Toronto Blue Jays prospect Alek Manoah produced six scoreless innings in a history-making MLB debut against the New York Yankees on Thursday.

Manoah was scheduled to make his highly anticipated bow on Wednesday, but those plans were pushed back a day due to the forecast of inclement weather in New York midweek.

In the opening game of a doubleheader, Manoah dominated the Yankees with six innings of two-hit ball as the Blue Jays won 2-0 behind back-to-back homers from Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette.

Manoah struck out seven batters and walked two as he became the only pitcher in Blue Jays history with six-plus scoreless innings and seven or more strikeouts on debut.

The 23-year-old also became the second Blue Jays starting pitcher to throw six scoreless innings in his debut after Mauro Gozzo in 1989.

"I just want to take it all in, and just really enjoy the moment," Manoah said. "Obviously. there's another outing in five days, so I got to get ready for that, but just for today, just want to hug my whole family and I think that's what I'm going to enjoy the most ,is how many people came out to see me, called off [work] sick, made excuses whatever the case may be.

"They made sure to be here, so I think that's what I'll remember the most."

Toronto lost the second game 5-3 as Aaron Judge's two-run homer inspired the Yankees in the American League (AL) East showdown.

 

Bassitt's two-hitter lifts A's

Chris Bassitt tossed a gem as the Oakland Athletics blanked the Los Angeles Angels 5-0. A's ace Bassitt pitched a two-hitter for his first career complete game. Bassitt struck out nine and walked one.

World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted rivals the San Francisco Giants 4-3 behind Max Muncy's solo homer in the sixth inning. It snapped the Giants' seven-game road winning streak.

 

Orioles lose… again

The Baltimore Orioles' skid continued following a 5-1 loss at the hands of the high-flying Chicago White Sox. Baltimore have now lost 10 consecutive games.

 

Baez's magic act

Javier Baez produced a stunning moment of magic to help the Chicago Cubs trump the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3. With two outs in the top of the third inning, Baez appeared stranded after grounding to Erik Gonzalez. The throw to first base was wide but a tag to Baez was readied. That prompted Baez to retreat to home plate. Pittsburgh made a mess of the situation as Willson Contreras rounded third in the meantime before Baez taking off for first plate and eventually second following another wild throw.

 

Thursday's results

Washington Nationals 5-3 Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Washington Nationals
New York Mets 1-0 Colorado Rockies
New York Mets 4-2 Colorado Rockies
Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Miami Marlins
Chicago Cubs 5-3 Pittsburgh Pirates
Cleveland Indians 5-2 Detroit Tigers
Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 San Diego Padres
Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 Kansas City Royals
Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 New York Yankees
New York Yankees 5-3 Toronto Blue Jays
Chicago White Sox 5-1 Baltimore Orioles
Oakland Athletics 5-0 Los Angeles Angels
St Louis Cardinals 5-4 Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners 5-0 Texas Rangers

 

Angels at Athletics

The Angels (22-28) and Athletics (30-22) will lock horns again in Oakland on Friday. Two-way Angels star Shohei Ohtani will take to the mound after being scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday due to traffic, which prevent him from making it in time to the ballpark for his regular pre-game routine. The A's counter with Sean Manaea.

Trevor Bauer was centre of attention as the Los Angeles Dodgers' eight-game winning streak came to an end with a 5-2 defeat to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Bauer publicly labelled the Astros as "hypocrites" and "cheaters" in February last year in light of the MLB sign-stealing scandal.

There was no love lost for Dodgers ace Bauer, who was silenced by the Astros in Houston midweek

The Astros were led by Jose Altuve's lead-off solo home run, his sixth of the season.

With both sides tied at 1-1 at the bottom of the sixth inning, Carlos Correa homered for the Astros.

Bauer managed only three strikeouts across six innings, with four hits but he walked a season-high four, before the Astros brought in three runs in the seventh inning from Nate Jones.

Albert Pujols came in late for World Series champions the Dodgers but could not produce any heroics as their winning run was halted.

 

Rays back among winners with walkoff

The Tampa Bay Rays – World Series participants during last season's coronavirus-shortened campaign – returned to winning ways. After their 11-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday, the Rays recorded a 2-1 walk-off triumph over the Kansas City Royals. Tyler Glasnow starred on the mound for the Rays with 11 strikeouts across eight shut-out innings. It was the sixth game this season that Glasnow has had 10 or more strikeouts, surpassing Gerrit Cole and Shane Bieber. Glasnow has tallied 10-plus strikeouts and allowed five hits or fewer in all five home starts this season. According to Stats Perform, the only other pitcher in the modern era to do so was Johan Santana in 2004.

The in-form San Diego Padres made it 11 wins from their past 12 games with a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th inning. While the Brewers lost, they now have three home runs by pitchers in a season for the first time since 2011.

Miguel Sano's three-run homer guided the Minnesota Twins past the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 for a three-game sweep.

A pair of Tommy Edman home runs fuelled the St Louis Cardinals, who upstaged the high-flying Chicago White Sox 4-0 to avoid a three-game sweep.

 

Shildt ejected after hat-swap request

There was an ugly incident between the Cardinals and White Sox when St Louis manager Mike Shildt was ejected. Shildt was sent from the dugout after pitcher Giovanny Gallegos was told by umpire Joe West to swap his hat as it allegedly had a foreign substance on it. Shildt was incensed and came out arguing, leading to his ejection.

 

Homer history in Angels-Rangers

Justin Upton hit his first-ever lead-off home run on Tuesday and he backed that up with another in the Los Angeles Angels' 9-8 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. It was Upton's 10th home run of the season. Adolis Garcia also homered for Texas, scoring the most in a month by a rookie in Rangers history.

 

Wednesday's results

Minnesota Twins 3-2 Baltimore Orioles
St Louis Cardinals 4-0 Chicago White Sox
Oakland Athletics 6-3 Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels 9-8 Texas Rangers
Chicago Cubs 4-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Miami Marlins 4-2 Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers 1-0 Cleveland Indians
San Diego Padres 2-1 Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros 5-2 Los Angeles Dodgers
Boston Red Sox 9-5 Atlanta Braves
San Francisco Giants 5-4 Arizona Diamondbacks
New York Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays (postponed)
New York Mets-Colorado Rockies (postponed)
Washington Nationals-Cincinnati Reds (suspended)

 

Blue Jays at Yankees

The New York Yankees (28-20) will look to resume their series against the Toronto Blue Jays (24-23) following Wednesday's postponement with an American League (AL) East doubleheader, weather permitting on Thursday. Top Blue Jays prospect Alek Manoah will make his debut in the opening game, with the Yankees countering with Domingo German.

The Tampa Bay Rays' 11-game winning streak ended as they went down 2-1 to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday in the MLB.

With veteran Rich Hill on the mound, the Rays were exceptional in the outfield in the early innings with Austin Meadows and Kevin Kiermaier pulling off spectacular catches from Andrew Benintendi.

Hill, at the cherry ripe age of 41, tossed down 13 strikeouts across seven innings for the Rays.

But the Royals got their go-ahead run in the sixth inning when Cam Gallagher touched down from Salvador Perez's hit.

Shohei Ohtani hit his 15th homerun of the season, a 117 mph rocket, as the Los Angeles Angels won 11-5 over the Texas Rangers, while the San Diego Padres made it 10 wins from their past 11 with a 7-1 victory at the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Guerrero moves to 16, DeGrom returns

Vladimir Guerrero moved into the outright lead for most homeruns this season in the Toronto Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the New York Yankees.

Guerrero hit his 16th homer of the 2021 MLB season in the third inning, as Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber started for the first time since last week's no-hitter.

Kluber only sent down 58 pitches across three innings, allowing his first hit in 39 batters, before being hastily replaced by Michael King, with fears of a shoulder injury.

The result ended the Blue Jays' six-game losing streak too.

Jacob deGrom returned for his first game since April 28 with ride side tightness and pitched five innings with nine strikeouts as the New York Mets won 3-1 over the Colorado Rockies.

It was not a perfect return for deGrom, allowing only his third homerun of the season, when Ryan McMahon homered in the second inning. It was the first he has allowed in the strike zone too.

Right-hander Edwin Diaz stepped up to finish the job for the Mets with three strikeouts, sending down a 100 mph pitch on the corner to end the game.

Max Scherzer was on song for the Washington Nationals but it was not enough for victory as the Cincinnati Reds triumphed 2-1 with Kyle Farmer and Eugenio Suarez homeruns.

Scherzer pitched seven innings and had nine strikeouts, including eight out of the strike zone.

 

Jack's rough high school reunion

Harvard-Westlake pals Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito reunited in the Chicago White Sox's 8-3 win over the St Louis Cardinals. Flaherty had started with an 8-0 record in his first eight appearances for the Cardinals but that came to an end in a hard day, including a wild pitch to Yermin Mercedes which allowed Nick Madrigal to score. Jose Abreu also returned to form with a homer off Flaherty.

 

Greinke vs Kershaw in Houston

Star pitchers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw faced off with the latter getting the upper hand as the Los Angeles Dodgers won 9-2 at the Houston Astros. Kershaw sent down 81 pitches with 57 strikes and six Ks. He only gave up one run and did not walk anybody.

