ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their shaky bullpen by signing left-hander reliever Will Smith to a three-year, $40 million contract.The free agent deal announced Thursday includes a $13 million option for the 2023 season, with a $1 million buyout.The 30-year-old Smith went 6-0 with a 2.76 ERA and a career-best 34 saves for the San Francisco Giants this past season. He made the All-Star team for the first time.The NL East champion Braves were looking to upgrade the bullpen after going through several closers last season, including Luke Jackson, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon.All four free-agent signings of the offseason have landed with Atlanta, but Smith is the first to change teams. The team re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis, catcher Tyler Flowers and reliever Darren O’Day.___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]

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]

It's been three years since Andrew Miller led the Cleveland Indians to the brink of a World Series championship by coming out of the bullpen early and often, and bulk work from relievers has been an October staple since. Whether it's Brewers All-Star Josh Hader stretching out for three innings or Astros ace Justin Verlander moonlighting in middle relief, aggressive bullpen management has become standard postseason practice.As the calendar flips, a look at the best relief options — for the biggest outs, and for a bunch of them — for each of the 10 playoff clubs.NEW YORK YANKEESFor The Big Out: In baseball's deepest bullpen, the difference maker is Aroldis Chapman. The 31-year-old left-hander has lost some steam — he averaged about 98 mph on his fastball this year, down from 101 at his peak in 2016 — but he's made up for it with an improved slider that he's throwing more than ever. Although he famously blew a lead for the Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Chapman has been fantastic... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]

Braves third. Tyler Flowers singles to third base. Mike Soroka out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Scott Kingery to Cesar Hernandez. Tyler Flowers to second. Ronald Acuna Jr. homers to left field. Tyler Flowers scores. Ozzie Albies singles to right field. Freddie Freeman flies out to left field to Brad Miller. Adam Duvall singles to third base. Ozzie Albies to second. Adeiny Hechavarria strikes out swinging.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 2, Phillies 0.Phillies fifth. Jean Segura grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Scott Kingery triples to deep center field. Adam Haseley doubles to deep right field. Scott Kingery scores. Aaron Nola singles to left center field. Adam Haseley to third. Cesar Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Aaron Nola out at second. Adam Haseley scores. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 2, Braves 2.Braves fifth. Matt Joyce pinch-hitting... [More]

Braves second. Josh Donaldson walks. Matt Joyce singles to shallow infield. Josh Donaldson to second. Dansby Swanson singles to center field. Matt Joyce to second. Josh Donaldson scores. Rafael Ortega flies out to deep right center field to Adam Engel. Tyler Flowers homers to center field. Dansby Swanson scores. Matt Joyce scores. Max Fried singles to shortstop. Ronald Acuna Jr. lines out to right field to Leury Garcia. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Max Fried to second. Freddie Freeman lines out to center field to Adam Engel.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Braves 4, White sox 0.Braves fourth. Max Fried grounds out to second base, Yolmer Sanchez to Jose Abreu. Ronald Acuna Jr. grounds out to shortstop, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu. Ozzie Albies doubles to deep right field. Freddie Freeman doubles to right center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Josh Donaldson grounds out to shortstop, Tim Anderson to Jose Abreu.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Braves 5, White sox 0.White sox fifth.... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Didi Gregorius hit a grand slam off Hyun-Jin Ryu and added a solo shot to help the Yankees set a club record for homers in a month, and New York routed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2 Friday night in a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball.Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Gleyber Torres also homered as the Yankees ended a four-game skid. They have a major league-leading 57 homers in August, their most in any month.Starting on five days' rest, James Paxton (10-6) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight start. He struck out 11 and walked none.Ryu (12-4) gave up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his shortest outing since June 28.BRAVES 2, METS 1, 14 INNINGSNEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit with Atlanta, and the Braves earned sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Hamilton singled home the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for his first hit as a Brave, and Atlanta beat the New York Mets 2-1 Friday night for its sixth straight win despite yet another sensational game by Jacob deGrom.The Mets tied a major league record by striking out 26 batters — including 13 by deGrom — but had their five-game winning streak end.At 21, Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. became the second-youngest player with a 30-homer, 30-steal season. Only Mike Trout did it faster than Acuña.Hamilton's grounder off Jeurys Familia (4-2) was just out of reach for diving second baseman Joe Panik, allowing Tyler Flowers to score from third.DeGrom homered and struck out eight straight batters during one dominant stretch, pitching seven innings of one-run ball.Luke Jackson (7-2) pitched two scoreless innings to win. Mark Melancon delivered a 1-2-3 14th to close out the 4 hour, 37-minute game for his fifth save.MARLINS 19, PHILLIES 11MIAMI (AP) — Starlin Castro homered twice... [More]

Braves sixth. Ronald Acuna Jr. called out on strikes. Ozzie Albies singles to center field. Freddie Freeman singles to center field. Ozzie Albies scores. Josh Donaldson strikes out swinging. Matt Joyce strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Braves 1, Mets 0.Mets sixth. Jacob deGrom homers to center field. Amed Rosario strikes out swinging. Joe Panik grounds out to shallow infield, Alex Jackson to Freddie Freeman. Pete Alonso lines out to third base to Josh Donaldson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 1, Mets 1.Braves fourteenth. Tyler Flowers walks. Adeiny Hechavarria doubles to deep right center field. Tyler Flowers to third. Rafael Ortega strikes out swinging. Billy Hamilton singles to shallow right field. Adeiny Hechavarria to third. Tyler Flowers scores. Max Fried pinch-hitting for Luke Jackson. Max Fried strikes out swinging. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Braves 2, Mets 1.

Marlins third. Elieser Hernandez called out on strikes. Jon Berti homers to center field. Isan Diaz grounds out to first base to Freddie Freeman. Brian Anderson singles to left field. Garrett Cooper grounds out to shallow infield, Dallas Keuchel to Freddie Freeman.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Braves 0.Braves fourth. Freddie Freeman homers to left field. Josh Donaldson called out on strikes. Tyler Flowers strikes out swinging. Matt Joyce doubles to deep right field. Adeiny Hechavarria hit by pitch. Rafael Ortega walks. Adeiny Hechavarria to second. Matt Joyce to third. Dallas Keuchel strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Marlins 1, Braves 1.Braves fifth. Ronald Acuna Jr. flies out to right field to Brian Anderson. Ozzie Albies grounds out to shallow infield, Garrett Cooper to Tyler Kinley. Freddie Freeman homers to center field. Josh Donaldson lines out to deep center field to Lewis Brinson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Braves 2, Marlins 1.Braves... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Manager Aaron Boone, Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees again hammered away at the umpires, this time in prolonged rants that brought several members of the team spilling onto the field, while beating the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Saturday.Gleyber Torres hit two home runs and Didi Gregorius and DJ LeMahieu also connected for the AL East-leading Yankees.But what really fired up the crowd of 47,347 at Yankee Stadium occurred in the sixth inning after Cameron Maybin was called out on strikes by Triple-A ump Ben May.For the third time in a month — each time with a minor league call-up umpire behind the plate — the team with the best record in American League lost its temper in a big way. This episode led to Boone, Gardner and pitcher CC Sabathia being ejected.James Paxton (9-6) went five innings for the win. Zach Plesac (6-4) was chased in the fifth.Aroldis Chapman closed for his 35th save in 40 chances.BREWERS 15, NATIONALS 14, 14 INNINGSWASHINGTON (AP) — Eric Thames hit a... [More]

Aug. 181915 — Boston opened Braves Field with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.1931 — New York's Lou Gehrig played in his 1,000th consecutive game. Gehrig went hitless in the 5-4 loss to Detroit.1948 — Brooklyn's Rex Barney pitched a one-hitter for a 1-0 win over Robin Roberts and the Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Park.1956 — The Cincinnati Reds hit eight home runs and the Milwaukee Braves added two to set a National League record for home runs by two clubs in a nine-inning night game. Bob Thurman's three homers and double led the Reds in the 13-4 rout.1960 — Lew Burdette of the Milwaukee Braves pitched a no-hitter, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0. Burdette faced the minimum 27 batters.1965 — Hank Aaron of Milwaukee hit Curt Simmons' pitch on top of the pavilion roof at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis for an apparent home run. However, umpire Chris Pelekoudas called him out for being out of the batter's box when he connected. Nevertheless, the Braves won the game 5-3.1967... [More]

Mets first. Amed Rosario doubles to deep right field. Joe Panik singles to center field. Amed Rosario to third. Pete Alonso homers to center field. Joe Panik scores. Amed Rosario scores. Michael Conforto singles to center field. Wilson Ramos strikes out swinging. J.D. Davis singles to right field. Michael Conforto to second. Todd Frazier lines out to shortstop to Johan Camargo. Michael Conforto doubled off second.3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 3, Braves 0.Mets second. Juan Lagares strikes out swinging. Marcus Stroman singles to shortstop. Amed Rosario triples to deep left field. Marcus Stroman scores. Joe Panik walks. Pete Alonso walks. Joe Panik to second. Michael Conforto walks. Pete Alonso to second. Joe Panik to third. Amed Rosario scores. Wilson Ramos singles to right field. Michael Conforto to second. Pete Alonso to third. Joe Panik scores. J.D. Davis grounds out to shortstop. Wilson Ramos out at second.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Mets 6, Braves 0.Mets third. Todd... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Santana hit a grand slam in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Sunday to win the four-game series and forge another tie for the AL Central lead.The Twins tied the game with four hits in a two-run ninth against Brad Hand (5-3), using a single by Luis Arraez and a double by Marwin Gonzalez to extend the game.As pinch-runner Ehire Adrianza tried to score the winning run from first base, left fielder Tyler Naquin grabbed the ball off the bounce from the wall and zipped a throw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose relay home was in perfect position for catcher Kevin Plawecki to tag Adrianza with ease.Twins closer Taylor Rogers (2-3) allowed a single, a walk and another single on a bunt by Greg Allen to load the bases with none out for Santana, who quickly erased the late-inning drama with one big swing.The Twins and Indians play six more times, all in September.ORIOLES 8, ASTROS 7BALTIMORE (AP) — Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer with... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Santana hit a grand slam in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Sunday to win the four-game series and forge another tie for the AL Central lead.The Twins tied the game with four hits in a two-run ninth against Brad Hand (5-3), using a single by Luis Arraez and a double by Marwin Gonzalez to extend the game.As pinch-runner Ehire Adrianza tried to score the winning run from first base, left fielder Tyler Naquin grabbed the ball off the bounce from the wall and zipped a throw to shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose relay home was in perfect position for catcher Kevin Plawecki to tag Adrianza with ease.Twins closer Taylor Rogers (2-3) allowed a single, a walk and another single on a bunt by Greg Allen to load the bases with none out for Santana, who quickly erased the late-inning drama with one big swing.The Twins and Indians play six more times, all in September.ORIOLES 8, ASTROS 7BALTIMORE (AP) — Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer with... [More]