Wright, d'Arnaud lead Braves to sweep Marlins, reach NLCS
Atlanta Braves players celebrate after defeating the Miami Marlins in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Houston. And even those future Hall of Famers didn't throw the way these Braves have this postseason. Wright (1-0) was sharp despite not pitching since Sept. 25, allowing three hits and walking two with a career-high seven strikeouts. Atlanta became the second team in history to throw four shutouts in the first five playoff games, joining the 1905 New York Giants behind Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity. D’Arnaud knocked a double off the bullpen in right-center to send two home and extend the lead to 3-0.
Anderson sharp, Markakis alert, Braves blank Miami, lead 2-0
Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson delivers a pitch during the fourth inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Houston. Anderson blanked Miami into the sixth inning, Markakis made a nifty play in right field to help preserve the lead late, and the Braves threw another playoff shutout in a 2-0 victory Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the NL Division Series. “It’s hard to bunch hits together, pitching is too good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. Miami manager Don Mattingly didn't fault Dickerson for being thrown out because he said Markakis could've dived to catch it. On a day when Atlanta got only four hits, Swanson and d’Arnaud provided the offense.
Dickerson homers as Marlins beat Cubs 5-1 in playoff opener
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO – The Miami Marlins just kept fighting. Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer off a fading Hendricks in the seventh inning, and Miami beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 of their NL wild-card series. The Marlins, who rallied past the Cubs in a memorable NLCS that year, have never lost a playoff series. Yu Darvish starts for the Central champion Cubs, and rookie right-hander Sixto Sánchez get the ball for upstart Miami. “It’s going to be great.”Darvish is making his first playoff appearance since signing with Chicago before the 2018 season.
Marlins shut down Mets 4-0
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK Miguel Rojas two-run single capped a three-run second inning and four pitchers combined on an eight-hitter to lead the Miami Marlins past the New York Mets 4-0 on Tuesday night in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the Mets first game since a player and a coach tested positive for the coronavirus. The Marlins scored all their runs against Rick Porcello (1-4) with a pair of two-out rallies. The Mets didnt pitch deGrom Tuesday because he didnt get his usual between starts mound work in until Monday. Marlins: Elieser Hernandez (1-0, 2.29 ERA) is looking to win back-to-back starts for the first time as a big leaguer.
As MLB 60-game season draws near, careful optimism prevails
Several stars chose not to participate from the start, and rarely a day goes by without a positive COVID-19 test in one camp or another. But here we are, mere days from launching a season that's unique in almost every way. But Hyde remains hopeful that the season will start on time and go the distance. While there's reason for optimism, the stark truth is that COVID-19 is not going away. They still have a chance to play this season, manager Don Mattingly said.
Going out swinging: Puig brawls again as Reds finish trade
Call it Pirates vs. Reds, round two - and a fitting farewell for Yasiel Puig. Four Pirates and four Reds were ejected in Pittsburgh's 11-4 win, including Puig, who was in the process of being traded. Reds manager David Bell faces a suspension for coming back onto the field and going after Pirates manager Clint Hurdle during the fracas. Puig prolonged the fight that started when Reds reliever Amir Garrett went toward the Pirates dugout and threw several punches. Puig was given a warm ovation from Reds fans as he left the field after his ejection, knowing he was headed to Cleveland.
Pirates jump on Astros early en route to 10-0 rout
Josh Bell hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2019, in Houston, Texas. Jacob Stallings added an RBI single for Pittsburgh in the eighth and Newman made it 10-0 with a run-scoring double. TRAINER'S ROOMAstros: LF Yordan Alvarez left the game after the third inning because of discomfort in his left knee. Astros: LHP Wade Miley (6-4, 3.51) is scheduled to start for Houston to start a series against Seattle on Friday night. Miley allowed four runs in five innings in a loss to the Yankees in his previous start.
Bell, Dickerson lead Pirates to rout of Astros
Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park (Bob Levey/Getty Images). Jung Ho Kang added a two-run homer for Pittsburgh. Kevin Newman had four hits, capped by a two-run homer, to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games - longest in the majors. Bell gave Pittsburgh the early lead with his two-out, two-strike home run to the second deck in right field. The Pirates padded the lead in the second when Elias Daz doubled with no outs and scored on a double by Dickerson.