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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Astros right fielder Josh Reddick called out Yankees fans for tossing water bottles, baseballs and other objects on the field during New York's 4-1 loss in the AL Championship Series on Tuesday night."You throw a baseball hard enough and hit somebody in the head when they're not looking, it could do some damage to the player, so it's definitely disrespectful and at the same time very unsafe," Reddick said.Fans erupted after a replay review changed Edwin Encarnación's infield hit leading off the eighth to a groundout. Houston went on to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series."I don't think fans realize when they do that that you could hit a player. You hit a baseball player with a baseball from the third deck, it's got a little bit of movement on it so it can definitely do some damage to you and it's frustrating to see as a player in the outfield," Reddick said. "I saw water bottles and like two baseballs. There were two souvenir baseballs thrown in center and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius turned on a first-pitch fastball from Gerrit Cole with two on and two outs in the fifth inning and sent it soaring toward the right-field seats. The crowd at Yankee Stadium rose and roared, hoping for a go-ahead drive."I think every flyball in 2019 is a homer," Houston manager AJ Hinch said. "It's kind of been conditioned that way."Gregorius stood at the plate, watching, then took some tentative steps toward first base as Josh Reddick gloved the ball a step in front of the right-field wall, 343 feet away."I missed it," Gregorius said. "I know I didn't have all of it."New York stranded nine during a 4-1 loss to Houston on Tuesday night that put the Yankees in a 2-1 AL Championship Series deficit, going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.Gregorius, who hit a grand slam against Minnesota in the previous playoff round, left the bases loaded in the first when he hit an inning-ending groundout — also on the first pitch. He went 0 for 4 and saw just six pitches... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin is the first pitcher with 10 strikeouts in the first four innings of a postseason game, according to STATS .The Nationals led the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 as Game 4 of the NL Championship Series headed to the fifth inning Tuesday night.Corbin is trying to help Washington finish off a sweep of the NLCS and reach the World Series.He began the game by striking out the first four batters he faced. Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong were the only two Cardinals position players who did not fan at least once in the first four innings.Molina homered in the fourth.The record for most strikeouts in a postseason game is 17, set by Bob Gibson of the Cardinals in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Astros first. George Springer grounds out to third base, Gio Urshela to DJ LeMahieu. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Michael Brantley walks. Alex Bregman strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley to second. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel to second. Michael Brantley to third. Carlos Correa pops out to shallow center field to Gleyber Torres.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Astros 1, Yankees 0.Astros second. Josh Reddick homers to right field. Martin Maldonado strikes out swinging. George Springer strikes out swinging. Jose Altuve reaches on error. Fielding error by Luis Severino. Michael Brantley strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Astros 2, Yankees 0.Astros seventh. George Springer walks. Jose Altuve singles to right field. George Springer to third. Michael Brantley reaches on a fielder's choice to first base, advances to 2nd. Jose Altuve to third. George Springer out at home. Alex Bregman is intentionally walked. Yuli Gurriel... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to the New York Yankees' starting lineup on Tuesday for the first time since Aug. 3 and Giancarlo Stanton remained out for the second straight game when the AL Championship Series resumed with the Yankees and Astros tied 1-all.Hicks took over in center field and was hitting ninth against Houston's Gerrit Cole in Game 3. After being sidelined by an injured flexor near his right elbow, Hicks pinch hit for starting left fielder Cameron Maybin in Game 2 on Sunday night and grounded out leading off the 10th inning, then moved to center.Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered in the opener and missed Game 2 because of a strained right quadriceps."Outfield is the biggest question," Stanton said during batting practice. "I can hit. I need to move around more and let's see what I got."Manager Aaron Boone said Stanton probably would be on the injured list if this were the regular season."Kind of called G in right when he got... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to the New York Yankees' starting lineup on Tuesday for the first time since Aug. 3 and Giancarlo Stanton remained out for the second straight game when the AL Championship Series resumed with the Yankees and Astros tied 1-all.Hicks took over in center field and was hitting ninth against Houston's Gerrit Cole in Game 3. Sidelined by an injured flexor near his right elbow, Hicks pinch hit for starting left fielder Cameron Maybin in Game 2 and grounded out leading off the 10th inning, then moved to center.Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered in the opener and missed Game 2 because of a strained right quadriceps. Manager Aaron Boone said Stanton probably would be on the injured list if this were the regular season."Kind of called G in right when he got here and just said we're going to stay away today," Boone said. "He's going to get outside and move around a little bit more today — feel like he would be a hitter-off-the-bench... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returns to the New York Yankees' starting lineup for the first time since Aug. 3 and Giancarlo Stanton remains out for the second straight game when the American League Championship Series resumes with the teams tied 1-all.Hicks took over in center field and hit ninth against Gerrit Cole in Game 2 against Houston on Tuesday night. Sidelined by an injured flexor near his right elbow, Hicks pinch hit for starting left fielder Cameron Maybin and grounded out leading off the 10th inning, then moved to center.Brett Gardner moved from center and replaced Stanton in left.Limited by injuries to 18 games during the regular season, Stanton homered in the opener and missed Game 2 because of a strained right quadriceps. Manager Aaron Boone says Stanton is available to pinch hit.First baseman DJ LeMahieu was leading off Wednesday's game, followed by right fielder Aaron Judge, Gardner in left, designated hitter Edwin Encarnación, second baseman Gleyber Torres, shortstop Didi Gregorius, catcher Gary Sánchez, third baseman Gio Urshela and Hicks in center. Luis Severino is on the mound.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Even on a team with three stars in the starting rotation, Gerrit Cole has stood out in these playoffs.The 29-year-old right-hander won twice for Houston in the AL Division Series, allowing only one run in 15 2/3 innings. He'll take the mound Tuesday in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees, and if the Astros keep advancing, Cole could be well on his way to becoming the latest postseason pitching sensation.If that happens, he'll join an illustrious group. A great postseason (or two) can turn a journeyman into a household name — and an ace into a legend.Here are the five different types of dominant postseason pitchers — the men who have made their mark from the mound:THE STARSThe cream of the crop. These are the pitchers who delivered some of the most memorable postseason moments in baseball history. They are workhorse starters who were great for at least one terrific postseason run — and often more than that.Madison Bumgarner won LCS and World Series MVP honors... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:CAPITAL GAINSPatrick Corbin can pitch the Nationals to their first pennant when Washington goes for a four-game sweep of slumping St. Louis in the NL Championship Series. The $140 million lefty starts at home against Cardinals rookie Dakota Hudson.Washington hasn't put a baseball team in the World Series since 1933, when the Senators lost to the New York Giants in five games. The nation's capital owns one MLB championship; the Senators won all the way back in 1924. There wasn't even a baseball team at all in Washington for more than three decades until the Montreal Expos franchise moved to town before the 2005 season and was renamed the Nationals. Until this season, the Nats hadn't won a playoff series, going 0-4 since 2012.COLE COUNTRYWith the Astros and Yankees tied 1-all, the best-of-seven AL Championship Series shifts to New York for Game 3. Houston ace Gerrit Cole, who is 18-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 24 starts since his last loss on May... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:CAPITAL GAINSPatrick Corbin can pitch the Nationals to their first pennant when Washington goes for a four-game sweep of slumping St. Louis in the NL Championship Series. The $140 million lefty starts at home against Cardinals rookie Dakota Hudson.Washington hasn't put a baseball team in the World Series since 1933, when the Senators lost to the New York Giants in five games. The nation's capital owns one MLB championship; the Senators won all the way back in 1924. There wasn't even a baseball team at all in Washington for more than three decades until the Montreal Expos franchise moved to town before the 2005 season and was renamed the Nationals. Until this season, the Nats hadn't won a playoff series, going 0-4 since 2012.COLE COUNTRYWith the Astros and Yankees tied 1-all, the best-of-seven AL Championship Series shifts to New York for Game 3. Houston ace Gerrit Cole, who is 18-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 24 starts since his last loss on May... [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 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]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees and Astros plan all-bullpen games from the start in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series in a sign of the times.With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, New York's Luis Severino starts Game 3 on Tuesday against Gerrit Cole. Masahiro Tanaka began the opener for the Yankees and James Paxton was on the mound for Game 2.Neither team had a starting pitcher it wanted to use for Game 4 on Wednesday."J.A. Happ could very much be in the mix, as well as I picture our bullpen being unleashed on that day," New York manager Aaron Boone said Monday as the series shifted to Yankee Stadium.A starter during the regular season, Happ has relieved during the playoffs. The 36-year-old left-hander entered in the 10th inning of Game 2, escaped a two-out jam, then allowed Carlos Correa's home run leading off the 11th that gave the Astros a 3-2 win.Houston manager A.J. Hinch started Zack Greinke in the opener followed by Justin Verlander in Game 2. Hinch anticipates rookie right-hander... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees and Astros plan all-bullpen games from the start in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series in a sign of the times.With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, New York's Luis Severino starts Game 3 on Tuesday against Gerrit Cole. Masahiro Tanaka began the opener for the Yankees and James Paxton was on the mound for Game 2.Neither team had a starting pitcher it wanted to use for Game 4 on Wednesday."J.A. Happ could very much be in the mix, as well as I picture our bullpen being unleashed on that day," New York manager Aaron Boone said Monday as the series shifted to Yankee Stadium.A starter during the regular season, Happ has relieved during the playoffs. The 36-year-old left-hander entered in the 10th inning of Game 2, escaped a two-out jam, then allowed Carlos Correa's home run leading off the 11th that gave the Astros a 3-2 win.Houston manager A.J. Hinch started Zack Greinke in the opener followed by Justin Verlander in Game 2. Hinch anticipates rookie right-hander... [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]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees plan to use their bullpen against Houston from the start in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series.With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, Luis Severino starts Game 3 on Tuesday against Gerrit Cole. Masahiro Tanaka started the opener and James Paxton was on the mound for Game 2. Manager Aaron Boone plans to use pitchers who have been in the bullpen in the postseason during the fourth game on Wednesday night."J.A. Happ could very much be in the mix, as well as I picture our bullpen being unleashed on that day," Boone said Monday as the series shifted to New York.A starter during the regular season, Happ has relieved during the playoffs. The 36-year-old left-hander entered in the 10th inning of Game 2, escaped a two-outs jam, then allowed Carlos Correa's home run leading off the 11th that gave the Astros a 3-2 win.Weather could cause New York to alter its plans. Heavy rain is forecast for Wednesday, and if Game 4 is postponed, the Yankees would be able to bring back... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees plan to use their bullpen against Houston from the start in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series.With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, Luis Severino starts Game 3 on Tuesday against Gerrit Cole. Masahiro Tanaka started the opener and James Paxton was on the mound for Game 2. Manager Aaron Boone plans to use pitchers who have been in the bullpen in the postseason during the fourth game on Wednesday night."J.A. Happ could very much be in the mix, as well as I picture our bullpen being unleashed on that day," manager Aaron Boone said Monday as the series shifted to New York.A starter during the regular season, Happ has relieved during the playoffs. The 36-year-old left-hander entered in the 10th inning of Game 2, escaped a two-outs jam, then allowed Carlos Correa's home run leading off the 11th that gave the Astros a 3-2 win.Weather could cause New York to alter its plans. Heavy rain is forecast for Wednesday, and if Game 4 is postponed, the Yankees would be able to bring back Tanaka, the Game 1 winner, on normal rest.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs say they plan to interview former Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler and Houston bench coach Joe Espada this week about their managerial opening.The Astros have an off day Monday ahead of Game 3 in the ALCS in New York on Tuesday. Kapler was fired last week after going 161-163 in two years with the Phillies.The Cubs are searching for a successor to Joe Maddon, whose contract expired after Chicago missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2014. At least four other candidates have spoken with the Cubs about the job: Joe Girardi, Mark Loretta, David Ross and Will Venable.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports