Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season (gasp!) with a DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks lost some of their best players to trades or free agency over the past 12 months.They went ahead and won 85 games anyway.It was an encouraging season for Arizona, which hung around the NL wild-card race deep into September and finished with an 85-77 record despite being in a semi-rebuilding mode.The good news for the Diamondbacks is they have a relatively young group of talented players in the everyday lineup like Ketel Marte, Eduardo Escobar, Christian Walker, Nick Ahmed and Carson Kelly. There's also depth in the pitching staff after rookies like Zac Gallen and Alex Young performed well in the season's final months.Even better, Arizona appears to have at least a little payroll flexibility to make needed improvements.The bad news is the Diamondbacks are still in a division with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won 106 games and show no signs of slowing down soon."I don't know how many games we finished out of the division, but it was a lot," Arizona... [More]

Diamondbacks ninth. Eduardo Escobar singles to center field, tagged out at second, Travis Jankowski to Greg Garcia. Christian Walker doubles to right field. Josh Rojas grounds out to second base, Greg Garcia to Eric Hosmer. Christian Walker to third. Tim Locastro singles to third base. Christian Walker scores.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Padres 0.

Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker homers to left field. Jake Lamb walks. Adam Jones reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Jake Lamb out at second. Nick Ahmed grounds out to second base. Adam Jones out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Padres 0.Padres third. Wil Myers walks. Eric Hosmer strikes out swinging. Wil Myers steals second. Manny Machado homers to left field. Wil Myers scores. Hunter Renfroe flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Ty France lines out to left field to Josh Rojas.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 2, Diamondbacks 1.Padres fourth. Luis Urias homers to left field. Austin Hedges strikes out swinging. Garrett Richards grounds out to shallow infield, Robbie Ray to Christian Walker. Manuel Margot singles to shallow infield.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 3, Diamondbacks 1.Padres sixth. Hunter Renfroe called out on strikes. Ty France doubles to deep left field. Luis Urias singles to center field. Ty France scores.... [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]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Tommy Edman grounds out to first base, Jake Lamb to Mike Leake. Paul Goldschmidt flies out to right field to Abraham Almonte. Marcell Ozuna lines out to center field to Jarrod Dyson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks ninth. Christian Walker pinch-hitting for Abraham Almonte. Christian Walker called out on strikes. Ildemaro Vargas pinch-hitting for Domingo Leyba. Ildemaro Vargas homers to center field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader. Adam Jones pinch-hitting for Jake Lamb. Adam Jones strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 1.Cardinals thirteenth. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt homers to center field. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter pops out to shallow left field to Nick Ahmed.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks thirteenth.... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman homers to center field. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna doubles to deep left field. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong lines out to third base to Jake Lamb.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker singles to right field. Jake Lamb singles to right field. Christian Walker to third. Adam Jones singles to left field. Jake Lamb to second. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed grounds out to shortstop. Adam Jones out at second. Jake Lamb to third. Carson Kelly called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1.Cardinals third. Tommy Edman hit by pitch. Paul Goldschmidt homers to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to third base, Jake Lamb to Christian Walker. Yadier Molina singles to left center field. Paul... [More]

Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker walks. Wilmer Flores pops out to shortstop to Luis Urias. Adam Jones homers to left field. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed triples to deep right field. Carson Kelly singles to left field. Nick Ahmed scores. Robbie Ray out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Austin Hedges to Wil Myers. Carson Kelly to second. Abraham Almonte doubles to right center field. Carson Kelly scores. Josh Rojas walks. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to second base, Ty France to Wil Myers.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 4, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Hunter Renfroe walks. Ty France homers to right field. Hunter Renfroe scores. Luis Urias strikes out swinging. Austin Hedges grounds out to shallow infield, Robbie Ray to Christian Walker. Seth Mejias-Brean walks. Robbie Erlin reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Seth Mejias-Brean out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2.Padres sixth. Hunter Renfroe walks. Ty France hit... [More]

Diamondbacks first. Abraham Almonte triples to right center field. Domingo Leyba out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Hunter Renfroe. Abraham Almonte scores. Eduardo Escobar strikes out swinging. Jake Lamb strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Padres 0.Padres fifth. Hunter Renfroe homers to center field. Francisco Mejia walks. Manuel Margot strikes out on a foul tip. Luis Urias grounds out to second base. Francisco Mejia out at second.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Padres 1.Diamondbacks sixth. Ildemaro Vargas pinch-hitting for Taylor Clarke. Ildemaro Vargas flies out to deep center field to Manuel Margot. Abraham Almonte singles to right field. Domingo Leyba singles to left center field. Abraham Almonte to third. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer. Domingo Leyba to second. Abraham Almonte scores. Jake Lamb strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Padres 1.Diamondbacks... [More]

Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker walks. Wilmer Flores singles to right field. Christian Walker to second. Adam Jones reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Wilmer Flores to second. Christian Walker to third. Nick Ahmed flies out to shallow right field to Josh Naylor. Carson Kelly singles to left field. Adam Jones to second. Wilmer Flores scores. Christian Walker scores. Merrill Kelly strikes out swinging. Tim Locastro strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 2, Padres 0.Diamondbacks eighth. Christian Walker doubles to deep left field. Wilmer Flores strikes out swinging. Adam Jones singles to left field. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed hit by pitch. Adam Jones to second. Carson Kelly reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Nick Ahmed to second. Adam Jones to third. Jake Lamb pinch-hitting for Merrill Kelly. Jake Lamb lines out to second base to Greg Garcia. Abraham Almonte pinch-hitting for Tim Locastro. Abraham Almonte walks. Carson Kelly to second. Nick Ahmed to third. Adam Jones scores. Josh Rojas doubles to deep right center field. Abraham Almonte scores. Carson Kelly scores. Nick Ahmed scores. Eduardo Escobar walks. Christian Walker walks. Eduardo Escobar to second. Josh Rojas to third. Wilmer Flores singles to right field. Christian Walker to second. Eduardo Escobar scores. Josh Rojas scores. Adam Jones flies out to center field to Manuel Margot.7 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Diamondbacks 9, Padres 0.

Diamondbacks first. Abraham Almonte homers to center field. Josh Rojas strikes out swinging. Eduardo Escobar grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker. Christian Walker grounds out to second base, Isan Diaz to Neil Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Marlins 0.Marlins second. Starlin Castro homers to center field. Jorge Alfaro flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Isan Diaz triples to deep center field. Harold Ramirez singles to right field. Isan Diaz scores. Austin Dean flies out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Harold Ramirez to second. Sandy Alcantara strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks second. Jake Lamb walks. Domingo Leyba triples to deep right field. Jake Lamb scores. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson singles to right center field. Domingo Leyba scores. Mike Leake out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Neil Walker. Jarrod Dyson to second. Abraham... [More]

Marlins third. Austin Dean singles to left field. Caleb Smith out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Christian Walker to Wilmer Flores. Austin Dean to second. Jon Berti strikes out swinging. Miguel Rojas doubles to left center field. Austin Dean scores. Starlin Castro flies out to deep right field to Adam Jones.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks third. Ildemaro Vargas flies out to right field to Lewis Brinson. Ketel Marte singles to shallow left field. Eduardo Escobar strikes out on a foul tip. Christian Walker doubles to shallow left field, tagged out at third, Austin Dean to Miguel Rojas to Starlin Castro to Isan Diaz. Ketel Marte scores.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Marlins 1, Diamondbacks 1.Marlins fifth. Caleb Smith strikes out swinging. Jon Berti singles to shortstop. Miguel Rojas grounds out to first base to Christian Walker. Jon Berti to third. Throwing error by Christian Walker. Starlin Castro is intentionally walked. Bryan Holaday... [More]

Diamondbacks third. Nick Ahmed grounds out to second base, Josh VanMeter to Trevor Bauer. Alex Avila walks. Zac Gallen out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Brian O'Grady to Josh VanMeter. Alex Avila to second. Wilmer Flores singles to right center field. Alex Avila scores. Ketel Marte singles to right field. Wilmer Flores out at third.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Diamondbacks 1, Reds 0.Reds fourth. Josh VanMeter homers to right field. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino flies out to right field to Adam Jones. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Michael Lorenzen grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Reds sixth. Josh VanMeter pops out to shallow center field to Nick Ahmed. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino singles to shortstop. Tucker Barnhart grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Michael Lorenzen walks. Alex Blandino pinch-hitting for Brian O'Grady. Alex Blandino walks. Jose Peraza pops out to shallow left field to Nick Ahmed.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Reds 3, Diamondbacks 1.

Reds third. Brian O'Grady strikes out swinging. Luis Castillo pops out to shallow infield to Nick Ahmed. Josh VanMeter walks. Joey Votto homers to center field. Josh VanMeter scores. Eugenio Suarez grounds out to third base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks fourth. Josh Rojas grounds out to first base, Joey Votto to Luis Castillo. Eduardo Escobar pops out to shallow center field to Jose Iglesias. Christian Walker singles to center field. Wilmer Flores singles to left field. Christian Walker to second. Adam Jones singles to center field. Wilmer Flores to third. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed flies out to deep center field to Brian O'Grady.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1.Reds fifth. Jose Iglesias grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker. Brian O'Grady reaches on error. Throwing error by Wilmer Flores. Luis Castillo strikes out on a foul bunt. Josh VanMeter homers... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have extended the contract of general manager Mike Hazen.The team didn't release details of the extension, which was announced before Friday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 43-year-old was hired in 2016 and has helped the Diamondbacks stay competitive in the NL West, though they've finished behind the Dodgers each year.The Diamondbacks traded ace Zack Greinke in July in a surprise move, adding prospects that could eventually help the team's promising core of Ketel Marte, Eduardo Escobar, Nick Ahmed, David Peralta and Christian Walker.Hazen's name had been linked to the GM opening with the Boston Red Sox after they recently fired Dave Dombrowski. Hazen worked in the Red Sox front office before being hired by the Diamondbacks.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Mets second. Todd Frazier homers to center field. Juan Lagares flies out to right field to Jarrod Dyson. Tomas Nido called out on strikes. Marcus Stroman lines out to third base to Jake Lamb.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 1, Diamondbacks 0.Mets third. Amed Rosario strikes out on a foul tip. Pete Alonso reaches on error to shortstop, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Nick Ahmed. Robinson Cano grounds out to second base, Eduardo Escobar to Christian Walker. Pete Alonso to third. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Pete Alonso scores. Michael Conforto singles to center field. J.D. Davis to third. Todd Frazier walks. Michael Conforto to second. Juan Lagares homers to center field. Todd Frazier scores. Michael Conforto scores. J.D. Davis scores. Tomas Nido pops out to shallow center field to Nick Ahmed.5 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. Mets 6, Diamondbacks 0.Mets fifth. Robinson Cano homers to center field. J.D. Davis flies out to deep left field to Josh Rojas. Michael Conforto walks.... [More]

Mets first. Amed Rosario doubles to deep left field. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging. Jeff McNeil hit by pitch. Wilson Ramos grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker. Jeff McNeil to third. Amed Rosario scores. J.D. Davis singles to left field. Jeff McNeil scores. Todd Frazier homers to center field. J.D. Davis scores. Brandon Nimmo homers to center field. Juan Lagares doubles to deep right center field. Steven Matz pops out to shallow center field to Wilmer Flores.5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 5, Diamondbacks 0.Mets second. Amed Rosario flies out to deep right field to Adam Jones. Pete Alonso pops out to Christian Walker. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Wilson Ramos grounds out to second base, Wilmer Flores to Christian Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 6, Diamondbacks 0.Mets third. J.D. Davis strikes out swinging. Todd Frazier homers to center field. Brandon Nimmo grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Juan Lagares pops out to Christian Walker.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 7, Diamondbacks 0.Mets sixth. Jed Lowrie pinch-hitting for Steven Matz. Jed Lowrie grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Amed Rosario walks. Pete Alonso reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Amed Rosario out at second. Jeff McNeil homers to right field. Pete Alonso scores. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Mets 9, Diamondbacks 0.