Ohtani moving to Dodgers in record 10-yr, $700-M deal

LOS ANGELES -- Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani confirmed on Saturday he is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in a record-shattering 10-year, $700 million deal -- the richest contract in the history of North American sport.

After weeks of frenzied speculation over where the 29-year-old Los Angeles Angels two-way ace would land in free agency, Ohtani announced on Instagram he had opted for his former club's cross-town rivals.

"To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision," Ohtani wrote on Instagram. "I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team.

"I pledge to always do what's best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself.

"Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world," Ohtani added.

Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo said in a statement the deal would be worth $700 million over 10 years, a historic figure that smashed the previous record baseball contract as well as bettering the largest deals ever agreed in the NFL and NBA.

Balelo described Ohtani's mammoth payday as a "unique historic contract, for a unique historic player."

"Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization," Balelo said. "He is excited to begin this partnership."

The previous largest contract awarded in baseball was the 12-year, $426.5 million extension handed to Ohtani's Angels team-mate Mike Trout in 2019.

Until Ohtani's deal, the largest contract in any sport in North America belonged to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who agreed a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020.

Mahomes was among several US sports stars to react to news of Ohtani's gargantuan payday.

"Bro like what!...Congrats to him," the NFL star wrote on social media.

Cleveland NBA star Donovan Mitchell chimed in: "$700 million is crazy!! And he deserves every penny of that too."

Ohtani has taken Major League Baseball by storm since landing in the league in 2018, with his almost unheard of combination of elite pitching and hitting prowess earning him comparisons to Babe Ruth.

- Making history -

Although his talents were not enough to help spark a revival in the Angels' fortunes – the team failed to make the playoffs following his arrival – Ohtani nevertheless dazzled in a flagging franchise.

He has twice been named American League Most Valuable Player, in 2021 and 2023, on both occasions winning by unanimous vote – the only player in history to achieve that distinction.

Although elbow injuries have cut short his pitching appearances – he missed the final month of the 2023 campaign with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow – this season was his most successful to date.

As a designated hitter, Ohtani led the AL in home runs with 44, in on-base percentage (.412), slugging percentage (.654) and total bases (325).

He hit 26 doubles and eight triples with 20 stolen bases and 95 runs-batted-in. He hit over .300 for the first time in his six-year major league career.

In 23 pitching starts he went 10-5 with a 3.14 earned-run-average and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.

He had the lowest batting average against (.184) among all AL pitchers with at least 130 innings.

It marked Ohtani's second straight season with at least 10 wins on the mound and 10 home runs at the plate.

The only other player to accomplish that feat was New York Yankees legend Ruth back in 1918.

Although revered as a dual threat, Ohtani will not pitch in 2024 to help his arm recover but will still be able to hit.

Even though he will be absent from the mound next season, his offensive talents and future pitching potential proved irresistible to the Dodgers.

Ohtani's departure from the Angels had become inevitable as the franchise struggled for relevance during the Japanese star's six seasons with the club.

In that time the Angels failed to reach the postseason or even register a winning season.

But while Ohtani was frustrated in his pursuit of success with the Angels, he was the driving force behind Japan's victory in the World Baseball Classic in March.

He helped close out a fairytale 3-2 victory for Japan over the United States in the final of the showpiece in Miami, striking out Angels teammate and US captain Mike Trout to clinch his country's third WBC victory following triumphs in 2006 and 2009.

As well as being a standout on the field, Ohtani has also been a one-man commercial juggernaut off the field. He reportedly made a one-season MLB record $65 million in salary and endorsements these season, making him the highest paid player in baseball.

He also had the best-selling jersey of any Major League Baseball player this season -- the first time a Japanese player topped the list.

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Ohtani undergoes elbow surgery, tipped for 'full recovery'

LOS ANGELES -- Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani underwent surgery to repair his injured elbow on Tuesday, with a top sports injury surgeon stating that the Los Angeles Angels ace will be ready to hit and pitch again in 2025.

Ohtani has not pitched since being diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow last month, and has since been shut down for the remainder of the regular season after suffering a side strain.

"Shohei had his procedure this morning at Kerlan & Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles," Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The final decision and type of procedure was made with a heavy emphasis on the big picture. Shohei wanted to make sure the direction taken gave him every opportunity to hit and pitch for many years to come."

Los Angeles surgeon Neal ElAttrache, who last week operated on Aaron Rodgers after the New York Jets quarterback ruptured his Achilles tendon, performed the procedure on Tuesday.

ElAttrache said Ohtani would be fit in time to hit for the start of the 2024 season, and would be able to hit and pitch by 2025.

"The ultimate plan, after deliberation with Shohei, was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow," ElAttrache said.

"I expect full recovery and he'll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and (hit and pitch) come 2025."

Ohtani meanwhile vowed to make a full recovery after saying the procedure "went very well."

"I will work as hard as I can and do my best to come back on the diamond stronger than ever," he wrote on Instagram.

Ohtani's future has been shrouded in uncertainty since his elbow injury, with the star entering free agency at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old is expected to be the subject of a frenzied bidding war during the off-season with several clubs expected to make a run to land his signature.

Ohtani, described as the best two-way threat since Babe Ruth, had been enjoying a stellar season, smashing 44 home runs while boasting a 3.14 ERA from the mound with 167 strikeouts from 132 innings.

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MLB: Rays blast Red Sox to equal historic unbeaten streak

MIAMI -- The Tampa Bay Rays became only the third team in modern baseball history to start the season with 13 straight wins on Thursday after routing the Boston Red Sox 9-3.

Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe belted solo homers while Tampa Bay's batting line-up piled on seven runs in a fifth inning rally as the Rays remarkable start to the season saw them roll into the record books at Tropicana Field.

The Rays 13-0 start to the campaign ties the best winning streak to start a season, achieved by the Atlanta Braves in 1982 and Milwaukee Brewers in 1987.

The only other longer opening streak in baseball was by the St. Louis Maroons who went 20-0 in 1884 when playing in the defunct Union Association league.

Baseball's all-time record winning streak, at any stage of the season, stands at 26 games set by the New York Giants in 1916.

"Pretty amazing, congrats to all of our guys," Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Thursday's history-making victory.

"I'm glad that we did it at home because we had tremendous support from our fans. They really got loud when they needed to and our guys were energized by that.

"There's not one part of our game right now that we don't feel good about."

The only shadow on the Rays record-equalling performance was an injury to pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who left the game in the middle of the fourth inning. The team later said Springs was suffering from "ulnar neuritis".

Springs is the third member of Tampa Bay's rotation to go down with an injury following Tyler Glasnow in spring training and Zach Elfin earlier this week.

On Thursday however it was the Rays free-scoring batting line-up that came to the team's rescue.

Rob Refsnyder put the Red Sox 1-0 up in the first inning with a home run to left field before Diaz leveled in the bottom of the first with his own homer.

The Red Sox then tagged on two more runs in the fourth and fifth inning to lead 3-1.

But any chance of a Boston upset was snuffed out in the bottom of the fifth as Tampa Bay's bats broke the game open with seven runs to open up an 8-3 lead.

Francisco Mejia, Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot and Lowe all drove in run-scoring singles before Harold Ramirez cleared the bases with a three-run double.

Lowe bagged a solo home run in the seventh inning to extend the lead.

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MLB: Astros defeat Phillies 4-1 to win second World Series crown

WASHINGTON -- Yordan Alvarez smashed a three-run homer and the Houston Astros captured their second World Series in six seasons on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia.

The Cuban slugger's sixth-inning blast off Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado gave Houston the lead for good as the Astros took Major League Baseball's best-of-seven championship final four games to two.

"I just tried to stay a little calm and get a good pitch to swing at and that's what I did," Alvarez said of his third game-winning playoff homer.

"It was amazing. When I was rounding second base I felt the whole stadium moving."

The home victory brought 73-year-old Astros manager Dusty Baker his first World Series crown in 25 seasons as an MLB bench boss.

"That's the final chapter to the movie," Baker said. "They told me in spring training they were going to win. Now what's next? Party."

Baker, whose 2,093 wins were the most for any manager without a World Series title, quickly enjoyed the long-sought title.

"It hit me all right," Baker said. "It hit me as soon as Yordan hit that ball over the moon out there."

The Astros, in their fourth World Series in six seasons and fifth overall, won their only prior title in 2017.

Many MLB fans see that as a tainted title after the Astros were found to have used an electronic sign stealing system, allowing Houston batters to know what pitch was coming.

Baker took over in January 2020 after A.J. Hinch was fired over the scandal and helped the Astros put the shameful episode behind them.

"All the stuff we've been going through the last three years, hopefully it's over," Baker said. "You've got to let it ride."

The Astros, who lost the 2019 World Series to Washington and 2021 Series to Atlanta, were emotional about winning the crown for Baker.

"He means everything," said Astros star Jose Altuve, among five players from 2017 still on the roster. "He came here at the right time with the right team."

Houston's Jeremy Pena became the first rookie position player to be named World Series Most Valuable Player and only the second rookie MVP of a league final and World Series.

The 25-year-old Dominican became the first rookie with a hit in each of the first six games of a World Series.

"Individual awards are cool and all but that's the trophy we want right there," Pena said, looking at the champion's trophy. "This is what we dream about."

The Phillies, who sought their third World Series crown after 1980 and 2008, had not reached the playoffs since 2011 and hadn't reached the World Series since 2009.

"I'm really proud of them," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "They came to play every day. They played hard."

Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler took his second loss of the Series while Dominican left-hander Framber Valdez struck out nine and improved to 3-0 in the playoffs.

Kyle Schwarber blasted a solo homer in the sixth to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the sixth, Altuve reached first base on a fielder's choice and took third on a Pena single, prompting the Phillies to remove Wheeler for Alvarado.

- Amazing pitching -

Alvarez then blasted the ball over the centerfield wall to put the hosts in front.

"Yordan has been doing it all year," Pena said. "Always trust the big man. That was impressive."

"I knew as soon as he hit that one it was a big one," Altuve said. "I thought 3-1 would be a good lead for us to win the ball game."

Alex Bregman added another run in the sixth when he walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Christian Vazquez single to create the final margin.

Astros relief pitchers allowed only two runs over 18 1/3 innings with 25 strikeouts in five games and again dominated Phillies batters over the final three innings to seal victory.

"This pitching staff has been amazing all year," Houston's Martin Maldonado said. "The bullpen has been really good. We get to them and then adios."

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MLB: Astros, Phillies win big to reach brink of World Series

NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros advanced within a victory of the World Series thanks to Major League Baseball playoff triumphs on Saturday in vastly different fashions.

Rhys Hoskins smashed two home runs as Philadelphia outslugged visiting San Diego 10-6 while Houston pitchers allowed the host New York Yankees only one hit over eight innings in a 5-0 shutout.

The Phillies seized a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven National League Championship Series against the Padres, while Houston took a 3-0 edge over the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

The Astros can complete a sweep on Sunday in New York to reach the World Series for the fourth time in six seasons, while the Phillies -- in the playoffs for the first time since 2011 -- can reach the World Series for the first time since 2009 with a Sunday home triumph.

"It was a big win for us," Houston's Cristian Vazquez said. "Every night we have a big chance to win. We have big pieces on the team and we're in a good place now. It's a special team."

