Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish
Trevor Williams went five innings in his fourth start, allowing a run on three hits. Austin Gomber made his fourth start for Colorado, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. Dylan Cease made his second start, allowing three hits and three walks in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Matthew Boyd made his fourth start, allowing one run on four hits and a walk in four innings, striking out five. Tyler Anderson went five innings in his fourth start for Pittsburgh, giving up one run on two hits.
Kershaw stops steal of home, hands Dodgers 3-2 Series lead
“I think a lot of credit goes to what he’s been able to do in this World Series for us.”Kershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershaw’s formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. “Kersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what we’ve been able to do in this World Series,” Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Díaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarena singled. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.
The Latest: González holds Rays, LA up 4-2 entering 9th
___9:15 p.m.Max Muncy launched a no-doubt homer into the right-field seats, and the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 through five innings. It was the first homer of the World Series for Muncy and lifted his batting average to .412. Big right-hander Tyler Glasnow started for the Rays, a rematch of Game 1 when Kershaw and the Dodgers won 8-3. The roof is closed for Game 5, and might not open again during this World Series. It is the second time in the World Series that the retractable roof at the new $1.2 billion stadium is closed for a game.
World Series notes: Kershaw could have title-clinching shot
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas – Clayton Kershaw could take the mound Sunday night with a chance to close out the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first World Series title since 1988. Now the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Rays first baseman is doing full splits in the World Series. Choi is the first Korean-born position player to appear in a World Series game, which he called an honor while crediting the “special group of guy” — his teammates and them getting there together. Clayton felt the same way.”Betts is a four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who helped the Red Sox beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. “Just understanding that if we do things the right way in spring training, we’ll do those things all the way through the World Series.
Parade of pitchers not a merry-go-round for Dodgers
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – More was not merrier for Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers. By the end of the Dodgers’ 6-4 defeat Wednesday night, which evened the Series at one game apiece, it appeared the Dodgers are down to essentially a two-man rotation of Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. Alex Wood (six outs) and Jake McGee (three) finished with shutout relief, but the damage yielded by the earlier parade of pitchers was too much to overcome. He would be on track to start a Game 7 on normal rest or Game 6 on three days' rest. It remains to be seen whether this merry-go-round will be a fun ride for Roberts and the Dodgers.
Lowe homers twice, Rays hold off Dodgers 6-4 to even Series
After Lowe finally busted out in Game 2 of the World Series, the Rays and Dodgers are tied deep in the heart of Texas. Snell attacked with breaking pitches in the strike zone, not his usual pattern, against a Dodgers team that doesn't often chase. SHORT HOPSSnell’s nine strikeouts were the most in a World Series game by a pitcher who didn't last five innings. Dodgers: Buehler threw six shutout innings to win Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta and force Game 7. His only previous World Series start was Game 3 against Boston in 2018, when he fired seven scoreless innings in the only game the Dodgers won.
The Latest: Dodgers pull within 6-4 on Seager homer in 8th
Tampa Bay is looking to even the Fall Classic after Los Angeles won 8-3 in the opener. He and Dylan Floro are the only Los Angeles pitchers who haven’t been charged with at least one run in Game 2. The Los Angeles Dodgers try to take a 2-0 World Series lead against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Los Angeles Dodgers have certainly settled into the new ballpark deep in the heart of Texas. Game 2 of the World Series will be the Dodgers’ 15th game at the $1.2 billion Globe Life Field.
World Series Notebook: LA rookie vs Cy Young winner in G2
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Los Angeles Dodgers are going with rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin to start Game 2 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. KERSHAW KsDodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw became only the second pitcher ever with at least 200 postseason strikeouts. His 112 pitches were a career high, and the most for any Rays pitcher since July 2018. Now Cash is leading the Rays in their first World Series since 2008, which is being played in the Rangers' new $1.2 billion stadium. It was a pleasant night for the first World Series game played in Arlington since 2011, when the Rangers played in their second consecutive World Series.
NLCS Game 7 1st rookie starters matchup in a winner-take-all
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas – Game 7 of the National League Championship became MLB's first winner-take-all postseason game matching rookie starters when the Los Angeles Dodgers chose Dustin May to start against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. Manager Dave Roberts didn't reveal his pitching plan until Sunday, with May starting for the second time in the series. The 23 year-old right-hander from nearby Justin, Texas, threw 55 pitches over two innings in Game 5 on Friday night. Roberts said he expected Game 2 starter Tony Gonsolin and Game 3 starter Julio Urias to appear in the game at some point.
Smith off Smith, Seager 2 HRs as Dodgers beat Braves in NLCS
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – One Will Smith outdid another Will Smith to keep the season alive for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The four homers are already a record for a shortstop in any postseason series. Minter struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced as the first pitcher in MLB history whose first start came in a postseason game. The last was Steve Yeager in Game 5 of the 1981 World Series of Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees. The other was Roy Campanella, who did it twice: in Game 3 of the 1953 World Series and Game 3 of the 1955 World Series.
Texas natives Minter for Braves, May for Dodgers in NLCS G5
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May delivers to the San Diego Padres during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Atlanta took a 3-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers into Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night. Dustin May, like Minter a Texas native, was starting for the Dodgers. Minter had never started in the big leagues, in 139 regular-season games over four seasons or his five previous postseason appearances. He was 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in the regular season, starting 10 of his 12 games.
Riley HR in 9th leads Braves past Dodgers 5-1 in NLCS opener
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – Atlanta Braves fans were still doing tomahawk-chop chants as they filed out of the stadium, real people who replaced the cardboard cutouts players got so accustomed to this season. One game, but a big boost for the Braves in their first National League Championship Series since 2001. “It was awesome — fun to play in front of fans again,” Braves slugger Freddie Freeman said. Riley became the youngest player with a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning of a postseason game or later since Braves star Chipper Jones in 1995. Dodgers: Kershaw, the ace lefty from nearby Dallas, has 19 strikeouts in his two starts this postseason — both wins.
MLB-best Dodgers to 14th NLCS after 12-3 win to sweep Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner (10) and his teammates celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres 12-3 in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series. Smith delivered an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run double in the ninth off the 11th Padres pitcher — a postseason record. The Dodgers open the best-of-seven NLCS on Monday in the Texas Rangers' new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. In 59 postseason games, the Southern California native has hit .294 (64 for 218) with nine homers. Dodgers: Their fourth postseason series against Atlanta, which swept Miami in the other NLDS played about four hours away in Houston.
Walk in new park: Dodgers open NLDS with 5-1 win over Padres
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Justin Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers had a walk in the new park to start their National League Division Series. Another run scored on a wild pitch and the Dodgers also drew their 10th walk, matching Atlanta in 1997 for the most in a nine-inning NLDS game. It was only his second start start since a two-hit shutout in a seven-inning complete game Sept. 13. It wasn’t there.”The pitcher was being evaluated after the game, and the Padres didn’t rule out a potential return in this series. Dodgers: INF Edwin Rios was left off the NLDS roster because of a groin issue.
Padres get back Mike Clevinger, Dodgers add pitcher for NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Dylan Floro works against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Denver. While Clevinger was among the 15 pitchers on the Padres roster released Tuesday, fellow starter Dinelson Lamet was again left off because of injury. The Dodgers added a pitcher to their roster for the NLDS, where they will have 14 pitchers and 14 position players after carrying only 13 pitchers for the first round series against Milwaukee. Right-handed reliever Dylan Floro (3-0, 2.59 ERA) was the pitcher added for the longer NLDS. The Padres last week became the first team to use eight or more pitchers in three consecutive playoff games.
Dodgers clinch NL's top seed, West title with win over A's
The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a photo after the Dodgers clinched the NL West title with a 7-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers clinched the NL's top postseason seed and eighth straight division title Tuesday night with a 7-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics. “To fast forward a couple months and be crowned NL West champs is a credit to everyone. Los Angeles came into the day with a magic number of two and got help with the Angels’ 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. ATHLETICS ADVANCEThe A’s have a team text thread they used to celebrate clinching their first AL West title since 2013 during their off day Monday, when the Mariners beat Houston.
Dodgers 1st team to clinch playoff spot, beat Padres 7-5
The Los Angeles Dodgers bench claps for Will Smith after he hit a two-run double against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)SAN DIEGO – The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May's gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. Grisham angered the Dodgers by briefly posing at the plate after homering off Clayton Kershaw in the Padres' 7-2 win Monday night. He was scheduled to have an MRI in Los Angeles on Wednesday after facing just one batter Tuesday night.
Gonsolin cools off Padres, Rios homers in Dodgers' 3-1 win
Los Angeles Dodgers' Edwin Rios reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres starting pitcher Zach Davies in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in San Diego. The Padres, cruising toward a berth in the expanded playoffs, lost for just the third time in 15 games. Gonsolin (1-1) held the Padres to one run and four hits, struck out two and walked none. The 26-year-old rookie kept the Padres off balance except for the third, when they manufactured one run. Both of his decisions came against San Diego.
