Sticky situation: Bauer claims Astros cheating
Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer ignited a Twitter battle when he insinuated Astros pitchers are using sticky substances to increase their spin rates.
It started when Bauer responded to a tweet that read: “Are Astros doctoring baseball or throwing spit balls. Look at spin rates of [ Justin] Verlander, [ Gerrit] Cole and [ Charlie] Morton, increased dramatically pitching in Astros uniform. They [ sic] probably using a substance or like chewing gum like Morton did like postseason.”
Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. soon came to the defense of his team with a tweet. It read in part: “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you my man. You have great stuff and have worked hard for it, like the rest of us, no need for this.”
Astros, Giles take one on chin
Gary Sanchez hit a three- run homer in the ninth inning off angry closer Ken Giles to spoil a splendid outing by Justin Verlander, and the Yankees beat the Astros 4- 0 after Jordan Montgomery’s start lasted one inning because of tightness in his left elbow.
Verlander tied a career- high by striking out 14 and allowed just three hits in eight innings. Giles took over and took one on the chin — he punched himself in the face as he walked off the mound.
Move to leadoff helps Nats’ Harper
Slumping Bryce Harper was moved to the leadoff spot for the first time since 2013 and responded with a three- run homer in the fifth inning that helped Max Scherzer win his fifth straight start as the Nationals beat the Pirates 12- 4. Harper entered in a 5- for- 35 slump. Scherzer ( 6- 1) allowed two runs and three hits in 6⅓ innings, striking out eight and walking one.
Braves’ Soroka wins in MLB debut
Mike Soroka allowed one run and six hits and struck out five in six innings to win his major- league debut, and the Braves began the game with four consecutive hits off Noah Syndergaard to build a three- run cushion in a 3- 2 victory over the Mets.
This and that
The Giants put star Johnny Cueto on the 10- day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow. Also, ace Madison Bumgarner was cleared to begin throwing as he continues his recovery from a fractured pitching hand suffered in March.
The Athletics and Mariners will open next season with a two- game series in Tokyo on March 20 and 21, the fifth time Major League Baseball will start its season in Japan.