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]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham lines out to third base to Eugenio Suarez. Yasmani Grandal walks. Mike Moustakas walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Keston Hiura singles to right field. Mike Moustakas to second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Ryan Braun homers to center field. Keston Hiura scores. Mike Moustakas scores. Yasmani Grandal scores. Eric Thames homers to center field. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Cory Spangenberg singles to left field. Lorenzo Cain to second. Jordan Lyles singles to shortstop. Cory Spangenberg to second. Lorenzo Cain to third. Trent Grisham reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Jordan Lyles out at second. Cory Spangenberg to third. Lorenzo Cain scores. Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging.6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 6, Reds 0.Reds first. Josh VanMeter flies out to deep center field to Lorenzo Cain. Joey Votto strikes out swinging. Eugenio Suarez homers to left field. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

Reds first. Phillip Ervin grounds out to shortstop, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Joey Votto doubles to deep right field. Eugenio Suarez called out on strikes. Aristides Aquino doubles to left center field. Joey Votto scores. Tucker Barnhart singles to left field. Aristides Aquino scores. Jose Iglesias reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Tucker Barnhart out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 2, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Ryan Braun homers to center field. Eric Thames strikes out swinging. Lorenzo Cain flies out to center field to Phillip Ervin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Brewers 1.Brewers third. Orlando Arcia singles to right center field. Adrian Houser out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Eugenio Suarez to Jose Peraza. Orlando Arcia to second. Trent Grisham walks. Yasmani Grandal doubles to deep right field. Trent Grisham to third. Orlando Arcia scores. Mike Moustakas walks. Keston Hiura out on a sacrifice... [More]

Pirates first. Kevin Newman flies out to center field to Lorenzo Cain. Bryan Reynolds grounds out to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Eric Thames. Adam Frazier singles to deep right field. Jose Osuna singles to center field. Adam Frazier to second. Colin Moran reaches on error. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Fielding error by Keston Hiura. Elias Diaz flies out to deep left field to Ryan Braun.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Brewers 0.Brewers first. Trent Grisham grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna. Yasmani Grandal singles to center field. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep right field to Kevin Kramer. Keston Hiura homers to center field. Yasmani Grandal scores. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Colin Moran to Jose Osuna.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Pirates 1.Brewers fourth. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Eric Thames hit by pitch. Ryan Braun to second. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Eric Thames to second. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain walks. Yasmani Grandal strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas singles to left field. Lorenzo Cain scores. Ryan Braun doubles to deep right center field. Mike Moustakas to third. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Hernan Perez reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Ryan Braun scores. Mike Moustakas scores. Throwing error by Kevin Newman. Manny Pina strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Pirates 0.Brewers sixth. Yasmani Grandal walks. Mike Moustakas singles to left field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Ryan Braun called out on strikes. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Mike Moustakas to second. Yasmani Grandal scores. Trent Grisham pinch-hitting for Hernan Perez. Trent Grisham walks. Cory Spangenberg to second. Mike Moustakas to third. Manny Pina hit by pitch. Trent Grisham to second. Cory Spangenberg to third. Mike Moustakas scores. Orlando Arcia strikes out swinging. Ben Gamel pinch-hitting for Chase Anderson. Ben Gamel walks.... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain flies out to right field to Hunter Renfroe. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Mike Moustakas walks. Ryan Braun doubles to deep center field. Mike Moustakas scores. Tyler Austin grounds out to third base, Seth Mejias-Brean to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Padres 0.Brewers third. Keston Hiura doubles to deep left field. Mike Moustakas flies out to center field to Wil Myers. Ryan Braun singles to left field. Keston Hiura to third. Tyler Austin strikes out swinging. Hernan Perez reaches on third strike. Ryan Braun to second. Keston Hiura scores. Manny Pina walks. Hernan Perez to second. Ryan Braun to third. Orlando Arcia flies out to deep right field to Hunter Renfroe.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Brewers 2, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Eric Hosmer homers to center field. Hunter Renfroe grounds out to third base, Mike Moustakas to Tyler Austin. Seth Mejias-Brean grounds out to shallow infield, Jordan Lyles to Tyler Austin. Luis Urias... [More]

Brewers third. Lorenzo Cain homers to center field. Gio Gonzalez flies out to right center field to Manuel Margot. Cory Spangenberg strikes out swinging. Trent Grisham grounds out to shallow infield, Chris Paddack to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 1, Padres 0.Padres seventh. Hunter Renfroe homers to left field. Manuel Margot singles to shallow infield. Luis Urias called out on strikes. Austin Hedges grounds out to shortstop, Hernan Perez to Eric Thames.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 1, Brewers 1.Brewers seventh. Mike Moustakas homers to right field. Ryan Braun strikes out swinging. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Eric Thames called out on strikes. Lorenzo Cain grounds out to shallow infield, Craig Stammen to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Brewers 2, Padres 1.Brewers eighth. Ben Gamel doubles to deep right center field. Hernan Perez out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, David Bednar to Eric Hosmer. Ben Gamel to third. Trent Grisham out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Manuel Margot. Ben Gamel scores. Yasmani Grandal called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 3, Padres 1.