 

Tuesday's results

Chicago Cubs 4-3 Pittsburgh Pirates
Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 Miami Marlins
Cincinnati Reds 2-1 Washington Nationals
Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 New York Yankees
Atlanta Braves 3-1 Boston Red Sox
Kansas City Royals 2-1 Tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets 3-1 Colorado Rockies
Cleveland Indians 4-1 Detroit Tigers
San Diego Padres 7-1 Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins 7-4 Baltimore Orioles
Chicago White Sox 8-3 St Louis Cardinals
Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2 Houston Astros  
Los Angeles Angels 11-5 Texas Rangers
San Francisco Giants 8-0 Arizona Diamondbacks
Seattle Mariners 4-3 Oakland Athletics

 

Padres at Brewers

Fernando Tatis Jr and the San Diego Padres  continue their enthralling series away to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grand slam in a two-homer performance as the San Diego Padres swept their homestand with a 9-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

With the Padres leading 4-1 and bases full at the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday, star Tatis launched over centerfield for a grand slam.

The grand slam was Tatis' second of his career and 13th homer of the MLB season, having hit his 12th earlier in the ball game.

Leading the Padres off in the second, Silver Slugger Tatis homered with a 441-foot shot off Justin Dunn in his 200th hit for the high-flying Padres – who own the best record in the majors (30-17) atop the National League (NL) West.

Tatis also got home in the sixth, when the Padres scored four runs, as they made it nine consecutive home wins before hitting the road.

Over his last four games, Tatis is batting .786 with 12 RBI and has also walked three times. According to Stats Perform, he is the first player to bat .750 or better with 12-plus RBI and three-plus walks over a four-game span since Babe Ruth in 1932.

The 22-year-old is the first shortstop in MLB history to hit at least 50 homers (52) by the time of his 200th career hit.

 

Dodgers sweep Giants, walk offs galore

World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a series sweep against the San Francisco Giants with an 11-5 win. Julio Urias drove in two runs as he became the first Dodgers pitcher with three RBI in a game since 2014. Gavin Lux also hit a grand slam for the Dodgers against their NL West rivals.

The Tampa Bay Rays made it 10 wins in a row while condemning the Toronto Blue Jays to five straight defeats with a 6-4 triumph after three straight walks from Travis Bergen in the ninth inning.

Adolis Garcia drove in the winning run from Nick Solak as the Texas Rangers knocked off the Houston Astros 3-2 in a walk-off victory.

Trevor Story hit a home run to seal a 4-3 walk-off win for the Colorado Rockies over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carlos Santana did the same with a homer to clinch a 3-2 walk-off triumph for the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers.

 

Four early from Rodriguez

Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been shaky lately and he gave up four runs in the opening inning of the team's 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He responded with six strikeouts but only pitched across four innings as he finished with five hits, three walks and a homer.

Anthony DeSclafani struggled for the Giants. The San Francisco pitcher allowed 10 runs in three innings, with six the most earned runs he had previously given up all season.

 

Javier breaks the deadlock

Javier Baez hit a 10th-inning home run to earn the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 win over the St Louis Cardinals. It was the Cubs' first hit in 18 plate appearances with a man on base, coming at the right time.

 

Sunday's results

Washington Nationals 6-5 Baltimore Orioles
Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees 5-4 Chicago White Sox
Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 Toronto Blue Jays
Miami Marlins 5-1 New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers 9-4 Cincinnati Reds 
Minnesota Twins 8-5 Cleveland Indians
Atlanta Braves 7-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Kansas City Royals 3-2 Detroit Tigers
Texas Rangers 3-2 Houston Astros
Colorado Rockies 4-3 Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Oakland Athletics
San Diego Padres 9-2 Seattle Mariners
Chicago Cubs 2-1 St Louis Cardinals 

 

Padres at Brewers

The in-form Padres begin their series against the Brewers (23-23) on Monday. Blake Snell starts for the Padres in Milwaukee, where Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff takes to the mound.

Seven strong innings from Walker Buehler lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory at San Francisco, pulling the defending World Series champions level with the Giants in the National League West. 

Buehler allowed one run while scattering six hits in seven innings of work, improving to 3-0 while lowering his ERA to 2.78. 

The Dodgers spoiled the first MLB appearance since September 2016 for Giants starter Scott Kazmir, who allowed only a first-inning solo home run to Max Muncy in four strong innings after being recalled from the minor leagues. 

Austin Barnes added a solo homer of his own in the fifth for the Dodgers, who put the game away with four runs in the seventh and eighth innings. 

The Dodgers' sixth consecutive win and second in a row against their northern rivals left Los Angeles a game behind the first-place San Diego Padres in the top-heavy division. 

 

Cole silences White Sox

Gerrit Cole was all but untouchable once again, allowing four hits in seven innings as the New York Yankees blanked the Chicago White Sox 7-0 for their fifth win in succession. Gleyber Torres had another big game at the plate for New York, driving in four runs. 

A day after hitting a walk-off home run against the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers sensation Adolis Garcia hit two more bombs to help the Rangers to an 8-4 triumph. The second shot tied the game and sparked a five-run seventh inning that provided the winning margin for Texas.

Garrett Cooper hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth as the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 3-1. 

Xander Bogaerts and Danny Santana had back-to-back homers to lead off the sixth inning for the Boston Red Sox in a 4-3 victory ove the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied with runs in the eighth and ninth to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 for their ninth consecutive victory. 

 

Mariners' three errors boost Padres

The Seattle Mariners committed three errors in the fifth inning -- two of them by catcher Tom Murphy -- to help the Padres break open what had been a 1-1 game on the way to a 6-4 San Diego win. The first run of the inning scored when Murphy's throw to third on a Jorge Mateo steal attempt sailed into left field. Later, a bases-loaded single by Eric Hosmer brought home two runs, and a throw home by outfielder Jarred Kelenic went through Murphy's legs, allowing Fernando Tatis Jr to score from first base on the play. 

 

Hernandez gives Cleveland walk-off win

Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Cleveland Indians a bounce-back 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. 

 

Saturday's results

Boston Red Sox 4-3 Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals 12-9 Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees 7-0 Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians 5-3 Minnesota Twins
Miami Marlins 3-1 New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves 6-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 Toronto Blue Jays
Texas Rangers 8-4 Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals 7-5 Detroit Tigers
St Louis Cardinals 2-1 Chicago Cubs
Colorado Rockies 7-6 Arizona Diamondbacks
Oakland Athletics 6-2 Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 San Francisco Giants
San Diego Padres 6-4 Seattle Mariners

 

Rays at Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays (23-21) send ace Hyun Jin Ryu to the mound as they try to avoid a sweep and stop the Tampa Bay Rays' nine-game winning streak. Michael Wacha will come off the injured list to start for the Rays (28-19). 

Albert Pujols is confident the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the best team in MLB and was happy to help the World Series champions with his first home run since signing.

City rivals the Los Angeles Angels designated Pujols for assignment this month, but the future Hall of Famer quickly found a new home.

The Dodgers have since gone 4-0 to improve to 26-18, although they are still only third in the NL West.

Injuries to Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager have not helped the team, but Pujols believes they are still the best around.

"Just because I'm here, that doesn't change anything," he said when asked about the recent upturn in form. "These guys are a heck of a ball club.

"Before I got here, this team is probably the best team in the major leagues.

"You look up and down the lineup, the bullpen, the starting pitcher, even though they've got a couple of guys hurt. The quality guys we have here, they know how to win.

"The young guys, the energy that they have, I'm just excited to be part of this group.

"Just because I'm here we have a winning streak? I don't believe in that. I believe this is a great team."

The Dodgers' wins with Pujols on the team have all come in a series sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, concluding with a 3-2 victory on Thursday.

Pujols set them on their way to that success with a two-run homer in the second inning.

It was his first for the Dodgers but 668th of his career, including five for the Angels this season.

The 41-year-old therefore became the first player in MLB history to homer for two different teams in the same metropolitan area before the end of May.

"Coming through here for 20 years-plus, I saw the energy that these guys have," said Pujols, who now has 3,256 hits, 13th on the all-time list.

"Whether with the Cardinals or the Angels, it always seemed like these guys were ready to play every day.

"I'm just glad to be on this side now and enjoying the energy and jumping on the wagon with some of these guys.

"I'm just excited to contribute and obviously to help this ball club continue to win."

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers as the World Series champions extended their winning streak in MLB.

Pujols – acquired on a one-year deal on Monday, having been designated for assignment by city rivals the Los Angeles Angels – launched a two-run homer in the second inning of the Dodgers' 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

It was Pujols' 668th career home run as the Dodgers celebrated their fourth consecutive victory.

Pujols – a two-time World Series champion, three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star – now has 3,256 hits, 13th on the all-time list.

According to Stats Perform, the 41-year-old Pujols became the first player in MLB history to homer for two different teams in the same metro area before the end of May.

Elsewhere, the San Francisco Giants showed no mercy in a 19-4 demolition of the Cincinnati Reds, who suffered a four-game sweep.

Steven Duggar hit his first career grand slam in a nine-run third inning, while Brandon Crawford drove in six runs for the Giants.

The Giants, who had season highs of 19 runs and 16 hits, now own the best record in the majors amid a five-game winning streak.

 

Cubs roar as Happ homers

A pair of Ian Happ home runs helped the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 5-2. Happ also drove in three runs at Wrigley Field.

The Tampa Bay Rays routed the Baltimore Orioles 10-1, extending their winning streak to seven games, thanks to Joey Wendle's two homers.

Sandy Alcantara produced a two-hit performance of six innings as the Miami Marlins shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0.

 

Mahle struggles

It was a game to forget for Tyler Mahle and the Reds. Cincinnati pitcher Mahle allowed seven runs, seven hits and two walks in just two innings. His ERA rose from 2.93 to 4.20.

