YORDAN ALVAREZ

Astros Red Sox Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker (30) is congratulated by Yordan Alvarez (44) and Yuli Gurriel, left, after his grand slam during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Boston. José Urquidy (3-1) allowed 12 hits and four runs, including home runs to Rafael Devers and J.D. It seemed like it would be a much different night for the Red Sox after Eovaldi needed just five pitches to get Houston out in order in the first inning. BAD COMPANYAccording to MLB.com, since 1974 when inning-by-inning data started, no Red Sox pitcher had given up more than three homers in an inning. Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (1-4, 5.08) has a 2.45 ERA in his last four starts after posting a 10.03 ERA in his first three outings.

The Astros tied the MLB record for most home runs in an inning, hitting five off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi as part of a nine-run second to help Houston rout Boston 13-4.

Astros Blue Jays Baseball Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer hits a solo home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Toronto, Saturday, April 30, 2022. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP) (Jon Blacker)TORONTO — (AP) — George Springer homered twice against his former team, leading José Berríos and the Toronto Blue Jays over Houston 2-1 Saturday and snapping the Astros’ season-long winning streak at four. The Blue Jays have not lost back-to-back games since Sept. 24, 2021, an MLB-best 29-game stretch. Blue Jays: Toronto put LHP Tayler Saucedo (right hip) on the 10-day IL and recalled RHP Bowden Francis from Triple-A. UP NEXTAstros LHP Framber Valdez (1-1, 3.15) faces Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.19) in Sunday’s series finale.

Kyle Tucker hit a tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-2.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, tied a career-best with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the Houston Astros 6-0.

Angels Astros Baseball Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates with Jose Altuve after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, April 18, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Houston second baseman Jose Altuve left Monday night's 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning with a strained left hamstring. Altuve legged out an infield single with one out in the eighth and then fell to the ground past first base. He sat on the ground and threw his batting helmet into the ground as he winced in pain. Altuve said he would have tests done, but wasn't sure exactly what those would be.

Houston second baseman Jose Altuve left Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth inning with a strained left hamstring.

Justin Verlander pitched three-hit ball over eight innings for his first win since July 2020 and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 4-0.

Alex Bregman had an early RBI single and a late homer as the Astros won their 10th straight season opener. Valdez (1-0) was dominant in the late-blooming left-hander's first career start in April, striking out six and yielding one early walk. He retired 15 straight Angels after Matt Duffy’s single in the second, and exited only after Duffy's soft infield single in the seventh. Ohtani (0-1) struck out nine while pitching one-run ball into the fifth inning for the Angels, who lost their season opener for the eighth time in nine years. Michael Brantley doubled and scored on Bregman's single off Ohtani in the third.

Framber Valdez outpitched Shohei Ohtani with 6 2/3 dominant innings of two-hit ball, and the Houston Astros tied the longest opening day winning streak in major league history with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Atlanta’s 7-0 victory over Houston in Game 6 to win the World Series could mark the end of an era for the Astros.

World Series Baseball Houston Astros' Martin Maldonado celebrates after his RBI-single during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. The Braves are running out of at-bats to regain the lead and close out this World Series with a victory at home. Alvarez, the ALCS MVP, is 0 for 4 Sunday and 1 for 15 in the World Series. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)ATLANTA — (AP) — The Latest on Game 5 of the World Series (all times local):11: p.m. The Braves are running out of at-bats to regain the lead and close out this World Series with a victory at home. Alvarez, the ALCS MVP, is 0 for 4 Sunday and 1 for 15 in the World Series. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh.

World Series Baseball Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)ATLANTA — (AP) — Hall of Famer Greg Maddux threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Sunday night’s Game 5 of the World Series. Entering Game 5, Bregman had only one hit in 14 World Series at-bats (.071) with no homers and one RBI. They won eight consecutive home postseason games from Oct. 7, 1995, to Oct. 9, 1996. ASTROS' NL OUTFIELDBaker had to reconfigure his outfield for the World Series games played in Atlanta, with no designated hitter under National League rules.

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Hall of Famer Greg Maddux threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Sunday night’s Game 5 of the World Series. Maddux, wearing his Braves jersey, tipped his cap in response to an ovation from fans as he walked onto the field. Fittingly, he threw the pitch to Eddie Perez, who was often his designated catcher.

A guy who spent most of the season in the minors kept the Braves in it.

Atlanta's Dylan Lee became the first pitcher to make his first big league start in the World Series.

The Houston Astros are still waiting for all their stars to break loose after a 2-0 loss to Atlanta in Game 3 of the World Series.

World Series Baseball Houston Astros Jose Altuve, right, is high-fived by Yordan Alvarez after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Alex Bregman in the bottom of the first inning during Game 2 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 at Minute Maid Park. (Kevin M. Cox/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) (Kevin M. Cox)ATLANTA — (AP) — Houston's 7-2 win over Atlanta in World Series Game 2 drew 10,539,000 viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and Fox streaming apps. The game was seen by an average of 10,280,000 on Fox, up 13% from 9,105,000 for Tampa Bay's 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game last year, which set a record low for the World Series. Wednesday's game drew 186,741 streams, Fox said Thursday. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Atlanta Braves lefty Max Fried had a stretch in his first World Series start when he looked like the ace he has been most of the season.

Making his first start since testing positive for COVID-19, Jorge Soler became the first player to begin a World Series with a home run and the Atlanta Braves, despite the loss of pitcher Charlie Morton to a broken leg, hushed the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 1.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson scores past Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro on a sacrifice fly during the eighth inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. The Braves are three outs away from a 1-0 World Series advantage, leading 6-2 after eight innings in Game 1. Braves starter Charlie Morton, who won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series for the Astros, also struggled at the outset. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also made nice plays to limit the damage. While four batters led off the bottom of the first of a World Series opener with a home run, Soler became the first in 117 World Series to homer starting the top of the first of an opener.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves' Drew Smyly celebrates after a double during the sixth inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also made nice plays to limit the damage. ___7:30 p.m.Atlanta’s Jorge Soler has become the first batter ever to lead off a World Series with a home run. While four batters led off the bottom of the first of a World Series opener with a home run, Soler became the first in 117 World Series to homer starting the top of the first of an opener. 3:10 p.m.Jorge Soler moved up to the Atlanta Braves' leadoff spot for the opener against the Houston Astros and right-hander Charlie Morton.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson throws during the sixth inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Latest on Game 1 of the World Series (all times local):10 p.m.Luke Jackson relieved A.J. Minter and threw a scoreless sixth inning, leaving the Atlanta Braves with a 5-1 lead over the Houston Astros in the World Series opener. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also made nice plays to limit the damage. ___7:30 p.m.Atlanta’s Jorge Soler has become the first batter ever to lead off a World Series with a home run.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton is done for the World Series after leaving with a broken right calf bone in the third inning of the opener.

Jorge Soler became the first player to begin a World Series with a home run and the Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 in Tuesday night’s opener despite the loss of pitcher Charlie Morton to a broken leg.

(David J. Phillip/Associated Press )HOUSTON — World beaters or cheaters: That is how the Houston Astros are perceived by their fans and detractors as they head into Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night. In World Series play, the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and lost to the Washington Nationals in 2019. Neither team won the World Series in those years, although Houston played in the 2005 World Series and Atlanta reached the Fall Classic in 1999. For the entire World Series, the player to watch will be outfielder Yordan Alvarez, who was the MVP of the ALCS. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Photos: Braves, Astros stars work out ahead of World Series Game 1 Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton (left) and Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (right) participate in a workout prior to the start of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 25, 2021, in Houston.

The Houston Astros are in the World Series for the third time in five years.

NLCS Braves Dodgers Baseball Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman celebrates with Braves' Ozzie Albies, left, after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of baseball's National League Championship Series Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles. Braves-Astros, a lot to savor in this World Series — even a father facing his son. Because of scheduling and COVID-19, the Astros and Braves haven’t seen each other since 2017. So I think we all have the same mentality that we really want to win a World Series to demonstrate that we are just a great team,” he said. The Astros are in the World Series for the third time in five years and got there minus ace Justin Verlander, who missed the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

When Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves meet Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros, it will be a World Series that's been six decades in the making.

ALCS Red Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez celebrates after their win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Houston. The Astros won 5-0, to win the ALCS series in game six. The 24-year-old Cuban was 4—for-4 with two doubles and a triple for the Houston Astros in Friday night’s pennant-winning 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. He scored seven runs against the Red Sox and got nine hits in his last 13 at-bats, raising his postseason average to .441 with two homers and nine RBIs. “Last year at this time, we didn’t have Alvarez, and we came close to going to the Series,” Baker said.

APTOPIX ALCS Red Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly celebrates their win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Houston. The Astros advanced to the World Series for the third time in five seasons. Manager Dusty Baker's team will open the World Series on Tuesday night, either at Dodger Stadium or home against Atlanta. “Hey, I'm going back to the World Series!” Baker told a cheering crowd at Minute Maid Park. The wild-card Red Sox had runners at first and third with one out in after a single by Alex Verdugo.

ALCS Red Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez hits a triple against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning in Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Houston. The 24-year-old Cuban was 4—for-4 with two doubles and a triple for the Houston Astros in Friday night’s pennant-winning 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. After missing last year's postseason while recovering from double knee surgery, Alvarez hit an ALCS-record .522 (12 for 23) with one homer, three doubles, the triple and six RBIs in Houston’s six-game victory. He scored seven runs against the Red Sox and got nine hits in his last 13 at-bats, raising his postseason average to .441 with two homers and nine RBIs. He had surgery that Aug. 19 to repair a partially torn right patellar tendon plus a cleanup procedure on his left knee.

Two years after winning an AL Rookie of the Year Award, Yordan Alvarez has an AL Championship Series MVP to add to his trophy case.

Rookie Luis García showed the poise of an October ace, MVP Yordan Alvarez stayed hot at the plate and the Houston Astros earned yet another trip to the World Series, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.

APTOPIX ALCS Astros Red Sox Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez celebrates in the dugout after the eighth inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Boston. The Red Sox need a win to force a deciding seventh game on Saturday. The left-hander departed after retiring the Red Sox in order in the eighth — the longest outing for any starter this postseason. In all, Valdez gave up one run on three hits, one walk and a hit batter, striking out five. The Red Sox had won seven straight postseason games at home — dating to the 2018 ALCS — before blowing an eighth-inning lead on Tuesday night.

Framber Valdez gave the Houston Astros the start they were looking for.

Jose Altuve hit a tying home run in the eighth inning and the Houston offense awakened with seven runs in the ninth on Tuesday night as the Astros came back to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-2.

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.

APTOPIX ALDS White Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run double against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning in Game 2 of a baseball American League Division Series Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros are relentless at the plate and in the field. Correa hit a two-run double during Houston's five-run seventh inning, and the Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 on Friday for a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series. The White Sox grabbed a 4-2 lead with three runs in the fifth. Houston’s bullpen shut down the White Sox after the early exit by Valdez, with five relievers combining for 4 2/3 innings of four-hit ball.

Carlos Correa hit a two-run double during Houston’s five-run seventh inning, and the Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 for a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

Lance McCullers Jr. pitched scoreless ball into the seventh inning and Yordan Alvarez homered to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their best-of-five AL Division Series.

Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the 12th inning and the Houston Astros, after throwing out Shohei Ohtani at the plate to preserve a tie, broke away to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5.

Hey Siri, this was a first start to remember after all of those years working to get to the majors. Jose Siri homered twice and added a two-run single while becoming the first big league player since RBIs became official in 1920 to have two homers and five RBIs in a first career start as the AL West-leading Houston Astros overwhelmed the last-place Texas Rangers 15-1 on Monday night. “I feel really happy, I feel really proud of myself to be able to accomplish that," Siri, who finished 4 for 5 and scored three times, said through a translator.

Astros Padres Baseball San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth reacts after hitting a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in San Diego. He didn't look that way moments later when Cronenworth connected, immediately punching his glove with his right hand. The Padres celebrated at the plate with a win that put them back into the lead for the second NL wild-card spot. The Astros tied it in the seventh when Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa homered on consecutive pitches off Chris Paddack. Jose Altuve hit a leadoff double and Michael Brantley reached on a throwing error by Cronenworth at shortstop.

Jake Cronenworth hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Houston Astros 4-3 to take two of three from the AL West leaders.

Ty France tied the game with a solo home run in the ninth inning and put the Seattle Mariners on top with an RBI single in the 11th before Kyle Seager belted a three-run homer in a 6-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Rockies Astros Baseball Houston Astros' Aledmys Diaz connects for an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) (Michael Wyke)HOUSTON — (AP) — Aledmys Díaz had three hits and drove in three runs to help the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1on Wednesday. Díaz tied it with an RBI single in the first and gave the Astros the lead with a run-scoring single in the third. Díaz has has 19 hits and 14 RBIs in the last 13 games after missing about six weeks with a fractured hand. Astros: Houston is off Thursday before Zack Greinke (10-3, 3.69) will start in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Aledmys Díaz had three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Houston Astros to 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

Lance McCullers Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and the Houston Astros withstood the raucous, heckling fans at Dodger Stadium to blank Los Angeles 3-0.

