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New York hosts Atlanta to begin playoffs

Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT

LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 216.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks to open the Eastern Conference first round. New York went 2-1 against Atlanta during the regular season. The Knicks won the last regular season meeting 108-105 on Monday, April 6 led by 30 points from Jalen Brunson, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points for the Hawks.

The Knicks are 35-17 against conference opponents. New York averages 116.5 points while outscoring opponents by 6.4 points per game.

The Hawks are 27-25 in conference play. Atlanta is 7-8 in one-possession games.

The Knicks average 116.5 points per game, 0.5 more points than the 116.0 the Hawks give up. The Hawks are shooting 47.4% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.0% the Knicks' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mikal Bridges is scoring 14.4 points per game and averaging 3.8 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 20.3 points and 2.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Jalen Johnson is scoring 22.5 points per game and averaging 10.3 rebounds for the Hawks. Alexander-Walker is averaging 3.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 6-4, averaging 111.2 points, 40.3 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.3 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 120.0 points, 44.5 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: Tyler Kolek: day to day (oblique), OG Anunoby: day to day (ankle), Josh Hart: day to day (ankle), Mitchell Robinson: day to day (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (elbow), Jalen Brunson: day to day (ankle).

Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu: day to day (finger), Nickeil Alexander-Walker: day to day (toe), Jalen Johnson: day to day (rest), CJ McCollum: day to day (rest), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee), Dyson Daniels: day to day (toe), Jock Landale: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orlando and Charlotte meet in play-in game

Charlotte Hornets (44-38, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Hornets -3.5; over/under is 218

PLAY-IN GAME: The Magic and Hornets square off to decide the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets take the court for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner claims the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The Magic are 26-26 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is 20-26 against opponents with a winning record.

The Hornets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Charlotte is seventh in the Eastern Conference scoring 116.0 points per game and is shooting 46.0%.

The Magic are shooting 46.4% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.7% the Hornets allow to opponents. The Hornets are shooting 46.0% from the field, 1.6% lower than the 47.6% the Magic's opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LaMelo Ball is averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 19.5 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 7-3, averaging 116.4 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points per game.

Hornets: 6-4, averaging 113.4 points, 44.8 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.1 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee).

Hornets: Moussa Diabate: day to day (hip), PJ Hall: out for season (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Phoenix and Golden State square off for play-in game

Golden State Warriors (37-45, 10th in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT

LINE: Suns -3.5; over/under is 219.5

PLAY-IN GAME: The Suns and Warriors square off to decide the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner earns the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

The Suns are 10-7 against division opponents. Phoenix averages 112.6 points while outscoring opponents by 1.5 points per game.

The Warriors are 7-9 against Pacific Division teams. Golden State is eighth in the Western Conference giving up only 115.2 points while holding opponents to 48.0% shooting.

The Suns score 112.6 points per game, 2.6 fewer points than the 115.2 the Warriors give up. The Warriors average 15.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.5 more made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Suns give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: Devin Booker is shooting 45.6% and averaging 26.1 points for the Suns. Royce O'Neale is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Brandin Podziemski is scoring 13.8 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Warriors. Gui Santos is averaging 12.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 51.2% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 5-5, averaging 115.1 points, 44.2 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.

Warriors: 3-7, averaging 111.4 points, 40.3 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Mark Williams: day to day (foot), Grayson Allen: day to day (hamstring).

Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Kristaps Porzingis: unknown (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Barnes and the Raptors visit Cleveland to begin playoffs

Toronto Raptors (46-36, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT

LINE: Cavaliers -8.5; over/under is 219.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Cavaliers host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors to open the Eastern Conference first round. Toronto went 3-0 against Cleveland during the regular season. The Raptors won the last regular season matchup 110-99 on Tuesday, Nov. 25 led by 37 points from Brandon Ingram, while Donovan Mitchell scored 17 points for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference teams. Cleveland is seventh in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 44.4 rebounds. Evan Mobley paces the Cavaliers with 9.0 boards.

The Raptors have gone 33-19 against Eastern Conference opponents. Toronto has a 21-27 record against teams above .500.

The Cavaliers are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 1.5 percentage points higher than the 46.7% the Raptors allow to opponents. The Raptors are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.8% higher than the 46.4% the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 15.3 points and 5.9 assists over the last 10 games.

Scottie Barnes is averaging 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 121.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 7.6 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.0 points per game.

Raptors: 6-4, averaging 119.8 points, 41.0 rebounds, 32.3 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: James Harden: day to day (rest), Dean Wade: day to day (ankle), Dennis Schroder: day to day (rest), Evan Mobley: day to day (calf), Keon Ellis: day to day (knee), Jarrett Allen: day to day (injury management), Thomas Bryant: day to day (calf), Sam Merrill: day to day (hamstring), Donovan Mitchell: day to day (ankle).

Raptors: Chucky Hepburn: day to day (knee), Immanuel Quickley: day to day (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles hosts Houston to start playoffs

Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers host first series matchup

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets to open the Western Conference first round. Los Angeles went 2-1 against Houston during the regular season. The Lakers won the last regular season matchup 124-116 on Thursday, March 19 led by 40 points from Luka Doncic, while Alperen Sengun scored 27 points for the Rockets.

The Lakers are 33-19 in Western Conference games. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Rockets are 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Houston has a 5-9 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Lakers make 50.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.2 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (46.0%). The Rockets average 11.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Lakers allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jake LaRavia is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 4.0 rebounds for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Kevin Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 7-3, averaging 116.2 points, 41.4 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points per game.

Rockets: 9-1, averaging 123.6 points, 49.1 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Jaxson Hayes: day to day (foot), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).

Rockets: Kevin Durant: day to day (rest), Amen Thompson: day to day (rest), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Jabari Smith Jr.: day to day (rest), Alperen Sengun: day to day (rest).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Ducks beat Predators 5-4 to clinch the Pacific’s third seed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Troy Terry scored on a power play with 2:54 left, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 on Thursday night helping them clinch the third seed in the Pacific Division for the postseason.

The Ducks came into the regular-season finale third in the Pacific with five different scenarios still possible to lock down the final playoff matchups This win, combined with Edmonton beating visiting Vancouver, means Anaheim starts the first round Monday at Edmonton.

Anaheim also took the season series against Nashville 2-1, though the Ducks go into the postseason 2-6-2 over their final 10.

Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Alex Killorn and Tristan Luneau scored for Anaheim. Mikael Granlund had three assists.

Steven Stamkos scored twice and had an assist for Nashville, giving him 42 goals this season. Filip Forsberg scored two goals, giving him 40, and the Predators a pair of 40-goal scorers. Luke Evangelista and Ryan Ufko added two assists apiece.

BLUES 5, MAMMOTH 3

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Logan Mailloux scored the go-ahead goal with 2:57 left to play and Robert Thomas had a hat trick as St. Louis beat Utah in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Mailloux scored unassisted on a backhand shot from 20 feet out to make it 4-3 in a back-and-forth game. Thomas’ third goal, an empty-netter with 38 seconds left, capped the scoring.

Pavel Buchnevich had the other goal for St. Louis and Joel Hofer made 20 saves.

Michael Carcone, Lawson Crouse, and Kailer Yamamoto scored for the Mammoth. Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek combined for 24 stops.

Clayton Keller assisted on two Utah goals to become the third NHL player this season with at least one assist in 10 straight games.

SHARKS 6, JETS 1

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two assists to break Joe Thornton’s San Jose record for points in a season with 115, helping the Sharks rout Winnipeg in the finale for both teams.

The 19-year-old Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games in his second NHL season. Thornton had 114 points in 2006-07, also playing 82 games. Last season, Celebrini had 63 points in 70 games, with 25 goals and 38 assists.

San Jose missed the playoff for the seventh consecutive season, finishing 39-35-8.

The Jets were 35-35-12 to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22. They are the fifth NHL team to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record and not qualify for the playoffs the following season.

William Eklund also had a goal and two assists for San Jose. Will Smith had a goal and an assist, Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa also scored, and John Klingberg added three assists. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots.

Mike Trout hits his fifth homer of the series as Angels beat Yankees 11-4

NEW YORK (AP) — Mike Trout hit his fifth homer of the series and the Los Angeles Angels overcame a homer by Aaron Judge in their 11-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday afternoon for a four-game split.

Trout, who recently made a mechanical adjustment, went 6 for 16 with five homers and nine RBIs in the series. Trout hit his latest homer with one out in the seventh inning when he sent a 2-2 slider from reliever Angel Chivilli about halfway up the left field bleachers for a 7-4 lead.

Trout homered in his fifth straight game at Yankee Stadium and became the fourth to hit five homers in a series against the Yankees. The others were Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985) and George Bell (1990), according to MLB researcher Sarah Langs.

Trout’s latest homer contributed to a rare loss for the Yankees when Judge and Giancarlo Stanton homer in the same game. Including the postseason, New York is 53-8 when the duo both connect.

Jo Adell added a grand slam in the eighth for the Angels, who lead the AL with 32 homers.

Judge hit his 89th career first-inning homer and Stanton hit a two-run shot to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the fourth before the Angels scored four runs in the sixth off Max Fried (2-1) and Fernando Cruz. Ben Rice also homered in the sixth.

Trout walked three times and scored the tying run in a four-run sixth on a double by former Yankee Oswald Peraza, who also hit a two-run homer in the first.

GIANTS 3, REDS 0

CINCINNATI (AP) — Landen Roupp allowed one hit in six innings and Matt Chapman had an RBI double to spark a three-run rally in the seventh and help San Francisco beat Cincinnati.

Roupp (3-1) didn’t allow a hit until No. 9 batter P.J. Higgins led off the sixth with a single. That ended up being the Reds only hit of the day.

Roupp hit TJ Friedl with a pitch, but Matt McLain struck out and Elly De La Cruz grounded into a double play to end the threat. Roupp walked two, struck out six and left after 87 pitches.

Ryan Walker pitched the seventh and Keaton Winn struck out two in the eighth. Erik Miller struck out the side in the ninth for his first career save.

The Giants rallied when Luis Arraez reached on an error by De La Cruz at short leading off the seventh against reliever Brock Burke (1-1). Arraez scored from first on Chapman’s two-out double off the wall in left-center field. Jung Hoo Lee followed with an RBI single. Connor Phillips entered and walked Heliot Ramos before Casey Schmitt singled in a third unearned run.

Reds rookie Chase Burns allowed two hits and a walk, but still faced the minimum through six scoreless innings. He struck out four and left after throwing 87 pitches.

BREWERS 2, BLUE JAYS 1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Garrett Mitchell scored the go-ahead run as Milwaukee bunted three straight times in the seventh inning to break a tie and beat Toronto.

Aaron Ashby (5-0) faced only two batters and got the final out in the seventh to take over the major league lead in wins.

Toronto stranded the potential tying run at third when Kazuma Okamoto grounded out against Angel Zerpa, who earned his second save. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had hit a leadoff single and reached third on a pair of grounders to the right side.

Milwaukee snapped a six-game skid Wednesday by scoring twice in the eighth inning while hitting just one ball out of the infield. The Brewers didn’t hit any balls out of the infield during their seventh-inning rally Thursday.

Mitchell drew a leadoff walk from Tommy Nance (0-1) and Greg Jones bunted him over to second. David Hamilton beat out a bunt hit to put runners on the corners. Joey Ortiz delivered a safety squeeze that brought home Mitchell.

NATIONALS 8, PIRATES 7, 10 INNINGS

PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Wood singled to score automatic runner Jorbit Vivas in the 10th inning and Washington beat Pittsburgh.

Reliever Clayton Beeter (1-0) got his first career win despite giving up the ninth-inning run that sent the game to an extra inning. Brandon Lowe hit an infield single to score Jake Mangum, who Beeter walked.

Dennis Santana (2-1) pitched the top of the 10th for the Pirates.

Orlando Ribalta earned his first career save.

The Nationals scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin had a throwing error that scored the first three. Luis García Jr. grounded into a fielder’s choice and Griffin was unable to tag second in time before he threw wildly to first base. Drew Millas, Vivas and Nasim Nuñez all scored.

The Pirates challenged Nuñez’s slide to second for any illegal contact, but the call was upheld.

RAYS 5, WHITE SOX 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Junior Caminero homered and Tampa scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a win over Chicago.

The Rays (11-7) trailed by one run three times before pulling ahead against White Sox (6-13) relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Lucas Sims, extending their winning streak to six games.

Dominguez entered with a one-run lead after Everson Pereira homered in the eighth inning, his second long ball in seven at-bats since returning from a sprained ankle. But Dominguez exited to boos with the bases loaded and one out after allowing Caminero’s leadoff home run, a single, a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch.

Sims struck out Jake Fraley before walking Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls. The White Sox have lost six straight home games after starting 3-0.

TIGERS 10, ROYALS 9

DETROIT (AP) — Riley Greene doubled home two runs to tie the score with two outs in the ninth inning, and Colt Keith followed with the winning single as streaking Detroit rallied past Kansas City in a wild game delayed twice by rain.

Dillon Dingler launched a two-run homer and Greene finished with three hits for the Tigers, who squandered a five-run lead but recovered to win their sixth straight.

Salvador Perez drove in four for the Royals, including a three-run homer to cap a six-run seventh that gave them an 8-6 lead. Vinnie Pasquantino also went deep, his first homer this season, and Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits and scored three times.