J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber added solo homers to Hoskins' pair of two-run Hoskins homers as Philadelphia rallied after trailing 4-0, matching their greatest playoff comeback victory ever.

"Just persistent at-bats," Realmuto said. "As soon as we got down 4-0 we got back in the dugout and we just kind of regrouped as a team and said, 'There's a lot of ballgame left. We're going to score runs today.'

"We just never lost that confidence."

The Astros, in the ALCS for a record sixth consecutive season, won the title in 2017 but lost in 2019 and last year.

Chas McCormick smacked a home run and Christian Vazquez drove in two runs for Houston while 25-year-old Dominican right-hander Cristian Javier, making his first start in three weeks, hurled 5 1/3 shutout innings, striking out five while allowing only one hit, and five relievers completed a three-hit shutout.

"He's got one of the best fastballs and sliders in the game," catcher Vazquez said of Javier. "So attacking hitters, that's the key for him, and getting ahead."

McCormick's two-run homer in the second inning, a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Trey Mancini in the sixth and a two-run Vazquez single to left field in the sixth provided all the scoring Houston needed.

The Yankees, winners of a record 27 MLB titles, have not reached the World Series since beating Philadelphia for the 2009 crown. They have lost their past four ALCS appearances, the past two to Houston.

- Phillies rally to win -

At Philadelphia, it was a slugfest from the start as the Padres grabbed a 4-3 lead after the opening inning.

Manny Machado smacked a solo homer, Brandon Drury belted a two-run double and Drury scored on Kim Ha-seong's single to give San Diego a 4-0 edge.

Philadelphia answered in the bottom of the first on a two-run Hoskins homer and a Bryce Harper run-scoring double, then equalized in the fourth when Nick Castellanos doubled and scored on Bryson Stott's single.

San Diego's Juan Soto smashed a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Padres a 6-4 lead, but Hoskins equalized on a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth.

Realmuto then walked and scored on Harper's double to give the hosts their first lead. Castellanos then singled in Harper for an 8-6 Phillies edge, with Schwarber and Realmuto adding solo homers in the sixth and seventh innings respectively.

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MLB: Judge stuck on 61 homers as Yankees win but miss no-hitter

WASHINGTON -- New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge missed another chance at hitting a record-breaking 62nd home run of the Major League Baseball season on Monday but great efforts abounded around him.

Yankees pitcher Luis Severino pitched seven no-hit innings and the batters in the lineup just ahead and after Judge homered in the eighth inning to spark New York's 3-1 victory at Texas.

Judge has three more regular-season games, two on Tuesday and another on Wednesday, to try and smash his 62nd homer to shatter the American League single-season record set by Roger Maris.

Judge matched the 61-year-old mark of 61 homers set by Yankees legend Maris in 1961 with a Wednesday blast at Toronto, but hasn't hit the record breaker in four games since.

The 30-year-old American outfielder grounded out, hit into a double play, singled and struck out against the Rangers in the first game of the season-ending series for the playoff-bound Yankees.

Severino faced the minimum 21 batters through seven no-hit innings with seven strikeouts and allowed only a lone walk in the third inning to Josh Smith. In all, 63 of his 94 pitches were for strikes.

But the 28-year-old Dominican right-hander was pulled from the mound by Yankees manager Aaron Boone before the eighth inning, a move made to ensure he would be fit when the playoffs begin after his recent return from the injured list.

Yankees right-hander Miguel Castro, another Dominican, replaced Severino and, after striking out Adolis Garcia, surrendered a single to Josh Jung on a line drive to left field to end the no-hit bid.

Jung had the weakest batting average in the Texas lineup, hitting .195.

There were homers all around leadoff batter Judge even as he failed to connect on a record-setter.

Marwin Gonzalez smashed his sixth homer of the season, a solo blast, to start the eighth inning and give the Yankees a 2-0 lead just before Judge walked to the plate.

Rangers right-hander Jonathan Hernandez then struck out Judge but moments later issued Giancarlo Stanton a pitch the Yankees slugger smacked for his 30th homer of the season to make it 3-0.

The Maris mark had served as the MLB record until beaten several times in the 1990s by Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire during baseball's notorious steroid era.

Barry Bonds, implicated in the infamous BALCO drug scandal, set MLB's single-season record of 73 homers in 2001.

Boone has said Judge's efforts this season rank above those of Sosa, McGwire and Bonds. Judge, however, said the achievements of those National League stars deserve to be recognized as the proper records.

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MLB: Dodgers first to clinch playoff berth

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first Major League Baseball team to clinch a 2022 playoff berth on Sunday with a convincing 11-2 victory over the Padres in San Diego.

The Dodgers have booked a post-season berth for the tenth straight season, and with a 96-43 record, they look headed toward home field advantage no matter who they play.

Justin Turner hit two home runs and drove in four runs to lift Los Angeles, who are closing in on a ninth National League West division crown.

Turner's second blast was a grand slam in the seventh inning.

"I don't think you ever take it for granted," Turner said. "I feel fortunate to be a part of an organization that cares about winning and puts winning first."

The Dodgers' magic number for securing the division is two -- meaning any combination of two Dodgers wins or Padres defeats will seal it.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the 10-year post-season streak -- third all-time in major league history -- is worth noting.

"It's something that I feel should be acknowledged," Roberts said. "It's an accomplishment. But we have a lot of work to do."

With that in mind, there was no onfield celebration or champagne spray in the locker room -- although Roberts did offer a toast.

"It just goes to show how much success these guys have all had," said winning pitcher Andrew Heaney, who is in his first season with the Dodgers.

