SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — From a false-positive coronavirus test for outfielder Alex Dickerson that postponed a pair of road games against the Padres to getting smoked out of Seattle by the West Coast wildfires — all in a six-day span — the San Francisco Giants stressed their resiliency in September. The Giants just needed one more victory to make it all matter. San Francisco went 29-31 under new manager Gabe Kapler, missing a playoff berth on the season's final day Sunday with a 5-4 loss to playoff-bound San Diego. “We did overcome a lot. I think we did a really nice job dealing with the ups and downs of the season, just the season that all the other clubs had to deal with but I think some extra difficult circumstances for our club,” Kapler said. “You want that to lead to wins. You want that to lead to the postseason. It stings that it didn’t.” The Giants haven't reached the playoffs since losing a four-game division series in 2016 to the eventual World Series champion Cubs. “There's definitely... [More]

Sept. 29 1913 — Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators finished the season with 36 victories by virtue of a 1-0 decision over the Philadelphia A’s. 1915 — The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first NL pennant, beating the Boston Braves, 5-0, behind Grover Alexander’s one-hitter. 1954 — Willie Mays made his famous over-the-shoulder catch of Vic Wertz’s long drive to center field and pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes homered off Bob Lemon in the 10th inning to lead the New York Giants to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series. 1963 — Stan Musial ended his career by going 2-for-3 as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2 in 14 innings at Busch Stadium. Musial finished his career with 3,630 hits, 475 homers, 1951 RBIs and a .331 batting average. 1963 — John Paciorek of the Houston Colt .45s, in his only major league appearance, went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and four runs scored against the New York Mets. A back injury ended his baseball career... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Raimel Tapia hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th inning, and the Colorado Rockies rallied to keep contending San Francisco from gaining ground in the NL wild-card race by beating the Giants 5-4 on Thursday. Jairo Díaz earned his fourth save by getting Austin Slater to ground into a game-ending double play. Several cheering Rockies jumped over the dugout rail celebrating. The Giants (28-28), winners of three of their last five, dropped behind idle Cincinnati for the first NL wild card. The Reds (29-28) visit Minnesota over the final weekend as the playoff-bound Padres come to San Francisco. Trevor Cahill (1-2) took the loss after San Francisco had a chance in the 10th. Brandon Belt — who homered in the eighth inning to tie the game on his 1,000th career hit — and Brandon Crawford were intentionally walked by Daniel Bard (4-2). Shortstop Trevor Story fielded Evan Longoria’s grounder and threw Alex Dickerson out at home as San Francisco couldn’t capitalize. PIRATES... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams. Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run. At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season. Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski walks. Alex Dickerson singles to third base. Mike Yastrzemski to second. Wilmer Flores reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow left field. Alex Dickerson out at second. Mike Yastrzemski to third. Brandon Belt pops out to Kyle Seager. Donovan Solano singles to shallow left field. Wilmer Flores to second. Mike Yastrzemski scores. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 1, Mariners 0.Giants second. Brandon Crawford doubles to left field. Joey Bart pops out to shallow right field to Dylan Moore. Mauricio Dubon singles to deep left field, tagged out at second, Tim Lopes to Dylan Moore. Brandon Crawford scores. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shallow center field, J.P. Crawford to Evan White.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 2, Mariners 0.Giants third. Alex Dickerson doubles. Wilmer Flores pops out to second base to Dylan Moore. Brandon Belt homers to center field. Alex Dickerson scores. Donovan Solano flies out to... [More]

Padres second. Mitch Moreland strikes out swinging. Austin Nola singles to right field. Wil Myers flies out to right center field to Mauricio Dubon. Jake Cronenworth doubles to left center field. Austin Nola to third. Greg Garcia singles to left field. Jake Cronenworth scores. Austin Nola scores. Jurickson Profar lines out to shortstop to Evan Longoria.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Padres 2, Giants 0.Padres third. Trent Grisham doubles. Fernando Tatis Jr. grounds out to shortstop, Brandon Crawford to Brandon Belt. Manny Machado singles to center field. Trent Grisham to third. Mitch Moreland walks. Austin Nola pops out to second base to Donovan Solano. Wil Myers singles to left field. Mitch Moreland to second. Manny Machado scores. Trent Grisham scores. Jake Cronenworth flies out to deep center field to Mauricio Dubon.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Padres 4, Giants 0.Padres sixth. Austin Nola walks. Wil Myers grounds out to shallow infield, Evan Longoria to Brandon Belt. Austin Nola to second. Jake Cronenworth walks. Greg Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Jake Cronenworth to third. Austin Nola scores. Throwing error by Donovan Solano. Jurickson Profar singles to right field. Jake Cronenworth scores. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Padres 6, Giants 0.

