WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles made an immediate impact in his return to the Washington Nationals' lineup.After missing five games with a hamstring injury, Robles homered, singled and scored twice over the first six innings of the Nationals' 8-1 victory in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis. The 22-year-old made manager Dave Martinez look like a genius for plugging him right back into center field despite Michael A. Taylor's homer in Game 2.It wasn't a debate for Martinez, who Sunday said Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when 100% healthy. Robles took swings in the batting cage and made it an easy decision."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt," Martinez said before the game. "He looked really good."His swings against Cardinals pitching looked even better. Robles, batting eighth, lined a base hit up the middle off starter Jack Flaherty in the third inning and crushed reliever John Brebbia's 2-1 fastball over the right-center fence in the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt shook his head and blamed himself. The answers aren't coming easy right now.After a third consecutive anemic offensive showing led to an 8-1 blowout loss to the Washington Nationals in Game 3 Monday night, the St. Louis Cardinals are staring down a 3-0 deficit in the NL Championship Series and are one loss from being swept in the best-of-seven playoff.St. Louis scored one unearned run on seven hits and has a total of two runs on 11 hits through three games. It wasn't supposed to be like this, and now the Cardinals are on the brink of elimination going into Game 4 on Tuesday night."We haven't scored," said Goldschmidt, who struck out four times in Game 3. "We haven't executed as an offense. I haven't really done anything this series, and the results speak for themselves, especially tonight. Just have to do a better job."Time is running out to turn things around.Through the first two games of the series, pitching, defense and baserunning helped keep the... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Instead of dwelling on the St. Louis Cardinals' troubles at the plate after two losses in the NL Championship Series, manager Mike Shildt tried to accentuate the positives."We've pitched really, really well," he said. "We've played really good defense. We've run the bases when we're getting the opportunities really well."Not anymore. And it might be too late to do anything about those silent bats.All those previously reliable elements abandoned the Cardinals in Game 3 on Monday night, and their hitting never showed up. After another anemic offensive showing, they got blown out 8-1 by the Washington Nationals to fall into a 3-0 hole and are one loss Tuesday from being swept out of the best-of-seven series.A comedy of errors in the field and on the basepaths and a rare off night for 23-year-old ace Jack Flaherty did little to relieve the pressure of a lineup still flummoxed by Nationals pitching. St. Louis scored one unearned run on a throwing error and has a grand total... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles made an immediate impact in his return to the Washington Nationals' lineup.After missing five games with a hamstring injury, Robles homered, singled and scored twice over the first six innings Monday night in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis. The 22-year-old made manager Dave Martinez look like a genius for plugging him right back into center field despite Michael A. Taylor's homer in Game 2.It wasn't a debate for Martinez, who Sunday said Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when 100% healthy. Robles took swings in the batting cage and made it an easy decision."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt," Martinez said before the game. "He looked really good."His swings against Cardinals pitching looked even better. Robles, batting eighth, lined a base hit up the middle off starter Jack Flaherty in the third inning and crushed reliever John Brebbia's 2-1 fastball over the fence in right center in the sixth.Robles... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles was back in the Nationals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series after missing the previous five games with a hamstring injury.Robles started in center field and batted eighth Monday night with Washington looking to take a 3-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the best-of-seven series. Michael A. Taylor, who hit a solo home run in Game 2 on Saturday at St. Louis, had been in those spots with Robles out.Robles took swings in the batting cage Sunday and looked strong enough working out for manager Dave Martinez to plug the 22-year-old back in. Martinez didn't hesitate to say Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when he was 100%."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt. He looked really good," Martinez said. "He's raring to go and excited to get back on the field."Robles singled in his first at-bat and scored on Adam Eaton's single in the third inning.Robles hit .255 with 17 home runs, 65 RBIs and 28 stolen bases during his... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Victor Robles is back in the Nationals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series after missing the past five games with a hamstring injury.Robles was starting in center field and batting eighth Monday night with Washington looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. Michael A. Taylor, who hit a solo home run in Game 2 Saturday at St. Louis, had been in that spot.Robles took some swings in the batting cage Sunday and looked strong enough working out for manager Dave Martinez to plug the 22-year-old back in. Martinez didn't hesitate to say that Robles would "get a chance to play" over Taylor when he was 100%."He ran the bases (Sunday) and ran them at full tilt. He looked really good," Martinez said. "He's raring to go and excited to get back on the field."Robles hit .255 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs and had 28 stolen bases during his first full season in the majors. He last played in Game 2 of the NLDS against Los Angeles.The 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.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington Nationals right-hander Aníbal Sánchez lost his no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth inning on a clean single by St. Louis Cardinals pinch-hitter José Martínez in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.Martínez lined an 82 mph split-finger fastball into center field, spoiling Sánchez's shot at the third no-hitter in postseason history. Two batters earlier, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman preserved the bid by diving to catch a line drive by Tommy Edman.Nationals manager Dave Martínez pulled Sánchez after the hit and brought in left-hander Sean Doolittle. Sánchez struck out five, hit two batters and walked one on 103 pitches. The right-handed Sánchez waved to standing fans in St. Louis as he left the field.Doolittle pitched cleanly out of the eighth to preserve a 2-0 lead. The Nationals are without closer Daniel Hudson, who was placed on paternity leave earlier Friday.Sánchez retired his first 10 batters before Kolten Wong walked in the fourth for St. Louis' first... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington Nationals right-hander Aníbal Sánchez has not allowed a hit through seven innings of Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Sánchez retired his first 10 batters before Kolten Wong walked in the fourth for St. Louis' first baserunner. He stole second and went to third on catcher Yan Gomes' throwing error, but Marcell Ozuna fouled out to end the inning.Sánchez has struck out five, walked one and hit two batters in his ninth career postseason start, throwing 89 pitches.Sánchez got a break in the fifth when Matt Carpenter tipped a 1-2 pitch that bounced off the dirt and into Gomes' mitt. Carpenter briefly argued the ball wasn't caught cleanly, but it was ruled a strikeout — that play can't be reviewed.The 35-year-old Sánchez pitched a no-hitter as a rookie with the Florida Marlins in 2006. He also threw six hitless innings in the opener of the 2013 AL Championship Series for Detroit against Boston but was pulled after 116 pitches. The... [More]

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]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are giving Adam Duvall his first start in the decisive game of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Braves manager Brian Snitker is starting Duvall instead of Matt Joyce in right field for Wednesday's Game 5 against right-hander Jack Flaherty. Duvall bats right-handed while Joyce bats left-handed.Duvall has hit .429 in the series, including a two-run, pinch-hit homer against Flaherty in Game 2. He also had a two-run single in Atlanta's Game 3 victory."He's hot. He's had some success off of Flaherty," Snitker said. "Who knows if it will last?"Snitker didn't move up shortstop Dansby Swanson, who again is batting eighth. Swanson hit .500 (7 for 14) in the first four games of the series."He's been doing just fine where he's at," Snitker said. "I just kind of like where he's at right now. I didn't want to mess with it."Tommy Edman is making his third straight start in right field for the Cardinals.The pitching matchup will be a rematch of Game 2, when Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz outdueled Flaherty of the Cardinals for a 3-0 victory.Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has one tweak in his lineup from that game, with Matt Carpenter at third base, instead of Edman."That's really the only difference," Shildt said. "We've had some flexibility with the lineup. It's a lineup we've run out there, and a lineup we're comfortable with and competed well with."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Sunday.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order against the Atlanta Braves. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener on Thursday and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.The 33-year-old Carpenter struggled for much of the season, but he hit .288 with two homers and seven RBIs in September."Just getting back to who he is, his anchor, what makes him successful," manager Mike Shildt said. "I like the fact he's been aggressive. You see him with really assertive swings, but you've also seen him take those swings in the zone. Seeing the ball really well. I think he's on time with his eyes and his body."Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order for the matchup against Atlanta. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first two games in center field. Rookie Tommy Edman shifted from third to right, and Dexter Fowler moved over to center.Cardinals manager Mike Shildt also announced that Dakota Hudson will start Game 4 on Monday. Hudson will be making his postseason debut after going 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA this season.Snitker said he is waiting to see what happens Sunday before finalizing his starter for Game 4. The teams split the first two in the best-of-five series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves received approval Friday to replace injured reliever Chris Martin with Julio Teheran on their NL Division Series roster.The switch will have a big impact on the Braves' pitching plans, with 17-game winner Max Fried possibly taking a more significant role in the bullpen."It's going to affect the bullpen," manager Brian Snitker said before Game 2. "That's a huge hit right there. Probably Max is going to need to maybe fill that role and pitch some of those high-leverage innings late in the game. We know he can do it. And he's got stuff to do it and all that. That's probably going to elevate him to those roles now."Martin reported tightness in his left oblique while warming up for the eighth inning of Game 1 Thursday night. He left the field without facing a St. Louis batter and was replaced by Luke Jackson, who surrendered two runs to squander a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth off closer Mark Melancon and held on for a 7-6 victory to... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves received approval Friday to replace injured reliever Chris Martin with Julio Teheran on their NL Division Series roster.Martin reported tightness in his left oblique while warming up for the eighth inning of Game 1 Thursday night. He left the field without facing a St. Louis batter and was replaced by Luke Jackson, who surrendered two runs to squander a 3-1 lead. The Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth off closer Mark Melancon and held on for a 7-6 victory to begin the best-of-five series.Martin was acquired from Texas before the trade deadline in one of three deals to bolster Atlanta's struggling bullpen. The 33-year-old right-hander went 1-1 with 4.08 ERA in 20 games for the Braves and was considered a key setup man along with Shane Greene.Major League Baseball approved the roster change before Game 2. Dr. Gary Green, MLB's medical director, confirmed the injury after communicating with the evaluating physician, as well as reviewing Martin's medical... [More]

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]

ATLANTA (AP) — St. Louis manager Mike Shildt says he considered more than offense when choosing rookie third baseman Tommy Edman over veteran Matt Carpenter in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against Atlanta on Thursday.Kolten Wong returns for the Cardinals at second base after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Wong’s return pushed Edman from second base to third base.Carpenter hit only .226 this season but his .267 average in September was his best of any month. Shildt said defensive considerations were factors in his decisions to start both Edman and center fielder Harrison Bader.There are no surprises in the Braves’ lineup. Brian McCann is manager Brian Snitker’s choice to catch for left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who has worked well with Tyler Flowers. Snitker said he consulted with Keuchel, who is comfortable with either catcher.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports