MARCUS SEMIEN

NEW YORK — (AP) — Before getting locked out, players loaded up Wednesday as big league teams unlocked their coffers for an unprecedented spending spree. It was the first time teams combined to spend over $1 billion in a single day. Players and teams alike may have feared the chaos of a limited free-agency window in the spring if the lockout goes that long. Among the other deals completed Wednesday:— RHP Marcus Stroman to the Chicago Cubs, $71 million over three years. — LHP James Paxton to Boston, $10 million over one year— RHP Corey Knebel to Philadelphia, $10 million for one year.

Major League Baseball teams committed to an unprecedented $1.4 billion in salaries Wednesday, hours before the league locked out players following the 11:59 p.m. expiration of the sport's collective bargaining agreement.

Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.

Right-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $325 million, 10-year deal with free agent shortstop Corey Seager.

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with right-hander Kevin Gausman on a five-year, $110 million contract, pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press late Sunday.

With a possible lockout on the horizon, it’s been mostly business as usual on the free agent market — so far.

Japan Baseball Ohtani Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani listens to questions from journalists during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) (Eugene Hoshiko)NEW YORK — (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was unanimiously voted American League MVP on Thursday for a two-way season not seen since Babe Ruth, and Bryce Harper earned the National League honor for the second time. Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. It was the first full season on the mound for the 27-year-old right-hander following Tommy John surgery in 2019. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said he voted for Major League Baseball’s proposal to lower the luxury tax threshold, a plan opposed by the players’ union with the sport on the brink of its first work stoppage on 26 years.

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize.

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.

Baseball’s most influential agent said the sport was the victim of a “competitive cancer” caused by teams unloading veterans to accumulate draft picks and said the Atlanta Braves’ World Series title was a direct result of others' tanking.

(AP Photo/John Hefti) (John Hefti)NEW YORK — (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have extended qualifying offers to free agent All-Stars Corey Seager and Chris Taylor, but not Clayton Kershaw. Seager and Taylor were among 14 players offered $18.4 million, one-year qualifying offer deals before the deadline Sunday night. The Toronto Blue Jays were the only other team with multiple qualifying offers, made to left-hander Robbie Ray and infielder Marcus Semien. The Red Sox declined a $6.25 million option on left-hander Martín Pérez, choosing to pay a $500,00 buyout. and turned down a $10 million option on right-hander Garret Richards, triggering a $1.5 million buyout.

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

Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was voted player of the year and the American League outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)NEW YORK — (AP) — Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was voted player of the year and the American League outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Philadelphia outfielder Bryce Harper was voted National League outstanding player, the union said Thursday. Toronto infielder Marcus Semien was selected Marvin Miller man of the year, given to a player whose leadership inspires others. The Blue Jays’ Robbie Ray was selected the AL outstanding pitcher and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Scherzer the NL outstanding pitcher. Baltimore first baseman and outfielder Ryan Mountcastle was picked as outstanding AL rookie and Cincinnati second baseman Jonathan India as outstanding NL rookie.

Baseball’s ninth work stoppage and first in 26 years appears almost certain to start Dec. 2.

Yankees Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, right, celebrates his home run against New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole with teammate center fielder George Springer (4) during the first inning of baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) (Frank Gunn)TORONTO — (AP) — Blue Jays slugger Marcus Semien set a major league record for home runs by a second baseman when he hit his 44th of the season on Wednesday night against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. But the nine-year veteran, an All-Star for the first time this season, has made 142 of his 157 starts at second base. Semien signed a one-year, $18 million contract with Toronto this season. The 31-year-old Semien had played most of his career at shortstop before leaving the A's to join the Blue Jays.

The surging Cardinals will try for a franchise-record 15th consecutive win in a game at Wrigley Field.

Bo Bichette thumped a leadoff homer in the first inning and singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 42nd homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays held off the skidding New York Yankees 6-4 for their eighth straight win.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 41st home run and the streaking Toronto Blue Jays knocked the slumping Yankees out of the AL’s top wild-card spot, beating New York 6-3.

Blue Jays Yankees Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smiles after hitting a single against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning of a baseball game on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)NEW YORK — (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 40th homer, Marcus Semien went deep twice and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 8-0 on Monday for their fifth straight win. Hyun Jin Ryu (13-8) pitched six effective innings as the Blue Jays won for the eighth time in nine games. Guerrero hit his 40th homer on Jameson Taillon’s 13th pitch. Teoscar Hernández also went deep in the ninth for the Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 40th homer, Marcus Semien went deep twice and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 8-0 for their fifth straight win.

The Toronto Blue Jays have won four in a row entering their big series this week in New York against the Yankees.

Toronto's Teoscar Hernández hit a tying two-run homer in the fourth before Oakland pulled away for an 8-2 lead. Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah allowed six runs and five hits in five-plus innings. TRAINER’S ROOMBlue Jays: RHP Ross Stripling (strained left oblique) threw live batting practive before the game. ROSTER MOVES:Blue Jays: Toronto claimed INF/OF Jake Lamb on waivers from the Chicago White Sox and recalled LHP Kirby Snead from Triple-A Buffalo. UP NEXTRHP José Berríos (9-7, 3.53) starts for the Blue Jays on Saturday against Oakland RHP Paul Blackburn (0-1, 2.81).

Tigers Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' Randal Grichuk watches his two-run home run, which also scored Santiago Espinal, in the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Toronto, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Hyun Jin Ryu cruised through seven innings, Randal Grichuk and Marcus Semien each homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0 on Saturday. Tim Mayza pitched a perfect eighth and Jordan Romano wrapped it up for his 11th save in 12 chances as the Blue Jays completed their 12th shutout. ROSTER MOVESBlue Jays: RHP Rafael Dolis cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo. UP NEXTBlue Jays LHP Steven Matz (10-7, 4,08) starts Sunday against Tigers RHP Drew Hutchison (0-1, 10.80).

Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 38th home run this season, but the Toronto Blue Jays hit it out of the park four times, including two from George Springer and a grand slam by Teoscar Hernandez, to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 10-2.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck throws in the first inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Saturday Aug. 7, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Jonathan Araúz singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat Toronto 2-1 Saturday night to split a doubleheader with the Blue Jays. “We only scored two runs today so I feel good that we split,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. Berríos had pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his Blue Jays career but gave up Verdugo’s homer in the sixth. Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (elbow surgery) allowed two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester.

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray delivers in the first inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto, Saturday Aug. 7, 2021. The Red Sox have lost eight of nine and have scored five runs or fewer in 14 consecutive games. The Red Sox used a walk and a hit to put runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth, but Xander Bogaerts fouled out to end the threat. Red Sox coaches and manager Alex Cora wore masks on the field and in the dugout, and some Red Sox reserves were also masked. His opponent will be Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (0-2, 2.45).

The San Diego Padres and Washington will resume their game after it was suspended because of a shooting outside Nationals Park.

A showcase for Shohei Ohtani became a grand stage for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., too.

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)DENVER — (AP) — The Latest on the All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Coors Field (all times local):9 p.m. The right-handed hitter crushed one to the second deck in right field to put the American League ahead 5-1. Like father, like son as he gave the American League a 2-0 lead after three innings in the All-Star Game. There were a pair of late additions to the AL All-Star team: Tampa Bay right-hander Andrew Kittredge and Minnesota left-hander Taylor Rogers. The skies were gray overhead and there was occasional drizzle during batting practice ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Coors Field.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father as an All-Star and Fernando Tatis Jr. accomplished a feat his dad never achieved.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dropped 23 straight away games, setting a major league record.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)A look at what's happening around the majors today:___MONSTER MASHVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the bashing Blue Jays try to keep up their power surge at Fenway Park. The Blue Jays have hit 13 homers the past two days in Boston, with nine of them clearing the Monster. Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah (1-0, 3.14 ERA) starts the series finale against Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 4.11). WINDY CITY SHOWDOWNThe teams with the best two records in the majors meet in Chicago when the Rays take on the White Sox in a three-game set. Their pitching has been tremendous.”Lance Lynn (7-1, 1.23 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Tyler Glasnow (5-2, 2.57).

