Bregman pulls off close shave

HOUSTON — Houston Astros third baseman and Albuquerque native Alex Bregman had been working on a mustache the last few days, but it disappeared during the Astros’ 11-3 win over the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park.

A split-screen picture of Bregman during his at-bat in the second inning and next plate appearance in the fourth showed he had shaved at some point between the two at-bats.

“I don’t pay attention to Alex’s shaving habits during the middle of the game,” Houston starting pitcher Gerrit Cole said. “I did like the mustache. I thought it played Jeff Kent-esque. It was on top of his lip when he stabbed that soft liner in the first inning, which got us out of the jam. So, personally I’m a fan of the ‘stache. I guess it’s been sent down. It’s been DFA’d and we’ll wait until it comes back.”

YANKEES: Catcher Gary Sanchez is likely headed to the disabled list after pulling up while running out a grounder in the 10th inning Sunday at Tampa Bay. Sanchez will undergo an MRI exam today.

PADRES: San Francisco’s 11th-inning rally spoiled a chance for victory by San Diego reliever Robert Stock in his longawaited major league debut at age 28. Stock worked out of a jam in the 10th and was in position to win after San Diego scored a run in the top of the 11th. Hunter Pence’s two-run double gave the Giants a 3-2 win.