Braves shut out Phillies 6-0 for series win - MLB (2024)

The Canadian Press - Jul 8, 2024 / 2:56 am | Story: 496121

CLEVELAND (AP) — Top of the AL Central. Top of the MLB draft.

It's been a season of firsts for Cleveland.

Along with opening a surprising lead in their division with a strong three-plus months under rookie manager Stephen Vogt, the Guardians have the No. 1 overall pick in next week's draft. It's a selection that has the potential to alter the franchise's trajectory for years to come.

As long as they make the correct one.

No pressure.

“We look at this as an extraordinary and exciting opportunity for us,” said Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations. "Often times when you’re thinking about your first pick, you’re trying to guess who’s going to be off the board before you get an opportunity to select.

“This year we don’t have to guess.”

This year's draft will begin on July 14 in Arlington, Texas with the event serving as a leadoff into All-Star festivities.

Cleveland has never picked first (the team has chosen second five times) and the chance to acquire a talented player who could quicken the team's pursuit of its first World Series title since 1948 is both exhilarating and terrifying.

Antonetti, though, isn't sweating it.

With only a 2% chance of landing the top pick, the Guardians had it fall in their lap when they won the draft lottery at the winter meetings in December. That moment of good fortune was followed by the club's unexpected surge in 2024.

It's a good time to be in Cleveland.

Along with his usual duties of managing the roster, scouring the transaction wire and weighing the team's options before the trade deadline, Antonetti has been immersed in the draft process as he and the club's personnel and scouting departments brainstorm.

They've had meeting after meeting after meeting. A plan has been hatched.

“First and foremost, the thing we are trying to solve for organizationally is use the resources and draft capital we have available to us to bring in the most talented group possible,” Antonetti said. “That's really what we’re solving for and we think when we look up at the end of the draft, we’ll feel good about the group of players we bring into the organization.”

While there's no consensus top pick, there are some great choices.

The Guardians have narrowed the talent pool to just a few possibilities at No. 1 with Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder/third baseman Charlie Condon and West Virginia middle infielder JJ Wetherholt believed to be the frontrunners.

The Australian-born Bazzana has all the tools. He hits with power to all fields, possesses speed on the bases and makes every defensive play.

The 21-year-old may be the most major-league ready, and from Cleveland's standpoint, it helps that he's coming from the same program that produced Guardians All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan (MLB's current leading hitter) and Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, the No. 1 pick in 2019.

The 6-foot-6 Condon fits the profile of what the Guardians have been seeking for years: an athletic power hitter they could plug in at first or a corner outfield spot. Condon won the Golden Spikes Award this season after leading the nation in average (.433), homers (37), slugging (1.009) and OPS (1.565).

Wetherholt led the country in hitting a year ago with a .449 average. He was slowed by a hamstring injury to start this season and missed 24 games. But the 21-year-old still put up solid numbers to keep his name in the mix.

An argument could be made for any of the three — even a few others.

As is almost always the case, money will shape the Guardians' decision.

Cleveland will have a record $18.3 million bonus pool to spend on 21 picks, with $10.5 million as the assigned slot value for the first pick. The team can use the money as it wishes but can't exceed the bonus pool or face penalties.

It's a much more complicated system than used by the NFL or NBA and will require some financial strategy, something Antonetti, general manager Mike Chernoff and their staffs usually excel at.

Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a $9.7 million slot value on the top pick and selected LSU's Paul Skenes, who got a $9.2 million signing bonus, a record that could be eclipsed by the Guardians' pick.

It would be hard to imagine Cleveland's selection having the same impact as Skenes, who Sunday was named an All-Star just eight weeks after his debut.

Vogt, who joked that he was taken No. 1 — "in the 12th round' — knows there will be massive expectations on the top pick. It comes with the territory.

“The outside pressure can get to you at the end of the day,” he said. "The way I look at it is you earned yourself to be the best player in the country. The No. 1 overall pick, you did that. Now it’s just go play baseball. So much of that pressure comes from the media, comes from the outside, but in the baseball world it’s no, dude, you earned that money.

“You earned that right to be the No. 1 pick. Just go be yourself and play and continue to develop and get better just like the rest of the people going to go to the minor leagues. And it’s easier said than done, but that’s the way I view it.”

