NEW YORK (AP) — Becoming the first player to hit for a postseason cycle earned Brock Holt a return to the Boston Red Sox bench.Ian Kinsler was back at second base for Game 4 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees and left-hander CC Sabathia.Holt, a left-handed batter, had four hits and five RBIs in Boston's 16-1 rout on Monday night, his first game of the postseason. His cycle came in the major leagues' 1,562nd postseason game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.The right-handed-hitting Kinsler is 3 for 9 with one RBI.Boston manager Alex Cora inserted Eduardo Nunez at third base in place of Rafael Devers, who started Game 3. Christian Vazquez was behind the plate for the second straight night after Sandy Leon started the first two games.Steve Pearce was at first base for the second straight night; Mitch Moreland left Game 2 after hurting his right hamstring while running the bases.Boston leads 2-1 in the best-of-five series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian Snitker endured a restless night after the final game of the season.He was poring over what went wrong for the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.He might've been thinking about his own future, as well."I laid awake all night staring at the ceiling," the Braves manager said. "I couldn't sleep."After assembling some of baseball's finest young talent and making a surprising return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Atlanta went down quietly in the postseason. The Baby Braves were shut out twice in Los Angeles before the high-powered Dodgers finished off the best-of-five series with a 6-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday.The brief playoff appearance exposed a team that still has some glaring weaknesses . The pitching lacks a dominant starter, the lineup needs more power, and the bench wasn't much help at all.When Snitker looked over at the Dodgers, a star-filled team that earned its third straight trip to the NL Championship Series, he saw what the Braves must strive... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the third year in a row, the unmistakable aroma of champagne wafted into the hallway outside the visitor's clubhouse following the final game at Progressive Field.On the Cleveland side, the smell was sour.The Indians were built for one goal: to win their first World Series since 1948. Yet after cruising to a third straight AL Central title, they couldn't get past the first round.October rejects again."We had a good year," said pitcher Trevor Bauer, whose shift from the starting rotation to the bullpen for the postseason maybe best summed up Cleveland's unsatisfying, disjointed season. "We definitely could have gone further. We had a lot of talent here and it didn't go our way."Nothing went Cleveland's way. But beyond being swept by the impressive Houston Astros, who were superior at every level, the Indians barely put up a fight.Postseason push-overs.The Indians were so close in 2016, when they took the Chicago Cubs into extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series.... [More]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays, who won more games than any American League team that didn't make the playoffs, have rewarded manager Kevin Cash with a contract extension that runs through 2024, plus a club option for 2025.The 40-year-old Cash had one year remaining on a five-year, $5 million deal he signed when he replaced Joe Maddon after the 2014 season.Financial terms were not disclosed. Both Cash, who had no previous managerial experience when he was hired, and management said it was an easy decision to continue their relationship after a bounce-back season."Kevin has a long list of positives. ... It's been a joy to see him blossom," general manager Erik Neander said Tuesday. "He's very deserving of this extension. We're excited for the years ahead."The budget-minded Rays surprisingly won 90 games, finishing third in the AL East behind the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, despite trimming payroll last winter and purging the roster again in July to transform themselves... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Hernandez hit .250 in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. That's a mediocre batting average for a player and awful replay average for an umpire.Hernandez was overruled on three of four video reviews of his decisions at first base during Boston's 16-1 rout of the New York Yankees on Monday night."There were several very close calls at first base tonight, and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them," Major League Baseball said in a statement.The Red Sox, Yankees and fans around the country will see plenty of Hernandez on Tuesday night, when he's scheduled to work the plate in Game 4.The 57-year-old Hernandez was born in Havana, joined the major league staff in 1993 and worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005. He sued MLB in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati in July 2017, alleging race discrimination and citing his lack of World Series assignments in the past decade and baseball not promoting him to crew chief.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old said Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw for Boston... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Even with all their star power and deep pockets, all their booming hitters and ace pitchers, the Los Angeles Dodgers are approaching three decades since their last World Series championship.They're making another run at that elusive title.Only this time, Manny Machado is along for the ride.The slugging shortstop hit a three-run homer that wrapped up a 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday, sending Los Angeles to the NL Championship Series for the third year in a row and fourth time in six seasons.This is what the Dodgers had in mind when they acquired the free agent-to-be from the lowly Baltimore Orioles back in July.They're hoping Machado is the one who turns Tinseltown into Titletown for the first time since 1988."Can't say enough about him," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "A player of his caliber, there are so many expectations put on him."Machado had only three hits in a 3-1 division series victory over the Braves, but two of them were homers. He finished... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — When the challenge arose in August, the Houston Astros responded like champions.They're doing it again in October.Two months ago, last year's World Series winners hit one of those predictable lulls that every team encounters during the dog days of a season. Maybe feeling a bit overconfident and invincible, the Astros were caught atop the AL West by the Oakland Athletics, a scrappy squad that sneaked up on everyone in 2018.But just when it appeared the Astros might be in some trouble, they switched on their after-burners. After Aug. 18, Houston went 29-10 to finish with 103 wins."There is an extra gear that our guys have," explained manager A.J. Hinch. "And once we hit the postseason, it looks like, as of right now, our guys really, really turned it on."Showing no weaknesses while exposing Cleveland's flaws at every opportunity, the Astros took another step toward defending their crown Monday by finishing off a surprisingly easy three-game AL Division Series sweep with an... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Hernandez hit .250 in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. That's a mediocre batting average for a player and awful replay average for an umpire.Hernandez was overruled on three of four video reviews of his decisions at first base during Boston's 16-1 rout of the New York Yankees on Monday night."There were several very close calls at first base tonight, and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them," Major League Baseball said in a statement.The Red Sox, Yankees and fans around the country will see plenty of Hernandez on Tuesday night, when he's scheduled to work the plate in Game 4.The 57-year-old Hernandez was born in Havana, joined the major league staff in 1993 and worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005. He sued MLB in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati in July 2017, alleging race discrimination and citing his lack of World Series assignments in the past decade and baseball not promoting him to crew chief.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Hernandez hit .250 in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. That's a mediocre batting average for a player and awful replay average for an umpire.Hernandez was overruled on three of four video reviews of his decisions at first base during Boston's 16-1 rout of the New York Yankees on Monday night."There were several very close calls at first base tonight, and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them," Major League Baseball said in a statement.The Red Sox, Yankees and fans around the country will see plenty of Hernandez on Tuesday night, when he's scheduled to work the plate in Game 4.The 57-year-old Hernandez was born in Havana, joined the major league staff in 1993 and worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005. He sued MLB in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati in July 2017, alleging race discrimination and citing his lack of World Series assignments in the past decade and baseball not promoting him to crew chief.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Their ace got booed off the mound, loudly. Their manager let things get out of hand. And their backup catcher wound up pitching."It was an embarrassing day today," New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius said.Not much else to say after the Yankees absorbed the most-lopsided loss in their distinguished, 396-game postseason history, routed by the Boston Red Sox 16-1 Monday night in the AL Division Series.Now down 2-1 and in danger of being eliminated in the best-of-five matchup, they'll turn to CC Sabathia on Tuesday night in hopes of saving their season. Rick Porcello starts for Boston."No choice but to flush," manager Aaron Boone said. "The good thing about today is it's one game. And as awful of a night as it was for us, we got to turn the page. And tomorrow's obviously do or die."Luis Severino looked out of sorts from the start. There was a TBS report that he began to warm up only 10 minutes before the game began, but Boone insisted he had enough time to get ready. Severino... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Romine never expected to replace Aroldis Chapman as the Yankees' closer.A backup catcher, Romine was leaning on the dugout railing and watching New York get blown out by Boston in Game 3 of the AL Division Series when bench coach Josh Bard walked up to him in the eighth inning."Can you throw?" Romine recalled Bard asking."I can try," the seven-year big league veteran replied.Romine became just the second position player to pitch in postseason history. The 29-year-old right-hander — has he ever been called that before? — allowed Brock Holt's two-run ninth-inning homer, completing the first-ever postseason cycle. Romine got the last three outs of New York's 16-1 loss Monday night, the largest margin of defeat for the Yankees in their 396 postseason games."No, I didn't envision myself getting in these playoffs in that role," said Romine, whose previous playoff experience was one start at catcher plus one inning as a late substitute against Houston in last year's AL Championship... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday:THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWNBaseball's biggest rivalry gets the spotlight to itself as the Red Sox try to eliminate the Yankees in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. New York will be trying to rebound from the most lopsided postseason loss in the franchise's distinguished history — a 16-1 drumming Monday night capped by Brock Holt completing the first-ever postseason cycle. The blowout was so bad, backup catcher Austin Romine became the second position player ever to appear on the mound in the playoffs. He gave up Holt's ninth-inning homer.Game 4 may be the final appearance with New York for veteran CC Sabathia, who is expected to make his 23rd career postseason start. He's made 17 of those as a Yankee, going 8-3 with a 3.29 ERA during a span that included a 2009 ALCS MVP. The 38-year-old told ESPN on Monday he plans to play again next season, though it's uncertain if the upcoming free agent will be back in pinstripes.Rick Porcello will throw... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotka, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.The Braves scored a combined two runs in their three losses."We didn't hit," Freddie Freeman said. "Bottom line. Too many opportunities left out there."Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox say outfielder Avisail Garcia has had surgery on his right knee.Limited to 93 games because of discomfort in the knee, Garcia went from batting .330 in a breakout All-Star season in 2017 to .236 this year. The team announced Monday he had surgery.The White Sox also said catcher Kevan Smith had ankle surgery and pitcher Tyler Danish has refused his outright assignment, making him a free agent.Chicago finished fourth in the AL Central at 62-100 — six losses shy of the franchise record.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotkia, a rookie who made Atlanta's postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still, the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The Baby Braves enjoyed their postseason moment in the spotlight Sunday night, when 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player to hit... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The master plan was for Trevor Bauer to be Cleveland's secret weapon, the October surprise.But that idea, and just about everything else the Indians tried, was tossed away.Bauer's two throwing errors in the seventh inning helped Houston rally for three runs and the Astros overwhelmed the Indians 11-3 in Game 3 to complete a surprising sweep in the AL Division Series.After waiting months for a chance at redemption from blowing a 2-0 lead and losing to the New York Yankees in last year's ALDS, the Indians fell flat in the fall once again.And the majors' longest World Series title drought has aged to 71."We were just outplayed," said center fielder Jason Kipnis, who was moved from his normal spot at second for the second year in a row. "I wish it weren't that simple. It just seems from top to bottom we were out-scouted, out-pitched, out-coached a little bit. They really did just a fantastic job over there of being ready and prepared before the series."I don't think we were... [More]

Of course Erik Kratz kept hoping for a moment like this. That's why he stuck around, through a dozen big league organizations, a couple of cruel demotions in the minors, a bunch of near-misses in the World Series.And the time he accidentally shot himself in the hand with a nail gun."I really feel like I've played my last game for the last 12 years because the game doesn't owe anybody anything," the Milwaukee catcher said. "When you understand that, you appreciate these times more than anything else."Luke Voit certainly never expected to hear crowds at Yankee Stadium chanting his name in October, especially when he was stuck at Triple-A for St. Louis in late July. Yet there he was, batting third as New York hosted Boston on Monday night.Ryan Brasier's path to these playoffs was unusual, too. The Red Sox reliever is a rookie — even though he made his major league debut in 2013.This postseason is full of stars, including Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve and Mookie Betts. Ronald Acuna Jr., Miguel... [More]