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CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have some tough decisions to make this offseason. The one on Carlos Carrasco was simple.Cleveland picked up its $9.75 million contract option for next season on the right-hander http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-bernie-williams-jersey , who has developed into one of the AL’s most consistent and dominating pitchers over the past few years.The team declined its $3 million option for 2019 on outfielder Brandon Guyer, who battled through injuries last season. He’ll get a $250,000 buyout and become a free agent. It’s very possible he’ll re-sign with the Indians, who value what he brings on and off the field.The 31-year-old Carrasco went 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 30 starts last season for the AL Central champions. He also recorded a team-high 231 strikeouts in 192 innings as the Indians became the first team in baseball history to have four pitchers top the 200-strikeout plateau.The team has another option for 2020 on the right-hander, who has gone 35-16 with a 3.33 ERA over the past two seasons.“We believe Carlos has established himself as one of the top starters in the American League and has been a contributor to our team over the last few seasons,” team president Chris Antonetti said. “So, we’re obviously elated to continue his time with the team and the organization, and we expect him to make a big impact on our team for the next few seasons.”Carrasco is one of just four pitchers in club history to surpass 200 strikeouts three times.The Indians are expected to have their entire rotation — Carrasco, Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer C.C. Sabathia Jersey , Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber — back next season.Guyer, 32, batted .206 with seven homers and 27 RBIs in 103 games. He joined the Indians in 2016, coming over in a mid-season trade from Tampa Bay.Antonetti said the decision on Guyer was “very difficult” but there is mutual interest in him coming back.“Where we ended is that we thought we would be best declining the option, leaving the door open to bring Brandon back, but maybe under potentially different terms,” Antonetti said. “He’s been a contributing member of our team for the last two and a half seasons and has made a very big impact at times. He battled through some injuries.“When he was healthy, we saw a guy that was capable of impacting our team and hitting in the middle of the order against left-handed pitching.”Guyer joins a long list of Indians free agents, which include closer Cody Allen, outfielders http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-randy-johnson-jersey , Michael Brantley, Melky Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall and Rajai Davis and relievers Andrew Miller and Oliver Perez.Cleveland has exclusive negotiating rights with its free agents until Friday, which is also the deadline for extend one-year qualifying offers ($17.9 million) to any free agents in order to potentially get draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere. With just more than one month to play in the 2018 MLB regular season, the pennant chases are starting to heat up鈥攁nd so are the awards races.On Tuesday, OddsShark released the latest odds for the MVP and Cy Young Awards:OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win American League MVP (BetOnline):Mike Trout -175Mookie Betts +175J.D. Martinez +500Jose Ramirez +700Jose Altuve +1600OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win National League MVP (BetOnline):Freddie Freeman +125Nolan Arenado +150Bryce Harper +600Jacob DeGrom +700Lorenzo Cain +800Matt Kemp +1000Max Scherzer +1000OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win the American League Cy Young Award (BetOnline):Chris Sale -250Justin Verlander +400Corey Kluber +450Trevor Bauer +800Luis Severino +1000Blake Snell +1200Gerrit Cole +1400OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win the National League Cy Young Award (BetOnline):Jacob deGrom -175Max Scherzer +150Aaron Nola +750Patrick Corbin +1000Miles Mikolas +1200Zack Greinke +1400Mike Foltynewicz +1600There aren't many surprises in the American League MVP race. Houston Astros star Jose Altuve is having another strong season as he attempts to defend his title, while Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez, Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout all finished in the top six in voting a season ago.Boston fans may take issue with Trout having the best odds, though. As good as the two-time MVP has been, his Angels (63-63) are well out of the playoff picture while the Red Sox (88-38) have a nine-game lead for the best record in baseball.Red Sox star J.D. Martinez leads the majors with 38 home runs and slugging (.662) Andy Pettitte Jersey , and he is second in average (.332). Meanwhile, Betts is first in average (.344), second in slugging (.651) and has 27 home runs.The most fascinating race might be for the National League Cy Young, though. Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer, who has three Cy Youngs on his resume, is having another phenomenal season, going 16-5 with a 2.11 ERA with 234 strikeouts in 174.2 innings. The 2018 All-Star Game starter for the NL leads the majors in victories, innings and strikeouts.On the other hand, New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been having a historic season, but he hasn't been rewarded with any run support. Despite leading the majors with a 1.71 ERA http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-gary-sanchez-jersey , he is just 8-7 in 25 starts. He has thrown 17 consecutive quality starts and has allowed more than three runs just once this season.The AL Cy Young race has a handful of legitimate candidates. Two-time winner Corey Kluber (16-6 with a 2.74 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 174.1 innings) will get serious consideration to repeat. Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (12-8 with a 2.65 ERA and 223 strikeouts in 27 starts) is making a strong case for his second Cy Young. Boston southpaw Chris Sale (12-4 with a 1.97 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 146 innings) has been the best pitcher on the best team, although a shoulder injury could hurt his case.The NL MVP race may be the most wide-open of them all. Freddie Freeman (.322/.404/.532, 20 home runs, 35 doubles, three triples and 77 RBI) may be the front-runner as the surprising Atlanta Braves lead the NL East. However, Nolan Arenado (.309/.390/.577, 30 home runs, 25 doubles and 86 RBI) leads the surging Colorado Rockies. And both deGrom and Scherzer are each looking to become the third MLB pitcher to win an MVP award since 2011.The regular season wraps up on Sept. 30, so players around the league have until then to bolster their resumes.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The San Francisco Giants have placed standout rookie right-hander Dereck Rodriguez on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.Right-hander Casey Kelly is now scheduled to start Friday in the series opener against the Reds. The move is retroactive to Monday http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tug-mcgraw-jersey , then Rodriguez was injured during a scrum between the Giants and Dodgers on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. The team says he suffered a Grade 1 strain.Rodriguez, the son of Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, is 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 14 outings with 12 starts this season. The Giants have gone 9-3 in his starting outings.Kelly (0-1 Juan Lagares Jersey , 1.42 ERA) pitched five scoreless innings of relief Saturday against Pittsburgh in his first major league appearance since 2016 then took the loss Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brewers demoted ex-closer and 2017 All-Star Corey Knebel to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday to work on his mechanics.It’s been a dramatic fall this season for Knebel, who until late July was Milwaukee’s closer.The right-hander has a 7.24 ERA since the All-Star break that has raised his season ERA to 5.08. In his last seven appearances, Knebel is 0-2 with an 11.37 ERA.“This isn’t really a demotion. It’s a break http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-travis-d_arnaud-jersey ,” general manager David Stearns said. “Allow him some time to really work on some things in bullpen sessions. It’s really tough for active relief pitchers at the major league level to do that during the normal course of a season because they need to pitch in games every single night.”The Brewers also reinstated right-hander Joakim Soria from the 10-day disabled list before Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Soria had been dealing with a right adductor strain. He was obtained in a trade with the White Sox on July 26.Last season, Knebel had a 1.78 ERA and 39 saves in 76 appearances.“He’s going to work for a couple days and then he’ll report to Colorado Springs to get a couple outings in,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ll do some more here with him in a situation where he can do a little bit of mechanical work. It’s not easy and we don’t have a lot of time left to make adjustments Noah Syndergaard Jersey , so it’s difficult. But we thought the best chance for us to get Corey throwing the ball well again is to give him this break, give him some time to work and then see what we’ve got and go after it in September.”Right-hander Zach Davies also was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. He was optioned to Single-A Wisconsin.

