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]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have fired Gabe Kapler, nearly two weeks after disappointing finish to a season of big expectations.Kapler was dismissed Thursday after going 161-163 in two seasons. Philadelphia failed to live up to the hype following an offseason spending spree highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival. The team went 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012.The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings after beating Atlanta on Sept. 18 but lost eight of the next nine, including a five-game sweep at Washington. They finished eight games behind Milwaukee for the second wild card and 16 behind the first-place Braves in the NL East.Last year, the Phillies had a one-game lead in the division on Aug. 11 before going 15-31 the rest of the way.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw might very well go into the Hall of Fame one day on the strength of his amazing regular-season success — dragging behind him a painful October history he would rather forget.Another chapter to his playoff woes was added Wednesday night when the three-time Cy Young Award winner squandered a two-run lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers six outs from advancing to a fourth straight NL Championship Series.Pitching on full rest at home in relief of effective starter Walker Buehler in Game 5 of the Division Series against Washington, Kershaw gave up homers on consecutive pitches to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto that tied it 3-all in the eighth inning.The wild-card Nationals won 7-3 after a grand slam in the 10th by former Dodger Howie Kendrick off Joe Kelly. And with that, the stunned Dodgers were sent home for the winter."When you don't win the last game of the season and you're to blame for it, it's not fun," Kershaw said, his eyes red. "The main reason (it hurts)... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsley is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw might very well go into the Hall of Fame one day on the strength of his amazing regular-season success — dragging behind him a painful October history he would rather forget.Another chapter to his playoff woes was added Wednesday night when the three-time Cy Young Award winner squandered a two-run lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers six outs from advancing to a fourth straight NL Championship Series.Pitching on full rest at home in relief of effective starter Walker Buehler in Game 5 of the Division Series against Washington, Kershaw gave up homers on consecutive pitches to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto that tied it 3-all in the eighth inning.The wild-card Nationals won 7-3 after a grand slam in the 10th by former Dodger Howie Kendrick off Joe Kelly. And with that, the stunned Dodgers were sent home for the winter."When you don't win the last game of the season and you're to blame for it, it's not fun," Kershaw said, his eyes red. "The main reason (it hurts)... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — At this point, Atlanta sports fans should be numb to the disappointment.They've been through it so many times.Yet, somehow, this city's teams keep finding ways to take the misery index to new heights.A 10-spot in the very first inning?Can you believe it?Returning home with another chance to claim their first postseason series victory since 2001, the Braves were wiped out in the decisive game of the NL Division Series before many in the sellout crowd of more than 43,000 had even settled into their seats at SunTrust Park.The St. Louis Cardinals scored 10 runs their first time up — the first time that's ever happened in a big league postseason game."Very disappointing," said Braves manager Brian Snitker, sounding a bit numb after a 13-1 rout. "We all had such great expectations coming into today. Everybody was looking forward to it. I think everybody was ready. And you can't plan for that."Indeed, no one saw it coming.Then again, maybe they should have.After all, this was an... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today:IT'S ALL ON THE LINEHouston Astros ace Gerrit Cole has won a franchise-record 17 straight decisions heading into the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series against visiting Tampa Bay. The winner meets the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series starting Saturday.Cole is 17-0 in 23 starts since a May 22 loss to the Chicago White Sox. He has allowed 92 hits over 154 1/3 innings during that span, striking out 241 and walking 32. That includes an outstanding outing in a 3-1 Game 2 win over the Rays, when he struck out 15, didn't walk a batter until his final one, and allowed four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings.Tyler Glasnow starts for the Rays after taking a 6-2 loss in the opener, when he gave up two runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings, including José Altuve's go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth.Both starters came up with the Pirates organization and were teammates in Pittsburgh from 2016-17.Cole was the top pick in the 2011... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw might very well go into the Hall of Fame one day on the strength of his amazing regular-season success — dragging behind him a painful October history he would rather forget.Another chapter to his playoff woes was added Wednesday night when the three-time Cy Young Award winner squandered a two-run lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers six outs from advancing to a fourth consecutive NL Championship Series.Pitching in relief of effective starter Walker Buehler and looking to help seal Game 5 of the Division Series against Washington at home, Kershaw gave up homers on consecutive pitches to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto that tied it 3-all in the eighth inning.The wild-card Nationals won 7-3 after a grand slam in the 10th by former Dodger Howie Kendrick off Joe Kelly."Just a terrible feeling," Kershaw said.Kershaw has been the heart and soul of the Dodgers almost since the time he arrived in Los Angeles as a 20-year-old touted prospect in 2008. While his body of... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Thursday:IT'S ALL ON THE LINEHouston Astros ace Gerrit Cole has won a franchise-record 17 straight decisions heading into the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series against visiting Tampa Bay. The winner meets the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series starting Saturday.Cole is 17-0 in 23 starts since a May 22 loss to the Chicago White Sox. He has allowed 92 hits over 154 1/3 innings during that span, striking out 241 and walking 32. That includes an outstanding outing in a 3-1 Game 2 win over the Rays, when he struck out 15, didn't walk a batter until his final one, and allowed four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings.Tyler Glasnow starts for the Rays after taking a 6-2 loss in the opener, when he gave up two runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings, including José Altuve's go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth.Both starters came up with the Pirates organization and were teammates in Pittsburgh from 2016-17.Cole was the top pick in the... [More]

Dodgers first. Joc Pederson doubles to deep left field. Max Muncy homers to center field. Joc Pederson scores. Justin Turner walks. Cody Bellinger strikes out on a foul tip. Matt Beaty singles to center field. Justin Turner to second. Corey Seager grounds out to second base. Matt Beaty out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 2, Nationals 0.Dodgers second. Kike Hernandez homers to center field. Will Smith lines out to shallow infield to Stephen Strasburg. Walker Buehler grounds out to second base, Howie Kendrick to Ryan Zimmerman. Joc Pederson singles to center field. Max Muncy flies out to deep center field to Michael A. Taylor.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Dodgers 3, Nationals 0.Nationals sixth. Anthony Rendon doubles to deep left field. Juan Soto singles to right field. Anthony Rendon scores. Howie Kendrick grounds out to second base. Juan Soto out at second. Ryan Zimmerman strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Nationals 1.Nationals... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Brian McCann's Atlanta homecoming didn't end the way he hoped.McCann is retiring after a 15-year career that included two stints with his Atlanta hometown Braves, making the announcement Wednesday after the 13-1 loss to St. Louis in the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series."It's sad but it's time," the 35-year-old said softly in the somber Atlanta clubhouse as he made his announcement. "I had a long career. Fifteen years is a long time, catching every day. I got to play in my hometown."McCann, from Duluth High School in the Atlanta area, played his first nine seasons with the Braves. Following three seasons with the New York Yankees and two with Houston, McCann returned to Atlanta to renew a friendship with Braves manager Brian Snitker that began in the minors."I've known Snit for a long time, since he was a Double-A manager," the seven-time All-Star said. "I enjoyed the chance to do this with him."McCann won a World Series title with Houston in 2017 but couldn't realize... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Mike Foltynewicz to Freddie Freeman. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to shortstop. Dexter Fowler to third. Marcell Ozuna singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Yadier Molina reaches on error. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Fielding error by Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Yadier Molina to second. Marcell Ozuna to third. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Tommy Edman doubles to right field. Matt Carpenter to third. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul DeJong is intentionally walked. Jack Flaherty walks. Paul DeJong to second. Tommy Edman to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Dexter Fowler doubles to left field. Jack Flaherty to third. Paul DeJong scores. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Dexter Fowler scores. Jack Flaherty scores. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to right field to Nick Markakis.... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring. Freeman had a hard-hit ball by Yadier Molina bounce off his glove. Had he fielded it cleanly, it could have been an inning-ending double play.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have scored a record 10 runs in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.The biggest first inning in MLB playoff history stunned the crowd at SunTrust Park on Wednesday and put the Braves on course to tie a big league record with their 10th straight postseason first-round loss.Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz, who pitched seven scoreless innings in Game 2, retired only one hitter. A huge error by first baseman Freddie Freeman cost the Braves a chance to get out of the inning with only one run scoring.Tommy Edman, Dexter Fowler and Kolten Wong each had a two-run double, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, and St. Louis added to the Braves' misery by scoring its final run on a strikeout.Marcell Ozuna swung at a pitch in the dirt was already heading back to the dugout when he realized the pitch had gotten by Brian McCann. The catcher fell down trying to retrieve the ball and his throw to first to too late to get the late-running Ozuna.The Cardinals sent 14 batters to the plate before Max Fried finally got the final out.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves did not distribute their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Wednesday's Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the Cardinals following criticism by St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves said in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who said he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate. It didn't bring the Braves good luck. Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz recorded only one out as the Cardinals took a 10-0 first-inning lead.The Braves said they were taking several steps to "reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation today." The team said it would not play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.There is no apparent immediate shift in the team's long-term stance on... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have not distributed their traditional red foam tomahawks to fans before Game 5 of their NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.The foam cutouts are used when Braves fans perform their Tomahawk Chop chant in games.The Braves say in a statement the change is "out of respect for the concerns" expressed by Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation who says he finds the chant insulting.Fans still used the chant with the Cardinals' first batter, Dexter Fowler, at the plate.The Braves also say they won't play the music that accompanies the chant when Helsey is in the game.Helsley, a native of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, speaks the Cherokee language and is one of only a few Native Americans in the majors.The reliever said last week he was shocked to hear the chant, a part of the Braves' tradition since it was borrowed from Florida State in the early 1990s.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia could be on the New York Yankees' roster for the AL Championship Series after missing the previous round with an achy left shoulder.The left-handed Sabathia sat out New York's three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Division Series, but manager Aaron Boone said the 39-year-old is feeling "considerably better" after throwing a bullpen session Wednesday."Frankly, looked really good," Boone said. "I was really excited about how he looked."Outfielder Aaron Hicks has also recovered from a right elbow flexor strain and is an option for the roster, and relievers Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton are fine after suffering minor injuries Monday night, Boone said. New York will open the ALCS on Saturday against either Houston or Tampa Bay, which are set to play a winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday night.Sabathia, a 19-year veteran who plans to retire after the postseason, spent the final week of the regular season preparing to pitch in relief for the AL East champions... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — CC Sabathia could be on the New York Yankees' roster for the AL Championship Series after missing the previous round with an achy left shoulder.The left-hander sat out New York's three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Division Series, but manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Sabathia is feeling "considerably better."The 39-year-old Sabathia impressed Boone while throwing a bullpen session Wednesday. Boone says Sabathia is an option for the ALCS, but the Yankees haven't decided on their roster. New York had planned to use Sabathia as a reliever in the ALDS before the shoulder woes. The 19-year veteran plans to retire after the season.Boone also says outfielder Aaron Hicks has recovered from a right elbow flexor strain. Hicks is healthy enough to play, but Boone says there is "trepidation" about activating him because he hasn't played in a game since Aug. 3.New York will face either Houston or Tampa Bay, which plays a winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday night.Relief pitchers Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton are expected to be 100% for the ALCS. Chapman was hit in his pitching hand by a bottle during New York's celebration after eliminating Minnesota on Tuesday night, and Britton jammed his right ankle covering first base. Boone says neither player should be limited.___Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are giving Adam Duvall his first start in the decisive game of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Braves manager Brian Snitker is starting Duvall instead of Matt Joyce in right field for Wednesday's Game 5 against right-hander Jack Flaherty. Duvall bats right-handed while Joyce bats left-handed.Duvall has hit .429 in the series, including a two-run, pinch-hit homer against Flaherty in Game 2. He also had a two-run single in Atlanta's Game 3 victory."He's hot. He's had some success off of Flaherty," Snitker said. "Who knows if it will last?"Snitker didn't move up shortstop Dansby Swanson, who again is batting eighth. Swanson hit .500 (7 for 14) in the first four games of the series."He's been doing just fine where he's at," Snitker said. "I just kind of like where he's at right now. I didn't want to mess with it."Tommy Edman is making his third straight start in right field for the Cardinals.The pitching matchup will be a rematch of Game 2, when Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz outdueled Flaherty of the Cardinals for a 3-0 victory.Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has one tweak in his lineup from that game, with Matt Carpenter at third base, instead of Edman."That's really the only difference," Shildt said. "We've had some flexibility with the lineup. It's a lineup we've run out there, and a lineup we're comfortable with and competed well with."___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are giving Adam Duvall his first start in the decisive game of the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.Braves manager Brian Snitker is starting Duvall instead of Matt Joyce in right field for Wednesday's Game 5 against right-hander Jack Flaherty. Duvall bats right-handed while Joyce bats left-handed.Duvall has hit .429 in the series, including a two-run, pinch-hit homer against Flaherty in Game 2. He also had a two-run single in Atlanta's Game 3 victory.Tommy Edman is making his third straight start in right field for the Cardinals.The pitching matchup will be a rematch of Game 2, when Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz outdueled Flaherty of the Cardinals for a 3-0 victory.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports