Goldschmidt homers twice, Cards beat Brewers for 12th in row
Paul Goldschmidt homered twice, and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5 Thursday and extend their longest winning streak in 39 years to 12 games. On a day Adam Wainwright faltered early, St. Louis trailed 5-0 before rallying with one run in the fifth, four in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth. “They picked me up big time today,” Wainwright said of his teammates.
news.yahoo.comCards win 11th in row, best streak since 2001; stall Brewers
Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill homered as the St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th straight game, extending their lead for the second NL wild-card spot and beating the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers 10-2 Wednesday night. Goldschmidt also doubled, singled and scored four runs to help St. Louis stretch its best winning streak since an 11-game string in 2001. The Cardinals' longest winning streak in franchise history is 14, in 1935 with a team led by Hall of Famer pitcher Dizzy Dean.
news.yahoo.comBrewers clinch 4th straight playoff berth with win vs Cubs
Manny Piña homered twice, Eduardo Escobar and Jace Peterson also connected, and the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their fourth straight postseason berth with a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night. The Brewers won for the seventh time in nine games to ensure themselves at least a wild card after San Diego and Cincinnati lost earlier in the day. Milwaukee's magic number to lock up the NL Central title is three over St. Louis.
news.yahoo.comBrewers' Burnes, Hader combine for MLB record 9th no-hitter
In a sometimes sticky season, Corbin Burnes got a grip on history. Milwaukee's ace combined with reliever Josh Hader to pitch baseball’s record ninth no-hitter this season, breaking a mark set when pitchers began throwing overhand in 1884 as the Brewers beat the Cleveland Indians 3-0 on Saturday night. Months after Major League Baseball clamped down on pitchers' use of illicit foreign substances following a rash of early no-hitters, Burnes cemented 2021 as the Season of the No-No with just the second no-hitter in Brewers history.
news.yahoo.comCain, Escobar move Brewers close to title with 10-3 win
Lorenzo Cain hit a grand slam to cap a six-run fifth inning, Eduardo Escobar homered from both sides of the plate and the Milwaukee Brewers moved closer to the NL Central title, beating the Cleveland Indians 10-3 on Friday night. Milwaukee’s magic number to win the division is nine and the Brewers (87-55) are 32 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history. Cain’s home run off reliever Sam Hentges was his third career grand slam and gave Milwaukee a 9-1 lead.
news.yahoo.comLauer shines as Brewers roll to 10-0 blowout of Phillies
Eric Lauer is pitching better as the season gets later. Lauer allowed four hits in seven innings to continue his sizzling September and lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night. “I thought he was excellent,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
news.yahoo.comHouser pitches Brews' 1st CG shutout since 2014, beats Cards
Adrian Houser pitched Milwaukee's first complete-game shutout since 2014, throwing a crisp three-hitter that led the Brewers over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 Saturday night. Not since Kyle Lohse blanked Cincinnati on two hits on Sept. 24, 2014, had a Milwaukee pitcher gone the distance without allowing a run. The Brewers had played 1,011 games since then, marking the longest active streak in the majors.
news.yahoo.comBrewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in row
Jace Peterson hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, Lorenzo Cain homered for a second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked the San Francisco Giants out of the top spot in the National League for the first time in more than three months.
Brewers knock Giants from top spot in NL, win fourth in row
The San Francisco Giants are suddenly in second place, and the defending World Series champion Dodgers are atop the National League ahead of a weekend visit to the Bay Area. Jace Peterson hit a go-ahead single in the seventh, Lorenzo Cain homered for a second straight game and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked the Giants out of the NL lead for the first time in more than three months with a 5-2 win Wednesday night. “We just have to try to go after it and get back into that position,” San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said.
news.yahoo.comSeeing is believing: Bauer shuts eye, pitches shutout ball
Bauer wound up pitching three scoreless innings with the creative approach, striking out three while allowing two hits and a walk. Known for speaking his mind and going his own way, Bauer said he regularly shuts one eye during bullpen sessions and other workouts. METS 6, ASTROS 1 (6)Jacob deGrom pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, striking out three and allowing one hit. AdBLUE JAYS 7, PHILLIES 1 (7)Newcomer Tanner Roark made his first start for Toronto, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings. Jorge López threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
5-inning games, 2-out innings? Odd MLB spring look on deck
A worker cleans the stadium seats as San Francisco Giants players train during the team's spring training baseball workout in Scottsdale, Ariz., Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon figures players can find plenty to do with any extra time they could get at the end of days if spring training games don't go nine innings. Even after that, until the end of spring training, games can be scheduled for only seven innings. Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said he had already been in touch with Cleveland's Terry Francona by midweek about their spring training opener Sunday. AdJESSE'S TEAMVeteran right-hander Jesse Chavez is re-signing with the Los Angeles Angels on a minor league deal, and will join them in spring training after clearing intake protocols.
Fungo golf for Giants pitchers; fans for MLB spring games
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Right-hander Kevin Gausman’s impressive day at spring training had nothing to do with any of the usual statistics, like strikeouts or innings pitched. Batting practice for San Francisco's pitchers took on a non-traditional look Thursday at Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona. But the stands won't be empty — or full — when the Giants host their spring training opener Sunday. Scottsdale Stadium will have the lowest capacity at 9%, which is about 1,000 fans for Giants home games. Spectators at Scottsdale Stadium may get to see Gausman throw his lively fastball, but not a look at his Fungo golf skills.
Shaw back with Brews; Kennedy, Lamb, Teheran find new teams
With spring training in full swing, third baseman Travis Shaw returned to the Milwaukee Brewers while former All-Star third baseman Jake Lamb and pitchers Ian Kennedy and Julio Teheran found new teams. Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday, giving them one more option for their unsettled situation at third base. The signing adds another veteran bat to an already deep competition for bench spots in spring training. AdThe 30-year-old Teheran got a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and will report to big league camp. Kennedy will be in major league spring training with a chance to be compete for a spot in the Rangers’ bullpen.
Pressure can be a concern with baseball's top prospects
AJ Hinch's success as Detroit's manager may ultimately hinge on the performance of a few highly regarded prospects. Detroit has five of the game's top 25 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. Right-hander Casey Mize, the top pick in the 2018 draft, made his big league debut last year and went 0-3 with a 6.99 ERA in seven starts. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)AJ Hinch's success as Detroit's manager may ultimately hinge on the performance of a few highly regarded prospects. It's a little easier to avoid those expectations when a prospect is younger and isn't likely to make the big league roster yet.
Brewers shore up infield by adding ex-Cards 2B Kolten Wong
Kolten Wong has joined the Milwaukee Brewers as he changes teams for the first time after spending eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers announced Friday, Feb. .5, 2021, that they had signed Wong to a two-year contract with a club option for 2023. Milwaukee is making room for Wong in their infield by shifting Keston Hiura from second base to first base. “That was kind of a big reason for me coming to Milwaukee,” Wong said. Luis Urias has played 31 games at third, though he has more experience at second base and shortstop.
Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records
Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to earn a playoff birth Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. That’s when the Brewers, at 29-31, open their series against Los Angeles ace Walker Buehler at Dodger Stadium. In a win-and-you’re-in game, St. Louis clinched by beating Milwaukee 5-2. That’s how you see it,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. St. Louis played a total of 58 games — it was prepared for a doubleheader in Detroit on Monday if needed to settle the playoff picture.
Longtime baseball pro scout Gary Hughes dies at 79
SAN FRANCISCO – Gary Hughes, a beloved professional scout for numerous big league organizations during a 54-year career, has died in Northern California after a battle with cancer. “Gary Hughes was the quintessential baseball man,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Without Gary Hughes, I probably would have never played a day in the big leagues," said Kevin Millar, a 12-year major league veteran. Hughes' son, Michael “Rock” Hughes, longtime Marlins visiting clubhouse manager, is married to Counsell's sister. “Gary was one of the great baseball scouts," former baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said, "and one of the great baseball minds of our generation.”___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
AP sources: MLB umpire tests positive for virus, crews shift
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)NEW YORK – A Major League Baseball umpire tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting a late shift in crew assignments in Florida this week, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The affected umpire, who wasn’t identified, was not on the field when the result was learned. A dozen umpires, including eight crew chiefs, opted out of working the shortened season because of virus considerations. The Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series will be held under protective bubbles set up to minimize exposure to the virus. It’s all about what the risk of interacting with the community is.”___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Cards manager Shildt docked 1 game, misses nightcap vs Brews
St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina has words with Milwaukee Brewers' Keston Hiura and Jedd Gyorko during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE – St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt was suspended one game for his role in a bench-clearing fracas in Milwaukee, and was set to miss the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Brewers. Major League Baseball announced the penalty about 35 minutes before the Cardinals and Brewers met in the opener at Miller Park. Shildt came off the bench to examine Molina’s left arm, then he and the All-Star catcher approached the Milwaukee dugout and exchanged words with Brewers players. “I go to check on him and make sure he’s OK and hear something out of the (Brewers) dugout,” Shildt said after the game.
Cubs' Mills no-hits Brewers for baseball's 2nd no-hitter
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills reacts after throwing a no hitter at a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)MILWAUKEE – Alec Mills cruised through baseball's second no-hitter this season, shutting down the Milwaukee Brewers for the Chicago Cubs' 16th no-hitter in a 12-0 victory Sunday. Baez completed the play, and the Cubs swarmed around Mills, tearing off his cap and pulling at the smiling right-hander's uniform. His five strikeouts are the fewest in a Cubs no-hitter since Ken Holtzman in 1969. Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano has thrown the only no-hitter at Miller Park, against the Houston Astros on Sept. 14, 2008.
Indians end Haders hitless streak, beat Brewers 4-3
Cleveland Indians' Cesar Hernandez, center, is mobbed by teammates after hitting an RBI-single in the ninth inning in a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND Milwaukee closer Josh Hader allowed his first hit of the season, and then gave up Csar Hernndezs game-winning single in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians beat the Brewers 4-3 on Saturday night. Oscar Mercado, who scored on Hernndezs liner through a five-man infield, led off the ninth with a double, ending Haders major league-record streak of 12 hitless appearances to start the season. The right-hander gave up an RBI double to Daniel Vogelbach in the fourth and Hiuras homer. Indians: RHP Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.20 ERA) faces Milwaukee for the first time in his three-year MLB career.