 

Martinez the hero in Dunedin

J.D. Martinez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in a three-run ninth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7. Martinez's 250th career home run snapped a 12-game streak without a homer as the Red Sox held onto the American League (AL) East lead.

 

Thursday's results

San Francisco Giants 19-4 Cincinnati Reds
Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees 2-0 Texas Rangers
Chicago Cubs 5-2 Washington Nationals
Houston Astros 8-4 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Angles 7-1 Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins 6-3 Los Angeles Angels
Miami Marlins 6-0 Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox 8-7 Toronto Blue Jays
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 Arizona Diamondbacks

 

White Sox at Yankees

AL Central leaders the Chicago White Sox (26-16) will visit the streaking Yankees (25-19) on Friday. The Yankees have won three straight games following a slow start to the season. White Sox ace Carlos Rodon takes to the mound at Yankee Stadium, where the hosts counter with Jordan Montgomery.

Fernando Tatis Jr returned for the first time since May 9 with a bang as the San Diego Padres won 3-0 against the Colorado Rockies in MLB on Wednesday.

Tatis had been absent following a positive coronavirus test earlier in the month but picked up where he left off with four hits including a home run.

The 22-year-old hit a single down the middle with his first bat back, before showing off a little yoga after stealing second base.

At the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Tatis hit a homer from Chi Chi Gonzalez to put the Padres up 1-0.

He almost completed the cycle, needing a triple in the eighth, but he had to settle for a base hit.

San Diego also welcomed back Eric Hosmer, while Wil Myers is expected to return this weekend.

The win means the Padres have won six in a row and nine of their past 10 games.

 

The year of the no-hitter

Corey Kluber tossed down his career-first no-hitter as the New York Yankees eclipsed the Texas Rangers 2-0.

Kluber, who moved from the Rangers to the Yankees in the off-season, struck out nine batters across nine innings in a remarkable display.

Willie Calhoun hit a ground ball to Gleyber Torres at second who threw to first to complete Kluber's maiden no-no.

The no-hitter comes only 24 hours after Spencer Turnbull's for the Detroit Tigers, marking the first time no-hitters have occurred on consecutive days since 1969. The 35-year-old right-hander, who has battled injury over the past two years, becomes the first Yankee to toss down a no-hitter since David Cone in 1999.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: "We're excited for him and his story and what he's been through. Tonight we celebate Corey Kluber and a masterful performance."

Kluber's feat continues a trend in the season dubbed 'The Year of the No-No' as the sixth no-hitter in MLB this year. The season record is seven no-hitters.

Shohei Ohtani was pulled as the Los Angeles Angels slipped to 18-24 with a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Ohtani, who was hitting and pitching in the same game for the fourth time, started well but was pulled after Jake Bauers homered in the fifth.

Randy Arozarena pulled off a spectacular outfield catch in the Tampa Bay Rays' 9-7 victory at the Baltimore Orioles, which improves their record to 25-19.

Juan Soto hit a spectacular home run with a moon shot on one knee in the Washington Nationals' 4-3 win at the Chicago Cubs.

 

More Twins woes

After conceding 16 runs a few days earlier to the Chicago White Sox, the Minnesota Twins hit back with a win in their series on Tuesday, before a 2-1 loss on Wednesday. The Twins tidied things up, only giving up one run, but still suffered their 11th loss from their past 14.

 

Acuna's walk-off home run

Ronald Acuna keeps on producing heroics with a walk-off home run, his 13th homer of the 2021 MLB season, clinching the Atlanta Braves a 5-4 win over the New York Mets.

 

Wednesday's results

Chicago White Sox 2-1 Minnesota Twins
San Diego Padres 3-0 Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants 4-0 Cincinnati Reds
Miami Marlins 3-1 Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays 9-7 Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves 5-4 New York Mets
Boston Red Sox 7-3 Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals 4-3 Chicago Cubs
St Louis Cardinals 8-5 Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees 2-0 Texas Rangers
Cleveland Indians 3-2 Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals 6-4 Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros 8-1 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Detroit Tigers 6-2 Seattle Mariners

 

Red Sox at Blue Jays

American League East leaders the Boston Red Sox (26-18) will continue their series away to the Toronto Blue Jays (23-18) in Dunedin.

Spencer Turnbull had a game to remember after no-hitting the Seattle Mariners in the Detroit Tigers' 5-0 shutout.

Turnbull produced a no-hitter against the Mariners in MLB action on Tuesday – the eighth such performance in Tigers history and the first since Justin Verlander in 2011.

The 28-year-old pitcher struck out nine batters across nine masterful innings.

Turnbull had a career record of 9-25 (.265) entering his no-hitter. According to Stats Perform, he is the first pitcher in the modern era to throw a no-hitter after entering the game with a sub .300 career winning percentage (minimum 10 decisions).

As for the Mariners, they are second team in MLB history after the 1923 Philadelphia A's to get no-hit at home twice in a two-week span, per Stats Perform.

In Dunedin, Ryu Hyun-jin starred as the Toronto Blue Jays crushed American League (AL) East leaders and rivals the Boston Red Sox 8-0.

Blue Jays ace Ryu scattered four hits and struck out seven across seven innings in a dominant display against the Red Sox.

The Blue Jays won for the ninth time in 12 games and improved to a season-high six games over .500 in the AL East.

 

Sano homers three times

The Minnesota Twins upstaged the high-flying Chicago White Sox 5-4 behind a three-homer display from Miguel Sano – the first such performance of his career. Sano entered the game hitting .141 but proceeded to hit three homers. The is the lowest batting average entering a three-homer game in the modern era, per Stats Perform. The previous low – .153 by Babe Ruth in 1935.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux launched his first career grand slam as the World Series champions humbled the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-1.

The Oakland Athletics snapped the Houston Astros' six-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory. Ramon Laureano's two home runs fuelled the A's.

 

Harvey and Rodriguez struggle

The Tampa Bay Rays got on top of Matt Harvey in a 13-6 in over the Baltimore Orioles. Harvey gave up a pair of homers. He allowed six runs on seven hits in 1.6 innings.

Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez was roughed up by the Blue Jays. He gave up five runs and 11 hits in five innings.

 

Ohtani homers… again

Two-way Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani hit his MLB-leading 14th homer of the season. It was his third home run in as many games but the Angels lost 6-5 to the Cleveland Indians.

 

Tuesday's results

San Francisco Giants 4-2 Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 Miami Marlins
Tampa Bay Rays 13-6 Baltimore Orioles
New York Mets 4-3 Atlanta Braves
Toronto Blue Jays 8-0 Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Chicago White Sox
Chicago Cubs 6-3 Washington Nationals
St Louis Cardinals 5-2 Pittsburgh Pirates
New York Yankees 7-4 Texas Rangers
Kansas City Royals 2-0 Milwaukee Brewers
Cleveland Indians 6-5 Los Angeles Angels
Houston Astros 6-5 Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Dodgers 9-1 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 2-1 Colorado Rockies
Detroit Tigers 5-0 Seattle Mariners

 

Indians at Angels

Ohtani will return to the mound as the Angels (18-22) host the Indians (21-18) in the series decider on Wednesday.

Albert Pujols described his Los Angeles Dodgers debut as "pretty awesome" after the two-time World Series champion made his bow in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 41-year-old joined from city rivals the Angels, where he had entered the final season of his 10-year, $240million contract.

Pujols, a three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, grabbed an RBI single from his first hit on Monday. That brought in fellow superstar Mookie Betts to score in the 3-1 victory against the Diamondbacks.

He has signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers and savoured his first outing for the team, saying: "It was pretty awesome. Really high-pumped energy by the fans. I was really excited to take that field and to contribute tonight."

Now that he has a new home, Pujols will be looking to significantly add to the 667 home runs that put him fifth on the all-time list.

New team-mate Walker Buehler stole the show for the reigning World Series champions on Monday, however, throwing seven scoreless innings to help the Dodgers to a fifth win in their past six games.

Pujols could not help but be impressed.

"It's pretty amazing," said Pujols, quoted on the team's website. "I never had the opportunity to face him in the past, but just to see him and the electric stuff that he has is just unbelievable.

"He owned that mound when he was out there and it's pretty amazing."

The Chicago White Sox further enhanced their MLB World Series potential after pounding the Minnesota Twins 16-4.

Having made no secret of their World Series aspirations at the start of the season, the White Sox continue to impress following Monday's crushing win over the Twins.

American League (AL) Central leaders the White Sox – who have won nine of their past 11 games – posted season highs in hits (18) and runs.

Nick Madrigal had three hits, including his maiden MLB homer and White Sox team-mate Danny Mendick launched his first career grand slam in Minneapolis.

For the ninth time in White Sox history, a player hit their first career homer and first career grand slam, however, Monday was the first time it was achieved by two different players.

Yasmani Grandal became the first player in White Sox history with three four-plus walk games in a season, while team-mate Yermin Mercedes is the first player in franchise history to homer off a position player pitcher since 1955.

White Sox ace Dallas Keuchel pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits against the hapless Twins.

Meanwhile, two-way star Shohei Ohtani was at it again as the Los Angeles Angels took down the Cleveland Indians 7-4.

Ohtani hit his MLB-leading 13th home run of the season – a three-run homer in the second inning.

 

Cole makes history

The New York Yankees were beaten 5-2 by the Texas Rangers but it was a memorable outing for ace Gerrit Cole, who recorded the most strikeouts without a walk (61) in any stretch of a season since 1983, eclipsing the 58 tallied by Corbin Burnes earlier this season. The Rangers snapped a six-game skid in the victory.

The San Francisco Giants trumped the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 behind six shut-out innings from Logan Webb, who gave up six hits, struck out four and walked a batter.

 

Pillar left bloodied in scary incident

The New York Mets topped the Atlanta Braves 3-1 but it came at a cost. Right fielder Kevin Pillar was hit in the nose by a pitch from Atlanta's Jacob Webb in the seventh inning. Pillar fell straight to the ground as blood poured from his nose. The incident left Mets and Braves players shaken in Atlanta.

Angels star Mike Trout exited in the first inning of the team's victory. Trout walked and reached second base before sustaining a right calf strain.

 

Pujols makes immediate impact

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, following his exit from city rivals the Angels. The 41-year-old slugger – a two-time World Series champion, three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star – made his first appearance for the Dodgers that day, his first hit an RBI single. It brought in star Mookie Betts to score in the World Series champions' 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

 

Monday's results

San Francisco Giants 6-3 Cincinnati Reds
New York Mets 3-1 Atlanta Braves
Chicago White Sox 16-4 Minnesota Twins
Chicago Cubs 7-3 Washington Nationals
Texas Rangers 5-2 New York Yankees
Los Angeles Angels 7-4 Cleveland Indians
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 7-0 Colorado Rockies
Detroit Tigers 4-1 Seattle Mariners

 

Red Sox at Blue Jays

AL East leaders the Boston Red Sox (25-17) will travel to Dunedin for their series opener against division rivals the Toronto Blue Jays (22-17) on Tuesday. Blue Jays ace Ryu Hyun-jin takes to the mound, while the Red Sox counter with Eduardo Rodriguez.

Albert Pujols will continue his remarkable MLB career with World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers after leaving city rivals the Los Angeles Angels.

Pujols' future was in limbo after the Angels designated the future Hall of Famer for assignment earlier this month, less than two months into the last season of the slugger's 10-year, $240million contract.

Following speculation over his next move, 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion Pujols signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers on Monday.

The stacked Dodgers now boast four former MVPs in Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger.

"I feel like I've still got some gasoline left in my tank," the 41-year-old told reporters during his introductory news conference.

The oldest active player in the majors and one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history, Pujols' 667 home runs rank fifth while his 669 doubles are also fifth-most of all time, but he has been batting mere .198 this season, though has homered five times and is fourth on the Angels with 12 RBIs.

Only Hank Aaron has more RBIs than Pujols' 2,112 since it became an official statistic in 1920, and Pujols is 13th on the all-time hits list with 3,253.

"They were really excited to have me here, and that's what led me to make this decision to come here," Pujols said. "I'm really excited to help this organisation this year to get another ring."

Pujols enjoyed great success with the St Louis Cardinals, where he led the franchise to two World Series championships, one other National League (NL) pennant and six division crowns.

A unanimous NL Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2001 when he hit .329 with 37 home runs and 130 RBIs, Pujols made his first of nine All-Star selections with the Cardinals.

In his 11 seasons in St Louis, Pujols won three NL MVP Awards and finished in the top five in voting seven other times. 

He left St Louis after helping the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series to sign a lucrative deal with the Angels.

After slugging 445 home runs with 455 doubles while slashing .328/.420/.617 for a 1.037 OPS in 1,705 games over 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols never lived up to expectations over 10 seasons with the Angels, hitting 222 homers with 214 doubles with a .256/.311/.447 slash line for a .758 OPS in 1,181 games.

His production dropped off significantly in the past four seasons, with 53 homers and a .239/.290/.414 slash line for a .704 OPS in 311 games.

He only earned one trip to the All-Star game since joining the Angels and the franchise made just one postseason appearance, getting swept by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 American League Division Series (ALDS).

"I told them I'm here to do whatever -- pinch-hit, first base, whatever they want," Pujols said regarding his role with the Dodgers. "I think at the end of the day, I'm just excited to have this opportunity to wear this uniform.

"I've been playing against this organisation long enough on the other side. I can see how they go about it. That's something that I wanted to be part of."

Pujols added: "I don't have to show the Angels or anybody. I'm just going to go be myself out there and play the game. I love this game. I enjoy this game."

The Los Angeles Angels emerged from the jaws of defeat to stun the Boston Red Sox 6-5 thanks to two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani hit a two-out, two-run homer to lift the Angels past the Red Sox in the ninth inning in MLB action on Sunday.

The Angels were on the verge of losing their fifth consecutive game before star pair Mike Trout and Ohtani entered the frame in the final inning of the series finale at Fenway Park.

After Trout hit a bloop single to keep the game alive with two outs, Ohtani smashed a home run off Matt Barnes to snap the Angels' four-game skid.

"Coming off a losing streak and the first two games of the series, the way we lost, it wasn't a good way to lose," Ohtani, who is now tied for the MLB lead in homers with 12, said through a team translator. "So, it was huge for us and the team to come up with this. We showed that we can beat any team."

 

Wild walk-off win for White Sox, Duvall sinks Dodgers

Jose Abreu dashed home with the game-winning run as the high-flying Chicago White Sox walked off 4-3 against the Kansas City Royals. The American League (AL) Central-leading White Sox rallied from a 3-2 deficit as Abreu scored on a wild Wade Davis pitch.

The Houston Astros celebrated their sixth straight win by defeating the Texas Rangers 6-2. Lance McCullers Jr. pitched six scoreless innings for the Astros, scattering five hits and striking out five.

Adam Duvall delivered for the Miami Marlins, who topped World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 behind his three-run homer in the fifth inning. The Marlins avoided a series sweep.

Maikel Franco homered and drove in three runs for the Baltimore Orioles, who avoided a three-game sweep by rallying past the New York Yankees 10-6. Aaron Judge homered for the third successive game, but it was not enough for the Yankees.

Alex Wood kept his perfect record intact after the San Francisco Giants accounted for the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1. Wood – who improved to 5-0 this season – gave up one run and eight hits. The Giants pitcher struck out six batters and walked one for the National League (NL) West leaders.

The Chicago Cubs were 5-1 winners over the Detroit Tigers as Kyle Hendricks carried a shutout into the ninth inning. Hendricks allowed eight hits and struck out a season-high eight batters in just over eight innings without allowing a walk.

 

Stroman struggles

New York Mets ace Marcus Stroman was off the pace in the team's 7-1 rout at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. Stroman gave up homers to Manuel Margot, Willy Adames and Brandon Lowe. Stroman – who dropped to 0-4 in his last five starts – gave up five runs and six hits in six innings.

 

Vladdy hits longest homer of his career

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was at it again in the Toronto Blue Jays' thrilling 10-8 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Guerrero hit his 11th homer of the season, a 465-foot solo drive in the eighth inning – the longest home run of his career.

 

 

Sunday's results

Baltimore Orioles 10-6 New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants 4-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Toronto Blue Jays 10-8 Philadelphia Phillies
Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs 5-1 Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Rays 7-1 New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers 10-9 Atlanta Braves
Chicago White Sox 4-3 Kansas City Royals
Oakland Athletics 7-6 Minnesota Twins
Houston Astros 6-2 Texas Rangers
Cincinnati Reds 7-6 Colorado Rockies
Seattle Mariners 3-2 Cleveland Indians
Miami Marlins 3-2 Los Angeles Dodgers
Washington Nationals 3-0 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 5-3 St Louis Cardinals

 

Diamondbacks at Dodgers

It will be an all-NL West clash when the Diamondbacks and Dodgers open their series on Monday. Both teams are coming off losses as Walker Buehler starts for the Dodgers, while Diamondbacks ace Madison Bumgarner takes to the mound.

World Series MVP and Los Angeles Dodgers star Corey Seager has landed on the injured list, but he will not require surgery on a broken hand.

Seager suffered a fractured right hand during Saturday's 7-0 MLB rout of the Miami Marlins, having been hit by a Ross Detwiler pitch in the fifth inning.

An X-ray on Sunday revealed the extent of the injury ahead of a trip to the 10-day IL, though Seager escaped surgery in a boost for the Dodgers.

"Fortunately, I think we dodged a bullet on that one," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We're just kind of going to let it heal."

Roberts, however, is unsure when two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Seager will return.

"I don't know," Roberts said. "You've just got to let it happen."

Seager has been hitting .265 this season, with four home runs. But the 27-year-old shortstop hit .375 with four RBIs in his last six games.

The Dodgers (22-18) are third in the National League (NL) West in 2021 following Sunday's 3-2 defeat to the Marlins.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to play without Corey Seager for a while after the World Series MVP suffered a broken right hand on Saturday. 

Seager took a Ross Detwiler pitch off the hand in the fifth inning of a 7-0 Dodgers victory over the Miami Marlins and immediately left the game. 

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters afterward that Seager was still in pain, and X-rays soon revealed the fracture. 

Seager, 27, is a two-time All-Star who was named MVP of the National League Championship Series and the World Series last year as the Dodgers won the title. 

He is hitting .265 with a .783 OPS and has four home runs in 37 games this season. 

Los Angeles have been beset by injuries, mostly to their pitchers, but outfielder AJ Pollock went on the 10-day injured list earlier Saturday with a hamstring problem. 

The front office moved quickly to counter that loss by acquiring the versatile Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Dodgers also reportedly plan to sign Albert Pujols. 

Those additions will not solve the problem of how to compensate for Seager's loss, though. 

Gavin Lux moved over from second base to replace Seager at shortstop Saturday and would appear to be the Dodgers' first choice to start there in the interim. 

Despite their injury woes, the reigning World Series champions are 22-17, the fourth-best record in the National League, as they fight it out with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres in the NL West. 

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