STARLING MARTE

Rookie Nick Fortes hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 3-2.

Francisco Lindor homered after being surprised by his mom’s first visit to see him at Citi Field, Pete Alonso slugged a grand slam during an eventful sixth inning and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 10-4.

Nationals star Stephen Strasburg is set to pitch in the majors for the first time since June 1, 2021, when he starts against the Marlins in Miami on Thursday night.

Free falling toward a dreadful bit of team history, the Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday and appointed third base coach Phil Nevin to the role on an interim basis.

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the season with an all-time high $310.6 million payroll for purposes of the luxury tax and are on track to pay a record tax of nearly $47 million.

Mets Fan Great Catch Baseball Alan Alcantara holds his 1-year-old son, Levi, at the New York Mets' baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in New York. When the Mets' Starling Marte ripped a home run in Alcantara's direction Tuesday night, it didn't matter that he was holding Levi. When the Mets' Starling Marte ripped a home run in Alcantara's direction at Citi Field on Tuesday night, it didn't matter that he was holding his 1-year-old son, Levi. And we did.”The SNY broadcast captured Alcantara's catch, with stunned play-by-play man Gary Cohen asking "did he catch that?" “In Dominican Republic, we don’t all get to have gloves, so we do play baseball barehanded, so I figured I could do it.

Alan Alcantara made one of the best catches in baseball this year — from his outfield seat at Citi Field.

Cardinals Mets Baseball New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer hands the ball to manager Buck Showalter during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — Max Scherzer pulled himself from a start Wednesday night with discomfort in his left side before the New York Mets finished off an 11-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Pete Alonso homered and drove in four runs for the Mets (25-14), who improved to 13-1 following a loss. That includes eight by Cardinals pitchers in six games — the teams got into a bench-clearing melee in St. Louis last month. Bassitt pitched six innings of two-hit ball for a 3-0 win April 26 in St. Louis.

Mariners Mets Baseball New York Mets' Starling Marte slides to third base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK — (AP) — New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte was placed on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother, which came nearly two years to the day after his wife died of a heart attack. Mets manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that Marte's grandmother, Ponga Brigida, died unexpectedly. Marte was raised by his grandmother in the Dominican Republic after his mother died when he was 9. The 33-year-old Marte signed a $78 million, four-year deal with the Mets as a free agent last offseason.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte has been placed on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother, which came nearly two years to the day after his wife died of a heart attack.

Mets Phillies Baseball New York Mets' Starling Marte hits a run-scoring double against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Corey Knebel during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (Matt Slocum)PHILADELPHIA — (AP) — The New York Mets erased a six-run deficit in the ninth inning, capping the rally with Starling Marte's tiebreaking double to beat the flabbergasted Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 Thursday night. With the Mets trailing 7-1, Marte led off the inning with an infield single against James Norwood and scored on Francisco Lindor's two-run homer. Davis had a pinch-hit RBI double to rally the NL East-leading Mets. Harper had an RBI double, J.T.

The New York Mets erased a six-run deficit in the ninth inning, capping the rally with Starling Marte’s tiebreaking double to beat the flabbergasted Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 Thursday night.

Giants Mets Baseball San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb, left, cannot handle the ball as New York Mets runner Starling Marte (6) scores on a wild pitch during the first inning of the first game of a baseball double-header Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in New York. Replays showed Alonso just barely held the base with his right foot — Alonso jumped for joy when a freeze frame appeared on the video board — and umpires overruled the safe call. The Mets nearly ended it in the ninth, when Giants closer Camilo Doval walked Eduardo Escobar and Robinson Canó leading off the ninth. Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (right shoulder) will have a new round of imaging taken next Monday. UP NEXTA showdown of aces in the nightcap, with Giants RHP Logan Webb (1-0, 1.29 ERA) facing Mets RHP Max Scherzer (2-0, 3.27), making his first home start in Queens.

Diamondbacks Mets Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Sergio Alcantara hits a two-run home run off New York Mets relief pitcher Seth Lugo (67) in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Sergio Alcantara snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, Ketel Marte added an RBI double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 3-2 Saturday. New York won that series finale the next day and swept three-game sets in 2018, 2019 and 2021 before winning Friday’s opener. Seth Beer led off with an infield single against Rodriguez, and Lugo struck out Carson Kelly before Alcantara homered to right field. LONG ENOUGHOnly two other teams have endured longer road losing streaks against the Mets than the Diamondbacks.

Sergio Alcantara snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, Ketel Marte added an RBI double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 3-2.

Diamondbacks Mets Baseball New York Mets' Starling Marte hits a three-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Caleb Smith in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered from both sides of the plate to back another stingy start from newcomer Chris Bassitt, and the New York Mets routed the sloppy Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 in their home opener Friday. New York has won 11 in a row against the Diamondbacks at Citi Field, outscoring Arizona 68-21. It was an auspicious start to 2022 at Citi Field after he was often booed last year during a miserable first season with the Mets. New York starters are 6-0 this season, and the Mets improved to 40-21 in home openers — including 10-4 at Citi Field.

Francisco Lindor homered from both sides of the plate to back another stingy start from newcomer Chris Bassitt, and the New York Mets routed the sloppy Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 in their home opener.

Pete Alonso drove in five runs to help the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 in the finale of their three-game series.

Francisco Lindor wasn’t the franchise-altering shortstop the New York Mets were hoping for last season.

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

Major League Baseball payrolls dropped 4% in 2021 compared to the league’s last full season, and the $4.05 billion total was the lowest in a fully completed year since 2015.

Buck Showalter has been hired as manager of the New York Mets, bringing him back to the Big Apple to take over his fifth major league team.

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 negotiations tells The Associated Press that Max Scherzer has agreed to a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets.

The New York Mets have bolstered their lineup with three free-agent deals, adding speedy center fielder Starling Marte to go along with Mark Canha and All-Star infielder Eduardo Escobar.

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

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.

Athletics Mariners Baseball Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (Elaine Thompson)SEATTLE — (AP) — Mitch Haniger hit two identical three-run homers and the Seattle Mariners gained precious ground in the AL wild-card race with a 13-4 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. Seth Brown gave Oakland starter Cole Irvin (10-15) a 3-0 lead with a three-run homer in the first — part of four consecutive hits by the A’s. Sheffield was moved to the bullpen after returning this month from a stint on the injured list due to a strained left forearm. TRAINER’S ROOMAthletics: OF Starling Marte (strained left lat) and 2B Josh Harrison (strained quad) are both day-to-day after aggravating injuries Sunday.

Mitch Haniger hit two identical three-run homers and the Seattle Mariners gained precious ground in the AL wild-card race with a 13-4 win over the Oakland Athletics.

APTOPIX Pirates Cubs Baseball Chicago Cubs' Frank Schwindel, left, celebrates with Alfonso Rivas, center, after hitting the game-winning single as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings looks down in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. The Cubs won 7-6. The 29-year-old homered into Wrigley Field’s video board, then hustled for a game-ending RBI single Saturday in a 7-6 win over Pittsburgh. Chicago has won five in a row and the Pirates have lost five straight. He’s hit .346 and has been safe on all 20 of his steal attempts in 32 games for the playoff conteders.

Rookie Frank Schwindel is hitting.

Giants Athletics Baseball Oakland Athletics' Starling Marte gestures toward teammates after hitting an RBI double against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)OAKLAND, Calif. — (AP) — Josh Harrison hit a two-run single, Starling Marte added an RBI double, and the Oakland Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Friday night. Mike Yastrzemski homered for San Francisco. As Marte stole third, Jose Alvarez’s throw bounced past third baseman Wilmer Flores and into foul territory, and Marte scored easily. He had been unbeaten in 11 starts following a San Francisco loss.

Josh Harrison hit a two-run single, Starling Marte added an RBI double, and the Oakland Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 4-1 on Friday night.

Miguel Cabrera’s next attempt to reach 500 career home runs comes Wednesday night at home in Detroit against Shohei Ohtani and the Angels.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Chris Bassitt was carted off the field after he was struck on the side of the head by a line drive.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a grand slam and Alex Jackson added a three-run homer as the Miami Marlins tied a team record by scoring 11 times in the second inning during a 14-10 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Rangers Tigers Baseball Texas Rangers designated hitter Joey Gallo is greeted in the dugout after scoring during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Detroit. The New York Yankees made Wednesday’s biggest splash, reaching a deal to get All-Star slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers. Turner was among the four players who tested positive. Manager Dave Martinez said all but one of those who tested positive have been vaccinated. The Cardinals announced he had a bruised forearm and is day to day.

The baseball trade deadline is fast approaching, and teams are starting to get busy before Friday’s 4 p.m. EDT cutoff.

Marlins Athletics Trade Baseball FILE - Miami Marlins' Starling Marte plays during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia, in this Tuesday, June 29, 2021, file photo. Outfielder Starling Marte was traded Wednesday, July 28, 2021, by the Miami Marlins to the Oakland Athletics for left-hander Jesus Luzardo. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) (Matt Slocum)MIAMI — (AP) — Buried in last place in the NL East, the Miami Marlins made an impact on the AL West race with two trades Wednesday. Miami sent right-handed reliever Yimi García to the Houston Astros, and traded outfielder Starling Marte to the Oakland Athletics. The Marlins made the deal after they were unable to reach an agreement with Marte on a contract extension.

Buried in last place in the NL East, the Miami Marlins have made an impact on the AL West race with two trades.

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.

Marlins starter Pablo López was ejected after plunking Ronald Acuña Jr. with his first pitch, leading to the only run as the Atlanta Braves edged Miami 1-0.

Christian Arroyo hit a two-run single in Boston’s three-run fourth inning, and the Red Sox took advantage of Miami’s shoddy play to hold off the Marlins 5-3 for their fifth straight victory.

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.

Rookie Khalil Lee hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the 12th inning for his first major league hit after strikeouts in his first eight at-bats and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 6-5.

Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is uncertain for the opener of a two-game series at Yankee Stadium after an MRI revealed a mild abdominal strain.

Marcus Stroman was unhappy that the New York Mets began their game against the Miami Marlins in a steady rain, and he lasted just nine pitches before play was stopped.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a stunning homer off an otherwise dominant Jacob deGrom, Trevor Rogers beat the two-time Cy Young Award winner for the second time and the Miami Marlins three-hit the New York Mets 3-0.

The Padres said Tatis had discomfort in his non-throwing left shoulder and would be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Corbin Burnes turned in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits. Jon Lester allowed one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings in his second start of the spring for Washington. He gave up five hits, hit two batters and struck out three. PADRES 5, REDS 4MacKenzie Gore worked 3 2/3 innings in his third start for San Diego, allowing two runs on 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.

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler, left, and catcher Chad Wallach (17) celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of a National League wild-card baseball series Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Chicago. The Marlins won the series 2-0 to advance to the division series. Miami will face Atlanta in the NL Division Series in Houston starting Tuesday. Led by manager Don Mattingly and CEO Derek Jeter, the Marlins remained unbeaten in all seven postseason series they have played following triumphs in the 1997 and 2003 NL Championship and World Series. In Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, fan Steve Bartman deflected Luis Castillo’s foul ball as Cubs left fielder Moises Alou tried to make a leaping catch, which led to an eight-run, eighth-inning rally.

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___TRY AGAINThe Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. The ace right-hander was a steady presence for the Cubs throughout the pandemic-shortened season, joining the NL Cy Young Award conversation. The Marlins will counter with 22-year-old Sixto Sánchez, who debuted Aug. 22 and posted a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. “That’s the thing.”The Braves won’t play again until Tuesday, when they’ll open an NL Division Series against either the Cubs or Marlins in Houston.

The Marlins are hoping center fielder Starling Marte can play through a broken bone in his left hand as they try to eliminate the Cubs at Wrigley Field. To do it, the Braves might need to make a whole lot more contact at the plate than they did Wednesday while beating the Reds 1-0 in 13 innings — the first postseason game to be scoreless after 11. They’ll be up against Luis Castillo (4-6, 3.21), who makes his first career playoff start for the Reds. He was out for a second straight playoff game because of a sprained right foot that kept him out of the final three games of the regular season. Wainwright closed out the Padres at Petco Park in their previous postseason appearance in 2006.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO – The Miami Marlins just kept fighting. Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer off a fading Hendricks in the seventh inning, and Miami beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 of their NL wild-card series. The Marlins, who rallied past the Cubs in a memorable NLCS that year, have never lost a playoff series. Yu Darvish starts for the Central champion Cubs, and rookie right-hander Sixto Sánchez get the ball for upstart Miami. “It’s going to be great.”Darvish is making his first playoff appearance since signing with Chicago before the 2018 season.

Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to earn a playoff birth Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. That’s when the Brewers, at 29-31, open their series against Los Angeles ace Walker Buehler at Dodger Stadium. In a win-and-you’re-in game, St. Louis clinched by beating Milwaukee 5-2. That’s how you see it,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. St. Louis played a total of 58 games — it was prepared for a doubleheader in Detroit on Monday if needed to settle the playoff picture.

Miami Marlins' Starling Marte celebrates as he rounds first base after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI Starling Marte celebrated his Miami debut with a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning, helping the Marlins top the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Tuesday night. He learned of his trade to the Blue Jays during Miamis game at New York on Monday afternoon. TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (sprained right knee) took ground balls, hit in the cage and ran sprints. UP NEXTBlue Jays: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (2-1, 2.97 ERA) will face the Marlins in the series finale Wednesday.

The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted list to make his season debut for Minnesota. RAYS UPAfter a decade spent chasing their big-budget AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays are pummeling the New York Yankees. Washington slugger Juan Soto has 11 homers in just 24 games played this season after going deep twice Monday night.

The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted list to make his season debut for Minnesota. RAYS UPAfter a decade spent chasing their big-budget AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays are pummeling the New York Yankees. Washington slugger Juan Soto has 11 homers in just 24 games played this season after going deep twice Monday night.

Rangers slugger Joey Gallo and Diamondbacks center fielder Starling Marte might also be trade targets. Chicago is tied with Cleveland for the division lead, while the Twins are 1 games back after losing five straight. Houston is scheduled to open a three-game series against Texas beginning Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. UNDEFEATEDWith four weeks left in this pandemic-shortened season, a pair of leading Cy Young Award contenders are on the mound against last-place teams. Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.35 ERA), with 75 strikeouts and nine walks in 46 2/3 innings this season, starts for Cleveland at Kansas City.

Rangers slugger Joey Gallo and Diamondbacks center fielder Starling Marte might also be trade targets. Chicago is tied with Cleveland for the division lead, while the Twins are 1 games back after losing five straight. Houston is scheduled to open a three-game series against Texas beginning Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. UNDEFEATEDWith four weeks left in this pandemic-shortened season, a pair of leading Cy Young Award contenders are on the mound against last-place teams. Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.35 ERA), with 75 strikeouts and nine walks in 46 2/3 innings this season, starts for Cleveland at Kansas City.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger delivers in the first inning in a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in Cleveland. Mike Clevinger, Starling Marte, Archie Bradley and Todd Frazier were on the move. Baseball's pandemic-delayed trade deadline was quite a day. The contending Padres got Clevinger in a multiplayer trade with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation Monday in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus.

(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.