J.A. HAPP

The Cardinals’ team-record 17-game winning streak ended when Daniel Vogelbach hit a two-run homer that backed Adrian Houser and led the Milwaukee Brewers over St. Louis 4-0.

The surging St. Louis Cardinals emphatically matched a team record with their 14th straight win, pounding the Chicago Cubs 12-4 in the second game of a doubleheader behind Tyler O’Neill’s three-run homer and a pair of solo shots by Lars Nootbaar.

Albert Pujols rewarded an adoring crowd by hitting a home run in his return to Busch Stadium, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers toward a 7-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer shortly after Cleveland right fielder Josh Naylor was carted off the field following a frightening collision with a teammate, and the Minnesota Twins went beat the Indians 8-2.

Gerrit Cole got back on track with six sharp innings, and Giancarlo Stanton hit two of the New York Yankees’ four home runs to fuel a 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Rookie Trevor Larnach homered and Rob Refsnyder drove in two runs as the Minnesota Twins hung on to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5.

Minnesota left-hander J.

Minnesota Twins left-hander J.

Phillip Evans kept Akil Baddoo’s drive to left field in the park in the seventh inning to help Pittsburgh escape a jam, and the Pirates scored twice in the eighth to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2.

The Oakland Athletics extended their winning streak to 11, rallying from a two-run deficit to beat the Twins 13-12 when Luis Arraez threw away Ramón Laureano’s grounder for Minnesota’s second error of the 10th inning.

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Akil Baddoo added another big hit in this charmed start to his big league career, lining an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak.

Scherzer will make his Nationals-record sixth opening day start April 1, facing the New York Mets in Washington. The original lineup released by Washington before the game featured a designated hitter; that was revised to include Scherzer batting for himself. DeGrom struck him out, part of his 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits and five Ks. YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 3Gerritt Cole struck out eight in five innings, allowing one run in his fourth spring start for New York. BRAVES 11, RAYS 1Atlanta starter Max Fried gave up three hits and struck out five over six innings.

The two-time AL Central champion Twins are hoping Happ can give them a veteran presence at the back of their rotation. Ian Anderson pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Houston piggy-backed a pair of starters with Framber Valdez yielding McNeil's homer in the first two innings, striking out two. AdBLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 2 (6)Steven Matz allowed a hit in two scoreless innings, striking out three without a walk. CUBS 3, ROYALS 2 (7)Outfielder Rafael Ortega, who signed a minor league deal with Chicago after playing 34 games for Atlanta last season, hit a bases-loaded triple.

The Minnesota Twins are bringing back designated hitter Nelson Cruz on a one-year, $13 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig, File)MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Twins are bringing back designated hitter Nelson Cruz and bolstering their bullpen with right-hander Alex Colomé, making two more major moves as spring training fast approaches. Cruz's one-year deal is worth $13 million, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The six-time All-Star won Silver Slugger awards in 2019 and 2020, and the Twins won the AL Central both seasons. Happ — on one-year commitments, as with Simmons, Colomé and Cruz — earlier this winter.

FILE - In this July 9, 2020, file photo, Texas Rangers pitcher Corey Kluber throws during an intrasquad game in Arlington, Texas. The New York Yankees reached a deal with Kluber worth $11 million for one year, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Happ to become free agents, signed Kluber to an $11 million, one-year contract and acquired Taillon from Pittsburgh for four prospects. To drop payroll below the $210 million luxury tax threshold, Cashman traded right-hander Adam Ottavino to rival Boston, saving $7.15 million. New York enters spring training with a projected rotation of Gerrit Cole, Deivi García, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, Kluber and Taillon.

FILE - In this April 25, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh. A person familiar with the trade talks tells The Associated Press the New York Yankees made the second addition to their starting rotation of the offseason, agreeing to acquire right-hander Taillon from the Pirates for four prospects. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – The Yankees made another high-risk offseason addition to their starting rotation, acquiring right-hander Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday for four prospects. Taillon, 29, has not pitched since May 1, 2019, following his second Tommy John surgery. Taillon was 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in seven starts during the 2019 season, when he started on opening day for the Pirates.

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Yankees pitcher J.A. The Minnesota Twins and Happ agreed Wednesday, Jan. 20, to a one-year, $8 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 38-year-old Happ spent the past 2 1/3 seasons with the New York Yankees. Minnesota was third in the AL in 2020 with a team ERA of 3.58. Happ went 12-8 in 2019 and struggled at the start of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, prompting the Yankees to skip his turn.

Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. Lester gets a $10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs that completes a $155 million, six-year contract rather than a $25 million mutual option. Milwaukee turned down Gyorko and Sogard, a day after declining a $15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun. The White Sox declined a $12 million option for Encarnación and a $7 million option for González, who will receive a $500,000. Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.

The Rays are seeking revenge after Houston beat them in five games in the AL Division Series last year. The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. ANOTHER EARLY OFFSEASONAfter finishing its 11th consecutive season without a World Series, the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman face a series of key decisions. New York has a $17 million option on pitcher J.A.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)SAN DIEGO – Manager Kevin Cash and the Tampa Bay Rays introduced the concept of an opener to modern baseball two years ago. But just as New York almost certainly regretted using an opener in Game 2 when Deivi García and J.A. Glasnow threw 93 pitches in Game 2, getting the victory after tossing four-run ball over five innings. The Rays used an opener seven times in this year's 60-game regular season, going 6-1 when employing the scheme. “(Glasnow) has obviously got his heater, but he’s got one of the best curveballs in the game, too.

Stanton has three homers this series and five in four postseason games. His grand slam in the ninth inning Monday night was the Bronx Bombers’ fourth homer in the 9-3 Game 1 win. We needed every bit of them.”Four Rays pitchers struck out 18, an MLB postseason record for a nine-inning game and a postseason record for Yankees batters. Stanton, who’s from Los Angeles, joined Reggie Jackson and Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to homer in four straight postseason games overall. His 10 strikeouts surpass the previous Rays postseason record of nine, done three times.

Blue Jays players embraced on the diamond at their temporary home of Sahlen Field in Buffalo after Rafael Dolis struck out Aaron Hicks to end it. The Blue Jays trail the Yankees by two games for second place in the AL East. The Blue Jays extended their lead when Cavan Biggio and Bo BIchette hit back-to-back, two-out doubles in the third. TRAINER’S ROOMBlue Jays: RHP Nate Pearson (elbow) was activated off the injured list and RHP Wilmer Font was designated for assignment. Blue Jays: RHP Taijuan Walker (4-3, 2.86) starts Friday in the opener of a three-game series against Baltimore.

Games set for Friday and Saturday night were called off to allow time for more testing and contact tracing. Major League Baseball has made no announcement about Sunday's game, although so far this season, no team has resumed its season so swiftly following a positive test. The two-time Gold Glover was hitting .232 with 10 home runs with 25 RBIs in 37 games this year. He batted only .120 (3 for 25) with 17 strikeouts and one walk his last eight games. The A’s could use a combination of recently acquired Tommy La Stella, rookie Vimael Machin and Chad Pinder at third base.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK – Luke Voit hit a game-ending sacrifice fly leading off the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees beat Baltimore 2-1 Saturday to open a 4 1/2-game lead over the Orioles for the American League’s eighth and final playoff berth. With DJ LeMahieu starting the inning as the automatic runner on second, Hunter Harvey (0-2) bounced a wild pitch that advanced LeMahieu. LeMahieu scored without a throw. Happ lost Tuesday against Toronto despite allowing two runs in 6 1/3 innings and striking out a season-high 10.

New York Yankees pitcher Adam Ottavino walks to the dugout after being pulled during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. Green, Ottavino and Luis Cessa needed 67 pitches and 43 minutes to get three outs. Green's ERA jumped to 4.26, and Ottavino allowed six runs without getting any outs as his ERA rose to 7.82. Ottavino (2-3) relieved, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run, opposite-field single that bounced past Voit and down the right-field line. Sean Reid-Foley (1-0) won despite a bases-loaded walk to Aaron Hicks in the sixth that extended the Yankees lead to four runs.

FILE - In this March 1968 file photo, New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver poses for a photo, location not known. The Hall of Fame said Wednesday night, Sept. 2, 2020, that Seaver died on Aug. 31 from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner. WELCOME, PADREMike Clevinger (1-1, 3.18 ERA) makes his Padres debut after being traded this week from Cleveland. Walker (3-2, 3.27 ERA) starts at Boston as the Blue Jays try to keep up their push for a playoff spot.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK Mike Brosseau got some payback against the New York Yankees, hitting two home runs as the Tampa Bay Rays topped their AL East rivals again with a 5-2 victory Wednesday night. The Rays improved to 20-4 in their last 24 games and moved 4 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees. Tampa Bay also avoided consecutive losses for the first time since a five-game skid from July 29 to Aug. 2. Tampa Bay right-hander Charlie Morton returned after missing three weeks with right shoulder inflammation and pitched two-plus hitless innings while being limited to 38 pitches. Yankees: Visit the crosstown New York Mets in a makeup Thursday, the final Subway Series game of the season.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK The last time the New York Yankees lost eight in a row, it was a different millennium. Frazier drew a leadoff walk in the ninth from Betances (0-1), a four-time All-Star with the Yankees before signing with the Mets last offseason. Happ held the Mets to three hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings, becoming the first Yankees starter to reach the eighth this season. The Mets will be the home" team at Yankee Stadium in the second game. Prized pitching prospect Deivi Garcia will start one game for the Yankees, making his major league debut.

Back in his comfort zone Friday night, the New York Mets outfielder took a starring role in a Subway Series instant classic. We all were extremely happy to just be back on the field and be back playing baseball, Smith said. Smith, a 25-year-old Black man, cried Wednesday night reflecting on a recent shooting by police of a Black man in Wisconsin. 42 for the second game only. Inspired by the emotional comments from the usually upbeat Smith, the Mets staged a walkout protest against racial injustice with the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.

Cole (3-0) allowed one run and five hits, struck out four and walked one on 91 pitches. The major league-best Yankees have won seven straight the equivalent of a 19-game spurt over a 162-game season. Because of Tuesdays postponement, the Phillies planned to return home after the game without having checked into their hotel. ... Closer Aroldis Chapman is to throw a bullpen in Scranton on Tuesday or Wednesday in his return from COVID-19. Happ (0-0) had been scheduled to start for the Yankees on Tuesday and RHP Aaron Nola (0-1) for the Phillies.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) greets DJ LeMahieu, right, after LaMahieu hit a solo home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) greets DJ LeMahieu, right, after LaMahieu hit a solo home run off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE If the New York Yankees must adjust on the fly to a sudden change in the schedule, there's no team they'd rather face than the Baltimore Orioles. So Major League Baseball thrust the Yankees and Orioles together while the Marlins and Phillies recover. I thought our mindset was really good," New York manager Aaron Boone said of the team's need to change direction without much notice. Orioles: Means was 0-2 with a 12.27 ERA in two starts against the Yankees as a rookie last year.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON Gleyber Torres helped the New York Yankees prevent the Washington Nationals from tooting their own horn. Torres had started 2020 by going 0 for 7 before delivering hits in three consecutive at-bats Sunday. But with one out in the seventh, Torres took Corbin deep on a first-pitch fastball to make it 2-1. Honestly, I really dont know what theyre planning on doing with that thing, Martinez said about the trumpet. On Monday, Washington RHP Anbal Snchez faces RHP Trent Thornton.

The opener carried a somber feel after Stantons comebacker drilled Tanaka in the right side of his head in the third at-bat of the session. Tanaka was released from the hospital Saturday night after a CT scan came back negative, and he is in concussion protocol. Chapman threw a bullpen, and Snchez took live at-bats against Paxton, who looked sharp in his first simulated game of this camp. The big left-hander walked Snchez to start, then struck out Miguel Andjar, Tyler Wade and Snchez successively. That predator once crashed into the protective netting along the first base line shortly before a game while hunting a pigeon.