"They've been part of great teams. This is the first time I've been on a playoff team. I was joking with the guys -- ho-hum for them, but this is a big deal for me."

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Legendary MLB Dodgers broadcaster Scully dead at 94

LOS ANGELES -- Legendary Major League Baseball broadcaster Vin Scully, "voice" of the Los Angeles Dodgers for 67 years, died Tuesday at age 94, the club announced.

Scully, who retired in 2016, began as the Dodgers broadcaster in 1950 when the club was Brooklyn-based and followed them to Los Angeles when they moved to Southern California in 1958.

"We have lost an icon," said Dodgers president Stan Kasten. "Vin Scully was one of the greatest voices in all of sports.

"He was a giant of a man, not only as a broadcaster but as a humanitarian. He loved people. He loved life. He loved baseball and the Dodgers. And he loved his family. His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever.

"Vin will be truly missed."

His stay with the Dodgers was the longest by any US sports broadcaster with a single club. He covered 25 World Series and 12 no-hitters with a descriptive style and smooth vocal tone that became a trademark, delighting generations of listeners.

Scully also handled broadcast duties at NFL games and PGA Tour events in the 1970s and 1980s for CBS Sports telecasts.

The press box at Dodger Stadium has been named for Scully since 2001 and a street in the club's Florida pre-season training complex is named Vin Scully Way.

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MLB: Washington's Soto wins Home Run Derby

LOS ANGELES -- Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, who turned down a record contract offer, won Major League Baseball's annual Home Run Derby contest on Monday, defeating Seattle outfielder Julio Rodriguez 19-18.

The annual event was staged at Dodger Stadium ahead of Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game.

In a championship showdown of Dominican sluggers, Rodriguez set the mark to beat off 18 homers, and Soto followed with 19 blasts over the outfield wall to claim the crown, the deciding homer flying 415 feet.

"It feels amazing," Soto said. "It feels tiring first of all, for all the hard work you put in, then it feels amazing."

At 23, Soto was the second-youngest winner in Home Run Derby history after 1993 champion Juan Gonzalez of the Texas Rangers.

"I just tried to square up and hit the ball because I knew I had the power to get it done," Soto said.

Soto has reportedly turned down a 15-year offer worth $440 million from Washington that would have made him the highest-paid player in MLB history.

That has pushed the Nationals, an MLB-worst 31-63, to seek trade deals for the star outfielder before the league deadline just two weeks away.

"Right now, I'm not even thinking about it," Soto said of his uncertain future. "I'm a champion and I won a championship for the Nationals."

Soto, mobbed by Nationals teammates after his victory, is making $17.1 million this season, while Rodriguez, 21, is on a one-year deal worth $700,000 with the Mariners.

"Being on this stage is surreal, honestly," Rodriguez said. "I just went out there to have fun."

In the semi-finals, Rodriguez ousted two-time defending champion Pete Alonso 31-23, and Soto downed St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols 16-15.

New York Mets first baseman Alonso, who ousted Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. 20-19 in the first round, was trying to become the first player to win the homer contest three consecutive years.

Rodriguez received a standing ovation after a sensational long-hitting display to eliminate Corey Seager of Texas 32-24 in the first round.

Soto defeated Cleveland's Jose Ramirez 18-17 in a first-round matchup of Dominican batters.

Dominican slugger Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals, MLB's oldest player at 42, was saluted by the other sluggers.

"That was pretty awesome," Pujols said.

Pujols beat Kyle Schwarber of Philadelphia 20-19 after winning an extra-swings tie-breaker 7-6.

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Ohtani named MLB All-Star Game pitcher and hitter again

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has been named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a pitcher and batter for the second consecutive season, MLB announced Sunday.

The 28-year-old Japanese star, named the American League's Most Valuable Player last year, was the first player in All-Star history to be named to the contest as a pitcher and position player when it happened last year.

This season, Ohtani has smacked 19 home runs as a designated hitter, and as a right-hander on the mound has a 2.44 earned-run average in 14 pitching starts.

Ohtani was last year's All-Star Game starting and winning pitcher for the American League, as well as the team's leadoff batter as designated hitter.

Fans voted Ohtani into the game as a designated hitter, while MLB named pitchers and reserves for both the American and National League squads on Sunday.

This year's MLB All-Star Game will be played July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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MLB: Ohtani picks up Outstanding Designated Hitter honors

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Angels' two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani added another award to his trophy chest on Monday after the Japanese slugger won the Outstanding Designated Hitter (OHD) award for the 2021 season, Major League Baseball said.

Ohtani, a starting pitcher who also hits, was unanimously named the American League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) earlier this month and is the first player to earn MVP and ODH awards in the same season.

The 27-year-old posted a slash line of .258/.373/.608 with 92 runs scored, 122 hits, 20 doubles, eight triples, 43 home runs, 91 RBI and 25 stolen bases across 126 games as a DH for the Angels.

J.D. Martinez of the Boston Red Sox finished second in the vote of club beat writers, broadcasters and public relations departments with nominees including all players with a minimum of 100 at-bats as a DH.

Ohtani, who is often compared to MLB great Babe Ruth because of his ability to pitch and hit at an elite level, is only the second Japanese player to win the MVP award. Ichiro Suzuki earned the honors in 2001 as a member of the Seattle Mariners. 

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

-reuters-

MLB: Max effort as Braves overpower Astros to win World Series

LOS ANGELES --  Max Fried hurled six shutout innings and Jorge Soler smashed a towering home run as the Atlanta Braves captured their first World Series since 1995 with a 7-0 rout of the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Fried put on a clinic in game six striking out six batters for the Braves, who wrapped up the best-of-seven series four games to two in front of a crowd of 42,060 at Minute Maid Park in Texas.

