ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsley is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [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 St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring. Freeman had a hard-hit ball by Yadier Molina bounce off his glove. Had he fielded it cleanly, it could have been an inning-ending double play.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [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

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.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.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:NOW OR NEVERA pair of winner-take-all Game 5s will decide the two NL Division Series.First, the Atlanta Braves host the St. Louis Cardinals at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Then, it's the Washington Nationals at the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning at 8:37 p.m. The winners meet in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series starting Friday.ARMS RACEA star-studded series loaded with outstanding pitchers comes to a dramatic conclusion at Dodger Stadium. Stephen Strasburg starts for the wild-card Washington Nationals against Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler.The league-best Dodgers were 59-22 at home during the regular season, when they drew more than 3 million fans."Very confident we're going to come out of this and move on," manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday.The Dodgers are trying to reach the NLCS for the fourth consecutive year, while the Nationals have never won a playoff series since the franchise moved from Montreal to Washington in 2005. They've... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:RESTED ENOUGHJustin Verlander will start on three days of rest as the Astros try to put away the Rays in Game 4 of their AL Division Series at Tampa Bay. It will be Verlander's second career start on short rest — the other came after a one-inning, rain-shortened appearance in the 2011 ALDS. Houston won the first two games of the series with a pair of dominant pitching performances from Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who combined to limit the Rays to one unearned run and five hits over 14 2/3 innings. Houston's other pitchers have allowed 12 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, an ERA of 9.53."The thought process is five-game series are pretty crazy and we've got to win. Never know what can happen," Verlander said after the Astros' 10-3 loss in Game 3 on Monday. "You can't put all your eggs in one basket and say if we lose tomorrow, we've got Justin and Gerrit (Cole) for Game 5. It's a crazy game."Tampa Bay will use Diego Castillo as an opener, and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:RESTED ENOUGHJustin Verlander will start on three days of rest as the Astros try to put away the Rays in Game 4 of their AL Division Series at Tampa Bay. It will be Verlander's second career start on short rest — the other came after a one-inning, rain-shortened appearance in the 2011 ALDS. Houston won the first two games of the series with a pair of dominant pitching performances from Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who combined to limit the Rays to one unearned run and five hits over 14 2/3 innings. Houston's other pitchers have allowed 12 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, an ERA of 9.53."The thought process is five-game series are pretty crazy and we've got to win. Never know what can happen," Verlander said after the Astros' 10-3 loss in Game 3 on Monday. "You can't put all your eggs in one basket and say if we lose tomorrow, we've got Justin and Gerrit (Cole) for Game 5. It's a crazy game."Tampa Bay will use Diego Castillo as an opener, and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:RESTED ENOUGHJustin Verlander will start on three days of rest as the Astros try to put away the Rays in Game 4 of their AL Division Series at Tampa Bay. It will be Verlander's second career start on short rest — the other came after a one-inning, rain-shortened appearance in the 2011 ALDS. Houston won the first two games of the series with a pair of dominant pitching performances from Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who combined to limit the Rays to one unearned run and five hits over 14 2/3 innings. Houston's other pitchers have allowed 12 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, an ERA of 9.53."The thought process is five-game series are pretty crazy and we've got to win. Never know what can happen," Verlander said after the Astros' 10-3 loss in Game 3 on Monday. "You can't put all your eggs in one basket and say if we lose tomorrow, we've got Justin and Gerrit (Cole) for Game 5. It's a crazy game."Tampa Bay will use Diego Castillo as an opener,... [More]

Oct. 71904 — Jack Chesbro got his 41st victory of the season as New York defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2.1933 — Mel Ott's home run in the 10th inning to give the New York Giants for a 4-3 victory and the World Championship in five games over the Washington Senators.1935 — Detroit's Goose Goslin drove in Mickey Cochrane with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Tigers a 4-3 win and the World Championship in six games over the Chicago Cubs.1950 — Rookie pitcher Whitey Ford, with ninth-inning help from Allie Reynolds, beat Philadelphia 5-2 to give the Yankees a World Series sweep of the "Whiz Kids."1952 — Billy Martin's running catch on a high infield pop with the bases loaded in the seventh inning snuffed a Dodgers rally and the New York Yankees went on to win Game 7 of the World Series 4-2. It was the fourth consecutive world championship for the Yankees.1969 — The St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielder Curt Flood to the Philadelphia Phillies in a blockbuster deal involving... [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.

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

A look at what's happening around the majors today:TEEING OFFYankee Stadium will be the site when the teams that hit the most home runs in history start their AL Division Series.Nelson Cruz, Max Kepler and the Minnesota Twins set the major league single-season record with 307 homers this year. Eddie Rosario, who connected 32 times, nicknamed his club the Bomba Squad.Gleyber Torres, Gary Sánchez and the New York Yankees finished right behind with 306 home runs, living up to the Bronx Bombers tag the team has backed up for decades.In a season with a record 6,776 homers, the playoffs already have been high voltage. Left-hander James Paxton (15-6, 3.82 ERA) starts for the Yankees in his postseason debut, opposed by righty José Berríos (14-8, 3.82)."I feel like there's so many shifts and so many different things going on in the game, why would I want to put the ball on the ground for the most part? Ninety-nine percent of the time it's on the ground, it's an out," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:TEEING OFFYankee Stadium will be the site when the teams that hit the most home runs in history start their AL Division Series.Nelson Cruz, Max Kepler and the Minnesota Twins set the major league single-season record with 307 homers this year. Eddie Rosario, who connected 32 times, nicknamed his club the Bomba Squad.Gleyber Torres, Gary Sánchez and the New York Yankees finished right behind with 306 home runs, living up to the Bronx Bombers tag the team has backed up for decades.In a season with a record 6,776 homers, the playoffs already have been high voltage. Left-hander James Paxton (15-6, 3.82 ERA) starts the Yankees in his postseason debut, opposed by righty José Berríos (14-8, 3.82)."I feel like there's so many shifts and so many different things going on in the game, why would I want to put the ball on the ground for the most part? Ninety-nine percent of the time it's on the ground, it's an out," Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said.... [More]

Oct. 61915 _ Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year.1926 _ Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series.1948 _ In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller.1963 _ Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series.1966 _ Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth inning.1978... [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 Acuña 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]