ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Manny Machado tried to awaken a slumbering San Diego offense by screaming at his teammates after connecting for a homer against Clayton Kershaw. While it almost worked, the Padres fell into a 2-0 deficit in their best-of-five National League Division Series when Eric Hosmer stranded the bases loaded with a game-ending groundout off Joe Kelly in a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. Machado's solo shot in the sixth inning was followed immediately by another from Hosmer, closing the Padres to 4-3 in their first NLDS since 2006. Fernando Tatís Jr. hit a long drive off reliever Brusdar Graterol that would have put the Padres up by a run in the seventh, but Cody Bellinger robbed the 21-year-old phenom with a leaping grab at the wall in center field. Machado's outburst, starting when he threw his bat at his own dugout after lifting a low pitch from Kershaw to left, was aimed at a San Diego offense that had been mostly silent for the first 14 innings... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Randy Arozarena homered for the third straight game and Kevin Kiermaier and Michael Perez also went deep for the Tampa Bay Rays, who beat the New York Yankees 8-4 Wednesday night to move within one victory of reaching the AL Championship Series for the first time in 12 years. New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning to become the first player with a homer in each of his team’s first five games of a single postseason. Stanton has six homers and 13 RBIs in those five games. The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Division Series. Game 4 is Thursday night at Petco Park, which has yielded 16 home runs in three games — nine by Tampa Bay. The Rays are looking to advance out of the ALDS for just the second time. They reached the 2008 World Series before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies. Arozarena, a 25-year-old rookie from Havana who’s nicknamed “The Cuban Rocket,” is having a breakout postseason. He homered leading off the fifth to chase... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The final pitch of Masahiro Tanaka's seven years with the New York Yankees might have been a slider down the middle that Randy Arozarena crushed for another Rays homer in Game 3 of the AL Division Series. Although Tanaka and the Yankees aren't officially done with the playoffs or each other, they're on the brink after Tampa Bay's 8-4 victory Wednesday night at Petco Park to put the Rays up 2-1 in the best-of-five series. That errant slider was far from the only mistake made by the Yankees' pitching staff during back-to-back losses to the Rays, who have forced their bitter AL East rivals into two must-win games in San Diego. New York has yielded 15 runs and 21 hits in its two losses to Tampa Bay, including an outburst of impressive power from a team that ranked 14th in the majors in homers during the regular season. Michael Perez’s two-run shot off Chad Green in the sixth was the seventh homer given up by the Yankees’ pitching staff in a 15-inning stretch. What's more, the... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Some confusion over the count cost the Atlanta Braves a baserunner early in their victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Pablo López threw four balls to Atlanta's Adam Duvall in the second inning, but Duvall wasn't awarded first. He eventually flied out to right field. Duvall came to bat immediately after Dansby Swanson's home run gave the Braves a 1-0 lead in Game 2 of the NL Division Series. After Duvall took a low pitch for what should have been ball three, plate umpire Dan Bellino signaled that it was a 2-2 count. The next pitch was outside, but Duvall remained at the plate. The mistake nearly worked out in his favor when he hit a deep fly to right, but it was caught at the wall. The Braves went on to a 2-0 victory anyway and lead the series 2-0. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dusty Baker wanted his Houston Astros to knock out the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday so his team could get rest and maintain momentum. Houston's 9-7 loss in Game 3 of the AL Division Series gave the A's another chance. Baker is 3-13 in potential postseason close-out games in five- and seven-game series, losing 10 straight, so he knows about the dangers of letting opponents stay alive. “You try to ice them as soon as possible. You want to get it over as soon as possible with no panic but try not to let them get off the mat," Baker said before Wednesday's game. Houston is batting .302 with 22 runs and hit eight home runs against the Athletics. But a young pitching staff that lost Justin Verlander to Tommy John surgery and Gerrit Cole to free agency is beginning to show its inexperience in postseason play, Baker's bullpen options were limited Wednesday, and his options for a Game 4 starter on Thursday aren't that great, either. “Right now I don’t even know my options,”... [More]

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mike Clevinger was replaced on San Diego's playoff roster Wednesday because of his elbow injury, a move that would keep him from pitching again this postseason unless the Padres make it to the World Series. That would also depend on if his ailing right elbow is healthy enough to get back on the mound in October. The right-hander went only two pitches into the second inning of the NL Division Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. San Diego made the switch before Game 2 of the NLDS, adding Dan Altavilla to its 28-player roster. The right-hander was immediately available. Clevinger, who joined San Diego in a nine-player trade with Cleveland on Aug. 31, left his final regular-season start Sept. 23 after one inning because of an elbow impingement. He was left off the roster for the first round against St. Louis. The Padres didn't announce until Tuesday, hours before the start of the NLDS, that Clevinger was going to be on the 28-man roster and... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ KID’S GAME Prized rookie Deivi García is set to become the youngest Yankees pitcher to make a postseason start in Game 2 of the best-of-five AL Division Series against rival Tampa Bay. New York won the opener 9-3 on Monday. The 21-year-old García made his major league debut Aug. 30 and went 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA in six regular-season starts. He’ll surpass Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, who was nearly 22 when he started Game 4 of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies, as the youngest postseason starter for New York. The 5-foot-9 García also will become the youngest pitcher to start in the postseason for any team since Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Julio Urías was 20 in Game 4 of the 2016 NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. Tyler Glasnow, 27, goes for the AL East champion Rays. The 6-foot-8 Glasnow (5-1, 4.08 ERA) had 91 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings this season. He's won six straight decisions and four consecutive starts, including... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Blake Snell couldn't get the Yankees to swing at his breaking balls, and the Tampa Bay Rays missed a chance to take an early advantage in the AL Division Series. Tampa Bay's ace was tagged for three homers during five inconsistent innings in a 9-3 loss to New York on Monday night in the series opener at Petco Park. The Rays weren't blown out until New York's five-run ninth, but the AL's best regular season team was unable to capitalize on its ace's first start — often a bad omen in any short series. Game 2 in the best-of-five set is Tuesday night. Although Snell had much of his usual dip and movement, he managed to generate only five swing-and-misses — just four on his vaunted breaking pitches — on 84 pitches to the Yankees. New York made contact on 31 of its 36 swings (86.11%), the third highest rate by a team facing Snell during his career, according to MLB.com. “He didn’t get away with any mistakes tonight,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “Pitching against that lineup,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a grand slam in the ninth inning for New York’s fourth home run of the game, and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 Monday night in the opener of their AL Division Series at Petco Park. Stanton homered to straightaway center field on a 2-2 pitch from John Curtiss with one out. The slugger took several steps with his bat still in his hands as he watched the ball sail through the warm San Diego night before beginning his trot. Kyle Higashioka and Aaron Judge hit the tying and go-ahead home runs off Blake Snell in the fifth inning. Clint Frazier hit an impressive shot into the second deck in left in the third. The Bronx Bombers became the first team in American League history to hit a grand slam in back-to-back playoff games. Gio Urshela did it in Game 2 of the first-round sweep of Cleveland. Two NL teams have done it, the 1977 Dodgers and 2011 Diamondbacks. The Yankees set a franchise record by hitting at least three home runs in three straight... [More]

A look at what's happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ KID’S GAME Prized rookie Deivi García is set to become the youngest Yankees pitcher to make a postseason start in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against rival Tampa Bay. The 21-year-old García made his major league debut Aug. 30 and went 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA in six regular-season starts. He’ll surpass Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, who was nearly 22 when he started Game 4 of the 1950 World Series against the Phillies, as the youngest postseason starter for New York. García also will become the youngest pitcher to start in the postseason for any team since Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Julio Urías was 20 in Game 4 of the 2016 NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. Tyler Glasnow, 27, goes for the AL East champion Rays. The 6-foot-8 Glasnow (5-1, 4.08 ERA) had 91 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings this season and has won six straight decisions and four consecutive starts, including six innings of two-run ball to win the first-round clincher... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Without the likes of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, the Houston Astros need someone on staff to step up this October. Despite its youth and inexperience, the bullpen is doing plenty to fill the void. Astros relievers were shaky throughout the regular season but have been suddenly stellar during the playoffs. Four of them combined for five scoreless innings in a 10-5 victory over Oakland in Game 1 of their AL Division Series on Monday at Dodgers Stadium. “They’ve been forced to grow up and learn some valuable lessons the hard way sometimes. That’s on the job training. They did great job against an offense that was rolling,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. Houston was a game away from winning the World Series last year behind Verlander and Cole. Now, Verlander is on the shelf following Tommy John surgery, and Cole is pitching for the New York Yankees after leaving Houston as a free agent. The entire staff has transformed quickly — and at times, painfully. The Astros... [More]

A capsule look at the best-of-five playoff series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in Arlington, Texas, beginning Tuesday: ___ Season Series: Dodgers won 6-4. ___ SAN DIEGO PADRES Record: 37-23. Playoff Entry: second place, NL West. Playoff Seed: No. 4. Manager: Jayce Tingler (first season). Projected Rotation: RHP Chris Paddack (4-5, 4.73 ERA, 58 Ks in 59 IP), RHP Zach Davies (7-4, 2.73), RHP Dinelson Lamet (3-1, 2.09), RHP Mike Clevinger (3-2, 3.02 with Indians and Padres; 2-1, 2.84 in 4 starts for San Diego after trade). Top Hitters: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.277, 17 HRs, 45 RBIs, 11 SBs), 3B Manny Machado (.304, 16, 47), RF Wil Myers (.288, 15, 40). Top Relievers: RHP Trevor Rosenthal (1-0, 1.90 ERA, 4 saves), LHP Drew Pomeranz (1-0, 1.45, 4 saves, 29 Ks, 10 BBs). Series Summary: The Padres are in the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, and they overcame an old nemesis in the first round by rallying past St. Louis 2-1 in a best-of-three set to win a postseason... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said the team might trim payroll in 2021 following three straight postseason trips due to financial hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The Brewers have upped payroll in recent years to build around Christian Yelich, Josh Hader and other promising young players, including a franchise-most $132,645.682 spent in 2019. The club's payroll as of Aug. 1 was $40,693,637 for this 60-game season — an equivalent of roughly $110 million over a full season. Stearns is unsure if the Brewers can maintain the 2020 payroll, which ranked 24th in the majors. “I think budgets are tighter everywhere right now, for most businesses,” Stearns said Monday. “You know, over the last two years we’ve run the two highest payrolls in the history of this organization. And I think it’s uncertain at this point, as we look forward, whether our payroll next year would be at that same level.” Cash isn't the only issue. Stearns said this year’s... [More]

A capsule look at the best-of-five playoff series between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves in Houston beginning Tuesday: ___ Season Series: Braves won 6-4. ___ MIAMI MARLINS Record: 31-29. Playoff Entry: second place, NL East. Playoff Seed: No. 6. Manager: Don Mattingly (fifth season). Projected Rotation: RHP Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.00 ERA), RHP Pablo Lopez (6-4, 3.61, 59 Ks), RHP Sixto Sanchez (3-2, 3.46), LHP Trevor Rogers (1-2, 6.11, 39 Ks in 28 IP). Top Hitters: 1B Jesus Aguilar (.277, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs), SS Miguel Rojas (.304, 4, 20, .888 OPS). Top Relievers: RHP Brandon Kintzler (2-3, 2.22 ERA, 12 saves), RHP Brad Boxberger (1-0, 3.00). Series Summary: The Marlins are in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, when they rallied past the Cubs in an NL Championship Series famous for the Steve Bartman episode at Wrigley Field and then beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. ... The Marlins topped the Cubs in the postseason again this year, sweeping two first-round games at... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Theo Epstein appears to be gearing up for one more go-round as the Chicago Cubs' president of baseball operations. Epstein said Monday his expectation is the “status quo” when it comes to the team's leadership and he anticipates remaining on the job for at least one more season, with his contract set to expire in 2021. “I'm a Cub,” Epstein said during an hourlong conference call. “I think the status quo right now is the most likely outcome." Epstein's future figures to be a big point of discussion when he meets with chairman Tom Ricketts. He has said repeatedly he thinks executives have about a 10-year shelf life in a job. Next year will mark a decade for Epstein with the Cubs, and a contract extension seems like a long shot. “For me, as an individual, I think there’s benefit to change after a significant amount of time on the job, I guess at about a decade,” Epstein said. “I have to keep that in mind without making any definitive statements. We will be definitive. We will... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays added All-Star outfielder Austin Meadows to the roster Monday for the start of their AL Division Series against the New York Yankees but did not include him in the lineup for Game 1. Meadows has been out since Sept. 18 with a left oblique strain. The left-handed hitter batted .291 with 33 homers and a .922 OPS in 2019 but had a .205 average with four homers and a .667 OPS in 36 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 regular season. The 25-year-old Meadows worked out with the team through the weekend and has been facing live pitching. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash went with Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot in the outfield for the opener against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, leaving Meadows on the bench. First baseman Nate Lowe was removed from Tampa Bay's roster to make room for Meadows. The Yankees made just one change from their wild-card round roster, removing third catcher Erik Kratz and adding right-hander Michael King. New York is carrying 14 pitchers on its 28-man roster, while Tampa Bay went with 13 for the best-of-five series set to be played on five consecutive days. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Oakland Athletics added pitcher Jordan Weems to their AL Division Series roster against the Houston Astros. The right-handed reliever made his major league debut on July 28 against Colorado, giving up two runs in four innings. He had a 3.21 ERA in 14 innings during the pandemic-shortened regular season. “It was tough not having him in the first round,” A's manager Bob Melvin said. “(With) five games in a row, we’ve talked about the potential of using your bullpen that much more. It's nice to have a lot of pitching.” The A's will carry 14 pitchers and 14 position players for the best-of-five series beginning Monday at Dodger Stadium. They dropped infielder Vimael Machin, who didn't appear in the wild-card series win over the Chicago White Sox. The Astros added right-handed reliever Luis Garcia to their roster for the ALDS. He had a 2.92 ERA in 12 1/3 innings during the regular season. They will carry 13 pitchers and 15 position players. They dropped reserve infielder Jake Mayfield. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman was voted Major League Player of the Year by Baseball Digest on Monday, and Cleveland’s Shane Bieber was a unanimous pick as Major League Pitcher of the Year. Freeman received eight of 17 first-place votes and 34 points after hitting .341 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened season. Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu was second with four firsts and 26 points. Bieber was 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings, leading the major leagues in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He received all 17 first-place votes and 51 points. Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer was second with 28 points. Milwaukee’s Devin Williams was voted relief pitcher of the year. He had a 0.33 ERA and struck out 53 in 27 innings. Williams received 12 first-place votes and 39 points. Oakland’s Liam Hendricks was second with four firsts and 32 points. Voters included writers and broadcasters. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Oct. 6 1915 — Philadelphia rookie Elmer Myers made a spectacular debut by striking out 12 Washington batters while allowing just two hits. Myers walked 5 in the 4-0 win his only game this year. 1926 — Babe Ruth hit three homers to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series. 1948 — In the opening game of the World Series, the Boston Braves beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians 1-0 with two hits and the benefit of a disputed call on a pickoff attempt in the eighth by Feller. 1963 — Frank Howard led Los Angeles to a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees with a home run and a single, giving the Dodgers a four-game sweep in the World Series. 1966 — Jim Palmer, 20, became the youngest player to pitch a World Series shutout as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0. Sandy Koufax was the loser, his last appearance in the major leagues. Dodger outfielder Willie Davis committed three errors on successive plays in the fifth... [More]

Now, baseball really has a 1981 feel to it. There were already some similarities between the pandemic-shortened season of 2020 and the strike-interrupted version 39 years earlier, but the resemblance is even stronger now that the four division series are about to start. In 1981, the season was split into two halves, so each division champion from the first half played the second-half champ to start the playoffs. That meant two AL East teams facing each other, two AL West teams, two NL East teams and two NL West teams. That’s also what we have this season in the AL and NL Division Series: Rays-Yankees, Astros-Athletics, Braves-Marlins and Dodgers-Padres. It wasn’t planned that way. It’s just how the bracket worked out. The teams from the AL Central and NL Central — divisions that didn’t exist in ’81 — happened to be knocked out. With only four teams left in each league, there are now 16 possible World Series matchups for this year. Here’s a look at each one — and what would make it interesting.... [More]