Fragen und Antworten » Craig Kimbrel pitched a lockdown inning. And much-ma

HOUSTON (AP) — David Price David Ross Jersey , at last, looked like a postseason ace. ligned Jackie Bradley Jr. became an MVP.Most everything went right for the Red Sox as they sailed into the World Series. Now the big question for Boston: Is everything all right with ace Chris Sale?“We’re not perfect. That’s the cool thing about this team. We feel that we can keep improving. And we have one more series to go,” triumphant manager Alex Cora said Thursday night.On his 43rd birthday, Cora became the first manager from Puerto Rico to take a team to the World Series. The club that led the majors with 108 wins this season eliminated the defending champion Houston Astros with a 4-1 victory, taking the AL Championship Series 4-1.After the Red Sox surrounded Cora in the clubhouse and sang “happy birthday!” to their rookie skipper, they began turning their attention to next week.Game 1 of the World Series is Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers hold a 3-2 lead in the NLCS going into Game 6 on Friday night at Miller Park.The Red Sox will try to bring Boston its fourth crown in 15 years — this is their first World Series trip since winning it all in 2013.Those extra days off at home will give Sale even more time to rest up.The seven-time All-Star has been regaining strength since his release Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital, where he spent Sunday night for observation because of a stomach illness. The club hasn’t specified Sale’s ailment or treatment.Cora said before Thursday night’s game that the lefty ace was prepared for his next start — either in the ALCS or the World Series opener.“We knew the skinny guy was ready for Game 6,” Cora said after Price and the Red Sox finished off the Astros.Sale went 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA this season, but was limited down the stretch because of shoulder trouble. His velocity dipped in the playoffs, where he won the AL Division Series opener against the New York Yankees and also relieved in the clinching Game 4.Sale lost the ALCS opener to Houston, working four uneven innings. After recently losing weight, he threw on flat ground Thursday, leading Cora to say Sale was ready.The rest of the Red Sox look locked in.Price had been 0-9 with a 6.16 ERA in 11 career postseason starts before holding Houston to three hits in six shutout innings, striking out nine.The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner was thrilled he won’t be asked again about that zero in the win column.“That’s awesome,” Price said. “I don’t have to prepare myself for it in spring training on Feb. 20 or September when I’ve still got five regular-season starts. I don’t have to answer that question anymore. And man, it feels good.”Cora felt equally good after watching Price outpitch October star Justin Verlander for the victory.“There was a lot of noise,” Cora said. “I heard somebody today on TV just blasting David, blasting him, calling him the worst pitcher in the postseason. Yeah, the numbers are there, I know, but he was saying this — he didn’t hesitate. It was a bad matchup Steve Cishek Jersey , one of the greatest against the worst and all that.”“I don’t listen too much to what’s going on outside, but that one got me,” he added. “But you know what? I’m happy that David showed up today. And tomorrow we can turn the page and move on to the World Series with David Price.”Kimbrel, who’s had some shaky outings lately, threw a hitless ninth for his fifth save this postseason. Boston slugger J.D. Martinez homered and star outfielders Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi made running catches in the clincher.Bradley, stuck in a slump for much of the season, batted just .200 and his three hits were the fewest for any position player to win MVP of a league championship series. But he did plenty of damage with a grand slam, two-run homer and a three-run double.“There’s nobody on this team that I can think of in baseball that deserves it more than Jackie,” Price said.“He continues to push forward through everything that he has to go through. Watching him line out, hitting balls 100-plus miles an hour routinely this year and last year, to see him get that MVP award, to get those big hits, I’m so pumped for him.” PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pinch-running pitcher Vince Velasquez was called out for leaving second base early while tagging up, resulting in a game-ending double play that gave the Washington Nationals a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.After Aaron Nola outpitched Max Scherzer for the second time in six days in a matchup of NL Cy Young Award contenders, the Phillies watched Washington rally for three runs in the ninth to take a 5-3 lead.Ramos got Philadelphia within a run with a pinch-hit double in the ninth, and Velasquez pinch-ran for the catcher. Greg Holland relieved and retired Jorge Alfaro on a flyball to center, with Velasquez moving to third as the potential tying run.But the Nationals appealed that Velasquez left too soon, and he was called out. A replay upheld the ruling.Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Pat Neshek (1-1) in the Nationals ninth. The Nationals trailed 3-2 when Bryce Harper drew a leadoff walk from Tommy Hunter. Neshek surrendered Rendon’s 17th homer, and Washington added another run on an error after Ryan Zimmerman hit his third double of the game.RED SOX 8, MARLINS 7BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez scored when Marlins shortstop JT Riddle threw away a potential double-play ball in the ninth inning, lifting the Boston Red Sox over Miami following a wild Drew Smyly Jersey , back-and-forth final two innings.Boston snapped a three-game skid and avoided its first four-game losing streak of the season — barely.Miami scored five runs in the eighth inning to lead 6-4, allowed three runs to Boston in the bottom of the inning, then tied the game at 7 in the top of the ninth against closer Craig Kimbrel (4-1).In the bottom of the inning, Martinez reached on a one-out single and went to second on Xander Bogaerts‘ hit. Eduardo Nunez followed with a grounder to Riddle, who stepped on second but sailed his throw well past first baseman J.T. Realmuto. Drew Steckenrider (4-3) was stuck with the loss.ATHLETICS 4, ASTROS 3HOUSTON (AP) — Nick Martini hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the Athletics defeated Houston, snapping the Astros‘ six-game winning streak.The A’s moved within 1 ½ games of the AL West-leading Astros.Ramon Laureano drew a one-out walk from Roberto Osuna (1-2), Jonathan Lucroy singled and Martini followed with his double.Jeurys Familia (8-4) pitched a scoreless eighth. Blake Treinen worked a perfect ninth for his 33rd save.Alex Bregman’s two-out, two-run double in the Houston fifth off Edwin Jackson made it 3-all.BRAVES 9, RAYS 5ATLANTA (AP) — Pinch-runner Adam Duvall scored the tiebreaking run on a delayed dash from third base in Atlanta’s four-run eighth inning, and the Braves beat Tampa Bay to snap the Rays’ eight-game winning streak.Chaz Roe (1-3) walked Kurt Suzuki to open the eighth. Suzuki advanced to third on Ozzie Albies’ third hit, a double to the right-field corner.Duvall, running for Suzuki, initially remained at third base on Dansby Swanson’s groundout to second. When first baseman Jake Bauers looked to possibly throw to second, where Albies was standing off the bag, Duvall took off in a desperate sprint for the plate.Home plate umpire Chad Fairchild called Duvall safe on his slide under the tag of catcher Michael Perez, beating Bauers’ throw to the plate. A video review lasting 1 minute, 45 seconds, confirmed the call.Pinch-hitter Tyler Flowers, who agreed to a contract extension earlier in the day, followed with a two-run homer that landed in the Rays’ bullpen behind the left-field wall. Ender Inciarte, who drove in two runs on four hits http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-drew-storen-jersey , added another homer to center off Andrew Kittredge.Brad Brach (2-3) recorded the final out in the eighth. The Rays loaded the bases off A.J. Minter with two outs in the ninth. Willy Adames‘ groundout ended the game, and first-place Atlanta moved 4½ games ahead of Philadelphia in the NL East.YANKEES 5, WHITE SOX 4NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Neil Walker connected for a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the New York Yankees rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the Chicago White Sox.Aaron Hicks hit a tying homer in the eighth and rookie Miguel Andujar also had a two-run shot to help the injury-depleted Yankees win for the ninth time in 11 games. With the second-best record in the majors, they began the night 6½ games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.Walker batted for Ronald Torreyes with one out and launched the first pitch he saw from Dylan Covey (4-12) way over the right-center wall for his ninth home run of the season. As he neared home plate, Walker tossed his helmet high in the air and was swarmed by teammates.Dellin Betances (4-3) struck out two in a perfect ninth.ORIOLES 12, BLUE JAYS 5BALTIMORE (AP) — Josh Rogers won his major league debut, Tim Beckham hit a three-run homer and the Orioles rolled over the Blue Jays.Rogers, acquired from the Yankees for closer Zach Britton in July, allowed three runs and seven hits with two strikeouts and a walk over five innings. He was the first left-handed pitcher to start a game for Baltimore this season.Craig Gentry went 3 for 5 with his first home run and three RBIs for the Orioles, who won consecutive games for the first time this month.Trey Mancini added a double and a triple, while Adam Jones tied a career high with four hits.Blue Jays rookie left-hander Thomas Pannone (1-1) blanked the Orioles over seven innings last Wednesday to win his first major league start. This time, Pannone struggled, allowing seven runs and nine hits over 3 1/3 innings.INDIANS 8, TWINS 1CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Carrasco struck out 11 and withstood another scary Minnesota line drive, pitching the Indians past the Twins.Francisco Lindor matched a career high with four hits while Jose Ramirez drove in three runs for the AL Central leaders.Carrasco (16-7) allowed four hits in 7 2/3 innings. He is tied for second in the majors in wins, one behind Luis Severino of the Yankees.In the fifth, Carrasco was hit in the glove by Ehire Adrianza’s liner. The force of the blow knocked Carrasco to the ground, but the right-hander immediately got to his feet. The ball rolled toward second baseman Jason Kipnis, who had no play at first.Indians manager Terry Francona and a team trainer went to the mound, and Carrasco signaled he wasn’t injured. The pitcher smiled as the trainer wiped dirt off his left hand and wrist with a towel.Kyle Gibson (7-11) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.ROYALS 6, TIGERS 2KANSAS CITY Scott Feldman Jersey , Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis held scuffling Detroit to six hits in his first career complete game, Adalberto Mondesi homered to spur a five-run frame and the Royals beat the Tigers.The only runs Junis (7-12) allowed came in the third, when Jeimer Candelario managed a sacrifice fly, and the eighth, when JaCoby Jones went deep. Otherwise, the Royals’ young right-hander was brisk and efficient, striking out seven without a walk to win for only the second time since May 18.Junis had never thrown a complete game in the minors, either.Matthew Boyd (8-12) took the loss.REDS 9, BREWERS 7CINCINNATI (AP) — Jose Peraza started Junior Guerra’s rough outing with a two-run homer, and the Cincinnati Reds withstood Christian Yelich’s first multihomer game.Since trailing the Cubs by a game on Aug. 4, Milwaukee has gone 8-11 and slid to third in the NL Central.The Reds ended a five-game losing streak by taking advantage of Guerra (6-9), who gave up six runs and faced only 13 batters in his shortest outing of the season. Peraza had two of his four hits off Guerra, who threw 45 pitches.Peraza homered and Guerra let in another run with a wild pitch during a nine-batter first inning. Guerra left with the bases loaded and one out in the second. He hasn’t won since July 8, going 0-4 in his last eight starts. Guerra has pitched four innings or less in half of those games.Anthony DeSclafani (7-4) gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings, including Yelich’s solo homer. Yelich added a three-run shot in the seventh off Jared Hughes. Yelich has 10 homers in August and a career-high 25 overall.DODGERS 8, RANGERS 4ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Manny Machado drove in four runs, Brian Dozier hit his 20th homer of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Rangers for their fourth win in a row.Machado’s four RBIs were the most in his 36 games for the Dodgers since being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles last month. The shortstop put Los Angeles ahead to stay with a two-run single in the third, then added a sac fly in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth. He has nine RBIs the past three games.Dozier, another midseason addition, had a solo shot for his fourth homer in 24 games since joining the Dodgers from Minnesota. He also had an RBI single.Caleb Ferguson (5-2) went 1 1/3 innings as the first of four relievers with scoreless outings before struggling closer Kenley Jansen came on with an 8-2 lead and allowed three hits and two runs in the ninth.Texas rookie Ariel Jurado (2-4) gave up three runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings.CARDINALS 5, PIRATES 2ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neill homered Eugenio Suarez Jersey , rookie Jack Flaherty pitched seven innings and the Cardinals beat the Pirates in Mike Shildt’s first game since being promoted to full-time manager.The Cardinals have won six of seven and are 20-5 in August. Earlier in the day, St. Louis took off the interim tag on Shildt, who was put in charge after Mike Matheny was fired last month a day before the All-Star break.St. Louis is 27-12 under Shildt. He was rewarded with a contract through 2020 after guiding the Cards back into playoff contention.The Pirates have lost eight of 10.Flaherty (8-6) retired his first 12 batters and gave up one run and four hits. He has allowed only 14 hits and three runs in 32 innings, walking nine and striking out 38 batters in his last five starts.Bud Norris pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 32 opportunities.Martinez hit a two-run homer in the first off Ivan Nova (8-8).ROCKIES 3, ANGELS 2ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Carlos Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in the first inning and the Rockies beat the Angels to split their series.Kyle Freeland (12-7) allowed one run and five hits in six innings. The left-hander struck out six and walked two in his first career start against the Angels.Wade Davis struck out the side in the ninth to earn his NL-leading 36th save, extending his career high.The Angels stranded a runner in each of the first six innings. They have lost nine of 10.Noe Ramirez (4-5) became the first player in Angels’ history to earn a save one day and start the next day’s game.PADRES 2, MARINERS 1SAN DIEGO (AP) — Travis Jankowski homered on Felix Hernandez’s first pitch and rookie Jacob Nix came within two outs of a complete game in his fourth big league start for the Padres, who beat the Mariners.The Padres, who have the worst record in the NL, snapped a five-game losing streak and won for just the second time in seven games.Nix (2-2) retired Jean Segura to open the ninth before Nelson Cruz homered to center field on Nix’s 79th pitch. It was Cruz’s 32nd. That was it for Nix, who allowed eight hits and no walks. He had no strikeouts. Kirby Yates came on to get the final two outs for his sixth save.Hernandez (8-12) pitched well but lost his sixth straight decision over eight starts.GIANTS 1, DIAMONDBACKS 0SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Gorkys Hernandez singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth inning, lifting the Giants to a win against the Diamondbacks.Steven Duggar scored the deciding run moments after what looked like a potentially serious injury. Duggar stayed in the game after making a headfirst slide back into second on Nick Hundley’s single after he initially rounded second. Duggar was seen testing his bruised left shoulder, which will be re-evaluated Wednesday.Arizona fell into a first-place tie with Colorado atop the NL West. Going back to Sunday’s 5-2 win against Seattle, the Diamondbacks have gone 23 innings without scoring — shut out by the Giants for a second straight game and for the seventh time in all this year.Brad Ziegler (1-6) walked Duggar with one out, taking the loss for his first decision since returning to the Diamondbacks in a trade from Miami before the deadline.Will Smith (2-2) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the win.