HOUSTON (AP) — Max Scherzer never had a clean inning in Game 7 of the World Series for the Washington Nationals. He finished with more walks than strikeouts and walked off the mound trailing.Yet, Mad Max delivered in the clutch for the Nationals even without getting the win.Boosted by a cortisone injection and the adrenaline of trying to get his first World Series ring, Scherzer labored through five innings while throwing 103 pitches. Even though the 35-year-old three-time Cy Young winner allowed seven hits and walked four, he gave up only two runs in a championship-worthy effort.Three days after being unable to make his scheduled start at home in Game 5 when he could barely move his right arm because of an irritated nerve near his neck, Scherzer is a World Series champion."For him to grind out those five innings, absolutely kept us in the ballgame, gave us a chance to win. It was gutsy," reliever Sean Doolittle said. "It wasn't his most probably overpowering performance, but it was one... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — What a comeback for the Washington Nationals.The team that was 12 games under .500 before the end of May is now the World Series champion.The Nationals beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Wednesday night, when they were down 2-0 after six innings. It was Washington's fifth comeback win in a potential elimination game this postseason — four was already a major league record for a single postseason.They had to win the NL wild card game, then went the full five games in the NL Division Series before beating the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road in extra innings to advance. They swept St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.BIG HOMERSAnthony Rendon homered in the last three games when the Nationals were facing elimination, becoming the first player ever to homer in three consecutive elimination games.Howie Kendrick put Washington ahead to stay with his two-run homer in the seventh, two batters after Rendon went deep.Kendrick is the first player with multiple go-ahead homers in the seventh... [More]

Astros second. Yuli Gurriel homers to left field. Yordan Alvarez singles to right field. Carlos Correa singles to right field. Yordan Alvarez to second. Robinson Chirinos pops out to Yan Gomes. Josh Reddick grounds out to first base to Ryan Zimmerman. Carlos Correa to second. Yordan Alvarez to third. George Springer lines out to left field to Juan Soto.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 1, Nationals 0.Astros fifth. Michael Brantley singles to right field. Alex Bregman strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Michael Brantley out at second. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel to second. Carlos Correa singles. Yordan Alvarez to third. Yuli Gurriel scores. Robinson Chirinos strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Nationals 0.Nationals seventh. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Anthony Rendon homers to left field. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick homers to right field. Juan Soto scores.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):10:50 p.m.Howie Kendrick and Anthony Rendon homered in the seventh inning as the Washington Nationals overcame a two-run deficit and rocked the Houston Astros 6-2 Wednesday night in Game 7 to claim the first World Series title in franchise history.With all eyes on Max Scherzer and his remarkable recovery following an injection, the Nationals embraced their shot in a Series where the road team won every game. Even more against the odds: Juan Soto and Washington rallied from behind to win five elimination games this postseason.Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and the Nats brought the first World Series championship to the nation's capital since Walter Johnson delivered the crown for the Senators in 1924.___10:22 p.m.The Washington Nationals added to their lead going into the ninth inning of Game 7 after another hit by their young slugger.Juan Soto's RBI single in the eighth inning extended Washington's lead over the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):10:22 p.m.The Washington Nationals added to their lead going into the ninth inning of Game 7 after another hit by their young slugger.Juan Soto's RBI single in the eighth inning extended Washington's lead over the Houston Astros to 4-2.Houston will have the top of its order coming up in the bottom of the ninth, needing at least two runs as they try to win their second World Series title in three years.Washington, with the Nationals in their 15th season, will try to take a World Series title with the visiting team winning every game.Soto, who turned 21 last Friday, has two hits in the Series finale and 18 this postseason, with only one player younger than him matching that. Miguel Cabrera had 18 hits as a 20-year-old rookie for the World Series champion Marlins in 2003.___9:53 p.m.Anthony Rendon homered off Zack Greinke and Howie Kendrick followed with a go-ahead, two-run drive against Will Harris in the seventh inning,... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):9:53 p.m.Anthony Rendon homered off Zack Greinke and Howie Kendrick followed with a go-ahead, two-run drive against Will Harris in the seventh inning, giving the Washington Nationals a 3-2 lead over the Houston Astros in Game 7.Greinke cruised through six innings with a one-hit shutout, needing just 67 pitchesWith Washington trailing 2-0, Rendon drove a changeup into the left-field Crawford boxes with one out in the seventh, then Juan Soto walked on five pitches.Harris relieved and Kendrick swung past a curveball, then drove a cutter to the opposite field, where it hit off the screen attached to the right-field foul pole, stunning the crowd at Minute Maid Park.Yuli Gurriel singled off Patrick Corbin with two outs in the bottom half but became the Astros' 10th stranded runner when Yordan Álvarez grounded out.___9:16 p.m.Zack Greinke put up another zero in the sixth while Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):9:16 p.m.Zack Greinke put up another zero in the sixth while Patrick Corbin took over for Max Scherzer in Game 7 with Houston leading the Nationals 2-0.Greinke breezed through a 1-2-3 sixth inning. He has allowed just one hit, walked one and has thrown 67 pitches in this efficient outing.Pinch-hitter Jake Marisnick led off Houston's sixth with a single. But Corbin struck out George Springer before Jose Altuve grounded into a double play to end the inning.___9 p.m.Zack Greinke is providing quite an assist for the Houston Astros as they try to clinch their second World Series title in three seasons.Houston leads the Washington Nationals 2-0 through five innings, and finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position.Greinke has allowed only two runners, giving up a single in the second inning and a walk in the fifth. The five-time Gold Glove-winning pitcher and former Cy Young winner, a trade deadline acquisition for... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):9 p.m.Zack Greinke is providing quite an assist for the Houston Astros as they try to clinch their second World Series title in three seasons.Houston leads the Washington Nationals 2-0 through five innings, and finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position.Greinke has allowed only two runners, giving up a single in the second inning and a walk in the fifth. The five-time Gold Glove-winning pitcher and former Cy Young winner, a trade deadline acquisition for the Astros this year, already has five fielding assists — the most by a pitcher in a World Series game since Greg Maddux's five while throwing eight scoreless innings for Atlanta against the Yankees in Game 2 in 1996.Yuli Gurriel led off the Astros second with a homer off three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.The Astros have had runners every inning, with seven hits and four walks. But they were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position until Carlos Correa's... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):8:29 p.m.Houston's Zack Greinke pitched one-hit ball through four innings against the Nationals in World Series Game 7, facing the minimum 12 batters as the Astros maintained their 1-0 lead.Washington's Max Scherzer kept escaping trouble, failing to pitch a 1-2-3 inning but holding the Astros to 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Houston stranded seven runners.A five-time Gold Glove winner, Greinke induced four comebackers, including one he turned into a double play following Juan Soto's leadoff single in the second, Greinke needed just 41 pitches for his first 12 outs.Scherzer allowed five hits and three walks but just the one run, on Yuli Gurriel's home run leading off the second. He threw 76 pitches,After Josh Reddick's two-out single in the fourth, George Springer walked on four pitches and José Altuve flied out to center.___8:10 p.m.Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke both threw scoreless third innings in Game... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):7:44 p.m.The Houston Astros have taken a 1-0 lead in Game 7 and missed a chance to add more runs off three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.Yuli Gurriel led off the Astros second with a homer into the Crawford Boxes in left field, sending the orange-clad crowd into a frenzy.Rookie slugger Yordan Alvarez and shortstop Carlos Correa followed with sharp singles. But Robinson Chirinos popped out on an attempted sacrifice bunt before Josh Reddick grounded out. The inning ended on George Springer's liner that was caught just off the ground by left fielder Juan Soto.With Scherzer and Zack Greinke on the mound, it is the first time Cy Young winners have matched up in Game 7 of a World Series. Neither has a strikeout through the first two innings.Greinke has allowed one hit while throwing 12 of 20 pitches for strikes. Scherzer, the Game 1 winner who missed his Game 5 start because of an irritated nerve near his neck, has... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on Game 7 of the World Series (all times local):7:25 p.m.Washington and Houston were scoreless after a hitless first inning in Game 7.Zack Greinke need just eight pitches to retire Trea Turner on a lineout, Adam Eaton on a squib in front of the plate and Anthony Rendon on a groundout.Averaging 97 mph with his fastball, Max Scherzer retired George Springer on a flyout and José Altuve on a groundout, walked Michael Brantley, then got Alex Bregman on a flyout. Scherzer, recovered from an irritated nerve near his neck with the help of a cortisone injection, threw 15 pitches.___7:11 p.m.Texas-born actor Matthew McConaughey kicked off Game 7 of the World Series by declaring: "Let's play ball." Wearing the same orange jersey the team was wearing Wednesday night, McConaughey worked the packed crowd into a frenzy by asking: "Houston are you ready," when he took the microphone.Earlier, two of Houston's famed Killer B's, Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell threw... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch is all for letting the young kids play — and play loud. He also wants them to respect the game.Alex Bregman, the Astros third baseman who is one of the young stars MLB has highlighted in its ad campaigns trying to reach younger fans, carried his bat past first base after hitting a home run in the first inning of Game 6 of the World Series."I think we should always encourage players to show personality and be as open with the fans and drive the sport," Hinch said before Game 7 on Wednesday. "So many good stories in these clubhouses, so many good people and players to celebrate, to a point, then it crosses a line where it was probably unnecessary to go that far."When Juan Soto homered later in that game, the Washington Nationals left fielder who turned 21 during this Fall Classic mimicked Bregman with a similar action."When it gets to the competition on the field, I fear a little bit of it goes too far," Hinch said. "And I'm actually OK with... [More]

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) — At this rate, AJ Hinch might never issue another intentional walk the rest of his life.Hard to blame the Houston manager for his decision Wednesday night, and the mess that followed in Game 2 of the World Series.But it did seem as though the baseball gods were getting the last laugh.Because right after Hinch ordered an intentional pass for the first time all year — the Astros were the only major league team to go through an entire season without one since they've been tracked — things went awry against Washington."Ironically, I thought it was our best chance to limit their scoring," Hinch said, "and instead it poured gasoline on a fire that was already burning."As soon as clutch-hitting slugger Juan Soto shucked his bat and trotted to first without seeing a pitch from Ryan Pressly, loading the bases with two outs and Washington ahead by a run in the seventh inning, Houston kept flubbing.All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman couldn't corral a grounder, then threw away another.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — The chants of "M-V-P!, M-V-P!" still break out from the crowd each time Alex Bregman comes to the plate at home for the Houston Astros.And the cheers got louder when Bregman hit a towering two-run homer in the first inning of Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night. After that, there wasn't much else for Astros fans to cheer about.That homer by Bregman produced the only Astros runs until the ninth inning in a 12-3 loss to the Washington Nationals, who took a commanding 2-0 series lead.Going into the game, Bregman was 3 for 22 (.136) with one RBI since the start of the AL Championship Series. The third baseman struck out three times while going 0 for 4 with a walk in Game 1, including two strikeouts with runners on base in a 5-4 loss to Washington.BEST STREAK EVERThe Nationals have won 18 of their last 20 games, the best 20-game stretch in team history.That includes a current eight-game winning streak, matching the longest in a single postseason. The other teams that... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Kurt Suzuki is beat up physically, with a sore back and other ailments after grinding behind the plate from spring training through late October.All of that would be worthwhile for the 36-year-old Washington Nationals catcher to finally get a World Series ring."I've waited 13 seasons for this, for this moment to be able to play in the World Series," Suzuki said. "I kind of joked around with a lot of guys in the training room the other day, 'Man, I've got energy now' ... It kind of pumps you up, especially waiting how long I did."Suzuki believes pitching and defense ultimately win championships, and he certainly has done his part in the squat. In Game 2, he added his first RBI this postseason, a tiebreaking solo homer off Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander to spark a bat-around seventh inning."I can't remember the last time I barreled a ball up like that," Suzuki said with a smile, his two young sons sitting in his lap. "Felt like months ago. Probably was months ago."The... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — At this rate, AJ Hinch might never issue another intentional walk the rest of his life.Hard to blame the Houston manager for his decision Wednesday night, and the mess that followed in Game 2 of the World Series.But it did seem as though the baseball gods were getting the last laugh.Because right after Hinch ordered an intentional pass for the first time all year — the Astros were the only major league team to go through an entire season without one since they've been tracked — things went awry against Washington."Ironically, I thought it was our best chance to limit their scoring," Hinch said, "and instead it poured gasoline on a fire that was already burning."As soon as clutch-hitting slugger Juan Soto shucked his bat and trotted to first without seeing a pitch from Ryan Pressly, loading the bases with two outs and Washington ahead by a run in the seventh inning, Houston kept flubbing.All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman couldn't corral a grounder, then threw away another.... [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]