Betts homers, Dodgers beat Astros 8-1; LA fans still sore
Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts, right, gets congratulations from Enrique Hernandez, after Betts hits a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)LOS ANGELES – Mookie Betts’ two-run homer highlighted a four-run fifth inning, Chris Taylor added a three-run shot, and the Dodgers defeated Houston 8-1 on Sunday night with angry Los Angeles fans letting the Astros have it again. For the second straight day, the Astros were bombarded with messages towed by planes over Dodger Stadium. Go Dodgers” and “Hey Astros Try Stealing This Sign!” read others. Dodgers: Begin a three-game series at San Diego on Monday in a showdown between the NL West's top teams.
Astros rally to beat Dodgers 7-5 despite angry LA fans
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and center fielder George Springer (4) celebrate the team's 7-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in a baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Los Angeles. But there were multiple reminders that Dodger fans haven’t forgotten the Astros’ cheating scandal from their 2017 championship. Kelly's curled lip has been immortalized in a spray-painted wall mural by an artist in Los Angeles. Taylor blasted a two-run shot into the right-field pavilion with two outs in the second, giving Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. Dodgers: RHP Dustin May, who took a line drive off his left foot in Arizona, had a CT scan that revealed a contusion but no fracture.
LEADING OFF: Shane Bieber faces Twins seeking 8-0 start
A look at what’s happening around the majors today:___NOT JUSTIN, SHANEIt hasn’t taken Shane Bieber long to become Cleveland’s ace — and maybe the best pitcher in baseball this season. Bieber, who is 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA and leads the majors in numerous categories, is already 2-0 against the Twins this year. “We should know more then.”SO LONG, FAREWELLA pair of NL West teams said goodbye Thursday to familiar faces and former All-Stars at third base. FIRST PLACE AND FIRED UPOakland right-hander Mike Fiers (4-2, 4.93 ERA) starts for the AL West leaders when they begin a series at Texas. Fiers has gone 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA over his last four starts and the A’s are 6-2 in his outings.
Lamet brilliant as Tatis, Padres pound Bumgarner, Dbacks 9-5
San Diego Padres Dinelson Lamet took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks' during a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in San Diego. Lamet got two more outs before manager Jayce Tingler pulled him in favor of rookie Luis Patio. The Padres remain the only major league team without a no-hitter, having played 8,154 games since 1969 without one. Machado homered with one out in the first and Myers hit a two-run shot with two outs. Padres: RHP Garrett Richards (0-1, 4.60 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.
Benches clear as Dodgers beat Astros 5-2
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (17) looks back at Houston Astros' Carlos Correa (1) after the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON The Houston Astros are trying to put their sign-stealing scandal behind them. The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. There were two outs in the inning when Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correas head. UP NEXTRight-hander Dustin May (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will start for the Dodgers when the series wraps up on Wednesday night.
Kershaw: Back issue 'not too serious,' expects return soon
LOS ANGELES Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaws back issue that forced him to miss his opening day start is improving and he hopes to return soon. Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Kershaw had an MRI after tweaking his back three days earlier. Thats the only one I truly remember being in some serious, serious pain, he said. Kershaw was replaced in Thursday's opener by 22-year-old right-hander Dustin May, who became the first Dodgers rookie to start on opening day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. The stuff speaks for itself, the stuff is right up there with the best in the game, Kershaw said.
LEADING OFF: Bigger playoffs, new Texas park, Dbacks' MadBum
The setting sun shines through the windows of Globe Life Field during the third inning of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The first round will be a best-of-three series and the pairings will be 1 vs. 8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5. BRAND NEW HOMEThe Texas Rangers officially open Globe Life Field, their new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. Bumgarner signed an $85 million, five-year deal with the D-backs during the offseason after spending 11 years in San Francisco. Roberts said Kershaw might be able to return as early as the team's series against the Diamondbacks that begins July 30.
Hernandez 5 RBIs, Dodgers beat Giants 8-1 in fan-less opener
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES Kik Hernndez homered and drove in five runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the rival San Francisco Giants 8-1 in a fan-less ballpark as baseballs shortened season opened on Thursday night. Betts struck out swinging in his first at-bat a day after signing a $365 million deal over 12 years. Justin Turner grounded into a fielder's choice and Betts beat a throw to the plate to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Betts struck out with the bases loaded to end a five-run inning that made it 6-1. PREGAME CEREMONYThe Giants and Dodgers held a black ribbon that wound along the baselines in a show of unity after pregame introductions.