SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams. Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run. At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season. Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Jorge Alfaro homered twice before he took a foul ball to his helmet and the Miami Marlins beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night.Garrett Cooper also homered and scored twice for Miami, which moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the NL East.Alfaro, the Marlins’ catcher, was removed in the seventh inning as a precaution after Christian Vázquez’s foul ball beaned him.“Just getting past the baseball and just trying to make sure that he’s good and not let him catch another foul ball," Miami manager Don Mattingly said of the decision to remove Alfaro. Miami chased Boston starter Michael Kickham with a four-run third. Alfaro hit his first of two two-run blasts. Brian Anderson had a run-scoring single and scored from first on Lewis Brinson’s RBI double to make it 6-1.“We just pass the baton, we trust each other with anything,” Brinson said. “There's no selfish player on this team. There's nobody that's here for their numbers.”Alfaro also went deep in the fifth,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Jorge Alfaro homered twice before he took a foul ball to his helmet and the Miami Marlins beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night.Garrett Cooper also homered and scored twice for Miami, which moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta in the NL East.Alfaro, the Marlins’ catcher, was removed in the seventh inning as a precaution after Christian Vázquez’s foul ball beaned him.Miami chased Boston starter Michael Kickham with a four-run third. Alfaro hit his first of two two-run blasts. Brian Anderson had a run-scoring single and scored from first on Lewis Brinson’s RBI double to make it 6-1.Alfaro also went deep in the fifth, a 412-foot shot to left-center off Robinson Leyer.Yimi Garcia (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth and was credited with the win even though he entered with an 8-4 lead. Brandon Kintzler was the sixth Miami reliever and worked a scoreless ninth.Miami starter Trevor Rogers was lifted after three innings and 76 pitches. Rogers allowed one run on three... [More]

Marlins first. Miguel Rojas flies out to center field to Alex Verdugo. Jesus Aguilar singles to left field. Brian Anderson called out on strikes. Garrett Cooper homers to center field. Jesus Aguilar scores. Lewis Brinson grounds out to third base, Rafael Devers to Bobby Dalbec.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Marlins 2, Red sox 0.Red sox third. Alex Verdugo singles to shallow center field. Rafael Devers hit by pitch. Alex Verdugo to second. Xander Bogaerts grounds out to shallow infield, Brian Anderson to Garrett Cooper. Rafael Devers to second. Alex Verdugo to third. J.D. Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Lewis Brinson. Rafael Devers to third. Alex Verdugo scores. Christian Vazquez walks. Yairo Munoz lines out to shallow infield, Trevor Rogers to Garrett Cooper.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 2, Red sox 1.Marlins third. Miguel Rojas doubles. Jesus Aguilar strikes out swinging. Brian Anderson singles to right field. Miguel Rojas scores. Garrett Cooper... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen homers to center field. Bryce Harper lines out to center field to Starling Marte. Alec Bohm pops out to shallow center field to Isan Diaz. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow infield, Jazz Chisholm to Garrett Cooper.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Matt Joyce singles to right field. Garrett Cooper grounds out to shallow infield, Vince Velasquez to Phil Gosselin. Matt Joyce to second. Jazz Chisholm singles to center field. Matt Joyce scores. Miguel Rojas walks. Isan Diaz grounds out to shallow infield, Vince Velasquez to Phil Gosselin. Miguel Rojas to second. Jazz Chisholm to third. Chad Wallach strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Marlins third. Corey Dickerson doubles to left field. Starling Marte singles to right field. Corey Dickerson to third. Jesus Aguilar doubles to third base. Starling Marte scores. Corey Dickerson scores. Matt Joyce strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Braxton Garrett allowed three hits over five innings to win his major league debut, and the Miami Marlins beat the Phillies 8-1 to complete doubleheader sweep and leapfrog Philadelphia for second place in the NL East.Rookie Sixto Sánchez pitched a three-hitter over seven innings to win the opener 2-1, his first complete game in five major league starts.Garrett, a 23-year-old left-hander, was recalled as Miami’s 29th man. Garrett (1-0) allowed one run, struck out six and walked two, giving up a second-inning homer to Alex Bohm, who is 10 for 20 in the series.Starling Marte had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Jesús Aguilar had two hits and two RBIs.Miami (23-21) has won four of the first six-games against the Phillies (23-22) in the major leagues’ first seven-game, regular-season series since 1967. The teams play again Monday.Zach Eflin (2-2) allowed four runs, eight hits and two walks in four-plus innings for the Phillies, who have lost five of seven.Aguilar, Matt... [More]

Marlins first. Corey Dickerson walks. Starling Marte singles to shallow infield. Corey Dickerson to second. Jesus Aguilar singles to right field. Starling Marte to third. Corey Dickerson scores. Matt Joyce singles to left field. Jesus Aguilar to second. Starling Marte scores. Brian Anderson singles to right field. Matt Joyce to third. Jesus Aguilar scores. Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging. Brian Anderson out at second. Jazz Chisholm grounds out to shallow infield, Didi Gregorius to Phil Gosselin.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 0.Phillies second. Alec Bohm homers to center field. Didi Gregorius singles to right field. Phil Gosselin walks. Didi Gregorius to second. Kyle Garlick reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Phil Gosselin to second. Didi Gregorius out at third. Andrew Knapp strikes out on a foul tip. Ronald Torreyes grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Marlins 3, Phillies 1.Marlins third.... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Rookie Sixto Sánchez pitched a three-hitter over seven innings for his first complete game in five major league starts, leading the Miami Marlins over Philadelphia 2-1 Sunday in a doubleheader opener to close on the second-place Phillies in the NL East.Facing the organization that traded him before the 2019 season, Sanchez (3-1) struck out four, walked three and hit a batter. He became the second Marlins pitcher to go the distance by his fifth game. The Marlins acquired Sanchez and catcher Jorge Alfaro for catcher J.T. Realmuto, who did not play after getting banged up Saturday.Miami (22-20), in line for a playoff berth as a wild card, moved within a half-game of the Phillies (23-21). Zach Eflin (2-1) was to start the second game for Philadelphia, the next-to-last game of the major leagues' first seven-game, regular-season series since 1967.Rookie Ramón Rosso (0-1) made his first big league start after five relief appearances and allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in... [More]

Phillies second. Alec Bohm doubles to deep right field. Phil Gosselin grounds out to shallow infield, Isan Diaz to Garrett Cooper. Alec Bohm to third. Andrew Knapp out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Starling Marte. Alec Bohm scores. Adam Haseley lines out to second base to Isan Diaz.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins third. Jazz Chisholm walks. Jorge Alfaro walks. Jazz Chisholm to second. Corey Dickerson singles to right field. Jorge Alfaro to second. Jazz Chisholm scores. Starling Marte singles to center field. Corey Dickerson to second. Jorge Alfaro scores. Matt Joyce flies out to deep right field to Bryce Harper. Corey Dickerson to third. Brian Anderson walks. Starling Marte to second. Garrett Cooper strikes out swinging. Isan Diaz called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Marlins 2, Phillies 1.

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen called out on strikes. Rhys Hoskins reaches on error. Fielding error by Brian Anderson. Bryce Harper walks. J.T. Realmuto walks. Bryce Harper to second. Rhys Hoskins to third. Didi Gregorius homers to right field. J.T. Realmuto scores. Bryce Harper scores. Rhys Hoskins scores. Jean Segura strikes out swinging. Alec Bohm grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Jesus Aguilar.4 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on. Phillies 4, Marlins 0.Phillies third. Bryce Harper homers to left field. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Didi Gregorius grounds out to shallow infield, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Jean Segura lines out to left center field to Corey Dickerson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Phillies 5, Marlins 0.Marlins fourth. Corey Dickerson strikes out swinging. Starling Marte strikes out on a foul tip. Jesus Aguilar singles to right center field. Matt Joyce walks. Jesus Aguilar to second. Brian Anderson homers to left field.... [More]

Phillies third. Andrew Knapp singles to right center field. Ronald Torreyes lines out to center field to Starling Marte. Andrew McCutchen singles to second base. Andrew Knapp to third. Rhys Hoskins grounds out to shallow infield, Daniel Castano to Garrett Cooper. Andrew McCutchen to second. Andrew Knapp scores. Bryce Harper walks. J.T. Realmuto pops out to shallow center field to Isan Diaz.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins third. Miguel Rojas grounds out to shallow infield, Ronald Torreyes to Rhys Hoskins. Lewis Brinson homers to left field. Jorge Alfaro lines out to shallow right field to Rhys Hoskins. Corey Dickerson singles to first base. Starling Marte walks. Corey Dickerson to second. Jesus Aguilar pinch-hitting for Matt Joyce. Jesus Aguilar lines out to center field to Bryce Harper.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Marlins fourth. Brian Anderson singles to shallow infield. Garrett Cooper singles to right field. Brian Anderson... [More]

Phillies first. Andrew McCutchen grounds out to shallow left field, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Rhys Hoskins singles to shallow infield. Bryce Harper walks. Rhys Hoskins to third. J.T. Realmuto grounds out to shortstop, Miguel Rojas to Jesus Aguilar. Rhys Hoskins scores. Didi Gregorius pops out to shallow right field to Jazz Chisholm.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 0.Marlins first. Corey Dickerson walks. Starling Marte doubles to third base. Corey Dickerson scores. Jesus Aguilar walks. Matt Joyce called out on strikes. Brian Anderson strikes out swinging. Garrett Cooper lines out to deep left field to Andrew McCutchen.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Phillies 1, Marlins 1.Phillies second. Jean Segura lines out to shortstop to Miguel Rojas. Andrew Knapp reaches on error. Fielding error by Jesus Aguilar. Alec Bohm singles to right center field, advances to 3rd. Andrew Knapp scores. Fielding error by Starling Marte. Adam Haseley singles to left center field. Alec... [More]

Marlins second. Garrett Cooper doubles to left field. Lewis Brinson strikes out swinging. Monte Harrison strikes out swinging. Jorge Alfaro singles to left field. Garrett Cooper scores. Jazz Chisholm triples to deep right center field. Jorge Alfaro scores. Miguel Rojas grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Braves 0.Braves second. Dansby Swanson singles to deep left field. Austin Riley walks. Dansby Swanson to second. Adam Duvall walks. Austin Riley to second. Dansby Swanson to third. Ozzie Albies grounds out to first base, Garrett Cooper to Pablo Lopez. Adam Duvall to second. Austin Riley to third. Dansby Swanson scores. Ender Inciarte out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Starling Marte. Adam Duvall to third. Austin Riley scores. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Freddie Freeman singles to right field. Ronald Acuna Jr. to third. Adam Duvall scores. Marcell Ozuna singles to left field. Freddie Freeman to third. Ronald... [More]