Cano broke his right hand when hit by a pitch from left-hander Blaine Hardy in the third inning of the Seattle Mariners' 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.The Seattle star, who has played in at least 150 in 11 straight years, said he might need surgery.Jose Iglesias hit a game-ending single off Juan Nicasio (1-2), and Niko Goodrum homered and had three hits for the Tigers.Shane Greene (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth. Seattle lost a road series for the first time all season.ANGELS 2, TWINS 1ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 11 while pitching three-hit ball into the seventh inning, and Zack Cozart got a walk-off RBI single.Ohtani allowed one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in his sixth big league start, leaving with a 2-1 lead after Logan Morrison's walk. Joe Mauer hit a tying single off Cam Bedrosian.Chris Young was hit by a pitch from Zach Duke (2-2) leading off the ninth, Martin Maldonado sacrificed and Cozart singled to left. Blake Parker... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Robinson Cano broke his right hand when hit by a pitch from left-hander Blaine Hardy in the third inning of the Seattle Mariners' 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.The Seattle star, who has played in at least 150 in 11 straight years, said he might need surgery.Jose Iglesias hit a game-ending single off Juan Nicasio (1-2), and Niko Goodrum homered and had three hits for the Tigers.Shane Greene (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth. Seattle lost a road series for the first time all season.ANGELS 2, TWINS 1ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 11 while pitching three-hit ball into the seventh inning, and Zack Cozart got a walk-off RBI single.Ohtani allowed one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in his sixth big league start, leaving with a 2-1 lead after Logan Morrison's walk. Joe Mauer hit a tying single off Cam Bedrosian.Chris Young was hit by a pitch from Zach Duke (2-2) leading off the ninth, Martin Maldonado sacrificed and Cozart singled to left. Blake Parker... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Robinson Cano broke his right hand when hit by a pitch from left-hander Blaine Hardy in the third inning of the Seattle Mariners' 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.The Seattle star, who has played in at least 150 in 11 straight years, said he might need surgery.Jose Iglesias hit a game-ending single off Juan Nicasio (1-2), and Niko Goodrum homered and had three hits for the Tigers.Shane Greene (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth. Seattle lost a road series for the first time all season.ANGELS 2, TWINS 1ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 11 while pitching three-hit ball into the seventh inning, and Zack Cozart got a walk-off RBI single.Ohtani allowed one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in his sixth big league start, leaving with a 2-1 lead after Logan Morrison's walk. Joe Mauer hit a tying single off Cam Bedrosian.Chris Young was hit by a pitch from Zach Duke (2-2) leading off the ninth, Martin Maldonado sacrificed and Cozart singled to left. Blake Parker... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading the Minnesota Twins over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Monday night.The victory was a season-high fourth straight for the Twins, who have won 13 of their last 16 games against National League opponents dating to last year.St. Louis had its season-best five-game winning streak snapped, one night after finishing a weekend sweep of the rival Chicago Cubs at nearly 1 a.m.Romero (2-0) permitted just three hits while throwing 97 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week, a win over Toronto.Romero got a lift from left fielder Eddie Rosario, who reached over the wall in the first inning to catch a possible two-run homer for St. Louis' Dexter Fowler.John Gant (1-1) gave up six hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.METS 7, REDS 6CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer against his... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading the Minnesota Twins over the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Monday night.The victory was a season-high fourth straight for the Twins, who have won 13 of their last 16 games against National League opponents dating to last year.St. Louis had its season-best five-game winning streak snapped, one night after finishing a weekend sweep of the rival Chicago Cubs at nearly 1 a.m.Romero (2-0) permitted just three hits while throwing 97 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week, a win over Toronto.Romero got a lift from left fielder Eddie Rosario, who reached over the wall in the first inning to catch a possible two-run homer for St. Louis' Dexter Fowler.John Gant (1-1) gave up six hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.METS 7, REDS 6CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce hit a two-run homer against his... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three-run homer that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 Wednesday night.Harper entered in a 5-for-35 slump and had not gotten an extra-base hit since April 16. He grounded out in the first inning against Chad Kuhl (3-2), followed Wilmer Difo's go-ahead homer in the third with a flyout, then gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead in the fifth with his ninth homer this season.Scherzer (6-1) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walked one.YANKEES 4, ASTROS 0HOUSTON (AP) — Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer in the ninth off Ken Giles (0-1), who punched himself on the face and chin when he walked to the dugout after he was knocked out later in the inning, then threw a bat in the dugout and kicked it. New York won for the ninth time in 10 games.Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three-run homer that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 Wednesday night.Harper entered in a 5-for-35 slump and had not gotten an extra-base hit since April 16. He grounded out in the first inning against Chad Kuhl (3-2), followed Wilmer Difo's go-ahead homer in the third with a flyout, then gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead in the fifth with his ninth homer this season.Scherzer (6-1) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walked one.YANKEES 4, ASTROS 0HOUSTON (AP) — Gary Sanchez hit a three-run homer in the ninth off Ken Giles (0-1), who punched himself on the face and chin when he walked to the dugout after he was knocked out later in the inning, then threw a bat in the dugout and kicked it. New York won for the ninth time in 10 games.Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery... [More]

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:___GOT YOUR NUMBERDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84 ERA) tries to slow down A.J. Pollock and the first-place Diamondbacks (20-8) in Arizona. Pollock hit three home runs Monday night during an 8-5 victory in the series opener as the Diamondbacks won for the 12th time in the last 13 regular-season meetings between the NL West rivals — six of seven this year. In the 2017 playoffs, the Dodgers cruised to a three-game sweep of Arizona, but they've had trouble with Pollock this season. He had a two-homer game at Dodger Stadium on April 14 and is batting .361 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored in his last nine games. To make matters worse for the injury-depleted Dodgers (12-16), the defending NL champions just learned star shortstop Corey Seager will have season-ending Tommy John surgery this week.GROUNDED IN HOUSTONDidi Gregorius and the powerful Yankees have been putting up big offensive numbers — except against the World... [More]