"I had to dig deep," said the lefthander Fried. "I knew how much they believed in me and I just had to go out there and give it one more outing. I couldn't be happier to do it with this group of guys."

Fried got plenty of support from the Braves' batters, who scored most of their runs on Tuesday via the long ball. 

Cuba's Soler was the biggest contributer on offence and was named MVP of the 2021 World Series. The veteran outfielder, whom the Braves acquired at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, hit his third go-ahead home run of the series.

The designated hitter clobbered a 446-foot three run homer out of the ballpark in the third, Dansby Swanson belted a two-run shot two innings later to give the Braves a commanding 5-0 lead and Freddie Freeman had a solo shot in the seventh to round out the scoring.

Closer Will Smith got Astros batter Yuli Gurriel to ground out to shortstop Swanson for the final out, sparking a wild celebration on the field.

While the 27-year-old Fried rebounded from a pair of subpar performances in his two previous outings, the Astros couldn't overcome their pitching woes, which included a patchwork of relievers coming on after an early exit by rookie starter Luis Garcia.

"It's one of those dream come true moments," Fried said. "You dream about it happening and especially being able to come back and redeem myself after game two. At the end of the day I was just trying to win a ball game for these guys. I couldn't be happier for this group."

The Braves jumped out to a big lead early for the second straight game. They hit a grand slam in the first inning of game five but couldn't hold onto the lead. 

This time there was no letdown as Fried and his two relievers, Tyler Matzek and Smith, held the powerful Houston batters in check and the Braves won their second championship since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.

"We've been waiting for a championship in this city for a long time and I'm glad we delivered it," said Freeman.

There was drama from the opening inning as Fried escaped an injury, while having to work his way out of an early jam. The Astros had runners on second and third when Fried struck out Gurriel to end the inning. 

One of those stranded runners was Michael Brantley who reached first base safely despite missing the bag and stomping on the right ankle of Fried, who was not hurt. The Braves did not challenge the call but replays showed they could have.

In the third inning, Soler's monster homer with two outs to left field also scored Eddie Rosario and Ozzie Albies. Soler's shot sailed so far that it cleared the wall and landed on the street outside the Houston stadium.

It was Soler's third home run of this World Series, tying him with three others for the most by a Braves' player, including Hank Aaron who did it in 1957. The others are Ryan Klesko in 1995 and Lonnie Smith in 1991.

- Soler power -

Soler's blast chased Astros starter Garcia from the mound. The rookie righthander was pitching on just three days rest so manager Dusty Baker wasted no time giving him the hook. In two and two thirds innings, Garcia allowed three runs on two hits and struck out three.

The Braves added three more runs in the fifth inning, including Swanson's two run homer to left field that scored Albies for his second run of the game. 

First baseman Freeman made it 6-0 with a double to deep centre field which scored Soler, who reached base on a walk.

Freeman added another home run in the seventh to make it 7-0.

"I still have some unfinished business. I love these guys over here," said Astros Baker.

The World Series triumph completed a remarkable turnaround for Atlanta, who were 52-55 on August 1 and seemingly out of contention for a playoff place after a season disrupted by injuries to key personnel.

"Every single kind of thing that could go wrong, went wrong, and we overcame every single one of those things," Freeman said.

"This group came every single day and worked and worked and worked, and now we're world champions."

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Braves vs Astros: A World Series 6 decades in the making

Freddie Freeman swinging onto baseball’s biggest stage for the first time, Jose Altuve & Co. back for more. Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez and a fresh set of Houston arms facing Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley and these eager, young Atlanta bats.

And the endless quest for Mr. Dusty Baker.

Braves-Astros, a lot to savor in this World Series — even a family faceoff. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker’s son, Troy, is a Houston hitting coach.

“It’s like the Snitkers are going to have a World Series trophy in their house here,” dad said Saturday night. “I don’t know who is going to own it, but we’re going to have one. So that’s a pretty cool thing, too.”

A matchup six decades in the making, pairing former National League rivals who’ve played more than 700 times, including five postseason series. Think of The Hammer and The Toy Cannon teeing up home run derby at the Astrodome, or Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz vs. Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio on a June evening on TBS.

Because of scheduling and COVID-19, the Astros and Braves haven’t seen each other since 2017. They’ll now meet for Game 1 on Tuesday night in Houston.

The Astros opened as a 3-2 favorite on the FanDuel site.

But before we begin, let’s just say it: There are many fans who might not be thrilled to see either team here in late October.

Altuve and Astros teammates Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and Yuli Gurriel will forever wear the label of cheaters after being part of a team that devised an illegal, sign-stealing scheme on its way to the 2017 championship.

At Minute Maid Park, they’re cheered. At every other ballpark, they’re heckled -- and worse -- as the game’s worst villains.

“Ever since the news came out, the bad news that we’ve had to deal with about what happened in 2017, I think we’ve all wanted to prove what kind of class of players that we are and team that we are,” AL Championship Series MVP Yordan Alvarez said.

“I wasn’t here with the team in 2017, but I’ve gotten booed just as equal as anybody else. So I think we all have the same mentality that we really want to win a World Series to demonstrate that we are just a great team,” he said.

The Astros are in the World Series for the third time in five years and got there minus ace Justin Verlander, who missed the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Braves overcame a season-ending knee injury to dynamic star Ronald Acuña Jr. in July and surged after being stuck at 52-55 in early August. Boosted by NL Championship Series MVP Eddie Rosario, Atlanta is making its first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1999.

Yet while the roster and stadium have changed, the sights and sounds in Atlanta still remain. Throughout the NLCS, fans at Truist Park emphatically chopped and chanted during big moments for the Braves.

In an era of social reckoning that saw the Cleveland Indians change their name to the Guardians and Washington’s NFL team get rid of a nickname considered racist, the scene in Atlanta is sure to draw increased attention.

On the field — and the bench — a lot of eyes will be on Baker.

He won the World Series as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and has taken five teams to the playoffs as a manager but never won the crown.

Baker took this job in 2020 in the wake of Houston’s cheating scandal -- “there’s a few things I still hadn’t accomplished” -- and at 72, with a lifetime of credentials, gets another chance.

“Last year I felt like a substitute teacher, really. I was an outsider,” Baker said. “But this year, they made me feel like I was one of them and they were definitely always one of me. That’s what it’s all about. Everybody talks teamwork, they talk about a team, but it’s a feeling that you get for each other.”

Baker’s history in this matchup runs especially deep. Playing with Braves great Hank Aaron in 1968, he got first major league hit at the Astrodome in a loss to Jimmy Wynn and Houston.

Over the years, these teams met a lot, starting when the 1962 expansion Houston Colt .45s took on the Milwaukee Braves. There were the days of catcher Joe Torre trying to throw out young Joe Morgan, the Niekro brothers pitching against each other and fireballing Nolan Ryan facing Dale Murphy.

The .45s became the Astros in 1965 and from 1997-2005, the clubs played five times in the NL Division Series, with Atlanta winning three of the matchups. Houston moved from NL Central to the AL West in 2013.

Snitker certainly followed all of them. The 66-year-old Atlanta manager has spent four decades in the Braves’ organization as a player, coach and skipper.

He tuned in Friday night when the Astros and son Troy beat Boston in the clinching Game 6 of the ALCS.

“That was neat. Proud of him. Got to FaceTime with him. Watched the celebration,” he said, hours before the Braves finished off the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS.

“I told him the first time, it’s not this easy, you know, it’s really hard to get there, as we’re seeing. But it’s been a great experience for him and I’m happy for him. I said, I hope I can join you,” he said.

Hours later, he and the Braves were on their way.

-Associated Press

MLB: Braves walk off again to take 2-0 series lead over Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Eddie Rosario cracked a line-drive single up the middle to score Dansby Swanson and give the Atlanta Braves their second straight walk-off win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in baseball's National League Championship Series on Sunday.

The Braves, who twice trailed by two runs, rallied to beat the Dodgers 5-4 and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The reigning World Series champion Dodgers will try to regroup when they host game three on Tuesday.

Atlanta scored in each of the last two innings, Rosario leading off the eighth against Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias -- a regular starter who was sent in as a reliever -- with a single.

Rosario advanced to second on Freddie Freeman's fly out and scored on a single from Ozzie Albies -- the sliding Rosario managing to avoid the attempted tag at home plate by Dodgers catcher Will Smith to pull the Braves within 4-3.

Austin Riley, who delivered a walk-off hit in game one on Saturday, then belted a double over the head of Mookie Betts and off the centerfield wall that saw Albies score from first base for a 4-4 tie.

After Braves pitcher Will Smith retired three straight Dodgers batters in the top of the ninth inning, the Dodgers sent Brusdar Graterol to the mound in the ninth.

Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud greeted him with a single but was out at second after Swanson's bunt. After another groundout, Rosario came to the plate with two outs to face Dodgers closing pitcher Kenley Jansen.

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager couldn't corral the hard-hit ball from Rosario that bounced into center field, allowing Swanson to score the winning run.

The ninth-inning drama capped a close game in which the Dodgers took the lead in the first inning on Seager's two-run home run against Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson before an out had been recorded.

Former Dodger Joc Pederson answered with a two-run blast off a curveball from Dodgers starter Max Scherzer to tie the game in the fourth inning.

Chris Taylor put the Dodgers up again in the seventh with a double that scored two runs before the Braves rallied in the final frame.

Cy Young Award contender Scherzer didn't make it out of the fifth inning, with Roberts going to his bullpen with one out in the frame.

- 'Fun challenge' -

For the second year in a row the Braves now take a 2-0 lead in the NLCS into game three against the Dodgers.

"That's absolutely huge," Riley said of gaining two home wins before heading to Dodger Stadium.

"That's a tough atmosphere, but I feel like it’s going to be a fun challenge."

The Braves have lost seven straight games and 10 of their last 11 at Dodger Stadium. They were swept in a three-game regular-season series there in August-September.

The Dodgers won 15 straight home games at the end of the regular season and have won two of three at home this post-season.

"I don't have to remind them of anything," Braves manager Brian Snitker said of what he will tell his team about the task that awaits.

"I think that they're going to realize, and we all do, last year when we were up 3-1, how hard it is to win a baseball game."

Agence France-Presse

MLB: Dodgers rout Giants, send NLDS to decisive Game 5

Mookie Betts and Will Smith hit home runs, Walker Buehler pitched into the fifth inning on short rest, and the Los Angeles Dodgers forced a deciding fifth game of the National League Division Series with a 7-2 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

The first playoff series between the longtime rivals, both 100-plus-game winners this season, is even at two wins apiece, with Game 5 set for Thursday at San Francisco. The winner advances to a NL Championship Series matchup with the Atlanta Braves, who eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers earlier Tuesday.

After taking the loss in Game 1 on Friday, Buehler (1-1) returned on three days' rest for the first time in his career to give up one run on three hits over 4 1/3 innings in Game 4. He struck out four and walked two.

"I actually felt great ... probably the best I have in the second half of the year," Buehler said postgame on TBS. "We'll see how I feel tomorrow, but tonight I feel pretty good."

Betts added, "I just know that when our backs are against the wall, we've got a guy, Walker Buehler, who'll get us out of it."

Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani (0-1) lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while facing 10 batters in his first career postseason appearance. He fanned two without issuing a walk.

