Royals first. Whit Merrifield doubles to deep left field. Jorge Soler singles to center field. Whit Merrifield to third. Hunter Dozier out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Adam Duvall. Whit Merrifield scores. Alex Gordon hit by pitch. Jorge Soler to second. Ryan McBroom strikes out swinging. Ryan O'Hearn lines out to left field to Adam Duvall.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Royals 1, Braves 0.Royals third. Jorge Soler walks. Hunter Dozier singles to center field. Jorge Soler to second. Alex Gordon singles to right field. Hunter Dozier to third. Jorge Soler scores. Ryan McBroom hit by pitch. Alex Gordon to second. Ryan O'Hearn out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Adam Duvall. Hunter Dozier scores. Bubba Starling doubles to deep left center field, advances to home. Ryan McBroom scores. Alex Gordon scores. Throwing error by Brian McCann. Meibrys Viloria flies out to deep right center field to Nick Markakis. Nicky Lopez grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Austin Riley.5... [More]

Giants sixth. Mike Yastrzemski singles to right field. Austin Slater reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Mike Yastrzemski out at second. Evan Longoria doubles to deep right field. Austin Slater scores. Kevin Pillar reaches on error. Fielding error by Dansby Swanson. Joey Rickard doubles to left field. Kevin Pillar scores. Evan Longoria scores. Brandon Crawford strikes out swinging. Aramis Garcia is intentionally walked. Logan Webb grounds out to shallow infield, Austin Riley to Freddie Freeman.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Giants 3, Braves 0.Braves sixth. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging. Adeiny Hechavarria triples to deep center field. Freddie Freeman grounds out to shallow right field, Mauricio Dubon to Austin Slater. Adeiny Hechavarria scores. Nick Markakis flies out to left field to Joey Rickard.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 3, Braves 1.Giants seventh. Mauricio Dubon singles to left field. Mike Yastrzemski pops out to shallow center field to Dansby Swanson. Brandon Belt pinch-hitting for Austin Slater. Brandon Belt strikes out swinging. Mauricio Dubon to third. Evan Longoria singles to center field. Mauricio Dubon scores. Kevin Pillar singles to third base. Evan Longoria to second. Joey Rickard strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 4, Braves 1.

ATLANTA (AP) — One year ago, just winning the NL East was enough for the rebuilding Atlanta Braves.Now manager Brian Snitiker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos expect more.Even as players celebrated their second straight division title with beer and bubbly on Friday night, focus shifted."Our first goal was to win the East and we did, and I think now that's not good enough," Snitker said Saturday. "I think our guys know they're capable of a lot more than that. The goal now is the big prize. We feel like we have a team that can do that. We are deep enough, strong enough. I think that is a realistic goal, not just to want to get in but to win the whole thing."After Friday night's clinching 6-0 win over the Giants, Anthopoulos stood outside the clubhouse doors while the rowdy celebration continued inside.The GM didn't allow himself to be sprayed. He was looking ahead to the Division Series starting Oct. 3."Kind of by design," Anthopoulos said when asked how he stayed dry. "Hopefully we're... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Freddie Freeman out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Alex Dickerson. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to third base, Evan Longoria to Brandon Belt. Nick Markakis grounds out to second base, Mauricio Dubon to Brandon Belt.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Giants 0.Braves third. Mike Foltynewicz grounds out to first base to Brandon Belt. Ronald Acuna Jr. doubles to deep left field. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Ozzie Albies out at second. Josh Donaldson strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Giants 0.Braves fifth. Mike Foltynewicz singles to shallow infield. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to center field. Mike Foltynewicz scores. Ozzie Albies strikes out swinging. Freddie Freeman pops out to Brandon Crawford. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 4, Giants 0.Braves sixth. Nick Markakis lines out to deep left center field to Kevin Pillar. Matt Joyce singles to center field. Brian McCann homers to center field. Matt Joyce scores. Dansby Swanson grounds out to shallow infield, Tyler Beede to Brandon Belt. Mike Foltynewicz called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 6, Giants 0.

Braves second. Nick Markakis reaches on error. Throwing error by Cesar Hernandez. Matt Joyce reaches on error. Nick Markakis to third. Fielding error by Adam Haseley. Brian McCann reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Matt Joyce out at second. Nick Markakis scores. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging. Julio Teheran called out on strikes.1 run, 0 hits, 2 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Phillies 0.Phillies fourth. J.T. Realmuto hit by pitch. Bryce Harper homers to center field. J.T. Realmuto scores. Rhys Hoskins grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Jean Segura flies out to center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Scott Kingery strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 1.Phillies sixth. Cesar Hernandez homers to center field. J.T. Realmuto reaches on catcher interference. Interference error by Brian McCann. Bryce Harper walks. J.T. Realmuto to second. Rhys Hoskins walks. Jean Segura walks. Rhys Hoskins to second. Bryce Harper to third. J.T. Realmuto scores. Scott Kingery strikes out swinging. Adam Haseley strikes out swinging. Maikel Franco grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 left on. Phillies 4, Braves 1.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. called out on strikes. Ozzie Albies triples to deep right field. Freddie Freeman walks. Josh Donaldson out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Jose Pirela. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Nick Markakis to second. Freddie Freeman scores. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fourth. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Bryce Harper singles to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins homers to right field. Bryce Harper scores. Scott Kingery singles to shortstop. Sean Rodriguez singles to right field. Scott Kingery to third. Cesar Hernandez grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Sean Rodriguez to second. Scott Kingery scores. Jose Pirela homers to left field. Sean Rodriguez scores. Vince Velasquez grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.5 runs,... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago moved a game ahead of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first save.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam, Willson Contreras had two long solo homers and the Chicago Cubs kept pace in the NL wild-card race with a 17-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.Rookie Nico Hoerner hit a two-run shot for his first major league homer and had four RBIs for the Cubs. Chicago entered the day tied with Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Contreras, Hoerner and Nicholas Castellanos homered in the first with the wind blowing out as Chicago scored five times after Pittsburgh jumped on Jon Lester (13-10) for a 4-0 lead.Hoerner elevated a low pitch to the center field batter's eye in his first plate appearance at Wrigley Field. He drove in two more runs with a single in Chicago's seven-run fifth. The 22-year-old infielder made his debut with the Cubs on Monday at San Diego after the team announced All-Star shortstop Javier Báez would be out of the season with a hairline fracture in his left thumb.Alec Mills pitched the final three innings for his first... [More]

Braves fourth. Josh Donaldson lines out to shortstop to Trea Turner. Nick Markakis doubles to deep center field. Matt Joyce singles to right center field. Nick Markakis scores. Tyler Flowers flies out to deep right center field to Victor Robles. Dansby Swanson doubles to deep right center field. Matt Joyce scores. Mike Soroka grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 2, Nationals 0.Braves fifth. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to second. Charlie Culberson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ozzie Albies out at second. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Josh Donaldson walks. Charlie Culberson to second. Nick Markakis out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Victor Robles. Charlie Culberson to third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Matt Joyce called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 3, Nationals 0.Braves seventh. Ozzie Albies homers to center field. Charlie... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Atlanta Braves reinstated outfielder Nick Markakis from the 10-day injured list Friday.Markakis, 35, missed 43 games with a fractured left wrist. He was listed in the starting lineup as the Braves opened a three-game series against the Nationals, playing his first game of the season in left field with Matt Joyce in right.In 104 games this season, Markakis is hitting .284 with nine homers, 55 RBIs and 57 runs scored.The Braves recalled right-handed pitchers Bryse Wilson, Kyle Wright and Touki Toussaint from Triple-A Gwinnett.Atlanta also placed utility infielder John Camargo on the 10-day injured list with a right shin fracture. Camargo is hitting .233 with seven homers and 32 RBIs and 31 runs scored in 98 games.

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Plus playoff spots and seeding.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, along with sluggers... [More]

All-Star ace Luis Severino heating up in the bullpen, maybe. Gavin Lux making his debut, Bruce Bochy saying farewell.Oh, and playoff spots.Major League Baseball is heading toward a September scramble, a perfect setup for what's on deck this fall. The postseason begins Oct. 1 with the NL wild-card game. But plenty to sort out before then, with Max Scherzer, Javier Báez, Bryce Harper and more in the mix.Severino is among several injured stars who could make a difference down the stretch, and beyond.The 21-year-old Lux is part of the call-up crop after hitting almost .400 in Triple-A for the Dodgers. Bochy is set to manage his last game when the Giants close the season.And remember: Last year, Game No. 162 wasn't enough decide things, because tiebreakers were needed to determine two division champions.Across the board, a stacked lineup in this final month. What to watch:READY OR NOTImagine the Yankees with a healthy Severino and Dellin Betances in the bullpen, plus sluggers Giancarlo Stanton... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Billy Hamilton feels like Christmas came early.After being let go by one of baseball's worst teams, Hamilton joined the first-place Atlanta Braves on Tuesday to help with their push for the playoffs."It's a great feeling," Hamilton said in the clubhouse at SunTrust Park before the opener of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. "I had chills going down my body when they called me the other morning and told me I had been claimed by the Braves."Hamilton was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals on Friday after a dismal season for both him and the rebuilding team. He was hitting .211 with no homers and 12 RBIs.The Braves claimed Hamilton off waivers to bolster their injury-plagued roster, which is missing outfielders Nick Markakis, Ender Inciarte and Austin Riley, along with shortstop Dansby Swanson. All are on the 10-day injured list, and only Riley seems close to getting back on the field.For now, Hamilton will play a role off the bench, serving as a... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OLD FRIENDSPete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend.Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation. He got another... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:OLD FRIENDSPete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend.Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation from fans.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:OLD FRIENDSPete Alonso and the resurgent Mets face Cleveland in the opener of a pivotal nine-game homestand against a trio of playoff contenders: the Indians, Braves and Cubs. All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (12-5, 3.27 ERA) starts for Cleveland against Steven Matz (7-7, 4.33). Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach under skipper Terry Francona before getting the top job in New York. Cleveland begins the second leg of a weeklong visit to New York City after splitting a four-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend.Back in Ohio, the Indians got encouraging news about Carlos Carrasco, who returned to the mound Monday two months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a treatable form of cancer. Carrasco, who hopes to pitch for Cleveland again this season, threw one inning of relief for Double-A Akron against Harrisburg. When he jogged in from the bullpen, Carrasco received a standing ovation from fans.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves have claimed outfielder Billy Hamilton off waivers from the Kansas City Royals to bolster their injury-plagued roster.The 28-year-old Hamilton is a five-time Gold Glove finalist and switch-hitter who gives Atlanta some defensive options and speed off the bench. He played in 93 games for the Royals, hitting .211 with 18 stolen bases.Hamilton spent six years with the Reds before signing with Kansas City as a free agent for this season. He is a career .242 hitter with 295 stolen bases, including four straight seasons with more than 50 steals in Cincinnati.The Braves also announced that right-handed reliever Wes Parsons was claimed off waivers by Colorado. Atlanta designated him for assignment last week.In addition, Atlanta optioned right-hander Bryse Wilson to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled right-hander Jacob Webb.The NL East-leading Braves announced the moves during an off day Monday. They are short-handed because of injuries to outfielders Nick Markakis, Austin Riley and Ender Enciarte, as well as shortstop Dansby Swanson.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports