HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa before rookie Yordan Alvarez singled to right field. But Corbin struck out Martín Maldonado before pinch-hitter Aledmys Díaz grounded out to end the inning.Scherzer allowed five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts. He threw 112 pitches, which were his most this postseason.___9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning as the Nationals took a 5-2 lead. He got stranded there when shortstop Carlos Correa made a lunging, fully extended catch on Howie Kendrick's liner that was headed toward left field.Adam Eaton's RBI single earlier in the fifth snapped a 2-2 tie.Cole entered Game 1 of the World Series having gone 19-0 in his last 25 starts. He was 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, allowing only one run over 22 2-3 innings through the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series.The five runs by the Nationals are the most off the right-hander since he gave up six runs over five innings in a 9-4 home loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 22. He had allowed only... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are disappointed, though hardly discouraged.The overachieving franchise with baseball's smallest payroll returned home from losing to the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series confident that getting its first taste of postseason success since 2013 will make it stronger moving forward."We would have loved to be World Series champs, but reaching the ALDS for the first time in six years is a right step forward," defensive whiz Kevin Kiermaier said."You hate seeing it end right now, but at the same time, you think about Day 1 spring training, we accomplished most of our goals," the center fielder added. "We didn't finish where we wanted to, but at the same time ... what a fun year."After compiling the best record among major league teams failing to make the playoffs in 2018, the Rays improved from 90 to 96 victories this season to make the playoffs for the fifth time in club history. They beat Oakland in last week's wild-card game, then survived... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Unable to beat three aces in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays finally folded against Houston.It didn't help that starter Tyler Glasnow was sure he tipped pitches in the first inning, when the Astros scored four fast runs.With baseball's most inexpensive roster, the young Rays tried all they could to avoid elimination again Thursday night. They had an infielder in the lineup who barely played in the past month, went to their bullpen early to bring in their own Cy Young Award winner and kept changing pitchers the same way they did throughout the playoffs.In the end, they still couldn't win three straight AL Division Series games against a trio of Astros arms with a combined salary of $66 million — about the same as the entire Tampa Bay payroll.Gerrit Cole struck out 10 more Rays in eight innings, following his 15-strikeout performance in Game 2, and Houston won 6-1 in the decisive Game 5 to end Tampa Bay's outstanding season and advance to a third consecutive AL Championship Series."I... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Unable to beat three aces in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays finally folded against Houston.With baseball's most inexpensive roster, the young Rays tried all they could to avoid elimination again Thursday night. They started an infielder who had barely played in the last month, went to their bullpen early to bring in their own Cy Young Award winner and kept changing pitchers the way they had throughout the playoffs.In the end, they couldn't win three straight AL Division Series games against a trio of Astros arms with a combined salary of $66 million — about the same as the entire Tampa Bay payroll.Gerrit Cole struck out 10 more Rays in eight innings, following his 15-strikeout performance in Game 2, and Houston won 6-1 in the decisive Game 5 to advance to a third consecutive AL Championship Series.Tampa Bay's outstanding season, meanwhile, is over.After victories at home over Cy Young winners Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander to force this juicy series from Tropicana Field back... [More]

Astros first. George Springer singles to left center field. Michael Brantley singles to left center field. George Springer to third. Jose Altuve singles to deep right center field. Michael Brantley to third. George Springer scores. Alex Bregman doubles to deep right center field. Jose Altuve scores. Michael Brantley scores. Yordan Alvarez grounds out to shallow infield, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi. Alex Bregman to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to left field. Alex Bregman scores. Carlos Correa strikes out swinging. Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 4, Rays 0.Rays second. Eric Sogard homers to right field. Avisail Garcia grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Joey Wendle strikes out swinging. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 4, Rays 1.Astros eighth. Michael Brantley homers to right field. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Avisail Garcia. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep left center field to Austin Meadows. Carlos Correa strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 6, Rays 1.

HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Sogard was in Tampa Bay's lineup for the decisive Game 5 in the AL Division Series at Houston, the second baseman's first start in nearly a month while dealing with lingering right foot discomfort.Sogard was batting fifth on Thursday night against Astros starter Gerrit Cole, who struck out 15 over 7 2-3 scoreless innings when the Astros won Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead before the Rays won twice at home."You've got Gerrit, who is probably the highest strikeout pitcher in baseball. We value Eric Sogard as a very high contact-oriented hitter," manager Kevin Cash said.In his only appearance this postseason before the ALDS finale, Sogard had a RBI single as a pinch-hitter in Game 1 on Friday.Brandon Lowe started the first four ALDS games for the Rays at second base and was 4 for 16 with eight strikeouts. The rookie had the only hit off Justin Verlander in the series opener, but also had an error that game that led to two unearned runs.The Rays acquired Sogard, who went... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Sogard is in Tampa Bay's lineup for the decisive Game 5 in the AL Division Series at Houston, the first start in nearly a month for the second baseman who has dealt with lingering right foot discomfort.Sogard's only appearance this postseason before Thursday night's game was as a pinch-hitter in Game 1 on Friday, when he had an RBI single.The Rays acquired Sogard in a trade from Toronto on July 28. He hit .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 37 games for Toronto during the regular season after hitting .300 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 73 games for the Blue Jays.Sogard's last start was Sept. 14, and he made his final appearance in the regular season the following day as a pinch-hitter.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Astros fifth. Josh Reddick walks. George Springer called out on strikes. Jose Altuve homers to left field. Josh Reddick scores. Michael Brantley singles to right field. Alex Bregman doubles to deep left field. Michael Brantley to third. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel reaches on error. Alex Bregman scores. Michael Brantley scores. Fielding error by Brandon Lowe. Carlos Correa called out on strikes.4 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Astros 4, Rays 0.Astros seventh. Jose Altuve lines out to left field to Tommy Pham. Michael Brantley called out on strikes. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez doubles to right center field. Alex Bregman scores. Yuli Gurriel doubles to right field. Yordan Alvarez scores. Carlos Correa called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 6, Rays 0.Rays eighth. Travis d'Arnaud lines out to right field to George Springer. Joey Wendle singles to left field. Kevin Kiermaier grounds out to second base, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Joey Wendle to second. Eric Sogard pinch-hitting for Willy Adames. Eric Sogard singles to left field. Joey Wendle scores. Austin Meadows doubles to deep right center field. Eric Sogard scores. Tommy Pham singles to shallow infield. Austin Meadows to third. Ji-Man Choi grounds out to third base, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 6, Rays 2.

HOUSTON (AP) — Starter Wade Miley made Houston's roster for the AL Division Series despite struggling for the last month.Miley's status for Houston's series against the Tampa Bay Rays was up in the air after the veteran left-hander had a 16.68 ERA in five starts in September. The Astros also included rookie José Urquidy, who along with Miley could be an option to start Game 4, on the roster. The Astros left veteran Brad Peacock off after he made just three appearances in September and missed almost a month dealing with shoulder soreness.For Tampa Bay, infielder Eric Sogard made the roster after being left off the wild-card roster because of a bruised foot. Sogard hasn't played since Sept. 15 because of the injury, but he said he was feeling good on Thursday and ready to return. Manager Kevin Cash said Sogard isn't 100 percent, but he's healthy enough to help them in this series.The Rays' roster also included relievers Yonny Chirinos and Brendan McKay. Houston included rookie outfielder Kyle Tucker and speedy utility man Myles Straw.The Astros will carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players in the best-of-five series that begins on Friday. Tampa Bay's roster has 12 pitchers and 13 position players.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Rays sixth. Willy Adames flies out to deep left field to Michael Hermosillo. Joey Wendle singles to left field. Austin Meadows walks. Joey Wendle to second. Tommy Pham flies out to deep right field to Kole Calhoun. Joey Wendle to third. Ji-Man Choi walks. Travis d'Arnaud doubles to deep left field. Ji-Man Choi scores. Austin Meadows scores. Joey Wendle scores. Nate Lowe strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 3, Angels 0.Angels seventh. Matt Thaiss strikes out swinging. Michael Hermosillo hit by pitch. Anthony Bemboom grounds out to second base, Eric Sogard to Ji-Man Choi. Michael Hermosillo to third. Brian Goodwin singles to left field. David Fletcher grounds out to second base, Eric Sogard to Ji-Man Choi.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 3, Angels 1.

Rays first. Eric Sogard pops out to Danny Jansen. Austin Meadows singles to right field. Avisail Garcia doubles to deep center field. Austin Meadows scores. Ji-Man Choi grounds out to shallow infield, Clay Buchholz to Rowdy Tellez. Nate Lowe grounds out to second base, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Blue jays 0.Rays second. Willy Adames singles to right field. Kevin Kiermaier reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Willy Adames out at second. Mike Zunino homers to center field. Kevin Kiermaier scores. Joey Wendle singles to right center field. Eric Sogard flies out to Anthony Alford.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 3, Blue jays 0.Rays fourth. Nate Lowe grounds out to shallow right field, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez. Willy Adames doubles to left field. Kevin Kiermaier grounds out to shortstop, Bo Bichette to Rowdy Tellez. Willy Adames to third. Mike Zunino strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 4, Blue jays 0.Rays eighth. Joey Wendle reaches on error. Fielding error by Brandon Drury. Matt Duffy singles to center field. Joey Wendle to third. Austin Meadows singles to center field. Matt Duffy to third. Joey Wendle scores. Avisail Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Austin Meadows to second. Matt Duffy out at home. Ji-Man Choi strikes out swinging. Nate Lowe strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Rays 5, Blue jays 0.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Injured Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Blake Snell is scheduled to make his first rehab start Saturday in a playoff game with Triple-A Durham.Last year's AL Cy Young Award winner has been out since July 22 because of bone chips in his throwing elbow that required surgery."I'm excited," Snell said Thursday. "I'm going to get to pitch again."Snell had a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and expects to throw an inning or 20 pitches Saturday. He is 6-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 20 starts.Another Tampa Bay starter, right-hander Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.86 ERA), who has been sidelined since mid-May with a strained right forearm, is expected to either rejoin the Rays or pitch in his third minor league game this weekend.The Rays entered Thursday night's game against Toronto on top of the AL wild-card standings in a tight race with Cleveland and Oakland.Also, infielder Eric Sogard said he was available off the bench after he had his helmet and glasses knocked off by a pitch from Baltimore's Paul Fry on Tuesday. The ball struck his shoulder first, then his helmet and nose.Sogard has a black eye and said his nose was a little sore.First baseman Ji-Man Choi, who was hurt Tuesday when he was hit in the face by the glove of Baltimore third baseman Rio Ruiz while sliding to complete a triple, was in Thursday's lineup.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SHAKE IT OFFThe Mets and Nationals are set for a matinee in Washington after playing a wild one Tuesday night. The Mets scored five runs in the top of the ninth to lead 10-4 before the Nats rallied all the way back in the bottom of the inning, capping the rally with a three-run, game-ending homer from Kurt Suzuki. The Nationals/Expos franchise had never won a game after trailing by at least six runs in the ninth or later."That's hard to do even in a Little League game," said dejected Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo.Right-hander Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.41 ERA), who is 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in four starts against Washington this season, is set to start for New York. He'll face righty Anibal Sanchez (8-6, 3.80).CHECK HIMAstros center fielder George Springer was being examined for a head injury after running into the wall and being carted off the field at Milwaukee. The 2017 World Series MVP was walking around the clubhouse after a 4-2 loss and manager... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Wednesday:SHAKE IT OFFThe Mets and Nationals are set for a matinee in Washington after playing a wild one Tuesday night. The Mets scored five runs in the top of the ninth to lead 10-4 before the Nats rallied all the way back in the bottom of the inning, capping the rally with a three-run, game-ending homer from Kurt Suzuki. The Nationals/Expos franchise had never won a game after trailing by at least six runs in the ninth or later."That's hard to do even in a Little League game," said dejected Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo.Right-hander Zack Wheeler (9-7, 4.41 ERA), who is 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in four starts against Washington this season, is set to start for New York. He'll face righty Anibal Sanchez (8-6, 3.80).CHECK HIMAstros center fielder George Springer was being examined for a head injury after running into the wall and being carted off the field at Milwaukee. The 2017 World Series MVP was walking around the clubhouse after a 4-2 loss and... [More]

Rays first. Eric Sogard called out on strikes. Austin Meadows doubles to left field. Tommy Pham walks. Ji-Man Choi lines out to second base to Mike Freeman. Joey Wendle singles to center field. Tommy Pham to second. Austin Meadows scores. Willy Adames flies out to right field to Yasiel Puig.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 1, Indians 0.Indians second. Yasiel Puig grounds out to shortstop, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi. Mike Freeman singles to shallow infield. Franmil Reyes walks. Mike Freeman to second. Jake Bauers doubles to deep center field. Franmil Reyes to third. Mike Freeman scores. Kevin Plawecki flies out to right field to Austin Meadows. Yu Chang strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Indians 1, Rays 1.Rays fourth. Joey Wendle grounds out to second base, Mike Freeman to Carlos Santana. Willy Adames walks. Kevin Kiermaier walks. Nate Lowe homers to center field. Kevin Kiermaier scores. Mike Zunino strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor grounds out to shallow right field, Eric Sogard to Ji-Man Choi. Oscar Mercado singles to left field. Carlos Santana homers to center field. Oscar Mercado scores. Yasiel Puig grounds out to shortstop, Joey Wendle to Ji-Man Choi. Jason Kipnis strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Rays 0.Rays second. Ji-Man Choi homers to right field. Avisail Garcia flies out to left center field to Oscar Mercado. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging. Matt Duffy grounds out to third base, Yu Chang to Carlos Santana.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Indians 2, Rays 1.Rays third. Joey Wendle flies out to deep center field to Oscar Mercado. Eric Sogard singles to center field. Tommy Pham homers to left field. Eric Sogard scores. Austin Meadows grounds out to second base, Jason Kipnis to Carlos Santana. Travis d'Arnaud grounds out to third base, Yu Chang to Carlos Santana.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 3, Indians 2.Rays sixth. Travis... [More]

Rays seventh. Austin Meadows singles to right field. Travis d'Arnaud singles to center field. Austin Meadows to third. Ji-Man Choi strikes out swinging. Avisail Garcia singles to left field. Travis d'Arnaud to second. Austin Meadows scores. Joey Wendle grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Cimber to Carlos Santana. Avisail Garcia to second. Travis d'Arnaud to third. Jesus Aguilar homers to left field. Avisail Garcia scores. Travis d'Arnaud scores. Willy Adames doubles to right field. Eric Sogard is intentionally walked. Tommy Pham strikes out swinging.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 4, Indians 0.

Rays second. Ji-Man Choi singles to center field. Avisail Garcia strikes out swinging. Willy Adames called out on strikes. Travis d'Arnaud singles to left center field. Ji-Man Choi scores. Jesus Aguilar grounds out to second base, Jose Altuve to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 1, Astros 0.Astros second. Alex Bregman grounds out to shortstop, Eric Sogard to Ji-Man Choi. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel singles to center field. Yordan Alvarez to second. Abraham Toro pops out to second base to Eric Sogard. Robinson Chirinos doubles to deep left field. Yuli Gurriel to third. Yordan Alvarez scores. Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Rays 1, Astros 1.Rays third. Matt Duffy grounds out to third base, Abraham Toro to Yuli Gurriel. Eric Sogard flies out to center field to George Springer. Austin Meadows homers to right field. Tommy Pham lines out to center field to George Springer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 2, Astros 1.Astros... [More]

Rays second. Ji-Man Choi walks. Avisail Garcia called out on strikes. Joey Wendle out on a sacrifice fly to right field to George Springer. Ji-Man Choi scores. Willy Adames strikes out swinging.1 run, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 1, Astros 0.Rays fourth. Austin Meadows strikes out swinging. Tommy Pham singles to shortstop. Ji-Man Choi homers to center field. Tommy Pham scores. Avisail Garcia grounds out to shortstop, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel. Joey Wendle pops out to shallow left field to Aledmys Diaz.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 3, Astros 0.Astros fourth. Jose Altuve doubles to deep right field. Michael Brantley grounds out to first base, Ji-Man Choi to Ryan Yarbrough. Jose Altuve to third. Alex Bregman singles to right field. Jose Altuve scores. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel homers to center field. Alex Bregman scores. Aledmys Diaz pops out to shallow center field to Eric Sogard.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Rays 3, Astros 3.Rays seventh.... [More]