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the bashing Toronto Blue Jays try to keep up their power surge at Fenway Park.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne)A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:___MONSTER MASHVladimir Guerrero Jr. and the bashing Blue Jays try to keep up their power surge at Fenway Park. The Blue Jays have hit 13 homers the past two days in Boston, with nine of them clearing the Monster. Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah (1-0, 3.14 ERA) starts the series finale against Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 4.11). WINDY CITY SHOWDOWNThe teams with the best two records in the majors meet in Chicago when the Rays take on the White Sox in a three-game set. Their pitching has been tremendous.”Lance Lynn (7-1, 1.23 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Tyler Glasnow (5-2, 2.57).

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. keyed a career-best four-hit outing with his major league-leading 17th home run and the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated the return to their temporary Buffalo home with a 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins.

Francisco Mejía hit a tiebreaking, two-run single during a seven-run burst in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won their 11th straight game, outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays 14-8.

Blue Jays Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals Whit Merrifield, left, steals a base behind Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, right, during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (Orlin Wagner)Whit Merrifield made his big league debut for Kansas City in 2016, the season after the Royals won the World Series. Merrifield already has eight stolen bases, tied for the major league lead. As a team, Kansas City has 22 steals. But even if Kansas City eventually falls from its perch atop the AL Central, the Royals seem to be moving in the right direction — and quickly.

The Kansas City Royals have the best record in baseball — and an identity that should be pretty familiar by now.

The Texas Rangers are the first team to approach capacity with their stadium since the coronavirus shutdown of sports more than a year ago.

Patty and Steve Smith watch the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians as snow falls, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)DETROIT – Miguel Cabrera hit the first home run of the new Major League Baseball season, a drive through the snow in Detroit's chilly opener against Cleveland on Thursday. It wasn't easy to see through the ball through the snow, and Cabrera slid into second base, unsure if he'd cleared the wall. The 37-year-old Cabrera is five homers shy of tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 28th on the career list. The new season began at Yankee Stadium, where Gerrit Cole threw the first pitch of the year, a ball to Toronto's Marcus Semien.

A day after Tatis walked off the field during an exhibition game in a worrisome scene, the Padres said the discomfort in his left shoulder had improved. In fact he was lobbying to get in the lineup today, so I thought that was very encouraging,” Tingler said. I think everybody’s kind of expecting him to be back in the lineup in the next day or two. AdMichael Pineda was roughed up in his second start for Minnesota, surrendering five runs on nine hits in five innings. Ian Anderson went six innings in his fourth start, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk.

“We’re just talking.”The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he's signed for this season at $22.3 million. Canning now has 13 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three hits in 8 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a walk. Nola has given up 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings, seeing his ERA rise to 10.38. Kyle Wright made his fourth start, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.

TWINS 1, ORIOLES 0 (7 INNINGS)Minnesota ace Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four in his second start. Baltimore's Dean Kremer fared better in his second start, allowing a hit and a walk in three scoreless innings. Deivi García pitched three shutout innings in his second start for the Yankees. Nick Pivetta made his second start for Boston, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings. Alex Wood worked two innings in the start for San Francisco and gave up a home run to Omar Narvaez.

With a good young rotation and a deep lineup, the Braves are looking for their first World Series title since 1995. While San Diego is much improved, World Series MVP Corey Seager and Los Angeles are well-positioned for a run at another championship. The last time the All-Stars descended on Atlanta, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had three hits and two RBIs in the AL's 6-3 victory at Turner Field in 2000. AdTHURSDAY, AUG. 12New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox: Major League Baseball comes to Iowa. SUNDAY, SEPT. 26Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics: The AL West rivals close out their season series with Oakland's home finale.

AdJazz Chisholm of the Marlins and Adam Haseley of the Phillies did even better — they led off games with home runs. Mancini took off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation that included the fans, the Orioles and the Pirates. Marco Gonzales made his first spring start for Seattle, allowing two hits and an unearned run in two innings. Center fielder Trent Grisham, coming off his first Gold Glove last season, doubled and scored a run for San Diego. Top prospect Jeter Downs had a two-run home run and RBI single, while Michael Chavis hit a solo shot.

The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The average fell despite Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Christian Yelich all starting long-term contracts guaranteeing $215 million or more. The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The players’ association calculated the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played. Because the pandemic caused players to receive roughly 37% of pay last year, the actual average plunged to $1.59 million, its lowest since 1998.

FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Rowdy Tellez signs autographs for fans before a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla., in this Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, file photo. The Toronto Blue Jays will play their first two homestands of the season at their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, because of Canadian government restrictions during the pandemic. The Blue Jays cited the ongoing Canada-U.S. border closure in making the difficult decision." “The alternatives for our season lie with some combination of Dunedin, Buffalo and Toronto," Shapiro said. The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo and were 17-9 at Sahlen Field, home of their Buffalo Bisons Triple-A farm team.

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, Atlanta Braves batting helmets sits on the field under a shining sun during a spring training baseball workout in Kissimmee, Fla. Major League Baseball revamped its spring training exhibition schedule because of the pandemic, cutting travel for Florida-based teams in an effort to avoid the novel coronavirus, the league announced Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)NEW YORK – Completing the 2020 season required MLB to rewrite its rule book. Offers by MLB to delay opening day were rejected by the players' association last month, defaulting the league into an on-time start. The Grapefruit League schedule was reworked to limit travel, and clubs won’t play exhibitions against local colleges — usually a spring staple. MLB has claimed billions in losses after playing the 2020 season almost entirely without fans, and free agents were met by a sluggish market this winter.

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus tosses a ball before a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Surprise, Ariz. The Rangers traded Andrus to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Texas sent the 32-year-old Andrus, catcher Aramis Garcia and $13.5 million to the A's for designated hitter Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. Young is still the team’s career leader and Andrus is second on the list for games played, at-bats and triples. Davis hit .271 with 15 doubles, 32 homers and 80 RBIs in 79 career games against Texas.

Springer and the Blue Jays agreed last week to a team-record $150 million, six-year contract. The Blue Jays swept in two games during a first-round series by the eventual AL champion Rays. Besides Springer, Toronto also has signed right-handers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood in the past week. Shapiro insisted the Blue Jays still have flexibility to add payroll, likely to strengthen the rotation, but said “the bulk of our heavy lifting is done.”Springer split time between center field and right with the Astros, but is expected to become a fixture in center for the Blue Jays. “This is about the Blue Jays,” Springer said.

Shortstop Marcus Semien agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)TORONTO, ONT – Shortstop Marcus Semien agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Semien will become the second star and fourth free agent added by the Blue Jays during a slow offseason amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Blue Jays were swept in two games by the AL champion Rays in a first-round series. It is not clear where the Blue Jays will play home games when the 2021 season starts.

Houston Astros' George Springer, left, celebrates with Carlos Correa after the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 4 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. “We have young guys that are leaning on the veterans and the veterans are taking care of them right now. The Astros and A's combined for 24 homers — 12 each — the most in a postseason series of five games or fewer. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired. BACK TO THE ALCSThe Astros became the third team in AL history since 1969 to reach four straight AL Championship Series.

Oakland Athletics' Chad Pinder, right, celebrates with manager Bob Melvin after the Athletics defeated the Houston Astros in Game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. And just in case Laureano's words did not get the message across, he ripped a double as the A's got a pair of sacrifice flies in the eighth to rally past the Houston Astros 9-7 on Wednesday and avoid elimination in their AL Division Series. “It was awesome.”Houston leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can advance to its fourth straight AL Championship Series with a victory in Game 4 on Thursday. Pinder hit a first-pitch slider to the opposite field for Oakland's fifth homer, a drive chased by right fielder Kyle Tucker until he ran out of room at the short wall. Houston took a 7-4 lead with five runs in the fifth, when the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate.

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, and George Springer celebrate after the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. The Houston Astros can't miss these days. “With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows,” first-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said. Five of Springer’s postseason homers have come at Dodger Stadium, where the Astros beat the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired.

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa, left, celebrates with George Springer after they defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – A home run derby broke out during a hot, dry day at Dodger Stadium, and suddenly the Houston Astros have their swing and swagger back. “When you get the leadoff guy (Springer) getting on base every single time, good things are going to happen. Altuve's line-drive single to left scored Maldonado and Springer to put the Astros back in front, 6-5. Chris Bassitt put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on in the fifth with back-to-back singles by Springer and Altuve.

Oakland stopped a nine-game losing streak in winner-take-all postseason games, a major league record that dated to the 1973 World Series. “I woke up this morning feeling like this was going to be a hard game and it was a hard game,” Melvin said. The low-budget A's had not captured a winner-take-all postseason game since beating Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the New York Mets. That prompted White Sox star Tim Anderson to say, “I guess they haven’t done their homework.”“It’s a tough one to swallow but we've got to keep going,” Anderson said. HURLING ITThe 17 pitchers, nine by Chicago, were the most in a nine-inning postseason game.

Now, the slugging A's are right back in a familiar fall position: one winner-take-all postseason game with the season on the line. Semien and Davis connected early and Oakland's bullpen barely held off José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox late for a 5-3 win Wednesday that sent the AL playoff series to a deciding Game 3. The White Sox went 14-0 in the regular season against left-handed starters and beat southpaw Jesús Luzardo in the playoff opener. “I'm pretty sure we're pretty dang confident in anyone we throw against the White Sox,” Bassitt said. He went just 3 for 18 against the White Sox last season.

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)SEATTLE – Kyle Lewis sparked Seattle’s rally with a two-run homer and walked with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, helping the Mariners top the Oakland Athletics 6-5 on Monday in the opener of a doubleheader. But Seattle chipped away and scored twice in the sixth inning against Oakland’s bullpen to move in front for good. The win pulled Seattle within one game of idle Houston for second place in the AL West. Lewis hit his 10th homer in the fifth inning to pull Seattle within 5-4 and end Luzardo’s day. A’s manager Bob Melvin planned to play Lamb in the second game of the doubleheader.

(AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX David Peralta slapped a bases-loaded single through the right side of the infield with one out in the ninth inning to push the Arizona Diamondbacks past the streaking Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Monday night. The As trailed 3-1 going into the eighth but came back to tie it after loading the bases with one out. Ahmed quickly made up for his mistake, smacking a leadoff double to left field to start the decisive ninth-inning rally. UP NEXTAthletics: Oakland wraps up the quick two-game series by sending RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 1.57 ERA) to the mound. Diamondbacks: Arizona goes with RHP Luke Weaver (0-3, 11.85), who has pitched just 13 2/3 innings this season in four starts.

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, July 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)OAKLAND, Calif. Shohei Ohtani didnt record an out in the two-way star's long-awaited return to the mound for the Los Angels Angels, allowing the first six Oakland batters to reach base before his day was done Sunday. Robbie Grossman singled in another run, and Angels manager Joe Maddon replaced Ohtani with Matt Andriese down 4-0. This was a long time coming for the Angels and Ohtani, who released visible deep breaths between pitches. Ohtani is expected to be the Sunday starter for the Angels this season and was under no pitch limit.

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, July 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)OAKLAND, Calif. Shohei Ohtani didnt record an out in the two-way stars long-awaited return to the mound for the Los Angels Angels, allowing the first six Oakland batters to reach base before his day was done in a 6-4 loss to the Athletics on Sunday. Robbie Grossman singled in another run, and Angels manager Joe Maddon replaced Ohtani (0-1) with Matt Andriese down 4-0. Ohtani made his first appearance on the mound since Sept. 2, 2018 after not pitching last season following Tommy John surgery. Ohtani threw 30 pitches, reaching 94.7 mph with his fastball he averaged 96.7 mph and touched 100 mph in 2018.