JUAN SOTO

Major League Baseball’s postseason has a little more heft this year.

Manny Machado and Brandon Drury hit back-to-back home runs in a five-run eighth inning, Wil Myers also went deep, and the San Diego Padres beat Colorado 13-6 in the Rockies’ final home game of the season.

Blake Snell held St. Louis hitless until Albert Pujols beat the shift for a single with two outs in the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres beat the NL Central-leading Cardinals 1-0.

Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols could make this a milestone week for home runs.

Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols could make this a milestone week for home runs. Pujols, meanwhile, is somewhat improbably closing in on the 700-homer mark after hitting 12 since the start of August. Judge's pursuit of Maris has stirred debate over how to put this AL record in context, should he break it.

“It turned a pretty bad experience into a very good one,” said the fan who’d had the ball stolen at Sunday’s Royals game.

This Royals fan made a nice catch of a Juan Soto home run, then was robbed of the souvenir.

The San Diego Padres have replaced a planned Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead night with a Juan Soto T-shirt giveaway after the superstar shortstop was banned 80 games following a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.

San Diego and new slugger Juan Soto repeatedly failed to come through in the clutch against his former club, and the last-place Washington Nationals beat the wild-card-chasing Padres 4-3.

San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin says he reached out to suspended All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. in a phone call.

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

San Diego Padres dynamo Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the brighest, freshest stars in all of Major League Baseball, was suspended 80 games on Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The penalty imposed by MLB was effective immediately, meaning the shortstop cannot play in the majors this year for the postseason-contending Padres. MLB said the suspension — making Tatis one of the most prominent players penalized for PEDs — also will knock him out of playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Brandon Drury hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth and Austin Nola’s two-run homer capped a seven-run rally that carried the San Diego Padres to a wild 13-7 win against the San Francisco Giants.

Manny Machado hit a game-ending, three-run homer and Juan Soto connected for his first long ball with the San Diego Padres, who overcame a blown save by Josh Hader to beat the San Francisco Giants 7-4.

Cody Bellinger hit two homers, Tyler Anderson allowed two hits over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a statement-making sweep of the revamped San Diego Padres with a 4-0 victory.

A few days after the Padres outmaneuvered the Dodgers for Juan Soto, San Diego rolled into Chavez Ravine with a formidable new lineup and big plans to raise a few questions about Los Angeles' dominance. The Padres are headed home from a sobering weekend knowing the Dodgers still have all the answers. Cody Bellinger hit two homers, Tyler Anderson allowed two hits over seven sparkling innings and Los Angeles completed a statement-making sweep of the revamped Padres with a 4-0 victory Sunday.

Tony Gonsolin pitched five scoreless innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers threw a four-hiter against the San Diego Padres’ supercharged lineup, winning 8-1 after honoring Vin Scully.

Juan Soto got multiple ovations in his first game with the Padres and Brandon Drury did even better.

Juan Soto has arrived at Petco Park promising to bring “good vibes” to the San Diego Padres and issuing a warning to opposing teams.

Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies took full advantage of an overturned call to beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1.

Juan Soto is set for his San Diego debut at home Wednesday night against Colorado.

This is quite a time to be a season ticket holder for the San Diego Padres.

Jacob deGrom allowed one run on three hits and struck out six in five innings in his season debut before a bullpen meltdown cost the New York Mets in a 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals.

Baseball’s trade deadline day was an action-packed affair — and no one had more fun than the Padres.

After contributing to the Nationals’ first championship in franchise history in 2019, Soto hit .351 in 2020 to win the NL batting title.

San Diego acquired the superstar outfielder in one of baseball's biggest deals at the trade deadline, vaulting their postseason chances by adding one of the game's best young hitters.

The San Diego Padres have acquired superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals in one of baseball’s biggest deals at the trade deadline.

The Juan Soto sweepstakes come down to the wire, with baseball’s trade deadline fast approaching at 6 p.m. EDT.

When Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals, it ensured Tuesday’s trade deadline would have a little juice.

When Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year deal to stay with the Washington Nationals, it ensured Tuesday's 6 p.m. EDT trade deadline would have a little juice. A quick glance at the standings shows at least 18 teams with legitimate playoff aspirations — 18 clubs that might benefit from Willson Contreras, Josh Bell or Frankie Montas, among others. With Soto, there could be even more bidders than that.

Juan Soto could be the biggest star dealt before the Major League Baseball trade deadline if the Washington Nationals choose to make that move.

Luis Garcia hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the last-place Washington Nationals rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3 for their second straight win against the NL West leaders.

Juan Soto’s RBI triple capped a four-run fifth inning and the lowly Washington Nationals defeated the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1.

