Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Mad Max and Gerrit Cole return, Fenway freebie

Posted August 22, 2019 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game in Washington. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer says he is âready to get in a gameâ for the Washington Nationals and come off the injured list. Scherzer played catch at Nationals Park on Wednesday, Aug. 14. a day after throwing the equivalent of about two innings in a simulated game, and said he felt able to return to action from a back muscle problem. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) The Associated Press

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

WELCOME BACK, MAD MAX

Nationals ace Max Scherzer comes off the injured list to start at last-place Pittsburgh. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 9-5 with a 2.41 ERA in 20 starts but has pitched only once over the past six weeks because of a strained muscle in his back. His 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings lead the NL. Washington holds the league's top wild-card spot.

FENWAY FREEBIE

The Boston Red Sox are offering free admission to fans under the age of 18 for the 1:05 p.m. EDT conclusion of a game against Kansas City that was suspended on Aug. 7 because of rain. An admission fee of $5 for adults will be donated to the Jimmy Fund. Play will resume in the top of the 10th inning with the score tied 4-all and Josh Taylor working with a 2-1 count on Royals catcher Meibrys Viloria.

HEALTH WATCH

Three-time All-Star Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.87 ERA) makes his first start in 15 days for AL West-leading Houston after being scratched last week due to discomfort in his right hamstring. Cole, second in the majors with 226 strikeouts, has won 10 straight decisions. Jordan Zimmermann (1-8, 6.66) gets the ball for Detroit, which has the worst record in the majors even after beating Astros ace Justin Verlander 2-1 Wednesday night as one of the largest MLB underdogs in recent memory. Zimmermann allowed one hit in five scoreless innings last time out against Tampa Bay.

ANOTHER MIGHTY MAX

Dodgers slugger Max Muncy has homered in a career-high five straight games heading into his team's series finale against Toronto. Muncy connected for his 33rd of the season in the 10th inning Wednesday night to give Los Angeles a 2-1 victory. It was the 11th walk-off win this year for the major league-leading Dodgers, who have baseball's best home record as well at 50-16.

ONE FOR THE MONEY

The next time the Orioles give up a home run, they will break the major league record for most allowed in one season. Last-place Baltimore shares the mark with the 2016 Cincinnati Reds after serving up No. 258 on the year Wednesday night in an 8-1 victory over Kansas City. "We're all tired of seeing them and hopefully we can get better going forward," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. Asher Wojciechowski (2-6, 4.78 ERA), who has yielded 12 long balls in 49 innings, starts at Camden Yards against Tampa Bay.

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy drops his bat after hitting a game-ending solo home run during the 10th inning of the the team's baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper, left, and left fielder Corey Dickerson head to the clubhouse after the team's win over the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. The Phillies won 5-2. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Aaron Brooks, left, reacts after allowing a solo home run to Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield, right, during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) The Associated Press

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Richard Bleier throws a pitch to a Kansas City Royals batter during the seventh/eight inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Baltimore. The Orioles won 8-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers wait for Max Muncy to score on a game-ending solo home run during the 10th inning of the team's baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

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