Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Pujols at 2,999, Dodgers-Padres in Mexico

Posted May 04, 2018 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

The sign in the center field bleacher seats displays 2,999, for the number of hits by Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols, who had one hit against the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, May 3, 2018. The Angels won 12-3. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

PUJOLS' PURSUIT

Albert Pujols has 2,999 hits as Los Angeles opens a series at Seattle. Pujols got three shots at 3,000 after reaching striking distance with a two-run double in the second inning, but he couldn't get the hit before the Angels began a five-game road trip. He'll try to reach 3,000 against Seattle's Mike Leake.

MEXICAN FLAVOR

Major League Baseball returns to Mexico in the regular season for the first time in nearly two decades when the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego play a three-game series in Monterrey. It'll be a matchup of promising rookies when Joey Lucchesi starts for the Padres against Walker Buehler at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey.

The previous visit was opening day in 1999 when Mexican native Vinny Castilla helped Colorado top the Padres. The first trip was in 1996, with Mexican star Fernando Valenzuela leading San Diego over the Mets to begin a three-game series.

ENCORE, ENCORE

Pirates rookie Nick Kingham makes his second career start. His first one went pretty well - in his major league debut last weekend, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning against St. Louis before it was broken up. The 26-year-old right pitches vs. the Brewers at Miller Park.

LOOKING GOOD

The Atlanta Braves - the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves - return to SunTrust Park to host San Francisco. Fueled by Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies and Mike Soroka, the three youngest players in the majors, Atlanta has won five in a row.

This is the latest in a season the Braves have been in first place since July 20, 2014. Mike Foltynewicz starts against the Giants.

WELCOME BACK

Kris Medlen is set to start for Arizona at Minute Maid Park against the Astros. The 32-year-old righty last pitched in the majors in 2016 with Kansas City. He's been beset by injuries, including a pair of Tommy John surgeries, since coming up with Atlanta in 2009. Gerrit Cole (2-1, 1.73 ERA) starts for Houston. Cole set the AL record for strikeouts in April with 61.

MISSING MIGGY

Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera's return to the lineup was brief. After missing three games with spasms in his biceps, he made an early exit Thursday because of a strained hamstring. He'll test it before Detroit plays again in Kansas City.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Austin Barnes (15) celebrates with Alex Verdugo in the second inning after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game, Thursday, May 3, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) The Associated Press

San Diego Padres' Matt Szczur, right, is congratulated by A.J. Ellis (17) after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 2, 2018, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) The Associated Press

The Atlanta Braves celebrate after defeating the New York Mets in a baseball game, Thursday, May 3, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, left, leaves with injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, May 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

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