RANGERS 9, ATHLETICS 6

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Joc Pederson hit a go-ahead single in a four-run ninth inning and Texas rallied last in a victory over the Athletics to earn a split of its four-game series.

Nick Kurtz blooped a three-run double that Wyatt Langford couldn’t chase down in left field to give the Athletics a 6-5 lead with two outs in the eighth.

Jake Burger and Josh Jung singled to start the ninth against Justin Sterner (0-2). Kyle Higashioka was safe when Sterner fielded his bunt and threw it over the head of Darell Hernaiz at third for an error, allowing Burger to score the tying run. Pederson gave the Rangers the lead, and Ezequiel Duran added to it with a two-run single.

Brandon Nimmo had an RBI single in the third off Jacob Lopez, and Burger added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to put Texas up 2-0.

Jacob Wilson had a two-run single off Jack Leiter in the A’s fifth and Carlos Cortes followed with an RBI single to give them a 3-2 lead.

Luis Medina followed Lopez in the sixth, and Pederson worked a pinch-hit walk with one out after winning an ABS challenge on an 0-2 pitch. Josh Smith’s two-out RBI double tied it 3-all.

Jung hit his first home run of the season — a two-run shot off Scott Barlow in the seventh for a 5-3 Rangers lead.

Leiter allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Jakob Junis was charged with three runs in 1 1/3 innings after Jacob Latz entered with the bases loaded and gave up Kurtz’s double.

GUARDIANS 4, ORIOLES 2

CLEVELAND (AP) — Parker Messick took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, José Ramírez homered for the third time in four games and Cleveland opened a seven-game homestand with a victory over Baltimore.

Making his 11th major league start, Messick (3-0) faced one batter more than the minimum through eight innings before Leody Taveras led off the ninth with a grounder that just eluded diving second baseman Juan Brito and went into right field for a single.

Blaze Alexander followed with a line-drive single to center before the rookie left-hander was removed to a standing ovation from the crowd of 14,748.

Taylor Ward’s single off closer Cade Smith loaded the bases, and Gunnar Henderson’s sacrifice fly drove in Taveras. Pete Alonso hit an RBI double that put runners at second and third with one out.

Smith then retired pinch-hitter Colton Cowser on a fly to center and Samuel Basallo on a grounder for his fourth save.

The 25-year-old Messick walked two and equaled a career best with nine strikeouts. He was charged with two runs in eight-plus innings, his longest outing in the majors. He threw 112 pitches, 78 for strikes.

PADRES 5, MARINERS 2

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two-run single capped a four-run rally in the second inning, Walker Buehler earned his first win with San Diego and the Padres beat Seattle for their eighth straight win and 11th in 12 games.

Mason Miller struck out the side on 14 pitches in the ninth for his sixth save and to extend his scoreless innings streak to 30 2/3 innings, the longest active streak in the majors. He passed Randy Jones (30 innings in May 1980) for second-longest in Padres history and trails only Cla Meredith (33 2/3 innings, July-September 2006).

San Diego beat Seattle for just the fourth time in 12 games at Petco Park since 2022. Seattle won the season series 5-1 last year and claimed the inaugural Vedder Cup, named after Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who has ties to both cities. The trophy is a Fender Telecaster guitar signed by Vedder. The teams play again May 15-17 in Seattle.

Buehler (1-1) took a two-hit shutout into the sixth before allowing three straight singles. He was chased by Cal Raleigh’s RBI single, and Julio Rodríguez greeted reliever Bradgley Rodriguez with another run-scoring base hit. The Mariners had the bases loaded with one out before Adrian Morejon came on and retired the side.

Buehler threw his glove against a dugout wall after being pulled. He allowed two runs and five hits, struck out seven and walked one.

ROCKIES 3, ASTROS 2

HOUSTON (AP) — Hunter Goodman homered and doubled to help Colorado snap a six-game skid with a victory over Houston.

Goodman’s solo shot tied it in the fourth inning and Colorado took the lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Tyler Freeman, who had three hits.

Chase Dollander (2-1) took over with two outs in the first and pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. He struck out nine and allowed only one hit.

Victor Vodnik walked one in a scoreless ninth for his second save.

Jose Altuve had two hits for the Astros, who have dropped nine of 11.

Altuve hit a leadoff single in the first and moved to second on a wild pitch by opener Juan Mejia. Houston took a 1-0 lead when Altuve scored on a single by Yordan Alvarez.

With two outs, Mejia plunked Christian Walker on the arm with a pitch before a single by Joey Loperfido scored Alvarez to make it 2-0. But the offense stalled after that, and the Astros finished with five hits.

Sal Stewart hits 2 three-run homers, Reds beat Giants 8-3

CINCINNATI (AP) — Sal Stewart hit a pair of three-run home runs for a career-high six RBIs, Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz also homered, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 8-3 on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old Stewart has 12 career homers, the most by a Reds batter through his first 36 games since Aristedes Aquino hit 15 in 2018-19.

Stewart is the second-youngest Reds player with six RBIs in a game — behind De La Cruz, who drove in six on Aug. 23, 2003 at the age of 21.

Rookie Rhett Lowder (2-1) allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings for Cincinnati.

Former Red Tyler Mahle (0-3) started for San Francisco and allowed eight runs with five walks and four homers in four innings, raising his ERA from 4.30 to 7.23.

With two runners on in the first, Stewart hit his sixth home run to right-center. Three pitches later, Suarez reached the first row of seats in right to make it 4-0.

It was Suarez’s 192nd homer as a Red, moving him past Brandon Phillips into 12th place on the franchise’s career list. Suarez had three hits in a game for the first time since rejoining the Reds.

DIAMONDBACKS 8, ORIOLES 5, 10 INNINGS

BALTIMORE (AP) — Adrian Del Castillo hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning and drove in five to lead Arizona to a win over Baltimore.

Arizona went 6-3 on its nine-game trip to the New York Mets, Philadelphia and Baltimore, winning two of three from each.

Jeremiah Jackson homered and drove in three for Baltimore, which has lost consecutive games for the first time since a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh April 3-5.

After Geraldo Perdomo advanced automatic runner Corbin Carroll to third on a sacrifice to open the 10th, Del Castillo lashed a 2-0 fastball from Tyler Wells (0-1) into the bleachers in center for his first home run of the season. Nolan Arenado’s single later in the inning drove in an insurance run.

Ryan Thompson (1-0) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for Arizona. Juan Morillo earned his first save with a scoreless 10th.

CARDINALS 5, GUARDIANS 3

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nathan Church had three hits, Alec Burleson had two RBIs and Jordan Walker extended his hitting streak to 11 games as St. Louis beat Cleveland.

Dustin May (2-2) allowed one run on six hits and a walk and had four strikeouts in six innings, and Riley O’Brien pitched a perfect ninth to earn his fifth save and help St. Louis win its second straight game.

Slade Cecconi allowed one run on three hits but surrendered a career-high five walks and threw 87 pitches in four innings for Cleveland, which lost consecutive games for the first time this season.

JJ Wetherholt lined a sacrifice fly to center field off Tim Herrin after Connor Brogdon (2-2) walked Victor Scott II to load the bases in the sixth inning, and Burleson hit a two-run single up the middle to pull St. Louis ahead 4-1.

Church pulled an RBI double down the right-field line in the bottom of the seventh inning after Bo Naylor lined a two-run double off Justin Bruihl in the top of the seventh to cut Cleveland’s deficit to 4-3.

Guardians designated hitter José Ramírez fouled the first pitch he saw in the sixth inning off his right shin and was down for several minutes before finishing his at bat and grounding into a double play.

In the first inning, Ramírez grounded into a fielder’s choice in his franchise-record 6,040th career at bat to break Nap LaJoie’s 112-year-old record.

RED SOX 9, TWINS 5

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Trevor Story homered and drove in five runs to lead Boston over Minnesota.

Connelly Early (1-0) gave up one run, two hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings, the longest of his eight major league starts.

Andruw Monasterio had three of Boston’s 13 hits. Ceddanne Rafaela, batting second in the order for the just the second time in his major league career, went 1 for 3 with a walk.

Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3) gave up seven runs — six earned — 10 hits and three walks in five innings.

Austin Martin had two hits, including a home run. Ryan Kreidler hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning for the Twins, who lost for just the second time in 10 games.

PIRATES 2, NATIONALS 0

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carmen Mlodzinski allowed two hits over a career-high six innings and Pittsburgh beat Washington.

Mlodzinski (1-0) took over for opener Mason Montgomery in the second and struck out five against two walks to lower his ERA to 1.77. Dennis Santana worked the ninth for his second save.

Ryan O’Hearn had three hits for the Pirates, who have won 10 of 14. Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales had first-inning RBI singles against Jake Irvin (1-2), and it proved to be enough as four pitchers combined for Pittsburgh’s second shutout in less than a week.

Mlodzinski began this season as a full-fledged starter for the first time in his four-year career after bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen last season.

While he was excellent through his first three turns in 2026, manager Don Kelly opted to give the ball to the left-handed Montgomery in the first inning on Wednesday in hopes of dealing with the left-hand-heavy top of Washington’s lineup while also allowing Mlodzinski to work deeper into the game.

CUBS 11, PHILLIES 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and Chicago routed Philadelphia.

Dansby Swanson homered and Matt Shaw had three doubles and a pair of RBIs for the Cubs, who pounded out 15 hits to take the rubber match of the three-game set.

Trea Turner and Bryce Harper homered for Philadelphia.

Imanaga (1-1) allowed three hits and walked one.

Chicago went in front for good with three runs in the third inning off Jesús Luzardo (1-3). Hoerner’s bloop single scored Shaw from second, tying the game at 1-all. After Alex Bregman walked, Hoerner and Bregman executed a double steal. Hoerner reached home when catcher J.T. Realmuto’s throw went into left field. Bregman advanced to third on the error and scored on Luzardo’s wild pitch.

After Hoerner’s two-run shot to left-center in the fifth gave the Cubs a four-run lead, Chicago tacked on four more runs in the sixth. Shaw’s two-run double ended the night for Luzardo, and Horner capped the scoring with a two-run single against lefty reliever Kyle Backhus.

Luzardo was battered for nine runs — eight earned — on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings, raising his ERA to 7.94.

TIGERS 2, ROYALS 1

DETROIT (AP) — Wenceel Pérez hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and Detroit won its fifth straight game, beating Kansas City.

Pérez entered the game in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement when Zach McKinstry left after a collision with Jac Caglianone at third base.

Pérez’s first at-bat came as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eighth and he hit a 1-1 changeup from Eli Morgan (0-1) over the right-field fence for his first homer of the season.

Kyle Finnegan (1-0) got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief and Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

Neither starter was involved in the decision despite strong outings. Detroit’s Jack Flaherty allowed one run and two hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Kansas City’s Seth Lugo gave up one run and five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in 6 2/3 innings.

BRAVES 6, MARLINS 3

ATLANTA (AP) — Bryce Elder pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning, three Atlanta players homered and the Braves won another series with a victory over Miami.

Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and Matt Olson went deep for the first-place Braves, who took two of three from Miami for their fifth series win. They split their other series, a four-game set at Arizona.

Considered the weak link in the rotation coming into the season, Elder (2-1) lowered his ERA through four starts to 0.77. He limited the Marlins to four hits over 5 2-3 innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Albies put the home team ahead with his fourth homer of the season, a 370-foot drive off Chris Paddack (0-3) that just cleared the right-field wall. The Braves followed with three straight singles, including Mauricio Dubón’s run-scoring liner that made it 2-0.

The Marlins appeared to halve the deficit in the fifth when Xavier Edwards was ruled safe at first on an attempted double play with the bases loaded. The Braves challenged, and the call was overturned when the replay showed the throw from shortstop Dubón landing in Matt Olson’s glove just before Edwards’ cleats landed on first base for the third out.

Riley, off to a sluggish start, tacked on his first homer of the season in the sixth by sending one into the left-field seats off John King. Olson added a two-run homer against Andrew Nardi in the seventh.

YANKEES 5, ANGELS 4

NEW YORK (AP) — José Caballero laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave New York a victory over Los Angeles, moments after it botched an infield popup in a costly misplay.

Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the series and Trent Grisham had a two-run single for the Yankees, who won for only the second time in eight games following an 8-2 start.

Mike Trout hit his fourth homer in three games, putting the Angels ahead 4-3 with a two-run drive in the fifth.

That was still the score when Jazz Chisholm Jr. popped up to the left side with one out and nobody on in the ninth. But shortstop Zach Neto and ex-Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza miscommunicated, and the ball dropped right between them on the infield dirt for a gift single.

That came back to bite the Angels, who had played outstanding defense all night to that point.

Austin Wells worked a full-count walk against closer Jordan Romano (0-2), and both runners were attempting to steal when Caballero lined a 1-2 slider into left-center.

Chisholm easily scored the tying run and third-base coach Luis Rojas aggressively waved Wells home. The catcher barely beat Neto’s relay throw to the plate with a feetfirst slide, and the safe call was confirmed after a replay review.

BREWERS 2, BLUE JAYS 1

MILWAUKEE (AP) — William Contreras hit the only ball out of the infield during a two-run rally in the eighth inning as Milwaukee snapped a six-game skid with a victory over Toronto.

