Cardinals third. Tyler O'Neill homers to left field. Harrison Bader called out on strikes. Kolten Wong grounds out to first base, Josh Bell to Joe Musgrove. Tommy Edman singles to shallow infield.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Pirates 0.Cardinals fifth. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Tyler O'Neill flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Harrison Bader called out on strikes. Kolten Wong triples to deep center field, tagged out at home, Joe Musgrove to Jacob Stallings.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Pirates 0.Cardinals sixth. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt singles to shallow left field. Paul DeJong walks. Matt Carpenter reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Paul DeJong out at second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina singles to left center field. Matt Carpenter to second. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Dexter Fowler grounds out to first base, Josh Bell to Clay Holmes.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Pirates... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — With just 60 games this season, the Chicago Cubs need Craig Kimbrel to be better than he was last year.Much, much better.The 32-year-old Kimbrel is looking to bounce back from one of the worst stretches of his stellar career. The seven-time All-Star closer never looked right after he got a late start last year, going 0-4 with a career-high 6.53 ERA and three blown saves in 16 chances.In his last appearance of the season, he was taken deep by Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong on his first two pitches in the ninth inning of a 9-8 loss to St. Louis that helped push Chicago out of the playoff picture.If Kimbrel flops again, it won't take much to sink the Cubs' chances in a shortened season amid the coronavirus pandemic.“You know, in my role, I think turning the page is a big saying, but I think in 60 games it's going to have to be big time,” Kimbrel said Wednesday on a video conference call. “I think each game is going to be a huge game, so I don’t think guys can carry things from... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — With just 60 games this season, the Chicago Cubs need Craig Kimbrel to be better than he was last year.Much, much better.The 32-year-old Kimbrel is looking to bounce back from one of the worst stretches of his stellar career. The seven-time All-Star closer never looked right after he got a late start last year, going 0-4 with a career-high 6.53 ERA and three blown saves in 16 chances.In his last appearance of the season, he was taken deep by Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong on his first two pitches in the ninth inning of a 9-8 loss to St. Louis that helped push Chicago out of the playoff picture.If Kimbrel flops again, it won't take much to sink the Cubs' chances in a shortened season amid the coronavirus pandemic.“You know, in my role, I think turning the page is a big saying, but I think in 60 games it's going to have to be big time,” Kimbrel said Wednesday on a video conference call. “I think each game is going to be a huge game, so I don’t think guys can carry things from... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Paul DeJong is proving he can be the answer to one of the most pressing spring training questions for the Cardinals.At the spring's midpoint, DeJong's bat is easing concerns about the lineup void created by the loss of Marcel Ozuna to free agency.“I know we lost Ozuna and there's going to be some opportunities there in the middle of the order,” DeJong said. “Me growing into who I believe I can be as a hitter, my potential, that fits right in with my opportunity this year.” DeJong's four homers entering Saturday's game against Houston was tied for the Grapefruit League lead. His 1-for-3 performance against the Astros actually hurt DeJong's spring average, dropping it below .500.It's not that the 26-year-old DeJong hasn't flashed power in the past. Last year he became the first Cardinals shortstop to hit 30 homers in a season. Home runs, however, aren't his focus — either now or during the season.Both he and the Cardinals realize they will need more than the career-high... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Lance McCullers spun a curveball that Paul Goldschmidt swung over for strike three, then looked toward the Houston dugout.That was enough on this day.So McCullers smiled, bounced the ball in and out of his glove a couple times, got a handshake from catcher Martin Maldonado, waited for manager Dusty Baker and walked off the mound.After being out of the game for more than a year, 16 pitches were plenty.Sidelined since having Tommy John surgery in November 2018, McCullers started in a spring training game against St. Louis on Sunday and faced three batters. He retired leadoff man Kolten Wong on a soft comebacker, gave up a double to Paul DeJong and fanned Goldschmidt with an 84 mph curve.“Out of the 16 pitches I threw, really only maybe one or two that I didn't execute the way I was hoping to pre-pitch,” McCullers said. “Really happy with just the way I felt overall and just being out there with the guys.”“I really wanted to face the last batter, but I think we... [More]

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Corbin's longer-than-normal wait for his first spring start left him more refreshed that rusty.The Washington Nationals lefty made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday, allowing one run to St. Louis in two quick innings of a 6-3 loss.“I liked what I saw out of Pat today,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He had some nice fluidity. He was getting extended, which was kind of nice. He said he felt good.”Corbin threw 202 innings regular-season innings last year and 23 1/3 more in the postseason, prompting the Nationals to slow his workload in the spring. He's the last of the reigning World Series champions' starters to appear in a spring game.In the postseason, Corbin started three games and made five relief appearances. “For a lot of us last year we threw a lot more than we have in the past or longer,” Corbin said. “I think it could help.”Corbin needed only 24 pitches to complete two innings. He walked two, and the lone hit he surrendered was a wind-aided,... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes is rebuilding, just like the Milwaukee Brewers were a few years ago,The 25-year-old right-hander spent most of his offseason at the team's spring training facility trying to rebound from an awful 2019 season.Milwaukee's minor league pitcher of the year in 2017, Burnes debut the following July and quickly established himself as a key bullpen contributor. He went 7-0 with a 2.61 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 38 innings over 30 regular-season appearances, then allowed two runs in six postseason innings.While he had a 4.84 ERA in seven spring training games last year, he started the season in the rotation. He struck out 12 in his first big league start but also gave up home runs in the first inning to the Cardinals' Paul DeJong and Matt Carpenter, then another in the fourth to Paul Goldschmidt. He allowed 11 home runs with a 10.70 ERA through four starts, was dropped from the rotation and finished with a 1-5 record and 8.82 ERA in 32 games overall.Except for a weeklong... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee closer Josh Hader just made the cutoff for salary arbitration eligibility with 2 years, 115 days of major league service.Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías also is on the list of 23 so-called Super 2s with 2 years, 117 days. The cutoff was down significantly from 2 years, 134 days last offseason.Miami left-hander Jarlin García just missed with 2 years, 114 days, and Arizona right-hander Luke Weaver had 2 years, 112 days.The top 22% of players by service time with at least two years but less than three are eligible for arbitration as long as they had at least 86 days of service this year. They join the older group of 3- to 6-year players.Players and teams are scheduled to exchange proposed salaries on Jan. 10, and hearings for those lacking agreements will be scheduled for Feb. 3 to 21 in Phoenix.The New York Yankees have four Super 2s: right-handers Luis Cessa and Jonathan Holder, left-hander Jordan Montgomery and third baseman Gio Urshela.Urías is joined... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to right field. Adam Eaton doubles to right center field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Harrison Bader. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto doubles to deep left field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick is intentionally walked. Ryan Zimmerman reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto to third. Fielding error by Kolten Wong. Victor Robles singles to shallow right field. Ryan Zimmerman to second. Howie Kendrick to third. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes singles to left field. Victor Robles to second. Ryan Zimmerman scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Patrick Corbin out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yadier Molina to Kolten Wong. Yan Gomes to second. Victor Robles to third. Trea Turner singles to left field. Yan Gomes scores. Victor Robles scores. Adam Eaton lines out to shortstop to Paul DeJong.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 7, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul... [More]

Nationals third. Victor Robles singles to center field. Stephen Strasburg out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Paul Goldschmidt to Kolten Wong. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner strikes out on a foul tip. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Victor Robles scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick doubles to right center field. Juan Soto scores. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 4, Cardinals 0.Nationals fifth. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rendon singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Howie Kendrick doubles to left center field. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman doubles to shallow center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Kurt Suzuki pops out to second base to Kolten Wong.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 6, Cardinals... [More]

Nationals third. Michael A. Taylor homers to left field. Max Scherzer strikes out swinging. Trea Turner lines out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 0.Nationals eighth. Michael A. Taylor called out on strikes. Matt Adams pinch-hitting for Max Scherzer. Matt Adams singles to deep right center field. Trea Turner singles to center field. Matt Adams to second. Adam Eaton doubles to right field. Trea Turner scores. Matt Adams scores. Anthony Rendon is intentionally walked. Juan Soto pops out to shallow center field to Paul DeJong. Howie Kendrick strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 3, Cardinals 0.Cardinals eighth. Matt Carpenter strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman lines out to deep right field to Adam Eaton. Paul DeJong singles to center field. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Andrew Miller. Jose Martinez doubles to deep center field. Paul DeJong scores. Dexter Fowler flies out to right field to Adam Eaton.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Cardinals 1.

Nationals second. Howie Kendrick doubles to deep right center field. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to third base, Matt Carpenter to Paul Goldschmidt. Michael A. Taylor strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes doubles to deep center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Anibal Sanchez grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 1, Cardinals 0.Nationals seventh. Trea Turner lines out to shallow infield to Giovanny Gallegos. Adam Eaton triples to deep left center field. Anthony Rendon is intentionally walked. Juan Soto strikes out swinging. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow center field. Anthony Rendon to second. Adam Eaton scores. Ryan Zimmerman walks. Howie Kendrick to second. Anthony Rendon to third. Michael A. Taylor flies out to deep center field to Dexter Fowler.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Nationals 2, Cardinals 0.

A look at the best-of-seven National League Championship Series between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at St. Louis, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at St. Louis, 4:08 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, at Washington, TBA; Game 4, Tuesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 6, Friday, Oct. 18, at St. Louis, TBA; x-Game 7, Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Louis, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Cardinals won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 2B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.257, 6, 27 in 52 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63) or Yan Gomes (.223, 12, 43 in 97 games), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs) or Michael A. Taylor (.250, 1, 3 in 53 games).Cardinals:... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Mike Foltynewicz to Freddie Freeman. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to shortstop. Dexter Fowler to third. Marcell Ozuna singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Yadier Molina reaches on error. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Fielding error by Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Yadier Molina to second. Marcell Ozuna to third. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Tommy Edman doubles to right field. Matt Carpenter to third. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul DeJong is intentionally walked. Jack Flaherty walks. Paul DeJong to second. Tommy Edman to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Dexter Fowler doubles to left field. Jack Flaherty to third. Paul DeJong scores. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Dexter Fowler scores. Jack Flaherty scores. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to right field to Nick Markakis.... [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]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. was back in Atlanta's lineup — and hustled his way to a seventh inning double — in Friday's Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Acuña drew criticism from manager Brian Snitker and his teammates for his lack of hustle on a long fly ball in the seventh inning of the Cardinals' 7-6 win in Game 1 on Thursday night. Still, Acuña had three hits, including a two-run homer, and he remains a key to Atlanta's hopes in the series.Snitker pulled Acuña out of a game after a similar lack of hustle by the outfielder on a long fly ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 18. Acuña was back in the lineup the following day.Snitker said he had a "good conversation" with Acuña before Friday's game."It's not the first time, obviously. ... I'm not going to give up on this kid," Snitker said. "I mean, I'm going to go to the end of the Earth trying to help this guy."Acuña grounded out in the first inning, despite sprinting to first base, and struck... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. remained in Atlanta's lineup, hitting leadoff and playing center field, for Friday's Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Acuña drew criticism from manager Brian Snitker and his teammates for his lack of hustle on a long fly ball in the seventh inning of the Cardinals' 7-6 win in Game 1 on Thursday night. Still, Acuña had three hits, including a two-run homer, and he remains a key to Atlanta's hopes in the series.Snitker pulled Acuña out of a game after a similar lack of hustle by the outfielder on a long fly ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 18. Acuña was back in the lineup the following day.Snitker said he had a "good conversation" with Acuña before Friday's game."It's not the first time, obviously. ... I'm not going to give up on this kid," nitker said. "I mean, I'm going to go to the end of the earth trying to help this guy."Acuña said after Thursday night's game "I always try to give my best effort."Snitker said... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. remains in Atlanta's lineup, hitting leadoff and playing center field, in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Acuña drew criticism from manager Brian Snitker and his teammates for his lack of hustle on a long fly ball in the seventh inning of the Cardinals' 7-6 win in Game 1 on Thursday night. Still, Acuña had three hits, including a two-run homer, and he remains a key to Atlanta's hopes in the series.Brian McCann is Atlanta's starting catcher for the second straight game, this time for right-hander Mike Foltynewicz.The Cardinals have their same starting eight position players behind ace right-hander Jack Flaherty. Second baseman Kolten Wong and shortstop Paul DeJong swapped spots in the batting order, with Wong hitting sixth and DeJong seventh.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acu�a Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]