Cubs first. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo walks. Javier Baez hit by pitch. Anthony Rizzo to second. Kyle Schwarber called out on strikes. Willson Contreras singles to left field. Javier Baez to third. Anthony Rizzo scores. Jason Heyward grounds out to shallow infield to Justin Smoak.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Omar Narvaez strikes out swinging. Lorenzo Cain doubles to deep left field. Ben Gamel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Orlando Arcia pops out to shallow center field to Jason Kipnis. Eric Sogard singles to center field. Ben Gamel to second. Lorenzo Cain scores. Christian Yelich grounds out to shallow infield, Jason Kipnis to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 1, Cubs 1.Brewers fourth. Omar Narvaez hit by pitch. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Omar Narvaez to second. Ben Gamel triples to deep right center field. Lorenzo Cain scores. Omar Narvaez scores. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shallow... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — In the first major league game with the new, unpopular extra-inning rule, automatic runner Marcus Semien began the bottom of the 10th on second base and scored on Matt Olson’s grand slam, sending the Oakland Athletics over the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 Friday night.Olson, whose alert throw from first base nailed Angels free runner Shohei Ohtani in the top of the 10th, connected with one out. Major League Baseball instituted the controversial extra-inning runner rule for this season to keep games from dragging on amid a compressed, 60-game schedule that started late because of the virus outbreak.After Semien took second, the A’s loaded the bases against Hansel Robles (0-1) on a hit by pitch, wild pitch and a walk.New Angels manager Joe Maddon brought in reliever Hoby Milner and, with a five-man infield in place, Olson hit the first pitch far over the right-field wall.According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. He joined... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Hendricks convinced new manager David Ross to let him finish a three-hitter, Anthony Rizzo homered and dished out hand sanitizer, and the Chicago Cubs started the season by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Friday night.Ian Happ also had a two-run drive and Ross got his first victory as a big league manager as the Cubs opened this pandemic-shortened 60-game season without fans at Wrigley Field. Hendricks struck out nine and walked none in his first career opening-day start and fourth career shutout.Orlando Arcia had each of Milwaukee’s hits off Hendricks (1-0). After he singled with two out in the third for the Brewers’ first baserunner, he accepted a splash of sanitizer from a smiling Rizzo at first and cleaned off his hands.Ross came out to check on Hendricks with two out and a runner on first in the ninth. He decided to leave him in, and Keston Hiura bounced into a game-ending fielder’s choice on Hendricks’ 103rd pitch.Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff allowed... [More]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish's spring training debut began exactly the way he predicted.First pitch, home run.Orlando Arcia connected right away, launching a drive over the fence in left center field, prompting the Chicago Cubs right-hander to rapidly snap his glove open and closed, imploring the plate umpire to give him another ball.“I knew that he was going to swing, and also this is first game, so I want to throw a fastball, a get-me-over fastball for a strike,’’ Darvish said. “So I was thinking last night if Arcia is the leading (off), he's going to hit the homer. So it happened.’’Darvish wound up going two innings against Milwaukee, allowing only one more hit while striking out three. He touched 98 mph with his fastball and mixed in five other pitches.While the 33-year-old Darvish aims to allow fewer home runs this season, he believes he’s ahead of schedule in his preparation to replicate his exceptional 2019 second half, which featured a 2.76 ERA, including 118 strikeouts in his... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Clayton Kershaw struck out four batters without allowing a hit in his spring training debut Friday, the first step toward a possible opening day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kershaw, the Dodgers’ longtime ace, faced a Milwaukee Brewers lineup with five expected regulars, including Brock Holt and Keston Hiura at the top of the order. He struck out both on three pitches each to open the bottom of the first.After two walks and a strikeout of the final batter he faced, Kershaw was done after 1 2/3 innings and left with a 1-0 lead. The Brewers came back for a win.“It was awesome. Maybe I didn’t hit one spot, but physically I felt like the ball was coming out, felt like it was breaking the right say,” Kershaw said. “Now just got to figure out how to throw strikes, but other than that, it was a good first step for sure.”Kershaw said his fastballs, which hit up to 93 mph, had life on them as they reached home plate. He left to a standing ovation from the Dodgers fans at American... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Clayton Kershaw struck out four batters without allowing a hit in his spring training debut Friday, the first step toward a possible opening day start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kershaw, the Dodgers’ longtime ace, faced a Milwaukee Brewers lineup with five expected regulars, including Brock Holt and Keston Hiura at the top of the order. He struck out both on three pitches each to open the bottom of the first.After two walks and a strikeout of the final batter he faced, Kershaw was done after 1 2/3 innings and left with a 1-0 lead. The Brewers came back for a win.“It was awesome. Maybe I didn’t hit one spot, but physically I felt like the ball was coming out, felt like it was breaking the right say,” Kershaw said. “Now just got to figure out how to throw strikes, but other than that, it was a good first step for sure.”Kershaw said his fastballs, which hit up to 93 mph, had life on them as they reached home plate. He left to a standing ovation from the Dodgers fans at American... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Keston Hiura gave Milwaukee a lift when he was called up in mid-season. His reward is more responsibility in a new-look Brewers offense.Following the departures of Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas as free agents, manager Craig Counsell and the Brewers are counting on a full season from the 23-year-old to help avoid a drop a the plate."I'm excited about this year, I have a lot of stuff to work on and am looking forward to being able to accomplish those goals this year," Hiura said. Hiura debuted May 14 and hit .303 with 19 homers and 49 RBIs in 84 games to help the Brewers return to the postseason for the second straight year.Milwaukee drafted him ninth overall in 2017 out of UC Irvine despite a right elbow injury that prevented Hiura from playing in the field that season. He batted .442 in his junior year.He bounced back with a strong 2018, returning to second base, and was selected MVP of the Arizona Fall League, an award previously won by the New York Yankees' Gleyber... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham walks. Yasmani Grandal homers to right field. Trent Grisham scores. Mike Moustakas lines out to deep left field to Juan Soto. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Ryan Braun grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Nationals 0.Brewers second. Eric Thames homers to center field. Lorenzo Cain grounds out to third base, Anthony Rendon to Howie Kendrick. Orlando Arcia singles to right field. Brandon Woodruff out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Howie Kendrick to Asdrubal Cabrera. Orlando Arcia to second. Trent Grisham strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Max Scherzer grounds out to shortstop, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Trea Turner homers to center field. Adam Eaton pops out to shortstop to Orlando Arcia.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 3, Nationals 1.Nationals eighth. Victor Robles strikes... [More]

A look at the National League wild-card game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals:___Schedule: Tuesday, at Washington, 8:08 p.m. EDT (TBS).___Season Series: Brewers won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Brewers: RF Trent Grisham (.231, 6 HRs, 24 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.246, 28, 77, 109 walks), 3B Mike Moustakas (.254, 35, 87), LF Ryan Braun (.285, 22, 75), 2B Keston Hiura (.303, 19, 49), 1B Eric Thames (.247, 25, 61), CF Lorenzo Cain (.260, 11, 48) or Ben Gamel (.248, 7, 33), SS Orlando Arcia (.223, 15, 59).Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19, 57, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 1B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 2B Asdr�bal Cabrera (.235, 12, 51 in 93 games with Texas; .323, 6, 40 in 38 games with Washington), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63).___Starting Pitchers:Brewers: RH Brandon Woodruff... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto and Victor Robles took a moment to themselves off to the side of the clubhouse mayhem as the Washington Nationals celebrated clinching an NL wild card.They chatted, then they hugged.The two young Dominican outfielders — Soto is 20, Robles 22 — were a big part of Washington's success and two examples of the fresh faces around the majors who could become more familiar during the playoffs, which open Tuesday night with the Nationals hosting the Milwaukee Brewers."They put on a show during normal games, so I can only imagine what they're going to be feeling when they go to the postseason," said Adam Eaton, who plays right field, with Robles in center and Soto in left. "It's pretty neat that they get to display their talents to a wider audience. They should be household names already, and if they're not, they will be by the end of the postseason."There are guys like that all around, even if players like the Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger and New York Yankees'... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham walks. Yasmani Grandal homers to center field. Trent Grisham scores. Mike Moustakas grounds out to first base to Josh Fuentes. Keston Hiura strikes out swinging. Eric Thames grounds out to first base to Josh Fuentes.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Rockies 0.Brewers sixth. Hernan Perez pinch-hitting for Mike Moustakas. Hernan Perez homers to center field. Keston Hiura called out on strikes. Tyler Austin pinch-hitting for Eric Thames. Tyler Austin doubles to deep right field. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to shallow infield, Sam Howard to Josh Fuentes. Orlando Arcia hit by pitch. Ben Gamel strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 3, Rockies 0.Rockies seventh. Ryan McMahon grounds out to shallow infield, Corbin Burnes to Tyler Austin. Raimel Tapia singles to left center field. Josh Fuentes singles to left center field. Raimel Tapia scores. Pat Valaika singles to right field. Josh Fuentes to third. Tony Wolters grounds out to... [More]

Brewers first. Trent Grisham singles to right field. Keston Hiura hit by pitch. Trent Grisham to second. Yasmani Grandal lines out to shortstop to Trevor Story. Keston Hiura doubled off first. Ryan Braun singles to shallow center field. Trent Grisham scores. Eric Thames lines out to first base to Daniel Murphy.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 0.Rockies third. Sam Hilliard doubles to deep center field. Tony Wolters singles to center field, advances to 2nd. Sam Hilliard scores. Antonio Senzatela out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Zach Davies to Keston Hiura. Tony Wolters to third. Garrett Hampson flies out to right field to Trent Grisham. Charlie Blackmon lines out to left field to Ben Gamel.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Rockies 1.Brewers fourth. Eric Thames flies out to deep left center field to Sam Hilliard. Lorenzo Cain homers to left field. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to first base to Daniel Murphy. Orlando Arcia grounds out to shortstop,... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:AL WILD CARDOakland and Tampa Bay could clinch the AL wild-card spots and close out Cleveland.Francisco Lindor and the Indians put themselves in danger by losing 8-0 to the White Sox on Thursday night. The loss dropped them two games behind the Rays for the second wild-card slot — the three playoff contenders each have three games left.Mike Fiers (15-4, 3.91) is ready to pitch for the Athletics as they continue their series at Seattle. The A's seal a spot with a win or a Cleveland loss.Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.92 ERA) is expected to start for Tampa Bay at Toronto. He's pitched a total of eight innings in three starts since missing most of the season with forearm trouble. The Rays get in with a win and an Indians loss.Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.82) is set to start for the Indians when they visit playoff-bound Washington in an interleague matchup.SOMETHING BREWIN'Sparkplug rookie Keston Hiura and the Brewers take a seven-game winning streak into Coors... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:AL WILD CARDOakland and Tampa Bay could clinch the AL wild-card spots and close out Cleveland.Francisco Lindor and the Indians put themselves in danger by losing 8-0 to the White Sox on Thursday night. The loss dropped them two games behind the Rays for the second wild-card slot — the three playoff contenders each have three games left.Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.92 ERA) is expected to start for Tampa Bay at Toronto. He's pitched a total of eight innings in three starts since missing most of the season with forearm trouble.Mike Fiers (15-4, 3.91) is ready to pitch for the Athletics as they continue their series at Seattle.Zach Plesac (8-6, 3.82) is set to start for the Indians when they visit playoff-bound Washington in an interleague matchup.SOMETHING BREWIN'Sparkplug rookie Keston Hiura and the Brewers take a seven-game winning streak into Coors Field. Milwaukee has already clinched a playoff spot — it trails St. Louis by one game in the NL... [More]

Reds first. Jose Peraza pops out to Eric Thames. Joey Votto called out on strikes. Aristides Aquino homers to left field. Josh VanMeter walks. Phillip Ervin strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Brewers 0.Brewers fourth. Yasmani Grandal walks. Keston Hiura walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Manny Pina called out on strikes. Cory Spangenberg reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Keston Hiura out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Travis Shaw walks. Orlando Arcia doubles to left center field. Travis Shaw scores. Cory Spangenberg scores. Yasmani Grandal scores. Ben Gamel doubles to deep left field. Orlando Arcia scores. Chase Anderson strikes out swinging.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 4, Reds 1.Brewers fifth. Trent Grisham flies out to right center field to Aristides Aquino. Yasmani Grandal walks. Keston Hiura singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal to second. Manny Pina doubles to deep left field. Keston Hiura out at home. Yasmani Grandal... [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]