With their backs against the wall Kyle Hendricks Jersey , the Atlanta Braves have extended the National League Division Series after earning a 6-5 Game 3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday at SunTrust Park.Ronald Acuna Jr. blew the game open with a second-inning grand slam, but when the Dodgers fought back to turn a 5-0 deficit into a 5-5 tie, Freddie Freeman came through with the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning.The Braves entered the day down 2-0 in the best-of-five series but kept their season alive with the dramatic win and cut the series deficit to 2-1.Braves Bullpen Bails Out Another Poor StartStarting pitching isn't everything in the postseason, but you still need more than what the Braves players have provided.Sean Newcomb got the start Sunday and allowed two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings. Kevin Gausman was effectively a second starter and gave up two runs while also allowing his inherited runs to score.The good news is the bullpen鈥攖he players who usually spend time working in relief鈥攄id everything they could to give the Braves a chance to win.Touki Toussaint, Chad Sobotka, A.J. Minter and Arodys Vizcaino each threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen, combining to allow just three hits in four innings. Vizcaino struck out three to close things out after allowing two to reach base.Ryan Fagan ryanfaganThree very impressive strikeouts for Vizcaino. Wow.Although it might be a surprise for anyone who watched this team during the regular season, the bullpen has been the Braves' strength so far this series.Mike Foltynewicz and Anibal Sanchez each failed to get out of the fifth inning in their starts, combing to allow seven earned runs in just 6.2 innings. On the other hand, the bullpen gave up only one run in 9.1 innings over the first two games.Vizcaino and the rest of the relievers don't always make things easy, but they have been effective so far and they are a major reason the Braves are still alive in the postseason.Considering the struggles over the course of the year鈥攖he team ranked 10th in the NL in bullpen ERA鈥攁 better start in Game 4 could go a long way toward putting everyone at ease. Braves Will Need Production from Veterans to AdvanceThe story of the Braves season has been the young stars producing highlight-reel plays and eye-popping numbers for their age. This was seen in Game 3 as Acuna had the biggest swing of the entire day.The 20-year-old became the youngest ever to hit a postseason Grand Slam with this second-inning shot:MLB MLBThis is not a drill.ronaldacunajr24, GRAND SLAM. 馃槺馃槺馃槺 kbPCTF2FSZThe problem with young players in general, however http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-mike-montgomery-jersey , is they are often inconsistent and are unproven in big moments.Jason Foster of Sporting News broke down the problems:Jason Foster ByJasonFosterThe Braves are very young. You have to keep reminding yourself of that. It鈥檚 just unfortunate that some of the growing pains have to come in the postseason.Atlanta couldn't get much going in back-to-back shutouts to begin the series, and as soon as the team went up five runs in Game 3, it shut down once again. Whether it was lack of focus or overconfidence, it didn't seem as though the Braves were going to score again the rest of the day after the early surge.This was until Freeman came through with the go-ahead solo homer in the sixth inning:MLB MLBFirst-pitch crushing. #NLDS CRgT8EKV4vUnlike much of the roster, Freeman has been around the majors for years and had postseason experience before this week. While others might have been panicking, the 29-year-old remained calm and came through with his biggest hit of the season.While Acuna, Ozzie Albies and others gain more headlines, the Braves have several veterans who can make a difference like Nick Markakis, Kurt Suzuki and even Ender Inciarte. If Atlanta is going to keep winning games, it will need these guys as much if not more than the young guns.Dodgers' Depth, Experience Will Lead to NLDS Series WinEven if things didn't work out in Game 3, not a lot of teams would be able to overcome a 5-0 deficit in the second inning and pull even. Some squads would mail it in and look ahead to Game 4, while others would press too much and try to hit five-run home runs all game.However Ian Happ Jersey , the Dodgers got one hit at a time before evening the score, providing plenty of confidence for future games.This is the sixth straight year this organization has been in the playoffs, and most of the roster played in the World Series last season. The players have faced all obstacles and know they can overcome nearly anything.Meanwhile, the physical prowess of the Dodgers was just as obvious Sunday as the team's mental advantage.The Dodgers came into the playoffs with significantly more depth than the Braves and arguably anyone else in the majors, and this made a major impact in Game 3.Three different players鈥擟hris Taylor, Matt Kemp and David Freese鈥攎ade their first starts of the series as manager Dave Roberts tried to counter the lefty starter. Taylor made his presence felt with a two-run home run that got his team back in the game:MLB MLBMr. Clutch. #NLDS yJvWPtVYqaThis also allowed the Dodgers to bring in some of their best hitters off the bench when it mattered most, including Max Muncy:Jeff Schultz JeffSchultzATLLets compare the 2 benches in this series:Dodgers bring in Max Muncy.Braves bring in Ryan Flaherty.Ryan Flaherty hit .217 this season while Muncy was one of the best power hitters in the NL. He then came through with a game-tying home run in the fifth.Yasiel Puig, Joc Pederson and Brian Dozier also all got on base as pinch hitters in Game 3.Having matchups that can hurt you throughout a game will help the Dodgers come through with at least one more win this postseason and likely several more.What's Next?The Dodgers still have an advantage in the series and will get another chance to close things out in Atlanta on Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET. Rich Hill and Mike Foltynewicz are expected to start Game 4. The Cleveland Indians announced Wednesday that they've placed star reliever Andrew Miller on the 10-day disabled list with lefts shoulder impingement, and that Tyler Olson has been recalled from Triple-A.Roster move:- Placed LHP Andrew Miller (left shoulder, external impingement) on the 10-day Disabled List, retroactive to August 27- Recalled LHP Tyler Olson from Triple-A Columbus#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/ChsjcZ0YKQ— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 29, 2018It's the third time Miller has hit the DL this season, as pointed out by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Miller is now 33 years of age and is slated to hit free agency this winter Jose Quintana Jersey , so the series of injuries could hurt his value should he enters the open market.That being said, the Indians are able to be cautious with Miller and their other injured聽players. They enter play on Wednesday with a 75-56 record, 14 games clear of the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central lead. They're considerably behind the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, so the Indians are virtually locked in as the No. 3 seed in the American League come playoff time.advertising Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY SportsMiller has an excellent postseason track record, having won the 2016 ALCS MVP for the Indians after dominating the Toronto Blue Jays. In the postseason that year, Miller pitched 19.1 innings and struck out a whopping 30 batters, picking up two winning decisions while posting an impressive 1.40 ERA.In 27 game appearances with the Indians this season, Miller has posted a 3.38 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. Given the season-long struggles of closer Cody Allen, it's very possible Miller assumes the closer role come playoff time. Trade deadline pickup Brad Hand could slot in as the setup man for Miller.advertisingMiller has posted a 1.87 ERA during his two-and-a-half seasons with the Indians, building up a reputation as one of the top relievers in all of baseball. If he can return to full health and have another strong performance in the postseason, Miller could land one of the richest reliever contracts in history come winter time.

TORONTO (AP) — Late in the season http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-mike-trout-jersey , as rumors of potential managerial openings swirled around baseball, Charlie Montoyo and fellow Tampa Bay Rays coaches Rocco Baldelli and Matt Quatraro started playing a game. When word of an expected vacancy surfaced, one member of the trio would slip that team’s media guide into the others’ locker. The suggestion: If someone comes calling you in the offseason, you’d better have done your homework.As it turned out, no one ever put a Blue Jays media guide in Montoyo’s locker, even though he saw Toronto as an enticing opportunity.“We were saying, that’s going to be a good job,” Montoyo said Monday in his first public appearance as the 13th manager in Blue Jays history. “This is an exciting team right here, for sure.”By the time Montoyo found out Toronto wanted to talk to him, there was no time to prepare.“I couldn’t Kole Calhoun Jersey ,” he said. “It happened that fast.”Montoyo might not have known the Blue Jays organization inside out, but that didn’t stop him from becoming Toronto GM Ross Atkins’ preferred candidate. A week ago Sunday, about an hour after Rays GM Erik Neander told Montoyo the Blue Jays were interested in him, Atkins was calling to chat. Two days later, Montoyo was in Toronto to interview. By Thursday, the job was his.“He really fit our criteria the best before he ever set foot in our building,” Atkins said. “Excitement would be putting it lightly. I’m elated.”The Blue Jays had consecutive losing seasons under John Gibbons after making back-to-back AL Championship Series appearances in 2015 and 2016, but Montoyo said he sees plenty to look forward to.“It almost reminds me of the team we had in Tampa,” Montoyo said. “A lot of younger kids, there’s going to have to be a lot of player development. It’s going to be a fun team to manage.”Montoyo Garrett Richards Jersey , whose only big league playing experience was a four-game stint with Montreal in 1993, was later a minor league teammate of Expos great Vladimir Guerrero. In Toronto, his top prospect will be the Hall of Famer’s son, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hit .381 with 20 homers at Double-A and Triple-A this past season.“To tell you the truth, I’ve never seen him play, but I’m looking forward to it,” Montoyo said.Montoyo served as bench coach for Rays manager Kevin Cash last season, moving back into the dugout after three years as Tampa Bay’s third base coach. Before that, he spent 18 seasons as a minor league manager in the Rays system Andrew Heaney Jersey , winning seven International League South Division titles and two Governors’ Cup championships (2009, 2013) with Triple-A Durham. He also worked with the Puerto Rican team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.Acknowledging he has yet to discuss specifics with Atkins and team president Mark Shapiro, Montoyo said fans shouldn’t expect him to copy Tampa Bay’s use of opening pitchers and four-man outfield alignments.“Just because I come from Tampa Bay doesn’t mean we’re going to do everything they did over there,” Montoyo said. “We’re a different team and we’re going to adjust to what we have.”One thing he will try to bring, however, is the goal of defying expectations for a young, unheralded team. Tampa Bay won 90 games this season, making a push for a wild-card berth in the final weeks of September. Previously, Shapiro and Atkins both suggested it could take two to four years for Toronto’s rebuild to bear fruit.“From the first game of spring training, we’re going to play to win Huston Street Jersey ,” Montoyo said.Montoyo said he was proud to put on a Blue Jays jersey for the first time Monday, one day after fellow Puerto Rican Alex Cora led the Boston Red Sox to the World Series title.“There’s a lot of happiness in Puerto Rico now and I’m proud of that,” he said. The Minnesota Twins have beaten out the opposing clubs to sign free-agent, Nelson Cruz.Cruz's contract is reportedly worth $14.3 million for this upcoming season. He will also be receiving a team option worth $12 million for the 2020 season. If the Twins decide not to exercise his option, then the buyout for him would cost $300K.The Twins were reportedly not the only team interested in signing Cruz either. There were also two other teams that were seriously interested in his services. Those teams included the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays.#Astros plan was to team Cruz with Michael Brantley and make their deep offense deeper. #Rays were willing to do a second splurge (for their market) after Charlie Morton. But #Twins won out on Cruz.— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 27, 2018advertisingCruz will turn 39-years-old on Canada Day, but for those of you who are reading this outside of Canada, it will just be July 1, 2018. The veteran has still been a very productive hitter despite being in his late 30's.Last season showed signs of a little regression from what Cruz has produced in the last few seasons before. However, the six-time All-Star was still able to record 37 home-runs http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-rod-carew-jersey , 97 RBI's along with a .256 batting average.Those 37 home-runs ranked Cruz eighth in home-runs throughout the American League. Which shows he can still produce at an All-Star level, which is also why he was able to command $14 million for next season.advertising Sporting NewsAlthough, last season may be the start of what's to come for Cruz. Even though he mainly only has to worry about hitting, he is starting to show signs that he won't be around the game for much longer.Cruz's slugging percentage was the one big regressions he suffered last season. His percentage dropped .040 from just the season before. He also appeared in the fewest games in a season since 2013.He was benched in those games due to him needing more rest and time to recover. Which definitely shows that this could continue for the remaining seasons that he is in the league for. This is a big reason why he also only received a contract that guarantees him for just one season.advertisingThere's no question that he will still be a productive hitter for the Twins next season. It's just a matter of question if he will be able to appear in more than 140 games next season, due to needing more rest between games and series he plays in.What This MeansCruz should provide the Twins with that middle of the order bat that they will be able to pair next to Miguel Sano in their lineup. Even with him being towards the end of his career, he should still be able to produce at least 30 home runs and around 90 RBI's next season.However, if the Twins exercise the second year in his contract then this will likely be the last deal he will ever sign in the MLB. Because it would be hard to imagine a lot of teams lining up to sign a 40-year-old player who can only serve as the designated hitter.

The Milwaukee Brewers sent an unexpected jolt into the NLCS Monday Tyler Glasnow Jersey , as they shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium to pick up a 2-1 series lead.The victory set the tone of the rest of the series, as the Brewers received a solid pitching performance from starter Jhoulys Chacin and their bullpen got out of a few late jams.For the second time in the series, the Dodgers will be playing from behind, and they'll call upon Rich Hill to help level the series on the mound in Game 4.The Dodgers are also waiting for an unheralded hero to step up in the NLCS similar to what the Brewers have gotten out of Orlando Arcia. NLCS Game 4 InformationStart Time:9:09 p.m. ETTV:FS1Live Stream:Fox Sports Go or Fox Sports app PredictionsDodgers Benefit from Hill's ExperienceRich Hill isn't going to blow any hitters away with 100-mile-per-hour fastballs, but he also isn't going to put his team in danger of losing a postseason game.The experienced left-hander has been a model of consistency in the postseason, as he's never given up more than four earned runs in nine appearances.A year ago, Hill made four starts for the Dodgers in the NLCS and World Series, and although he didn't last more than five innings, he kept them in a position to win.Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesThe Dodgers have won six of the eight playoff games Hill has started in the last three years, but he's only been credited with a victory once.If Hill steadies the ship in the first five innings, the Dodgers should be able to take the lead through a few scoring opportunities at the plate.In Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta, the Dodgers provided Hill with a one-run lead in the first inning, and he benefited from that for the first three innings out his outing.Even though Hill left with a 2-1 deficit on the scoreboard http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-adam-frazier-jersey , he didn't hurt his team's chances of winning, which is what the Dodgers need again from the left-hander after suffering a tough Game 3 loss at home.Gonzalez Experiences Another Early ExitGio Gonzalez didn't last long on the mound in Game 1, as Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell opted to put trust in his bullpen after two innings.Gonzalez enters his Game 4 start fresh, but he'll be out on the bump for a similar length as Game 1, but for a different reason.The Brewers left-hander is going up against a Dodgers lineup that threatened throughout Game 3 but failed to deliver, as they went0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.Jeff Roberson/Associated PressWith a 3-1 deficit staring them in the face, the Dodgers will rally and post a few runs to the scoreboard early to make a statement.In Game 3, the heart of the Los Angeles order produced all five hits, with Manny Machado and Justin Turner combining for three of them.If the Dodgers are able to get one or two runners on base for Turner and Machado in the first inning, they'll rattle Gonzalez and lead him in the direction of an early exit.Even if Turner and Machado don't produce runs in their first time around the order, Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez will turn the order over to set up scoring opportunities.Expect the Dodgers to put a handful of runners on base in the first few innings against Gonzalez, which will force Counsell into a tough decision to either keep his starter out on the mound or allow the bullpen to take over. Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference. PHOENIX — For the second time in a month Chad Kuhl Jersey , Arizona right-hander Zack Godley did not appear comfortable fielding his position in a loss to Seattle on Friday, the one blip in what is shaping up as a career year.Godley made a wild throw past third base when Mariners center fielder Dee Gordon attempted a delayed steal of third, and enabling Gordon to score the first run of a four-run third inning in a 6-3 victory.Godley, who has a career-high 13 victories and is on target to set a handful of other personal records this season, threw past first base on a come-backer against Colorado last month and later that game opted not to attempt a pickoff throw when a runner broke for second.Article continues below ...It has caught the Diamondbacks‘ attention as the stretch drive begins.“These are a couple of situations that have popped up on him,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged. “What happens now, this is a smart league.“Teams are going to start to lock in on what happened in Arizona here tonight and perhaps take another poke at it. We have to figure out a way to make that not happen. There are a lot of things we can do to help. If it is a limitation, and it is certainly pointing in that direction, or it could be, we can’t ignore it. We are going to figure out the best solution.”The Diamondbacks lost to Seattle 4-2 in 10 innings in the second game of the series between playoff contenders Saturday and fell into a tie with Colorado for first place in the NL West.They will send right-hander Zack Greinke (12-8, 3.06) to oppose Mariners right-hander Mike Leake (8-7, 3.90) in the rubber final game Sunday.The Mariners won their first series since sweeping four in Houston from Aug. 9-12, helped by another homer from Mitch Haniger http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-ivan-nova-jersey , who has two in the series and a career-high 22 this season.“I think it is going to be a fight,” Haniger said of the AL West race. “We have a really good team here, and I think we are getting hot at the right time.”Greinke is 0-3 in his last four starts, breaking a seven-game winning streak, although the Diamondbacks offensive support has been complicit in the recent slump. Three of his last four starts were quality starts, but the offense scored only seven runs in those four when he was on the mound.Still, Greinke is one of three double-digit winners on the D-backs’ staff (only Colorado has as many) and ranks seventh in the league in ERA. He is fifth in the NL with 165 strikeouts and sixth with a 1.05 WHIP.“I know Patrick (Corbin) has had a great year as well, but Zack has been the main guy for all of us to jump on board with him,” Lovullo said. “It starts with fastball command. It starts with a game plan, attacking zones. Preparation. Any time he starts a game, we know we are in the game.”Greinke’s strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.1:1 is third in the league behind Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. Greinke has made 16 quality starts, tied for fifth in the league.Leake, who was courted by the Diamondbacks in the same offseason they signed Greinke to a six-year http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-jameson-taillon-jersey , $206.5 million contract, missed his last scheduled start because of an illness.He has not pitched since his best and perhaps most important outing to date, a no-decision in a 2-0, 12-inning victory at Oakland on Aug. 15 in which he gave up two hits and struck out six.“He’s been one of most consistent guys, going out there and doing his thing,” Servais said. “He does it a little bit different every time out. When he is right, he has a good sinker and the ball is on the ground the lot. He throws a ton of strikes.“We missed him with the illness. Not having him in there hurt, but glad to have him back. It’s been a really good season for him.”Leake, who helped nearby Arizona State to the College World Series in 2009, leads the AL with 164 hits allowed but his ERA is the lowest it has been since mid-April. He is 5-3 with a 4.96 ERA in 11 career starts against the Diamondbacks, one in each of the last two seasons while with St. Louis.

BOSTON — Having rallied to win a game played in a playoff atmosphere on Friday Joe Maddon Jersey , the Houston Astros bring Charlie Morton off the disabled list to start against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a three-game series at Fenway Park Saturday.The defending world champions could do nothing against David Price, but scored three runs in the seventh inning and three more in the eighth to win their sixth straight and end Boston’s five-game winning streak in the opener of a series that could be repeated in the postseason.The game had a playoff feel to it as the fan intensity was increased by the presence of a large number of Houston fans proudly wearing their orange and battling with the locals all night.Article continues below ...Asked after the game if it was special getting a road win against a very good team, Houston manager AJ Hinch, whose team is 3 1/2 games ahead of the Oakland A’s in the American League West, said, “Special? It’s just another win. It really is just another win. We’re chasing down a division title. Special? It’s nice to win in the big leagues, but nothing more than a game in September.”Now Hinch sends Morton, who has been out with right shoulder discomfort, and his 13-3 record and 3.14 ERA out to face Boston’s Eduardo Rodriguez, who comes in 12-3 with a 3.34 ERA.Morton is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox, but that loss came June 3 at Houston when Boston reached him for six runs, including two home runs, in 5 1/3 innings. That was his first loss of the season after a 7-0 start.He is 1-0 in one career start at Fenway.Rodriguez, who came off the disabled list (sprained ankle) Sept. 1, has allowed just one run on 13 hits in 22 2/3 innings over his last four starts. He came off the DL with 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, defeating the Chicago White Sox last Saturday.The left-hander is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two career starts against the Astros.Price, who missed a start after getting hit on the left wrist with a line drive, was masterful, striking out 10 in 6 1/3 innings Friday. But Ryan Brasier quickly surrendered the lead in the seventh. The Red Sox re-tied the game before the Astros scored three in the eighth off Joe Kelly to go to 13-4 in their last 17 road games. They are a major league-best 48-21 on the road.“I felt good,” Price said when asked about being pulled with two runners on base in the seventh. “I’m never going to take myself out of a game. I didn’t get the job done. If I don’t want to come out in that situation, don’t have anyone on base and just go out there and pitch better.”Red Sox hitters have some impressive numbers against Morton. Mitch Moreland is 3-for-4 (.750) with a home run http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-willson-contreras-jersey , Steve Pearce is 4-for-7 (.571), Ian Kinsler 3-for-7 (.429), Andrew Benintendi 2-for-5 (.400), Xander Bogaerts 3-for-9 (.333) and new arrival Brandon Phillips 13-for-43 (.302). J.D. Martinez is 2-for-9 (.222).The current Astros have just 30 at-bats against Rodriguez, but Carlos Correa and Marwin Gonzalez are each 3-for-3. Overall, the current roster is a combined 12-for-30 (.400) with a homer and six RBIs against the veteran left-hander.Gonzalez, out with right oblique discomfort, is expected to return Saturday, while Hector Rondon, hit on the right hand with a comebacker earlier in the week, pitched Friday night.Lance McCullers, on the disabled list for the last month with a right elbow problem, is expected to throw a bullpen Saturday en route to a return. When he comes back, he is slated to go to the bullpen.The news wasn’t as good for the Red Sox, who announced Dustin Pedroia underwent another knee operation in July and is officially done for the season. That was the indication when Boston acquired Ian Kinsler, but there was no word on the new surgery.The Red Sox were also without reliever Matt Barnes Friday night. The righty is dealing with left hip inflammation and had an MRI Thursday. KANSAS CITY, 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 Albert Almora Jr Jersey , 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,” 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 Kyle Hendricks 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,” 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.

SAN ANGELO Brandon Phillips Jersey , Texas (AP) — Doc Edwards, a major league catcher who went on to manage the Cleveland Indians for three seasons in the 1980s, has died. He was 81.His death in San Angelo was announced by his family through longtime friends. Other details were not disclosed.Edwards spent more than a half century in baseball. He succeeded Pat Corrales as manager of Cleveland, where in 1962 he began his major league career as a player. He managed the Indians for the 1987-89 seasons Luis Valbuena Jersey , finishing with a record of 173-207. Earlier, he was a coach for Cleveland, as well as Philadelphia and the New York Mets.He played five years in the big leagues, mostly with Cleveland and Kansas City. He also played for the New York Yankees and Phillies. He batted .238 for his career http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-chris-young-jersey , with 15 home runs and 87 RBIs.Howard Rodney Edwards was born in Red Jacket, West Virginia. His nickname came from his time as a Navy medic. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty ImagesThe assault charge against Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna was dropped Tuesday as part of a peace bond agreement."I am pleased and relieved by today's court decision. Now I can begin to put these allegations behind me and focus on baseball," Osuna said in a statement, per KHOU 11. "I want to thank my family Cam Bedrosian Jersey , teammates and fans for believing in me. I am grateful to the Astros for providing me with the opportunity to play baseball and compete for a World Series championship."Osuna, 23, appeared at aTorontocourthouse Tuesday to make the agreement, which is similar to a diversion program in the U.S. and will require him to have no contact with the victim and stay out of trouble for one year http://www.angelsfanproshop.com/authentic-blake-wood-jersey , perCristina Tenaglia鈥?of CTV News."The Houston Astros look forward to Roberto continuing his commitment to be a productive and caring part of our community," the Astros said in a statement via KHOU11. "The Astros remain committed to increase our support regarding the issues of domestic violence and abuse of any kind. We have engaged with a number of local, state and national organizations - and we look forward to working with them in the short term and over the long term."Osuna was suspended 75 games by Major League Baseball after being arrested in May for assaulting a woman. A reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays at the time, the Astros later traded for Osuna while he was suspended.He returned to play in Toronto on Monday for the first time since being traded and was greeted by a chorus of boos before completing his 10th save for the Astros.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Three wheelchair users are suing the Baltimore Orioles over accessibility at Camden Yards.News outlets report the lawsuit filed Friday against the team and the Maryland Stadium Authority says each plaintiff has been stuck in a wheelchair lift while trying to get to their seats. And the view from lower-level wheelchair-accessible seats is obstructed whenever fans stand up.Plaintiff’s attorney Sharon Krevor-Weisbaum says the Americans with Disabilities Act mandated “equal enjoyment of the services.” Another plaintiff’s attorney Johnny Manziel Jersey , Kevin D. Docherty, criticized the Orioles for July’s “Celebrate ADA Day.”The plaintiffs seek damages of at least $75,000 each, and a Camden Yards that’s compliant by the next baseball season.The Orioles couldn’t be reached for comment. Attorney General Brian E. Frosh’s office, which represents the stadium authority, declined to comment on pending litigation. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Oakland Athletics broke out a little bit of everything Friday night to snap their two-game skid: efficient starting pitching, sharp singles http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-wil-myers-jersey , sacrifice flies and even their first bunt-single of the year.And oh yes, home runs.Sean Manaea (12-9) stifled Minnesota’s batters into the sixth inning, and Matt Chapman broke things open with a three-run homer and the A’s beat the Twins 7-1 on Friday night to maintain their hold on the AL’s final wild-card spot.Stephen Piscotty and Ramon Laureano added a ninth-inning shot each as the A’s did just enough against Twins starter Jake Odorizzi (5-8) before pouncing on the bullpen.“We’ve been playing so well and all of a sudden we have two losses in a row, which we haven’t had in a while now,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “So now it’s time to respond and they did.”After giving up some early runs in their last two losses, the A’s got back to the winning formula that helped them ramp up their pursuit of Houston in the AL West.Manaea recovered nicely from a rough outing against Houston last weekend. He yielded an unearned run, five hits and a walk with one strikeout. He threw 50 of his 67 pitches for strikes before manager Melvin pulled him for Lou Trivino after Eddie Rosario’s leadoff single in the sixth.“We have a full ‘pen today Rickey Henderson Jersey , and based on the last couple of starts I didn’t want to get him into a jam where he had a chance to take a loss,” Melvin said.Up to that point, Odorizzi had pitched well himself, also allowing only one earned run off five hits and one walk. But Oliver Drake relieved Odorizzi in the eighth and found himself in trouble quickly, allowing a single and a walk before Chapman’s 18th homer, a shot to right that made it 5-1.“Good teams can beat you in many different ways, whether it’s bunting to beat the shift http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-ozzie-smith-jersey , or it’s home runs or flare singles into right center, whatever,” said Jonathan Lucroy, whose RBI single in the fifth made it 2-1. “You’ve got to have a lot of weapons. You can just be one-sided with homers. We’ve got to beat you a lot of different ways.”Eddie Rosario scored Minnesota’s lone run in the fourth on Miguel Sano’s sac-fly to center.THAT’S A FIRSTJed Lowrie’s bunt single in the first inning against the shift extended his hitting streak to four games.“I thought they’d mistaken me for Joey Gallo,” Lowrie quipped of the Texas Rangers infielder. “I’ve never had four outfielders before. But I like hits.”ODORIZZI’S STREAKOdorizzi pitched seven innings for the first time this season after opening the year with 26 consecutive starts without an out in the seventh — the longest such streak in major league history. The Twins right-hander allowed one earned run, five hits and a walk.“I wouldn’t say it’s a breakthrough,” Odorizzi said. “It’s nice to get the results when you feel like you’re feeling good and throwing the ball well.”His lone fifth-inning walk proved costly when Odorizzi’s bad throw to second off a grounder allowed Lowrie to reach third and later score on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly.MAUER’S MILESTONEThe crowd gave Joe Mauer a standing ovation after he singled off Manaea in the fifth for his 2 Cory Spangenberg Jersey ,086th career hit, moving him past Rod Carew for second-most hits in club history behind Kirby Puckett’s 2,304.“It was pretty special to see the guys at the top step, and the fans on their feet. That really means a lot,” Mauer said.Manaea ended the two-on, two-out threat by inducing Logan Forsythe into a pop-fly to center.TRAINER’S ROOMTwins: Placed C Bobby Wilson on the 10-day DL with a sprained right ankle he injured Thursday night. The Twins called up Willians Astudillo from Triple-A Rochester. … Manager Paul Molitor said there’s enough lack of extension in RHP Ervin Santana’s injured finger to shut down all throwing activities.PLAYERS WEEKENDThe teams rolled out their players’ weekend jerseys, complete with nicknames across their shoulders. Among the highlights:“Manaelator” (Manaea)“Jedi” (Lowrie http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-eric-hosmer-jersey , although his nickname was officially listed “Capt. Barrel”)“Sauce” (Marcus Semien)“Logie Bear” (Logan Forsythe)“Garv Sauce” (Mitch Garver)And reserved hometown favorite Mauer? “Mauer”UP NEXT:Athletics: RHP Mike Fiers (9-6) takes the mound for his fourth start since joining the A’s from Detroit on Aug. 6. He’s 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three starts with Oakland.Twins: Rookie RHP Stephen Gonsalves (0-1) makes his second career start. The touted prospect allowed four runs, six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

NEW YORK (AP) — Mookie Betts is ready to become an ambassador for baseball http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-craig-gentry-jersey , now that he’s won a batting title, World Series and Most Valuable Player award with Boston.“I enjoy being kind of a face around the game. I’ve kind of used this pedestal or whatever you want to say to spread knowledge that the game is fun,” he said Thursday after his runaway victory for the AL MVP award.Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich was close to a unanimous pick for the NL honor. A 26-year-old outfielder just like Betts, Yelich also won a batting championship and led his team to a division title. But while Betts has been with the Red Sox since he signed after the 2011 amateur draft, Yelich didn’t join the Brewers until he was dealt to Milwaukee last January by the payroll-paring Miami Marlins.“I’m thankful it all worked out because being traded, you never know how it’s going to be,” Yelich said. “Luckily for myself, it all went amazing.”Yelich is signed through 2021 and his deal includes a team option for the following season. Betts didn’t want to speculate whether he would be a Red Sox lifer, like former Boston MVPs Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice. Betts can become a free agent after the 2020 season.“Right now I’m just focusing on the 2019 season coming up,” he said.Betts received 28 first-place votes and 410 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a two-time MVP, followed with one first-place vote and 265 points. Trout tied the record of four second-place finishes shared by Stan Musial, Williams and Albert Pujols. Trout won in 2014 and 2016 Andrew Cashner Jersey , finished second in ’12, ’13 and ’15, and was fourth in 2017.Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez was third with 208 points, and Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez was next with one first and 198 points.Betts hit a major league-leading .346 with 32 homers, 80 RBIs, 42 doubles and 30 stolen bases as the leadoff hitter for the Red Sox, who won a team-record 108 games and their fourth World Series title in 15 seasons. Votes were submitted before the postseason.Betts, second to Trout in the 2016 vote, raised his profile when he fed homeless people on the steps of Boston’s Public Library after the second game of the World Series. Unlike some baseball players, he doesn’t eschew off-the-field limelight. Commissioner Rob Manfred criticized Trout during the All-Star Game for not making enough of a marketing effort.“I definitely think it’s pretty cool in some settings,” he said, “and in some setting settings I just kind of want to be with my family.”Both batting champions won MVP awards for the first time since San Francisco’s Buster Posey and Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera in 2012.Yelich got 29 first-place votes and 415 points, and the other first-place vote went to New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, the NL Cy Young Award winner http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-chance-sisco-jersey , who finished fifth. Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez was second with 250 points, followed by Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado with 203.Yelich won the first batting title in Brewers history with a .326 average. He set career highs with 36 homers and 110 RBIs and had a 1.000 OPS.Yelich nearly became the NL’s first Triple Crown winner since Joe Medwick in 1937, finishing two homers shy of Arenado and one RBI back of Baez. Yelich was especially impressive in the second half, hitting .367 with 25 homers and 67 RBIs — including 11 homers in August and 10 in September.Milwaukee reached the playoffs for the first time in seven years, swept Colorado in the Division Series then lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game League Championship Series, falling one win short of its first World Series appearance since 2002.Yelich gets a $100,000 bonus for winning, and the price of the 2022 team option in his contract increased by $1 million to $16 million.Yelich celebrated in Southern California with family and friends, including Heisman Trophy winner and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Yelich is from Westlake Village, California, near the site of a recent mass shooting and the Southern California wildfires. He wore a Los Angeles Fire Department cap during TV interviews.“Almost everyone had to be evacuated, just from the Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Malibu area Jeremy Hellickson Jersey ,” he said. “We were fortunate enough to make it with no damage, A lot of people, unfortunately, were not able to say the same.” MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun slid across home plate and raised his arms in sheer joy.A big lead, a bruising bullpen and a boisterous crowd have the Milwaukee Brewers all set up for Game 7.Jesus Aguilar sparked Milwaukee’s slumping lineup with three RBIs on a pair of two-out hits, and the Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 on Friday night to even the NL Championship Series at three games each.“I don’t think about me. The most important thing, at the end of the day, is win games,” said Aguilar, who had driven in just two runs in the playoffs. “Tomorrow it can be somebody else. Tonight, it was me.”Game 7 is Saturday night in front of the same frenzied crowd that booed Manny Machado vociferously after he tangled with Aguilar while the series was in Los Angeles. Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler faces journeyman Jhoulys Chacin, with well-rested relief ace Josh Hader looming in the bullpen for Milwaukee after a surprise day off.It’s the first Game 7 for the Brewers since losing to St. Louis in 1982 in their only World Series appearance. The Dodgers dropped Game 7 of the World Series last year to Houston.“Got to get them tomorrow. We got one more game,” Machado said. “They played good baseball today. So, we just got to play a better one tomorrow.”David Freese led off this Game 6 with a home run that quieted Miller Park — but just for a moment.Backed by raucous fans waving yellow towels that read “ONE TOUGH CREW http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-caleb-joseph-jersey ,” Milwaukee rebounded from consecutive losses at Dodger Stadium with the same formula it used to win the NL Central during a breakout season.Some timely hitting by Aguilar and company produced an early lead, and Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress led the way in another shutdown performance by Milwaukee’s tough bullpen.“Anybody, anywhere, anytime,” Knebel said. “We’re ready to go.”Los Angeles was looking for its second straight NL pennant and some time to prepare for the mighty Boston Red Sox in the World Series. But losing pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was tagged for four runs in the first inning, two on a double by Aguilar that sent Braun sliding home.After Wade Miley pitched into the fifth inning in his second straight start — he faced only one batter in Game 5 — Knebel, Jeffress and Corbin Burnes closed it out with hitless relief. Knebel got the win and Burnes retired the Dodgers in order in the ninth, setting off a wild celebration for the crowd of 43,619.Manager Craig Counsell considered bringing in Hader, especially in the eighth, but Aguilar scored on a wild pitch in the seventh and singled in Lorenzo Cain in the eighth. The extra room helped persuade Counsell to give Hader another day of rest. The rocket-armed reliever hasn’t pitched since Tuesday in Game 4.“Best-case scenario for sure for us,” Counsell said.Freese drove in both runs for the Dodgers. The rest of the Los Angeles lineup managed just three measly singles. Hounded by boos all night long, Machado went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.“You know what? I’m focused on the game,” Machado said. “Try to go pitch by pitch Roberto Alomar Jersey , drive in runs. Do what we got to do on the field. We didn’t execute today.”The 35-year-old Freese was a surprise choice for leadoff hitter by Dave Roberts, and he made his manager look quite good when he started the game with a drive to right-center for his ninth career postseason homer.Freese also connected in the first inning of the previous NLCS Game 6 in Milwaukee, helping the Cardinals win the pennant in 2011. It was just his fourth time in the leadoff spot in his 10 years in the majors.But the Brewers put together a quick response that set the tone for the rest of the night. With runners on first and second in the bottom half of the first, Aguilar lined an opposite-field double into the corner in right.Mike Moustakas followed with another RBI double and scored on Erik Kratz’s single to make it 4-1. The Brewers managed just three runs in the previous two games in Los Angeles.“It was huge to be able to answer back in the first inning after the homer,” Moustakas said. “One would have been great, two would have been awesome. To put up four right there just gives us a lot of confidence.”Christian Yelich and Braun combined for another run with consecutive doubles in the second, and then it became a question of strategy for Roberts and Counsell with Game 7 on deck.Roberts used starting pitcher Rich Hill in the eighth after Kenta Maeda struggled, staying away from key reliever Pedro Baez and closer Kenley Jansen. Counsell stayed with Knebel for five outs, giving him his first pro plate appearance with the bases loaded in the fifth — he struck out — and Burnes worked two perfect innings.“There’s the thought of trying to go to your ‘pen in the first inning or the second inning, but there’s a significant cost potentially for a potential Game 7,” Roberts said. “So I just felt that we needed to get some more innings out of Hyun-Jin to keep our highest leverage guys available for a potential Game 7.”

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The pitch from Bob Uecker was http://www.denverbroncosteamonline.com/phillip-lindsay-jersey , predictably, just a bit outside.The Milwaukee Brewers announcer is always good for a laugh, even before the first game of the NL Championship Series.“Bob will be throwing out the (ceremonial) first pitch tonight,” a press conference moderator said as Uecker walked to a podium a couple hours before the Brewers hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park.“I am,” the straight-faced Uecker joked quizzically.There is perhaps no better ambassador for Brewers baseball than the 84-year-old Uecker.Fittingly, he’s known by the nickname “Mr. Baseball.”In his 48th season calling Brewers games, Uecker is beloved in his hometown of Milwaukee for his dry wit and entertaining calls.The Brewers have two statues dedicated to Uecker at Miller Park, including one in the last row of the upper deck that commemorates one of Uecker’s commercials for Miller Lite in which he repeated the phrase “I must be in the front row!”He remains an important member of the Brewers, considered as much a part of the organization as MVP candidate Christian Yelich or veteran outfielder Ryan Braun.A Hall of Fame broadcaster, Uecker can relate to the current generation of players in different ways.First off Womens Phillip Lindsay Jersey , he’s a former major league catcher, having played six years with three teams. His career ended in 1967, when the lifetime .200 hitter managed just a .150 average playing with the Phillies and Braves.“Well, I think for the most part they know that I played, and I think that’s where the relation really comes in,” Uecker said.“I’ve been on the same side where you’ve got a 10-game losing streak. You’ve got to talk to the press. It’s not sometimes the most pleasant thing, but you have to do it. And I know what that’s like,” he added.He also starred in the TV series “Mr. Belvedere” and the movie “Major League,” two sequels to the baseball franchise – though don’t get him started on the third one.“The third one stunk,” he said. “It was really bad. I could have played in that one.”But he is thoroughly enjoying the Brewers’ run to the NLCS in their first postseason appearance since 2011.“And I think the bottom line is that Bob … belongs in a baseball clubhouse. He fits. He gets it Cheap Kerryon Johnson Jersey ,” manager Craig Counsell said. “His sense of humor doesn’t have an age span.”__ NEW YORK (AP) — MGM Resorts International became Major League Baseball’s official gambling partner in the U.S. and Japan, a deal made as the sport tries to ensure more prevalent legal sports betting does not lead to any scandals of the type sparked by illegal wagers in its past.“Over the past 18 months we’ve had various senior people in the office involved various aspects of the sports gaming project,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said at Tuesday’s announcement. “I think that we have ensured ourselves on the integrity front by updating our policies, making clear what employees and players can and cannot do on the one hand, and on the other developing clear guidelines for the commercial activity that central baseball, meaning Major League Baseball will engage in and similarly the kind of commercial activities that will be allowed on the club level, as well.”The U.S. Supreme Court in May overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which prohibited every state but Nevada from allowing betting on most sporting events.Baseball was plagued by betting scandals in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the biggest a thrown World Series in 1919 that led to lifetime bans for eight Chicago “Black Sox” players imposed by the first baseball commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis.Major League Rule 21 specifies “any player http://www.lionscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-kerryon-johnson-jersey , umpire or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year” and adds the penalty for betting on a game in which the “bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”That led to the 1989 investigation of then-Cincinnati manager Pete Rose. The probe concluded Rose bet on the Reds to win with illegal bookmakers, and the career hits leader agreed to a lifetime ban.MLB is considering updated policies that would prohibit employees, including players, from causing bets to be made and from distributing confidential information that could impact betting, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the policies were not final.MLB also is discussing its prohibition against team owners also owning entities that provide sports betting, a policy in place before the Supreme Court decision, the person said.Manfred declined to detail the updated policies Authentic Kerryon Johnson Jersey , which he said were discussed at last week’s owners’ meeting. He said final revisions were being made.MGM will become an MLB-authorized gambling operator and will promote itself with teams and on the MLB Network, MLB.com and the MLB At Bat app. Manfred said MGM will have a presence at baseball’s top events.“There’s been a huge change in public opinion” on sports gambling, Manfred said.MLB will make a limited part of its Statcast data available to MGM on an exclusive basis. That data also is available to the 30 clubs.“It has presented an opportunity for all sports and baseball in particular,” he added. “We have to take advantage of every opportunity to drive engagement by fans.”Manfred said he does not expect there will be betting windows open at London’s Olympic Stadium during the two-game series in June between the New York Yankees and the World Series champion Boston Red Sox — the first MLB games in Britain.MGM in August became the official gambling partner of the NBA and WNBA, and last month it became the first official sports betting partner of the NHL.MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren spoke about the importance of the MLB deal and said he “will do whatever I can as a fan, as an executive in the gaming industry and as a sports partner to ensure that this is a partnership that will last forever.”