WASHINGTON (AP) — Patrick Corbin took a one-hitter into the eighth inning in his first victory with Washington, Wilmer Difo homered and the Nationals beat the punchless San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Thursday.Signed to a $140 million, six-year contract in December after pitching for six seasons in Arizona, Corbin started three games without a decision with his new team before throwing a gem in the deciding matchup of a three-game series.Corbin (1-0) struck out nine, walked one and a hit a batter over 7 2/3 innings against a struggling San Francisco offense that came in with a .208 average. The lone hits against the lefty were Evan Longoria's fifth-inning double and Erik Kratz's two-out RBI double in the eighth.After Kratz broke up the shutout, Kyle Barraclough entered and retired pinch-hitter Buster Posey. Sean Doolittle worked the ninth, giving up three hits and a run while earning his second save.San Francisco starter Drew Pomeranz (0-2) gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Patrick Corbin took a one-hitter into the eighth inning in his first victory with Washington, Wilmer Difo homered and the Nationals beat the punchless San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Thursday.Signed to a $140 million, six-year contract in December after pitching for six seasons in Arizona, Corbin started three games without a decision with his new team before throwing a gem in the deciding matchup of a three-game series.Corbin (1-0) struck out nine, walked one and a hit a batter over 7 2/3 innings against a struggling San Francisco offense that came in with a .208 average. The lone hits against the lefty were Evan Longoria's fifth-inning double and Erik Kratz's two-out RBI double in the eighth.After Kratz broke up the shutout, Kyle Barraclough entered and retired pinch-hitter Buster Posey. Sean Doolittle worked the ninth, giving up three hits and a run while earning his second save.San Francisco starter Drew Pomeranz (0-2) gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Patrick Corbin took a one-hitter into the eighth inning in his first victory with Washington, Wilmer Difo homered and the Nationals beat the punchless San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Thursday.Signed to a $140 million, six-year contract in December after pitching for six seasons in Arizona, Corbin started three games without a decision with his new team before throwing a gem in the deciding matchup of a three-game series.Corbin (1-0) struck out nine, walked one and a hit a batter over 7 2/3 innings against a struggling San Francisco offense that came in with a .208 average. The lone hits against the lefty were Evan Longoria's fifth-inning double and Erik Kratz's two-out RBI double in the eighth.After Kratz broke up the shutout, Kyle Barraclough entered and retired pinch-hitter Buster Posey. Sean Doolittle worked the ninth, giving up three hits and a run while earning his second save.San Francisco starter Drew Pomeranz (0-2) gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.After... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Patrick Corbin took a one-hitter into the eighth inning in his first victory with Washington, Wilmer Difo homered and the Nationals beat the punchless San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Thursday.Signed to a $140 million, six-year contract in December after pitching for six seasons in Arizona, Corbin started three games without a decision with his new team before throwing a gem in the deciding matchup of a three-game series.Corbin (1-0) struck out nine, walked one and a hit a batter over 7 2/3 innings against a struggling San Francisco offense that came in with a .208 average. The lone hits against the lefty were Evan Longoria's fifth-inning double and Erik Kratz's two-out RBI double in the eighth.After Kratz broke up the shutout, Kyle Barraclough entered and retired pinch-hitter Buster Posey. Sean Doolittle worked the ninth, giving up three hits and a run while earning his second save.San Francisco starter Drew Pomeranz (0-2) gave up four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings.After... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco Giants acquired veteran catcher Erik Kratz from the Brewers on Sunday, sending minor league infielder C.J. Hinojosa to Milwaukee.Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi had wanted an experienced catcher to provide depth behind Buster Posey, who is back from right hip surgery that ended his 2018 season in late August.The 38-year-old Kratz batted .236 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games for the Brewers last season, hitting .292 in nine playoff games. He joins his eighth team over 10 major league seasons.The Giants reassigned catcher Stephen Vogt to minor league camp. He is working his way back from surgery on his troublesome right shoulder last May and didn't play for Milwaukee last year.Vogt reached a minor league deal before spring training along with Rene Rivera, just released by the Giants.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.ORIOLES 9, RAYS 6Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson... [More]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Miami Marlins because of back stiffness.Bregman walked in the first inning and was replaced after the second. He was playing his third spring training game following arthroscopic elbow surgery on Jan. 11.Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman probably will be held out a day and return to the lineup on Friday.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESBLUE JAYS 9, PHILLIES 7Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, and Anthony Alford both homered for the first time for the Blue Jays. Dalton Pompey hit two doubles and drove in three runs for Toronto. Aaron Sanchez made his second start, allowing a hit and two walks in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Vince Velasquez made his first start for Philadelphia, allowing one run, one hit and two walks in one inning. Aaron Althier went 0 for 3, striking out twice and lowering his average to .143.ORIOLES 9, RAYS 6Mike Yastrzemski, a grandson... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The ink was hardly dry on his $18.25 million, one-year contract with Milwaukee when Yasmani Grandal started working the phone, reaching out to as many new teammates as possible from his offseason home in Peoria. The Brewers' new backstop wanted to get a running start when pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.He scheduled bullpen sessions with pitchers ready to work off the mound, and sat down to talk strategy with those that weren't. He studied video of his new battery mates and even met with members of Milwaukee's coaching staff.When Grandal showed up to camp in Phoenix last week, he was ready to work."I didn't want to spend a lot of time at spring training getting to know them," Grandal said. "By the time we started, we'd already spoken, I had an idea of what guys wanted to do and different things like that."Grandal, 30, was a surprising signing for a team that appeared set at the catcher position with a combination of Manny Pina and Erik Kratz. Both are regarded... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The ink was hardly dry on his $18.25 million, one-year contract with Milwaukee when Yasmani Grandal started working the phone, reaching out to as many new teammates as possible from his offseason home in Peoria. The Brewers' new backstop wanted to get a running start when pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.He scheduled bullpen sessions with pitchers ready to work off the mound, and sat down to talk strategy with those that weren't. He studied video of his new battery mates and even met with members of Milwaukee's coaching staff.When Grandal showed up to camp in Phoenix last week, he was ready to work."I didn't want to spend a lot of time at spring training getting to know them," Grandal said. "By the time we started, we'd already spoken, I had an idea of what guys wanted to do and different things like that."Grandal, 30, was a surprising signing for a team that appeared set at the catcher position with a combination of Manny Pina and Erik Kratz. Both are regarded... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Asked why he agreed to a one-year deal with Milwaukee rather than multiyear offers from other teams, catcher Yasmani Grandal gave two simple reasons: the chance to win and family.Grandal lives in Peoria, Arizona, not far from the Brewers' spring training camp."My wife told me: 'You get to have spring training here and be with your kids a little more,'" Grandal said Tuesday, a day after his $18.25 million deal was announced. "I have a 14-month-old right now who's running crazy around the house."Grandal's deal includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day.He spent the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the last two NL pennants but lost in the World Series each time. The Brewers extended the Dodgers to Game 7 of last year's NL Championship Series.Brewers general... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million mutual option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout due Dec. 31. Grandal has until the third day after the World Series to decide on the option, and the Brewers have until the fifth day."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said Monday. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, includes a $16 million salary this year and a $16 million option for 2020 with a $2.25 million buyout. Either side may turn down the option."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said Monday. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this year, which would be about No. 104. Los Angeles gets a compensation pick after competitive balance... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Yasmani Grandal and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized an $18.25 million, one-year contract.The deal, agreed to last week subject to a successful physical, was announced by the Brewers on Monday."Yasmani has proven that he is one of the most productive catchers in baseball, both offensively and defensively, and he fits our roster very well," Brewers general manager David Stearns said. "Throughout this process, he expressed a consistent and sincere desire to join our organization."Grandal turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in November. He is eligible for free agency again after this year's World Series and cannot be given a qualifying offer by the Brewers.Milwaukee forfeits its third-highest draft pick this year, which would be about No. 104. Los Angeles gets a compensation pick after competitive balance round B, about No. 79.Now 30, Grandal was an All-Star in his first season with the Dodgers in 2015. He hit .241... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Veteran catcher Erik Kratz and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration and includes a $300,000 guarantee.Kratz hit .236 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 219 plate appearances last season. He also excelled in Milwaukee's Division Series win over the Colorado Rockies, going 5 for 8 in two games.The 38-year-old earned a prorated share of his $1 million salary this year and $100,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.His deal was announced Tuesday, three days before the deadline for teams to offer 2019 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.Kratz would have a $346,774 salary while in the minor leagues. He has additional bonuses for finishing among the top three in MVP voting, making the All-Star team, and winning a World Series or League Championship Series MVP, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger or the Hank Aaron Award.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Veteran catcher Erik Kratz and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration and includes a $300,000 guarantee.Kratz hit .236 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 219 plate appearances last season. He also excelled in Milwaukee's Division Series win over the Colorado Rockies, going 5 for 8 in two games.The 38-year-old earned a prorated share of his $1 million salary this year and $100,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.His deal was announced Tuesday, three days before the deadline for teams to offer 2019 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters. Kratz's $300,000 guarantee would be offset against any termination pay, and his termination pay would increase during the course of the season should he be removed from the roster.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Catcher Erik Kratz and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration.Kratz hit .236 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 219 plate appearances. The 38-year-old had a $1 million salary and earned $75,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. He also excelled in Milwaukee's division series win over the Colorado Rockies, going 5-for-8 in two games.His deal was announced Tuesday, three days before the deadline for teams to offer 2019 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers think they're just getting started.Sure looks that way, too.Led by breakout performances by Yelich, Josh Hader and Jesus Aguilar, Milwaukee chased down the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central for the first time since 2011. The youthful Brewers then swept Colorado in the Division Series before taking the Los Angeles Dodgers all the way to Game 7 in the NL Championship Series.The playoff run ended with a 5-1 loss to the more seasoned Dodgers on Saturday night, but the Brewers plan on returning to October very soon."We feel like we've got a lot of talent here," Yelich said. "Hopefully it's just the beginning."The 26-year-old Yelich nearly won the Triple Crown in his first season with Milwaukee after he was acquired in a trade with Miami in January. The silky smooth outfielder is the leading candidate for his first NL MVP award.Aguilar cruised past his previous career highs with 35 homers and 108 RBIs, and Hader set a major league record... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Clayton Kershaw will be available in relief for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.The winner of Saturday night's game plays the Red Sox in the World Series, which starts Tuesday in Boston.Kershaw would be pitching on two days of rest. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is coming off a masterful outing in Game 5 on Wednesday, when he allowed one run and three hits while fanning nine over seven innings in a 5-2 victory at Dodger Stadium.Manager Dave Roberts said the ace left-hander will head to the bullpen at the start of the game instead of waiting until the later innings."It's hard to see a scenario that he's not a part of this game," Roberts said. "I don't really have a number of pitches or innings. But I do see him being a part of this equation."Kershaw has been dominant in relief during recent postseason elimination games. He got the final two outs of a 4-3 victory over Washington in Game 5 of the 2016 Division... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have topped their lineup with two left-handed sluggers against Milwaukee Brewers righty Jhoulys Chacin for Game 7 of the NL Championship Series.The winner plays the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, which starts Tuesday.Joc Pederson, who hit 25 homers this season, is leading off Saturday night. He is followed by Max Muncy, who had 35 home runs.Justin Turner, Manny Machado and Cody Bellinger are next. Bellinger is the third left-handed hitter in the starting lineup.Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes and rookie starter Walker Buehler round out the order.The versatile Taylor, starting at second base, is hitting a team-high .350 in the NLCS. Barnes is making his fourth straight start at catcher.The Brewers are sticking with the same lineup from Game 6, when they had 11 hits to break out of a slump for a 7-2 victory that tied the series at 3 games apiece.Lorenzo Cain, MVP candidate Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun top the lineup, followed by cleanup hitter Travis Shaw, Jesus Aguilar and Mike Moustakas.Erik Kratz, Orlando Arcia and Chacin are at the bottom of the order.Arcia, a smooth-fielding shortstop, is hitting .318 in the series with two homers and three RBIs.___More AP MLB: www.apnews.com/tag/MLB and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Left-hander Wade Miley will have to face to a right-handed hitter right away in Game 6 as the Milwaukee Brewers try to stave off elimination in the NL Championship Series.First baseman David Freese is leading off for the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting third in Game 5.Miley also started that game on Wednesday but was pulled after walking the leadoff hitter, left-hander Cody Bellinger, in a planned move by manager Craig Counsell to exploit Los Angeles' righty-heavy lineup.Right-handed reliever Brandon Woodruff then entered the game, and the Brewers held the Dodgers scoreless until the fifth inning of a 5-2 win for Los Angeles.Freese is a career .350 hitter (7 for 20) with a homer and four walks against Miley.Left-handed slugger Max Muncy is hitting second behind Freese in Game 6. He's followed by Justin Turner, Manny Machado and Bellinger, the only other lefty in the Dodgers' lineup.They're followed by Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig and Austin Barnes, with starter Hyun-Jin... [More]