BRANDON BELT

Aaron Judge, Edwin Díaz, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were among 131 players who became free agents as baseball’s business season began just hours after the final out of the World Series.

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has struck out at least 10 batters in five straight starts going into this outing at home against Texas.

Dakota Hudson and a quartet of relievers combined to help the St. Louis Cardinals stop San Francisco’s six-game winning streak, blanking the Giants 4-0.

Max Scherzer pitched no-hit ball into the sixth inning of his anticipated home debut and the New York Mets rode their $130 million ace to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants for a doubleheader sweep.

Thairo Estrada drove in four runs, Alex Wood continued San Francisco’s superb starting pitching and the Giants completed a three-game sweep with an 8-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in football-like weather.

Alyssa Nakken made major league history as the first female coach on the field in a regular-season game, and the Giants pounded the San Diego Padres 13-2.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Justin Verlander reached a $25 million deal to remain with the Houston Astros as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, and Brandon Belt accepted an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. Verlander, a 38-year-old right-hander, has a conditional $25 million option for 2023 as part of the agreement. Verlander, a two-time Cy Young Award winner and the 2011 AL MVP, became a free agent after completing a $94 million, three-year contract with the Astros. Belt was the only one to accept among the 14 free agents who received the offers from their former clubs on Nov. 7. Bell is 33 and perhaps wary of a free-agent market at first base that includes 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman.

Justin Verlander reached a $25 million deal to remain with the Houston Astros as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, and Brandon Belt accepted an $18.4 million qualifying offer from the San Francisco Giants.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended qualifying offers to free agent All-Stars Corey Seager and Chris Taylor, but not Clayton Kershaw.

The San Francisco Giants plan to exercise Buster Posey's $22 million club option for the 2022 season as long as the veteran catcher wants to keep playing after a stellar year. Posey, whose contract includes a $3 million buyout, helped lead the Giants to a franchise-record 107 wins and their first NL West title since 2012 by playing regularly down the stretch this year as he demonstrated his health and durability during his 12th major league season. The 34-year-old Posey opted out of the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign to care for prematurely born adopted twin girls.

Julio Urías shut down San Francisco and contributed an RBI single for his cause, Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock delivered two-run doubles to blow it open in the sixth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pounded the Giants 9-2 to even their NL Division Series at one game apiece.

Logan Webb struck out 10 pitching masterfully in his postseason debut, Buster Posey hit a two-run homer that held up, and the 107-win San Francisco Giants blanked the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the opener of their NL Division Series.

The San Francisco Giants finally won the NL West without needing to wait for the rival Dodgers' result on the season’s final day, pounding the San Diego Padres 11-4 for a franchise-record 107th victory to top the 1904 New York team.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes what might be his final start of the regular season in a critical showdown against Toronto.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes what might be his final start of the regular season in a critical showdown against Toronto.

Zack Wheeler pitches Tuesday night for Philadelphia in the opener of a pivotal three-game series at Atlanta.

White Sox Indians Baseball Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Phil Long) (Phil Long)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:___LAST TIMECleveland will play its final home game as the Indians, the team’s nickname since 1915. The team will spend the rest of the final week on the road. The Giants go into the final week of the regular season leading the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games in the division. Dallas Keuchel (8-9, 5.18 ERA) starts for the AL Central champion White Sox at Detroit, hoping to reverse a recent slide as the playoffs approach.

Cleveland will play its final home game as the Indians, the team’s nickname since 1915.

Brandon Crawford homered to cap a four-run ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants held their lead in the NL West, beating the Colorado Rockies 6-2 on Sunday. The Giants, who have won 15 of 19, began the day with a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco now heads home to Oracle Park with a chance to clinch their first division title since 2012.

Belt's blasts helped San Francisco set a franchise mark for homers in a season, and the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Saturday night to extend their lead in the NL West. Belt hit a solo homer in the first inning and a three-run shot in the fifth off Jon Gray. “I didn't know that my homers tied or broke it,” Belt said.

Pinch-hitting pitcher Kevin Gausman lofted a full-count, bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants edged the Atlanta Braves 6-5 to increase their NL West lead.

Buster Posey homered in the first inning and scored the go-ahead run on an error in the third, and the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 for their ninth straight victory a day after becoming the first team in the big leagues to clinch a playoff berth.

Padres Giants Baseball San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt hits a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — The surprising San Francisco Giants became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season, hitting four home runs to beat the San Diego Padres 9-1 on Monday night for their season-high eighth consecutive victory. After finishing 29-31 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Giants have turned it around in manager Gabe Kapler’s second year. San Francisco extended its latest hot streak by getting early power at the plate and steady pitching from the bullpen after opener Dominic Leone threw two strong innings. The five-time All-Star continued to struggle in his first season with San Diego after starting 6-1.

The surprising San Francisco Giants became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season, hitting four home runs to beat the San Diego Padres 9-1 on Monday night for their season-high eighth consecutive victory.

It’s been five years since Brandon Belt got to toast a playoff berth, so the Giants first baseman was admittedly out of practice when the champagne started to flow in San Francisco’s clubhouse. The surprising Giants became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season, hitting four home runs to beat the San Diego Padres 9-1 on Monday night for their season-high eighth consecutive victory. After finishing 29-31 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Giants have turned things around in manager Gabe Kapler’s second year.

CHICAGO — (AP) — Kris Bryant drew a pair of standing ovations in his return to Wrigley Field, then Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt homered in the seventh inning to send the San Francisco Giants over the Chicago Cubs 6-1 Friday for their fifth straight win. The Giants, who entered 2 ½ games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, improved to a major league-best 91-50. In this one, Bryant went 0 for 3 with a walk, run and struck out swinging twice. The Cubs presented Bryant with a 2016 World Series championship pennant and a replica No. UP NEXTGiants RHP Kevin Gausman (13-5, 2.58) faces Cubs RHP Zach Davies (6-10, 5.16) on Saturday afternoon.

Kris Bryant drew a pair of standing ovations in his return to Wrigley Field, then Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt homered in the seventh inning to send the San Francisco Giants over the Chicago Cubs 6-1 for their fifth straight win.

Steven Duggar hit a tiebreaking two-run triple after being called up earlier in the day, Brandon Belt homered, and the San Francisco Giants wrapped up their key weekend series against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers with a 6-4 win to take the NL West lead.

Jace Peterson hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, Lorenzo Cain homered for a second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked the San Francisco Giants out of the top spot in the National League for the first time in more than three months.

Jorge Soler and Austin Riley homered off Anthony DeSclafani, Ian Anderson pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 9-0.

Logan Webb threw seven strong innings to win his seventh consecutive decision, Tommy La Stella and Mike Yastrzemski each homered and drove in two runs, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0.

Giants Brewers Baseball San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt watches his two-run home run during the 11th inning of the team's baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Milwaukee. Each team scored three runs in the 10th inning after the Giants tied it on a bizarre two-out triple in the ninth. LaMonte Wade put the Giants ahead for good in the 11th with a one-out single that scored Austin Slater. All four of the Giants' 11th-inning runs came off Sal Romano (0-1) in his Brewers debut. Belt also hit a solo shot in the fourth and has three homers over the last two nights.

Brandon Belt hit his second homer of the night during a four-run outburst in the 11th inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-6 in a wild Saturday night matchup between division leaders.

José Altuve hit a grand slam in the sixth one inning after putting Houston ahead on a solo homer, and the AL-leading Houston Astros held off the San Francisco Giants 9-6 in a matchup of baseball’s top two teams.

Walker Buehler pitched three-hit ball over seven dominant innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers to extend his mastery of the San Francisco Giants in an 8-0 victory.

LaMonte Wade Jr. broke a ninth-inning tie with a two-run single and the San Francisco Giants rallied against closer Kenley Jansen again for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The second half of the major league baseball season begins with one game Thursday night when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium.

