NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone packed two large suitcases Thursday and bid adieu to his family, not knowing when he’d see them again. Right fielder Aaron Judge is packing, too, though he's not a fan of Major League Baseball's postseason arrangements. “Not a fan of the bubble. I’m not a fan of the whole setup. Like I said before, it doesn’t really reward a team for going out and winning,” Judge said. “There’s really no home-field advantage anymore.” Boone’s club embarked on a seven-game trip following its series finale against Toronto, When the team returns to the Bronx for a weekend series against Miami that finishes the regular season from Sept. 25-27, many of New York’s players and staff will check into a hotel to prepare for Major League Baseball’s postseason bubble. American League clubs still in contention for a playoff spot on Sept. 22 are required to stay in a designated hotel while at home as part of increased protocols to combat the novel coronavirus. “It was bye to... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson left his start Thursday night after two innings because of right elbow tightness. Hudson did not allow a run while walking two and giving up one hit against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is 3-2 with a 2.77 ERA in eight starts this season. The Cardinals entered the night percentage points behind the Cincinnati Reds for second place in the NL Central, 5 ½ games behind the Chicago Cubs. The top two finishers in each division advance to the expanded postseason this year, along with two wild cards. Hudson was replaced by left-hander Austin Gomber with St. Louis leading 1-0. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched five shutout innings and struck out seven, and the Miami Marlins stumbled in their playoff run with a 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Rafael Devers had a three-run homer, Kevin Plawecki hit a two-run single and Alex Verdugo had three hits for the Red Sox. Seeking its first postseason appearance since winning the 2003 World Series, Miami is second in the NL East . The Marlins fell three games behind division-leading Atlanta, which was idle. Eovaldi (3-2) didn't allow a hit until Garrett Cooper's leadoff double in the fifth. Miguel Rojas singled but Eovaldi struck out Jazz Chisholm and Chad Wallach, then retired Corey Dickerson on a groundout. A 30-year-old right-hander who was with the Marlins from 2012-14, Eovaldi was lifted after 76 pitches in his second appearance since returning Sept. 12 a stint on the injured list caused by a strained right calf. Ryan Brasier pitched a scoreless eighth, and Matt Barnes got three straight out for his eighth... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is day-to-day after leaving his start Wednesday night with a right hamstring spasm. Manager Luis Rojas said deGrom played catch without pain on Thursday and had “bounced back after yesterday's scary moment.” He exited after a surprisingly rough two innings that could put a wrinkle in his bid for a third straight NL Cy Young Award. The right-hander was pulled after only 40 pitches and one strikeout. He allowed three earned runs in a game for the the first time this season, pushing his ERA back over 2.00 at 2.09. “Apparently we caught it early,” Rojas said. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta will not pitch again in the regular season because of a strained right hamstring. Arrieta (4-4, 5.08 ERA) was injured against the Mets on Tuesday night. Manager Joe Girardi said on Thursday that Arrieta could return to the rotation if the Phillies make the playoffs. The Phillies are chasing their first playoff berth since 2011. Arrieta walked off the mound of his last start, grabbing the back of his right leg, after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch to load the bases. Arrieta said after the game “there’s no question in my mind” he would return for the playoffs. Now, he faces the prospect that he could have made the last start of his Phillies career. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner is in the final season of a $75 million, three-year contract. The 34-year-old is 110-79 with a 3.76 ERA dating to 2010 with Baltimore, the Cubs and Phillies. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom left his start against the Philadelphia Phillies after two innings Wednesday night with a right hamstring spasm. He exited after a surprisingly rough two innings that could put a wrinkle in his bid for a third straight NL Cy Young Award. The right-hander, who struck out 12 Phillies on Sept. 6, was pulled after only 40 pitches and one strikeout. He allowed three runs, pushing his ERA back over 2.00 at 2.09, and appeared to spike a water bottle in frustration in the dugout after a brief chat with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and trainer Brian Chicklo. Hefner visited deGrom on the mound in the second inning when he allowed all his runs. It was the first time this season he gave up three earned runs. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors on Thursday: NOW AND LATER Cleveland ace Shane Bieber (7-1, 1.53 ERA) tries to get the Indians headed in the right direction when they open a series at Detroit. Bieber, a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award and perhaps the best pitcher in baseball this season, was beaten 3-1 in Minnesota last week for his first loss of the year. Still, he became the fastest starting pitcher since 1900 to reach 100 strikeouts in a season, hitting the milestone in 62 1/3 innings. Bieber will face Casey Mize (0-1, 5.85 ERA), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. Mize makes his sixth big league start and is looking for his first career win. JUST IN TIME? Astros ace Justin Verlander threw to hitters on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, who was out with a strained right forearm, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen before throwing about 25 pitches to hitters in two simulated... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Jorge Alfaro homered twice before he took a foul ball to his helmet and the Miami Marlins beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night. Garrett Cooper also homered and scored twice for Miami, which moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the NL East. Alfaro, the Marlins’ catcher, was removed in the seventh inning as a precaution after Christian Vázquez’s foul ball beaned him. “Just getting past the baseball and just trying to make sure that he’s good and not let him catch another foul ball," Miami manager Don Mattingly said of the decision to remove Alfaro. Miami chased Boston starter Michael Kickham with a four-run third. Alfaro hit his first of two two-run blasts. Brian Anderson had a run-scoring single and scored from first on Lewis Brinson’s RBI double to make it 6-1. “We just pass the baton, we trust each other with anything,” Brinson said. “There's no selfish player on this team. There's nobody that's here for their numbers.” Alfaro also went deep in the... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: NOW AND LATER Shane Bieber (7-1, 1.53 ERA) tries to get the Indians headed in the right direction when they open a series at Detroit. Cleveland has dropped eight straight, its longest slide since June 2013. Bieber, a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award and perhaps the best pitcher in baseball this season, was beaten 3-1 in Minnesota last week for his first loss of the year. Still, he became the fastest starting pitcher since 1900 to reach 100 strikeouts in a season, hitting the milestone in 62 1/3 innings. Bieber will face Casey Mize (0-1, 5.85 ERA), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. Mize makes his sixth big league start and is looking for his first career win. JUST IN TIME? Astros ace Justin Verlander threw to hitters on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, who was out with a strained right forearm, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams. Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run. At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season. Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Umpires hastily cleared the field during a game between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night when a small drone flew into Wrigley Field over the bleachers and landed on the grass in deep left center. As Willson Contreras came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and the game tied at 2, the device was spotted over the left-center stands. Before the drone landed, umpires rushed players into the dugouts. The blinking drone took off, hovered at about 100 feet, then pulled away and vanished past the vintage center-field scoreboard. Following a 7-minute delay, Contreras resumed his at-bat and grounded out to end the inning. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Umpires hastily cleared the field during a game between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night when a small drone flew into Wrigley Field over the bleachers and landed on the grass in deep left center.As Willson Contreras came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and the game tied at 2, the device was spotted over the left-center stands. Before the drone landed, umpires rushed players into the dugouts.The blinking drone took off, hovered at about 100 feet, then pulled away and vanished past the vintage center-field scoreboard.Following a 7-minute delay, Contreras resumed his at-bat and grounded out to end the inning.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:NOW AND LATERShane Bieber (7-1, 1.53 ERA) tries to get the Indians headed in the right direction when they open a series at Detroit. Cleveland has dropped eight straight, its longest slide since June 2013. Bieber, a top contender for the AL Cy Young Award and perhaps the best pitcher in baseball this season, was beaten 3-1 in Minnesota last week for his first loss of the year. Still, he became the fastest starting pitcher since 1900 to reach 100 strikeouts in a season, hitting the milestone in 62 1/3 innings. Bieber will face Casey Mize (0-1, 5.85 ERA), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. Mize makes his sixth big league start and is looking for his first career win.JUST IN TIME?Astros ace Justin Verlander threw to hitters on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured in the team’s opener on July 24. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, who was out with a strained right forearm, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen before... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski walks. Alex Dickerson singles to third base. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Wilmer Flores reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Alex Dickerson out at second. Mike Yastrzemski to third. Brandon Belt pops out to Kyle Seager. Donovan Solano singles to shallow left field. Wilmer Flores to second. Mike Yastrzemski scores. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 1, Mariners 0.Giants second. Brandon Crawford doubles to left field. Joey Bart pops out to shallow right field to Dylan Moore. Mauricio Dubon singles to deep left field, tagged out at second, Tim Lopes to Dylan Moore. Brandon Crawford scores. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shallow center field, J.P. Crawford to Evan White.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 2, Mariners 0.Giants third. Alex Dickerson doubles. Wilmer Flores pops out to second base to Dylan Moore. Brandon Belt homers to center field. Alex Dickerson scores. Donovan Solano flies out to... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

Diamondbacks second. Kole Calhoun singles to deep right field. Eduardo Escobar walks. Kole Calhoun to second. David Peralta singles to shallow right field, advances to 2nd. Eduardo Escobar to third. Kole Calhoun scores. Nick Ahmed singles to left field. David Peralta scores. Eduardo Escobar scores. Stephen Vogt singles to right field. Nick Ahmed scores. Daulton Varsho walks. Stephen Vogt to second. Josh Rojas strikes out swinging. Josh VanMeter flies out to deep right field to Jo Adell. Stephen Vogt to third. Christian Walker grounds out to shortstop, Andrelton Simmons to Jared Walsh.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 4, Angels 0.Angels second. Justin Upton walks. Max Stassi homers to left field. Justin Upton scores. Jo Adell strikes out swinging. Andrelton Simmons strikes out swinging. David Fletcher singles to center field. Jared Walsh strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 4, Angels 2.Diamondbacks third. Kole Calhoun grounds out to shallow... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]