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A team from the West has not won the Stanley Cup the previous three seasons Ottawa Senators Hats Womens , the conference’s longest drought in the 13-year salary cap era.Before the Washington Capitals won it last year after Pittsburgh claimed consecutive championships, the West was usually the best, winning seven of 10 titles. Four teams seem to have the best shot to prevent it from being a four-year run without a Stanley Cup. And perhaps a few more have an outside chance.“The West is like loaded right now,” Nashville Predators general manager David Poile said. “It feels like anybody could not only make the playoffs, there’s going to be some unbelievable top teams that don’t make the playoffs.”Winnipeg is stacked with talent from up front to the back and in net. And, the Jets are no longer off the radar after advancing to the conference finals for the first time. Nashville , which was eliminated by Winnipeg in the second round, won the Presidents’ Trophy with an NHL-high 117 points last season and has kept its strong and balanced team together.The Vegas Golden Knights tried to improve their chances of returning to the Stanley Cup Final in their second season by signing free agent center Paul Stastny and acquiring forward Max Pacioretty. The San Jose Sharks made the boldest move, trading for two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson just before the puck dropped for training camp.Poile said the talent-filled conference should be fun for players and fans, but not so much for coaches and the front office.“It’s probably going to be nerve-wracking for us,” Poile said. “If you’re going to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and I think the West certainly has more than its share of top teams.”WINNIPEGThe Jets Custom Ottawa Senators Jerseys , who trailed only Nashville in points last season, have an elite team after years of patiently drafting and developing players. Winnipeg has so much young talent, including 20-year-old wing Patrik Laine, the time to win is now because it is going to be challenging next season to keep the team together and under the cap.“Bring it on,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. “There’s excitement. That’s what this all about.”NASHVILLEThe Predators have one of the world’s best goaltender, reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne. He may have the surrounding cast of hungry, experienced talented players to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in its 20 years after leading the league in points.“Obviously things didn’t end up the way we wanted, but winning the regular season doesn’t give you much,” Rinne said.VEGASThe Golden Knights signed three-time Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury to a three-year, $21 million extension over the summer. They can lean on his experience of helping Pittsburgh go from losing the Stanley Cup in 2008 to winning it the next year. Adding the leadership of Pacioretty and Stastny after losing James Neal was a smart move.SAN JOSEThe Sharks’ shot to win it all for the first time in their 27-season history increased the moment they acquired Karlsson, one of the elite players in the NHL.“That trade makes this team look a little bit more dangerous,” captain Joe Pavelski said, entering his 13th year with the franchise. “And www.flyersshoponline.com , a little bit more real.” LOS ANGELES The Kings, who hoisted the Cup in 2012 and 2014, tried to pry open their window to win by bolstering their offense by signing Ilya Kovalchuk. The 35-year-old winger is back in the NHL for the first time since 2013. Los Angeles should be able to compete every night with two-way forward Anze Kopitar, the reigning Selke Trophy winner, and standout goalie Jonathan Quick. ST. LOUIS The Blues missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2011, but they made a series of moves to give some help to forwards Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko along with defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis acquired center Ryan O’Reilly in a big deal with Buffalo, signed center Tyler Bozak and winger David Perron, who is back with the Blues for his third stint.EDMONTON Connor McDavid should give the Oilers an opportunity to win any game. The 21-year-old center, though, can’t do it alone as last year proved when the team missed the playoffs despite his career-high 108 points. Edmonton needs winger Milan Lucic and goalie Cam Talbot both to bounce back from lackluster seasons. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Rookie defenseman Nick Seeler picked up Minnesota’s offense with a timely fight.Eric Staal and Zach Parise scored in the second period after Seeler fought Luke Witkowski, and Jason Zucker added two late goals in the Wild’s 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.Devan Dubnyk made 28 saves to help Minnesota rebound from losses at Arizona and Colorado.Staal and Parise scored in a 2:57 span to erase a 1-0 deficit. The goals came not long after Seeler traded punches with Witkowski on a delayed penalty, with Seeler protecting Parise after Witkowski attempted to check the star forward.”I just thought Philadelphia Flyers T-Shirts Womens , you know what, good time to step up,” Seeler said. ”We were down 1-0. I thought it was the right time.”Sunday was just Seeler’s 12th career NHL game. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman has just two assists thus far but has added grit to a Wild team that has needed some toughness as it jockeys for playoff positioning.Seeler’s opponent, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Witkowski, is no stranger to NHL fights.”I think I owe him a steak dinner after that scrap,” Parise said. ”Standing up for teammates, you always appreciate that.”Seeler emerged bloodied after the brawl, which included rapid-fire punches from both players. Seeler’s teammates appreciated the effort – and responded by scoring two goals with Seeler in the penalty box.”The guys were on the bench and they’re saying, `We got to go now. If we can’t get motivated for this, then we’re in trouble,”’ Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. ”It was a real opportunistic time when I think we were really flat.”Staal tied it on a power play with his team-leading 34th goal. The forward redirected Jared Spurgeon’s shot past goalie Jimmy Howard with 12:38 to play in the second.Less than three minutes later Philadelphia Flyers Hoodies Womens , Parise completed a tic-tac-toe passing sequence with Nino Niederreiter and Charlie Coyle to put the Wild up 2-1. Minnesota showed plenty of life in the second period after managing just four shots on goal in the first.”I think that’s a big goal in the game, especially in that one, but we can’t look back on the result,” said Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg. ”At the beginning of the game we played well. I thought we had a good start, good first period, got the first goal and then they score two quick ones.”Zucker added a pair of goals less than a minute apart, including an empty-net goal with 3:38 to play. He also redirected a pass to give Minnesota some breathing room with a 3-1 lead with 4:18 remaining.Justin Abdelkader scored for Detroit off a rebound at 3:58 of the first period to open the scoring.The Red Wings had a good look at an open net and a potential tying goal midway through the third after Dubnyk was caught out of position behind his goal. Tyler Bertuzzi had a shot, but Spurgeon managed to get in front of the puck to keep it a one-goal game.”It’s an easy time for frustration to build, and there’s nothing wrong with being frustrated now and we should be,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. ”If you’re not, you probably shouldn’t be a competitor.”NOTES: Detroit has lost three in a row. … Wild F Nino Niederreiter had his 100th career assist and 200th career point on the same play Sunday. He had the second assist on Parise’s goal. … Howard is 14-4-3 against Minnesota. … Staal’s 34 goals are his most in a season since he had 40 in 2008-09 with Carolina.UP NEXTRed Wings: At Boston on Tuesday night.Wild: Host Carolina on Tuesday night.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Dale Weise on waivers.General manager Chuck Fletcher announced the move Tuesday. Weise has one season left after this one on a $9.4 million Scott Darling Jersey , four-year contract he signed under previous GM Ron Hextall.Weise has underperformed during his time with Philadelphia, registering just 34 points in 152 games. If he goes unclaimed, which is likely given his $2.35 million salary-cap hit, the Flyers could send him to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League and clear about $1 million of that off their books.The Edmonton Oilers claimed 24-year-old forward Colby Cave off waivers from the Boston Bruins. The rookie with five points in 20 NHL games this season gives Edmonton some extra forward depth.Nashville forward Phillip Di Giuseppe cleared waivers and can now be sent to the AHL. The Predators claimed Di Giuseppe off waivers from Carolina on Jan. 1. BOSTON — Claude Julien won a Stanley Cup behind the Boston Bruins‘ bench in 2011.On Saturday night, the Montreal coach returns again with the Canadiens. His latest visit — for the latest installment of hockey’s top rivalry — comes after a Thursday night disappointment in Buffalo.“They out-competed us,” Julien said after a 4-3 loss left the Canadiens 1-1-1 in their last three games. “I’m not going to say our guys didn’t work, but they out-competed us. They won a lot of battles along the walls, way more than usual.Article continues below ...“In our own end, we had to do a better job of killing plays and getting the puck out. We didn’t do a good job of that. They were on pucks quicker than we were on a lot of occasions. But even so Youth Sebastian Aho Jersey , for a road game we were still in the game with a chance to win or at least come out with a point and we blew it. It’s our own fault.”While the Habs (5-2-2, 1-1-2 on the road) were losing in Buffalo, the Bruins improved to 6-2-2 (4-0-0 at home) as Jaroslav Halak pitched a 3-0 shutout over the Philadelphia Flyers in Boston.Halak is 3-0-2 with a 1.43 goals-against average, two shutouts and a .945 save percentage and could be forcing a goaltender controversy as Tuukka Rask has had a subpar start.“It could, absolutely,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said when asked if Halak could force his way into the No. 1 spot. “We (script goalie starts) at the start of the year for — we’ve done it here for years and just to work Tuukka’s starts in because he’s been the number one.“But if Jaro’s able to push him and eventually take the job, if and when that happens, then we’ll look at that. We’re going to try to keep it as balanced as possible early on, and then like we said if one separates himself from the other like every other position here then we’ll allow that to evolve.”The Bruins are 2-0 after going 0-1-2 in the first three games of a four-game road trip. They swept last year’s four-game season series with the Canadiens — after years of frustration.Carey Price has a shot at a milestone Saturday. If he wins Authentic Teuvo Teravainen Jersey , he breaks a tie with Patrick Roy for second-most wins by a Canadiens goalie, with 290 — second only to Jacques Plante’s 314.“Pretty cool experience,” Price said of tying Roy. “It was a great night. Overall, everybody played well. Great effort from everybody.”While the Bruins’ top line of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand has been on fire — with 19 goals and 44 points in 10 games — new Montreal acquisition has a five-game point streak and 10 points in his first nine games in his new uniform. That makes him the third Hab in the last 20 years with 10 points in his first nine games with the team.Price, 3-1-2 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .906 save percentage this season, is a bawdy 24-11-5 with 2.42/.921 numbers against the Bruins in the regular season.Neither Bruins goalie has great numbers against the Canadiens.Rask, 3-2 with a 3.38 goals-against average and .901 save percentage this season, is just 10-15-3 with 2.41/.917 numbers Womens Victor Rask Jersey , but he did beat them three times (five goals against) in eight days last year. Halak is 4-4-0 with 2.92/.889 numbers against Montreal.Through Thursday, the Bruins were 11th in the NHL is goals per game, fifth in goals against and on the power play and 16th in penalty killing. The Canadiens were 14th in goals for, 10th in goals against, 19th on the power play and 22nd on the PK.

Major League Baseball will return to the Little League World Series for a game in 2019.Per ESPN's Buster Olney J.R. Richard Jersey , MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Sunday that the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates will play in the Little League Classic on August 18, 2019.Next year's game between the Cubs and Pirates will mark the third Little League Classic. The series was first adopted in 2017 as part of a joint agreement between MLB, the MLB Players Association and Little League International.BBT Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, serves as the host for the game. The stadium is also the official home of the Class A Short Season Williamsport Crosscutters.The Pirates were the home team for the first Little League Classic in 2017. They defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 thanks to Josh Bell's four-RBI game.Pittsburgh is the Cubs' oldest rival with 2,510 games played between the two teams. The Pirates lead the all-time series with a 1,276-1 http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-altuve-jersey ,216 record that also includes eight ties. WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrew Stevenson was still driving toward Nationals Park when Tuesday night’s game against the Phillies began. Thanks to a lengthy rain delay, he got there in plenty of time to help Washington get the win.Stevenson and Wilmer Difo hit back-to-back home runs in a five-run sixth inning and Washington rallied past the Phillies 10-4 on Tuesday night, hours after the Nationals traded Daniel Murphy and Matt Adams.Stevenson, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day, tied the game with his first career homer, a two-run pinch-hit shot to center.“He got in during the rain delay,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Came to my office and I told him Craig Biggio Jersey , ‘Hey, congratulations. Happy to have to you. Get your uniform on and get loose. You might be in this ballgame.'”The 24-year-old Stevenson, who spent time with the Nationals earlier this season and last, left Syracuse by car at around 3 p.m. after getting the word from manager Randy Knorr that he needed to get to Washington and no flight was available.“(Knorr said) ‘I know you’re gonna be late, but they might need you the second half of the game,'” Stevenson said. “Ended up making it so it turned out pretty good.”Difo — starting at second base after Murphy was dealt to the Chicago Cubs — followed Stevenson’s homer with a go-ahead shot to right off Victor Arano (1-2).Ryan Zimmerman hit his 11th homer of the season and doubled for Washington and Matt Wieters drove in three runs with a pair of singles.Jimmy Cordero (1-0) pitched one inning for the win.“I would say that the Nationals have been a dangerous since opening day and they will be a dangerous team until the last game of the season,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “That lineup is really good from top to bottom and they demonstrated that tonight.”Philadelphia’s Roman Quinn hit his first career home run in a game that was delayed 1:42 by rain in the third inning. Quinn struck out with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth against Wander Suero.After gambling on the team as constituted by standing pat at the July trade deadline George Springer Jersey , general manager Mike Rizzo and ownership essentially threw in the towel Tuesday.For Murphy, the Nationals got Class A infielder Andruw Monasterio and a player to be named or cash. First baseman Adams was sent to St. Louis for $50,000.Washington dropped two of three to the visiting Miami Marlins during the weekend following a 2-5 road trip.With the Phillies trailing 1-0 in the sixth Tuesday night, Quinn led off with a home run. After Cesar Hernandez reached on an error, three singles and a groundout made it 4-1.Washington starter Tanner Roark, who was lifted after the rain delay, pitched three scoreless innings and added an RBI double. He leads MLB pitchers with eight RBIs.Vince Velasquez threw two innings before and after the delay for Philadelphia http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-gattis-jersey , allowing one run.NEXT MEN UPTo fill the spots created by the departures of Murphy and Adams, the Nationals recalled Stephenson and infielder Adrian Sanchez from Syracuse.TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies: C Wilson Ramos, recently returned from the disabled list, was rested after playing Saturday and Sunday. “We have a bit of a slippery, rainy day today and when it comes to Ramos we are really concerned with how we are going to manage his health through the end of the season and into October,” Kapler said.Nationals: LHP Tommy Milone was placed on the 10-day DL (retroactive to Aug. 20) with left-shoulder soreness and RHP Kelvin Herrera (right rotator cuff impingement) was reinstated from the 10-day DL.UP NEXTNationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 3.90) returns from the DL (cervical nerve impingement) to make his first 2018 start against the Phillies. He’s 10-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 21 career starts against Philadelphia. The Phillies will recall RHP Zach Eflin (9-4 Carlos Correa Jersey , 3.70) from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the start.

Pool/Getty ImagesThe Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-shawn-kelley-jersey , 7-2, on Friday to even the National League Championship Series at three games apiece. Milwaukee will now host L.A. on Saturday at 8:09 p.m. ET in a winner-take-all matchup for the NL pennant. The winner kicks off the World Series on Tuesday at 8:09 p.m. in a road tilt with the Boston Red Sox.Here's a look at some expert predictions in advance of Game 7, with some notable quotes and additional analysis. R.J. Anderson, CBSSports.comPick: DodgersNotable Quote: "When in doubt, take the team with more talent. To us, that's the Dodgers. Both teams play hard, but L.A. pulls it out."The Dodgers have one significant advantage over the Brewers (and the rest of Major League Baseball): Their depth is greater than any other team in the league. Of note, L.A. has 10 players who hit 14 or more home runs this year. They have pop on both sides of the plate and numerous players with positional versatility. Of note, Cody Bellinger can play first base or outfield, Chris Taylor is a middle infielder and outfielder, and Kike Hernandez can basically do everything except pitch or catch.That's a huge plus in National League games sans the designated hitter, especially if the matchup goes into extra innings or the matchup becomes a battle of the bullpens. If you're judging the two rosters from their most valuable position player to their least, the Dodgers have the edge.Dan Mullen, ESPN.comPick: Brewers 5 Trea Turner Jersey , Dodgers 2Notable Quote: "Saturday's winner-take-all matchup sets up very well for Milwaukee. Miller Park is going to be rocking. They've got a veteran on the mound in Chacin against a rookie (albeit an incredibly talented one). Hader will be available whenever Counsell chooses to unleash him."Brewers left-handed reliever Josh Hader has struck out 143 batters in 81.1 regular-season innings while posting a 2.43 ERA. However, he's been invincible during the playoffs, throwing seven shutout frames while allowing just four hits and striking out 12 batters. That doesn't even count his performance in the NL Central tiebreaker game against the Chicago Cubs when he threw two shutout innings and struck out three.Hader has been a workhorse out of the bullpen, so there has been concern about his workload. However, the 24-year-old is now well-rested: He is going on three full days rest and has thrown just 1.2 innings (28 pitches) in his last seven calendar days. Manager Craig Counsell could conceivably send him out for three innings, much like he did in Game 1 of the NLCS.Furthermore, Counsell can likely call on right-hander Jeremy Jeffress (8-1, 1.29 ERA, 89 strikeouts in 76.2 regular-season innings) for multiple frames. Jeffress has only thrown two innings since October 14 and tossed only 13 pitches on Friday. That's a huge edge for Milwaukee here. OddsShark ComputerPick: Brewers and Under 7.5 RunsNotable Quote: N/AThe OddsShark computer views this game as a low-scoring affair, and that is a plausible possibility. The Brewers are sending out their best starter in right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, who went 15-8 with a 3.50 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 192.2 innings. The 30-year-old has been excellent in the 2018 playoffs, throwing 10.1 shutout innings and striking out nine batters in two Brewers victories.The Dodgers send out right-handed starter Walker Buehler, who hasn't done as well in the postseason (6.75 ERA in 12 innings in two losses). However, the 24-year-old shined during the regular season http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-wieters-jersey , going 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA and punching out 151 batters in 137.1 frames. If he returns to his regular-season form, this one could turn into a pitcher's duel akin to the Dodgers' 2-1, 13-inning Game 4 victory. Gilles Gallant, OddsSharkPick: Brewers +1.5 and Over 7.5 RunsNotable Quote: "Buehler has started games looking sharp but then has fallen apart in both of his postseason starts. The Brewers' pitching is such an edge to have in a close-out game and coupling that with playing in front of the home crowd, it's shaping up for the Brewers make the World Series for the first time since 1982."Gilles Gallant of OddsShark takes a different approach than the computer, however, as he thinks the game will go over the 7.5-run over/under total. If Buehler struggles again, then that could happen. More notably, the Brewers have a strong home-field advantage in this spot. Miller Park was raucous on Friday as Brewer fans vociferously booed shortstop Manny Machado because he kicked Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar in the leg in Game 4. Whether that had an effect on Machado is up for debate, although he did go 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 6.Milwaukee has gone 4-1 at Miller Park during the postseason and finished with a National League-best 51-30 home record during the regular season. Brewers fans are hungry for their team's first World Series appearance (and just second overall) since 1982. Expect them to bring the heat again. NEW YORK (AP) — Sure, Julio Teheran had perfected his home run celebration. Plenty of times, clowning with Atlanta pitchers during batting practice.He just never got to trot it out.Teheran hit his first big league homer to begin Atlanta’s comeback, and Nick Markakis homered in the 10th inning to send the Braves over the New York Mets 5-4 Sunday.Long a Mets nemesis on the mound, Teheran found a new way to torment them. He stepped up in the fifth as a career .153 hitter Joe Blanton Jersey , clubbed a high fastball over the left-field wall, and took a leisurely jog.“You don’t know when you’re going to hit one,” he said, adding: “It’s a homer, you enjoy it.”Now in his eighth season in the majors, the two-time All-Star said his last home run came in high school. Not much at the plate since then.“I didn’t feel like running the bases,” he kidded.He got the ball, too, a nice souvenir on an afternoon when a lot of Atlanta players contributed.Markakis finished with four hits and took over the NL lead from teammate Freddie Freeman. Ender Inciarte also homered and Ronald Acuna Jr. delivered a key single as the Braves posted their sixth victory in seven games.The NL East contenders took three of four at Citi Field for their first winning road series in more than a month.Teheran continued to have control trouble and walked four in 5 2/3 innings. His solo home run off rookie Corey Oswalt came with Atlanta trailing 3-0.“He kept us in the game. He got us back in the game,” manager Brian Snitker said.Devin Mesoraco hit a tying home run in the Mets ninth — he was standing at second base when a replay review showed the ball cleared the wall, making it 4-all.“I couldn’t quite tell the first view. But then the second one, I knew it was,” Mesoraco said.A.J. Minter (4-2), who had been 8 for 8 in save chances this year Howie Kendrick Jersey , got the win despite giving up Mesoraco’s solo drive with one out.Braves rookie Jesse Biddle worked around Wilmer Flores‘ leadoff double in the 10th for his first big league save. Jose Bautista, in an 0-for-23 slump, and Todd Frazier grounded out with Flores on third to end it.New York rookie Tyler Bashlor (0-1) was tagged for Markakis’ 13th homer with one out. The Mets have lost five of six, and fell to 4-12 against Atlanta this season.Acuna hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that put Atlanta ahead 4-3.The Braves pulled off an unusual double play to stay close in the sixth.The Mets led 3-1 when Flores opened with a single and went to third on Michael Conforto’s single. Bautista hit a hard grounder to third baseman Johan Camargo, who got a quick forceout. Second baseman Ozzie Albies alertly saw Flores breaking for the plate and threw him out.Recently acquired Austin Jackson hit his second homer in eight games for the Mets.BAUTISTA’S STRUGGLESBautista went 0 for 5, striking out three times, hitting into that odd double play and stranding the tying run at third in the 10th. He’s batting .198 overall this year. He played 12 games for Atlanta in May and helped Teheran earn a win with a three-run homer at Wrigley Field.“He’s been chasing a little bit more, the balls in the dirt. The good breaking balls, he seems to not recognize it as well, at this moment,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “And the walks just aren’t coming for him. So just a few things, he’s kind of off-kilter.”TRAINER’S ROOMMets: Right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak was put on the disabled list with inflammation in his shoulder. The move was retroactive to Saturday, and RHP Jacob Rhame was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 32-year-old Swarzak is 0-2 with three saves and a 6.00 ERA in 22 games during his first season with the Mets. He missed about two months earlier this year with a strained oblique.UP NEXTBraves: After a day off, Atlanta plays a day-night doubleheader at Washington. LHP Max Fried (1-4 Sean Doolittle Jersey , 3.38 ERA) starts the day game and LHP Sean Newcomb (10-5, 3.23) goes at night. Newcomb’s previous outing was last Sunday — he came within one strike of a no-hitter against the Dodgers and was pulled after 134 pitches. Following the game, the 25-year-old apologized for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager.Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 2.98) starts vs. RHP Homer Bailey (1-8, 5.87) and the Reds. Former Mets ace Matt Harvey, traded to Cincinnati in May, returns to Citi Field. He’s not scheduled to pitch in the three-game series.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo made life easy for catcher Tucker Barnhart on Saturday night.Castillo tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings and combined with two relievers on a two-hitter to lead the Reds to a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.Barnhart said working with Castillo was easy.“(He has) video game stuff http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-eric-hosmer-jersey ,” Barnhart said. “Tonight was an example of that. He was able to throw all three pitches for strikes. He was able to keep them off balance all night long.”The Reds snapped a three-game losing streak.St. Louis, which won a major league-best 22 games in August, lost for the second time in six games.The Cardinals are 4 1/2 games behind Chicago in the NL Central after the Cubs beat Philadelphia 7-1.Castillo (8-11) gave up two hits and struck out a career-high 11. He gave up a leadoff single to Matt Carpenter in the first before retiring 15 of the next 16 hitters.Castillo has had an up-and-down season and has struggled with consistency.“We feel like he can do this,” Cincinnati interim manager Jim Riggleman. “He’s not 21, he’s 25. It’s time. We just hope he builds on that, has a good September, and takes us into 2019 as a guy that can anchor our staff.”Castillo had given up five earned runs in two of his last three starts.“A good part was I was on the same page with Tucker,” Castillo said. “He was calling the right pitches. I was throwing the right pitches. That was a big part of my success.Castillo was making his 27th start of the season and said this might have been his best performance to date.“I’ve had a couple good ones, but I felt really http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-pirela-jersey , really good in this one,” Castillo said. “I faced a really good team that’s trying to get into the playoffs. To be able to perform and do what I did tonight was really good for me.”David Hernandez and Raisel Iglesias completed the two-hitter, which was the Reds fifth shutout of the season.Suarez keyed a three-run outburst against Daniel Poncedeleon (0-1) in the fourth. Joey Votto broke the scoreless tie with a run-scoring double. Scooter Gennett followed with a hit to set the stage for Suarez’s drive off the wall in left. Suarez, who has hit safely in 11 successive games against St. Louis, pushed his RBI total to 98,.Barnhart added a run-scoring single in the seventh.Poncedeleon, in his third major league start, retired the first 10 batters he faced on 43 pitches. But the next six hitters reached safely ending his night after 3 1-3 innings. Poncedeleon gave up three runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked one.“I think I lost the arm slot on my fastball,” Poncedeleon said. “I was searching out there.”St. Louis has won 20 of its last 26 and has a 29-14 record since manager Mike Shildt took over for Mike Matheny on July 15.TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: OF Marcell Ozuna was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to the contest. Ozuna has been bothered by right shoulder inflammation. He is expected to start on Sunday.RHP Adam Wainwright tossed five shutout innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Memphis in Nashville on Saturday. He gave up five hits http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-austin-jackson-jersey , struck out seven and walked two in a 90-pitch outing. Wainwright has missed 98 games with elbow inflammation.UP NEXTRHP Anthony DeSclafani (7-4, 4.34) will face Luke Weaver (7-11, 4.59) in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday. DeSclafani has gone at least six innings in each of his last five starts with a 3-1 record and a 2.62 ERA over that span. Weaver is 3-0 lifetime against the Reds. The Chicago Cubs continued to bolster their bullpen ahead of Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline, acquiring reliever Brandon Kintzler from the Washington Nationalsfor minor league pitcher Jhon Romero.The Cubs confirmed the move afterMLB.com's Jon Paul Morosifirst reported the news.After being named to his first All-Star team last season, Kintzler has followed it up with another solid performance. The right-hander has posted a 3.59 ERA and a 1.242 WHIP in 45 outings, striking out 31 in 42.2 innings.While his overall numbers may not jump out, Kintzler's splits indicate he can succeed away from Washington. He was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 22 appearances at Nationals Park this season, while he is 1-0 with a 1.99 ERA in 23 road outings, allowing just five runs in 22.2 innings.He is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 11 career appearances at Wrigley Field.The 33-year-old reliever is earning $5 million in 2018 and has a $10 million club option for next year Derek Holland Jersey , perSpotrac. If the team declines the option, it reportedly becomes a $5 million player option.Chicago has thethird-best bullpenin baseball. However, it recently placed closer Brandon Morrow to thedisabled listdue to right biceps inflammation. The front office did recentlyacquireright-hander Jesse Chavez from the Texas Rangers, though.At 61-44, the Cubs hold a one-game league in the National League Central. By adding Kintzler and more bullpen depth, they are not only positioning themselves for the stretch run, but for a playoff run as well.

KANSAS CITY Michael Lorenzen Jersey , Mo. (AP) — Manager Terry Francona thinks the Indians are a bit tired as they slog their way through August with a big lead in the AL Central.Corey Kluber says fatigue is no excuse.Kansas City rookie Heath Fillmyer pitched six strong innings, Lucas Duda homered and the last-place Royals battered Kluber to send Cleveland to its fourth straight loss, 7-1 on Saturday night.“I think most teams are probably tired,” Kluber said. “We’ve got to find ways to push through, motivate yourself, whatever you want to call it. You have those times where maybe you’re a little tired or you’re dragging a little bit.”Fillmyer (2-1) limited the Indians to three hits and two walks, striking out three, and allowed his only run with a second-inning balk.“He changed speeds extremely well. He worked the inside part of the plate, outside part of the plate,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “For the most part he was ahead in the count and he was on the attack.”Kansas City pounded out 14 hits, nine against Kluber (16-7), who went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs with two walks and six strikeouts.“I thought he was OK http://www.rockiesfanproshop.com/authentic-chad-bettis-jersey ,” Francona said. “There were some pitches, a couple of cutters, a couple of fastballs he didn’t locate and he really paid for it. I thought his breaking ball was a little bit better. The mistakes, they jumped on them pretty good when he made them.”The Indians had won 16 of 20 before getting outscored 29-9 in the four consecutive defeats, which matches their season-worst skid.“We look a little tired,” Francona said. “We’re going to have to find a way tomorrow to show up and grind our way through and find a way to win. We’ve got a day off coming on Monday. We have to fight through it.”Duda hit his 12th homer this season and the 150th of his career in the sixth, a solo shot to right-center field. Two batters later, Hunter Dozier drove in Jorge Bonifacio with a single to put the Royals ahead 5-1 and drive Kluber from the game.“It feels nice to beat a first-place team and show that we’ve got a good club here,” Duda said.Duda had three hits and scored twice, while Ryan O’Hearn drove in three runs. Prior to 2018, Duda was 3 for 36 in his career against the Indians, but he has eight extra-base hits in 11 games against Cleveland this year, batting .275 (11 for 40).Fillmyer’s balk in the second brought in Yonder Alonso Jonathan Lucroy Jersey , who had moved to third on the first of Melky Cabrera’s two doubles. Three relievers completed the five-hitter.In the third, Adalberto Mondesi singled, stole second without a throw and scored on Whit Merrifield’s hit to right. The stolen base was the first against Kluber in 250 1/3 innings.“He had three steps before Kluber threw the ball to the plate,” Yost said. “Kluber could very easily have stepped off and threw him out. There was a little bit of luck in there, too.”O’Hearn’s double scored Salvador Perez and Duda to give the Royals a 3-1 lead in the fourth.Merrifield doubled to bring Mondesi in the seventh, and O’Hearn’s eighth-inning single brought in Duda, who had doubled to lead off the inning.Kluber had his five-game win streak against the Royals snapped, and Kansas City’s five runs were its most against him since June 15, 2016, when the Royals last beat the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.“I just felt like there were some pitches I executed pretty well, and you tip your hat to them. They did a good job putting them in play and found some holes with them,” Kluber said. “I wasn’t perfect by any means. It was one of those days like you feel like maybe it could have gone better, but it is what it is.”TRAINER’S ROOMIndians: RHP Neil Ramirez (lower back spasms) is travelling with the team and throwing. “He’s out there playing catch Carlos Gonzalez Jersey ,” manager Terry Francona said. “We’re trying to make these things go away.” … RHP Cody Anderson (right elbow) was slated to begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona League. It would mark his first regular-season time on the mound since the end of 2016 as he recovers from surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament.UP NEXTSeeking their first series sweep in more than a month, the last-place Royals send Jorge Lopez (0-2, 3.99 ERA) to the mound for his third start since being acquired in the trade that sent Mike Moustakas to the Brewers. Shane Bieber (7-2, 4.36) starts for Cleveland. Mike Fiers has been nothing short of spectacular since the Oakland Athletics acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in a waiver deal Aug. 6.On Sunday, the veteran right-hander tries to put a stop to Oakland’s mini-skid when he goes against the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a three-game series at Tropicana Field.By losing Saturday night, the A’s dropped their second tight decision in the last three games, which qualifies as a slump for one of the hottest teams in baseball.Article continues below ...They lost to the Rays, another hot team, meaning the series is on the line Sunday. But there’s more — a LOT more — at stake than just the series in this finale.Saturday’s loss kept the A’s from getting back to within a half-game of the losing New York Yankees for home-field advantage in the wild-card game. It also dropped Oakland 3 1/2 games back of the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West.In a game that featured the first matchup of “openers,” or relievers starting games worked by the bullpen, Oakland rallied for two runs in the seventh inning to pull into a 4-4 tie but then lost 7-5 – their fourth setback in six games against the Rays this season. Jake Bauers’ three-run homer was the winner.Diego Castillo will again be the “opener” for the Rays on Sunday — after Saturday’s game saw Tampa Bay improve to 27-19 when starting a reliever.The Rays, 19-5 in their last 24 games and 13-3 in their last 16 home games, kept their slight chances of catching the A’s for the second wild card as they are eight games out.Fiers is 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA http://www.rockiesfanproshop.com/authentic-dj-lemahieu-jersey , has 42 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings and has the opposition batting .208 against him in seven starts with the Athletics. He is 12-6 with a 3.29 ERA overall on the season, and comes in 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in four career starts against the Rays.He has a 7.31 ERA in three starts at the Trop and has not worked against Tampa Bay this season.The A’s went to the “opener” because of Trevor Cahill’s back issue and may have to use the new system again Tuesday or Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.They rallied to tie and had the bases loaded with one out in the eighth inning before a strike-three call on Marcus Semien kept the score tied. The rally went nowhere and manager Bob Melvin was ejected by umpire Larry Vanover after the inning.“Obviously, I thought it was outside or I wouldn’t have been arguing like I did,” Melvin said. “It is what it is. … He’s trying to grind through that at-bat (nine pitches) and drive in a run, you get a call that’s not a strike and now you don’t have the advantage where we were.”Bauers snapped a 5-for-63 slump with three hits and four RBIs.Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash talked before the game about the use of the reliever in the first inning and said it has helped Castillo and Ryne Stanek.“I don’t think going into it we put the greatest emphasis on the actual opener,” he said. “I think we’ve learned as the season has kind of evolved that that’s just as important, and it’s helped those guys’ psyche when they get on the mound. And hopefully it helps their psyche when they get on the mound in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning. Ryne and Diego both, they’ve gotten big outs in different roles.”‘The San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday that the A’s will not be welcomed back in Nashville, with speculation on a move of their Triple-A club to Las Vegas, soon to also be the home of the Raiders. Las Vegas finished an agreement with the New York Mets this month.

ARLINGTON David Price Jersey , Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister on Friday after the team stumbled to its first consecutive losing records in 10 years following AL West titles in each of his first two seasons.Texas announced the move with 10 games left in Banister’s fourth season, and general manager Jon Daniels said the decision wasn’t based on the record.“There are times when you’re looking for a new voice, and the new voice for the leadership,” Daniels said. “Jeff did a very good job for us. Ton of passion and energy and care for everybody involved. … We just made a decision that a new voice at this point was needed.”In a season when the focus turned to the development of their younger players, the Rangers took a 64-88 record into the Friday night’s game against Seattle to open the final home series of the year. They had lost four in a row and 11 of 15.Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season, starting with the three-game series against the Mariners. The Rangers will finish on the road next week against the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle.Banister became the third manager in the majors to be fired this season, along with Mike Matheny of St. Louis and Bryan Price of Cincinnati.Daniels informed the 54-year-old Banister of the decision earlier Friday. Banister was under contract through next season.While reiterating that Banister was the right fit when hired, Daniels said that has changed nearly four years later. The GM said it wasn’t an easy decision, and came after a long period of evaluation.“We’re in a different spot now, a different spot than when he was hired,” Daniels saidBanister released a statement thanking Rangers ownership and Daniels for giving him the opportunity, and thanked his assistant coaches and the players.“We had some great times here, but it doesn’t last forever,” Banister said. “Certainly I am disappointed that I was not able to finish the job. But this has been the experience of a lifetime.”Banister was hired in November 2014 to replace Ron Washington, the manager who led the Rangers to their only World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011 before his abrupt resignation for personal reasons late in the 2014 season. Banister, who had a pinch-hit single in his only big league at-bat for Pittsburgh in 1991, had a 325-313 record in his first managerial job. The Rangers lost to Toronto in the Division Series after his AL West titles.“I certainly regret that we were not able to make a deeper playoff run for you in 2015 and 2016,” Banister said in a portion of his statement addressed to Rangers fans, thanking them for their support over the years.The Rangers were 88-74 in Banister’s managerial debut in 2015, and matched a team record with an American League-high 95 wins in 2016. They slipped to 78-84 last year, but weren’t eliminated from AL wild-card contention until the final week of the season.Adrian Beltre, baseball’s active career hits leader (3 http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-mookie-betts-jersey ,159) in his 21st big league season, said he didn’t have any problems communicating with Banister.“Obviously different players, different coaches have different ways of communicating and expressing what they want to do,” Beltre said. “Whatever happens in this clubhouse is going to stay in here … but I’m pretty sure different players had different opinions.”Wakamatsu rejoined the Rangers last November after four seasons as the bench coach in Kansas City. He previously served on the Rangers staff from 2003-07, was a candidate when Daniels hired Washington after the 2006 season and is expected to be a candidate again.“Yeah, I’d like to, absolutely,” said Wakamatsu, who Banister approached last offseason about being his bench coach. “It’s an emotional time for me. … I’m still trying to process a lot of that right now, and focus on the next 10 days and see how we can finish strong.”Seattle went 127-147 with Wakamatsu as its manager in 2009 and until August 2010.The Rangers have seven position players age 25 or younger who have gotten at least 300 at-bats this season.Texas traded pending free agent pitcher Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers midway through the 2017 season, and this year traded Cole Hamels to the Chicago Cubs even though the Rangers had a club option on the left-hander for next season. The Rangers also traded closer Keone Kela at this season’s non-waiver trade deadline, and also dealt away veteran relievers Jake Diekman and Jesse Chavez.Mike Minor, who was a full-time reliever in Kansas City last year after missing two full seasons because of injury, is the only pitcher who began this season in the Rangers starting rotation and is still in it.The last time the Rangers had finished consecutive seasons with losing records was 2005-08, before going 87-75 in 2009. They then had their two World Series seasons before losing the AL’s first one-and-done wild-card game in 2012, and losing to Tampa Bay in a wild-card tiebreaker to end the 2013 regular season. MILWAUKEE (AP) — It turns out there is way more to the Milwaukee Brewers than just Christian Yelich.The rest of this Brew Crew can play, too. Especially those guys in that loaded bullpen.Jhoulys Chacin pitched five sparkling innings on short rest, Mike Moustakas contributed two more big hits and the Brewers blanked the Colorado Rockies 4-0 Friday to take a 2-0 lead in their NL Division Series.While the sweet-swinging Yelich had a quiet day by his lofty standards, the NL Central champions showed off their supporting cast on the way to their 10th straight win going back to an impressive finish to the regular season. Erik Kratz had two hits and two RBIs, and Milwaukee’s bullpen closed the door after Chacin delivered in his playoff debut.“It’s been the story of the last six weeks for us for sure, really since the trade deadline, is we’ve become a team with a lot of depth Brock Holt Jersey , and that’s how we’re going to have to win,” manager Craig Counsell said. “They’re making an effort to be very, very cautious with Yelich. It’s pretty clear. So guys behind him are going to have opportunities.”Game 3 is Sunday at Coors Field. Another win, and Milwaukee is into the NL Championship Series for the first time since its previous postseason appearance in 2011.“The only thing that changes is that we hit first,” Moustakas said. “Other than that, it’s still baseball. It’ll be a little bit of a hostile environment.”The Rockies, who have played in four different cities since Sunday, are hoping a return to more familiar surroundings will help jump-start their dormant lineup.“We’re going home, where we feel really good hitting,” shortstop Trevor Story said. “Hopefully we can get it turned around there.”Nolan Arenado had two of Colorado’s six hits — just two more than the franchise playoff low set in Thursday’s 3-2, 10-inning loss in Game 1. The wild-card Rockies have scored six times in their last four games, and their potent lineup is showing signs of frustration.Chris Iannetta snapped his bat in half over his right leg after he struck out with a runner on third, no one out and Colorado down 1-0 in the seventh. Arenado threw down his bat and helmet after he struck out swinging in the fifth. Carlos Gonzalez leaned over with his hands on his knees after he lined out in the eighth.“They’ve got some quality arms. They’ve got good stuff,” manager Bud Black said. “But with that said, it is a little surprising that we’re not generating some runs.”The Rockies had just one hit through eight innings in the series opener before rallying for two runs in the ninth against Jeremy Jeffress. But the All-Star was back to his normal self in Game 2, working around a single in the eighth and ninth for his first save in his third career playoff game.The excitable right-hander punctuated the win with a big fist pump after retiring David Dahl for the final out.“It’s fun,” Jeffress said with 4-year-old daughter Jurnee sitting in his lap. “I’m enjoying every single moment, and that shows.”Jeffress shared some Gatorade with Jurnee while she waited patiently for him to finish up.“Every time I leave that bullpen, I say it’s for her,” the 31-year-old Jeffress said. “I mean, to have her watch and understand — she understands. She does fist pumps just like I do. She understands, and to have her here enjoying this moment with me http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-rusney-castillo-jersey , it’s great.”Backed by a sellout crowd of 44,547 waving yellow towels and standing for every big moment, Chacin set up Milwaukee’s bullpen by escaping a pair of early jams. The veteran right-hander, who helped pitch the Brewers past the Chicago Cubs in the division tiebreaker Monday at Wrigley Field, allowed three hits and walked three.Tyler Anderson matched Chacin zero for zero before Moustakas and Hernan Perez hit consecutive one-out doubles in the fourth. The Brewers had a chance for more, but Perez was caught off third in a baserunning blunder and Kratz flied out to end the inning.Moustakas, who got the game-ending hit in the series opener, came up with the bases loaded in the eighth and singled in Yelich to give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Kratz tacked on a two-run single with two out.“That’s just what we’ve done all year. We pick each other up, and it’s huge,” Kratz said.The 30-year-old Moustakas helped Kansas City win the World Series in 2015 and was acquired by Milwaukee in a trade in late July. Back in the playoffs for the first time since that run with the Royals, the veteran third baseman is working on another memorable October.“His experience, it’s important,” Counsell said. “It really is.”YELICH’S DAYYelich went 0 for 2 and walked twice. After almost winning the Triple Crown this year, he homered, singled, walked twice and scored two runs Thursday in his first postseason game.UP NEXTColorado right-hander German Marquez and Milwaukee left-hander Wade Miley make their playoff debut in Game 3. Marquez last pitched on Monday in the NL West tiebreaker game at Los Angeles, allowing four runs, two earned, in 4 2/3 innings in the Rockies’ 5-2 loss to the Dodgers. Miley signed with the Brewers in the offseason. The lefty went 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in five September starts, but lasted just three innings in his most recent outing last Saturday against Detroit.

New York Mets third baseman David Wright will be activated to the 40-man roster Sept. 25 ahead of his long-awaited return to the lineup Sept. 29 during the team's final homestand.Anthony DiComo of MLB.com provided the updated timetable Thursday and passed along comments from the seven-time All-Star http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-mark-mcgwire-jersey , who hasn't played in the major leagues since 2016 because of spinal stenosis along with enduring neck and shoulder injuries."It's truly been an honor to take the field with you, and serve as your captain," Wright told reporters about his teammates. "To the fans, words can't address my gratitude."Tina Cervasio of Fox 5 NY highlighted more of Wright's remarks:Tina Cervasio TinaCervasioLong emotional thank yous to those who have impacted #DavidWright and his #Mets career. FOX5DESK fox5ny X5HCABjVQ2The 35-year-old Virginia native hinted the late-season appearances could mark the end of his career, though he didn't answer directly when asked if he'll retire."Physically, the way I feel right now, and from what the docs told me, there's not going to be any improvement,"he said. "So I don't see [playing full time again] as a possibility."Wright posted a .904 OPS with 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 112 games in 2013.His impact has steadily faded since then, however. His OPS dropped to .698 the following season before playing 38 and 37 games, respectively, over the next two years because of injuries. He missed all of 2017.After a few halted comeback attempts, he finally made it out for a rehab assignment in the Mets' minor league system last month. He struggled, posting a .171/.209/.195 triple-slash line with no homers across 41 at-bats in the minors.The Mets Stephen Piscotty Jersey , who own a 66-78 record, will soon get eliminated from playoff contention. That provides additional incentive to give Wright a chance to play in the majors again in front of the home fans at Citi Field, especially if retirement is his next step.It's unclear whether the two-time Gold Glove Award winner will be available for pinch-hitting or defensive-replacement duties during the three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, who are trying to lock down the NL East division title and a playoff berth, starting Sept. 25.The Mets then close out the regular season when they take on the Miami Marlins, with the middle contest of that three-game set scheduled as Wright's return to the starting lineup. MILWAUKEE (AP) — Travis Shaw and Christian Yelich homered to help the Milwaukee Brewers overcome an early deficit, and Chase Anderson kept the ball in the ballpark when it mattered.Anderson settled in after giving up two early solo homers and the Brewers rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.“This is the big leagues, guys are going to make you pay for mistakes and they really did for those two pitches,” said Anderson, who allowed multiple homers for the ninth time this season. “Homers have been kind of a big thing for me, a lot of solo homers. The first inning has been a big thing for me this year, but today I felt like I kind of found something as the game went on.”Shaw’s two-run homer off Homer Bailey put the Brewers up 3-2 in the sixth. Jesus Aguilar singled to open the inning and Shaw followed with his 25th homer, lining an 0-2 pitch into the right-field seats.“I was trying to throw a fastball up and in (on the homer), the same pitch he broke his bat on two pitches before that http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-andrew-triggs-jersey ,” Bailey said.Anderson, pitching on seven days’ rest, entered tied for the National League lead with 24 homers allowed and gave up second-inning solo shots to Eugenio Suarez and Phillip Ervin as the Reds took a 2-0 lead. Anderson then retired the final 14 hitters he faced.Anderson (8-7) allowed two hits in six innings, with six strikeouts and no walks. Josh Hader retired six straight, striking out three, and Jeremy Jeffress pitched the ninth for his fifth save.“When Chase is leaving some balls in the middle, he’s getting hurt on them, for sure,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “But, I thought he made some really quality pitches after that. He had better fastball command today, curve ball was better today. He put it together after that really well.”Bailey (1-11) kept the Brewers off the scoreboard until Yelich’s 20th homer, a one-out solo shot in the fifth that made it 2-1. Bailey, who has not won since May 12, allowed three runs on five hits in six innings Jake Smolinski Jersey , striking out five and walking one.“He has not been fortunate, that’s for sure,” Reds manager Jim Riggleman said. “The main thing is he is throwing the ball well and getting us deep in the game and not wearing out the bullpen. He’s doing his part there.”The Brewers added two runs in the eighth off Jared Hughes on a pinch-hit RBI triple by Keon Broxton and Manny Pina’s sacrifice fly.Suarez opened the second with his 28th homer, sending a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left-center. One out later, Ervin drove a 1-0 pitch to left for his fourth.Anderson now has allowed 26 homers in 135 1/3 innings, after giving up just 14 in 141 1/3 innings last season.“He gave up those two homers in the second, but outside of that, he pitched really well,” Shaw said. “His curveball was really good today.”UPON FURTHER REVIEWLorenzo Cain beat out an infield single to short with one out in the seventh The Reds challenged, but the call was upheld after a review estimated at 1 minute, 40 seconds.TRAINER’S ROOMReds: OF Scott Schebler (right shoulder), who just completed a seven-game rehab stint at Triple-A Louisville, including six as DH, began another rehab assignment Monday at Double-A Pensacola.Brewers: RHP Matt Albers Bruce Maxwell Jersey , on the 10-day DL (left hamstring strain), is back with team and could be activated soon. He pitched three scoreless rehab outings with Double-A Biloxi, including one Saturday. “He’s ready. We weren’t planning on activating him today unless there was a need,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ll kind of go with that for the next couple of days, depending on need. … RHP Joakim Soria, also on the DL (right groin), will pitch off the mound on Tuesday and face hitters.UP NEXTReds: RHP Sal Romano (7-10, 5.31 ERA) is 0-5 in five career starts against the Brewers, including 0-3 at Miller Park. Romano lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his last start, allowing six runs on seven hits in an 8-1 loss to Cleveland.Brewers: RHP Junior Guerra (6-8, 3.73) makes his 24th start. In his last outing, allowed seven runs – six earned — on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in an 8-4 loss to the Cubs. He is 0-1 with a 5.60 ERA in three starts in August.

ARLINGTON Austin Hedges Jersey , Texas (AP) — Tyler Glasnow finally has a win to go with the label of the pitcher Tampa Bay got in the trade for former ace Chris Archer.Glasnow allowed two infield singles in six innings for the hard-throwing right-hander’s first American League win, 3-0 over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.“Let’s just hope I get a bunch more,” said Glasnow, who was winless in eight starts for the Rays, including three straight losses coming into Texas. “A win is irrelevant I’d say, but it’s good to get the first win for sure.”Ji-Man Choi connected for his 10th homer , a solo shot, and drove in two runs to help the Rays improve to a major league-best 21-5 since Aug. 19. Tampa Bay pulled to 6 1/2 games behind idle Oakland for the second American League wild-card spot.Isiah Kiner-Falefa barely beat out a chopper to shortstop for the first Texas hit with two outs in the fifth. Nomar Mazara reached in the sixth on a high bouncer in front of the mound that was first ruled an error by Glasnow.“It’s a hit, obviously,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “If it got down to the wire http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-asuaje-jersey , you’d probably want to say that it would be nicer if it was a hard-hit ball. But look, if we’re on the other side of that, we’d take any kind of a hit.”Adam Kolarek, Jose Alvarado and Sergio Romo pitched a hitless inning apiece to wrap up the second two-hit shutout of the Rangers in a week. Eight Los Angeles Angels pitchers pulled the trick on Texas last Tuesday. Romo got his 22nd save in 29 chances.It was the fourth big league win in 26 starts over two seasons for Glasnow (2-6). The 25-year-old, who came from Pittsburgh at the trading deadline, struck out six, walked two and hit a batter while hitting 99 mph with his fastball twice.“That’s a power right-handed arm,” said Texas manager Jeff Banister, who was around Glasnow before coming to the Rangers from the Pirates for the 2015 season. “He threw just enough balls out of the strike zone and enough in at the knees, 97 Christian Villanueva Jersey , 98, 99, with the swing-and-miss breaking ball made it uncomfortable for our guys.”Leading 2-0 with two on in the sixth, Glasnow finished his outing by getting Adrian Beltre on a flyout. Glasgow got some help the batter before allowing his first hit when center fielder Kevin Kiermaier made a leaping catch on a liner by Ronald Guzman.ANOTHER TOUGH-LUCK LOSSAdrian Sampson (0-2) lost his second straight start following one relief appearance since the last-place Rangers called him up from the minors. The right-hander allowed six hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings.Sampson was the loser in last week’s two-hitter. He gave up two hits and one run in five innings in the Angels’ 1-0 win.“I just have my other pitchers working right now,” Sampson said. “I’ve always been a fastball guy. I’ve been able to throw my other pitches for strikes when I have to and it’s keeping them off balance. It’s been good for the first two starts.”TRIPLE-A CHANGE FOR RANGERSRound Rock is ending an eight-year run as the Triple-A affiliate of the Rangers. Nashville and San Antonio, which is moving up from Double-A next year, are the leading candidates to replace Round Rock. The team in suburban Austin, owned in part by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, is expected to become Houston’s Triple-A team. Ryan is working as a consultant for the Astros, whose president is son Reid Ryan.TRAINER’S ROOMRangers: LF Joey Gallo was scratched from the lineup about three hours before the game because of a sore right little toe. Manager Jeff Banister said Gallo recently fouled a ball off that toe. Willie Calhoun started in left field and batted sixth http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-szczur-jersey , where Gallo was slotted.UP NEXTRays LHP Blake Snell (19-5, 2.03 ERA) tries to become the first 20-game winner in the majors this season in the second game of a three-game series. David Price had a club-record 20 wins when he was the AL Cy Young winner in 2012. RHP Yovani Gallardo (8-5, 6.67) goes for Texas. TORONTO – There is little suspense left in the American League Central race for the Cleveland Indians. It is just a matter of when they make it official.They can move another step closer to a division title Friday night when they play the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre.The Indians will start right-hander Carlos Carrasco (16-8, 3.52 ERA) while the Blue Jays will send out right-hander Marco Estrada (7-11, 5.43).Article continues below ...The Indians (80-60) reduced their magic number to clinch to seven in the AL Central with a 9-4 win over the Blue Jays (63-77) on Thursday. Any combination of Indians wins or losses by the second-place Minnesota Twins that totals seven or more will clinch a third consecutive division title for Cleveland.“They’ve had some injury issues, but they’ve got a hell of a team, a real good lineup,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “Now they’ve added to that, of course. And they even brought back old Melky (Cabrera), who’s playing pretty well. And they’ve always had good pitching over there. They’ve had to battle to get a couple of their guys healthy Craig Stammen Jersey , but you’ve got (Corey) Kluber and some other guys. And then their bullpen, they picked up (Andrew) Miller. They’ve added a few pieces over there. They got as good a shot as anybody.”The Indians defeated the Blue Jays in five games in the 2016 American League Championship Series.Both teams made some history on Thursday.Blue Jays first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who had doubled in his first major-league plate appearance Wednesday when used as a pinch hitter, made his first start in the majors at first base Thursday. He continued his double spree with three of them in the game and had an RBI.Tellez became the first player in the live-ball era (starting in 1920) to have an extra-base hit in each of his first three major-league plate appearances. He also became the first player with extra-base hits in four of his first five plate appearances.Not to be outdone, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor led off the game with his first of two home runs in the game. It was his seventh career leadoff home run of the season, tying Grady Sizemore for the club record. He has eight multi-homer games in his career and six this season. His six multi-homer games out of the leadoff spot this season are the most by any player in major league history.The Indians had 13 hits Thursday while playing without Michael Brantley, who sat out with a bruised left foot. It was the result of fouling a ball off the top of the foot during the third inning of the 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.“He finished off the game OK, but he got on the flight and it got stiff, so we’ll give him (Thursday off) to kind of let the trainers do their stuff, but he’ll be fine.”Friday will be the second time Carrasco has faced the Blue Jays this season. He did not factor in the decision May 3 at Progressive Field in the first game of the doubleheader http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-trevor-hoffman-jersey , a 13-11 Blue Jays win. He allowed six runs, nine hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.His previous start at the Rogers Centre was May 9, 2017, when he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven in Cleveland’s 4-2 win.Carrasco is 3-1 with a 5.60 ERA in seven career outings (six starts) against the Blue Jays. In three games (two starts) at the Rogers Centre, he is 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA. Estrada has struggled recently, partly because of back issues. He is 0-2 with a 15.63 ERA in his past two starts.This will be Estrada’s first start of the season against the Indians. In three career starts against them, he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Right-handed reliever Kyle Barraclough was acquired by Washington from Miami on Wednesday in the Nationals’ first offseason move to rebuild their bullpen.Washington sent the Marlins $1 million in international slot allotment as part of the deal.Barraclough went 1-6 with 4.20 ERA and 10 saves in 17 chances during 61 appearances this year. He allowed one hit in 36 at-bats in June Sean Doolittle Jersey , when he was chosen NL reliever of the month, but struggled with his command the rest of the season.Barraclough’s ERA ballooned to 10.24 over his final 24 games and he lost the Marlins closer’s job. His fastball average velocity dropped from 96.5 mph in 2016 to 94 mph this year.He has a 3.21 career ERA with 279 strikeouts and 134 walks in 218 2/3 innings over four seasons, all with Miami.Washington general manager Mike Rizzo is in need of relievers after jettisoning Shawn Kelley and Brandon Kintzler late this season.Miami obtained greater financial flexibility to pursue 22-year-old Cuban outfielder Victor Victor Mesa, an international amateur free agent who showcased for major league scouts at Marlins Park last week. Miami started with $6,044,500 in available allotment for its 2018-19 international signing bonus pool, has increased it to $8,044,500 and has spent $1,975,000 http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-wilmer-difo-jersey , leaving $6,069,500 remaining. BALTIMORE (AP) — Presented with an opportunity to make up ground in their playoff run, the Oakland Athletics were mounting a comeback against the Baltimore Orioles‘ shaky bullpen in the eighth inning of a tight game.Mychal Givens would have none of it.Givens put an end to the potential rally, and the Orioles snapped Oakland’s six-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory Thursday night.Stephen Piscotty homered for the A’s, who fell 3½ games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and 1½ back of the Yankees for the top wild-card slot.Down 4-2 in the eighth, Oakland hit successive singles off Miguel Castro and loaded the bases with one out. After Paul Fry walked Matt Olson to force in a run, Givens struck out Piscotty and retired Marcus Semien on a fly ball.Jace Peterson doubled in a run in the bottom half, and Givens finished for his seventh save despite issuing a leadoff walk in the ninth.“We give ourselves opportunities a lot and typically we come through,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “We had a lot of chances, especially in the eighth inning Brian Goodwin Jersey , which was a big inning for us. We didn’t come through, especially with Stephen up at the plate.”The credit goes to Givens, who’s been closing since Baltimore traded Zach Britton in late July.“That was a pretty good pitcher they brought in, especially against righties,” Melvin said.Dylan Bundy had eight strikeouts in six solid innings for the Orioles, who snapped a six-game skid and avoided being swept for the 22nd time.Bundy (8-14) gave up two runs and six hits to earn his first win since July 29. The right-hander was 0-5 in his previous seven starts.“He made them beat his breaking ball,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He had good command of it and they didn’t seem like they were seeing it or following it.”Oakland activated lefty Brett Anderson from the 10-day disabled list to make his 14th start of the season. In his return from a forearm injury, Anderson (3-5) allowed four runs and didn’t make it out of the fourth inning.His night began when Cedric Mullins topped a ball down the third-base line that rolled tantalizingly close to being foul but never was. Four batters later, Tim Beckham hit a two-run single to put Baltimore ahead to stay.“Today was about as frustrating as it could get,” Anderson said. “Every groundball they hit found a hole.”Piscotty made it 2-1 in the second with his 24th home run, the major league-leading 38th allowed by Bundy.The Orioles got RBI singles from John Andreoli and Breyvic Valera in the fourth http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-mark-reynolds-jersey , and Oakland answered with a run-scoring single by Nick Martini in the fifth.TRAINER’S ROOMAthletics: RHP Trevor Cahill had an MRI on his right shoulder due to soreness in his upper back. Melvin scratched Cahill from Saturday’s start and will probably go with reliever Liam Hendriks. Melvin said that if Cahill responds to treatment, he could start twice during the Sept. 18-23 homestand.Orioles: RHP Andrew Cashner had an MRI on his left knee. Showalter said no structural damage was found, but the pitcher got a cortisone shot and could miss a start. … RHP Alex Cobb won’t pitch until Sept. 21 at the soonest because of an irksome blister, Showalter said.MORE THE MERRIERThe Athletics have suited up 53 players this season, one short of the Oakland record set in 2007 and matched last year.Baltimore has used 55 players this season, most since the team moved from St. Louis in 1954. That includes 28 pitchers, an Orioles record.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Edwin Jackson (5-3, 3.26 ERA) is on the mound for the opener of a three-game series at Tampa Bay.Orioles: RHP Luis Ortiz, obtained in the Jonathan Schoop trade with Milwaukee on July 31, makes his first major league start in a matchup with the visiting White Sox.