The Dodgers' Gavin Lux had two hits and two walks in four trips to the plate during his first start of the series. Los Angeles won despite going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranding 11 runners.

Joe Kelly (1-0) got the last two outs in the fifth inning and was credited with the win.

Dodgers first baseman/center fielder Cody Bellinger said, "We knew we didn't want this to be our last game, especially at home. We came out, stuck with our plan, executed our plan really well -- and we really wanted to take this back to San Francisco."

Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead three batters into the bottom of the first, getting a one-out single from Corey Seager followed by an RBI double from Trea Turner. The Dodgers made it 2-0 in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Chris Taylor.

Betts increased the Los Angeles advantage to 4-0 in the fourth with a two-run home run to right off Giants left-hander Jarlin Garcia, his first long ball of the postseason.

After the Giants broke through with a fifth-inning run on a groundout from Darin Ruf, the Dodgers got a sacrifice fly from Betts in the bottom of the inning for a 5-1 advantage.

Kris Bryant had an RBI groundout for the Giants in the eighth. Smith hit a two-run home run for the Dodgers in the bottom of the eighth, his second homer of the series.

Seven Giants relievers saw action, while five Dodgers relievers gave up one run over the final 4 2/3 innings.

The Giants are trying to reach their first NLCS since 2014, while the Dodgers are trying to advance to their fifth NLCS in six seasons.

San Francisco catcher Buster Posey said, "I feel like our team and the Dodgers' team have both been playing meaningful games for a while now. Obviously this one coming up on Thursday is the most meaningful to this point, and it should be fun."

Giants manager Gabe Kapler, looking ahead to Game 5, said, "I'm sure it will be a lively atmosphere. It will be nice to get back to Oracle (Park) and have the support of our fans. We look forward to it."

-reuters-

MLB: Near-perfect Scherzer notches 3,000th career strikeout

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles hurler Max Scherzer flirted with perfection Sunday as he became the 19th Major League Baseball pitcher to record 3,000 career strikeouts in the Dodgers 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Scherzer, 37, reached the 3,000 strikeout milestone when he fanned Eric Hosmer on a full-count changeup for the second out of the fifth inning.

But it would be Hosmer who broke up Scherzer's bid for a rare perfect game with one out in the eighth inning. Hosmer belted a changeup to the rightfield warning track -- out of the reach of speedy outfielder Mookie Betts -- for a double.

That ended Scherzer's bid for MLB's first perfect game since Seattle's Felix Hernandez threw the 23rd perfecto on August 15, 2012.

The nine-year drought without a perfect game -- in which a pitcher retires every batter he faces -- is the longest in the major leagues since the dry spell from 1968-1981.

But Scherzer had plenty to celebrate even without a perfect game or the third no-hitter of his career.

He joined former teammate Justin Verlander as the only active pitchers to reach 3,000 strikeouts.

He needed just 66 pitches to record six perfect innings -- that included striking out the side on nine pitches in the second for the third "immaculate inning" of his career.

"It's hard to describe the emotion," said Scherzer, who was able to celebrate his strikeout milestone with his wife and small children as well as his parents at Dodger Stadium -- which he has called home only since a July 30 trade from the Washington Nationals.

"To me this is a testament to durability, to me going out there making my 30-plus starts a year, year-in, year-out."

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is now in the hunt for a fourth award for the league's top pitcher.

He is 6-0 in eight starts as a Dodger with a 0.88 earned run average and 71 strikeouts in 51 innings.

His ERA for the season is a major league-leading 2.17, a smidge in front of Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes (2.25) and Dodgers teammate Walker Buehler (2.32).

Agence France-Presse

MLB: Nationals invite Biden to throw out first pitch

The Washington Nationals invited President-elect Joe Biden to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day of the 2021 season.

"We're excited to continue the long-standing tradition of sitting Presidents throwing out the first pitch at the home of the national pastime in our nation's capital," the team announced Saturday night.

The "long-standing tradition" has been absent of late. 

President Donald Trump becomes only the second sitting chief executive to not throw out a first pitch on Opening Day at a Major League Baseball game since William Howard Taft began the tradition in 1910. 

Fellow one-term President Jimmy Carter was the other.

The Nationals are scheduled to open the season at Nationals Park on April 1 against the New York Mets.

-reuters-

MLB: Dodgers ride epic first inning to 15-3 victory over Braves

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers erupted for a record-setting 11 runs in the first inning on the way to a 15-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves in game three of Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series.

The Braves cut the deficit in the best-of-seven series in Arlington, Texas, to 2-1 in historic style.

Max Muncy's grand slam was the Dodgers' third of the first inning, capping the highest-scoring half-inning in post-season history.

The Braves were on the wrong side of the prior record also, surrendering 10 runs in one inning of game five of the NL division series against the St. Louis Cardinals last year.

The Dodgers, buoyed by a late surge that saw them come up just short in an 8-7 loss to the Braves on Tuesday, came out firing.

Mookie Betts led off the game with an infield single on the first pitch from Atlanta starter Kyle Wright.

Corey Seager belted a double off Wright's second pitch of the game to score Betts.

Wright had retired two batters when Will Smith's double scored Seager.

Joc Pederson and Edwin Rios homered on back-to-back pitches, Pederson's blast to left center field scoring three.

Wright walked Chris Taylor before he was replaced by Grant Dayton -- who surrendered a run-scoring single to Seager and loaded the bases to set the stage for Muncy's 435-foot blast to center field.

The three homers were also a record for a first inning in a playoff game -- and tied the record for most in any inning of a post-season contest.

The Dodgers weren't done. Bellinger led off the second inning with a homer, and Seager sparked an three-run third with a lead-off home run as Los Angeles made it 15-0 before Cristian Pache's solo homer down the left field line to open the bottom of the third pulled one run back for the Braves.

Atlanta would tack on two more runs in the ninth, but it was out of reach by then.

The Dodgers' five homers in the first three innings were the most in the first three innings of a post-season game.

All nine Dodgers batters had notched a hit by the third inning -- and Seager had three.

The Dodgers will try to level the series on Thursday in game four, when they expect to have ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the mound after he was a late scratch from game two with back spasms.

The winner of the series will take on either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Houston Astros in the World Series.

The Rays led their American League Championship Series 3-0 with a chance to complete a sweep of the Astros in game four later Wednesday in San Diego.

Agence France-Presse

MLB: Dodgers defeat Padres, Astros put A's on brink of elimination

LOS ANGELES -- Corey Seager scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly as the Los Angeles Dodgers erupted for four runs in the sixth inning en route to a 5-1 come-from-behind win over the San Diego Padres in the opening game of their NL Division Series on Tuesday.

Justin Turner scored two runs and walked twice, and starting pitcher Walker Buehler pitched four solid innings and struck out eight for the Dodgers, who recorded their fifth straight NLDS game one victory.

Closer Kenley Jansen got the final out of the four-hour marathon contest by forcing Padres batter Jake Croenworth to ground out to first base at the neutral Globe Life Field stadium outside Dallas, Texas.

The Dodgers were hitless through the first five innings and drew a total of 10 walks in the contest including three to catcher Will Smith.

After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth, Los Angeles did not get their first hit until Mookie Betts smacked a one-out double early in the sixth which helped open the flood gates with a combination of singles, doubles, walks and errors on the part of the Padres.

"It's not about getting a bunch of hits, it's about taking our walks and setting the table," said right fielder Betts.

Game two is Wednesday when the Dodgers will start left hander Clayton Kershaw.

"It is good to get game one under our belt," said Betts. "It is a lot better feeling getting a win in game one and knowing we got Kershew up next."

The Padres didn't announce their game one starter until Tuesday, deciding to go with ace Mike Clevinger who was pitching for the first time in 13 days.

Clevinger's status had been a mystery due to an elbow problem. He hasn't pitched since leaving a start against the Los Angeles Angels after one inning on September 23.

Clevinger missed the Padres' first-round series triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Clevinger worked a scoreless first against the Dodgers but had to exit early, making just two pitches in the second before being pulled by manager Jayce Tingler. Clevinger finished with three walks and one strikeout.

"He's getting checked out," Tingler said. "His stuff was right where it usually is. We've got our fingers crossed and hoping for the best of news." 

- 'We're expecting good things' -

Elsewhere, George Springer hammered two home runs and Framber Valdez won the battle of the lefties as the Houston Astros moved to within one win of reaching their fourth straight AL Championship Series with a 5-2 win over the Oakland A's.

Left-handed starter Valdez gave up two runs on five hits over seven innings and fanned four batters for the Astros, who will try to sweep the best of five series on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

"With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows," Houston manager Dusty Baker said. "We're expecting good things to happen."

Houston grabbed a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning on Martin Maldonado's home run that knocked Oakland lefty Sean Manaea from the contest. Springer then smacked the first pitch from Oakland relief pitcher Yusmeiro Petit over the left field wall.

Manaea surrendered four runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

The Astros belted three homers Tuesday, one day after hitting three in a game one victory at the same southern California ballpark.

Elsewhere, Tyler Glasnow and three other pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts and the batting order erupted for four homers as the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from a game one loss to beat the New York Yankees 7-5.

Rays right-hander Glasnow struck out a franchise playoff-record 10 batters in five-plus innings. He gave up four runs and three hits while walking three as the Ray leveled the series at 1-1.

Randy Arozarena slugged a homer for the second straight game, Mike Zunino and Manuel Margot drilled two run shots, and Austin Meadows hit a solo home run for the Rays, who equaled a club playoff record with four long balls.

Game three is Wednesday night at Petco Park in San Diego. 

New York star Giancarlo Stanton homered in his fourth consecutive playoff game, including a towering 460-foot, three-run drive that cleared the upper deck in the fourth inning.

Stanton's four straight homers tie for the third-longest streak in a single postseason. He now trails only Daniel Murphy, six in 2015, and Carlos Beltran, five in 2004.

Agence France-Presse

A-Rod, J-Lo recruit NFL stars for Mets bid

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez have recruited three NFL figures as part of their ambitious bid for ownership of the New York Mets baseball franchise, ESPN reported on Monday.

ESPN says that Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, Super Bowl-winner Travis Kelce and former Dallas Cowboys ace DeMarco Murray have joined the Rodriguez-Lopez investor group.

"We couldn't be more excited to have such high-quality individuals as part of our group," ESPN quoted Lopez and Rodriguez as saying.

Former New York Yankees legend Rodriguez and pop star Lopez, who are engaged to be married, have submitted a $1.7 billion (1.5 billion euro) bid for the Mets, according to reports.

Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, who was close to taking over the team last year before a deal collapsed, has reportedly bid $2 billion for the club.

While Rodriguez and Lopez have reportedly pumped $300 million of their own fortune into the bid, it was not clear how much other investors had contributed.

"Being a former athlete and having a chance to be a part of a group trying to purchase a professional team, it's pretty cool," Urlacher told ESPN.

"It's especially cool to be involved with Alex. Alex is the man."

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce described the proposed takeover deal as a "a crazy opportunity."

"I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him," Kelce said.

"I'm very thankful for the success that I've had in the NFL, to have an opportunity like this come across the table. I couldn't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this."

Agence France-Presse