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Now in Chisox 'pen, Kopech makes debut after 2020 opt-out

TWINS 1, ORIOLES 0 (7 INNINGS)Minnesota ace Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four in his second start. Baltimore's Dean Kremer fared better in his second start, allowing a hit and a walk in three scoreless innings. Deivi García pitched three shutout innings in his second start for the Yankees. Nick Pivetta made his second start for Boston, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings. Alex Wood worked two innings in the start for San Francisco and gave up a home run to Omar Narvaez.

White Sox finalize deal with Athletics closer Hendriks

The Chicago White Sox have finalized a $54 million, three-year deal with Oakland Athletics closer Liam Hendriks, another big move as they set their sights on a championship run. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)CHICAGO – Liam Hendriks saw the talent the Chicago White Sox had and knew he wanted to join the team. Chicago finalized a $54 million, three-year deal with the former Oakland Athletics' closer, another big move as the White Sox set their sights on a championship run. I want to pitch everyday.”Hahn acknowledged the White Sox are taking a risk, given Hendriks' age. The White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and ended a string of seven losing seasons.

Freeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team

Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.

Pinder's HR helps rally A's past Astros 9-7, trail ALDS 2-1

Oakland Athletics' Chad Pinder, right, celebrates with manager Bob Melvin after the Athletics defeated the Houston Astros in Game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. And just in case Laureano's words did not get the message across, he ripped a double as the A's got a pair of sacrifice flies in the eighth to rally past the Houston Astros 9-7 on Wednesday and avoid elimination in their AL Division Series. “It was awesome.”Houston leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can advance to its fourth straight AL Championship Series with a victory in Game 4 on Thursday. Pinder hit a first-pitch slider to the opposite field for Oakland's fifth homer, a drive chased by right fielder Kyle Tucker until he ran out of room at the short wall. Houston took a 7-4 lead with five runs in the fifth, when the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate.

No days off puts stress on pitchers in Division Series, LCS

(AP Photo/David Dermer)NEW YORK – Postseason games come at an unprecedented pace starting Monday in this year of the pandemic. Teams could play the Division Series over five straight days, take a single day off and then contest the League Championship Series on seven consecutive days. The last to pitch for seven straight days was San Francisco’s Steve Kline from July 31 to Aug. 6, 2007. The League Championship Series has had a 2-3-2 format since 1985, with days off between Games 2 and 3, then another between Games 5 and 6. To start twice in the Division Series, Game 1 pitchers would have to come back on three days' rest.

LEADING OFF: Cubs' Darvish tries to save season vs Marlins

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___TRY AGAINThe Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. The ace right-hander was a steady presence for the Cubs throughout the pandemic-shortened season, joining the NL Cy Young Award conversation. The Marlins will counter with 22-year-old Sixto Sánchez, who debuted Aug. 22 and posted a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. “That’s the thing.”The Braves won’t play again until Tuesday, when they’ll open an NL Division Series against either the Cubs or Marlins in Houston.

Pinder delivers timely hit, A's advance in playoffs at last

Oakland stopped a nine-game losing streak in winner-take-all postseason games, a major league record that dated to the 1973 World Series. “I woke up this morning feeling like this was going to be a hard game and it was a hard game,” Melvin said. The low-budget A's had not captured a winner-take-all postseason game since beating Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the New York Mets. That prompted White Sox star Tim Anderson to say, “I guess they haven’t done their homework.”“It’s a tough one to swallow but we've got to keep going,” Anderson said. HURLING ITThe 17 pitchers, nine by Chicago, were the most in a nine-inning postseason game.

A's hold off Abreu, White Sox 5-3, force series to Game 3

Now, the slugging A's are right back in a familiar fall position: one winner-take-all postseason game with the season on the line. Semien and Davis connected early and Oakland's bullpen barely held off José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox late for a 5-3 win Wednesday that sent the AL playoff series to a deciding Game 3. The White Sox went 14-0 in the regular season against left-handed starters and beat southpaw Jesús Luzardo in the playoff opener. “I'm pretty sure we're pretty dang confident in anyone we throw against the White Sox,” Bassitt said. He went just 3 for 18 against the White Sox last season.

Piscotty slam ties it in ninth, A's beat Giants 8-7 in 10th

San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)SAN FRANCISCO Stephen Piscotty hit a tying grand slam in the ninth inning, Mark Canha's sacrifice fly put Oakland on top in the 10th, and the Athletics stunned the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Friday night in the opener of the Bay Bridge Series. Oakland trailed by five in the ninth inning but rallied to win from such a deficit for the first time since July 15, 1952, according to STATS. The Giants hadn't lost after leading by five or more runs in the ninth inning or latter since June 25, 1929. The ball carried on a rare hot evening in San Francisco, where first-pitch temperature reached 85 degrees.

Piscotty hits A's 2nd walkoff slam this year, beats Rangers

Oakland Athletics' Stephen Piscotty celebrates with teammates after a game-ending grand slam against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)OAKLAND, Calif. Stephen Piscotty hit Oaklands second walkoff grand slam of the year and the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 5-1 Tuesday night for their fourth straight win. Volquez retired Robbie Grossman on a popup before Piscotty hit a first-pitch drive over the wall in center to match the opening night 10th-inning slam by Matt Olson against the Angels. The 22-year-old lefty was the youngest As pitcher to start a game since Brett Anderson in 2010 and lived up to the hype. He overpowered the Rangers at times, striking out Joey Gallo on a 96 mph to end the first.

Sho No! Angels' Ohtani doesn't record out in return to mound

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, July 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)OAKLAND, Calif. Shohei Ohtani didnt record an out in the two-way stars long-awaited return to the mound for the Los Angels Angels, allowing the first six Oakland batters to reach base before his day was done in a 6-4 loss to the Athletics on Sunday. Robbie Grossman singled in another run, and Angels manager Joe Maddon replaced Ohtani (0-1) with Matt Andriese down 4-0. Ohtani made his first appearance on the mound since Sept. 2, 2018 after not pitching last season following Tommy John surgery. Ohtani threw 30 pitches, reaching 94.7 mph with his fastball he averaged 96.7 mph and touched 100 mph in 2018.

In 1st MLB game with new extra-inning rule, A's slam Angels

Oakland Athletics players celebrate after Matt Olson, center left, hit a grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the tenth inning a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 24, 2020. According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. The game went to the 10th tied at 3 after Jason Castros tying homer in the ninth against As closer Liam Hendriks. The Angels didn't deliver a win for Maddon in his Angels managerial debut. UP NEXTLHP Sean Manaea, who went 4-0 last season in September after returning from shoulder surgery before losing the wild card game, pitches Saturday opposite Angels RHP Dylan Bundy.