BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday: ___ A SHO NO-NO? Shohei Ohtani has done it all this season, from leading the majors in home runs to throwing 100 mph heat while starting the All-Star Game. So after there were no-hit near misses at Fenway Park, Target Field and Minute Maid Park over the weekend, will the Angels two-way sensation be the next pitcher to give it a go? Ohtani (4-1, 3.21 ERA) will be starting with an extra day of rest when Los Angeles hosts Colorado. Fellow All-Star Germán Márquez (8-7, 3.50) is set to pitch for the Rockies. Ohtani hit his 35th home run Sunday in a win at Minnesota. He’s coming off a sharp start in which he pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball, striking out eight at Oakland. There have been seven no-hitters in the majors this year, one short of the MLB record set in 1884, the first season overhand pitching was permitted. MINUS MOOKIE The Dodgers will be without All-Star right fielder Mookie Betts for at least a few more days. Betts... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox reinstated reliever Aaron Bummer from the 10-day injured list and recalled right-hander Reynaldo López from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The AL Central leaders also optioned relievers Matt Foster and Jace Fry to their top farm club. Bummer, 27, had been sidelined by a strained right hamstring. The left-hander is 1-4 with a 3.26 ERA and two saves in 32 games heading into Friday night's series opener against Houston. López has been working as a starting pitcher, but he will work out of the bullpen with Chicago. The 27-year-old right-hander made five relief appearances in his first 92 big league games. López went 1-3 with a 6.49 ERA in eight starts with the White Sox last year. He spent the first part of this season with Charlotte, going 1-6 with a 7.62 ERA in 10 starts. “He earned a spot. His velocity is up, making a lot of good pitches,” manager Tony La Russa said, “and he gives us some length in the bullpen.” La Russa also said López could start one... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox reinstated reliever Aaron Bummer from the 10-day injured list and recalled right-hander Reynaldo López from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The AL Central leaders also optioned relievers Matt Foster and Jace Fry to their top farm club. Bummer, 27, had been sidelined by a strained right hamstring. The left-hander is 1-4 with a 3.26 ERA and two saves in 32 games heading into Friday night's series opener against Houston. López has been working as a starting pitcher, but he likely will work out of the bullpen with Chicago. The 27-year-old right-hander made five relief appearances in his first 92 big league games. López went 1-3 with a 6.49 ERA in eight starts with the White Sox last year. He spent the first part of this season with Charlotte, going 1-6 with a 7.62 ERA in 10 starts. The White Sox also announced that veteran utilityman Jake Lamb is going to Charlotte to begin a rehab assignment. Lamb, 30, is coming back from a strained right quadriceps. Foster, 26, was a key part of Chicago's bullpen last season as a rookie, but he has struggled this year. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 6.15 ERA in 26 games. The 28-year-old Fry opened this season on the IL after he had an offseason microdiscectomy. He made two appearances with the White Sox, allowing three runs in two innings. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Coors Field (all times local): 4:20 p.m. The skies were gray overhead and there was occasional drizzle during batting practice ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Coors Field. There was a chance severe weather would come through Denver ahead of the scheduled first pitch at 6:15 p.m. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels was set to become baseball’s first two-way All-Star, hitting leadoff for the American League as its designated hitter and also the AL’s starting pitcher. The AL entered with seven straight wins and 19 of the last 22, with the infamous 2002 tie thrown in. This year’s game originally was scheduled for Atlanta but was moved by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred in response to a Georgia voting law that critics say will negatively affect communities of color. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The gold-plated necklace Fernando Tatis Jr. wore for the All-Star festivities was both flashy and eye-catching — just like his game. The San Diego slugger nicknamed “El Niño" — he wore it proudly on the chain — is certainly a home-run hitting, bat-flipping show of force. Even more, he exudes cool as he becomes the ambassador of fun for the game of baseball. Talented young stars such as Tatis, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., along with his Toronto teammate Bo Bichette, Juan Soto of Washington, Ozzie Albies of Atlanta and of course pitching/hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels are taking the game by storm. They'll be on full display Tuesday night at the All-Star Game — and can't-miss entertainment. Ever the showman, Tatis even hinted that, should he go deep, he not only will turn in a memorable bat-flip but grandly shimmy his way down the baseline as well. Nothing personal to whichever pitcher may surrender that particular long ball, either. Infusing a little fun is... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners reinstated left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the injured list Monday, making him eligible to participate in the All-Star Game. Kikuchi was selected to the American League All-Star team for the first time in his career and is Seattle’s lone representative. The Mariners placed Kikuchi on the injured list Sunday but did not disclose an injury and manager Scott Servais said he could not comment but wasn’t concerned about Kikuchi’s status. Seattle used the open roster spot to promote top catching prospect Cal Raleigh, who made his major league debut Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. The Mariners optioned infielder Donovan Walton to Triple-A Tacoma and designated for assignment reliever Will Vest in order to reinstate Kikuchi. Kikuchi has been one of the top left-handers in baseball this season, his third since signing with the Mariners and moving to the major leagues from Japan. He’s 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 98 strikeouts. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SEATTLE (AP) — All-Star pitcher Yusei Kikuchi of the Seattle Mariners was placed on the injured list on Sunday. However, it's possible that he could still participate in the upcoming All-Star Game festivities in Denver. Manager Scott Servais said he couldn’t comment on Kikuchi’s status “for a number of different reasons,” but that he was “not that concerned with where’s he’s at.” “I still think he’s planning on heading over to the All-Star Game,” Servais said. No other details were available about the pitcher’s status. The Mariners promoted promising catching prospect Cal Raleigh to take his place in the lineup. Raleigh will make his debut later Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. He’ll catch a bullpen day from the Mariners staff. Kikuchi has been one of the top left-handers in baseball this season, his third since signing with the Mariners and moving over to the major leagues from Japan. He’s 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 98 strikeouts. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his MLB-leading 32nd homer for the Los Angeles Angels, breaking Hideki Matsui's record for homers in a major league season by a Japanese player. Ohtani surpassed Matsui's full-season record before the All-Star break with his solo shot to right in the fifth inning against Boston on Wednesday. Matsui set the mark with the Yankees in 2004. Matsui issued a statement through the Angels immediately after Ohtani broke his mark, praising the achievement as "just a passing point for a hitter like Shohei. “I was once considered a long ball hitter in the majors, but I believe that he truly is a long ball hitter,” Matsui said. "Furthermore, he is an amazing pitcher. He exceeds what is considered conventional for a major league player, and there is no one else like him. I hope he continues his success this season as he carries the hopes and dreams of many fans and young children. As a baseball fan myself, I can’t wait to see what he is able to do next.” Ohtani... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday by the Chicago White Sox with a torn tendon in his left knee. Grandal was injured during an at-bat in Monday's loss in Minnesota. Chicago estimated Grandal will be out approximately four to six weeks. “It was a twist that he made as he made his swing," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “Something got caught. It didn’t free up to make a turn on it. It got caught and something popped. I’m anxious to get a full diagnosis. He’s on his way to Chicago, maybe in Chicago already, and we’ll know more tomorrow.” Grandal was hitting just .188 as Chicago's starting catcher, but he had a .388 on-base percentage in 63 games to go with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs. Seby Zavala, 27, was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte and was with the team for Tuesday's game in Minnesota. Zack Collins started Tuesday at catcher. “He was as productive as any position player we have for the last month or so," La Russa said of Grandal.... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani plans to be a pitcher and a hitter in his first All-Star Game next week, his Los Angeles Angels manager says. Joe Maddon said Monday that he has spoken with AL manager Kevin Cash and given his encouragement to showcase all of the Japanese sensation's two-way skills on July 13 at Coors Field. Maddon says Ohtani wants to play both ways in Denver, and Cash is on board with the plan. The current Tampa Bay manager just hasn't figured out when Ohtani will pitch, according to the former Rays skipper. “The conclusion is that he will pitch, but how it’s going to happen has not been concluded,” Maddon said. “There’s different ways to do it, obviously. He could start the game, or come in game-in-progress.” Last weekend, Ohtani — who leads the majors in homers — became the first player in major league history to be selected for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and a pitcher. The fans elected him to the game at the plate, and he received the honor as a pitcher in... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has hit his major league-leading 31st homer of the season for the Los Angeles Angels, tying Hideki Matsui's record for the most homers in a Major League Baseball season by a Japanese-born player. Ohtani crushed a 459-foot solo shot off Baltimore's Thomas Eshelman in the third inning Sunday, clearing the ficus trees behind the center field fence. With his 14th homer in the last 17 games, the Halos' two-way sensation tied the MLB homer record for Japanese-born players set by Matsui in 2004. Matsui needed 159 games to hit his 31 homers for the Yankees, while Ohtani has done it in just 81 games for the Angels while also making 12 starts on the mound. Ohtani also extended his own major league record for the most homers in a season with at least 10 games pitched. With his 29th and 30th homer on Friday, Ohtani tied and passed Babe Ruth's previous record of 29, set in 1919. Ohtani passed Mike Trout on Friday for the most homers in Angels history before the All-Star break. He is also the first player in American League history to record 30 homers and 10 stolen bases in his team's first 81 games of a season. Ohtani was voted to his first major league All-Star team last week. The Angels led Baltimore 4-0 after three innings. Ohtani's next mound start is Tuesday night against Boston. It will be his final pitching performance before the All-Star Game in Denver. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Fans hoping Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will pitch and hit in the All-Star Game might just get their wish. Angels manager Joe Maddon wants Ohtani to do both in the July 13 midsummer classic in Denver and has discussed it with Tampa Bay skipper Kevin Cash, who will manage the American League squad. Maddon said seeing Ohtani do both as well as participating in the Home Run Derby on July 12 at Coors Field would draw in even non-baseball fans. That is why he is advocating showcasing Ohtani as much as possible. “The maximum participation of Shohei within limits to me is the right thing to do,” Maddon said before Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. “What else could you possibly want? We have to do it in a manner that is not going to be destructive in some way. “In order to have him both pitch and hit, you have to relax a bit, the DH rule. I think they’re prepared to do those kinds of things.” Ohtani was elected to his first All-Star Game by fans... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Fans hoping Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will pitch and hit in the All-Star Game might just get their wish. Angels manager Joe Maddon wants Ohtani to do both in the July 13 midsummer classic in Denver and has discussed it with Tampa Bay skipper Kevin Cash, who will manage the American League squad. Maddon said seeing Ohtani do both as well as participating in the Home Run Derby on July 12 at Coors Field would draw in even non-baseball fans. That is why he is advocating showcasing Ohtani as much as possible. “The maximum participation of Shohei within limits to me is the right thing to do,” Maddon said before Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. “What else could you possibly want? We have to do it in a manner that is not going to be destructive in some way. “In order to have him both pitch and hit, you have to relax a bit, the DH rule. I think they’re prepared to do those kinds of things.” Ohtani was elected to his first All-Star Game by fans... [More]

The irony is that neither Arizona nor Baltimore has the worst road record in its league. That's of little consolation right now. The Diamondbacks have dropped 23 straight away games, setting a major league record. The Orioles aren't far behind with their 19-game skid. Both streaks are still active, so there's no telling how much longer this will go on. Baltimore has a home series with Houston before leaving on a 10-game road trip. Arizona's next road series starts Friday against a talented San Diego team. The Orioles actually had some success on the road early in the season, so their 11-25 mark away from home is not at bad as Texas' 10-27 record. And in terms of winning percentage, the Diamondbacks (9-31) don't even have the worst road mark in their own division. That belongs to Colorado, which is a woeful 5-27. But the attention right now is on Arizona, which went all of May and now over half of June without a road win. The Diamondbacks nearly got one Tuesday night in San Francisco, when... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Denver's Coors Field on July 12. The Los Angeles Angels star will be the first Japanese-born player in the derby, held the night before the All-Star Game. “I always wanted to see a Japanese player participate in the derby and it happens to be me, so it's really exciting for me,” he said through a translator on Friday. Some players have gone into slumps after hitting in the derby, finding their swings get out of whack. “Obviously, I've never experienced this, so I can't really tell you how it's going to effect me in the second half of the season, so I'm just going to just do it and see how it goes,” he said. Ohtani said Angels bullpen catcher Jason Brown will pitch to him. The 26-year-old outfielder, designated hitter and pitcher connected twice Friday and has 21 home runs, one behind major league leaders Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of Toronto. Ohtani... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Denver's Coors Field on July 12. The Los Angeles Angels star will be the first Japanese-born player in the derby, held the night before the All-Star Game. The 26-year-old outfielder, designated hitter and pitcher has 19 home runs, three behind major league leaders Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of Toronto. Ohtani is hitting .270 with 47 RBIs, and he is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts. Ohtani won Japan's home run derby in 2016, when he also was MVP of the second of Japan's two All-Star Games. He will become the seventh Angels player in the derby, after Wally Joyner (1996), Troy Glaus (2001), Garrett Anderson (2003), Vladimir Guerrero (2007), Mark Trumbo (2012) and Albert Pujols (2015). Anderson and Guerrero won the competition, and Joyner was a co-winner. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals placed pitcher Jack Flaherty on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with what manager Mike Shildt termed a “significant” oblique injury. Flaherty, who leads the majors with eight wins, left during the sixth inning of Monday's 9-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers with tightness in his left side. The right-hander had allowed two runs on two hits with nine strikeouts. Shildt said the team was still trying to find out the grade of Flaherty's injury, but added that it was going to take a while to heal. “It is not a minimal situation. It is a real strain or tear,” Shildt said before Tuesday's game. Flaherty was 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 starts this season. The Cardinals had a 9-2 record in games he started. It is the first time in Flaherty's five big league seasons that he will be on the injured list. Shildt said he is still evaluating how to adjust his rotation. Flaherty's next start was slated for Saturday against Cincinnati. St. Louis has called up Johan Oviedo from Triple-A Memphis to take Flaherty's roster spot. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals placed pitcher Jack Flaherty on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with what manager Mike Shildt termed a “significant” oblique injury. Flaherty, who leads the majors with eight wins, left during the sixth inning of Monday's 9-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers with tightness in his left side. The right-hander had allowed two runs on two hits with nine strikeouts. Shildt said the team was still trying to find out the grade of Flaherty's injury, but added that it is was going to take awhile to heal. “It is not a minimal situation. It is a real strain or tear,” Shildt said before Tuesday's game. Flaherty was 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 starts this season. The Cardinals had a 9-2 record in games he started. It is the first time in Flaherty's five big league seasons that he will be on the injured list. Shildt said he is still evaluating how to adjust his rotation. Flaherty's next start was slated for Saturday against Cincinnati. St. Louis has called up Johan Oviedo from Triple-A Memphis to take Flaherty's roster spot. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport