WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday, lifting the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season. Lefty reliever Will Smith (0-1) entered for the ninth and promptly gave up a single to new leadoff hitter Victor Robles, and then hit Trea Turner with a pitch. That brought up Soto, the 2020 NL batting champion, and he delivered a line drive to center field. Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson homered against Washington ace Max Scherzer. Acuña drove Scherzer's first pitch of the game deep to left-center, and led off the third with his second homer. Turner hit a two-run shot for the Nationals. Daniel Hudson (1-0) got the win. Because of a COVID-19 outbreak — four players tested positive; seven were forced into quarantine after potentially being exposed — Washington’s first four scheduled games were scrapped.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left wrist. Hayes, one of the preseason favorites for NL Rookie of the Year, got hurt on a swing during Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He also used his left hand diving back to first on a pickoff attempt. Manager Derek Shelton said X-rays were negative, but an MRI showed some inflammation. Hayes had been listed as day to day, but he experienced more discomfort while he worked out before Pittsburgh's 4-3 loss at Chicago, so the team decided to put him on the IL as a precaution. Phillip Evans replaced Hayes at third for the series finale against the Cubs. He had three hits, but he also committed an error that brought home a run. “I’m prepared for this position and I need to take advantage of it whenever I can,” Evans said. Utilityman Wilmer Difo was promoted from the taxi squad to the active roster. Right-hander Tyler Bashlor was designated for assignment to... [More]

Tigers second. C.J. Cron homers to right field. Christin Stewart grounds out to first base to Josh Bell. Jeimer Candelario strikes out swinging. Victor Reyes grounds out to first base, Josh Bell to Chad Kuhl.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Tigers 1, Pirates 0.Pirates second. Bryan Reynolds walks. Phillip Evans singles to shallow right field. Bryan Reynolds to second. Adam Frazier strikes out swinging. Jacob Stallings walks. Phillip Evans to second. Bryan Reynolds to third. Erik Gonzalez singles to left field. Jacob Stallings to second. Phillip Evans scores. Bryan Reynolds scores. Cole Tucker pops out to shallow center field to Niko Goodrum. Kevin Newman grounds out to third base, Jeimer Candelario to C.J. Cron.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 2, Tigers 1.Pirates fourth. Phillip Evans strikes out swinging. Adam Frazier grounds out to shallow right field, Jonathan Schoop to C.J. Cron. Jacob Stallings doubles to deep left center field. Erik Gonzalez homers to left field. Jacob... [More]

Twins first. Max Kepler grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Frazier to Colin Moran. Jorge Polanco singles to right field. Nelson Cruz pops out to Colin Moran. Eddie Rosario walks. Jorge Polanco to third. Miguel Sano homers. Eddie Rosario scores. Jorge Polanco scores. Marwin Gonzalez called out on strikes.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Pirates 0.Pirates second. Colin Moran singles to shallow center field. Bryan Reynolds singles to right field. Colin Moran to second. Gregory Polanco homers to center field. Bryan Reynolds scores. Colin Moran scores. JT Riddle grounds out to shallow right field to Miguel Sano. John Ryan Murphy strikes out swinging. Jarrod Dyson grounds out to shallow infield, Ehire Adrianza to Miguel Sano.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Pirates 3.Twins fourth. Ehire Adrianza pops out to shallow center field to JT Riddle. Alex Avila called out on strikes. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Max Kepler flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson.1... [More]

Twins first. Max Kepler walks. Jorge Polanco flies out to left field to Bryan Reynolds. Nelson Cruz singles to center field. Max Kepler to third. Fielding error by Jarrod Dyson. Eddie Rosario singles to shortstop. Nelson Cruz to second. Max Kepler scores. Miguel Sano doubles to left field. Eddie Rosario to third. Nelson Cruz scores. Luis Arraez out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Miguel Sano to third. Eddie Rosario scores. Marwin Gonzalez lines out to shortstop to Phillip Evans.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Twins 3, Pirates 0.Twins second. Alex Avila strikes out swinging. Byron Buxton singles to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Phillip Evans. Max Kepler walks. Jorge Polanco walks. Max Kepler to second. Byron Buxton to third. Nelson Cruz singles to center field. Jorge Polanco to second. Max Kepler to third. Byron Buxton scores. Eddie Rosario pops out to shallow left field to Phillip Evans. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 1... [More]

Pirates first. Cole Tucker homers to left field. Kevin Newman flies out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Josh Bell grounds out to shallow left field, Ehire Adrianza to Miguel Sano. Jose Osuna flies out to deep right field to Max Kepler.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Pirates 1, Twins 0.Pirates second. Bryan Reynolds strikes out on a foul tip. Phillip Evans singles to left center field. Guillermo Heredia singles to left center field. Phillip Evans to second. Jacob Stallings singles to left field. Guillermo Heredia to second. Phillip Evans scores. Erik Gonzalez lines out to right field to Max Kepler. Cole Tucker reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Guillermo Heredia out at third.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 2, Twins 0.Pirates fourth. Bryan Reynolds walks. Phillip Evans grounds out to shallow infield. Bryan Reynolds out at second. Guillermo Heredia walks. Jacob Stallings walks. Guillermo Heredia to second. Erik Gonzalez doubles to deep right center field. Jacob... [More]

Pirates first. Adam Frazier grounds out to shallow infield, David Bote to Anthony Rizzo. Kevin Newman homers to left field. Jose Osuna walks. Colin Moran called out on strikes. Phillip Evans singles to center field. Cole Tucker reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Phillip Evans out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Pirates 1, Cubs 0.Cubs fifth. Willson Contreras doubles to deep left field. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Willson Contreras scores. Steven Souza Jr. grounds out to shallow left field, Erik Gonzalez to Jose Osuna. Ian Happ pinch-hitting for Josh Phegley. Ian Happ walks. Nico Hoerner reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Ian Happ out at second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Albert Almora Jr. grounds out to third base, Erik Gonzalez to Jose Osuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 1, Cubs 1.Cubs eleventh. Anthony Rizzo flies out to deep right field to Cole Tucker. David Bote to third. Javier Baez singles to shallow center field. David Bote scores.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Pirates 1.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4, 11 inningsBALTIMORE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, and Baltimore handed Tampa Bay its fourth straight loss.Newcomer Brian Holaday... [More]

Cubs third. Victor Caratini grounds out to first base, Josh Bell to Mitch Keller. Ian Happ homers to center field. Anthony Rizzo flies out to center field to Jarrod Dyson. Javier Baez homers to center field. Kyle Schwarber singles to right field. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Pirates 0.Cubs eighth. Javier Baez walks. Kyle Schwarber homers to left field. Javier Baez scores. Willson Contreras singles to right field. Jason Heyward lines out to deep center field to Jarrod Dyson. Nico Hoerner walks. David Bote lines out to deep center field to Bryan Reynolds.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 4, Pirates 0.Pirates ninth. Kevin Newman singles to center field. Josh Bell strikes out swinging. Colin Moran homers to right field. Kevin Newman scores. Bryan Reynolds doubles to right field. Gregory Polanco grounds out to shallow infield, Javier Baez to Anthony Rizzo. Bryan Reynolds scores. Phillip Evans walks. Jose Osuna pinch-hitting for Jarrod Dyson. Jose Osuna reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Guillermo Heredia out at second.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 4, Pirates 3.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Matt Thaiss scored on Michael Hermosillo’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped their three-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.Jason Castro delivered a tying RBI double in the ninth for the Angels, who improved the majors’ worst record to 3-6 despite blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.David Fletcher hit a leadoff single in the 10th off Nivaldo Rodriguez (0-1), sending Thaiss to third. After the Astros walked Anthony Rendon to load the bases, Thaiss scored on Josh Reddick’s inaccurate throw from medium right field.Angels reliever Noé Ramirez got two outs in the 10th, and Ryan Buchter (2-0) struck out Abraham Toro with the bases loaded in a rare bright moment for the Halos’ struggling relievers.ORIOLES 5, RAYS 4, 11 inningsBALTIMORE (AP) — Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, and Baltimore handed Tampa Bay its fourth straight loss.Newcomer Brian Holaday... [More]

Pirates fourth. Josh Bell grounds out to second base, Jedd Gyorko to Justin Smoak. Colin Moran walks. Bryan Reynolds doubles to deep right field. Colin Moran to third. Phillip Evans walks. Guillermo Heredia singles to left field. Phillip Evans to second. Bryan Reynolds scores. Colin Moran scores. Cole Tucker strikes out swinging. John Ryan Murphy grounds out to shallow left field, Jedd Gyorko to Justin Smoak.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Pirates 2, Brewers 0.Brewers sixth. Orlando Arcia lines out to center field to Guillermo Heredia. Lorenzo Cain walks. Keston Hiura homers to center field. Lorenzo Cain scores. Christian Yelich grounds out to second base, Kevin Newman to Josh Bell. Ryan Braun strikes out on a foul tip.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Pirates 2.Brewers seventh. Eric Sogard pinch-hitting for Jedd Gyorko. Eric Sogard walks. Avisail Garcia walks. Eric Sogard to second. Justin Smoak walks. Avisail Garcia to second. Eric Sogard to third. Manny Pina walks.... [More]

With all the protocols in place, Stephen Strasburg got a good feel Monday night for what pitching on the road will entail this season during the coronavirus pandemic. Last year's World Series MVP threw five strong innings for Washington in a 4-2 exhibition win over the Baltimore Orioles. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the team took five buses for the 45-minute ride to Baltimore so players and staff could space out, with 14 people on each bus. “It’s pretty intense,” Strasburg said. “You get on the bus and you have to wear a face mask the whole time. Then you get in, and basically they temperature screen you. It’s kind of tough to get a good temperature reading when it’s 100 degrees outside. "But if you pass that, then you come into the clubhouse and everybody’s kind of sectioned off. So it’s just kind of an adjustment that we have to make. But unfortunately it’s kind of challenging to build team chemistry in an environment like this right now.” Strasburg looked just fine on the mound,... [More]

Miami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas talked Monday about the ways the 2020 season will be different for players, with little clubhouse interaction, seats in the stands and postgame meals via hotel room service.Another change: Rojas believes the Marlins will be good.He joined Miami in 2015 and has since endured five consecutive losing seasons. But like the team’s management and some outside observers, Rojas says the Marlins are poised for a big leap forward in Year 3 of Derek Jeter’s rebuilding program.“I’m really excited about the starting pitching, and our offense is way better than the last couple of years,” Rojas said. “The whole organization has been doing a great job bringing the young prospects along. It doesn’t matter if they don’t make the club right now. We know we have those guys waiting.”Fans will get their first look — on TV only — when the Marlins play an exhibition game Tuesday at Atlanta. They begin the season Friday at Philadelphia.GETTING GOINGDr. Anthony Fauci, a Washington... [More]

Sept. 81905 — The Pittsburgh Pirates stranded 18 runners in an 8-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds to set a National League record for men left on base.1939 — With his 12-1 victory over the Browns in St. Louis, 20-year-old Bob Feller became the youngest modern-era player to win 20 games.1940 — Joe Gordon of the New York Yankees hit for the cycle in a 9-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.1940 — Johnny Mize of St. Louis hit three homers and drove in six runs in a 16-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a doubleheader. Mize became the first player to hit three homers in one game four times in a career.1955 — The Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Braves 10-2 to clinch the National League pennant with a 17-game lead.1958 — Roberto Clemente tied a major league record by hitting three triples in a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.1965 — Bert Campaneris of the Kansas City A's played all nine positions but had to leave after a ninth-inning collision with Ed Kirkpatrick of the Angels.... [More]

Jose Ramirez is expected to be in the Cleveland Indians' opening day lineup Thursday, four days after fouling a pitch off the area below his left knee.Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Ramirez should be ready to go for the opener at Minnesota. The All-Star third baseman worked out Monday and Tuesday in Arizona, testing his bruised left knee while Cleveland finished its exhibition schedule with games against the Rangers in Texas. Ramirez will join the team for a workout Wednesday in Minnesota.Ramirez left the field on a cart Sunday in an alarming scene for the Indians, who will already be without star shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jason Kipnis. Both players are working back from right calf strains.Ramirez had 39 home runs and 105 RBIs last season, finishing third in AL MVP voting for the second straight year.Cleveland lost to Texas 5-4 on Tuesday in its final spring training game. Mike Clevinger allowed four runs (two earned) in three innings. He walked two, struck... [More]