HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):5:30 p.m.Umpires apparently wouldn't have gotten much of an argument from Astros manager AJ Hinch if that disputed interference call hadn't been made in Game 6.Nationals leadoff hitter Trea Turner was ruled out on interference with the first baseman when running on his slow roller that was fielded by pitcher Brad Peacock in the seventh inning. The game was stopped for about 10 minutes, including about 4 ½ minutes with the umpires on headsets discussing the situation, before Turner was called out and another runner was returned to first base."That one I wish common sense prevails," Hinch said before Game 7, when asked if he would like to see the base running rule altered. "I actually side with Turner on this one, that I didn't think that he was getting in the way of anything. It was an errant throw."___4:55 p.m.Nationals manager Dave Martinez says Game 7 starting pitcher Max Scherzer has told him that he feels great... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):4:55 p.m.Nationals manager Dave Martinez says Game 7 starting pitcher Max Scherzer has told him that he feels great and is ready to go."He's going to go, he's going to pitch," Martinez said before the deciding game Wednesday night. "We'll see how far he will take us."Scherzer, the Game 1 winner, wasn't able to make his scheduled start in Game 5 on Sunday night because of an irritated nerve near his neck. The three-time Cy Young winner had an injection that night and threw on flat ground before Game 6. He was later seen throwing in the bullpen during that game Tuesday night.Martinez wasn't sure Scherzer would be able to pitch again in this World Series after he couldn't move Sunday. The manager even scrunched his shoulders and grimaced while trying to imitate how the pitcher looked before the shot.Scherzer will be throwing to catcher Yan Gomes instead of Kurt Suzuki, who was initially in the starting lineup for Game... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):5:35 p.m.Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki has been scratched from Washington's starting lineup for the deciding Game 7 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.Suzuki missed the last three games while dealing with a hip flexor strain. The 36-year-old was initially listed in the starting lineup but was replaced again by Yan Gomes just under three hours before the first pitch.Gomes will be behind the plate for Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young winner who was unable to make his start in Game 5 because of an irritated nerve near his neck. Scherzer is starting the finale after a cortisone shot.Gomes was listed eighth, the same spot Suzuki was to bat.___5:20 p.m.Alex Bregman and Houston manager AJ Hinch spoke three times Tuesday night about the third baseman carrying his bat to first base after hitting a home run in the first inning.Hinch said he talked to Bregman about it during the game, after the game at the stadium... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):5:00 p.m.Houston manager AJ Hinch said Game 6 starter Justin Verlander won't be available for Game 7 against the Washington Nationals.After taking the loss in Game 6 to fall to 0-6 in seven career World Series starts, Verlander said he would be available on Wednesday if Hinch needed him. But Hinch shut that down."All hands on deck means most hands on deck," Hinch said.While Verlander is out while Houston tries to win a second championship in three seasons, fellow ace Gerrit Cole could be used out of the bullpen.Cole got the win in Game 5 on Sunday. Hinch said he'll talk to him before the game about how he might use him on Wednesday."It would be in a limited capacity if I ask him to do anything," Hinch said.___3:45 p.m.Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki is back in Washington's lineup for the deciding Game 7 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.Suzuki hadn't played the last three games while dealing with a hip... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — All of Justin Verlander's illustrious accomplishments mean little right now.Not those 225 wins, not the 3,006 regular season strikeouts, not the record 202 postseason Ks. Not the eight All-Star selections, not the 2011 Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player prize.Verlander dropped to 0-5 in World Series games Wednesday night as the Washington Nationals routed the Houston Astros 12-3 for a 2-0 Series lead. That skid on baseball's biggest stage is dragging the right-hander's reputation down like ballast sinking a ship to the bottom of the sea.Never before has a pitcher lost his first five World Series decisions."We don't dwell on win-loss record anymore, right?" he said with a smile, a reference to modern analytics by one of the sport's most knowledgeable players. "I'd like to win a couple. Hopefully, I'll have another opportunity."He wound up flat on his back in the fourth inning, slipping on Ryan Zimmerman's grounder and firing the ball off his own left leg . Verlander could... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):11:10 p.m.Stephen Strasburg outdueled fellow ace Justin Verlander, overcoming a shaky start to give the Washington Nationals a 12-3 victory Wednesday night and a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series.Kurt Suzuki hit a tiebreaking homer in what became a messy six-run seventh inning and the Nationals are headed back to Washington.The Nationals have won 18 of 20 overall with the last two over Cy Young favorites Gerrit Cole and Verlander.Game 3 is Friday night when Aníbal Sánchez opposes Houston's Zack Greinke.___10:50 p.m.The Washington Nationals are three outs away from a 2-0 lead in the World Series before even playing a game at home.Adam Eaton pulled a deep two-run homer down the right field line in the eighth inning, and Asdrúbal Cabrera had an RBI single as the Nationals stretched their lead to 11-2 going into the ninth.Unless there is a huge comeback for the Astros in the ninth, the Nationals will become the 56th team... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — All of Justin Verlander's illustrious accomplishments mean little right now.Not those 225 wins, not the 3,006 regular season strikeouts, not the record 202 postseason Ks. Not the eight All-Star selections, not the 2011 Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player prize.Verlander dropped to 0-5 in World Series games Wednesday night as the Washington Nationals pounded the Houston Astros 12-3 for a 2-0 series lead. That skid on baseball's biggest stage is dragging the right-hander's reputation down like ballast sinking a ship to the bottom of the sea.Never before has a pitcher lost his first five World Series decisions.He wound up flat on his back in the fourth inning, slipping on Ryan Zimmerman's grounder and firing the ball off his own left foot. Verlander could smile about that one, an instant blooper reel staple.But he was razed along with all the Astros in the seventh, and that was no laughing matter.Verlander gave up a go-ahead home run to Kurt Suzuki , who had not driven in... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Asked how his Washington Nationals figured out Gerrit Cole in the World Series opener, Juan Soto didn't have to look far for an answer."I'm glad I face him in spring training," Soto said.In fact, all of the Houston Astros and Nationals see a lot of each other starting every February — they share the complex at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.More than 200 days after breaking camp, they've ended the year on the same field with much more at stake."Pretty crazy, I never even thought about it," said Ryan Zimmerman, who also homered off Cole in a 5-4 win Tuesday night. "Must be something in West Palm. West Palm is good for us."Meanwhile, forgive local fans coming to a World Series watch party this week at the park for feeling a bit conflicted. Major League Baseball has given permission to let them onto the field for free Friday night to see Game 3 on the video board.There's even been some talk around the diamonds of splitting Houston and Washington jerseys down... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Asked how his Washington Nationals figured out Gerrit Cole in the World Series opener, Juan Soto didn't have to look far for an answer."I'm glad I face him in spring training," Soto said.In fact, all of the Houston Astros and Nationals see a lot of each other starting every February — they share the complex at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.More than 200 days after breaking camp, they've ended the year on the same field with much more at stake."Pretty crazy, I never even thought about it," said Ryan Zimmerman, who also homered off Cole in a 5-4 win Tuesday night. "Must be something in West Palm. West Palm is good for us."Meanwhile, forgive local fans coming to a World Series watch party this week at the park for feeling a bit conflicted. Major League Baseball has given permission to let them onto the field for free Friday night to see Game 3 on the video board.There's even been some talk around the diamonds of splitting Houston and Washington jerseys down... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, lost for the first time in five months Tuesday night when the Astros dropped a 5-4 decision to Washington in Game 1. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started and got the win for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, lost for the first time in five months Tuesday night when the Astros dropped a 5-4 decision to Washington in Game 1. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started and got the win for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman has come full circle, with a trot around the bases for the Washington Nationals.The first amateur player ever drafted by the Nationals in 2005, and the only person to wear their jersey during all 15 seasons the team has existed, Zimmerman hit their first World Series home run."First at-bat, to hit a home run and run around the bases, you're kind of almost floating around the bases," Zimmerman said. "To be able to do that is obviously what you work for. Not only you sacrifice for, but I think what your family sacrifices for. That's why you play the game, to play on the biggest stage."With his deep blast to center field with two outs in the second inning Tuesday night — Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole immediately threw his right arm up knowing the ball was long gone — the 35-year-old Zimmerman also scored the team's first-ever run in the World Series."I'll be honest with you, my eyes got a little watery for him," manager Dave Martinez said. "He waited a long... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole trudged slowly off the mound, wiped the sweat from his upper lip and took a handshake and pat on the backside from manager AJ Hinch.Walking away without a lead — not something Cole and the Houston Astros are used to. Certainly not what they expected in the World Series opener."He's been so good for so long that there builds this thought of invincibility and that it's impossible to beat him," Hinch said. "So when it happens it is a surprise to all of us."The Washington Nationals roughed up Cole for five runs in seven innings Tuesday night, beating Houston 5-4 to jump ahead in the best-of-seven series.Cole suffered his first loss since May 22. Set to cash in as a free agent this offseason, he had won a single-season record 19 consecutive decisions. His postseason prior to Tuesday was nearly perfect: 3-0 record, one run allowed, and 32 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.In his first World Series appearance and ninth postseason game, the 29-year-old right-hander gave up... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Gerrit Cole trudged slowly off the mound, wiped the sweat from his upper lip and took a handshake and pat on the backside from manager AJ Hinch.Walking away without a lead — not something Cole and the Houston Astros are used to. Certainly not what they expected in the World Series opener.The Washington Nationals roughed up Cole for five runs in seven innings Tuesday night, beating Houston 5-4 to jump ahead in the best-of-seven series.Cole suffered his first loss since May 22. Set to cash in as a free agent this offseason, he had won a single-season record 19 consecutive decisions. His postseason prior to Tuesday was nearly perfect: 3-0 record, one run allowed, and 32 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.In his first World Series appearance and ninth postseason game, the 29-year-old right-hander gave up his most runs since the White Sox tagged him for six in that May 22 loss."He's been so good for so long that there builds this thought of invincibility and that it's impossible to... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman has come full circle, with a trot around the bases for the Washington Nationals.The first amateur player ever drafted by the Nationals in 2005, and the only person to wear their jersey during all 15 seasons the team has existed, Zimmerman hit their first World Series home run.With his deep blast to center field with two outs in the second inning Tuesday night — with Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole immediately throwing his right arm up knowing the ball was long gone — the 35-year-old Zimmerman also scored the team's first-ever run in the World Series.Washington trailed when Zimmerman homered but 20-year-old Juan Soto tied the game with an impressive homer of his own leading off the fourth and added a two-run double an inning later and the Nationals held on for a 5-4 victory.The only players older than Zimmerman to homer in their first World Series plate appearances were a 38-year-old Barry Bonds in 2002 and Bob Watson in 1981, when he was also 35 but still... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:54 p.m.Juan Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Washington Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros 5-4 Tuesday night in the World Series opener.Not even a history-making home run by postseason star George Springer and another drive that nearly tied it in the eighth inning could deter Washington.Ryan Zimmerman, still full of sock at 35, also homered to back a resourceful Max Scherzer and boost the wild-card Nationals in their first World Series game.Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect ninth for the save, only the second 1-2-3 inning on a night that Washington relievers were given a three-run lead and just held on.___10:40 p.m.The Houston Astros are closer, but still have some work to do in the ninth inning to avoid losing Game 1 of the World Series at home.Washington held on to a 5-4 lead after eight innings in its first-ever World Series game, after getting... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):10:15 p.m.George Springer greeted Tanner Rainey with a home run leading off the seventh inning, cutting the Houston Astros' deficit to 5-3 against the Washington Nationals in the World Series opener.Springer set a record by homering in his fifth straight World Series game, breaking a record he had shared with Lou Gehrig and Reggie Jackson.Houston loaded the bases when Rainey walked Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman with one out, and Carlos Correa reached on a two-out single to shortstop off Daniel Hudson.Hudson then struck out rookie Yordan Álvarez with the bases loaded.___9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:42 p.m.Asdrúbal Cabrera singled to start the sixth but was erased when Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a double play. Gerrit Cole then retired Kurt Suzuki for the third out to wrap up a clean inning after giving up four runs combined in the previous two.Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in the bottom of the sixth and promptly struck out Carlos Correa before rookie Yordan Alvarez singled to right field. But Corbin struck out Martín Maldonado before pinch-hitter Aledmys Díaz grounded out to end the inning.Scherzer allowed five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts. He threw 112 pitches, which were his most this postseason.___9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the World Series (all times local):9:25 p.m.Gerritt Cole is pitching in a game without the lead for the first time since Sept. 2. The Houston Astros right-hander hasn't lost a game since May 22.Juan Soto, the 20-year-old for the Nationals already with a big solo homer, added a two-run double off the left field wall in the fifth inning as the Nationals took a 5-2 lead. He got stranded there when shortstop Carlos Correa made a lunging, fully extended catch on Howie Kendrick's liner that was headed toward left field.Adam Eaton's RBI single earlier in the fifth snapped a 2-2 tie.Cole entered Game 1 of the World Series having gone 19-0 in his last 25 starts. He was 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, allowing only one run over 22 2-3 innings through the AL Division Series and AL Championship Series.The five runs by the Nationals are the most off the right-hander since he gave up six runs over five innings in a 9-4 home loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 22. He had allowed only... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The starting rotations for the World Series between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are filled with former Cy Young winners and first-round draft picks.Game 1 featured a pair of starting pitchers who were first-round draft picks — and so will Game 2. Two of the hurlers were No. 1 overall selections.Gerrit Cole, a first-round pick both out of high school and then first overall out of college, was on the mound for the Houston Astros in the World Series opener Tuesday night against Washington. Three-time Cy Young winner and 2006 first-round pick Max Scherzer started for the Nationals.Cole was picked 28th overall by the New York Yankees in 2008 but opted to go to UCLA and was selected first overall by Pittsburgh three years later. Scherzer was picked 11th overall by Arizona in 2006. He won the 2013 AL Cy Young before twice winning the NL award (2016-17).Game 2 on Wednesday features 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, the second overall pick by Detroit in 2004... [More]