Brewers second. Ryan Braun doubles to deep right center field. Eric Thames pops out to shallow center field to Luis Urias. Lorenzo Cain strikes out swinging. Cory Spangenberg singles to center field. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando Arcia grounds out to second base, Greg Garcia to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Manny Machado walks. Eric Hosmer doubles to deep center field. Manny Machado scores. Wil Myers strikes out swinging. Josh Naylor lines out to first base to Eric Thames. Luis Urias called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Padres 1, Brewers 1.Brewers fourth. Mike Moustakas flies out to right field to Josh Naylor. Ryan Braun singles to right field. Eric Thames doubles to deep right field. Ryan Braun to third. Lorenzo Cain strikes out swinging. Cory Spangenberg triples to deep center field. Eric Thames scores. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando Arcia called out on strikes.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Padres 1.Brewers... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles might lose 110 games and still not end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft.That race, so to speak, is pretty unforgiving this year.The Orioles (49-101) split a four-game series at Detroit (45-104) that matched the teams with the two worst records in baseball, and as far as those two teams have sunk, they figure to have company in the triple-digit-losses club. Miami and Kansas City are on pace to reach 100 defeats, and Toronto could end up there, too.After an age of relative parity, the gap between baseball's top and its bottom has widened.The standings looked a lot different earlier this decade. From 2010 through 2014, only one team reached 100 victories, and from 2014 through 2017, only one team reached 100 losses. (Trivia question: Name the teams.)Now, however, baseball has rebuilding teams aplenty — and juggernauts at the top. There were three 100-win teams in both 2017 and 2018. This season, the Astros, Yankees and Dodgers will likely get there, and Atlanta and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:BIG TESTThe Cubs are sending star slugger Anthony Rizzo for an MRI after he sprained his right ankle Sunday, hoping the first baseman can still help with their postseason push. Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base in the third inning during a 16-6 win over Pittsburgh. He had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures, but Chicago will get a clearer prognosis from the MRI. Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.SEEING REDEugenio Suárez takes aim at the major league home run lead as the Reds open a series at Wrigley Field. Suárez connected twice Sunday and has 47 for the season, tying him with Mets slugger Pete Alonso for best in the majors. The 28-year-old Suárez has eight homers this month. The last Cincinnati hitter... [More]

The Baltimore Orioles might lose 110 games and still not end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft.That race, so to speak, is pretty unforgiving this year.The Orioles (49-100) are in the middle of a four-game series at Detroit (44-104) that matches the teams with the two worst records in baseball. Baltimore won two of the first three, so that leaves the Orioles unlikely to finish behind the Tigers. As far as those two teams have sunk, they figure to have company in the triple-digit-losses club. Miami (52-97) and Kansas City (55-95) are on pace to reach 100 defeats, and Toronto (59-91) could end up there, too.After an age of relative parity, the gap between baseball's top and its bottom has widened.The standings looked a lot different earlier this decade. From 2010 through 2014, only one team reached 100 victories, and from 2014 through 2017, only one team reached 100 losses. (Trivia question: Name the teams.)Now, however, baseball has rebuilding teams aplenty — and juggernauts at the top.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.DODGERS 3, METS 2NEW YORK (AP) — Jedd Gyorko came off the... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo was pulled from a game Sunday with a sprained right ankle, putting a damper on the Chicago Cubs' 16-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base, had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures. He'll get an MRI on Monday.Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.The Cubs maintained their one-game lead over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.Kris Bryant homered twice, and Ian Happ, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy also connected for the Cubs, who outscored the Pirates 47-15 in the series.Brad Wieck (1-1) struck out both batters he faced. Trevor Williams (7-7) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.BREWERS 7, CARDINALS 6ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Braun overcame... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:BIG TESTThe Cubs are sending star slugger Anthony Rizzo for an MRI after he sprained his right ankle Sunday, hoping the first baseman can still help with their postseason push. Rizzo was injured fielding a bunt at first base in the third inning during a 16-6 win over Pittsburgh. He had to be helped off the field and could not put pressure on the leg. X-rays taken at Wrigley Field showed no fractures, but Chicago will get a clearer prognosis from the MRI. Chicago's postseason pursuit has already been hindered by an injury to shortstop Javier Báez, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a hairline fracture of his left thumb.SEEING REDEugenio Suárez takes aim at the major league home run lead as the Reds open a series at Wrigley Field. Suárez connected twice Sunday and has 47 for the season, tying him with Mets slugger Pete Alonso for best in the majors. The 28-year-old Suárez has eight homers this month. The last Cincinnati hitter... [More]

Cardinals third. Harrison Bader homers to center field. Michael Wacha strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging. Kolten Wong lines out to shallow infield, Mike Moustakas to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Brewers 0.Brewers seventh. Eric Thames singles to right field. Lorenzo Cain pops out to shallow left field to Paul DeJong. Cory Spangenberg homers to center field. Eric Thames scores. Hernan Perez singles to center field. Keston Hiura pinch-hitting for Brent Suter. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Hernan Perez to second. Trent Grisham pops out to Paul Goldschmidt. Yasmani Grandal called out on strikes.2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals seventh. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Marcell Ozuna scores. Yadier Molina flies out to deep center field to Lorenzo Cain. Tommy Edman flies out to left field to Ryan Braun. Harrison Bader homers to center field. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Giovanny... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:OH, NOAH!Noah Syndergaard is set to pitch — "likely" to Wilson Ramos, manager Mickey Callaway says — when the playoff-contending Mets open a weekend series at home against Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06 ERA) and the NL West champion Dodgers. Kershaw is 9-0 in 14 career starts against the Mets.The issue of who catches Syndergaard has been a topic in New York all week, ever since it got out the big right-hander isn't completely comfortable throwing to Ramos. Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06) has a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts with Ramos as his catcher and a 2.22 ERA with backups Tomás Nido or René Rivera.Ramos' bat has helped keep the Mets in the playoff picture. Coming off a four-game sweep in which they outscored Arizona 26-4, the Mets are two games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the second NL wild-card spot.SOMETHING BREWIN'Ryan Braun and the Brewers have won seven in a row, matching their longest streak of the season, and are tied with the Cubs for the... [More]