WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Wander Suero (5-8) was charged with the loss as the Washington bullpen gave up nine runs over the final four innings. The Nationals saw their lead in the NL wild card race... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Rodney (0-6) was charged with the loss in the latest bullpen meltdown for the Nationals, who saw their lead in the NL wild card race shrink to 1½ games over the Chicago Cubs.YANKEES... [More]

Cubs second. Ben Zobrist singles to left field. Jason Heyward reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Ben Zobrist out at second. Nico Hoerner singles to right field. Jason Heyward to third. Kyle Hendricks out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Elias Diaz to Adam Frazier. Nico Hoerner to second. Anthony Rizzo hit by pitch. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep left field. Anthony Rizzo scores. Nico Hoerner scores. Jason Heyward scores. Kris Bryant singles to right field. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to second base, Kevin Newman to Jose Osuna.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 4, Pirates 0.Cubs third. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging. Ben Zobrist homers to center field. Jason Heyward pops out to shallow left field to Colin Moran. Nico Hoerner grounds out to second base, Adam Frazier to Jose Osuna.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 5, Pirates 0.Pirates fourth. Jose Osuna singles to second base. Adam Frazier singles to right field. Jose... [More]

Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo walks. Nicholas Castellanos strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber singles to right field. Anthony Rizzo to third. Kris Bryant out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Nick Martini. Anthony Rizzo scores. Victor Caratini strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Padres 0.Cubs fourth. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant singles to left field. Kyle Schwarber to second. Victor Caratini flies out to left field to Nick Martini. Jason Heyward strikes out swinging. Kris Bryant steals second. Kyle Schwarber steals third. Ian Happ singles to right center field. Kris Bryant scores. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to right field to Josh Naylor.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 3, Padres 0.Cubs seventh. Jason Heyward doubles to deep right center field. Ian Happ singles to shallow infield. Jason Heyward to third. Nico Hoerner strikes out swinging. Ben Zobrist pinch-hitting for Yu Darvish. Ben Zobrist reaches on a fielder's choice... [More]

Cubs second. Kris Bryant walks. Willson Contreras strikes out swinging. Jason Heyward homers to left field. Kris Bryant scores. Nico Hoerner grounds out to third base, Manny Machado to Eric Hosmer. Jose Quintana singles to left center field. Ben Zobrist pops out to shallow center field to Ty France.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Padres 0.Padres second. Eric Hosmer singles to shortstop. Wil Myers singles to second base. Eric Hosmer to second. Ty France flies out to center field to Jason Heyward. Eric Hosmer to third. Luis Urias singles to left field. Wil Myers to second. Eric Hosmer scores. Austin Hedges singles to left field. Luis Urias to second. Wil Myers to third. Ronald Bolanos reaches on a fielder's choice to second base, advances to 2nd. Austin Hedges scores. Luis Urias scores. Wil Myers scores. Throwing error by Ben Zobrist. Manuel Margot singles to center field. Ronald Bolanos to third. Nick Martini out on a sacrifice fly to left center field to Kyle Schwarber. Ronald... [More]

Cubs first. Ben Zobrist singles to third base. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Ben Zobrist scores. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shortstop, Luis Urias to Eric Hosmer. Victor Caratini called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Padres 0.Cubs fourth. Victor Caratini singles to left field. Nico Hoerner reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Victor Caratini out at second. Jason Heyward singles to right field. Nico Hoerner to third. David Bote walks. Jason Heyward to second. Nico Hoerner scores. Kyle Hendricks reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. David Bote to second. Jason Heyward out at third. Ben Zobrist lines out to first base to Eric Hosmer.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Padres 0.Padres fourth. Nick Martini singles to right field. Manny Machado singles to center field. Nick Martini to second. Eric Hosmer reaches on a fielder's choice to second base, advances to 2nd. Manny Machado... [More]

Brewers first. Lorenzo Cain singles to center field. Yasmani Grandal walks. Lorenzo Cain to second. Christian Yelich walks. Yasmani Grandal to second. Lorenzo Cain to third. Ryan Braun grounds out to shortstop. Christian Yelich out at second. Yasmani Grandal to third. Lorenzo Cain scores. Eric Thames lines out to center field to Jason Heyward.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Brewers 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Addison Russell hit by pitch. David Bote singles to shallow right field, advances to 2nd. Addison Russell scores. Throwing error by Christian Yelich. Jon Lester doubles to right field. David Bote scores. Ben Zobrist doubles to right field. Jon Lester scores. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Nicholas Castellanos strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo lines out to left center field to Lorenzo Cain.3 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cubs 3, Brewers 1.Brewers fourth. Christian Yelich singles to right field. Ryan Braun doubles to right field. Christian Yelich scores. Eric Thames strikes... [More]

Cubs fifth. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shallow center field, Orlando Arcia to Eric Thames. Addison Russell homers to center field. Victor Caratini flies out to center field to Trent Grisham. Yu Darvish called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers sixth. Trent Grisham flies out to left field to Kyle Schwarber. Yasmani Grandal grounds out to shortstop, Addison Russell to Anthony Rizzo. Christian Yelich walks. Eric Thames walks. Ben Gamel singles to right field. Eric Thames to second. Christian Yelich scores. Lorenzo Cain pinch-hitting for Travis Shaw. Lorenzo Cain flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 1.Cubs eighth. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist pinch-hitting for Steve Cishek. Ben Zobrist singles to right field. Robel Garcia to third. Ian Happ pinch-hitting for Albert Almora Jr.. Ian Happ walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Nicholas Castellanos called out on strikes. Anthony Rizzo walks.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chicago Cubs star shortstop Javier Báez has a hairline fracture in his left thumb, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy.An MRI in Chicago on Saturday revealed the extent of Báez's injury, suffered when he slid headfirst into second base last Sunday against Milwaukee at Wrigley Field. He'll undergo further examination with a hand specialist on Monday.The Cubs haven't announced a timeline for his possible return."I was concerned something like this may be the result," manager Joe Maddon said before the Cubs played the Brewers. "Now we will just have to wait to see the specialist and figure out from there."Chicago holds the second NL wild-card spot and is chasing the Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals. The playoffs begin Oct. 1.Báez, a two-time All-Star, had missed the previous four games, including the first two of a four-game series against the Brewers at Miller Park. He is hitting .281 with 29 home runs and 85 RBIs.Maddon said he's going to lean on his bench to keep... [More]

Cubs third. Ben Zobrist called out on strikes. Kyle Schwarber lines out to left field to Ryan Braun. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shallow right field, Cory Spangenberg to Tyler Austin.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers third. Lorenzo Cain singles to right center field. Yasmani Grandal singles to left center field. Lorenzo Cain to second. Christian Yelich homers to center field. Yasmani Grandal scores. Lorenzo Cain scores. Ryan Braun lines out to right field to Nicholas Castellanos. Tyler Austin singles to left field. Hernan Perez singles to center field. Tyler Austin to third. Cory Spangenberg singles to shallow infield. Hernan Perez to second. Tyler Austin scores. Orlando Arcia walks. Zach Davies grounds out to shortstop. Orlando Arcia out at second.4 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Brewers 4, Cubs 1.Brewers fourth. Lorenzo Cain lines out to center field to Jason Heyward. Yasmani Grandal homers to center field. Christian... [More]

Cubs first. Ben Zobrist walks. Nicholas Castellanos called out on strikes. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Willson Contreras doubles to left field. Anthony Rizzo to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shallow infield, Chase Anderson to Yasmani Grandal.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Brewers 0.Brewers second. Ryan Braun singles to center field. Manny Pina grounds out to third base, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Ryan Braun to second. Hernan Perez homers to right field. Ryan Braun scores. Orlando Arcia flies out to left center field to Kyle Schwarber. Cory Spangenberg grounds out to second base, Ben Zobrist to Anthony Rizzo.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Brewers 2, Cubs 1.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras homers to center field. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Addison Russell lines out to third base to Hernan Perez. Jason Heyward flies out to deep left field to Ryan Braun. Jose Quintana grounds out... [More]

Cubs second. Willson Contreras homers to center field. Ian Happ walks. Jason Heyward strikes out swinging. Ian Happ steals second. Addison Russell flies out to left center field to Braden Bishop. Jon Lester strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Mariners 0.Cubs third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Ben Zobrist to third. Nicholas Castellanos out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Mallex Smith. Kyle Schwarber to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to shallow infield to Dee Gordon. Willson Contreras walks. Ian Happ called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 2, Mariners 0.Cubs fifth. Ben Zobrist singles to shallow infield. Kyle Schwarber singles to center field. Ben Zobrist to second. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Ben Zobrist scores. Anthony Rizzo walks. Willson Contreras singles to left field. Anthony Rizzo to second. Ian Happ grounds out to shortstop.... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have scratched All-Star third baseman Kris Bryant because of right knee soreness.While Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras returned to Chicago's starting lineup Tuesday night against Seattle, Bryant was replaced by Ian Happ.Knee trouble has been a recurring issue for Bryant for much of the summer. The 2016 NL MVP departed a 4-1 victory at San Francisco on July 24 with right knee soreness.The 27-year-old Bryant is batting .227 with 40 strikeouts in his last 34 games.Contreras was activated off the 10-day injured list and got the start against Seattle. The All-Star catcher had been sidelined by a strained right hamstring.Zobrist got the start at second base in his first action since he went on leave in May to be with his family while going through a divorce. He was activated off the injured list Saturday night.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today:TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOWOne day after Houston teammate Justin Verlander pitched a no-hitter, Gerrit Cole looks to stay on a roll of his own when the Astros visit Milwaukee on Labor Day. Cole (15-5, 2.85 ERA) is 11-0 with a 2.06 ERA in his last 16 starts and needs six strikeouts to regain the major league lead from Verlander, who whiffed 14 batters Sunday during his third career no-hitter — second in Toronto.With four weeks to go, Verlander and Cole appear to be running 1-2 in the AL Cy Young Award race.SCARYDodgers rookie pitcher Dustin May is listed as day to day after being hit in the head by a line drive.May was injured Sunday when a liner by Jake Lamb struck him on the right side of the head in Arizona. The 21-year-old passed a concussion test and was diagnosed with a bruise. The 6-foot-6 May is one of the top pitching prospects for the NL West leaders.CHECK HIMThe Cubs will see how Yu Darvish is feeling, a day after he was scratched from... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Monday:TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOWOne day after Houston teammate Justin Verlander pitched a no-hitter, Gerrit Cole looks to stay on a roll of his own when the Astros visit Milwaukee on Labor Day. Cole (15-5, 2.85 ERA) is 11-0 with a 2.06 ERA in his last 16 starts and needs six strikeouts to regain the major league lead from Verlander, who whiffed 14 batters Sunday during his third career no-hitter — second in Toronto.With four weeks to go, Verlander and Cole appear to be running 1-2 in the AL Cy Young Award race.SCARYDodgers rookie pitcher Dustin May is listed as day to day after being hit in the head by a line drive.May was injured Sunday when a liner by Jake Lamb struck him on the right side of the head in Arizona. The 21-year-old passed a concussion test and was diagnosed with a bruise. The 6-foot-6 May is one of the top pitching prospects for the NL West leaders.CHECK HIMThe Cubs will see how Yu Darvish is feeling, a day after he was scratched from... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — When Ben Zobrist stepped away from the Chicago Cubs in May to focus on his family, he knew it was the right decision.When he figured he could once again focus on baseball while he was at the ballpark, he knew it was time to return.Zobrist is back with the Cubs after spending almost four months on the restricted list while dealing with a divorce from wife Julianna. The 2016 World Series MVP was reinstated from the restricted list Saturday night, then was in uniform for Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee looking to help Chicago's pursuit of a playoff spot."I took time away that I needed to take, personally, for my family, and I feel good about that," Zobrist said. "I don't regret any of that. I am just grateful that I get this opportunity now to return and try to finish the season on a good note with this club, do the best that I can to help the ballclub."It remains to be seen what Zobrist has left after missing most of the season. The 38-year-old utilityman hasn't appeared... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — When Ben Zobrist stepped away from the Chicago Cubs in May to focus on his family, he knew it was the right decision.When he figured he could once again focus on baseball while he was at the ballpark, he knew it was time to return.Zobrist is back with the Cubs after spending almost four months on the restricted list while dealing with a divorce from wife Julianna. The 2016 World Series MVP was reinstated from the restricted list Saturday night, then was in uniform for Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee looking to help Chicago's pursuit of a playoff spot."I took time away that I needed to take, personally, for my family, and I feel good about that," Zobrist said. "I don't regret any of that. I am just grateful that I get this opportunity now to return and try to finish the season on a good note with this club, do the best that I can to help the ballclub."It remains to be seen what Zobrist has left after missing most of the season. The 38-year-old utilityman hasn't appeared... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:SPECIAL RETURNIndians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who hasn't pitched in the majors since late May when he was diagnosed with leukemia, will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list for a game at Tampa Bay. Carrasco made four rehab appearances with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, permitting one run while striking out eight in five innings. He'll start up in Cleveland's bullpen as he continues to build endurance in his arm."Great feeling, back to the baseball field," Carrasco said on Instagram.SEPTEMBER CALL-UPSThe Yankees figure to take full advantage when rosters expand for September. Outfielder Clint Frazier is expected to rejoin the big club after being demoted to Triple-A in mid-June. The 24-year-old hit .283 with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 major league games, but he made several embarrassing miscues in right field and was tasked with sharpening his defense. New York could also get reinforcements in the bullpen after using... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have activated Ben Zobrist from the restricted list to help with their postseason push.The 38-year-old Zobrist has been out since May 8 while going through a divorce. The 2016 World Series MVP is batting .241 with 10 RBIs in 26 games this year.Infielder David Bote was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday night. Outfielder Mark Zagunis was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster.Zobrist is a .266 career hitter with 166 homers and 761 RBIs in 1,630 games. He won the World Series in 2015 with Kansas City and 2016 with Chicago. He played 12 minor league rehab games, hitting .189 with two homers across four levels.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors Sunday:SPECIAL RETURNIndians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who hasn't pitched in the majors since late May when he was diagnosed with leukemia, will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list for a game at Tampa Bay. Carrasco made four rehab appearances with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, permitting one run while striking out eight in five innings. He'll start up in Cleveland's bullpen as he continues to build endurance in his arm."Great feeling, back to the baseball field," Carrasco said on Instagram.SEPTEMBER CALL-UPSThe Yankees figure to take full advantage when rosters expand for September. Outfielder Clint Frazier is expected to rejoin the big club after being demoted to Triple-A in mid-June. The 24-year-old hit .283 with 11 homers and an .843 OPS in 53 major league games, but he made several embarrassing miscues in right field and was tasked with sharpening his defense. New York could also get reinforcements in the bullpen after... [More]