Framber Valdez and the Houston bullpen took a no-hit try into the eighth inning and Astros beat Texas 4-1, sending the Rangers to their season-worst 11th straight loss.

Cole (9-4), who pitched for the Astros from 2018-2019, tied a season low in hits and struck out 12. Cole beat Houston for the first time in his third career try, giving him at least one win against every team in the majors. Cole berated Boone when he got to the mound, shouting that he wanted to face Alvarez. Boone relented, Cole punched out Alvarez on three pitches and then the Yankees All-Star let out an enormous holler. He then struck out Alvarez on three pitches, freezing him with a low 100 mph fastball for a called third strike.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole demanded on the mound that manager Aaron Boone let him get the final out, then struck out Yordan Alvarez with a 99 mph fastball on his career-high 129th pitch to cap the New York Yankees’ 1-0 win over the Houston Astros.

Maikel Franco hit a two-run homer with one out in the eighth inning, denying the Houston Astros in their attempt to throw a combined no-hitter at Baltimore.

Kyle Tucker had a season-best three hits and tied a career high with four RBIs as the Houston Astros beat former bench coach Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox 11-2.

Fernando Tatis Jr. launched a monstrous, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to tie it, Wil Myers hit a three-run drive in the 12th and the San Diego Padres beat the Houston Astros 11-8.

Shohei Ohtani’s tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning helped the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros to snap a four-game skid.

Kent Emanuel worked 8 2/3 innings in relief in his major league debut, saving Houston’s bullpen after Jake Odorizzi left early with an injury, and the Astros routed the Los Angeles Angels 16-2.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. walks out to the infield for the national anthem before Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)HOUSTON – The Houston Astros overcame injuries to several top stars and dealt with the fallout from their sign-stealing scandal to come a win shy of reaching the World Series for the third time in four seasons. The Astros fell into an 0-3 hole in the AL Championship Series before beating the Tampa Bay Rays in three straight games to force a Game 7. But their powerful offense was stifled by former Astros pitcher Charlie Morton in a 4-2 loss, and the Astros are heading home instead of to their second straight World Series. “I haven’t really thought about that yet,” the 2017 World Series MVP said.

(AP Photo/David Banks)A look at whats happening around the majors on Thursday:WELCOME BACK TO BUSCHThe St. Louis Cardinals are finally coming home. The Cardinals didnt play any games at all for a stretch of over two weeks due to a coronavirus outbreak within the organization that included star catcher Yadier Molina. Everyones still pretty excited about the fact were back out, Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong said. He homered against the Seattle Mariners in his season debut Friday but went on the injured list just three days later. A BIEBER FANClevelands Shane Bieber owns a 4-0 record and 1.30 ERA, but its his strikeout numbers that have put him in select company.

Houston Astros' Martin Maldonado hits a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON Martn Maldonado hit a three-run home run to back a strong start by Zack Greinke and help the Houston Astros to a 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. Maldonado then knocked his two-strike homer into the seats in left field to make it 5-1. San Francisco starter Trevor Cahill, who was selected to the Major League roster before the game, walked four in 1 2/3 innings. UP NEXTGiants: San Francisco is off on Thursday before Johnny Cueto (1-0, 5.40) is scheduled to start on Friday night in the first of three games against Oakland.

HOUSTON The Houston Astros spent the offseason reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. The change didnt stop the Astros from being the villains of baseball this spring. The Astros are preparing for the possibility of being without designated hitter Yordan Alvarez for the start of the season and potentially longer. The Astros are counting on McCullers to have a big season in his return after missing last season following Tommy John surgery. Tucker, who can play outfield and first base, has appeared in just 50 MLB games over the past two seasons.

HOUSTON Houston Astos shortstop Carlos Correa is so serious about not contracting the coronavirus that hes asked his wife, Daniella, a former pageant queen, to stay out of beauty salons until the season is over. When I talk to my wife she knows, he said Sunday. Were going to focus on the baseball season and once everything is done, then you can go to get your nails done and do everything else." Correas wife was Miss Texas in 2016. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks.

The Houston Astros win Game 5 of the World Series to take a 3-2 lead. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Houston Astros have taken the lead the World Series with a third straight victory over the Washington Nationals, 7-1. Houston has notched three consecutive definitive wins, all on the road, as they have come back from a 2-0 deficit against Washington to lead the series 3-2. The Nationals suffered an early blow when scheduled starting pitcher Max Scherzer was unable to play due to an irritated nerve near his neck. The series takes a day off Monday and returns to Houston on Tuesday, with Justin Verlander slated to start for the Astros and Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals.