RANDY AROZARENA

The United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

Jeremy Peña became the first rookie position player to win a World Series MVP after hitting.

The entire Major League Baseball playoff picture is now set.

Drew Rasmussen pitched seven effective innings and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season, beating the Houston Astros 7-3.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit his 20th homer and drove in six runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 10-6 Friday night, tying the Blue Jays at the top of the AL wild-card standings. The win clinched the season series — and the tiebreaker — for the Rays, who have won 10 of 17 against the Blue Jays. “They got the lead and we were able to come back, and we were able to take advantage there at the end.”Arozarena's three-run homer gave Tampa Bay a 6-4 lead in the fifth inning. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit RBI singles during a four-run fifth off Jeffrey Springs that put the Blue Jays ahead 4-3. After Arozarena put Tampa Bay ahead, Toronto tied it at 6 in the sixth on George Springer's sacrifice fly.

Randy Arozarena hit his 20th homer and drove in six runs as the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 10-6, tying the Blue Jays at the top of the AL wild-card standings.

Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston. Arozarena told reporters Wednesday night that there was no physical contact with Díaz, and that there were some little things they needed to address. Díaz was out again due to a left shoulder injury that has impacted him recently. “His left shoulder has been barking at him a little bit on the finish of his swing,” Cash said. Arozarena was seen watching Tuesday’s game from the Rays bullpen.

Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston.

Rays teammates Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena had an altercation after a 4-0 loss to the Astros on Monday, partially prompting Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash to bench both players Tuesday in a 5-0 defeat to Houston. Arozarena told reporters Wednesday night that there was no physical contact with Díaz, and that there were some little things they needed to address. Arozarena, a breakout star of the 2020 postseason who won AL rookie of the year in 2021, was in Wednesday's lineup.

TORONTO — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays made major league history on Thursday by starting nine Latin American players against the Toronto Blue Jays. It happened as baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the late Hall of Fame outfielder from Puerto Rico. The designated hitter was Manual Margot, who is from the Dominican Republic, followed by left fielder David Peralta, who is from Venezuela. Clemente won four NL batting titles and helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1960 and 1971. Left-hander Shane McClanahan, an American, was activated off the 15-day injured list before the game to start for the Rays.

Jeffrey Springs pitched neatly into the sixth inning, Christian Bethancourt hit a two-run homer in the seventh, and the Tampa Bay Rays moved within five games of the AL East-leading New York Yankees with a 9-0 victory.

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays got another impressive start Friday from Shane McClanahan, and their mostly usual strong bullpen work. They got a tying clutch hit from Randy Arozarena and created several other opportunities. But they lost — stop us if you’ve heard this before — because they can’t stop making outs on the bases. The final score was 3-2 Royals in 10 innings, the winning run coming on a ...

Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena hits a three-run home run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer off Nestor Cortes in the first inning and the Tampa Bay staff made it stand up, leading the Rays over the skidding New York Yankees 3-1 Tuesday night. The Yankees have lost 11 of 13 and are 8-17 since reaching the All-Star break at 64-28. New York lost its fifth straight series and was held to three runs or less for the seventh straight game. It was Arrozarena’s fourth homer in five games after the right fielder went homerless in 16 straight games.

Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer off Nestor Cortes in the first inning and the Tampa Bay staff made it stand up, leading the Rays over the skidding New York Yankees 3-1.

Rasmussen allowed his first baserunner when Jorge Mateo doubled down the left-field line on the first pitch of the ninth. Mateo, who went 5 for 5 on Friday night, later scored on a Rasmussen wild pitch. There hasn’t been a perfect game in the majors since Seattle’s Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat at home against the Rays on Aug. 15, 2012. Tampa Bay has never thrown a perfect game. Rays: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-7) will start or follow an opener against the New York Yankees on Monday night.

Drew Rasmussen took a perfect game into the ninth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays expanded their lead over Baltimore for the final AL wild card to 1 1/2 games with a 4-1 victory over the Orioles.

Yu Chang and Yandy Diaz drew bases-loaded walks in a seven-run ninth inning to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 7-0.

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros will meet Thursday in a one-game series between AL division leaders at Minute Maid Park.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole lost his no-hit bid in the eighth inning when Tampa Bay’s Isaac Paredes led off by grounding a clean single to center field.

Noah Syndergaard pitches in New York for the first time since leaving the Mets during the offseason, starting the Los Angeles Angels’ series opener at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Corey Kluber and Gerrit Cole dueled evenly for six impressive innings before the Tampa Bay Rays scored a pair of late runs to beat the Yankees 3-1, ending New York’s four-game winning streak.

Rays Orioles Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena runs the bases on a two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning a baseball game Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Baltimore. Tampa Bay is still 22-2 against the Orioles since the start of 2021 and has outscored them 177-84 over that stretch. Tampa Bay increased the lead to 5-0 in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Ji-Man Choi and a fielder’s choice by Harold Ramirez. Orioles: RHP Spenser Watkins (0-1, 5.10) is making his fifth career outing against Tampa Bay. He pitched five innings and gave up six runs and seven hits in his last start against Tampa Bay on Aug. 29.

Randy Arozarena hit a pair of homers, Jeffrey Springs threw shutout ball into the sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled the debut of Baltimore Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman with a 6-1 victory.

Los Angeles Angels rookie Reid Detmers has a no-hitter through seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, a bid that survived a borderline error call in the seventh.

Shohei Ohtani hit his first grand slam in professional baseball on a two-homer night, and the surging Los Angeles Angels beat the Tampa Bay Rays 11-3.

A day after six major league games were rained out, the weather could still cause scheduling problems in some places this weekend.

Kevin Kiermaier capped Tampa Bay’s three-run 10th inning with a game-ending homer, and the Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 after losing their bid for a combined no-hitter in the top half of the final frame.

Athletics Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier misses a ball hit by the Oakland Athletics Sean Murphy during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April, 14, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette) (Scott Audette)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, — (AP) — Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 Thursday to take three of four from the Rays. Irvin (1-1) allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A's under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3. “I was throwing strikes, getting outs the way I know how,” said Irvin, who struck out two and walked none. Margot was thrown out trying to advance to second by right fielder Billy McKinney on Mike Zunino’s fly ball. Please try on your cold gear!”MOVING DAYThe Rays selected the contract of right-hander Phoenix Sanders from Triple-A Durham, and designated righty Dusten Knight for assignment.

Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A’s under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.

Álvarez, the Houston Astros designated hitter and outfielder voted a unanimous winner of the 2019 AL award, was given a $764,600 salary, up from $609,000 last year. Bichette was given a $723,550 salary, an increase from $587,800 last year, when he also earned a $10,000 bonus for making the All-Star team. Atlanta right-hander Ian Anderson was renewed at $710,000 after pitching five hitless, scoreless innings to win World Series Game 3 over Houston. Cleveland right-hander Shane Bieber reached a $6 million deal after he was renewed at $679,700 last year as the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. Álvarez was on last year’s all-MLB second team, which would earn a $500,000 bonus starting this year.

Rookie of the Year winners Randy Arozarena and Yordan Álvarez and All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette were among 16 players whose contracts were renewed by their teams rather than reach negotiated agreements.

Arozarena won AL Rookie of the Year honor on Monday night, Nov. 15. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) (David J. Phillip)It didn’t feel like Randy Arozarena was a rookie this season. Arozarena won AL Rookie of the Year honors with a superb follow-up to his 2020 postseason heroics while Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India earned NL Rookie of the Year on Monday night. But Arozarena didn’t play enough during the 2020 regular season to lose his rookie status so he was eligible for the award this year. Arozarena is Tampa Bay's first rookie of the year since outfielder Wil Myers in 2013.

Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays has won AL Rookie of the Year honors, following up his 2020 postseason heroics with a stellar 2021 season.

Carlos Correa hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning that helped the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.

The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays saw their record-setting season come to a sudden end when they lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 4 of their Division Series and were eliminated in the best-of-five playoff.

The Red Sox right fielder waved at it desperately -- and unsuccessfully -- to keep it from going out of play. And you call it home-field advantage if you want — call it whatever you want — but we won.”The wild-card Red Sox took a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five matchup. Red Sox ace Nate Eovaldi allowed Austin Meadows’ two-run homer in the top of the first, but Schwarber led off the bottom half with a home run. Red Sox: RHP Hansel Robles appeared to be experiencing discomfort after striking out Diaz for the second out in the eighth. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it would most likely be Eduardo Rodriguez.

The wild-card Red Sox took a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five matchup, with Game 4 on Monday at Fenway Park -- Marathon Day in Boston. Red Sox ace Nate Eovaldi allowed Austin Meadows’ two-run homer in the top of the first, but Schwarber led off the bottom half with a home run. TRAINER’S ROOMRays: Arozarena slipped on his way to second base on his eighth-inning double, then limped into the dugout while the Red Sox changed pitchers. Red Sox: RHP Hansel Robles appeared to be experiencing discomfort after striking out Diaz for the second out in the eighth. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it would most likely be Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Boston Red Sox were saved by a lucky bounce that cost Tampa Bay a certain run and maybe more in Game 3 of the AL Division Series.

J.

Four pitches later, Arozarena took advantage of Taylor not paying attention to him and took off for home. The victory continues Tampa Bay's recent mastery of the Red Sox. The Rays lost four straight to Boston before winning 11 of the final 15 meetings between the teams during the regular season. With the 20-year-old shortstop and 41-year-old slugger in the lineup, the Rays scored 263 runs in 43 games. The duo became the second set of teammates to each have a hit in a postseason game when one player was 20 or younger and the other was at least 40.

Randy Arozarena became the first player to hit a home run and steal home in a postseason game, and rookie Shane McClanahan pitched the Tampa Bay Rays past the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in their AL Division Series opener.

The 107-win Giants and 106-win Dodgers are ready to throw out all those wins and settle their season-long clash with a best-of-five NL Division Series in San Francisco.

The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.

With Shohei Ohtani, Bryce Harper and the rest of baseball's MVP front-runners left out of the postseason, there's a chance for some budding stars to cement their place among the game's top names.

Aaron Judge drove home the winning run with a one-out single in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth on the last day of the regular season by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0.

Austin Meadows hit a tying, inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning, Nelson Cruz had a go-ahead single in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-10.

Bogaerts hit an RBI single in the first inning, but the star was replaced defensively in the second. It was announced before the game that Boston reliever Hirokazu Sawamura tested positive as a virus surge that started last week continues having a daily impact on the playoff-contending Red Sox. Devers picked up his 97th RBI with an eighth-inning single as Boston outhit the Rays 10-5. Red Sox left-hander Martín Pérez and right-hander Matt Barnes were added to the COVID-19 IL on Monday. ANOTHER CHANCEThe Rays are expected to recall veteran reliever David Robertson from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Randy Arozarena, rookie Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays won their ninth straight game, breaking away from Boston soon after Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was pulled because of a positive COVID-19 test.

Tampa Bay’s Francisco Mejía singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts might be returning to the injured list after he was scratched from the lineup Tuesday night in Philadelphia with a sore right hip.

Rafael Devers hit a hard grounder that went between first baseman Yandy Díaz’s legs for a two-run double during Boston’s four-run 11th off Pete Fairbanks (1-3). Hunter Renfroe homered for the AL East-leading Red Sox. Batting second and debuting at third base, Franco alertly began a double play in the eighth. Franco fielded Renfroe's grounder and ran toward Devers, who was called for running out the base line trying to advance. Francisco Mejía drove in a run with an infield single in the first, with Franco scoring the second run on shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ errant throw to second trying to get a forceout.

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

Clint Frazier hit a game-ending, two-run homer with two outs in the 11th inning after making a game-saving catch in the eighth, and the slumping New York Yankees beat the rival Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.

Rich Hill finished May with the lowest monthly ERA in 75 years of a pitcher in his 40s, and the Tampa Bay Rays won for the 16th time in 17 games by keeping up their domination of the reeling Yankees with a 3-1 victory.

Joe West is set to break the record for most games as a major league umpire with No. 5,376 when he works the Cardinals-White Sox matchup in Chicago.

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.

Austin Meadows, Manuel Margot and Mike Brosseau drew consecutive bases-loaded walks with two outs in the ninth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for their 10th straight win, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4.

The Angels capped one of the most stunning days in franchise history by blowing a late three-run lead as Tampa Bay completed a four-game sweep. The Rays then broke it open in the eighth, sending 12 batters to the plate and getting six hits off three Angels pitchers. Josh Fleming (2-3) got the win for the Rays, who have won five straight and posted their first four-game sweep at Angel Stadium since 2012. The left-hander allowed three runs in five innings after Collin McHugh opened with two shutout innings and five strikeouts. Shohei Ohtani hit his 10th home run of the season for the Angels, who have dropped a season-high five in a row.

Mike Zunino homered, Brett Phillips had two hits during a seven-run eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena homered off Domingo Germán, helping the Tampa Bay Rays extend their mastery over the New York Yankees with a 4-0 victory.

Starter Zach Eflin pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. ROCKIES 2, MARINERS 1Kyle Freeland allowed three hits in four shutout innings in his second start for Colorado, striking out four. Seattle's Marco Gonzales threw four shutout innings in his second start, allowing two hits while striking out four. Martín Pérez made his second start, allowing two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. ATHLETICS 5, REDS 2 (7)Oakland lefty Sean Manaea struck out four in three innings, allowing one run and three hits.

On that one, we are probably on the same page.”RED SOX 8, RAYS 2Garrett Richards struck out seven in four scoreless innings for Boston. ATHLETICS 5, PADRES 4Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the game with his second spring home run, a smashing return after missing six days with a non-virus bug. The 30-year-old left has pitched four scoreless innings this spring. BREWERS 8, CUBS 3 (7)Brandon Woodruff made his second start for Milwaukee, allowing five hits in two scoreless innings. BRAVES 8, TWINS 5Michael Pineda, who last pitched a full season in 2016, made his first spring start for Minnesota.

—INF Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates: Hayes, 24, provided some hope for lowly Pittsburgh in September, batting .376 with five homers in 24 games. The slick-fielding son of former big league infielder Charlie Hayes was selected by the Pirates in the first round of the 2015 amateur draft. 6 pick in the 2018 amateur draft batted .291 with 23 homers over three minor league stops in 2019. —OF Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles: Mountcastle made his major league debut on Aug. 21 and batted .333 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 35 games. Kim batted .306 with 30 homers, 109 RBIs and 23 steals for the KBO League's Kiwoom Heroes last season.

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.

Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena celebrates a home run during the first inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – Randy Arozarena did pretty much everything during a breakout performance for the Tampa Bay Rays. Arozarena extended his big league record with his 10th postseason homer Tuesday night, but Tampa Bay lost 3-1 to the champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series. Tampa Bay acquired Arozarena and utilityman José Martínez in a January trade that sent touted pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore to St. Louis. He hit .281 with seven homers and 11 RBIs in 23 games in his first season with Tampa Bay, helping the team win the AL East.

He wasn't on the field initially as the Dodgers enjoyed the spoils of a title earned during a most unusual season. The 35-year-old Turner has been a staple in the Dodgers’ lineup for seven of their eight consecutive NL West titles. Los Angeles had come up short in the World Series twice in the previous three years. The Rays had 16 Ks and the Dodgers 11, the most combined strikeouts in a nine-inning World Series game. “This year has been crazy, but no matter what, we’ll look back on this and we’re World Series champs.