Toronto wasted a brilliant performance from Dylan Cease, who struck out six and allowed two hits and three walks in six shutout innings.

Milwaukee capitalized on some good luck in the eighth to end its longest losing streak since 2023.

David Hamilton led off by beating out an infield single. Hamilton hit a ball less than halfway up the left side of the infield and pitcher Tyler Rogers (1-1) was unable to field it with his bare hand.

Sal Frelick followed by hitting a high bouncer that catcher Brandon Valenzuela mishandled after it fell right in front of home plate. The error by Valenzuela put runners on first and second.

Contreras then grounded a single into right that scored Hamilton and advanced Frelick to third. Frelick scored the go-ahead run when Brice Turang grounded to second on a chopper that bounced over the head of Rogers.

Abner Uribe retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

RAYS 8, WHITE SOX 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Junior Caminero, Jake Fraley and Jonny DeLuca homered, and Tampa Bay pounded Chicago for its fifth straight win.

Caminero gave the Rays a 1-0 lead in the third with a rocket down the left-field line against White Sox starter Sean Burke (0-2) for his third homer. He added an RBI groundout in the fifth before Jonathan Aranda doubled in run.

Fraley made it 4-0 when he led off the sixth with a shot to right for his first home run. DeLuca, batting for Fraley, capped a four-run seventh with a three-run drive against Tyler Gilbert.

Jesse Scholtens (1-0) threw one-hit ball over five innings in relief after Cole Sulser worked the first two as Tampa Bay’s opener.

The start of the game was delayed a few minutes after a singer leading the “Jackie Robinson Day” festivities collapsed. The White Sox said Gerald Chaney, a longtime anthem performer, was alert before being taken to the hospital after he collapsed while performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The White Sox have lost seven of nine. They did all their scoring in the ninth to avoid being shut out for the third time in five games.

Burke gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

ASTROS 3, ROCKIES 1

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit his seventh home run of the season and Spencer Arrighetti struck out 10 in six strong innings to lead Houston to a win over Colorado.

Alvarez, who took Jose Quintana deep in the third inning, is tied for second in the majors in homers.

Arrighetti (1-0) gave up two hits and one run in his first major league start this season after being recalled from Triple-A following an injury to right-hander Cody Bolton.

Houston has won two straight following an eight-game skid. The Rockies have lost six in a row after winning their previous four.

The Rockies had runners on first and third with two outs in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu retired TJ Rumfield on a groundout. Enyel De Los Santos struck out two in a scoreless ninth to get the save for a second night in a row.

Thursday's Time Schedule

All Times EDT

Thursday, April 16

MLB

Washington at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 12:40 p.m.

Kansas City at Detroit, 1:10 p.m.

L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees, 1:35 p.m.

Toronto at Milwaukee, 1:40 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m.

Texas at Athletics, 3:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.

Colorado at Houston, 8:10 p.m.

Seattle at San Diego, 8:40 p.m.

NHL

St. Louis at Utah, 7:30 p.m.

Anaheim at Nashville, 8 p.m.

San Jose at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Los Angeles at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Vancouver at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

Seattle at Colorado, 10 p.m.

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Nashville hosts Anaheim after Evangelista's 2-goal showing

Anaheim Ducks (42-33-6, in the Pacific Division) vs. Nashville Predators (38-33-10, in the Central Division)

Nashville, Tennessee; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Nashville Predators host the Anaheim Ducks after Luke Evangelista scored two goals in the Predators' 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

Nashville is 38-33-10 overall and 21-16-3 in home games. The Predators have a -24 scoring differential, with 238 total goals scored and 262 allowed.

Anaheim has an 18-20-2 record in road games and a 42-33-6 record overall. The Ducks have committed 320 total penalties (4.0 per game) to rank seventh in league play.

The teams match up Thursday for the third time this season. The Predators won the previous matchup 5-0.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan O'Reilly has 25 goals and 48 assists for the Predators. Steven Stamkos has five goals and one assist over the last 10 games.

Cutter Gauthier has 40 goals and 28 assists for the Ducks. Leo Carlsson has scored five goals with one assist over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Predators: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 5.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 10.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

Ducks: 2-6-2, averaging 2.8 goals, 4.6 assists, 3.5 penalties and 9.3 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game.

INJURIES: Predators: Nicolas Hague: day to day (upper-body).

Ducks: Chris Kreider: day to day (illness), Petr Mrazek: out for season (lower-body), Jansen Harkins: out (upper body), Ross Johnston: out (lower-body), Radko Gudas: day to day (lower body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Blues visit the Mammoth after Snuggerud's 2-goal game

St. Louis Blues (36-33-12, in the Central Division) vs. Utah Mammoth (43-32-6, in the Central Division)

Salt Lake City; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues visit the Utah Mammoth after Jimmy Snuggerud scored two goals in the Blues' 7-5 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Utah is 43-32-6 overall with a 13-10-2 record in Central Division games. The Mammoth have committed 313 total penalties (3.9 per game) to rank 10th in league play.

St. Louis is 36-33-12 overall with a 9-16-0 record against the Central Division. The Blues have a 29-10-5 record in games they score at least three goals.

The matchup Thursday is the fourth time these teams square off this season. The Mammoth won 4-2 in the last matchup. Nick Schmaltz led the Mammoth with two goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Clayton Keller has scored 26 goals with 60 assists for the Mammoth. Mikhail Sergachev has 13 assists over the past 10 games.

Snuggerud has 21 goals and 29 assists for the Blues. Dylan Holloway has six goals and nine assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mammoth: 6-4-0, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.3 assists, 3.8 penalties and 10.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.

Blues: 6-3-1, averaging four goals, seven assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

INJURIES: Mammoth: Barrett Hayton: out (upper-body), Jack McBain: out (lower-body), John Marino: day to day (upper-body).

Blues: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Calgary plays Los Angeles in Pacific Division action

Los Angeles Kings (35-26-20, in the Pacific Division) vs. Calgary Flames (33-39-9, in the Pacific Division)

Calgary, Alberta; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings head to the Calgary Flames in Pacific Division action on Thursday.

Calgary is 33-39-9 overall with a 13-9-3 record in Pacific Division games. The Flames have committed 323 total penalties (4.0 per game) to rank fifth in NHL play.

Los Angeles has gone 35-26-20 overall with a 10-5-10 record in Pacific Division play. The Kings have a 26-4-11 record when scoring three or more goals.

The teams meet Thursday for the fourth time this season. The Flames won 3-2 in a shootout in the last meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Morgan Frost has 21 goals and 21 assists for the Flames. Blake Coleman has four goals and two assists over the last 10 games.

Adrian Kempe has 36 goals and 37 assists for the Kings. Quinton Byfield has scored six goals with two assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 3-5-2, averaging 2.9 goals, 5.1 assists, four penalties and 8.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.

Kings: 7-1-2, averaging 3.4 goals, five assists, 3.2 penalties and 9.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Flames: Samuel Honzek: out for season (upper body), Jonathan Huberdeau: out for season (hip), Jake Bean: out (undisclosed), Yan Kuznetsov: day to day (upper body), Matt Coronato: day to day (undisclosed), Kevin Bahl: day to day (lower body), Joel Hanley: out for season (upper-body).

Kings: Kevin Fiala: out for season (leg), Alex Turcotte: day to day (undisclosed), Jeff Malott: out (undisclosed), Andrei Kuzmenko: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Canucks visit the Oilers after shootout victory

Vancouver Canucks (25-48-8, in the Pacific Division) vs. Edmonton Oilers (40-30-11, in the Pacific Division)

Edmonton, Alberta; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks after the Canucks knocked off the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime.

Edmonton is 40-30-11 overall with a 15-7-3 record against the Pacific Division. The Oilers have gone 38-9-8 in games they score three or more goals.

Vancouver has gone 25-48-8 overall with an 8-15-2 record in Pacific Division games. The Canucks have a 9-9-6 record in games decided by a goal.

Thursday's game is the fourth time these teams match up this season. The Oilers won 6-0 in the previous matchup. Jack Roslovic led the Oilers with two goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Connor McDavid has scored 48 goals with 86 assists for the Oilers. Evan Bouchard has two goals and 11 assists over the last 10 games.

Elias Pettersson has 15 goals and 36 assists for the Canucks. Jake DeBrusk has scored eight goals with two assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Oilers: 6-2-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.1 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.

Canucks: 4-6-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.7 penalty minutes while giving up 4.1 goals per game.

INJURIES: Oilers: Leon Draisaitl: out (lower-body), Max Jones: out (lower-body), Jason Dickinson: day to day (leg), Zach Hyman: out (undisclosed), Mattias Janmark: out for season (undisclosed).

Canucks: Thatcher Demko: out for season (hip), Derek Forbort: out (undisclosed), Evander Kane: out for season (upper-body), Filip Chytil: out (face).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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