White sox second. Eloy Jimenez reaches on error. Fielding error by Nicky Lopez. Luis Robert reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Eloy Jimenez out at second. James McCann hit by pitch. Luis Robert to second. Adam Engel homers to left field. James McCann scores. Luis Robert scores. Nick Madrigal grounds out to second base, Nicky Lopez to Ryan McBroom. Tim Anderson singles to shallow center field. Yoan Moncada pops out to shallow infield to Ryan McBroom.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. White sox 3, Royals 0.Royals third. Bubba Starling grounds out to shallow left field, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Nicky Lopez singles to shortstop. Whit Merrifield flies out to deep right field to Adam Engel. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shallow infield. Nicky Lopez to second. Salvador Perez singles to left field. Adalberto Mondesi to second. Nicky Lopez scores. Jorge Soler walks. Salvador Perez to second. Maikel Franco pops out to first base to Jose Abreu.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. White sox 3, Royals 1.Royals sixth. Ryan McBroom homers to center field. Alex Gordon grounds out to shallow infield, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Franchy Cordero pinch-hitting for Bubba Starling. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Nick Madrigal to Jose Abreu. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Royals 2.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s Shane Bieber tied the major league record for strikeouts in a pitcher’s first two starts of the season, punching out 13 Minnesota Twins over eight innings in the Indians’ 2-0 victory on Thursday night.Bieber (2-0) fanned 14 over six scoreless innings on Friday against Kansas City. His 27 strikeouts in the two games matched the record set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954 during the first two starts of his short career.Facing a Twins team that came in with the second-best run differential in baseball, Bieber allowed three singles in his eight innings.Francisco Lindor supplied all the offense Cleveland needed with a two-run homer in the third inning off Jose Berríos (0-1). After Jose Ramirez singled with two outs, Berrios left an 0-2 pitch up over the plate, and Lindor drove it over the fence in right for his second homer of the season.YANKEES 8, ORIOLES 6BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning after New York... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s Shane Bieber tied the major league record for strikeouts in a pitcher’s first two starts of the season, punching out 13 Minnesota Twins over eight innings in the Indians’ 2-0 victory on Thursday night.Bieber (2-0) fanned 14 over six scoreless innings on Friday against Kansas City. His 27 strikeouts in the two games matched the record set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954 during the first two starts of his short career.Facing a Twins team that came in with the second-best run differential in baseball, Bieber allowed three singles in his eight innings.Francisco Lindor supplied all the offense Cleveland needed with a two-run homer in the third inning off Jose Berríos (0-1). After Jose Ramirez singled with two outs, Berrios left an 0-2 pitch up over the plate, and Lindor drove it over the fence in right for his second homer of the season.YANKEES 8, ORIOLES 6BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning after New York... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland’s Shane Bieber tied the major league record for strikeouts in a pitcher’s first two starts of the season, punching out 13 Minnesota Twins over eight innings in the Indians’ 2-0 victory on Thursday night.Bieber (2-0) fanned 14 over six scoreless innings on Friday against Kansas City. His 27 strikeouts in the two games matched the record set by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers in September 1954 during the first two starts of his short career.Facing a Twins team that came in with the second-best run differential in baseball, Bieber allowed three singles in his eight innings.Francisco Lindor supplied all the offense Cleveland needed with a two-run homer in the third inning off Jose Berríos (0-1). After Jose Ramirez singled with two outs, Berrios left an 0-2 pitch up over the plate, and Lindor drove it over the fence in right for his second homer of the season.YANKEES 8, ORIOLES 6BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning after New York... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield grounds out to third base, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron. Jorge Soler doubles to deep right center field. Salvador Perez lines out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Jorge Soler to third. Ryan O'Hearn singles to shortstop. Jorge Soler scores. Maikel Franco lines out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Tigers first. Harold Castro walks. Jonathan Schoop grounds out to first base. Harold Castro out at second. Miguel Cabrera homers to right field. C.J. Cron grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 1.Royals second. Alex Gordon doubles. Adalberto Mondesi pops out to shallow infield to Ivan Nova. Franchy Cordero singles to second base. Alex Gordon scores. Brett Phillips grounds out to shallow infield, Ivan Nova to C.J. Cron. Franchy Cordero to second. Whit Merrifield strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 2, Tigers... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep right center field. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Salvador Perez flies out to deep center field to JaCoby Jones. Whit Merrifield to third. Maikel Franco doubles. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Royals second. Adalberto Mondesi triples to deep center field. Franchy Cordero lines out to right field to Victor Reyes. Bubba Starling out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Christin Stewart. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Nicky Lopez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 2, Tigers 0.Royals third. Whit Merrifield singles to left center field. Jorge Soler singles to left field. Whit Merrifield to second. Salvador Perez flies out to shallow center field to JaCoby Jones. Maikel Franco singles to second base. Jorge Soler to third. Whit Merrifield scores. Ryan McBroom singles to left field. Maikel Franco to second. Jorge Soler scores. Adalberto... [More]

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco homers to left field. Alex Gordon flies out to right field to Cameron Maybin. Franchy Cordero grounds out to second base, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Royals 1, Tigers 0.Tigers second. Jordy Mercer singles to shallow center field. Cameron Maybin singles to right center field, advances to 2nd. Jordy Mercer to third. Victor Reyes reaches on error. Jordy Mercer scores. Fielding error by Adalberto Mondesi. Austin Romine grounds out to shallow infield, Adalberto Mondesi to Ryan O'Hearn. Victor Reyes to second. Cameron Maybin to third. JaCoby Jones homers. Victor Reyes scores. Cameron Maybin scores. Niko Goodrum triples to deep right center field. Jonathan Schoop out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Brett Phillips. Niko Goodrum scores. Miguel Cabrera grounds out to second base, Whit Merrifield to Ryan O'Hearn.5 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Tigers 5, Royals 1.Royals third. Brett Phillips... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the injured list before the club played its final exhibition game against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday.The 28-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season in which he hit 26 homers, tied for the American League lead in triples and had 84 RBIs. He is expected to play a big role for the Royals during their abbreviated 60-game season, which begins against the Indians on Friday night in Cleveland."I’m disappointed to say the least,” Dozier said. “I have been hit with a couple of symptoms that go with the virus, so I need to follow our medical team’s direction, get well and then work on getting back on the field. It’s disheartening because I felt things were going well on the field and I have a good feeling about the ball club we have. “To have to watch for whatever period of time that I’m out is going to painful.”Painful for the Royals, too.They still have catcher... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals had the entire offseason, all of spring training and, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic putting sports on hold, much of the summer to consider ways to tweak and improve their roster going forward.They were still making moves a week before their abbreviated 60-game schedule was set to begin.The team traded left-handed reliever Tim Hill to the San Diego Padres late Thursday for talented but injury prone outfield prospect Franchy Cordero and young right-hander Ronald Bolanos. The move came after the Royals decided their lousy bullpen from a year ago had been sufficiently upgraded and with an eye toward next season and beyond, when several of their outfielders are due to become free agents or potentially retire.The 25-year-old Cordero was the big prize for Kansas City. He only has played 79 big league games over parts of three seasons thanks to a slew of injuries, which last year limited him to just nine games. But along with a .240 average, Cordero... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Minnesota TwinsManager: Rocco Baldelli (second season). 2019: 101-61, first place, lost to Yankees in Division Series.Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida.Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 12/17.He's Here: 3B Josh Donaldson, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Tyler Clippard, C Alex Avila, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Matt Wisler, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, LHP Blaine Hardy.He's Outta Here: RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, C Jason Castro, LHP Mart�n P�rez, RHP Ryne Harper, RHP Trevor Hildenberger, RHP Sam Dyson.Going campin': The high-priced addition of the big-swinging, slick-fielding Donaldson boosted an already deep lineup that produced a major league record 307 home runs last season. Then came the agreement this week... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Alex Gordon to a $4 million contract for next season, giving the rebuilding club a veteran presence in what is expected to be a young lineup under new manager Mike Matheny.The Royals designated right-hander Heath Fillmyer for assignment Wednesday in a corresponding roster move.The 35-year-old Gordon, a three-time All-Star, won his seventh Gold Glove last season to move within one of Frank White for the most in franchise history. He committed just one error in 146 games played in the outfield. His seven outfield assists tied him for third among big league left fielders, and his .266 batting average was his best since the 2015 season.Gordon was even called upon to pitch twice in games that got out of hand.One of the club's most popular players, Gordon said late last season that he was leaning toward returning in 2020 but wanted to spend some time discussing his future with his family. The move also had to make financial sense... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals hired Mike Matheny on Thursday, bringing in a manager who took the cross-state Cardinals to the World Series six years ago before a three-season swoon cost him his job.The 49-year-old Matheny went 591-474 with the Cardinals from 2012-18 and was the first manager to reach the postseason his first four seasons. The Cardinals reached the World Series in 2013, losing to the Boston Red Sox, but Matheny was fired in July 2018 as the team was headed toward a third straight season out of the playoffs.Matheny was hired last November by the Royals as a special adviser for player development and he was in prime position to succeed Royals manager Ned Yost, who announced his retirement last month."Our entire organization is delighted to announce and celebrate the hiring of Mike Matheny," said Dayton Moore, the Royals general manager. "Every department has had the pleasure to work and interact with him this past season. Through this interaction, it became... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The moment the final out was made on another 100-loss season for the Kansas City Royals, fans immediately began gazing toward the future rather than lamenting the way things have been lately.There is a new owner on the way. New manager, too.And the Royals, who have been in the midst of a massive rebuilding effort after their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014-15, are beginning to see the fruits of that labor. Their next wave of young position players reached the big leagues, and a promising batch of pitching prospects dazzled at just about every level of the minor leagues this season."There's a lot of talent on this team," Royals pitcher Glenn Sparkman said. "We will put it together at some point. When we do, it's going to be a lot of fun."There will be a whole new bunch of faces overseeing it.Longtime owner David Glass agreed to sell the franchise to Kansas City businessman John Sherman, a minority owner of the Cleveland Indians, late in the season. Sherman... [More]

Royals second. Ryan O'Hearn flies out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Bubba Starling strikes out swinging. Nicky Lopez triples to deep right center field. Meibrys Viloria doubles to deep right field. Nicky Lopez scores. Whit Merrifield pops out to Francisco Cervelli.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals fourth. Ryan McBroom singles to second base. Ryan O'Hearn singles to right field. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ryan O'Hearn out at second. Nicky Lopez singles to shallow infield. Bubba Starling to second. Ryan McBroom scores. Meibrys Viloria strikes out swinging. Whit Merrifield called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 2, Braves 0.Braves fifth. Billy Hamilton pops out to shallow right field to Whit Merrifield. Dansby Swanson lines out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Ozzie Albies walks. Josh Donaldson doubles to deep center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis singles... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep left field. Jorge Soler singles to center field. Whit Merrifield to third. Hunter Dozier out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Whit Merrifield scores. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Jorge Soler to second. Ryan McBroom strikes out swinging. Ryan O'Hearn lines out to left field to Adam Duvall.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals third. Jorge Soler walks. Hunter Dozier singles to center field. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Hunter Dozier to third. Jorge Soler scores. Ryan McBroom hit by pitch. Alex Gordon to second. Ryan O'Hearn out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Adam Duvall. Hunter Dozier scores. Bubba Starling doubles to deep left center field, advances to home. Ryan McBroom scores. Alex Gordon scores. Throwing error by Brian McCann. Meibrys Viloria flies out to deep right center field to Nick Markakis. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Austin Riley.5... [More]

Twins first. Luis Arraez grounds out to shortstop, Adalberto Mondesi to Cheslor Cuthbert. Jorge Polanco singles to left field. Nelson Cruz singles to shortstop. Jorge Polanco to second. Eddie Rosario doubles to deep right center field. Nelson Cruz to third. Jorge Polanco scores. Mitch Garver grounds out to shallow infield, Nicky Lopez to Cheslor Cuthbert. Marwin Gonzalez singles to shallow infield. Eddie Rosario to third. Nelson Cruz scores. Miguel Sano homers to center field. Marwin Gonzalez scores. Eddie Rosario scores. Jake Cave walks. LaMonte Wade Jr singles to center field. Jake Cave to third. Luis Arraez singles to center field. LaMonte Wade Jr to second. Jake Cave scores. Jorge Polanco flies out to shallow left field to Whit Merrifield.6 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Twins 6, Royals 0.Royals second. Cheslor Cuthbert grounds out to first base to Marwin Gonzalez. Bubba Starling singles to right field. Humberto Arteaga flies out to right field to Jake Cave. Nick Dini homers to... [More]

Royals fifth. Ryan McBroom doubles to deep right field. Cheslor Cuthbert singles to center field. Ryan McBroom to third. Bubba Starling strikes out swinging. Nick Dini out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Robbie Grossman. Ryan McBroom scores. Whit Merrifield flies out to right center field to Robbie Grossman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Athletics 0.Athletics seventh. Matt Olson homers to center field. Mark Canha hit by pitch. Seth Brown doubles to deep right center field. Mark Canha scores. Khris Davis strikes out swinging. Jurickson Profar reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Seth Brown to third. Robbie Grossman walks. Jurickson Profar to second. Ramon Laureano pinch-hitting for Josh Phegley. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging. Marcus Semien lines out to right field to Ryan McBroom.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 1.

Royals first. Whit Merrifield singles to left field. Adalberto Mondesi triples to deep right center field. Whit Merrifield scores. Jorge Soler flies out to right field to Ramon Laureano. Hunter Dozier flies out to right field to Ramon Laureano. Alex Gordon strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Athletics 0.Athletics first. Marcus Semien singles to center field. Ramon Laureano walks. Matt Chapman pops out to shallow infield to Whit Merrifield. Matt Olson doubles to deep left field. Ramon Laureano scores. Marcus Semien scores. Mark Canha walks. Seth Brown pops out to shallow left field to Adalberto Mondesi. Khris Davis flies out to deep right field to Bubba Starling.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 2, Royals 1.Athletics second. Jurickson Profar flies out to deep left field to Alex Gordon. Sean Murphy doubles to deep left field. Marcus Semien homers to center field. Sean Murphy scores. Ramon Laureano singles to second base. Matt Chapman grounds out... [More]

Royals first. Whit Merrifield flies out to center field to Josh Reddick. Adalberto Mondesi singles to shortstop. Jorge Soler triples to deep right center field. Adalberto Mondesi scores. Hunter Dozier strikes out swinging. Ryan McBroom strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Royals 1, Astros 0.Astros second. Yuli Gurriel homers to left field. Josh Reddick singles to right field. Aledmys Diaz singles to left center field. Josh Reddick to third. Abraham Toro singles to left field. Aledmys Diaz to second. Josh Reddick scores. Martin Maldonado flies out to left field to Ryan McBroom. Kyle Tucker reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Abraham Toro out at second. Aledmys Diaz to third. Michael Brantley singles to left field. Kyle Tucker to third. Aledmys Diaz scores. Alex Bregman flies out to deep left center field to Bubba Starling.3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 3, Royals 1.Astros third. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel flies out to center field to Bubba... [More]

Astros first. George Springer flies out to deep center field to Bubba Starling. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Ryan McBroom. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel pops out to Meibrys Viloria.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Royals 0.Royals eighth. Bubba Starling singles to left field. Meibrys Viloria out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Jake Marisnick. Bubba Starling scores. Whit Merrifield pops out to Yuli Gurriel. Adalberto Mondesi strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Astros 1, Royals 1.Astros ninth. Aledmys Diaz flies out to shallow center field to Bubba Starling. Kyle Tucker singles to right field. Michael Brantley pinch-hitting for Martin Maldonado. Michael Brantley walks. Kyle Tucker to second. Josh Reddick pinch-hitting for Jake Marisnick. Josh Reddick strikes out swinging. George Springer homers to center field. Garrett Stubbs scores. Kyle Tucker scores. Jose Altuve singles to third base. Alex Bregman walks. Jose Altuve to second. Yordan Alvarez walks. Alex Bregman to second. Jose Altuve to third. Yuli Gurriel lines out to center field to Bubba Starling.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Astros 4, Royals 1.