MLB

Betts homers as Red Sox beat Royals 7-5 for 3-game sweepKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Mookie Betts is pretty good against Danny Duffy.Betts hit a two-run homer off Danny Duffy in a four-run third inning and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-5 Thursday to complete...

Associated PressDeJong's homer, Cards 4 steals help beat Reds 3-1By DAVID SOLOMONST. LOUIS (AP) After sputtering for most of May, the St. Louis Cardinals are running past opponents.Paul DeJong homered and St. Louis tied its season high with four stolen bases in a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati...

Associated PressMike Foltynewicz gives up 2 more HR, Pirates beat Braves 6-1By ALAN SAUNDERSPITTSBURGH (AP) If the Atlanta Braves needed more reason to purse free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel, they may have gotten it on Thursday.Mike Foltynewicz allowed consecutive home runs to Colin Moran and Gregory Polanco in...

Associated PressYelich hits 23rd homer as Brewers power past Marlins 5-1By TOM KERTSCHERMILWAUKEE (AP) Christian Yelich hit his major league-leading 23rd home run and Mike Moustakas added two homers to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 5-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday.The Brewers salvaged the final...

Seattle's Braden Bishop hospitalized due to lacerated spleenSEATTLE (AP) Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop has been hospitalized in Seattle after suffering a lacerated spleen from being hit by a pitch last week while playing in Triple-A Tacoma.Seattle manager Scott Servais said Thursday that Bishop had some procedures done on...

Cubs' Joe Maddon thinking ahead to using Craig KimbrelCHICAGO (AP) Cubs manager Joe Maddon is projecting how to use Craig Kimbrel, even before Chicago announces a deal with the free agent closer.Maddon said Thursday he thought the 31-year-old right-hander might be ready to pitch in about three weeks.''I...

Mets' Cano doesn't play day after tweaking injured quadNEW YORK (AP) Robinson Cano didn't play for the New York Mets a day after tweaking his left quadriceps.Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Cano wasn't available during Thursday's 7-3 win over San Francisco. Callaway said Cano would be evaluated Friday.The...

AP Baseball WriterD'Arnaud homers twice, leads Rays to 6-1 win over TigersBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) Travis d'Arnaud homered for the first time in over 14 months, going deep twice for the Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.D'Arnaud missed all but four...

AP Baseball WriterMets start fast with 2 HRs, Frazier shot in 8th beats SF 7-3By BEN WALKERNEW YORK (AP) Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith hit back-to-back home runs to begin the first inning, then Todd Frazier hit a tiebreaking drive in the eighth that sent the New York...

Associated PressYankees slugger Aaron Judge resumes on-field hittingBy MARK DIDTLERTAMPA, Fla. (AP) New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge resumed on-field batting practice Thursday and said he is not focusing on a timeframe for returning to the lineup.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday it is possible Judge could return...

McCutchen has sprained knee, MRI scheduled for TuesdaySAN DIEGO (AP) Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Andrew McCutchen sprained his left knee in a loss to the San Diego Padres and will have an MRI exam on Tuesday.McCutchen was hurt during a rundown in the first inning and came out...

AP Sports WriterAstros use big 1st inning to hold off Mariners 4-2By TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) An early offensive punch from Robinson Chirinos, a solid effort by Houston's bullpen and another baffling play by Seattle's defense helped the Astros keep rolling.Chirinos homered to cap a three-run first inning, Houston's...