ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Wilmer Flores snapped a 13th-inning tie with an RBI single, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks end a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.Eduardo Escobar made up for a crucial throwing error, leading off the 13th with a single off Adam Kolarek (2-1) — Arizona's first hit since the fifth inning. He moved to second on a double-play grounder before scoring on Flores' two-out broken-bat hit to right field off Chaz Roe.Archie Bradley (2-3) pitched three scoreless innings to get the win. Zack Godley, the eighth Diamondbacks pitcher, worked a perfect 13th for his first career save.Arizona pitchers combined to set a franchise record with 23 strikeouts.The Rays rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra innings, scoring on Escobar's eighth-inning error and Kevin Kiermaier's two-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth.CUBS 3, MARLINS 2, 11 INNINGSCHICAGO (AP) — Jason Heyward homered leading off the 11th inning to lift surging Chicago... [More]

As expected, the NL East has been a grind so far.The Phillies, Braves, Mets and Nationals are within five games of each other, with Philadelphia in first place at 19-14. Those four teams came into the season with high expectations , and given all the games they play against each other, it figured to be difficult for anyone to pull away. So far, that has been the case.The Phillies beat Washington 7-1 on Sunday to widen their lead over the fourth-place Nationals. Philadelphia is 15-9 against the NL East, although that includes a 5-2 mark against the last-place Marlins.The truth is, the top four teams in this fascinating division all have issues to worry about in the early going:— The Phillies have been solid, but so far Bryce Harper is having a similar season to last year — decent overall numbers, but a low batting average. He's hitting .233. Right-hander Nick Pivetta struggled so much, he earned a trip to the minors. Like in 2018, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the majors in defensive... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.NATIONALS 2, CARDINALS 1WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg reached 1,500 strikeouts in fewer innings than any pitcher in major league history, and Washington beat St. Louis after a long rain delay to salvage the finale... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard became the first pitcher in 36 years to homer and throw a shutout in a 1-0 victory, lifting the New York Mets over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.Syndergaard (2-3) struck out 10 and allowed four hits in his third career complete game, shaking off a sloppy start to the season with a do-it-all effort. He became the first Mets starter to get an out in the eighth this season, and the franchise's first starter ever to go yard in a 1-0 complete-game win.Thor did his hammering in the third inning, driving a ball 407 feet to the opposite field in left-center off Tyler Mahle (0-4).The previous pitcher to homer in a 1-0 complete-game win was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Bob Welch against the Reds on June 17, 1983, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.TWINS 8, ASTROS 2MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jose Berrios won his fourth straight start, Jason Castro homered off former battery mate Brad Peacock and drove in four runs, and AL-leading Minnesota beat Houston.Backed by a six-run... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves' pitching staff has taken a couple of hits with starter Sean Newcomb sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett and closer Arodys Vizcaino put on the injured list.Newcomb, a fixture in the rotation since June 2017, couldn't hold a 4-0 lead in the Braves' win Saturday over the New York Mets and was pulled after allowing five hits, four runs and two walks in 1 1/3 innings.Vizcaino is sidelined with right shoulder inflammation. He has been injured several times in his career and felt pain while warming up Saturday night.Relievers Dan Winkler and Jacob Webb were recalled from Gwinnett in corresponding moves.Newcomb, a former first-round draft pick who came within one strike of a no-hitter last July, struggled badly in spring training, allowing 17 hits, 12 runs and 15 walks in 21 innings. He has struggled to consistently attack the strike zone even though the Braves are confident in his stuff."I told him last night when I sent him down, it's up to him," manager Brian Snitker... [More]

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta right-hander Mike Foltynewicz could return to the Braves' rotation as soon as this weekend.Foltynewicz pitched 3 2/3 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. He allowed two runs and four hits.Unless he suffers a setback, Foltynewicz could start Sunday night against the New York Mets. He opened the season on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow bone spur.Foltynewicz says all of his pitches were working and everything went well.He threw 43 of his 61 pitches for strikes. The Braves had wanted him to throw about 75 pitches, but there was a 43-minute rain delay in the second inning.Foltynewicz, a first-time All-Star last year, pitched five scoreless innings in his first rehab start. He went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA last year, reaching career highs with 202 strikeouts and 183 innings.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz showed no issues with his right elbow, allowing no hits and two baserunners in five scoreless innings of a rehab start at Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night.Foltynewicz, who opened the season on the injured list, struck out two and walked two while facing 16 batters. He had just one hard-hit ball leave the infield, a lineout in the second. His fastball velocity ranged between 92-96 mph.Foltynewicz will give manager Brian Snitker and the medical staff an update Friday on how he feels. The 2018 All-Star is expected to make at least one more rehab start before joining the big league club."That's definitely the plan," he said. "It's just getting comfortable out there. Might need another to get the velo back out there, get the outside corners, the insides, not be scared to throw those 2-1, 3-1 changeups and all that fun stuff. This is a good time to practice it before you get out there in this great NL East division."Foltynewicz... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves' opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — When they started spring training, the Atlanta Braves had one opening in their pitching rotation. With a week to go before opening day, they may have three.The Braves are holding out some hope that Kevin Gausman will work through his shoulder soreness in time to pitch a game in the first turn through their rotation.However, that appears unlikely. Gausman, who has pitched only two innings in games this spring, threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday."You'd like to get him up to 90 before you'd pitch him in a major league game," said manager Brian Snitker.Mike Foltynewicz, who last pitched Feb. 24 before elbow soreness set in, is throwing again but will need a month buildup before starting a regular-season game.That leaves Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb as the only named members of the rotation, with Teheran expected to start the Braves opener at Philadelphia on March 28.Snitker doesn't expect to announce any additions in the next few days."We've got a week left... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran is set to make his sixth straight start on opening day.The Braves said Monday that Teheran will face the Phillies on March 28 in Philadelphia.Teheran's run ties Hall of Famer Warren Spahn (1957-62) for the longest in Braves' franchise history during the modern era. Teheran is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA on opening day.Earlier this spring, it had been thought Mike Foltynewicz might start on opening day for the Braves. But he's likely to be out until at least mid-April with a sore right elbow.New Phillies slugger Bryce Harper is expected to make his debut in the opener. He's had a lot of career success against Teheran, going 18 for 40 (.450) with eight homers and 19 RBIs.Teheran went 9-9 last season with a 3.94 ERA in 31 starts.

Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

Kyle Seager will be absent next week when the Seattle Mariners play the major league opener in Japan. Mike Foltynewicz will miss opening day for Atlanta, too.Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is on the mend.The Mariners said Monday that Seager needs surgery on his left hand, sidelining the third baseman through at least April. The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner rolled his glove going for a grounder in a spring training game last week.Seattle is likely to move first baseman Ryon Healy across the diamond to third. The Mariners and Oakland begin the regular season on March 20 in Tokyo.The Braves had hoped Foltynewicz could start on March 28 when the NL East champions open at Philadelphia, but a sore elbow has slowed the All-Star righty.Foltynewicz has yet to make an appearance in an exhibition game because of discomfort that began about two weeks ago."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "He's not... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Bothered by a sore elbow, Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready to pitch for the Atlanta Braves on opening day.The All-Star right-hander has yet to make an appearance in a spring training game because of discomfort in his elbow that began about two weeks ago. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Monday the team has been mapping out his routine for the next several weeks, but that won't leave enough to time for him to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia."We're just trying to figure out at what point do we get him up to five innings?" Anthopoulos said. "He's not that far removed from throwing (off the mound), but we still want to be careful how we build him up. If he was going to come back as a reliever, he'd be ready to go that first series. But right now, the way it's trending, it's going to take a little bit of time in the season to get him... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves say pitcher Mike Foltynewicz will not be ready for opening day.The right-hander hasn't been able to pitch during spring training because of discomfort in his elbow caused by bone spurs. While not believed to be a serious issue, Foltynewicz was forced to push back his throwing schedule.General manager Alex Anthopoulos says the pitcher won't have enough to time to be ready for the March 28 opener at NL East rival Philadelphia.Foltynewicz was expected to get his first opening-day start after an All-Star season in which he went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA, along with 202 strikeouts in 183 innings.With Foltynewicz out, the Braves could go with Julio Teheran on opening day for the sixth year in a row. Sean Newcomb is another possibility.___For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/apf-Baseball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — For years, the NL East has been soft as a bunt single.Not anymore.Even before Bryce Harper decided to stay inside the division, four of the five teams spent this offseason swinging for the fences. In addition to defending champion Atlanta, the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals all have enough firepower to potentially contend for the playoffs."This is probably going to be the stiffest competition in a division race in my career," Nationals ace Max Scherzer said at spring training.It's certainly a noticeable transformation.In the past eight seasons, the NL East has won a grand total of two playoff series and produced one pennant winner — with the 2015 Mets responsible for the entirety of that October success.Two years ago, Washington finished a whopping 20 games in front, and no other team in the division was better than 77-85.Last season, Atlanta rolled to a surprise title at 90-72, the fewest wins of any postseason participant. No... [More]

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — For years, the NL East has been soft as a bunt single.Not anymore.Even before Bryce Harper decided to stay inside the division, four of the five teams spent this offseason swinging for the fences. In addition to defending champion Atlanta, the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals all have enough firepower to potentially contend for the playoffs."This is probably going to be the stiffest competition in a division race in my career," Nationals ace Max Scherzer said at spring training.It's certainly a noticeable transformation.In the past eight seasons, the NL East has won a grand total of two playoff series and produced one pennant winner — with the 2015 Mets responsible for the entirety of that October success.Two years ago, Washington finished a whopping 20 games in front, and no other team in the division was better than 77-85.Last season, Atlanta rolled to a surprise title at 90-72, the fewest wins of any postseason participant. No... [More]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — With Mike Foltynewicz slowed by a sore right elbow, Julio Teheran could make his sixth straight opening-day start for the Atlanta Braves.Teheran made his 2019 exhibition debut Monday, pitching three innings in a 4-3 loss to Houston.The 28-year-old right-hander allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits. His fastball reached 94 mph, and he struck out four, including three on sliders."It was working today," he said.Teheran gave up a two-run homer to Derek Fisher, his third batter, on a fastball with a 2-2 count, a pitch Teheran said he would not have thrown in that situation during the season.He walked none in his first outing since pitching two innings in a minor league game last week.Foltynewicz was an All-Star last year, going 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA. Teheran was 9-9 with a 3.94 ERA and appeared only in relief in the NL Division Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Teheran said starting the opener at Philadelphia on March 28 is not a priority."Every time I... [More]