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The Canadian Press - Jul 8, 2024 / 2:56 am | Story: 496122

PHOENIX (AP) — Christian Walker is a two-time Gold Glove winner, helped lead his team to the World Series last season, has hit at least 33 home runs in each of the past two years and is currently on pace for about 40 homers this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks' first baseman is also the current Daddy of Dodger Stadium.

But the 33-year-old slugger still hasn't been selected to an All-Star team. The trend continued on Sunday when Major League Baseball announced the NL and AL teams for the July 16 game in Arlington, Texas.

“It stings a little bit, but it is what it is," Walker told reporters after Sunday's win over the Padres. “Those guys deserve it. Nothing but credit to them.”

Later he added: “To be honest, I got the support and the respect of my teammates and my peers and my coaches, and nothing else really matters.”

Walker — who is batting .268 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs this season — is far from the only All-Star snub this season, but he's among the best current players who has never made it. Other notable omissions from this year's group include Baltimore's Ryan Mountcastle, Jordan Westburg and Anthony Santander, Philadelphia's Aaron Nola, San Diego's Manny Machado and New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil.

A few of those players — including Walker — could still find their way to Arlington for the mid-summer showdown.

A handful of current All-Stars, like Mookie Betts and Fernando Tatis Jr., will likely miss the game because of injuries. That means MLB will select replacements in the coming days.

RETURN OF THE CARDINALS

The demise of the St. Louis Cardinals might have been a short-lived phenomenon.

The Cardinals fell to 71-91 last season, finishing last in the NL Central and snapping a 15-season streak of above-.500 baseball. One year later, St. Louis appears back to its winning ways and would return the playoffs if the season ended today.

The Cardinals improved to 47-42 on Sunday after an 8-3 win over the Washington Nationals. They're 20-14 since June 1.

The rise of shortstop Masyn Winn, second baseman Nolan Gorman and outfielders Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson has given the team a youthful nucleus that's helped offset down years from veterans Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

On the pitching mound, the Cardinals have been remarkably healthy. Miles Mikolas, Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn have all started at least 16 games this season, giving the club some certainty that few other teams can replicate.

TRIVIA TIME

Who is the current MLB player with the highest career WAR who has never played in an All-Star game?

FANS IN THE SEATS

MLB's recent attendance surge is continuing, and the sport could come close to averaging 30,000 fans per game for the first time since 2016.

MLB is drawing 28,707 fans per game through Saturday's games, according to baseball-reference.com. That's roughly 400 fans per game ahead of last year's pace, when the sport drew 28,291 per game through early July.

This year's average is expected to rise since the biggest draws are usually games in July and August, when the majority of the U.S. is out of school and families have more leisure time.

Arizona and Baltimore — two franchises with promising young teams — have seen their attendance jump by more than 6,000 per game this season over 2023. The biggest drop is from the New York Mets, whose crowds have plummeted by more than 6,000.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the league with nearly 48,000 fans per game while the Oakland Athletics — who recently announced they are relocating to Sacramento before an expected move to Las Vegas — are averaging about 7,500 fans.

TRIVIA ANSWER

Kevin Kiermaier. The 34-year-old Toronto Blue Jays' center fielder has 36 career WAR and is a four-time Gold Glove winner. His best seasons came with the Tampa Bay Rays in the mid-2010s.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 7:08 pm | Story: 496114

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 6:59 pm | Story: 496112

NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Devers homered off rookie Luis Gil in the seventh inning and connected again in the ninth, leading the Boston Red Sox over the Yankees 3-0 Sunday night and sending New York to its 15th loss in 20 games.

Devers put Boston ahead on a 98.8 mph fastball from Gil (9-5), lifting the ball to the opposite field and into the first row of the left-field seats. He carried his bat up the first-base line before dropping it and completing a slow home run trot.

“He struck him out with a slider early in the game, took the first pitch fastball, he laid off a changeup and then he was able to get to that pitch,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “To go that way in this stadium is pretty impressive.”

Devers said his trot was unrelated to Alex Verdugo’s 32-second home run jog on Saturday.

“No I was not even thinking about that,” Devers said through a translator. “It was more of the moment like putting my team ahead in the seventh inning with the pitcher they had on the mound in the seventh inning, which he did a great job. So for me, it was a big moment for the team. So that’s why I celebrated.”

Selected for his third All-Star Game earlier Sunday, Devers added his 21st home run of the season in the ninth off Michael Tonkin, a drive into the Yankees bullpen in right-center.

“He’s definitely a guy that has performed incredibly well,” New York manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously a great player and we’d like to do a better job against him.”

Devers has 16 homers at Yankee Stadium and 28 against New York. He is hitting .463 (19 for 41) with seven homers and 10 RBIs in his last 10 games in the Bronx.

“We know what type of ballpark this is,” Devers said. “This is one of the best in the league. Everything feels better than any other ballpark.”

Rookie Ceddanne Rafaela homered in the eighth off Luke Weaver.

Boston has won six of seven and 16 of 22, improving to 14-1 on Sundays.

New York dropped to 13-16 against AL East rivals. The Yankees lost two of three to the Red Sox and are 0-6-1 in their last seven series, starting with when they lost two of three at Fenway Park from June 14-16.

“It’s tough,” New York right fielder Juan Soto said. “Everybody’s aware of what we’re going through but I think the energy is still up.”

The Yankees were shut out for the sixth time this season but the first since April 29. Boston has nine shutouts, two behind major league-leading Atlanta.

In a game that took just 2 hours, 23 minutes, Kutter Crawford (5-7) allowed four hits in seven innings for his third scoreless start this season. His 40 pitches through five innings were the fewest for a big league starter since Iván Nova’s 38 for Pittsburgh against Arizona on May 30, 2017.

“I feel that’s probably the most efficient I’ve ever been,” Crawford said. “A year or two out, I was probably throwing 30 or 40 pitches in one inning, but it feels good to throw a bunch of strikes and get a lot of early outs like that.”

Crawford made first-pitch strikes to 17 of 23 hitters and threw 54 of 68 pitches for strikes overall.

Gil lost his fourth straight outing after opening the season 9-1. He entered with an 14.90 ERA in his previous three outings.

Gil allowed only Devers’ homer among four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked none for the first time in his big career. He threw a season-high 34 sliders out of 96 pitches and allowed one run or fewer for the 11th time.

Boston was 1 for 10 with five strikeouts against Gil’s slider and 3 for 12 against the right-hander’s fastball.

Devers made a barehanded pickup at third on DJ LeMahieu’s grounder to end a scoreless eighth for Justin Slaten. Kenley Jansen struck out Aaron Judge on a 94 mph cutter for his 18th save in 19 chances, the 438th of his big league career, surpassing Francisco Rodríguez for sole possession of fifth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: 1B Triston Casas (strained left rib) took 25 swings on Saturday and is at 75% according to Cora

Yankees: 2B Gleyber Torres (groin) was held out of the lineup for the second straight game and is expected to return Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Bryan Bello (8-5, 5.19 ERA) opposes Oakland RHP Joey Estes (3-3, 4.39) in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday at Fenway Park.

Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (9-6, 4.45) faces RHP Ryan Pepiot (4-5, 4.40) in the first gamer of a three-game series at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 6:32 pm | Story: 496110

Pete Alonso will participate in his fifth straight Home Run Derby, with the New York Mets first baseman trying to win for the third time.

Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm also have committed to the July 15 event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Alonso made the announcement Sunday night on Instagram.

Ken Griffey Jr. is the only three-time champion of the derby, which started in 1985, winning in 1994, 1998 and 1999.

Alonso won the competition in 2019 as a rookie of Cleveland's Progressive Field, edging Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero 23-22 in the final round, then repeated in 2021 at Denver's Coors Field, beating Baltimore's Trey Mancini by the same score. There was no derby in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Alonso was eliminated by Seattle's Julio Rodríguez in the 2022 semifinals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Juan Soto, then of Washington, went on to win.

Alonso was knocked out 41-21 by Rodríguez last year at Seattle's T-Mobile Park, where Guerrero took the title and joined Vladimir Sr. (2007) to become the first father-son duo to accomplish the feat.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 4:59 pm | Story: 496103

SEATTLE (AP) — Daulton Varsho drove in the go-ahead with an RBI single in the top of the 10th inning, as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Sunday.

Varsho’s two-out hit off Mariners' reliever Collin Snider (0-1) drove in automatic runner Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from second and sent the Blue Jays to a series victory over the Mariners, who have now dropped six consecutive series.

Chad Green (2-1) got the win. Génesis Cabrera pitched the 10th for his second save.

Victor Robles got the scoring started with a leadoff solo homer off Blue Jays' starter José Berríos in the third, but Toronto tied it in the fourth when Bo Bichette led off with a ground-rule double against Mariners' starter George Kirby, and scored on a one-out sacrifice fly from Alejandro Kirk.

Mitch Garver put Seattle back ahead in the fifth with a three-run homer, but George Springer tied the game at 4-4 with a three-run blast in the seventh off Mariners' reliever Ryne Stanek.

“It was just a big spot,” Springer said. “I was happy to come through right there. I kind of blacked out a little bit. I know I was excited, and it was one of those things where it was just a big moment for us as a team, and I'm happy to help.”

Springer's homer led to loud cheers from the thousands of Blue Jays fans in attendance in Seattle.

“The support has just been phenomenal every time we come here," manager John Schneider said. “It's a full weekend of baseball. Three close games, kind of similar teams I think too, and it was just awesome that the fans were here to kind of support us. We love coming here.”

Kirby went six innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts, while José Berrios allowed four earned runs and seven hits over six innings for the Blue Jays, with 10 strikeouts.

“Today I was more aggressive," Berrios said. “I had more energy and power. I feel really, really great and strong and that's why I made a lot of great pitches.”

The Mariners loaded the bases in both the ninth and 10th innings, but were unable to push a run across.

“Our guys competed their tails off, creating all that traffic out there and putting the pressure on them,” manager Scott Servais said. “But you've got to come through. You've got to get the big hit or get the guy in from third, and we weren't able to do that today.”

NOTE

Blue Jays second baseman Leo Jiménez’ second inning single was his first MLB hit.

ALL-STAR

Mariners' RHP Logan Gilbert was named to the American League All-Star team on Sunday for the first time in his MLB career. Gilbert has a 2.91 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings. His 14 quality starts are tied for most in the majors, while his 0.92 WHIP is the best in the AL.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners CF Julio Rodriguez was out of the lineup a day after he exited in the first inning with a quad injury. Rodriguez’ MRI results came back clean, and he was a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game. … RHP Bryan Woo and RHP Gregory Santos both made rehab appearances with High-A Everett on Saturday.

UP NEXT

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (4-8, 4.12 ERA) will pitch on Tuesday when Toronto opens a three-game series in San Francisco, while Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (5-5, 2.91 ERA) gets the start when the Mariners open a two-game series in San Diego.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 4:48 pm | Story: 496104

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes' first All-Star selection was as speedy as his fastball.

Just eight weeks after his major league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 22-year-old right-hander was selected Sunday by Major League Baseball for the National League roster in the July 16 game at Arlington, Texas.

“It’s happened quick,” Skenes said. “Hopefully, I’ll have some time when I get out there to take it all in and be able to experience it all. It’s just a really cool opportunity all around.”

Skenes' final outing before the All-Star break is likely to be midweek, so he could be a possibility to start for the NL.

“That’d be cool. No expectations,” he said. “I don’t know who gets to decide that kind of thing, but that'd definitely be cool.”

He made his first big league start on May 11 and is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 10 starts and 78 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. He has thrown 74 pitches of 100 mph or more.

“This is cool, and I’m just grateful for all you guys,” Skenes said to teammates in the clubhouse after being told by manager Derek Shelton. “Since the first day I’ve been here I’ve been part of the team. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.”

His 11 games would put him on track to have the fewest for player in an All-Star Game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Detroit’s Mark Fidrych in 1976, the Dodgers’ Hideo Nomo in 1995 and Florida’s Dontrelle Willis in 2003 each had 13. (While Boston’s Don Schwall had 11 at the time of the first All-Star Game in 1961, he did not appear, and he had 15 when he pitched three innings three weeks later in that year’s second All-Star Game.)

Skenes looked forward to the possibility of facing the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

“I would imagine that it’s probably going to be a blur, a lot happening over a short span of time with the Home Run Derby and then the All-Star Game,” Skenes said. “Just try to meet as many people as possible and pick their brains, and because the concentration of talent and knowledge at the All-Star Game is unlike anything that I’m ever going to experience in my life, so I’m just going to want to experience that and learn as much as possible.”

After leading LSU to the 2023 College World Series title, Skenes was selected by the Pirates with the top pick in last year's amateur draft, two days before the All-Star Game in Seattle. He signed for a $9.2 million bonus.

He made five appearances at rookie league, Class A and Double-A, then had a 0.99 ERA in seven starts this season at Triple-A Indianapolis, striking out 45 in 27 1/3 innings.

“Starting the year in Triple-A the odds of going to the major league All-Star Game are pretty slim,” Skenes said. “So that wasn’t one of my goals necessarily or expectations of the season, but just a huge honor that I’m able to do it, obviously, over a short period of span in the big leagues.”

He has at least seven strikeouts in nine of 10 games, the first pitcher to accomplish the feat.

“It’s going to be fun to watch. I think we’re all going to enjoy it if he gets the opportunity to pitch,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “There’s no challenge that Paul’s ever stepped away from. I’m pretty sure he’ll enjoy it.”

Outfielder Bryan Reynolds also was picked from the Pirates, his second All-Star selection. He is hitting .281 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs, raising his average from .233 through games of May 12.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet because I think that we have three or four other guys that are deserving of going,” Skenes said. “It would be really cool to share it with more people than just Bryan and let everybody see how good of an organization and the talent that we have here is."

Skenes looks forward to achieving bigger goals, such as pitching in the postseason.

“I still hope I do something cooler than making an All-Star Game,” Skenes said.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 4:13 pm | Story: 496097

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Christian Yelich and Blake Perkins both homered, had three hits and drove in three runs as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2 Sunday to snap a seven-game losing streak at Dodger Stadium.

Eric Haase had a two-run homer in the fifth inning for the Brewers, who avoided a sweep in the weekend matchup of National League division leaders and are one of three teams in the majors not to have a losing streak of at least four games this season.

“Yelich rose to the occasion when we needed him. Perkins was unbelievable too. Great effort by our guys,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

Yelich started the scoring with a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Dodgers' starter Justin Wrobleski (0-1), who was making his major league debut. It was the second straight game Yelich had gone deep to center. He added an RBI double in the ninth inning.

“It’s good to win, especially on getaway day. We had two tough losses,” Yelich said.

Yelich, voted in as one of the NL’s starting outfielders for the July 16 All-Star Game, batted .393 (11 for 28) with three homers and five RBIs during the Brewers’ six-game road trip.

“I have no idea what any of my stats are. The home runs are probably the only one I know. I don't look at them because they change so much throughout the year," he said. "You just try to keep contributing to wins and stack them.”

Perkins had a solo shot in the seventh inning and then drove in two runs when his base hit with the bases loaded just got by Dodgers' third baseman Kiké Hernández and into left field.

Jakob Junis (1-0) got the win. The right-hander allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings after he replaced starter Dallas Keuchel, who didn't allow a run in 4 1/3 innings. Keuchel gave up three hits and walked five.

Chris Taylor supplied the Dodgers' runs with a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Los Angeles ended up going deep eight times in the series.

Despite the loss, the Dodgers (55-36) are two games in front of the Brewers (53-38) for the second-best record in the NL. Los Angeles heads to Philadelphia — which has the majors best record at 58-32 — for a three-game series beginning Tuesday.

Shohei Ohtani stole a pair of bases. With 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases, he joins Davey Lopes (1979) and Matt Kemp (2011) as the only Dodgers player to reach the 20-20 mark before the All-Star break.

Wrobleski faced the minimum through three innings before running into trouble. The lefty allowed four runs on five hits in five innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

“I felt pretty comfortable out there. I thought I was gonna be pretty nervous, but I don’t know, like any other game. Felt normal, felt like I belong, so it was a lot of fun," Wrobleski said.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wrobleski would be heading back to the minors after Sunday's start, but added they will see him again soon.

“I’m really, really impressed with the way he carries himself, the way he cared himself today. I know his stuff plays here," Roberts said. "He left the slider, sweeper to Yelich. The Haase at-bat, I think he just left a fastball up and out over. But all things taken into consideration, I thought he did a really nice job.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: RHP Devin Williams (back stress fractures) will throw a live batting practice before Tuesday's game.

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder surgery) could make a rehab start on Saturday after throwing two innings in a simulated game. ... RHP Joe Kelly (right posterior shoulder) hit two batters in his one inning of work in a simulated game.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Face Pittsburgh on Tuesday to start a six-game homestand. RHP Colin Rea (8-2, 3.34 ERA) is 5-0 in his last eight games, including six starts.

Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (1-1, 6.12 ERA) will take the mound against the Phillies on Tuesday.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 4:05 pm | Story: 496098

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Heston Kjerstad hit a three-run homer, Grayson Rodriguez had eight strikeouts in six innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Sunday.

Kjerstad’s center field shot put the Orioles ahead 4-0 in the first. Anthony Santander hit his 23rd homer of the season earlier in the inning to start the two-out rally off A’s starter Mitch Spence (5-5). Kjerstad also reached in the third on an error by A’s center fielder JJ Bleday, who dropped a fly ball for an error. Santander scored the Orioles' fifth run on the play.

Kjerstad, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk two weeks ago, is batting .295 in 44 at-bats this season.

“He’s given us a boost,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got that power potential and he’s taking good at-bats.”

Kjerstad said that he's finding a groove with more consistent playing time.

“The more at-bats you can get, the more consecutive days you can play, it helps you get in a rhythm or stay in a rhythm,” Kjerstad said.

Rodriguez (11-3) has won six of his past seven starts. He allowed three runs in six innings, and struck out eight or more for the fifth time this season to lead the club.

The Orioles went 4-2 on a six-game road trip, denying the A’s a winning record this season against one of the best teams in the American League.

Hyde told the team the winning road trip represents “championship baseball” for the 57-33 Orioles.

“Being able to go to the West Coast, it’s not easy,” Rodriguez said. “If we’re able to go 4-2, that great. That’s going to carry us deep into October.”

Oakland still went 4-2 on the homestand, matching its best record on a homestand of six or more games over its past two years.

The A’s scored twice in the sixth on Tyler Soderstrom's RBI double and Shea Langeliers' sacrifice fly. They cut the deficit to 5-3 in the seventh, but Gunnar Henderson drove in an insurance in the ninth for the Orioles with an RBI single.

“The way that our bullpen came in and held it until the ninth, that’s the formula we were successful with earlier in the year,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “We believe that we can come back against teams and we showed that today with some good at-bats, especially in the (later innings), which is a good sign.”

Craig Kimbrel earned his 23rd save of the season in front of an announced crowd of 14,524 at the Coliseum.

ALL-STAR SELECTIONS

A’s closer Mason Miller, who leads all rookies with 14 saves, was selected to the All-Star Game on July 16 as the team’s representative. Miller is the first A’s reliever to make an All-Star team since Liam Hendriks in 2019.

“It’s really surreal, and it feels great to just look at the work I’ve done, to sit here and have that recognition now — it’s awesome,” Miller said.

Orioles starter Corbin Burnes made his fourth All-Star team, joining teammates Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, who were selected as starters. Hyde and several players lamented that the Orioles, who lead the American League in wins, only have three All-Stars.

“When you win as many games as we have in the last year and a half, and you only get three guys in — and you’re on the pace that we are on right now, and won 101 games last year with a lot of the same group, you’d think you’d get more guys in” Hyde said. “I’m disappointed in that.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: Left-hander Kyle Muller (left shoulder tendinitis) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list after four rehab appearances. In a corresponding move, the A’s optioned left-hander Jack O’Loughlin to Triple-A Las Vegas.

UP NEXT

Orioles: Right-hander Dean Kremer (4-4, 3.93 ERA) is expected to pitch on Tuesday when the Orioles play the Cubs at home to start a three-game series.

Athletics: Right-hander Joey Estes (3-3) is scheduled to start on Tuesday when the A’s begin a three-game set at the Red Sox.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 4:05 pm | Story: 496099

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and a bases-clearing double in the ninth in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 9-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Arizona improved to .500 at 45-45, winning the final two games of the series after dropping the opener. The went 4-2 on their trip, also rebounding from an opening loss to take the final two in Los Angeles.

Suárez tied his career high with the five RBIs and had three hits. The 11-year veteran, who came into Sunday hitting just .203, was acquired from Seattle in November.

The Padres won 10-8 in a walk-off on Friday night and the Diamondbacks won 7-5 in 10 innings on Saturday night.

“I think both teams were a little bit tired, emotionally spent, from two pretty intense games,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We all know the outcomes, we all know how we got to the outcomes, and those were not easy games. Those were emotionally taxing. So the team came out today and played really good baseball.

“We held serve early in the game and then got some big hits,” he added. “The home run clearly was the difference-maker. Geno had a terrific day. Those were some huge blows. And he's working so hard to make those moments happen.”

Corbin Carroll hit a leadoff homer for the defending NL champion Diamondbacks, who have won or split nine of their last 11 series.

Ryne Nelson (6-6) and three relievers combined on a four-hitter.

With Geraldo Perdomo aboard on an eight-pitch walk in the seventh, Suárez sent a 1-1 pitch from Dylan Cease (7-8) into the left field seats, his seventh. In the fourth, Perdomo helped drive up Cease's pitch count with an 11-pitch at-bat that ended with a strikeout.

After the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth against Austin Davis, Suárez greeted Enyel De Los Santos by clearing them with a double to deep left-center. He scored on Alek Thomas' double as the first five batters reached.

Suárez hit fastballs for both of his big hits.

“I was focused to be ready on the fastball,” he said. “I know Cease has got good stuff, but he likes that fastball, too, so I was ready. I tell my mind, not let that fastball beat you. I know it was a good pitch inside, but like I said, I was ready for that one. I never try to hit homers. I just try to hit the ball a long way.”

He said it was the same approach on the double.

“He threw me a couple of nasty sliders and then he missed one that I fouled off and I think he might be coming with a fastball and I'm ready for that pitch, too,” Suárez said. "Once again I'm not trying to hit it too hard. I know if I put a good swing on it I've got a chance to at least drive in one run. Better than that, I got a three-run double.

“When you have days like this, you feel great,” he said. “I want to keep humble, keep doing what I've been doing and work hard every day.”

Carroll homered to right-center on Dylan Cease's fourth pitch. It was his third.

After allowing just two homers in his first eight starts, Cease has allowed 13 in his last 11 starts.

All-Star Jurickson Profar tied it in the bottom of the inning with a laser shot to right off Nelson, his 14th. Profar is tied for the team lead with fellow All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr., who hasn’t played since June 21 due to a stress reaction in his right thigh bone. Tatis isn’t expected to play in the All-Star Game and has said he could be out until after the break.

Nelson held the Padres to one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings, struck out five and walked one.

Cease allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings, struck out eight and walked one.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: Diamondbacks RHP Yilber Diaz will make his major league debut Monday night at home against Atlanta. The Braves are set to go with LHP Chris Sale (11-3, 2.71 ERA).

Padres: Haven't named a starter for Tuesday night's home game against Seattle, which will go with RHP Logan Gilbert (5-5, 2.91).

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 3:47 pm | Story: 496094

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Randy Arozarena's 19-game on-base streak ended when he went 0 for 3 in the Tampa Bay Rays' 13-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday as his last at-bat resulted in a fan interference call.

Arozarena had a foul fly down the right-field line in the seventh inning. Travis Jankowski settled under the ball but a fan in a Shin-Soo Choo jersey wearing a glove reached over the railing above the high wall and made a backhand catch.

Umpires conferenced and Arozarena was called out by first base umpire Mike Muchlinski for fan interference.

During a video review requested by the Rays, the fan held up a sign that read: “Home cooking.” The call was upheld and the game resumed after a 3-minute delay.

“If he’s camped, I totally understand it,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “If he’s running pretty full tilt … but Jankowski certainly acted like he was unhappy the ball didn’t go in his glove. So, maybe he would have caught it.”

Arozarena’s career-best on-base streak is 20 games in April and May 2023.

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The Canadian Press - Jul 7, 2024 / 3:05 pm | Story: 496089

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes was picked for the All-Star Game on Sunday just eight weeks after his debut, and the major league-leading Philadelphia Phillies had a big league-high seven selections.

Skenes, who turned 22 in May, was selected by the Pirates as the top pick in last year’s amateur draft, two days before the All-Star Game in Seattle. He made his first big league start on May 11 and is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 10 starts and 78 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. He has thrown 74 pitches of 100 mph or more.

Skenes’ final outing before the All-Star break is likely to be midweek, so he could be a possibility to start for the National League.

“That’d be cool. No expectations,” he said. “I don’t know who gets to decide that kind of thing, but that’d definitely be cool."

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga joined Skenes and San Diego outfielder Jackson Merrill as the only rookie All-Stars for the July 16 game at Arlington, Texas.

Philadelphia pitchers Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm were picked to join three starting Phillies position players: first baseman Bryce Harper, shortstop Trea Turner and third baseman Alec Bohm.

Philadelphia has seven All-Stars for the first time, though Harper’s availability depends on when he returns from a hamstring strain that has sidelined him since June 27. Wheeler is lined up to pitch for the Phillies next weekend and the team told Major League Baseball he won't be available for the All-Star Game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have six All-Stars after pitcher Tyler Glasnow, catcher Will Smith, first baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Teoscar Hernández and injured shortstop Mookie Betts joined starting DH Shohei Ohtani on the NL roster.

Cleveland topped the AL with five after first baseman Josh Naylor, closer Emmanuel Clase and designated hitter David Fry joined a pair of starters: third baseman José Ramírez and outfielder Steven Kwan. San Diego also had five.

Atlanta pitcher Chris Sale earned his eighth All-Star selection, the first for the 36-year-old left-hander since seven straight from 2012-18. The gap is the longest for an All-Star since Albert Pujols earned his 11th trip for his final season in 2022, his first since 2015.

“It is definitely satisfying. I appreciate it for sure,” said Sale, acquired by Braves from Boston in December. “They took a chance and I’m happy to be able to do this for them.”

Texas closer Kirby Yates at 37 is the oldest All-Star and will be joined by second baseman Marcus Semien of the host World Series champion Rangers.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez was picked for the ninth time, matching Houston second baseman Jose Altuve for the most among the 67 players on this year’s rosters.

Merrill at 21 is the youngest All-Star and among 32 first-time picks.

Skenes is scheduled to have one more start for Pittsburgh, and his 11 games put him on track to have the fewest for player in an All-Star Game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Detroit’s Mark Fidrych in 1976, the Dodgers’ Hideo Nomo in 1995 and Florida’s Dontrelle Willis in 2003 each had 13. (While Boston’s Don Schwall had 11 at the time of the first All-Star Game in 1961, he did not appear, and he had 15 when he pitched three innings three weeks later in that year’s second All-Star Game.)

San Diego outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., elected by fans to start, will miss the game because of a stress reaction in his right thigh bone. Betts, voted in by players for his eighth straight All-Star appearance, has been out since breaking his left hand on June 16.

Cincinnati's 22-year-old speedster, Elly De La Cruz, got Betts’ spot after finishing second to him on the player ballot. Skenes and San Francisco outfielder Heliot Ramos were picked by MLB to replace Wheeler and Tatis.

Starting pitchers Corbin Burnes of Baltimore, Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox, Tanner Houck of Boston, Seth Lugo of Kansas City and Tarik Skubal of Detroit were voted to the AL staff by players, managers and coaches along with Clase, Yates and Mason Miller of Oakland.

AL reserves picked by players included Fry, Naylor, Perez, Semien, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. of Kansas City, third baseman Rafael Devers of Boston and outfielders Jarren Duran of Boston, Riley Greene of Detroit and Kyle Tucker of Houston.

MLB used four of its AL picks on players whose teams weren’t already represented: pitchers Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels and Logan Gilbert of Seattle, shortstop Carlos Correa of Minnesota and third baseman Isaac Paredes of Tampa Bay. Pitchers Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees and Cole Ragans of Kansas City also were selected.

Glasnow, Sale, Ranger Suárez and Wheeler were voted to the NL staff along with fellow starter Reynaldo López of Atlanta, while Hoffman, Strahm and Robert Suarez of San Diego won bullpen balloting.

NL reserves voted by players were Betts, Freeman, Hernández, Merrill, Smith, second baseman Luis Arraez of San Diego, third baseman Ryan McMahon of Colorado, outfielder Bryan Reynolds of Pittsburgh and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna of Atlanta.

All six of MLB’s NL selections were for players on teams still without All-Stars: pitchers Ryan Helsley of St. Louis, Imanaga, Tanner Scott of Miami and Logan Webb of San Francisco, along with shortstop CJ Abrams of Washington and first baseman Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, also an MLB pick last year.

Notable players left off include Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, second baseman Jordan Westburg, who finished second in the final round of fan balloting, and outfielder Anthony Santander, fourth in fan voting.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto and DH Kyle Schwarber, both of Philadelphia, and San Diego third baseman Manny Machado were omitted despite finishing second in the last stage of the fan balloting. Schwarber has a strained groin.

De La Cruz was prepping for the All-Star trip in his own manner.

“I’m learning Japanese to speak to Ohtani,” he said through a translator.

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AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy and AP freelance writers Wes Crosby and Bill Trocchi contributed to this report.

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