A look at what's happening around the majors Friday:WELCOME TO THE NLCSThe Washington Nationals play in the NL Championship Series for the first time, taking on St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Aníbal Sánchez starts for the Nats against Miles Mikolas.Both teams won a deciding Game 5 on the road in the NL Division Series. The Cardinals scored 10 runs in the first inning and romped past Atlanta 13-1 while Washington rallied late and beat the Dodgers 7-3 in 10 innings.Nationals aces Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin all got plenty of work in the NLDS. Sánchez was 11-8 with a 3.85 ERA this season, then gave up one run in five innings in his lone appearance against Los Angeles.Washington manager Dave Martinez says he hasn't decided how he will line up the rest of his starting staff after Sánchez. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Adam Wainwright will start Game 2, followed by Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson, who will be available out of the bullpen at the beginning of the series.MAMMOTH... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Unable to beat three aces in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays finally folded against Houston.With baseball's most inexpensive roster, the young Rays tried all they could to avoid elimination again Thursday night. They started an infielder who had barely played in the last month, went to their bullpen early to bring in their own Cy Young Award winner and kept changing pitchers the way they had throughout the playoffs.In the end, they couldn't win three straight AL Division Series games against a trio of Astros arms with a combined salary of $66 million — about the same as the entire Tampa Bay payroll.Gerrit Cole struck out 10 more Rays in eight innings, following his 15-strikeout performance in Game 2, and Houston won 6-1 in the decisive Game 5 to advance to a third consecutive AL Championship Series.Tampa Bay's outstanding season, meanwhile, is over.After victories at home over Cy Young winners Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander to force this juicy series from Tropicana Field back... [More]

Astros first. George Springer singles to left center field. Michael Brantley singles to left center field. George Springer to third. Jose Altuve singles to deep right center field. Michael Brantley to third. George Springer scores. Alex Bregman doubles to deep right center field. Jose Altuve scores. Michael Brantley scores. Yordan Alvarez grounds out to shallow infield, Willy Adames to Ji-Man Choi. Alex Bregman to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to left field. Alex Bregman scores. Carlos Correa strikes out swinging. Josh Reddick strikes out swinging.4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 4, Rays 0.Rays second. Eric Sogard homers to right field. Avisail Garcia grounds out to shortstop, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Joey Wendle strikes out swinging. Kevin Kiermaier strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 4, Rays 1.Astros eighth. Michael Brantley homers to right field. Jose Altuve homers to center field. Alex Bregman flies out to right field to Avisail Garcia. Yordan Alvarez walks. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep left center field to Austin Meadows. Carlos Correa strikes out swinging.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 6, Rays 1.

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to Phoenix, unable to throw without pain, advised to rest his aching elbow on Sept. 11 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic specialist in California. The season appeared to be over for the New York Yankees outfielder.Being told you might have to get Tommy John," he said, "that's like the low of the low. That's like the worst thing to hear."Then, a short time later, Hicks was surprised."I was just messing around in the backyard. One of my buddies wanted to hit in the cage and I was just kind of setting things up for him to kind of hit around and I was like, man, my arm kind of feels good right now," Hicks said. "I just started playing a little light catch."Sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow, Hicks had someone take a video of him throwing and sent it to Michael Schuk, the Yankees' assistant athletic trainer. After some questions, Shuck passed it along to Steve Donohue, the Yankees' head athletic trainer."I remember... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Police arrested San Diego Padres pitcher Jacob Nix after he was accused of breaking into a suburban Phoenix home through a doggie door and was shot with a Taser by the homeowner.Nix, who is facing two counts of criminal trespassing, was released this week from the Maricopa County jail on $100 bond.Charging documents indicate the 23-year-old Nix was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs during Sunday's incident.Police say Nix tried to crawl through the doggie door of a Peoria home shortly before 4 a.m.The homeowner discovered Nix and kicked him in the face.According to the complaint, Thomas Cosgrove, a minor league pitcher for the Padres, was there and pulled Nix out of the door. The homeowner fired his Taser, hitting Nix in the back.The documents indicate Nix told responding officers he thought he was entering his house.But he would not elaborate when asked why he tried to go inside when his own house has no doggie door.The Padres said in a statement Thursday that the team is aware of the incident and has been in contact with authorities and the commissioner's office.Online court records show Nix does not yet have an attorney. He has a preliminary court hearing scheduled for Oct. 16.Nix is currently playing for the Peoria Javelinas, an Arizona Fall League team.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Of course, the Yankees are the Bronx Bombers. Turns out this group is filled with fancy fielders, too."I don't think they want the attention," catcher Austin Romine said Thursday ahead of the AL Championship Series against Houston. "You got a bunch of guys that go out there and play good defense, and it's just now getting noticed."First baseman DJ LeMahieu, shortstop Didi Gregorius, second baseman Gleyber Torres and right fielder Aaron Judge may not necessarily be Baryshnikovs of the ballfield, but they can cha-cha and jitterbug quite nicely around the diamond. A series of outstanding defensive plays led to key outs in Monday's win that completed a Division Series sweep of Minnesota."Gleyber has made huge strides this year defensively," manager Aaron Boone said. "Overall defensively, I feel like we're a better club."New York was in the middle of the major leagues, with a 1.7 defensive runs above average according to Fangraphs, quite a turnaround from the -15.7 of the sclerotic... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics rookie catcher Sean Murphy has undergone surgery on his left knee and is expected to be fully recovered for the start of spring training in February.Murphy started behind the plate last week as Oakland lost the AL wild-card game to Tampa Bay. The team announced Thursday that Murphy had surgery in Phoenix earlier in the day, which happened to be his 25th birthday. The operation was performed by Dr. Thomas Carter and involved a lateral meniscal debridement procedure.A third-round draft pick by Oakland in 2016 out of Wright State, Murphy played in 20 big league games this September and batted .245 with four home runs and eight RBIs. He only appeared in 41 minor league games between Triple-A Las Vegas and two affiliates in the Arizona Rookie League because of a strained left knee that twice landed him on the injured list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-seven National League Championship Series between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Friday, at St. Louis, 8:08 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, at St. Louis, 4:08 p.m.; Game 3, Monday, at Washington, TBA; Game 4, Tuesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, at Washington, TBA; x-Game 6, Friday, Oct. 18, at St. Louis, TBA; x-Game 7, Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Louis, TBA. (All games on TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Cardinals won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Nationals: SS Trea Turner (.298, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs, 37 2Bs, 35 SBs, 96 runs), RF Adam Eaton (.279, 15, 49, 15 SBs, 103 runs), 3B Anthony Rendon (.319, 34, 126, 44 2Bs, 117 runs, 1.010 OPS), LF Juan Soto (.282, 34, 110, 110 runs, .949 OPS), 2B Howie Kendrick (.344, 17, 62), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.257, 6, 27 in 52 games), C Kurt Suzuki (.264, 17, 63) or Yan Gomes (.223, 12, 43 in 97 games), CF Victor Robles (.255, 17, 65, 28 SBs) or Michael A. Taylor (.250, 1, 3 in 53 games).Cardinals:... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Police arrested San Diego Padres pitcher Jacob Nix after he was accused of breaking into a suburban Phoenix home through a doggie dog and was shot with a Taser by the homeowner.Nix, who is facing two counts of criminal trespassing, was released this week from the Maricopa County jail on $100 bond.Charging documents indicate the 23-year-old Nix was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs during Sunday's incident.Police say Nix tried to crawl through the doggie door of a Peoria home shortly before 4 a.m.The homeowner discovered Nix and kicked him in the face.According to the complaint, Thomas Cosgrove, a minor league pitcher for the Padres, was there and pulled Nix out of the door. The homeowner fired his Taser, hitting Nix in the back.The documents indicate Nix told responding officers he thought he was entering his house.But he would not elaborate when asked why he tried to go inside when his own house has no doggie door.The Padres said in a statement Thursday that the team is aware of the incident and has been in contact with authorities and the commissioner's office.Online court records show Nix does not yet have an attorney. He has a preliminary court hearing scheduled for Oct. 16.Nix is currently playing for the Peoria Javelinas, an Arizona Fall League team.

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]

NEW YORK (AP) — Of course, the Yankees are the Bronx Bombers. Turns out this group is filled with fancy fielders, too."I don't think they want the attention," catcher Austin Romine said Thursday. "You got a bunch of guys that go out there and play good defense, and it's just now getting noticed."First baseman DJ LeMahieu, shortstop Didi Gregorius, second baseman Gleyber Torres and right fielder Aaron Judge may not necessarily be Baryshnikovs of the ballfield, but they can cha-cha and jitterbug quite nicely around the diamond. A series of outstanding defensive plays led to key outs in Monday's win that completed a Division Series sweep of Minnesota."Gleyber has made huge strides this year defensively," manager Aaron Boone said. "Overall defensively, I feel like we're a better club."New York was in the middle of the major leagues, with a 1.7 defensive runs above average according to Fangraphs, quite a turnaround from the -15.7 of the sclerotic Yankees of 2015 and the -1.9 a year ago.Oakland... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Sogard was in Tampa Bay's lineup for the decisive Game 5 in the AL Division Series at Houston, the second baseman's first start in nearly a month while dealing with lingering right foot discomfort.Sogard was batting fifth on Thursday night against Astros starter Gerrit Cole, who struck out 15 over 7 2-3 scoreless innings when the Astros won Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead before the Rays won twice at home."You've got Gerrit, who is probably the highest strikeout pitcher in baseball. We value Eric Sogard as a very high contact-oriented hitter," manager Kevin Cash said.In his only appearance this postseason before the ALDS finale, Sogard had a RBI single as a pinch-hitter in Game 1 on Friday.Brandon Lowe started the first four ALDS games for the Rays at second base and was 4 for 16 with eight strikeouts. The rookie had the only hit off Justin Verlander in the series opener, but also had an error that game that led to two unearned runs.The Rays acquired Sogard, who went... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's back to the drawing board — again — for the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose World Series title drought now extends to 31 years.This time, they didn't even make it that far.The Dodgers' postseason fell apart in the NL Division Series with a 7-3 defeat to the Washington Nationals in Game 5, an inglorious ending for a team coming off back-to-back World Series appearances."This is not anything we were prepared for," said reliever Joe Kelly, who gave up the tiebreaking grand slam to former Dodger Howie Kendrick in the 10th inning Wednesday night.Indeed, the Dodgers made no secret that winning a record seventh straight NL West title while piling up 106 victories — second-most in the majors — was just a prelude to fulfilling their ultimate goal of earning the franchise's first World Series title since 1988."We all knew we were better than what we showed out there," said Max Muncy, whose two-run homer in the first provided an early lead. "Sometimes it's not meant to be."The Dodgers... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks returned to Phoenix, unable to throw without pain, advised to rest his aching elbow on Sept. 11 by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic specialist in California. The season appeared to be over for the New York Yankees outfielder.Being told you might have to get Tommy John," he said, "that's like the low of the low. That's like the worst thing to hear."Then, a short time later, Hicks was surprised."I was just messing around in the backyard. One of my buddies wanted to hit in the cage and I was just kind of setting things up for him to kind of hit around and I was like, man, my arm kind of feels good right now," Hicks said. "I just started playing a little light catch."Sidelined since Aug. 3 because of a flexor injury near his right elbow, Hicks had someone take a video of him throwing and sent it to Michael Schuk, the Yankees' assistant athletic trainer. After some questions, Shuck passed it along to Steve Donohue, the Yankees' head athletic trainer."I remember... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — One day later, Brian Snitker had shed his uniform but was still wearing the pain of yet another one-and-done postseason exit for the Atlanta Braves."It's going to take me a while to kind of get over this whole thing," the manager said Thursday.Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos had no quick explanations for the Braves' record-tying 10th straight loss in a postseason round. After splitting the first four games of the NL Division Series, the Braves were bowled over and embarrassed in a 13-1 loss to St. Louis in Wednesday's Game 5."You throw that one away," Anthopoulos said, while adding the loss was "a tough pill to swallow. ... From my standpoint in the front office, we need to turn the page quick."The Cardinals' knockout blow was quick and decisive — 10 runs in the first inning."It happened so quick, I don't think there was anything we could do," Snitker said.The Braves have won two straight NL East titles but haven't won a postseason series since 2001. Atlanta... [More]

Compiled by PAUL MONTELLAOct. 131903 — The Boston Pilgrims won the first World Series, five games to three, with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.1914 — The Boston Braves completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics, first in World Series history, with a 3-1 victory.1921 — Art Nehf tossed a 1-0, four-hitter against the New York Yankees for the World Series title in eight games. The Giants scored their run in the first inning on an error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.1960 — Bill Mazeroski opened the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Ralph Terry of the New York Yankees to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory and the World Series in seven games.1971 — The first World Series night game was played in Pittsburgh with the Pirates beating Baltimore 4-3. Roberto Clemente had three hits for Pittsburgh.1978 — New York third baseman Graig Nettles put on a fielding clinic and prevented seven runs as the Yankees beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 3 of the World Series.... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Eric Sogard is in Tampa Bay's lineup for the decisive Game 5 in the AL Division Series at Houston, the first start in nearly a month for the second baseman who has dealt with lingering right foot discomfort.Sogard's only appearance this postseason before Thursday night's game was as a pinch-hitter in Game 1 on Friday, when he had an RBI single.The Rays acquired Sogard in a trade from Toronto on July 28. He hit .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 37 games for Toronto during the regular season after hitting .300 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 73 games for the Blue Jays.Sogard's last start was Sept. 14, and he made his final appearance in the regular season the following day as a pinch-hitter.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 111906 — Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox pitched a two-hitter over the Chicago Cubs for a 3-0 win and a 2-1 lead in the World Series.1913 — Eddie Plank tossed a two-hitter against the New York Giants to give the Philadelphia Athletics a 3-1 victory and the World Series in five games.1943 — New York's Spud Chandler shut out the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 as the Yankees won the World Series in five games. Chandler gave up 10 hits and stranded 11 runners. Bill Dickey's two-run homer in the sixth inning was the difference.1967 — Rico Petrocelli's two home runs led the Boston Red Sox in an 8-4 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals and forced a seventh game in the World Series.1972 — Bob Moose's wild pitch in the ninth inning allowed George Foster to score the winning run as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 and captured the NLCS in the fifth game.1985 — George Brett's four hits, including two homers, led the Kansas City Royals to 6-5 comeback victory over the Toronto Blue... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks is an option to start for the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series opener and CC Sabathia also remains in contention for a roster spot.Hicks has not played since Aug. 3 because of a right elbow flexor strain. Sabathia missed the Division Series sweep of Minnesota with a sore pitching shoulder."We'll have some tough decisions here over the next 24 hours as we work this out, what kind of makes the most sense," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday.New York used the same starting lineup in all three games against Minnesota, only the second time this year Boone has done that in three straight games. The Yankees open the ALCS on Saturday against Houston or Tampa Bay.If Hicks started in center, Brett Gardner could shift to left and Giancarlo Stanton to designated hitter, a move that would send Edwin Encarnación to the bench. Or Stanton could remain in left and Gardner shift to the bench, especially against a left-handed starter.Hicks' lack of playing... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]