ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsley is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Mike Foltynewicz to Freddie Freeman. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to shortstop. Dexter Fowler to third. Marcell Ozuna singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Yadier Molina reaches on error. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Fielding error by Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Yadier Molina to second. Marcell Ozuna to third. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Tommy Edman doubles to right field. Matt Carpenter to third. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul DeJong is intentionally walked. Jack Flaherty walks. Paul DeJong to second. Tommy Edman to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Dexter Fowler doubles to left field. Jack Flaherty to third. Paul DeJong scores. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Dexter Fowler scores. Jack Flaherty scores. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to right field to Nick Markakis.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring. Freeman had a hard-hit ball by Yadier Molina bounce off his glove. Had he fielded it cleanly, it could have been an inning-ending double play.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have not distributed their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves say in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who says he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate.The Braves also say they won't play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.Helsley, a native of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, speaks the Cherokee language and is one of only a few Native Americans in the majors.The reliever said last week he was shocked to hear the chant, a part of the Braves' tradition since it was borrowed from Florida State in the early 1990s.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Kolten Wong strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt homers to left field. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Braves 0.Braves third. Dansby Swanson singles to center field. Dallas Keuchel strikes out on a foul bunt. Ronald Acuna Jr. singles to right field. Dansby Swanson to third. Ozzie Albies out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Tommy Edman. Dansby Swanson scores. Freddie Freeman strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Braves 1.Cardinals fourth. Marcell Ozuna homers to left field. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Dansby Swanson to Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Tommy Edman walks. Matt Carpenter to second. Paul DeJong called out on strikes. Dakota Hudson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Braves... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Sunday.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order against the Atlanta Braves. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener on Thursday and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.The 33-year-old Carpenter struggled for much of the season, but he hit .288 with two homers and seven RBIs in September."Just getting back to who he is, his anchor, what makes him successful," manager Mike Shildt said. "I like the fact he's been aggressive. You see him with really assertive swings, but you've also seen him take those swings in the zone. Seeing the ball really well. I think he's on time with his eyes and his body."Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order for the matchup against Atlanta. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first two games in center field. Rookie Tommy Edman shifted from third to right, and Dexter Fowler moved over to center.Cardinals manager Mike Shildt also announced that Dakota Hudson will start Game 4 on Monday. Hudson will be making his postseason debut after going 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA this season.Snitker said he is waiting to see what happens Sunday before finalizing his starter for Game 4. The teams split the first two in the best-of-five series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies walks. Freddie Freeman singles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Freddie Freeman to second. Ozzie Albies scores. Throwing error by Kolten Wong. Nick Markakis flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Matt Joyce flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader singles to shallow infield. Miles Mikolas out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Dallas Keuchel to Ozzie Albies. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman doubles to left center field. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Braves 1.Braves sixth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh Donaldson hit by pitch. Nick Markakis doubles to right... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acuña Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Tommy Edman walks. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to center field. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler scores. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to shortstop. Paul Goldschmidt out at second. Tommy Edman scores. Yadier Molina walks. Matt Carpenter reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Yadier Molina out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Cubs 0.Cardinals second. Paul DeJong pops out to shallow infield to Victor Caratini. Harrison Bader flies out to left field to Kyle Schwarber. Jack Flaherty singles to left field. Dexter Fowler homers to center field. Jack Flaherty scores. Tommy Edman flies out to right field to Tony Kemp.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 4, Cubs 0.Cardinals third. Paul Goldschmidt singles to third base. Marcell Ozuna singles to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Yadier Molina walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Matt Carpenter homers to right field. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna... [More]

Cubs first. Tony Kemp grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Wainwright to Paul Goldschmidt. Nico Hoerner strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber homers to center field. Ian Happ singles to right field. Jonathan Lucroy strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner singles to right field. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Nico Hoerner to second. Ian Happ homers to center field. Nico Hoerner scores. Jonathan Lucroy pops out to second base to Tommy Edman. Victor Caratini grounds out to shallow infield, Matt Carpenter to Paul Goldschmidt.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 0.Cubs fifth. Kyle Schwarber singles to shallow right field. Ian Happ homers to left field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Jonathan Lucroy lines out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Victor Caratini homers to right field. Addison Russell singles to left field. David Bote lines out to right field to Dexter Fowler. Daniel... [More]

Cardinals fourth. Yadier Molina flies out to deep center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Matt Carpenter homers to center field. Paul DeJong walks. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Dakota Hudson called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs sixth. Ian Happ homers to right field. Victor Caratini lines out to center field to Harrison Bader. Nico Hoerner singles to center field. Albert Almora Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Nico Hoerner out at second. Robel Garcia pinch-hitting for Alec Mills. Robel Garcia walks. Albert Almora Jr. to second. Tony Kemp grounds out to shallow infield, Giovanny Gallegos to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 1.Cubs seventh. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Willson Contreras singles to right field. Ben Zobrist to third. Ian Happ doubles to right field. Willson Contreras to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Victor Caratini hit by pitch. Nico Hoerner singles to... [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]

Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo lines out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Nicholas Castellanos singles to center field. Kris Bryant hit by pitch. Nicholas Castellanos to second. Kyle Schwarber singles to deep left center field. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist called out on strikes. Victor Caratini pops out to shortstop to Matt Carpenter.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Harrison Bader called out on strikes. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler grounds out to shallow infield, Yu Darvish to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cubs sixth. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Ian Happ strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Ben Zobrist flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals ninth. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Tyler Webb. Jose Martinez triples to deep center field. Dexter Fowler out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Tyler O'Neill scores. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt doubles to deep left field. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Yairo Munoz strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Cubs 2.

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler called out on strikes. Tommy Edman triples to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep right center field. Kris Bryant walks. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Kris Bryant scores. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to deep right center field to Dexter Fowler.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson singles to center field. Dexter Fowler singles to... [More]

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Cardinals third. Paul DeJong strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman homers to right field. Adam Wainwright lines out to left field to Juan Soto. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Nationals 0.Cardinals fifth. Matt Carpenter doubles to deep right field. Yadier Molina grounds out to first base to Howie Kendrick. Matt Carpenter to third. Paul DeJong grounds out to shallow infield, Max Scherzer to Howie Kendrick. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Nationals 0.Nationals seventh. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Yan Gomes singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Dexter Fowler. Max Scherzer grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Trea Turner doubles to deep left field. Yan Gomes scores. Adam Eaton lines out to deep right field to Dexter Fowler.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Nationals 1.Cardinals seventh. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Yadier Molina pops out to shallow center field to Asdrubal Cabrera. Paul DeJong doubles to deep left field. Tommy Edman singles to left field. Paul DeJong scores. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Adam Wainwright. Matt Wieters homers to right field. Tommy Edman scores. Dexter Fowler pops out to Anthony Rendon.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 5, Nationals 1.