ROBBIE RAY

Yordan Alvarez and his mighty bat did it yet again, launching a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning off Seattle ace Luis Castillo that lifted the Houston Astros over the Mariners 4-2 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Division Series.

The Seattle Mariners need a new plan for locking down October-tested Astros star Yordan Alvarez, because what they tried in Game 1 certainly didn't work. The two NL Division Series, pitting the Phillies vs. the Braves and the Padres against the Dodgers, have the day off. Castillo, acquired in July from the Cincinnati Reds, could be Seattle's best chance to slow Alvarez and the Astros. The two-time All-Star pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings to beat Toronto in the AL wild-card opener. They split the first two games of their best-of-five Division Series against the Braves in Atlanta.

Trailing all game after a poor start by Justin Verlander, the AL West champion Astros overtook rookie star Julio Rodríguez and the wild-card Mariners at the end to begin their best-of-five Division Series. Mariners manager Scott Servais then made the bold move to bring in Ray, who started Saturday at Toronto in the AL wild-card series, for a lefty vs. lefty matchup with Alvarez. Ray won the Cy Young last year with Toronto, had made only six relief appearances in his career and had never earned a pro save. The Mariners jumped on Verlander for six runs in just four innings to build a 6-2 lead early. Yuli Gurriel hit a solo homer in the Houston fourth before Eugenio Suarez's solo shot in the seventh extended Seattle's lead to 7-3.

The Houston Astros were five outs away from facing a 1-0 deficit in the ALDS, but Yordan Alvarez blasted a walk-off, three-run homer to turn the tables.

Yordan Alvarez smashed a game-ending, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning off Robbie Ray, wrecking Seattle’s strategy of using a Cy Young Award winner in a rare relief role and vaulting the Houston Astros over the Mariners 8-7 in their playoff opener.

For most of Game 1 on Tuesday, the Seattle Mariners looked poised for an upset in their ALDS matchup with the top-seeded Houston Astros. He'd previously made four career relief appearances in 10 MLB seasons and none since 2020. Astros manager Dusty Baker, who's managed 25 major league seasons and played 19 MLB seasons before that, called the home run one of the best moments he's ever seen in the game. Servais, meanwhile, explained his decision to pitch Ray during the decisive at-bat. Per MLB, Alvarez's was the first walkoff home run in postseason history that overcame a multi-run deficit.

Padres pound Mets as Yu Darvish bests Max ScherzerThere was a dominant, big-ticket ace in his late 30s on the mound in New York Friday. Padres maestro Yu Darvish stymied the favored Mets for 7 innings as the San Diego bats repeatedly left the yard. After 101 regular season wins, the Mets are on the brink of elimination at the hands of the Padres. By the end, 10 Phillies had batted, the Cardinals bullpen had melted down, and 11th year player Jean Segura was the hero in his first postseason game. After Phillies starter Zack Wheeler (6 1/3 innings) and Cardinals starter Jose Quintana (5 1/3 innings) both posted scoreless outings, this turned into a battle of the bullpens.

Mariners pounce on Blue Jays as Luis Castillo pitches like an aceThe Mariners will welcome themselves back to the postseason, thank you very much. The club that ended a 21-year October drought came out swinging against their higher-seeded hosts, the Blue Jays. The dynamic ace, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a trade deadline blockbuster, blitzed the Blue Jays' stellar lineup. Having defeated Blue Jays ace Alek Manoah, the Mariners will go into Game 2 with a chance to advance to the ALDS against the Astros. After Phillies starter Zack Wheeler (6 1/3 innings) and Cardinals starter Jose Quintana (5 1/3 innings) both posted scoreless outings, this turned into a battle of the bullpens.

TORONTO — (AP) — There’s a whole lot riding on Alek Manoah’s first career playoff start, but the Toronto Blue Jays All-Star right-hander isn’t the least bit fazed about facing the Seattle Mariners in Friday’s wild-card opener. Still, with his combination of performance and big game poise, Manoah was Toronto’s clear-cut choice to take the ball in the opener. “It feels like he’s been ready for this moment since he signed,” interim Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Manoah. “He’s doing great,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. The Blue Jays have a playoff-seasoned veteran in outfielder George Springer, who was World Series MVP for Houston in 2017.

There’s a whole lot riding on Alek Manoah’s first career playoff start, but the Toronto Blue Jays All-Star right-hander isn’t the least bit fazed about facing the Seattle Mariners in Friday’s wild-card opener.

The entire Major League Baseball playoff picture is now set.

The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed baseball’s last playoff ticket, and Bryce Harper and company partied into the night.

Pitcher Robbie Ray won the standoff against Kansas City Royals reliever Luke Weaver, but lost the most as he was scheduled to start for the Seattle Mariners on the road. Ray and Weaver were teammates with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 and part of 2020. pic.twitter.com/d1W8NckoMO — Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 25, 2022Weaver did move first, eliciting a cheer from the Mariners dugout for their mini victory. pic.twitter.com/u9gBwgrglr — Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 25, 2022The Royals led, 2-1, through three innings before both escalated it into a football score. Weaver has a 6.43 ERA in 11 appearances since the Royals acquired him in a trade with the Diamondbacks in July.

SEATTLE — (AP) — Seattle Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray has not allowed a hit to the Washington Nationals through six innings on Tuesday. Ray has faced one batter over the minimum. Ray has issued a pair of walks but was able to pick off Alex Call at first base to end the fourth inning. Ray also walked Cesar Hernandez on four pitches in the fifth inning, but he was stranded at third after Riley Adams struck out. Ray has struck out six, including C.J.

Seattle Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray has not allowed a hit to the Washington Nationals through six innings.

Yankees Mariners Baseball Seattle Mariners' Carlos Santana tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Seattle. Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 45th homer of the season for the Yankees, who have lost eight of 10. With the Yankees leading the AL East and Seattle in the first AL wild-card spot, the teams could meet again in the playoffs. Mariners: Seattle remains hopeful CF Julio Rodriguez (wrist) will be activated off the injured list before Friday’s series opener in Texas. Mariners: Seattle has not announced its rotation for the series at Texas that begins Friday.

Carlos Santana snapped an 0-for-17 slump with a go-ahead two-run homer during Seattle’s three-run seventh inning, and the Mariners rallied to beat the slumping New York Yankees 4-3.

APTOPIX Yankees Mariners Baseball Seattle Mariners' Luis Torrens, center, is greeted by teammates Mitch Haniger, left, and J.P. Crawford, right, after Torrens hit a walk-off RBI single to give the Mariners a 1-0 win over the New York Yankees in a 13-inning baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Seattle. Cal Raleigh singled off Jonathan Loáisiga (1-3) and advanced Suárez from second to third. The lack of runs left Castillo and Cole out of the decision on a night when both deserved a victory. Mariners: LHP Robbie Ray (8-8, 3.96) faces the Yankees for the first time since leaving the AL East. He allowed one run over seven innings in his last outing.

Pinch-hitter Luis Torrens singled with one out in the 13th inning to score Eugenio Suárez, and the Seattle Mariners beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in a game dominated by the starting pitching of Gerrit Cole and Luis Castillo.

Mariners Astros Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. Verlander (14-3) allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings and allowed five hits with five strikeouts and outdueled Seattle's Robbie Ray, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner. Verlander allowed just three earned runs in four starts and 26 2/3 innings in July. He has been hit hard by Houston this season, giving up 14 runs in 10 2/3 innings in three starts. Astros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. continues to make progress in his rehab from a forearm strain in the offseason.

Houston ace Justin Verlander, who leads the major leagues in wins, takes a 13-3 record and 1.86 ERA into his start Friday against visiting Seattle.

Here are some changes that I expect to happen in the second half, and their potential impact on fantasy leagues. With the Angels lineup lacking depth, Ward will need to earn his counting stats in the second half. Corbin Burnes will lead the Majors in ERA, WHIP and strikeoutsI have gone on record repeatedly this season, predicting that Burnes will be the No. I like Rogers as a buy-low option on the fantasy trade market right now. My prediction is that Acuña races his way to the steals title and ranks among the top-five overall players during the second half.

The only time the Mariners had a longer winning streak was their team-record 15 in row in 2001, their last playoff season. Atlanta has the only longer streak in the big leagues this season with 14 consecutive wins last month. Ray (8-6) allowed three runs, on those two Texas homers, while matching his season high for strikeouts. Ray had 10 such games last season when the lefty won the AL Cy Young Award while pitching for Toronto. Texas right-hander Spencer Howard (1-1, 8.04) is 1-3 with a 9.95 ERA in his seven career games (six starts) at Globe Life Field.

Robbie Ray struck out 12 without a walk over 6 2/3 innings, rookie All-Star center fielder Julio Rodríguez hit a grand slam and the Seattle Mariners have their longest winning streak in more than two decades, beating the Texas Rangers 8-3 for their 12th win in a row.

There were 15 MLB players who signed new contracts worth $100 million or more before this season.

Los Angeles will be well represented in the July 19 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

Angels Mariners Baseball Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Ted S. Warren)SEATTLE — (AP) — Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray has pitched six hitless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Ray has been off to a rocky start in his first season with Seattle on a $115 million, five-year deal. Ray struck out a pair of batters in the second and third innings, and then struck out the side in the fifth, with Brandon Marsh, Juan Lagares, and Andrew Velazaquez all going down swinging. Los Angeles Angels rookie Reid Detmers tossed one against Tampa Bay on May 10.

Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray has pitched six hitless innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Mariners Astros Baseball Both dugouts empty and umpires try to keep order after Seattle Mariners batter Ty France was hit by a pitch from Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 6, 2022, in Houston. Players and coaches on both sides began chirping at each other, and Servais led the way as Seattle's bench emptied to confront the Astros near home palte. Rodríguez hit a two-run homer and J.P. Crawford walked before Neris was ejected after throwing a pitch behind Eugenio Suarez’s head. Raleigh’s three-run homer gave Seattle a 4-1 lead in the second inning, but the Astros scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Mariners starter Robbie Ray (5-6) allowed eight hits and four runs — three earned — while walking three in five innings.

Mariners manager Scott Servais was ejected for his role in a benches-clearing scuffle in the ninth inning of Seattle’s 7-4 win over the Houston Astros, a game in which Cal Raleigh had a career-high four RBIs and Julio Rodriguez hit a late two-run shot.

Mike Trout is mired in the worst slump of his brilliant career and the Angels are one loss from matching their longest skid in 34 years.

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Monday:.

Mariners Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story looks to the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Boston. Former Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, a member of Boston's 2013 World Series champions, was seated atop the Monster. “My first grand slam as a Red Sox, that was something I thought was pretty special. Red Sox: To make room for Wacha, RHP Ryan Brasier was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Red Sox: RHP Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 2.43) is set to start.

Trevor Story hit a grand slam over the Green Monster and into the hands of a former Red Sox player a night after hitting three over Fenway Park’s fabled left field wall to leading Boston to a 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Mariners Red Sox Baseball Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story tosses his bat while watching his three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (Charles Krupa)BOSTON — (AP) — Trevor Story had three homers, four hits and seven RBIs to help the Boston Red Sox rally from a four-run deficit to beat the Seattle Mariners 12-6 Thursday night. The Red Sox got four scoreless innings of relief from Tanner Houck (3-3) after Seattle roughed up starter Rich Hill over the first two innings for a 4-0 lead. Red Sox: LHP Darwinzon Hernandez had surgery Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Red Sox: RHP Michael Wacha is expected to be reinstated from the injured list and make his first start since May 3.

Trevor Story had three homers, four hits and seven RBIs to help the Boston Red Sox rally from a four-run deficit to beat the Seattle Mariners 12-6.

Mariners Mets Baseball Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) throws against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. Ray pitched against the Mets in New York on Sunday, then remained in the U.S. while teammates traveled to Canada for Monday's series opener. There was no locker for Ray in the Mariners’ clubhouse in Toronto. Manager Scott Servais said Ray will rejoin the team in Boston on Thursday for a four-game series against the Red Sox. Elías signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on April 1.

Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray isn’t joining Seattle for a series in Toronto this week, missing a chance to celebrate the Cy Young Award he won with the Blue Jays last season amid border restrictions related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Phillies star Bryce Harper is scheduled to get a platelet-rich plasma injection to help with a small tear in his right elbow, causing him to miss the series finale at Dodger Stadium.

Twins Orioles Baseball Minnesota Twins' Carlos Correa follows through on a swing against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins dodged a major problem this past week. Correa was just 4 for 30 through his first eight games with the Twins, but the star shortstop has hit .313 since then. Here's a look at how some of the other big free agent movers are doing so far:Freddie Freeman, Dodgers. A loss Sunday to Philadelphia was his first in his last 25 starts with the Nationals, Dodgers and Mets.

Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins dodged a major problem this past week.

Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodríguez gets a look at his former teammates when he pitches against Boston at Comerica Park.

Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodríguez gets a look at his former teammates when he pitches against Boston at Comerica Park.

Rachel Balkovec is set to become the first woman to manage a minor league affiliate of a major league team Friday when her Class-A Tampa Tarpons in the New York Yankees’ organization face the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the Florida State League.

Yankees Balkovec Back Baseball FILE - New York Yankees minor league hitting coach Rachel Balkovec speaks to reporters during the Major League Baseball winter meetings, on Dec. 10, 2019, in San Diego. New York Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec is back on the field, Saturday, April 2, 2022 a week after she was hit in the face by a batted ball during a drill. The Yankees announced her hiring as a minor league manager in January. NEW DIGSFreddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Kris Bryant are some other stars ready to debut for their new teams. After batting .229 over two minor league seasons, Wilson did an end-around on baseball and chose the gridiron option.

Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks is set to deliver the first pitch of the season against Corbin Burnes and Milwaukee at Wrigley Field just past 2:20 p.m. EDT, the first of seven games still on the calendar amid rainy forecasts across the country.

There's a lot to catch up on from a bizarre baseball offseason before the 2022 season officially begins with first pitch at Wrigley Field.

The Giants' Opening Day baseball game is next Friday against the Miami Marlins. The Guardians make their regular-season debut in Kansas City with ace Shane Bieber on the mound against Zack Greinke. Cincinnati right-hander Hunter Greene — who was up to 104 mph at Triple-A last year — will start a game over the weekend. Boston newcomer Trevor Story gets his first taste of baseball's biggest rivalry as his Red Sox face the New York Yankees. Freeman's replacement, Matt Olson, plays his first regular-season game with his hometown Braves after being acquired in a trade from Oakland.

Many familiar faces with impressive resumes are in new places following one of major league baseball’s wildest free agent frenzies.

Diamondbacks Spring Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Caleb Smith throws on the first day of baseball spring training, Friday, March 11, 2022, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)ORLANDO, Fla. — No more counterproposals. Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball’s biggest stars are due at spring training Sunday for the first official day of preseason training following the end of Major League Baseball’s 99-day labor lockout. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report a month ago, but camps across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues remained closed while players and owners squabbled over the sport’s economics. A deal was reached Thursday, and now pitchers and hitters are ramping up for four weeks of mad-dash preparations ahead of a 162-game season that starts April 7. With so little time left before opening day, big leaguers figure there will be more action in those games than fans might be accustomed to in the early days of spring training.

Giants Spring Baseball San Francisco Giants' grounds keepers prepare the baseball field at Scottsdale Stadium, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Scottsdale, Ariz. in preparation for the upcoming first day of workouts. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report a month ago, but camps across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues remained closed while players and owners squabbled over the sport’s economics. Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray left Toronto for Seattle, and the Blue Jays replaced him with former Giant Kevin Gausman. ... Sunday marks the beginning of the end for Molina, who plans to retire after the 2022 season, his 19th with the Cardinals. ___Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and the rest of baseball’s biggest stars are due at spring training Sunday for the first official day of preseason training following the end of Major League Baseball’s 99-day labor lockout.

SEATTLE — (AP) — AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners finalized their $115 million, five-year contract Tuesday night. A left-handed power pitcher, he topped the majors in strikeouts and led the American League in ERA, games started and innings pitched. “Adding our league’s reigning Cy Young Award winner is exciting,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. Ray was the clear choice for the Cy Young Award, earning 29 of 30 first-place votes to easily outpace New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Ray turned down an $18.4 million qualifying offer from Toronto, so the Mariners will forfeit a draft pick as compensation for signing him.

The Cubs also added a backstop, agreeing with Yan Gomes on a $13 million, two-year deal. Tampa Bay signed lefty reliever Brooks Raley to a $10 million, two-year deal with a club option for 2024. More than 30 players agreed to contracts in the hours before the deadline for teams to offer deals to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters. Atlanta shortstop Orlando Arcia was the only player to get a multiyear deal, a $3 million, two-year contract. He gets $1.6 million next season and $1.3 million in 2023, and the Braves have a $2 million option for 2024 with a $100,000 buyout.

In each of the past two offseasons, pitcher Kevin Gausman spurned free agent advances from the Toronto Blue Jays and general manager Ross Atkins.

AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners have finalized their $115 million, five-year contract.

Javier Báez agreed to bring his high motor to the Motor City, while other teams around the majors raced to finish up business before Tuesday’s deadline to tender contracts and a likely roster freeze coming when baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires Wednesday.

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.

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

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 Wednesday. In the Year of the Pitcher, Burnes led the majors with a 2.43 ERA and Ray topped the AL at 2.84. Ray became the first Toronto pitcher to win since the late Roy Halladay in 2003. Burnes was 11-5 and fanned 234 in 167 innings while becoming an All-Star for the NL Central champion Brewers. Ray became the fifth Blue Jays pitcher to win the Cy Young, along Halladay, Roger Clemens in 1997-98 and Pat Hentgen in 1996.

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.

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.

Trea Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston’s Yuli Gurriel won their first batting titles in a season of boom and bust that saw four teams lose 100 games for only the third time, and four 90-game winners in the AL East alone.

Yankees Blue Jays Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Robbie Ray (38) during the the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — Aaron Judge hit two of New York's five home runs and the Yankees extended their AL wild-card lead by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 Thursday night. The Yankees are two games ahead of Boston and idle Seattle, both 89-70, after the Red Sox lost to last-place Baltimore 6-2 earlier Thursday. Blue Jays: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was held out of the lineup after playing the past two games because of soreness in his right hand. UP NEXTBlue Jays LHP Steven Matz (13-7, 3.88) starts Friday as the Blue Jays open a three-game home series against Baltimore.

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

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

Rays Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Robbie Ray pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Shane Baz, who will be making his major league debut after pitching for the United States at the Olympics, starts for Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays hold the second spot in the AL wild-card race, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees. Ray is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 10 starts since a July 21 loss to Boston. Freddy Peralta (9-4, 2.69 ERA) starts the opener for Milwaukee.

Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray leads the majors with 233 strikeouts, tops the AL with a 2.64 ERA and is 12-5 going into this start at Tampa Bay.

Considered by many the leading candidate for AL MVP, he has struck out 135 and allowed just 79 hits in 112 innings. Ohtani got a no-decision in a start at Houston on May 11, striking out 10 in seven innings. Lefty Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.08 ERA) starts for Houston in the opener of the three-game series. Tyler Mahle (11-5, 3.76 ERA) starts the opener for Cincinnati against Jon Lester (5-6, 4.89 ERA). The sputtering Reds have dropped eight of 11, and the Cardinals are coming off two straight wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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.

Considered by many the leading candidate for AL MVP, he has struck out 135 and allowed just 79 hits in 112 innings. Ohtani got a no-decision in a start at Houston on May 11, striking out 10 in seven innings. Lefty Framber Valdez (9-5, 3.08 ERA) starts for Houston in the opener of the three-game series. Tyler Mahle (11-5, 3.76 ERA) starts the opener for Cincinnati against Jon Lester (5-6, 4.89 ERA). The sputtering Reds have dropped eight of 11, and the Cardinals are coming off two straight wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Big league home run leader Shohei Ohtani is unbeaten in his last 13 starts going into this outing for the Los Angeles Angels against the AL West-leading Astros in Houston.

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

Max Stassi hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Angels overcome an eight-run deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers 13-10 on Thursday.

Shohei Ohtani pitched six innings of three-hit ball to win his third consecutive start, and he also doubled and scored an early run in the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

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).

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The Toronto Blue Jays were given approval from the Canadian government on Friday for an exemption on border restrictions that would allow them to play in Canada later this month.

The Toronto Blue Jays were given approval from the Canadian government on Friday for an exemption on border restrictions that would allow them to play in Canada later this month. The Blue Jays had asked the federal government to allow them to play at Rogers Centre starting July 30 and wanted a response by Friday. The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, and started this season in Dunedin, Florida, before moving to Buffalo.

Tony La Russa moved into sole possession of second on baseball’s career manager wins list, snapping a tie with John McGraw by directing the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

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.