Padres first. Trent Grisham singles to center field. Fernando Tatis Jr. singles to left field. Trent Grisham to second. Manny Machado pops out to shallow infield to Donovan Solano. Mitch Moreland doubles to deep center field. Fernando Tatis Jr. scores. Trent Grisham scores. Austin Nola doubles to deep left field. Mitch Moreland scores. Wil Myers lines out to deep left field to Alex Dickerson. Jake Cronenworth lines out to third base to Evan Longoria.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Padres 3, Giants 0.Giants second. Brandon Belt grounds out to second base, Jake Cronenworth to Mitch Moreland. Wilmer Flores homers to left field. Evan Longoria strikes out swinging. Brandon Crawford strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 3, Giants 1.Padres third. Fernando Tatis Jr. flies out to deep right center field to Mike Yastrzemski. Manny Machado homers to left field. Mitch Moreland grounds out to first base to Brandon Belt. Austin Nola strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors,... [More]

Giants third. Joey Bart singles to shortstop. Brandon Crawford singles to left field. Joey Bart to second. Mauricio Dubon called out on strikes. Mike Yastrzemski homers to right field. Brandon Crawford scores. Joey Bart scores. Donovan Solano flies out to center field to Kyle Lewis. Darin Ruf pops out to shortstop to J.P. Crawford.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 3, Mariners 0.Giants fourth. Wilmer Flores doubles to right field. Brandon Belt grounds out to shallow right field, Ty France to Evan White. Wilmer Flores to third. Evan Longoria singles to center field. Wilmer Flores scores. Joey Bart flies out to right field to Phillip Ervin. Brandon Crawford walks. Evan Longoria to second. Mauricio Dubon lines out to shortstop to J.P. Crawford.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Giants 4, Mariners 0.Giants fifth. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shortstop, Kyle Seager to Evan White. Donovan Solano flies out to deep right field to Phillip Ervin. Darin Ruf doubles to deep right field.... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Tim Locastro homers to center field. Kole Calhoun singles to right field. David Peralta singles to center field. Kole Calhoun to third. Eduardo Escobar strikes out swinging. Josh Rojas out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Mauricio Dubon. David Peralta to second. Kole Calhoun scores. Stephen Vogt strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Giants 0.Giants third. Chadwick Tromp homers to center field. Austin Slater flies out to deep right center field to Jon Jay. Donovan Solano singles to center field. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shortstop. Donovan Solano out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Giants 1.Giants sixth. Austin Slater singles to left field. Donovan Solano homers to left field. Austin Slater scores. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shallow right field, Josh Rojas to Jake Lamb. Evan Longoria flies out to deep center field to Tim Locastro. Wilmer Flores doubles. Alex Dickerson pinch-hitting... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, Albert Pujols drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros to sweep Saturday’s doubleheader.It was not a walk-off win for the Angels, though. They were the visiting team in the nightcap because it was a makeup of the Aug. 26 game in Houston that was postponed due to Tropical Storm Laura.Mike Trout became the Angels’ home run leader in the first game with No. 300 of his career and Jo Adell celebrated with a game-winning, two-run single in the seventh to give Los Angeles a 10-9 win.Rendon hitting homers to sink the Astros is nothing new. He had a three-run shot for Washington in Game 6 of last year’s World Series and then a solo drive in the deciding game to start the Nationals’ comeback.Noe Ramirez (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth and Ty Buttrey earned his fifth save.Los Angeles trailed 6-4 in the seventh. Justin Upton singled and Trout walked before Rendon... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout became the Angels’ career home run leader and Jo Adell celebrated with a game-ending, two-run single in the seventh, lifting Los Angeles to a 10-9 victory over the Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.The Angels trailed by two going into the seventh. Trout and Shohei Ohtani drew walks before Justin Upton doubled to drive in Trout. One out later, Adell lined a two-run single to right off Enoli Paredes (1-2) for his first game-ending hit.Trout hit career homer No. 300 in the third inning to pass Tim Salmon as the franchise leader. He also had a pair of doubles.Adell and Upton also homered, and Felix Peña (3-0) got the win.Kyle Tucker homered and drove in three runs for the Astros, who lost in walk-off fashion for the second straight game.INDIANS 4, BREWERS 3CLEVELAND (AP) — Milwaukee closer Josh Hader allowed his first hit of the season, and then gave up César Hernández’s game-winning single in the ninth inning.Oscar Mercado, who... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Kole Calhoun walks. Ketel Marte grounds out to shallow infield, Brandon Belt to Trevor Cahill. Kole Calhoun to third. Christian Walker out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Mike Yastrzemski. Kole Calhoun scores. David Peralta grounds out to shallow infield, Trevor Cahill to Brandon Belt.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 0.Giants second. Evan Longoria homers to left field. Darin Ruf homers to center field. Brandon Belt grounds out to shallow infield, Carson Kelly to Christian Walker. Daniel Robertson flies out to deep right center field to Kole Calhoun. Joey Bart strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 2, Diamondbacks 1.Giants sixth. Alex Dickerson pinch-hitting for Darin Ruf. Alex Dickerson strikes out swinging. Brandon Belt walks. Daniel Robertson grounds out to shallow infield to Christian Walker. Brandon Belt to second. Joey Bart triples to deep left center field. Brandon Belt scores. Mauricio Dubon triples... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Tim Locastro lines out to deep right field to Mike Yastrzemski. Ketel Marte homers to left field. Christian Walker flies out to right center field to Mike Yastrzemski. Eduardo Escobar strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 0.Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski called out on strikes. Alex Dickerson singles to right field. Evan Longoria flies out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Brandon Belt doubles to right field. Alex Dickerson scores. Wilmer Flores walks. Donovan Solano walks. Wilmer Flores to second. Brandon Belt to third. Brandon Crawford lines out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Giants 1.Diamondbacks third. Daulton Varsho singles to center field. Tim Locastro out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield to Brandon Belt. Daulton Varsho to second. Ketel Marte doubles to shallow left field. Daulton Varsho scores. Christian Walker walks. Eduardo Escobar flies out to right field... [More]

Giants first. Donovan Solano grounds out to shortstop, Trevor Story to Josh Fuentes. Mike Yastrzemski homers to right field. Evan Longoria singles to center field. Wilmer Flores strikes out swinging. Darin Ruf singles to second base. Evan Longoria to second. Alex Dickerson singles to right field. Darin Ruf to second. Evan Longoria scores. Joey Bart singles to deep right field. Alex Dickerson to third. Darin Ruf scores. Daniel Robertson singles to left field. Joey Bart to second. Alex Dickerson scores. Mauricio Dubon walks. Daniel Robertson to second. Joey Bart to third. Donovan Solano strikes out swinging.4 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Giants 4, Rockies 0.Rockies second. Garrett Hampson homers to left field. Sam Hilliard flies out to center field to Mauricio Dubon. Josh Fuentes grounds out to shortstop, Evan Longoria to Wilmer Flores. Tony Wolters strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 4, Rockies 1.Giants third. Joey Bart reaches on error. Fielding error by... [More]

Giants first. Mike Yastrzemski grounds out to shallow right field, Daniel Murphy to Jon Gray. Alex Dickerson homers. Evan Longoria singles to right center field. Brandon Belt singles to first base. Evan Longoria to third. Wilmer Flores pops out to shallow right field to Ryan McMahon. Donovan Solano doubles to deep center field. Brandon Belt scores. Evan Longoria scores. Brandon Crawford grounds out to shallow infield, Jon Gray to Daniel Murphy.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Giants 3, Rockies 0.Giants second. Joey Bart singles to center field. Mauricio Dubon flies out to deep left field to Raimel Tapia. Mike Yastrzemski strikes out swinging. Alex Dickerson homers to right field. Joey Bart scores. Evan Longoria grounds out to shortstop, Garrett Hampson to Daniel Murphy.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Giants 5, Rockies 0.Giants third. Brandon Belt doubles to deep left center field. Wilmer Flores pops out to second base to Ryan McMahon. Donovan Solano lines out to deep right field... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sánchez delivered the first pinch-hit, extra-innings grand slam in Yankees history, Deivi García made a strong impression in his big league debut and New York beat the crosstown Mets 5-2 to complete a doubleheader sweep Sunday night.The Yankees stormed back in the opener, erasing a five-run lead with two outs in the seventh to win 8-7 in eight innings. Aaron Hicks lined a tying, two-run homer in the seventh, and Gio Urshela hit a game-ending single off Edwin Diaz an inning later.The Yankees won the final three games of this five-game Subway Series, snapping a seven-game skid that was their longest since 2017. Sánchez blasted a 2-2 fastball from Drew Smith (0-1) into the left field bleachers for a 5-1 lead. It was the slumping catcher’s first career pinch-hit homer and second career grand slam.García took a shutout into the sixth until allowing Dominic Smith’s tying single. Smith’s hit came after Jeff McNeill reached on an error by first baseman Luke Voit, who had the... [More]