May 21 1926 — Earl Sheely of the Chicago White Sox hit three doubles and a home run against the Boston Red Sox. Sheely doubled in each of his last three at-bats the previous day to give him seven consecutive extra-base hits, tying a major league record. The six doubles in the two games also tied a major league record. 1943 — In the fastest nine-inning night game in American League history, the Chicago White Sox beat the Washington Senators 1-0, in 1 hour, 29 minutes. 1948 — Joe DiMaggio had two home runs, a triple, double and single to lead the New York Yankees to a 13-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. 1952 — Duke Snider’s home run highlighted a 15-run first inning in the Dodgers’ 19-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Brooklyn. Snider, Pee Wee Reese and Billy Cox each made three plate appearances in the first inning. 1986 — Rafael Ramirez of Atlanta had four doubles in seven at-bats as the Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 9-8 in 13 innings. 1996 — Larry Walker drove in a career-high six... [More]

Bryce Harper meets with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the very next day, a Brinks truck is parked right outside the team's spring training complex.Coincidence or correlation?With the first full week of exhibition games on deck, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed he joined club executives in meeting with Harper in Las Vegas on Sunday night.Roberts said it was a good session and gave the sides a chance to "get to know each other." Roberts says the Dodgers were "vetting a certain process."Harper has been connected to the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during a second consecutive slow free-agent market for the sport. Manny Machado, the other top free agent this winter, signed a $300 million, 10-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.The 26-year-old Harper was the 2015 NL MVP and made six All-Star teams in seven big league seasons with the Washington Nationals. He batted .249 with 34 home runs, 100 RBIs and an .889 OPS last season.FROM AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Last spring, Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson addressed the Oakland Athletics players before the first full-squad workout in spring training. A's manager Bob Melvin admitted to being a little superstitious and asked the pair of Oakland greats to speak again on Saturday.Why not? The Athletics won 97 games last season and secured a wild-card berth. Melvin wanted to remind the players there's still work to do."We talked about expectations a little bit, kind of where we came from, where we are now and where we expect to go," Melvin said of his address to the full squad.The Athletics' spring will be interrupted by a trip to Japan to play two regular-season games against the Mariners on March 20-21. Both teams will have 28-man rosters so there's no need to push anyone now.Khris Davis, the major League home run leader with 48 last season, looked as if he was ready, launching balls over the fence off Melvin in batting practice."I think he took advantage of the wind," Melvin... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics added depth to their outfield mix by signing outfielder Robbie Grossman to a $2 million, one-year contract Friday.Nick Martini, Stephen Piscotty, and Ramon Laureano are projected to get the majority of playing time in the A's outfield. Oakland manager Bob Melvin said the club would be looking at Grossman as an option in left field."Sitting here now, that's probably the spot he'd play more. We have a lot of depth at the outfield position and I don't think that's a bad thing," said Melvin, who called Grossman "a good pick up."Grossman can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $100,000 each for 500 and 550. He acknowledged he was getting a little anxious waiting at home as camps opened. The A's have their first full squad workout Saturday."Being in that situation, it's tough right now, especially how the market is," Grossman said. "I'm excited to land here and excited to be an Oakland A."Grossman spent the last... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics added depth to their outfield mix by signing outfielder Robbie Grossman to a one-year, $2 million contract Friday.Nick Martini, Stephen Piscotty, and Ramon Laureano are projected to get the majority of playing time in the A's outfield. Oakland manager Bob Melvin said the club would be looking at Grossman as an option in left field."Sitting here now, that's probably the spot he'd play more. We have a lot of depth at the outfield position and I don't think that's a bad thing," said Melvin, who called Grossman "a good pick up."Grossman acknowledged he was getting a little anxious waiting at home as camps opened. The A's have their first full squad workout Saturday."Being in that situation, it's tough right now, especially how the market is," Grossman said. "I'm excited to land here and excited to be an Oakland A."Grossman spent the last three seasons with the Twins. He batted .273 with five home runs and 48 RBIs last season.The Athletics also signed... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics signed outfielder Robbie Grossman to a one-year, $2 million contract Friday.To make room for Grossman on the 40-man roster, right-hander Daniel Gossett was placed on the 60-day injured list.Grossman spent the last three seasons with the Twins. He batted .273 with five home runs and 48 RBIs last season.The Athletics also signed infielder Cliff Pennington to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.Pennington returns to the A's, where he began his big league career in 2008. He has compiled a .242 batting average in 11 seasons with the A's, Diamondbacks, Angels, Reds and Blue Jays.Gossett appeared in five games for the A's last year before undergoing Tommy John reconstruction surgery Aug. 1. He went 0-3 with a 5.18 ERA.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Their ace got booed off the mound, loudly. Their manager let things get out of hand. And their backup catcher wound up pitching."It was an embarrassing day today," New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius said.Not much else to say after the Yankees absorbed the most-lopsided loss in their distinguished, 396-game postseason history, routed by the Boston Red Sox 16-1 Monday night in the AL Division Series.Now down 2-1 and in danger of being eliminated in the best-of-five matchup, they'll turn to CC Sabathia on Tuesday night in hopes of saving their season. Rick Porcello starts for Boston."No choice but to flush," manager Aaron Boone said. "The good thing about today is it's one game. And as awful of a night as it was for us, we got to turn the page. And tomorrow's obviously do or die."Luis Severino looked out of sorts from the start. There was a TBS report that he began to warm up only 10 minutes before the game began, but Boone insisted he had enough time to get ready. Severino... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Third baseman Eugenio Suarez was activated from the 10-day disabled list by the Cincinnati Reds and went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts in Thursday's 7-4 loss to Atlanta.Suarez broke his right thumb April 8 when he was hit by a pitch from Pittsburgh's Jameson Taillon.Cincinnati promoted infielder-outfielder Rosell Herrera from Triple-A Louisville and optioned outfielder Phillip Ervin and infielder Cliff Pennington to the International League farm team.Ervin and Pennington each played in 16 games for the Reds. Ervin hit .211 and Pennington .138.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds activated third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the 10-day disabled list and promoted infielder-outfielder Rosell Herrera from Triple-A Louisville before Thursday's game against the Braves.Outfielder Phillip Ervin and infielder Cliff Pennington were optioned to Triple-A Louisville.The Reds placed Suarez on the disabled list April 9 after he was hit by a pitch and broke his right thumb in Pittsburgh on April 8. He played two games for the Bats on a rehab assignment.Ervin and Pennington each played in 16 games for the Reds. Ervin hit .211, Pennington .138.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a bases-loaded triple in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, helping the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory.Ian Kinsler homered on his first swing in his return to the Angels' lineup, and Nick Tropeano (1-0) pitched shutout ball into the seventh for his first major league win since 2016.Los Angeles has won eight of nine.Ohtani drove a 1-2 pitch from Brandon Maurer to right-center, scoring Kole Calhoun, Andrelton Simmons and Luis Valbuena. The Royals walked Ohtani intentionally in the sixth with first base open and Simmons on second.Ohtani is tied with Mike Trout for the Angels' lead with 11 RBIs in 26 at-bats. Trout went 3 for 4 with his fifth home run.Kinsler led off the game with a home run for the 47th time in his career, driving a 1-0 pitch from Ian Kennedy (1-1) out to left. Kinsler missed the previous 11 games with an adductor strain.RED SOX 6, YANKEES 3BOSTON (AP) — Rick Porcello pitched... [More]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a bases-loaded triple in a five-run seventh inning to help the streaking Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory.Ian Kinsler homered on his first swing in his return to the Angels' lineup, and Nick Tropeano (1-0) pitched shutout ball into the seventh for his first major league win since 2016.Los Angeles has won eight of nine.Ohtani drove a 1-2 pitch from Brandon Maurer to right-center, scoring Kole Calhoun, Andrelton Simmons and Luis Valbuena. The Royals walked Ohtani intentionally in the sixth with first base open and Simmons on second.Ohtani is tied with Mike Trout for the Angels' lead with 11 RBIs in 26 at-bats. Trout went 3 for 4 with his fifth home run and has 55 at-bats.Kinsler led off the game with a home run for the 47th time in his career, driving a 1-0 pitch from Ian Kennedy (1-1) out to left. Kinsler missed the previous 11 games with an adductor strain.RED SOX 6, YANKEES 3BOSTON... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jose Martinez drove in six runs Thursday night and Yadier Molina homered in his return from a one-game suspension, powering the St. Louis Cardinals to a 13-4 victory that left the Cincinnati Reds mired in their worst start since 1955.The Cardinals homered a season-high four times while piling up a season high in runs. The Reds helped by walking 11 batters, three of them with the bases loaded.The Reds fell to 2-10, the worst record in the majors and their worst start since an identical mark in 1955.Infielder Cliff Pennington pitched the ninth for Cincinnati and gave up a pair of walks and Martinez's second RBI single of the game.Paul DeJong's solo shot deep into the upper deck in center off Austin Brice (0-2) snapped a 4-4 tie in the sixth. Martinez and Molina hit back-to-back drives in the seventh, when St. Louis put it away with seven runs. Martinez added a two-run double in the inning.Michael Wacha (2-1) went five innings and extended his streak of beating Cincinnati.PIRATES... [More]

A look at what's happening all around baseball today:___AT LASTWeather-permitting, the Chicago Cubs finally get to play their home opener when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs closed out a 5-4 trip with a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was the franchise's longest road trip to open the season since a 12-game jaunt in 1899. There is a chance for snow for the team's return to Chicago, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also is questionable. The slugger has been sidelined by back tightness.HEALTH CONCERNSThe Boston Red Sox should know more about Xander Bogaerts after the shortstop injured his left ankle in the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Bogaerts got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout. He is hitting .368 (14 of 38) this season with two homers and nine RBIs. Boston has won eight in a row heading into Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees. Brock Holt could fill in if Bogaerts misses any time.CY YOUNGSReigning... [More]

A look at what's happening all around baseball Monday:___AT LASTWeather-permitting, the Chicago Cubs finally get to play their home opener when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs closed out a 5-4 trip with a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was the franchise's longest road trip to open the season since a 12-game jaunt in 1899. There is a chance for snow for the team's return to Chicago, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also is questionable. The slugger has been sidelined by back tightness.HEALTH CONCERNSThe Boston Red Sox should know more about Xander Bogaerts after the shortstop injured his left ankle in the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Bogaerts got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout. He is hitting .368 (14 of 38) this season with two homers and nine RBIs. Boston has won eight in a row heading into Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees. Brock Holt could fill in if Bogaerts misses any time.CY YOUNGSReigning... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Suarez, who entered leading the Reds in RBIs, winced after a pitch from Jameson Taillon caught him on the right hand leading off the fourth inning. Suarez was tended to by trainers before taking first base, then was replaced in the bottom of the inning by Cliff Pennington. There was no immediate word on how long Suarez will be out."I knew it was probably going to miss some time, when we went out and inspected it," Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said. "Immediately half the nail was turning different colors and there was bleeding around the thumb. I didn't anticipate the thumb being broken."Suarez is a vital part of Cincinnati's rebuilding process. The Reds signed him to a $66 million, seven-year contract in March. The 26-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati's tough start. He hit a three-run home run to complete a comeback win over the Pirates on Saturday night.Instead of going to Philadelphia with the rest of the team, he will head to Cincinnati to be re-examined. Price said the Reds will turn to Pennington or Phil Gosselin to fill in while Suarez recovers on the disabled list."There's no way to sugarcoat it," Price said. "He's a big part of our ballclub. Looks like he was starting to warm up at the plate."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez broke his right thumb after getting hit by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.Suarez, who entered leading the Reds in RBIs, winced after a pitch from Jameson Taillon caught him on the right hand leading off the fourth inning. Suarez was tended to by trainers before taking first base, then was replaced in the bottom of the inning by Cliff Pennington. There was no immediate word on how long Suarez will be out.Suarez hit a three-run home run on Saturday night to give the Reds just their second victory this season.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

CINCINNATI (AP) — Closer Raisel Iglesias skirted the tarp-covered infield along with the rest of the Cincinnati Reds pitchers, heading for the outfield and a quick game of catch before the rains returned.That's as good at it would get on this opening day in Cincinnati.The Reds and Nationals dodged raindrops at Great American Ball Park on Thursday instead of facing off to open the season. Their first game was pushed back to Friday because of the weather. While most other major league teams got after it, they wound up watching."Disappointed," Reds leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton said. "It's not opening day."The Reds had to call off an opener because of weather for the first time since 1966. It's already an unusual start to the season in the place where professional baseball began in 1869. The traditional opening day parade was pushed back to Monday because the sponsors are busy with their Easter weekend business.So the celebration of baseball's return will last a weekend instead of only one... [More]