Justin Verlander has a little more gray in his hair and stubble these days.

Washington star Juan Soto is sure to get asked about his near future during a three-game series at Dodger Stadium that starts Monday night.

The Los Angeles Dodgers surged past the San Francisco Giants with a seventh-inning rally and won 7-4 for their season-high eighth consecutive victory.

Breakout rookie Julio Rodríguez and the Mariners can match a franchise record with their 15th consecutive win as they open a home series against AL West-leading Houston.

Hey KPRC 2 Insiders, it’s Ari Alexander. I just got back from Los Angeles where I spent three days covering the Astros at the All-Star Game and festivities. I got to talk with Justin Verlander, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez along with Dusty Baker plus a couple of other local guys including Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals/The Woodlands HS), Justin Crawford (Phillies Draftee/Son of Carl Crawford) and Ivan Melendez (Diamondbacks Draftee/Texas).

Catcher Keibert Ruiz looks like a keeper, but Bell, Gray and Garcia are tougher calls. And can the team afford Soto?

Soto beat Cleveland's José Ramírez 18-17 in the first round before getting past 42-year-old Albert Pujols 16-15 to reach the final, which he won 19-18 over Julio Rodriguez.

Washington Nationals star Juan Soto won his first Home Run Derby.

Washington’s Juan Soto advanced to the final with a 16-15 victory over St. Louis slugger and sentimental favorite Albert Pujols.

The trade deadline became a bit more suspenseful this past weekend when the Athletic reported that Washington outfielder Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract offer to stay with the Nationals. Suddenly, social media was ablaze with talk of Soto possibly being traded, and what kind of incredible offer it might take to acquire him. A deal involving the 23-year-old superstar would be seismic because of his talent, his youth and the fact that he's not due to be a free agent until after the 2024 season.

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto expressed irritation hours after a report that he had turned down a record contract with the rebuilding club.

All-Star Game festivities start in earnest with the Futures Game, where some of the best prospects in Major League Baseball will play a seven-inning matchup at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

The matchups are set for baseball’s Home Run Derby.

Jesse Winker hit his second solo homer of the day and the Seattle Mariners won their 10th straight game, edging the Washington Nationals 2-1 to sweep a doubleheader.

Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run homer off the foul pole in the 10th inning to keep the Miami Marlins’ domination of the Washington Nationals going with a 3-2 victory.

Juan Soto says an MRI on his left calf showed no damage after he left the Washington Nationals game Sunday against the Miami Marlins because of tightness.

Washington star Juan Soto is being checked out after exiting a game early because of an injured left calf.

Pablo López of the Miami Marlins has not allowed a hit through six innings against the Washington Nationals.

Austin Riley homered twice and the Atlanta Braves won their 14th straight game, beating the Washington Nationals 8-2.

Jazz Chisholm bunted for a single on the first pitch of Stephen Strasburg’s return from a one-year absence, stole second and the Marlins kept on going in a 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals that finished a three-game sweep.

Lane Thomas had a three-homer game for the first time in his career, and Nelson Cruz and Juan Soto also went deep, leading the Washington Nationals to an 8-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler says he might return to the field for the national anthem in recognition of Memorial Day when his team opens a three-game series at Philadelphia.

Yuli Gurriel went 3-for-4 with a homer, Justin Verlander pitched five scoreless innings and the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 8-0.

Yadiel Hernandez and Maikel Franco homered and the Washington Nationals ended the Houston Astros’ 11-game winning streak with a 13-6 romp.

Taijuan Walker pitched seven no-fuss innings and the New York Mets remained unbeaten in 10 series this season, cruising past the sloppy Washington Nationals 4-1.

Shohei Ohtani hit a tying, two-run double in the ninth inning, Anthony Rendon followed with a game-ending single against his former team and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Washington Nationals 5-4.

As they wait for star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to return from knee surgery, the World Series champion Atlanta Braves are off to a slow start at 7-10.

A six-run lead in the ninth inning wasn't enough for Giants manager Gabe Kapler, and the Nationals took exception. With two outs in the top of the ninth on Friday night and San Francisco ahead 7-1, the Giants' Thairo Estrada took off on an 0-1 pitch and Brandon Crawford blooped a single over Washington shortstop Alcides Escobar, who grabbed the ball and threw out Estrada at the plate.

Will Strasburg bounce back from surgery? Will Corbin and Robles hit their strides? Unknowns make interesting baseball.

Nelson Cruz quickly showed the Washington Nationals he could bring more than a booming bat to his new team. After standing in the batter’s box as Erick Fedde threw a live bullpen, Cruz approached right-hander with a message: He was tipping his pitches. “I saw something before he threw me the last pitch,” Cruz said Thursday.

Christian Vázquez tripled home the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox moved to the brink of a postseason berth with a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Boston is tied with the Yankees for the top AL wild card entering the final day of the regular season. The Red Sox will send ace Chris Sale to the mound Sunday needing a victory to punch a playoff ticket.

The Washington Nationals stunned the Houston Astros 6-2 in a winner-take-all Game Seven on Wednesday to secure their maiden Major League Baseball World Series title in a Fall Classic unlike any other. Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals hoists the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Washington Nationals catcher Yan Gomes (10) celebrates after defeating the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park. The victory set off celebrations in Washington, a city whose last World Series victory came in 1924 when the Senators defeated the New York Giants. Fans react to the World Series Game 7 on a big screen just a block from Nationals Park at Walter's Sports Bar on October 30, 2019 in Washington, DC.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Astros are down to the wire following a 7-2 loss to the Nationals in a nail-biting Game 6. But despite their loss, Tuesday's game was a historic night for Alex Bregman.Houston's third baseman became the youngest player to ever hit three home runs in a single World Series. It all happened during the first inning when Bregman broke the 1-1 tie, sending fans into a frenzy and giving the Astros a 2-1 lead.After firing his home run, Bregman took his bat with him all the way to first base. "It's not how I was raised to play the game. Sorry for doing that," he said.When he took the mic, Soto said he saw Bregman carry the bat to first base and thought it looked cool, so he wanted to do it as well.Houston and Washington face off Wednesday night in a winner-take-all battle starting at 7:08 p.m.

Getty ImagesHOUSTON - Game 6 of the World Series appeared to be a battle of sluggers. Both Alex Bregman, of the Houston Astros, and Juan Soto, of the Washington Nationals, hit home runs to give their teams the lead. Bregman carried his bat all the way to first base and dropped it while rounding the base after his first-inning home run that gave Houston a 2-1 lead. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/ULmybCoSaG MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2019Soto did something similar after hitting his fifth-inning home run that gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Jeffers added that Soto was asked the same thing and said he just thought it was cool and wanted to do it, too.

#astros pic.twitter.com/RYLKhBq0yd David Nuo (@DavidNunoABC13) October 28, 2019Cole is off the charts (again). Truly elite #WorldSeries #Astros #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 28, 2019Yordan 3 for 3. Brantley and Bregman both sent balls to the warning track in the field, just short of home runs that resulted in outs. It cut the Astros lead to 4-1.The Nationals seemed to be gaining some momentum after Cole walked Ryan Zimmerman. The Nationals hope he's available for a Game 7, if necessary.RELATED:The World Series is set to return to Houston on Tuesday for a Game 6.

#astros pic.twitter.com/RYLKhBq0yd David Nuo (@DavidNunoABC13) October 28, 2019Cole is off the charts (again). Truly elite #WorldSeries #Astros #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 28, 2019Yordan 3 for 3. Ross finished his night giving up four runs on the two home runs from Gurriel and Correa. Brantley and Bregman both sent balls to the warning track in the field, just short of home runs that resulted in outs. The Nationals hope he's available for a Game 7, if necessary.RELATED:The World Series is set to return to Houston on Tuesday for a Game 6.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTRK) -- After a dominant Game 4 victory in the World Series, the Houston Astros are riding all the momentum going into Game 5.George Springer fell down 0-2 in the count, but fought back and was walked by Joe Ross to start the night. Jose Altuve hit into a double play to erase the lead-off walk. It was announced Sunday afternoon that Max Scherzer was scratched due to neck spasms.RELATED:When speaking to the media, Scherzer said he could barely lift his arm and that it's impossible for him to pitch right now. The Nationals hope he's available for a Game 7, if necessary.RELATED:The World Series is set to return to Houston on Tuesday for a Game 6. Whoever wins Sunday night will be hoping to celebrate on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTRK) -- After a dominant Game 4 victory in the World Series, the Houston Astros are riding all the momentum going into Game 5.George Springer fell down 0-2 in the count, but fought back and was walked by Joe Ross to start the night. Jose Altuve hit into a double play to erase the lead-off walk. It was announced Sunday afternoon that Max Scherzer was scratched due to neck spasms.RELATED:When speaking to the media, Scherzer said he could barely lift his arm and that it's impossible for him to pitch right now. The Nationals hope he's available for a Game 7, if necessary.RELATED:The World Series is set to return to Houston on Tuesday for a Game 6. Whoever wins Sunday night will be hoping to celebrate on Tuesday.

8-1 win to tie the #WorldSeries2019 #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 27, 2019EMBED >More News Videos Mattress Mack said he's still expecting to distribute lots of free mattresses after the World Series. Brantley followed Altuve's footsteps with a blooper to centerfield.Bregman continued the Astros' momentum with a line-drive single to left field that brought Altuve home to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. Marisnick successfully stole second base in the midst of Springer's at-bat. It led to Bregman completely silencing Nationals park with a grand slam that was rocked near the left field pole to extend the Astros lead to 8-1. A strikeout from Tucker ended the Astros' monstrous inning.Hector Rondon entered in the seventh, and Victor Robles reached base on a single with one out.

Chirinos HR and Bregman slam, plus gutty bullpen and a little #Astros defense. 8-1 win to tie the #WorldSeries2019 #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 27, 2019EMBED >More News Videos Mattress Mack said he's still expecting to distribute lots of free mattresses after the World Series. Brantley followed Altuve's footsteps with a blooper to centerfield.Bregman continued the Astros' momentum with a line-drive single to left field that brought Altuve home to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. Marisnick successfully stole second base in the midst of Springer's at-bat. It led to Bregman completely silencing Nationals park with a grand slam that was rocked near the left field pole to extend the Astros lead to 8-1.

Down 0-2 and with the World Series turning to Washington, the Astros' odds of a comeback is....EMBED >More News Videos Let's just hope the Washington Nationals just jinxed themselves by doing this. "I just liked the competitiveness of our at-bats," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "Houston can even things up in Game 4 on Saturday night at Nationals Park. The 35-year-old righty had taken a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his previous start, in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against St. Louis two weeks earlier. He is 1-2 with a 6.91 ERA, including one scoreless inning in relief during Game 1 of the World Series.

The Astros, on the heels of an absolute clubbing by the Washington Nationals Wednesday night, held a players only meeting to try and sort things out. In the history of the World Series, only 13 teams have come back after going into an 0-2 hole. But, the Nationals are on fire and with Game 3 Friday night in the nation's capital, we have some thoughts. History in the makingThere hasn't been a World Series game played in D.C. in almost 90 years and the Nationals hadn't won a postseason series in the 15 years of their existence until 2019. If they can't shake off the funk in Game 3, this series is going to be over before they leave D.C. Somebody, get a voodoo high priest on the line.

He has allowed only three more hits since Houston had three consecutive one-out hits in the first. He has thrown 56 of 86 pitches for strikes.Verlander and Strasburg both settled in nicely through four innings. They haven't given up a lot since each gave up two runs in the first.Aiming for his first World Series win, Verlander at least ensured his place on future blooper reels. Even in a tense matchup, it's still a kid's game.Houston threatened in the third inning, putting runners at the corners. He allowed four hits and one walk with four strikeouts.Soto, playing his last game as a 20-year-old, doubled with two outs in the third for the Nationals' fourth hit.

"I'm glad I face him in spring training," Soto said. Meanwhile, forgive local fans coming to a World Series watch party this week at the park for feeling a bit conflicted. "We see them in spring training so much," Astros star Alex Bregman said. This World Series matchup is the first in the modern era to feature teams that share a common spring training site. Seven spring training sites currently host two teams, including Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

HOUSTON - In 2017, the Astros lost Game 1 to the Dodgers on their way to winning the World Series. In the 2019 ALCS, the Astros lost Game 1 to the Yankees on their way to winning the pennant. Losing game 1 isn't new, and losing game 1 does not mean there is a reason to panic. COLE IS HUMANThe Astros ace and likely Cy Young winner got tagged for five runs in seven innings. Likely Game 3 starter Patrick Corbin pitched the sixth inning for Washington, and did what he was supposed to do: get lefties out, and out of the game.

2-0 #Astros #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 23, 2019#Astros give Cole a 2 run lead and theyve ignited the loudest crowd in baseball. 1st inning gets an A+#TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 23, 2019Cole gives up monster shot to Zimmerman in 2nd. #Astros #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 23, 2019AJ is steaming. #Astros #TakeItBack Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 23, 2019Nationals and Scherzer survive 4th. Michael Brantley took a strikeout, but during Alex Bregman's at-bat, Springer pounced on third base on a Scherzer wild pitch.

Getty ImagesHOUSTON - The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals will face off in a World Series featuring teams that have rarely made it. Houston is in its second World Series in three years, and its third all-time. The last time a Washington team made the World Series was 1933, and that was the Senators. As soon as Bryce Harper left in free agency, the Nationals are in the World Series. RF Juan SotoSoto turns 21 in the middle of the World Series and is already one of the best hitters in the National League.