INSIDER
Olson HR vs former team, surging Braves top A's, catch Mets
Read full article: Olson HR vs former team, surging Braves top A's, catch MetsMatt Olson hit a three-run homer against his former club and the Atlanta Braves won their sixth in a row, outslugging the Oakland Athletics 10-9 and finally catching the slumping Mets atop the NL East.
Tucker, Urquidy power Astros past Braves as Ozuna hears boos
Read full article: Tucker, Urquidy power Astros past Braves as Ozuna hears boosAtlanta outfielder Marcell Ozuna was booed by his home fans in his return, Kyle Tucker singled to drive in Yordan Alvarez for the go-ahead run in the eighth, José Urquidy won his 12th game, and the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 to avoid a three-game sweep.
Baty homers first time up in majors, Mets beat Braves 9-7
Read full article: Baty homers first time up in majors, Mets beat Braves 9-7Brett Baty homered his first time up in the big leagues, Starling Marte went deep twice and the New York Mets held off the Braves 9-7 to snap Atlanta’s eight-game winning streak.
Toro pinch-hits for hurt J-Rod, leads Mariners past Astros
Read full article: Toro pinch-hits for hurt J-Rod, leads Mariners past AstrosAbraham Toro pinch-hit for injured All-Star Julio Rodriguez and delivered a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning as the Seattle Mariners rallied past the AL-West leading Houston Astros 5-4.
LEADING OFF: O's go for 8th win in row, Devers out for Bosox
Read full article: LEADING OFF: O's go for 8th win in row, Devers out for BosoxRyan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and the surprising Baltimore Orioles try on Sunday for their eighth straight win, which would match their best streak in 17 years.
Marlins run win streak to 5 with 5-1 win over Astros
Read full article: Marlins run win streak to 5 with 5-1 win over AstrosThe Miami Marlins got a solid start from rookie Braxton Garrett and Jon Berti drove in two runs to help them extend their winning streak to five games with a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
Houston rockets: Astros hit 5 HRs in 2nd, rout Red Sox 13-4
Read full article: Houston rockets: Astros hit 5 HRs in 2nd, rout Red Sox 13-4The Astros tied the MLB record for most home runs in an inning, hitting five off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi as part of a nine-run second to help Houston rout Boston 13-4.
Houston RHP Odorizzi stretchered off in Boston, to get MRI
Read full article: Houston RHP Odorizzi stretchered off in Boston, to get MRIHouston Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi collapsed with a leg injury while running to cover first base in the fifth inning Monday night against the Boston Red Sox and was taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher.
Ohtani overpowers in 2-way performance, Angels blank Astros
Read full article: Ohtani overpowers in 2-way performance, Angels blank AstrosTwo-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, tied a career-best with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the Houston Astros 6-0.
LEADING OFF: Ohtani on mound, White Sox and Guardians play 2
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Ohtani on mound, White Sox and Guardians play 2Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night for the Los Angeles Angels in Houston, and the two-way superstar is off to a much better start at the plate than on the mound this season.
Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener record
Read full article: Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener recordFramber Valdez outpitched Shohei Ohtani with 6 2/3 dominant innings of two-hit ball, and the Houston Astros tied the longest opening day winning streak in major league history with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Astros scramble after pitchers pounded for 25 runs by Boston
Read full article: Astros scramble after pitchers pounded for 25 runs by BostonHouston’s pitching staff will need to adjust quickly after allowing 25 runs and 32 hits to Boston in the first three games of the AL Championship Series, a barrage that made the loss of injured Lance McCullers Jr. seem acute.
LEADING OFF: LA hopes to maximize Scherzer with extra rest
Read full article: LEADING OFF: LA hopes to maximize Scherzer with extra restThe Dodgers are ready to start ace Max Scherzer in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta, a day after manager Dave Roberts scratched the veteran right-hander to get him an extra day of rest.
LEADING OFF: Closer to starter, Scherzer lined up for Game 1
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Closer to starter, Scherzer lined up for Game 1Dodgers ace Max Scherzer got the last three outs in the thrilling Game 5 of the NL Divsion Series and is now lined up to throw the first pitch for Los Angeles in the NL Championship Series.
Houston ace McCullers left off ALCS roster against Red Sox
Read full article: Houston ace McCullers left off ALCS roster against Red SoxAstros ace Lance McCullers Jr. has been left off the team’s roster for the AL Championship Series against Boston, a huge blow to a team looking to advance to the World Series for the second time in three seasons.
LEADING OFF: Cards seek sweet 16, Yanks-Red Sox for WC lead
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Cards seek sweet 16, Yanks-Red Sox for WC leadFresh off setting a franchise record with their 15th straight win, Harrison Bader and the St. Louis Cardinals try to finish off a sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday.
Astros move closer, beat Angels in 12; Ohtani out at plate
Read full article: Astros move closer, beat Angels in 12; Ohtani out at plateJose Altuve hit a two-run double in the 12th inning and the Houston Astros, after throwing out Shohei Ohtani at the plate to preserve a tie, broke away to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5.
Garcia hits 30th HR, Texas beats Astros in Greinke's return
Read full article: Garcia hits 30th HR, Texas beats Astros in Greinke's returnAll-Star slugger Adolis García tied the Rangers' single-season rookie record with his 30th home run and last-place Texas beat the AL West-leading Houston Astros 8-1.
Scherzer Ks 10 in debut, Dodgers hit 4 HRs to beat Astros
Read full article: Scherzer Ks 10 in debut, Dodgers hit 4 HRs to beat AstrosMax Scherzer struck out 10 in his Dodgers debut and got plenty of offensive support as Los Angeles hit four home runs to defeat the Houston Astros 7-5, capping a contentious two-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Cortes, Yankees bullpen combo on 3-hitter, blank Astros 4-0
Read full article: Cortes, Yankees bullpen combo on 3-hitter, blank Astros 4-0Nestor Cortes and three relievers combined for a three-hitter and Brett Gardner and DJ LeMahieu drove in two runs each to lead the New York Yankees to a 4-0 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
Grossman’s 10th-inning squeeze bunt lifts Tigers over Astros
Read full article: Grossman’s 10th-inning squeeze bunt lifts Tigers over AstrosRobbie Grossman’s squeeze bunt in the 10th inning drove in the winning run and the Detroit Tigers won a duel of small ball, beating the Houston Astros 2-1 for a split of their four-game series.
Tatis tying HR in 9th, Myers HR in 12th, Padres beat Astros
Read full article: Tatis tying HR in 9th, Myers HR in 12th, Padres beat AstrosFernando Tatis Jr. launched a monstrous, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to tie it, Wil Myers hit a three-run drive in the 12th and the San Diego Padres beat the Houston Astros 11-8.
Ohtani, McCullers duel into late innings, Astros beat Angels
Read full article: Ohtani, McCullers duel into late innings, Astros beat AngelsShohei Ohtani struck out 10 in an impressive duel with Lance McCullers Jr., and the Houston Astros broke loose against the Angels’ bullpen to beat Los Angeles 5-1.
Walsh's big night helps Angels rally for 5-4 win over Astros
Read full article: Walsh's big night helps Angels rally for 5-4 win over AstrosJared Walsh homered and matched a career high with four hits, Justin Upton also connected and the Los Angeles Angels rallied in the sixth inning to beat the Houston Astros 5-4.
Altuve's birthday HR answers boos, Astros top Torres, Yanks
Read full article: Altuve's birthday HR answers boos, Astros top Torres, YanksJosé Altuve responded to jeering fans by marking his 31st birthday with a go-ahead, three-run homer off Chad Green in the eighth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 7-4 to avoid a three-game sweep.
Astros put Odorizzi on IL; Altuve returns after COVID bout
Read full article: Astros put Odorizzi on IL; Altuve returns after COVID boutHouston Astros starter Jake Odorizzi has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his right arm and second baseman José Altuve has been activated after a bout with COVID-19.
Long man: Emanuel works 8 2/3 in relief, Astros pound Angels
Read full article: Long man: Emanuel works 8 2/3 in relief, Astros pound AngelsKent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros pounded the Los Angeles Angels 16-2.
AP source: Twins bolster rotation with $8M deal for Happ
Read full article: AP source: Twins bolster rotation with $8M deal for HappFILE - In this Oct. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Yankees pitcher J.A. The Minnesota Twins and Happ agreed Wednesday, Jan. 20, to a one-year, $8 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 38-year-old Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Minnesota was third in the AL in 2020 with a team ERA of 3.58. Happ went 12-8 in 2019 and struggled at the start of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, prompting the Yankees to skip his turn.
Over in a hurry: A couple bad days end MLB seasons
Read full article: Over in a hurry: A couple bad days end MLB seasonsTwo games, 22 innings and zero runs: Just like that, Cincinnati and its faltering offense had been eliminated from the MLB playoffs by the Atlanta Braves. For fans who enjoy chaos, drama and sheer randomness, the past three days provided it. With a revised schedule that restricted teams to their geographic regions — East vs. East, Central vs. Central and West vs. West — home teams went 500-398 for a .557 winning percentage, the highest since .559 in 2010, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Whether home or away, the end came quickly for some teams over the past few days. “It's a really tough season, everything to go through, playing through a pandemic, doing all this,” Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said.
White Sox beat Twins 4-3 to clinch playoff spot
Read full article: White Sox beat Twins 4-3 to clinch playoff spotChicago White Sox's Jose Abreu (79) and Eloy Jimenez celebrate the team's 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins in baseball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Chicago. The White Sox clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)CHICAGO – After clinching a postseason berth for the first time since 2008, the Chicago White Sox were low key during their on-field celebration. The White Sox assured themselves of no worse than a wild-card berth. White Sox: RHP Jonathan Stiever (0-0, 2.45 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Cincinnati.
Wieters has 19-pitch at-bat as Cardinals split DH with Twins
Read full article: Wieters has 19-pitch at-bat as Cardinals split DH with TwinsSt. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring during the third inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Backup catcher Matt Wieters acknowledges he might have to get in better shape for the St. Louis Cardinals. Wieters hit 14 foul balls during a grueling 19-pitch at-bat that finished with a deep flyout with the bases loaded during a wild rally that sent the Cardinals over the Minnesota Twins 6-4 Tuesday night for a doubleheader split. Wieters set the Cardinals record for a plate appearance in that span, topping 17 pitches seen by Rick Ankiel in 2008. Everyone says St. Louis is a baseball town, and my father absolutely was a baseball guy.
Cabrera's homer lifts Tigers to doubleheader sweep of Twins
Read full article: Cabrera's homer lifts Tigers to doubleheader sweep of TwinsBoyd pitched Detroit to an 8-2 victory in the opener, and Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer that put the Tigers ahead to stay in the second game. Nelson Cruz hit a solo homer in each game for the Twins. Jeimer Candelario went deep in the second game for the Tigers. The Twins were going with a bullpen game in the second game after Randy Dobnak (5-2) had a rough go of it in the opener. HOLDING THEIR OWNThe Tigers secured their third straight series victory, and they've been against some well-regarded teams the Indians, Cubs and Twins.
Odorizzi, Abreu accept $17.8M offers to stay with teams
Read full article: Odorizzi, Abreu accept $17.8M offers to stay with teamsPitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman Jos Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home following their four-day annual meeting. Using the threat to accept San Franciscos offer, reliever Will Smith became the first of the 168 free agents to switch teams, agreeing Thursday to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Just 10 free agents received the offers on Nov. 4, and their former teams will receive draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only eight of 90 offers have been accepted. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports