WASHINGTON (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead single during a nine-run rally in the seventh inning after Washington ace Max Scherzer departed, and the Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the Nationals 10-5 Friday night for their seventh straight win. The Nationals lost slugger Kyle Schwarber in the second inning when he grabbed at his hamstring after a single. He hit a franchise-record 16 home runs in June. Starter Julio Urías (10-3) allowed one earned run in six innings. Scherzer also allowed one earned run in six innings and struck out eight. Left-handed reliever Sam Clay (0-1) found trouble when he replaced Scherzer. Chris Taylor hit a leadoff double, a dribbler by pinch-hitter Albert Pujols scored him, and Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch. BRAVES 1, MARLINS 0 ATLANTA (AP) — Miami starter Pablo López was ejected after plunking Ronald Acuña Jr. with his first pitch, leading to the only run in Atlanta's victory. The Braves got just two hits and still won their third in a row. The Marlins have... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Saturday: HOT, THEN HURT After a historic June homer binge, Kyle Schwarber’s July got off to a less promising start. The Washington Nationals slugger exited Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of an injured right hamstring. Schwarber grimaced rounding first on a single, grabbed the hamstring and immediately left the field. Schwarber was set for an MRI. “When you see a guy grab his leg like that, you’ve got to get him out of the game,” manager Dave Martinez said. “You hope he can come out of it and be OK,” he said. Schwarber’s mashing from the leadoff spot revived the Nationals’ season in June. He became the third player in major league history to hit 16 homers in 18 games and was chosen NL Player of the Month. ROLLING Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers go for their 11th straight win when they take on the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. The Brewers’ current 10-game run matches the franchise’s longest regular-season... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead single during a nine-run rally in the seventh inning after Washington ace Max Scherzer departed, and the Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the Nationals 10-5 Friday night for their seventh straight win. The Nationals lost slugger Kyle Schwarber in the second inning when he grabbed at his hamstring after a single. He hit a franchise-record 16 home runs in June. Starter Julio Urías (10-3) allowed one earned run in six innings. Scherzer also allowed one earned run in six innings and struck out eight. Left-handed reliever Sam Clay (0-1) found trouble when he replaced Scherzer. Chris Taylor hit a leadoff double, a dribbler by pinch-hitter Albert Pujols scored him, and Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch. PHILLIES 4, PADRES 3, 10 INNINGS PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brad Miller doubled with one out in the 10th inning to lift Philadelphia over San Diego. The Phillies blew a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning — their 22nd blown save of the season and eighth in nine games.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals star Kyle Schwarber exited early with a hamstring injury Friday night, and it was uncertain when the streaking slugger would return to the lineup. Schwarber, who hit a franchise-record 16 home runs in June, was removed in the second inning of a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schwarber singled to the right-center field gap and grimaced while rounding first. He made a hard stop as Cody Bellinger cut off the line drive and reached for his right hamstring after he returned to first base. An MRI was set for Saturday. “When you see a guy grab his leg like that, you’ve got to get him out of the game,” manager Dave Martinez said. “You hope he can come out of it and be OK," he said. Martinez and a team trainer came to check on Schwarber, who immediately walked off the field. Schwarber yanked off his batting gloves and threw them as he limped through the dugout. The left fielder hit seven leadoff home runs in June as he helped the Nationals turn their... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mookie Betts hit a go-ahead single during a nine-run rally in the seventh inning after Washington ace Max Scherzer departed, and the Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the Nationals 10-5 Friday night for their seventh straight win. The Nationals lost slugger Kyle Schwarber in the second inning when he grabbed at his hamstring after a single. He hit a franchise-record 16 home runs in June. Starter Julio Urías (10-3) allowed one earned run in six innings. Scherzer also allowed one earned run in six innings and struck out eight. Left-handed reliever Sam Clay (0-1) found trouble when he replaced Scherzer. Chris Taylor hit a leadoff double, a dribbler by pinch-hitter Albert Pujols scored him, and Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch. PHILLIES 4, PADRES 3, 10 INNINGS PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brad Miller doubled with one out in the 10th inning to lift Philadelphia over San Diego. The Phillies blew a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning — their 22nd blown save of the season and eighth in nine games.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals lost baseball's hottest slugger to an apparent right leg injury when Kyle Schwarber was removed in the second inning of Washington's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Schwarber singled to the right-center field gap and grimaced while rounding first. He made a hard stop as Cody Bellinger cut off the line drive and reached for his right hamstring after he returned to first base. Manager Dave Martinez and a team trainer came to check on Schwarber, who immediately walked off the field. Schwarber yanked off his batting gloves and threw them as he limped through the dugout. The left fielder set a franchise record with 16 homers in June — seven of them leading off a game — as he helped the Nationals turn their season around and climb back into the NL East race. He became the third player in major league history to hit 16 homers in 18 games, and only Sammy Sosa (20 in 1998) has hit more homers in June. Earlier Friday, Schwarber was named NL Player of the Month. Gerardo Parra replaced Schwarber for a Nationals team that's been beset by injuries. Trea Turner has missed the past two games with a finger injury, and the team is also without starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, among several others. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) — As his home run-hitting binge became a national phenomenon, Kyle Schwarber tried to warn everyone how quickly it could end. “It’s the reality of this game that, you know what, I’m probably not going to keep doing this the whole year," the Washington outfielder said. "It’s physically impossible to keep doing this.” That was almost a week ago. Schwarber's exploits have now progressed into truly rarified air. He entered Wednesday's matchup against Tampa Bay with 16 home runs in his last 18 games, a statistical run that only Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa had previously managed. Only Albert Belle had achieved Schwarber's total of 12 homers in a 10-game span. Only Frank Howard — a star slugger in Washington a half-century earlier — had hit 11 in nine. “That’s a cool stat. I love when you guys come at me with some cool stats," Schwarber said this week after being told he now stood alongside Howard. “You’re doing some things with really unbelievable players. It’s just, keep riding... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ATTA BABE Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani (3-1, 2.58 ERA) is expected to become the second player and first since Babe Ruth to start on the mound and hit in the top half of the batting order in the Bronx. Ohtani has looked plenty comfortable at the plate in New York this week, hitting a home run Monday night and then connecting for two more homers Tuesday night, giving him a major league-leading 28. This will be Ohtani’s first pitching appearance at Yankee Stadium and his career-high 12th pitching start this season. He’ll oppose Yankees righty Domingo Germán (4-5, 4.32 ERA). Ruth batted third in his final game on the mound on Oct. 1, 1933, to end that season. The Bambino homered and threw a 12-hit complete game with three walks and no strikeouts, leading the Yankees over the Boston Red Sox 6-5. Ohtani will become the fifth player to homer twice and start the next game as a pitcher after John Montgomery Ward in 1883, Bob Caruthers in... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday: ATTA BABE Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani (3-1, 2.58 ERA) is expected to become the second player and first since Babe Ruth to start on the mound and hit in the top half of the batting order in the Bronx. Ohtani has looked plenty comfortable at the plate in New York this week, hitting a home run Monday night and then connecting for two more homers Tuesday night, giving him a major league-leading 28. This will be Ohtani’s first pitching appearance at Yankee Stadium and his career-high 12th pitching start this season. He’ll oppose Yankees righty Domingo Germán (4-5, 4.32 ERA). Ruth batted third in his final game on the mound on Oct. 1, 1933. The Bambino homered and threw a 12-hit complete game with three walks and no strikeouts, leading the Yankees over the Boston Red Sox 6-5. SLUGGING SCHWARBER Kyle Schwarber tries to extend his amazing string of longballs after launching another leadoff shot in Washington. Schwarber hit his 12th... [More]

Washington’s Kyle Schwarber led off the first inning against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night with his 12th home run in 10 games, tying Albert Belle in 1995 for the most over that span since at least 1901. Schwarber drove Rich Hill’s first pitch, an 83 mph fastball, 434 feet off the upper-deck facade in right for his major league-leading seventh leadoff home run — all in June. Schwarber’s 16 home runs this month are the second-most in any June behind Sammy Sosa’s 20 in 1998. He has 16 home runs in 18 games since being moved into the leadoff spot in the Nationals’ batting order on June 8. Schwarber has 25 home runs overall, tied with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr., three shy of the major league-leading total of the Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and one back of Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Juan Soto followed two batters later with a two-run drive, and Victor Robles added a solo homer in the second for a 4-0 lead. Schwarber grounded into a double play in the second inning. The 28-year-old became a free agent Dec. 2 when the Chicago Cubs failed to offer a 2021 contract. He agreed in January to a $10 million, one-year contract with the Nationals calling for a $7 million salary, a deal that includes an $11.5 million mutual option for 2022 with a $3 million buyout. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today: HOMER HAPPY Kyle Schwarber keeps putting on a remarkable power show, clearing the fences at a record rate for the Nationals. The Washington leadoff hitter launched two more home runs Monday night against the Mets. That gave him 15 homers in 17 days -- the shortest span for a player to hit 15 in major league history, STATS said. Schwarber next takes aim against Rich Hill and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. PADRE POWER Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and their San Diego teammates hit the road after a 9-1 homestand. The Padres’ success at Petco Park included a four-game sweep of Cincinnati and a three-game sweep over the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Lefty Blake Snell (3-3, 5.29 ERA) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati. Righty Tony Santillan (1-1, 3.29 ERA) starts for the Reds. HOPE TO SEE YA SOON Pirates pitcher Max Kranick is back in the minors, along with his unblemished record. The 23-year-old... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. DODGERS 3, GIANTS 2 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts and Max Muncy hit back-to-back home runs to begin the first... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber homered twice, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 15 home runs in a 17-day span, and the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Monday night. Schwarber socked a 1-0 fastball from Jared Eickhoff an estimated 439 feet into the upper deck in right field in the first inning. It was his sixth leadoff homer this season, and Trea Turner followed with a 435-foot bomb to left to make it 2-0. Schwarber took Eickhoff (0-1) deep again in the fifth inning, his 24th of the year. The Nationals have won 12 of 15 to return to .500 and move within three games of the first-place Mets in the NL East. Ryan Zimmerman had a pinch-hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Nationals after New York had cut the lead to 5-4. Paolo Espino (2-2) threw five scoreless innings in a spot start. Brad Hand got five outs for his 17th save. ANGELS 5, YANKEES 3 NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pounded his hardest-hit home run of the season, José Suarez... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors on Tuesday: HOMER HAPPY Kyle Schwarber keeps putting on a remarkable power show, clearing the fences at a record rate for the Nationals. The Washington leadoff hitter launched two more home runs Monday night against the Mets. That gave him 15 homers in 17 days -- the shortest span for a player to hit 15 in major league history, STATS said. Schwarber next takes aim against Rich Hill and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. PADRE POWER Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and their San Diego teammates hit the road after a 9-1 homestand. The Padres’ success at Petco Park included a four-game sweep of Cincinnati and a three-game sweep over the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Lefty Blake Snell (3-3, 5.29 ERA) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati. Righty Tony Santillan (1-1, 3.29 ERA) starts for the Reds. HOPE TO SEE YA SOON Pirates pitcher Max Kranick is back in the minors, along with his unblemished record. The 23-year-old... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — This time, Max Scherzer didn’t come unbuckled. The Nationals' ace allowed one run in six innings and passed two umpire inspections without a fuss, helping Washington beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Sunday to earn a split of their four-game series. Scherzer (7-4) struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 2.14. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who threatened to disrobe when baseball began its crackdown on sticky substances, underwent two brief examinations at the end of innings and didn't complain — at least not to the ump. “He checked my hat, checked my glove, checked my belt,” Scherzer said with a frown. “Whatever. Whatever.” Scherzer has said the MLB crackdown has made it more difficult to grip and control pitches. “Everybody is getting used to it,” he said. “Everybody is having to deal with it. I'm not going to sit here and make excuses about it. Everybody has to play under these rules now.” Helping Scherzer's mood were opposite-field two-run homers by Trea Turner and Josh... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Max Scherzer allowed one run in six innings and passed two umpire inspections without a fuss, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Sunday to earn a split of their four-game series. Trea Turner and Josh Bell each hit a two-run homer in the sixth against Sandy Alcantara to break the game open. Scherzer (7-4) struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 2.14. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who has been animated in his unhappiness about baseball’s recent crackdown on sticky substances, underwent two brief checks at the end of innings with no complaint. Scherzer has more wins versus the Marlins than against any other team, with a 15-5 record in 26 starts, including 2-0 in two starts this year. The score was 1-all in the sixth when Alcantara (4-7) unraveled. He walked Kyle Schwarber on four pitches to lead off, and Turner hit his 12th homer. Juan Soto reached on an infield hit, and Bell hit his 11th homer. Alcantara allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Max Scherzer allowed one run in six innings and passed two umpire inspections without a fuss, helping the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Sunday to earn a split of their four-game series. Trea Turner and Josh Bell each hit a two-run homer in the sixth against Sandy Alcantara to break the game open. Scherzer (7-4) struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 2.14. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who has been animated in his unhappiness about baseball's recent crackdown on sticky substances, underwent two brief checks at the end of innings with no complaint. Scherzer has more wins versus the Marlins than against any other team, with a 15-5 record in 26 starts, including 2-0 in two starts this year. The score was 1-all in the sixth when Alcantara (4-7) unraveled. He walked Kyle Schwarber on four pitches to lead off, and Turner hit his 12th homer. Juan Soto reached on an infield hit, and Bell hit his 11th homer. Alcantara allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: JAKE TO BREAK? Mets ace Jacob deGrom can set the team record for scoreless innings when he starts against the Phillies at Citi Field. DeGrom has a 30-inning shutout streak, nearing the club mark of 32 2/3 innings by R.A. Dickey in 2012. DeGrom owns an amazing 0.50 ERA through 12 starts, going 7-2. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner hasn’t allowed a run in his last five starts, giving up just seven hits over a 27-inning span and putting to rest, for now, worries over recent health concerns. TRY AGAIN Arizona makes another attempt to win on the road, where it's been two months since its last victory. The Diamondbacks extended their dubious MLB record by losing for the 24th straight time away from Chase Field, beaten 11-5 at San Diego as Fernando Tatis Jr. hit three home runs for the Padres. The last time Arizona won on the road was April 25, when Madison Bumgarner pitched seven no-hit innings to win at Atlanta. Merrill Kelly (3-7, 5.06... [More]