Diamondbacks Giants Baseball San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey hits a three-run home run in front of Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Stephen Vogt during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) (Tony Avelar)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their 22nd straight road game Wednesday night, matching the 1963 Mets and '43 Philadelphia Athletics for the major league record with a 13-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Pinch-hitter Wilmer Flores added a two-run drive in the fifth and Brandon Belt hit his ninth homer that inning. Asdrubal Cabrera homered and Ketel Marte hit a two-run double in the D-backs' five-run sixth. “Excited to get back.”RHP Kevin Gausman (7-1, 1.43) pitches for San Francisco.

The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped their 22nd straight road game, matching the 1963 Mets and ’43 Philadelphia Athletics for the major league record with a 13-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Arizona was ahead 7-0 in the second inning, but couldn’t hold it and lost its 12th straight overall. San Francisco loaded the bases with two outs and Yastrzemski launched a 1-2 pitch deep over the right field fence into McCovey Cove for his first career grand slam. Steven Duggar also homered to help San Francisco to its seventh straight win over Arizona. Diamondbacks starter Alex Young allowed five hits and three runs in four innings in his first start since Sept. 23, 2020. Kelly enters the game holding opponents to a .235 average over his last four starts on the road.

The Arizona Diamondbacks blew a seven-run lead and lost their 21st straight road game, one short of the major league record, when Mike Yastrzemski hit a grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the San Francisco Giants to a 9-8 victory.

No doubt every New York Mets fans shuddered when they heard the news that star pitcher Jacob deGrom was pulled from his latest start with an elbow injury.

Nationals ace Max Scherzer exited with an apparent injury after throwing just 12 pitches in his against San Francisco.

“I don’t even think I’ve had a 13 pitch at-bat in my career.”Hicks was scheduled to pitch one inning. Carlos Martínez worked four innings in the start for St. Louis, allowing two runs and five hits. Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in three innings. YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1New York starter Deivi García gave up one hit and an unearned run in three innings. Dean Kremer allowed a run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in the start for Baltimore.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Tim Lopes reaches into seats occupied by cutouts while unsuccessfully trying to catch a foul by hit by San Francisco Giants' Wilmer Flores during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Donovan Solano and Mauricio Dubon hit early RBI singles as the Giants backed Drew Smyly (1-0) and snapped a three-game losing streak with a “road” victory at Oracle Park. Crawford contributed a two-out shot in the seventh and Mike Yastrzemski added an RBI double as the Giants pounded out 15 hits. Some went straight to Oracle Park upon landing in San Francisco, while others opted to stop by the team hotel. Game time temperature in San Francisco, 71 degrees.

St. 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.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, right, celebrates with Justin Turner, second from left, and A.J. Sam Selman (1-0) recorded the final out in the top of the 11th for the victory. Justin Turner began on second base in the 10th inning and scored the go-ahead run on Bart's wild throw past third immediately after a passed ball. The Dodgers flew late in the day to the Bay Area to give players time for treatment or optional workouts. ... RHP Jeff Samardzija, sidelined by inflammation in his throwing shoulder, is throwing on flat ground and is scheduled for his first bullpen Wednesday.

San Francisco Giants' Mike Yastrzemski watches his game-ending solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)SAN FRANCISCO Mike Yastrzemski homered twice, the second a towering solo shot into McCovey Cove in the ninth inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants past the San Diego Padres 7-6 on Wednesday night. Our players have actually talked about it this team is full of fighters, San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said. After Tyler Rogers (1-1) worked the ninth, Yastrzemski homered off Matt Strahm (0-1) in the bottom of the inning to give San Francisco the walkoff victory. RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 4.50) will make his first start for San Francisco.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES Kik Hernndez homered and drove in five runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the rival San Francisco Giants 8-1 in a fan-less ballpark as baseballs shortened season opened on Thursday night. Betts struck out swinging in his first at-bat a day after signing a $365 million deal over 12 years. Justin Turner grounded into a fielder's choice and Betts beat a throw to the plate to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Betts struck out with the bases loaded to end a five-run inning that made it 6-1. PREGAME CEREMONYThe Giants and Dodgers held a black ribbon that wound along the baselines in a show of unity after pregame introductions.