ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.TWINS 4, ROYALS 1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.TWINS 4, ROYALS 1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Dansby Swanson hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a four-run rally that gave the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.With the Braves trailing 6-3 against Washington closer Daniel Hudson (1-2), Adam Duvall made it close by hitting a two-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field. Johan Camargo followed with a single, but Hudson retired the next two hitters to put the Braves down to their final out.It never came.Swanson drove one over the wall in right-center for the game winner. The rally ruined a memorable night for Washington rookie Luis Garcia, who became the first player born in the 2000s to hit a big league homer. The youngest player in the majors at age 20, Garcia hit a two-run shot off Touki Toussaint in the second inning. Asdrubal Cabrera, Juan Soto and Eric Thames also homered for the defending World Series champs, but it wasn’t enough.TWINS 4, ROYALS 1MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson... [More]

Nationals second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging. Kurt Suzuki walks. Luis Garcia homers to center field. Kurt Suzuki scores. Carter Kieboom called out on strikes. Eric Thames homers to center field. Victor Robles strikes out swinging.3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 0.Braves second. Marcell Ozuna walks. Nick Markakis doubles. Marcell Ozuna scores. Adam Duvall lines out to center field to Victor Robles. Johan Camargo grounds out to first base to Eric Thames. Nick Markakis to third. Austin Riley singles to center field. Nick Markakis scores. Ender Inciarte grounds out to shallow infield, Anibal Sanchez to Eric Thames.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Braves 2.Nationals third. Trea Turner hit by pitch. Adam Eaton walks. Juan Soto reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Adam Eaton out at second. Trea Turner to third. Asdrubal Cabrera walks. Juan Soto to second. Kurt Suzuki walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Juan Soto to third. Trea Turner... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner walks. Juan Soto singles to left field. Trea Turner to second. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to deep left field. Juan Soto to second. Trea Turner scores. Kurt Suzuki singles to shallow right field. Asdrubal Cabrera to second. Juan Soto to third. Carter Kieboom out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Juan Soto scores. Josh Harrison pops out to shallow left field to Pat Valaika. Victor Robles singles to left field. Kurt Suzuki to second. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Michael A. Taylor grounds out to shortstop, Pat Valaika to Renato Nunez.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 3, Orioles 0.Orioles first. Hanser Alberto strikes out swinging. Anthony Santander homers to right field. Rio Ruiz strikes out swinging. Renato Nunez strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 3, Orioles 1.Nationals fifth. Trea Turner singles to center field. Juan Soto singles to shallow left field. Trea Turner to second. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes... [More]

Orioles first. Hanser Alberto strikes out on a foul tip. Anthony Santander walks. Jose Iglesias doubles to left field. Anthony Santander to third. Renato Nunez lines out to shallow center field to Luis Garcia. Pedro Severino doubles. Jose Iglesias scores. Anthony Santander scores. Pat Valaika grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Asdrubal Cabrera.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Orioles 2, Nationals 0.Orioles second. Rio Ruiz lines out to deep left field to Juan Soto. Bryan Holaday singles to left field. Andrew Velazquez triples. Bryan Holaday scores. Hanser Alberto out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Adam Eaton. Andrew Velazquez scores. Anthony Santander grounds out to shallow infield, Luis Garcia to Asdrubal Cabrera.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 4, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Adam Eaton singles to left field. Juan Soto homers to center field. Adam Eaton scores. Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to shallow right field, Renato Nunez to Asher Wojciechowski.... [More]

Orioles first. Hanser Alberto pops out to shallow right field to Asdrubal Cabrera. Anthony Santander homers to right field. Jose Iglesias grounds out to shallow center field, Luis Garcia to Asdrubal Cabrera. Rio Ruiz grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Asdrubal Cabrera.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 1, Nationals 0.Nationals second. Juan Soto singles to center field. Howie Kendrick pops out to shallow left field to Jose Iglesias. Luis Garcia reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Juan Soto out at second. Carter Kieboom singles to left center field. Luis Garcia to third. Yan Gomes triples to deep right field. Carter Kieboom scores. Luis Garcia scores. Victor Robles grounds out to shallow infield, Jose Iglesias to Chris Davis.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Orioles 1.Nationals third. Trea Turner singles to shortstop. Adam Eaton flies out to deep left field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Asdrubal Cabrera reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Trea Turner... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner doubles to right center field. Adam Eaton singles to shallow left field. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Brandon Nimmo. Juan Soto homers. Adam Eaton scores. Trea Turner scores. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow right field. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out on a foul tip. Eric Thames grounds out to shallow infield to Pete Alonso.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Mets 0.Mets first. Brandon Nimmo homers. J.D. Davis lines out to deep center field to Victor Robles. Jeff McNeil called out on strikes. Michael Conforto hit by pitch. Pete Alonso doubles to deep right center field. Michael Conforto scores. Dominic Smith doubles. Pete Alonso scores. Andres Gimenez singles to shallow center field. Dominic Smith scores. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shallow infield, Starlin Castro to Eric Thames.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 4, Nationals 3.Mets third. Michael Conforto flies out to deep center field to Victor Robles. Pete Alonso walks. Dominic... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner homers. Adam Eaton grounds out to shallow infield, Rick Porcello to Dominic Smith. Starlin Castro pops out to shallow center field to Luis Guillorme. Juan Soto grounds out to second base, Luis Guillorme to Dominic Smith.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Mets 0.Nationals second. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow left field. Asdrubal Cabrera called out on strikes. Eric Thames lines out to deep right center field to Michael Conforto. Kurt Suzuki singles to shallow left field. Howie Kendrick to second. Victor Robles singles to left field, tagged out at second, Brandon Nimmo to Dominic Smith. Kurt Suzuki to third. Howie Kendrick scores.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Nationals 2, Mets 0.Mets fourth. Wilson Ramos grounds out to shortstop, Trea Turner to Eric Thames. Andres Gimenez triples to deep right field. Luis Guillorme out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Juan Soto. Andres Gimenez scores. Billy Hamilton flies out to left field to Juan Soto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Mets 1.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Semien homered in the first after hitting a walkoff single to end a 13-inning win a night earlier and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.Frankie Montas (2-1) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing two hits without walking a batter and striking out five for the AL West-leading A’s.The three-time reigning division champion Astros lost their fourth in a row. The last three defeats had been by a total of four runs.Semien became the first player in A’s franchise history with a game-ending hit and a leadoff homer on back-to-back days. Matt Chapman homered in the eighth and added an RBI groundout in the sixth as Oakland (11-4) matched the 2014 club for the best record through 15 games over the last 30 years. Houston starter Framber Valdéz (0-2) gave up two runs and seven hits, striking out nine with one walk over seven innings.GIANTS 5, DODGERS 4LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Slater had his first multi-homer... [More]

Nationals second. Juan Soto homers to left field. Howie Kendrick singles to shallow right field. Eric Thames lines out to left center field to Austin Hays. Asdrubal Cabrera singles to center field. Howie Kendrick to third. Kurt Suzuki out on a sacrifice fly to deep left center field to Dwight Smith Jr.. Howie Kendrick scores. Victor Robles grounds out to shallow infield, Rio Ruiz to Chris Davis.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Orioles 0.Nationals sixth. Starlin Castro singles to shallow infield, advances to 2nd. Throwing error by Tanner Scott. Juan Soto called out on strikes. Howie Kendrick strikes out swinging. Eric Thames doubles to deep center field. Starlin Castro scores. Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 3, Orioles 0.Orioles eighth. Pat Valaika pinch-hitting for Chance Sisco. Pat Valaika homers to left field. Pedro Severino pinch-hitting for Dwight Smith Jr.. Pedro Severino homers to left field. Chris Davis strikes out swinging. Austin Hays walks. Hanser Alberto singles to left field. Austin Hays to second. Anthony Santander homers to left field. Hanser Alberto scores. Austin Hays scores. Jose Iglesias lines out to shallow center field to Starlin Castro. Rio Ruiz pops out to Trea Turner.5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Orioles 5, Nationals 3.

Mets first. Brandon Nimmo walks. Michael Conforto singles to deep right field. Brandon Nimmo to third. Pete Alonso strikes out swinging. Dominic Smith out on a sacrifice fly to Juan Soto. Brandon Nimmo scores. J.D. Davis grounds out to first base to Eric Thames.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Nationals 0.Nationals first. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton doubles. Starlin Castro flies out to center field to Billy Hamilton. Juan Soto doubles to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick lines out to shallow infield to Rick Porcello.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Mets 1, Nationals 1.Mets fourth. J.D. Davis singles to shallow center field. Andres Gimenez singles to right field. J.D. Davis to second. Wilson Ramos strikes out swinging. Luis Guillorme singles to shallow center field. Andres Gimenez to second. J.D. Davis scores. Billy Hamilton reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Luis Guillorme out at second. Andres Gimenez to third. Brandon Nimmo grounds... [More]

Blue jays first. Bo Bichette doubles. Cavan Biggio grounds out to shallow right field, Starlin Castro to Asdrubal Cabrera. Bo Bichette to third. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singles to shallow left field. Bo Bichette scores. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow infield. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. out at second. Rowdy Tellez grounds out to shallow center field, Carter Kieboom to Asdrubal Cabrera.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue jays 1, Nationals 0.Nationals third. Trea Turner pops out to shallow right field to Cavan Biggio. Adam Eaton singles to second base. Starlin Castro singles to center field. Adam Eaton to second. Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to deep right field to Derek Fisher. Adam Eaton to third. Kurt Suzuki doubles to deep right center field. Starlin Castro scores. Adam Eaton scores. Josh Harrison flies out to deep left center field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr..2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 2, Blue jays 1.Nationals fourth. Carter Kieboom singles to left... [More]

Nationals tenth. Carter Kieboom walks. Andrew Stevenson walks. Carter Kieboom to second. Emilio Bonifacio to third. Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Trea Turner strikes out swinging. Adam Eaton singles to shallow infield. Andrew Stevenson to second. Carter Kieboom to third. Emilio Bonifacio scores. Asdrubal Cabrera triples. Adam Eaton scores. Andrew Stevenson scores. Carter Kieboom scores. Eric Thames lines out to deep left field to Lourdes Gurriel Jr..4 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Nationals 4, Blue jays 0.

Blue jays first. Teoscar Hernandez homers to center field. Cavan Biggio flies out to Adam Eaton. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubles to deep left center field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. strikes out swinging. Rowdy Tellez is intentionally walked. Brandon Drury reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Rowdy Tellez out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Blue jays 1, Nationals 0.Blue jays fourth. Rowdy Tellez homers to right field. Brandon Drury flies out to right field to Adam Eaton. Joe Panik strikes out swinging. Danny Jansen homers to center field. Derek Fisher flies out to deep left field to Michael A. Taylor.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 3, Nationals 0.Nationals fourth. Eric Thames singles to left field. Kurt Suzuki doubles. Eric Thames scores. Victor Robles singles to second base. Kurt Suzuki to third. Michael A. Taylor lines out to third base to Brandon Drury. Victor Robles doubled off first. Trea Turner walks. Adam Eaton pops out to shortstop to Joe Panik.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Blue jays 3, Nationals 1.Blue jays fifth. Teoscar Hernandez homers to right field. Cavan Biggio called out on strikes. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. lines out to second base to Starlin Castro. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pops out to shallow right field to Starlin Castro.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Blue jays 4, Nationals 1.

Nationals third. Yan Gomes strikes out swinging. Michael A. Taylor grounds out to shallow infield, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit. Trea Turner homers to left field. Adam Eaton grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 1, Yankees 0.Nationals fourth. Starlin Castro doubles. Howie Kendrick grounds out to shallow infield, DJ LeMahieu to Luke Voit. Starlin Castro to third. Eric Thames singles to shallow right field. Starlin Castro scores. Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out to shallow infield. Eric Thames out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Nationals 2, Yankees 0.Yankees seventh. Aaron Judge strikes out swinging. Gleyber Torres homers to left field. Giancarlo Stanton strikes out swinging. Luke Voit homers to left field. Gio Urshela walks. Miguel Andujar grounds out to second base, Starlin Castro to Eric Thames.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Yankees 2, Nationals 2.Yankees eighth. Aaron Hicks pinch-hitting for Kyle Higashioka. Aaron Hicks walks. Gary Sanchez pinch-hitting for Mike Tauchman. Gary Sanchez called out on strikes. DJ LeMahieu singles to right field. Aaron Hicks to second. Aaron Judge lines out to deep left field to Michael A. Taylor. Gleyber Torres singles to left center field. DJ LeMahieu to second. Aaron Hicks scores. Giancarlo Stanton is intentionally walked. Luke Voit strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. Yankees 3, Nationals 2.

The minute word leaked that the designated hitter was coming to the National League this season, fans and front offices alike began pinpointing the perfect candidates.Kyle Schwarber ... Ryan Braun ... Jay Bruce. And several others.Whether it be an aging slugger returning from injury or a younger hitter who’s not so good with the glove, nearly every NL team has a player who fits the profile: dangerous stick, suspect defense. A natural choice to bat for the pitcher and not play the field. Suddenly there’s an ideal spot in the starting lineup available to those guys, now that the DH has spread beyond the American League under new rules adopted for a postponed season shortened to 60 games because of the coronavirus.It all starts without fans on hand Thursday night in Washington, where the World Series champion Nationals host the New York Yankees. Probably with Eric Thames or Howie Kendrick becoming the first designated hitter for an NL squad playing a regular-season game in its home ballpark.“I... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]

Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park — courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals — probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits.And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).To many NL fans, the scribble of “DH” on the lineup card... [More]