Pujols says he'll decide future after season with Angels
Pujols wife apparently disclosed that the Angels slugger will retire after the upcoming season, although she later amended her social media post to be less definitive. Not playing in October will never stop grating on Pujols, who begins the new season with 662 homers along with 2,100 RBIs, third-most in baseball history. AdLast season, Pujols batted .224 with a .665 OPS — both the worst marks of his two-decade career — while playing in just 39 of Los Angeles’ 60 games. Pujols says he's fine with whatever role he gets in 2021 from Maddon, who praises the veteran slugger for his maturity and leadership. … He just makes any team that he’s on better, and he’s going to make this bullpen better.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Kershaw dominates, Bellinger 2 HRs, Dodgers drop Angels 7-4
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)ANAHEIM, Calif. Clayton Kershaw allowed one hit over seven brilliant innings, Cody Bellinger hit a pair of two-run homers and the Los Angeles Dodgers opened the Freeway Series with a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Rendon also drew two walks from Kershaw (2-1), but he was the only Angels hitter to reach base against the Dodgers longtime ace. The Dodgers have won seven straight NL West titles, while the Angels have posted four straight losing seasons. Patrick Sandoval (0-2) pitched six-hit ball into the seventh inning for the Angels, but remained winless in 12 career major league starts. Kershaw faced the minimum 12 Angels through four innings, but Rendon led off the fifth with a homer into the short left field porch.
Angels' Trout on paternity list ahead of couple's 1st child
ANAHEIM, Calif. Mike Trout was placed on the paternity list before the Los Angeles Angels' game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. The reigning AL Most Valuable Player and his wife, Jessica, are expecting their first child, which is due on Monday. Angels manager Joe Maddon said that Trout informed him before Wednesday's game that it was possible he would be leaving. The power-hitting outfielder batted .292 with a home run and four RBIs in Los Angeles' first six games. Brian Goodwin moved from right to center field and will bat second, which is Trout's usual spot in the lineup.
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.
Astros clinch home field, Verlander gets 3,000th strikeout
Jose Altuve and Josh Reddick homered to back Verlander (21-6), who became the 18th pitcher to reach 3,000 career punchouts and the 19th since 1900 to reach 300 in a season. I thought it was going to be a lot to ask for since these guys don't strike out much," Verlander said. According to Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet, that's the first time a pitcher has recorded his 3,000th strikeout on a wild pitch. Verlander reached 300 in a season for the first time when he got Calhoun on a foul tip in the sixth. The Astros are only one game in front of the Dodgers but clinched home field by virtue of having a better intradivisional record.