NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — When Atlanta Braves hitters talk about their goals, they rarely speak about number of home runs, RBIs, steals or average.Instead, it's three words: "Just stay healthy."Ender Inciarte understands that so well after an injury-plagued 2019 season. The two-plus months of recovery and rehabilitation left him thinking, "I don't want to repeat that ever again."Inciarte is part of a full Braves outfield that includes one of the most talented young players in the game in Ronald Acuna Jr., free-agent acquisition Marcell Ozuna, productive Nick Markakis and veteran Adam Duvall.When he's feeling fine, Inciarte is one of baseball's best defensive players.From 2016-18, Inciarte was one of just four players in the majors to win a Gold Glove three straight years. The others were third baseman Nolan Arenado, pitcher Zack Greinke and outfielder Mookie Betts.Inciarte also proved to be a solid offensive player by averaging 22 steals and a .287 batting average in that span.Last season,... [More]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — As he searched for the best things Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis brings to the team, bench coach Walt Weiss shared several.Highly credible. Strong, quiet leader. One of the most respected players in baseball. Humble. Calming force.But you could tell Weiss had something else on his mind.And then he said it."He's one of those guys that's the conscience of the team," Weiss said.Markakis made some of the strongest comments this spring about the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.The soundbite — "I feel every single guy over there deserves a beating" — is what most people heard. But his other comments on how this affected baseball's integrity spoke more about what Markakis is about."I know we're all competitors, we're out to compete, but there are right ways to do it and wrong ways to do it. I 100% disagree the way with the way they did it. A lot of people were hurt by it."Weiss wasn't surprised by what Markakis said. "That fire runs pretty deep," he said."When... [More]

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Nothing like a little encouragement from Hammerin' Hank himself to show the way at spring training for the Atlanta Braves.The Braves welcomed Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron to their first full-squad workout and named a street for him at their new complex Tuesday, starting off a season full of high expectations."It's awesome, we're so appreciative," manager Brian Snitker said. "We talked in the winter of him coming down. I told the guys and Hank we'd like to have him around more."The two-time NL East champions intend to put some pressure on themselves this year.The Braves signed outfielder Marcell Ozuna, starting pitcher Cole Hamels and reliever Will Smith in the offseason, and gave contract extensions to general manager Alex Anthopolous, Snitker and his coaching staff.That's all intended to boost a team that went 97-65 last season, but lost to Ozuna and the St. Louis Cardinals in a five-game Division Series.Atlanta hasn't won a playoff series since 2001, with one-and-done... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Kolten Wong strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt homers to left field. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Braves 0.Braves third. Dansby Swanson singles to center field. Dallas Keuchel strikes out on a foul bunt. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to right field. Dansby Swanson to third. Ozzie Albies out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Tommy Edman. Dansby Swanson scores. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Braves 1.Cardinals fourth. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Tommy Edman walks. Matt Carpenter to second. Paul DeJong called out on strikes. Dakota Hudson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Braves... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Ozzie Albies singles to shortstop. Freddie Freeman grounds out to first base, Paul Goldschmidt to Jack Flaherty. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson singles to left field. Ozzie Albies scores. Nick Markakis grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Cardinals 0.Braves seventh. Matt Joyce strikes out swinging. Brian McCann singles to center field. Dansby Swanson strikes out swinging. Adam Duvall pinch-hitting for Mike Foltynewicz. Adam Duvall homers to center field. Brian McCann scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. doubles to left field. Ozzie Albies strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 3, Cardinals 0.

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies walks. Freddie Freeman singles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Freddie Freeman to second. Ozzie Albies scores. Throwing error by Kolten Wong. Nick Markakis flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Matt Joyce flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader singles to shallow infield. Miles Mikolas out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Dallas Keuchel to Ozzie Albies. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman doubles to left center field. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Braves 1.Braves sixth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh Donaldson hit by pitch. Nick Markakis doubles to right... [More]

Braves second. Francisco Cervelli walks. Austin Riley grounds out to third base, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater. Francisco Cervelli to second. Dansby Swanson walks. Billy Hamilton doubles to right field. Dansby Swanson to third. Francisco Cervelli scores. Max Fried grounds out to first base, Austin Slater to Buster Posey to Austin Slater. Billy Hamilton to third. Dansby Swanson scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Adeiny Hechavarria doubles to deep left field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Billy Hamilton scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shallow infield, Evan Longoria to Austin Slater.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 4, Giants 0.Braves fifth. Adeiny Hechavarria singles to left field. Josh Donaldson flies out to deep right field to Jaylin Davis. Adam Duvall flies out to deep left field to Joey Rickard. Francisco Cervelli homers to left field. Adeiny Hechavarria scores. Austin Riley strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 6, Giants 0.Giants seventh. Kevin Pillar... [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 third. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Mike Soroka out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Scott Kingery to Cesar Hernandez. Tyler Flowers to second. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to left field. Tyler Flowers scores. Ozzie Albies singles to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Adam Duvall singles to third base. Ozzie Albies to second. Adeiny Hechavarria strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Jean Segura grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Scott Kingery triples to deep center field. Adam Haseley doubles to deep right field. Scott Kingery scores. Aaron Nola singles to left center field. Adam Haseley to third. Cesar Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Aaron Nola out at second. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 2.Braves fifth. Matt Joyce pinch-hitting... [More]

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]

Nationals second. Howie Kendrick singles to left field. Brian Dozier flies out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr.. Victor Robles doubles to deep left field. Howie Kendrick to third. Yan Gomes singles to right center field. Victor Robles scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Anibal Sanchez grounds out to shallow infield. Yan Gomes out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Braves 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner singles to third base. Adam Eaton out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner to second. Anthony Rendon singles to left field. Trea Turner to third. Juan Soto walks. Anthony Rendon to second. Howie Kendrick singles to center field. Juan Soto to second. Anthony Rendon scores. Trea Turner scores. Brian Dozier walks. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto to third. Victor Robles walks. Brian Dozier to second. Howie Kendrick to third. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes grounds out to shortstop. Victor Robles out at second.3 runs,... [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]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Yu Darvish struck out a season-high 14 and allowed only two hits in six innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Thursday to remain tied with Milwaukee for the NL's second wild card.The Padres scored in the ninth when Manny Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs, but Rowan Wick struck out Luis Urias to end it.Chicago split the four-game series and won for just the second time in seven games.Darvish (6-6) retired his first eight batters before allowing his first hit, an infield single by starter Dinelson Lamet (2-5). Darvish kicked the ball with his right foot and it caromed to third baseman Kris Bryant. Darvish struck out Greg Garcia to end the inning.The big right-hander had at least one strikeout in every inning. After Greg Garcia tripled leading off the sixth, Darvish finished strong by striking out the side, including Eric Hosmer for the third straight time.Darvish was one shy of his career high, set Aug. 12, 2013, at Houston... [More]

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. reaches on error. Fielding error by Rhys Hoskins. Ozzie Albies homers to center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging. Josh Donaldson singles to right center field. Adam Duvall strikes out swinging. Austin Riley strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies first. Cesar Hernandez homers to center field. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to third base, Josh Donaldson to Freddie Freeman. Bryce Harper flies out to left field to Adam Duvall. Rhys Hoskins flies out to deep center field to Ronald Acuna Jr..1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 1.Phillies second. Jean Segura pops out to shallow center field to Ozzie Albies. Scott Kingery singles to left field. Adam Haseley homers to center field. Scott Kingery scores. Maikel Franco singles to center field. Drew Smyly reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Maikel Franco out at second. Cesar Hernandez walks. Drew Smyly to second.... [More]

Braves fourth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to shortstop, Jean Segura to Rhys Hoskins. Josh Donaldson reaches on error. Throwing error by Jean Segura. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Josh Donaldson to second. Rafael Ortega strikes out swinging. Tyler Flowers homers to center field. Matt Joyce scores. Josh Donaldson scores. Dansby Swanson walks. Dallas Keuchel singles to center field. Dansby Swanson to third. Ronald Acuna Jr. flies out to deep center field to Scott Kingery.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 3, Phillies 0.Phillies fourth. Bryce Harper singles to right center field. Rhys Hoskins singles to center field. Bryce Harper to third. Scott Kingery reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Rhys Hoskins out at second. Bryce Harper scores. Corey Dickerson strikes out swinging. Cesar Hernandez called out on strikes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 3, Phillies 1.

Phillies first. Jean Segura pops out to first base to Freddie Freeman. J.T. Realmuto homers to left field. Bryce Harper homers to center field. Rhys Hoskins doubles to deep center field. Scott Kingery pops out to second base to Freddie Freeman. Corey Dickerson homers to right field. Rhys Hoskins scores. Cesar Hernandez walks. Sean Rodriguez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Cesar Hernandez out at second.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 4, Braves 0.Braves third. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to left field. Ozzie Albies singles to right center field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Freddie Freeman singles to right field. Ozzie Albies out at third. Ronald Acuna Jr. scores. Josh Donaldson walks. Freddie Freeman to second. Johan Camargo walks. Josh Donaldson to second. Freddie Freeman to third. Dansby Swanson singles to right center field. Johan Camargo to second. Josh Donaldson to third. Freddie Freeman scores. Francisco Cervelli reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield.... [More]