Baseball

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are squaring off in a duel between the two most recent members of the 3,000-strikeout club.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning and the Baltimore Orioles held on to beat the Athletics 3-2 on Friday night.

DETROIT (AP) — Matt Vierling hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Friday night.

Left-handed pitcher Alex Wood posted a long message on social media Friday announcing his retirement after 12 major league seasons that included a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yadier Molina is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals' dugout this weekend for the first time since his 19-year playing career ended in 2022.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds had a two-out, two-run triple in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Friday night.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Roki Sasaki threw a three-inning simulated game Friday and the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie is on track to return late in the season. The Japanese phenom has been on the injured list since mid-May with a right shoulder impingement.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing manager Pat Murphy's strange eating habits to fans.

NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return to the outfield for the first time in nearly two years, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Orioles activated infielder Ryan Mountcastle from the injured list before Friday night's game against the Athletics, and Baltimore also put outfielders Colton Cowser and Tyler O'Neill on the IL.