Cardinals second. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Lane Thomas walks. Tyler O'Neill homers to center field. Lane Thomas scores. Matt Wieters called out on strikes. Harrison Bader flies out to deep left field to Kyle Schwarber. Kolten Wong grounds out to first base, David Bote to Colin Rea.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 3, Cubs 0.Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to center field. Paul Goldschmidt singles to center field. Tommy Edman to third. Brad Miller singles to center field. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Tommy Edman scores. Paul DeJong strikes out swinging. Lane Thomas grounds out to shortstop. Brad Miller out at second.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 4, Cubs 0.Cardinals fourth. Tyler O'Neill doubles to left center field. Matt Wieters grounds out to second base, Jason Kipnis to David Bote. Tyler O'Neill to third. Harrison Bader out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Jason Heyward. Tyler O'Neill scores. Kolten Wong grounds out to shortstop, Nico Hoerner to David Bote.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 5, Cubs 0.Cubs fifth. Nico Hoerner singles to third base. Jason Kipnis walks. Ian Happ strikes out on a foul tip. David Bote grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Jason Kipnis to second. Nico Hoerner scores. Kyle Schwarber walks. Javier Baez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 5, Cubs 1.

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Matt Wieters was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday after being sidelined by a broken left big toe.Catcher Andrew Knizner was optioned to the team's alternate training site to make room for Wieters, who is 0 for 12 in six games in his second season with St. Louis.The Cardinals also announced right-hander Jesus Cruz cleared waivers and was assigned to the alternate site in Springfield, Missouri.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina returned to the starting lineup on Thursday night after missing almost three weeks with COVID-19.The nine-time All-Star was cleared by Major League Baseball to resume activities on Tuesday. He was behind the plate when St. Louis hosted Cincinnati in its first home game at Busch Stadium since July 26.Catcher Matt Wieters was placed on 10-day injured list with a broken toe.Molina was one of 10 Cardinals players to contract the virus earlier this month. He worked out for two days in St. Louis while the team played eight games in a five-day span in Chicago beginning on Saturday.Molina was batting eighth in the opener of a four-game series. He was hitting .222 with one RBI in five games.The Cardinals were off for 17 days from July 30 to August 15 due to problems caused by the pandemic.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cardinals first. Kolten Wong hit by pitch. Tommy Edman singles to center field. Kolten Wong to third. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Tommy Edman to second. Matt Carpenter homers to center field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong scores. Brad Miller walks. Tyler O'Neill flies out to deep center field to Ian Happ. Dexter Fowler lines out to deep center field to Ian Happ. Brad Miller to third. Dylan Carlson lines out to deep left field to Kyle Schwarber.4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 4, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Ian Happ homers to right field. Anthony Rizzo lines out to deep center field to Dylan Carlson. Javier Baez strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 4, Cubs 1.Cardinals second. Matt Wieters lines out to deep left field to Kyle Schwarber. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Kolten Wong scores. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to third base, Nico Hoerner to... [More]

Cubs third. Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging. Ian Happ homers to left field. Anthony Rizzo walks. Javier Baez strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras walks. Jason Heyward triples to right field. Willson Contreras scores. David Bote strikes out swinging. Victor Caratini walks. Jason Kipnis walks. Victor Caratini to second. Ian Happ called out on strikes. Anthony Rizzo strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cubs 2, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Kolten Wong singles to left field. Tommy Edman grounds out to second base, Jason Kipnis to Anthony Rizzo. Kolten Wong to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to right field. Kolten Wong scores. Matt Carpenter strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 2, Cardinals 1.Cubs fifth. Javier Baez doubles to deep left center field. Kyle Schwarber homers to right field. Javier Baez scores.... [More]

Cardinals third. Brad Miller lines out to center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Matt Wieters strikes out swinging. Kolten Wong flies out to deep center field to Albert Almora Jr..1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs fourth. Ian Happ homers to left field. David Bote grounds out to shallow left field, Brad Miller to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh Phegley grounds out to shallow infield, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Albert Almora Jr. called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals seventh. Paul Goldschmidt doubles to left center field. Tyler O'Neill walks. Matt Carpenter singles to deep right field. Tyler O'Neill to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Dylan Carlson reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Matt Carpenter to second. Tyler O'Neill to third. Paul Goldschmidt out at home. Brad Miller doubles to deep left center field, advances to 3rd. Dylan Carlson out at home. Matt Carpenter scores. Tyler O'Neill scores. Dexter Fowler flies out to center field to Albert Almora Jr..2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 3, Cubs 1.

White sox third. Luis Robert homers to center field. Nomar Mazara grounds out to second base, Max Schrock to Paul Goldschmidt. Danny Mendick strikes out on a foul tip. Tim Anderson strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul Goldschmidt homers to left field. Tyler O'Neill strikes out swinging. Brad Miller grounds out to shallow right field, Danny Mendick to Jose Abreu. Dylan Carlson walks. Matt Wieters grounds out to shallow infield to Jose Abreu.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, White sox 1.White sox fourth. Yoan Moncada strikes out on a foul tip. Yasmani Grandal walks. Jose Abreu lines out to deep center field to Harrison Bader. Eloy Jimenez homers to right field. Yasmani Grandal scores. James McCann strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. White sox 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals fifth. Max Schrock singles to right center field. Harrison Bader reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Max Schrock out... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos signed a $64 million, four-year deal Monday with the Reds, Cincinnati's latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing.The deal allows Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 or 2021 seasons. He gets salaries of $16 million in 2020, $14 million in 2021, and $16 million in 2022 and 2023. There's a mutual option for 2024 at $20 million with a buyout of $2 million.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season.“This is an off-season where we have prioritized adding to the offensive side of the club,” said Dick Williams, president of baseball operations. “Nick was one of the most attractive options on the market. He has been a consistently elite producer offensively and that complements our existing team well.”The Reds have has committed $164 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, four-year deal in the Cincinnati Reds' latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 or 2021 seasons. If he cuts the deal short after one year, he would receive $16 million.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season. The Reds have has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year contract and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal.Castellanos'... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, four-year deal in the Cincinnati Reds' latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 season.It was the fourth significant move by the Reds, among the most active teams in free agency since their sixth consecutive losing season. The Reds have has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.Cincinnati signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year contract and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, three-year deal.Castellanos' deal raised the offseason total of contracts negotiated by agent Scott... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Wieters finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, a deal that brought back the 33-year-old to again back up Yadier Molina.Wieters can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses based on starts as part of the deal, which was agreed to last weekend. He would get $100,000 each for 40 starts and each additional five through 75, and $200,000 for 80.Wieters was a four-time All-Star with Baltimore before spending two seasons with Washington and then joining the Cardinals. He was a non-roster invitee who wound up starting 54 games and appearing in 67 last season, hitting .214 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs while helping St. Louis win the NL Central.Selected fifth overall by the Orioles in the 2007 amateur draft, Wieters also showed off the defensive ability that won him a pair of Gold Gloves: He threw out eight of 19 runners attempting to steal. Wieters had a $1.5 million base salary and earned $300,000 in bonuses.He is a career .250 hitter with 146 homers and 546 RBIs. He needs 11 hits to reach 1,000 for his career.The deal raises the offseason total of agreements for agent Scott Boras and his staff to $1,136,250,000, with a deal still to be reached for free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals signed catcher Matt Wieters to a contract for the 2020 season on Wednesday, bringing back the 33-year-old veteran to fill the same role behind Yadier Molina as last season.Wieters was a four-time All-Star with Baltimore before spending two seasons with Washington and then joining the Cardinals. He was a non-roster invitee who wound up starting 54 games and appearing in 67 last season, hitting .214 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs while helping St. Louis win the NL Central.The former fifth overall pick of the Orioles also showed off the defensive chops that won him a pair of Gold Gloves, throwing out 8 of 19 runners attempting to steal.Wieters is a career .250 hitter with 146 homers and 546 RBIs. He needs 11 more hits to reach 1,000 for his career.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals signed catcher Matt Wieters to a contract for the 2020 season on Wednesday, bringing back the 33-year-old veteran to fill the same role behind Yadier Molina as last season.Wieters was a four-time All-Star with Baltimore before spending two seasons with Washington and then joining the Cardinals. He was a non-roster invitee who wound up starting 54 games and appearing in 67 last season, hitting .214 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs while helping St. Louis win the NL Central.The former fifth overall pick of the Orioles also showed off the defensive chops that won him a pair of Gold Gloves, throwing out 8 of 19 runners attempting to steal.Wieters is a career .250 hitter with 146 homers and 546 RBIs. He needs 11 more hits to reach 1,000 for his career.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman José Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home Thursday following their four-day annual meeting.Using the threat to accept San Francisco’s offer as leverage, reliever Will Smith became the first of the 168 free agents to switch teams, agreeing to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.Just 10 free agents received the offers on Nov. 4, and their former teams will receive draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere before the amateur draft in June. Players who did not accept included pitchers Gerrit Cole (Houston), Stephen Strasburg (Washington), Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) and Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) along with third basemen Anthony Rendon (Washington) and Josh Donaldson (Atlanta) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (St. Louis).Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season,... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman José Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home following their four-day annual meeting.Using the threat to accept San Francisco’s offer, reliever Will Smith became the first of the 168 free agents to switch teams, agreeing Thursday to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.Just 10 free agents received the offers on Nov. 4, and their former teams will receive draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere. Players who did not accept included pitchers Gerrit Cole (Houston), Stephen Strasburg (Washington), Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) and Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) along with third basemen Anthony Rendon (Washington) and Josh Donaldson (Atlanta) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (St. Louis).Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only eight of 90 offers have been accepted. The others were Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters, Houston outfielder Colby Rasmus and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson after the 2015 season; New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker and Philadelphia pitcher Jeremy Hellickson following the 2016 season; and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu last offseason.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Nationals third. Victor Robles singles to center field. Stephen Strasburg out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Paul Goldschmidt to Kolten Wong. Victor Robles to second. Trea Turner strikes out on a foul tip. Adam Eaton singles to center field. Victor Robles scores. Anthony Rendon doubles to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Juan Soto walks. Howie Kendrick doubles to right center field. Juan Soto scores. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second base, Kolten Wong to Paul Goldschmidt.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 4, Cardinals 0.Nationals fifth. Adam Eaton grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rendon singles to shallow center field. Juan Soto flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Howie Kendrick doubles to left center field. Anthony Rendon scores. Ryan Zimmerman doubles to shallow center field. Howie Kendrick scores. Kurt Suzuki pops out to second base to Kolten Wong.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 6, Cardinals... [More]

A curse-filled clubhouse victory speech by St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt that went viral after a player posted it on social media showed a different side to the usually mild-mannered skipper — and while he was sorry Thursday that his colorful language got leaked, he did not feel bad about the gist of his message."It's regretful that that was able to get out," Shildt said, speaking to reporters a day before the NL Central champion Cardinals host the wild-card Washington Nationals for Game 1 of the best-of-seven NL Championship Series. "I will not apologize for having passion about how I feel about our team and the accomplishments of our team."Shildt called the clubhouse "a sanctuary that is very sacred" and said the pep talk to his players after they beat the Atlanta Braves 13-1 on Wednesday to win their NL Division Series "should have been private."But the bleepable rant — "That's how we roll" was just about the lone phrase suitable for publication — was shown to the world by... [More]

Sept. 291913 — Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators finished the season with 36 victories by virtue of a 1-0 decision over the Philadelphia A's.1915 — The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first NL pennant, beating the Boston Braves, 5-0, behind Grover Alexander's one-hitter.1954 — Willie Mays made his famous over-the-shoulder catch of Vic Wertz's long drive to center field and pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes homered off Bob Lemon in the 10th inning to lead the New York Giants to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series.1963 — John Paciorek of the Houston Colt .45s, in his only major league appearance, went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and four runs scored against the New York Mets. A back injury ended his baseball career the next season.1976 — John Montefusco of the San Francisco Giants pitched a 9-0 no-hitter over the Braves in Atlanta.1983 — Mike Warren of the Oakland A's pitched a no-hitter to beat the Chicago White Sox, 3-0.1986 — Minnesota's Bert Blyleven... [More]

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their second straight postseason appearance Wednesday night, with Ryan Braun's grand slam sparking a 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that also tightened the NL Central race.The Brewers have won six in a row and 17 of 19 despite losing MVP Christian Yelich to a broken kneecap, vaulting from also-ran to at least a wild card. There's more at their fingertips — the division-leading Cardinals lost again, slicing their lead over the Brewers to 1 1/2 games.Milwaukee trails Washington by one game for the wild card lead.The Brewers jogged onto the field and formed a scrum by second base after when Junior Guerra got Christian Colon on a grounder for the final out.Braun had a solo shot in a 4-2 win in the series opener, and got the celebration started early Wednesday with his eighth career grand slam in the first inning. Teammates were on their feet, leaning against the dugout railing in anticipation of a big night, when he connected off Tyler... [More]