DREW SMYLY

Albert Pujols hit career homer No. 693, Jordan Montgomery pitched a one-hitter and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 for their season-high eighth straight victory.

Cubs Reds Baseball Ken Griffey Jr., left, and his father Jen Griffey Sr., walk on to the field before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs at the Field of Dreams movie site, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Dyersville, Iowa. Smyly struck out nine in five scoreless innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Thursday night in Major League Baseball's second annual “Field of Dreams” game. “It’s really magic,” Cubs catcher Willson Contreras said of the field. Major League Baseball returned to Dyersville — population of about 4,400 — after its first “Field of Dreams” game was a smashing success. Graham Ashcraft (5-2, 3.94 ERA) pitches for the Reds, and fellow right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-3, 3.83 ERA) starts for the Cubs.

After the Griffeys played catch in Iowa, Drew Smyly took over.

Dodgers Cubs Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Clayton Kershaw dominated over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the struggling Chicago Cubs 7-0 in the opener of a split doubleheader on Saturday. Kershaw combined with two relievers on Los Angeles' third shutout of the season. TRAINER'S ROOMDodgers: RHP Blake Treinen (right shoulder discomfort) is scheduled for an MRI in Los Angeles on Monday. Cubs: LHP Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.

Clayton Kershaw dominated over seven innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the struggling Chicago Cubs 7-0 in the opener of a split doubleheader.

Cubs Braves Baseball Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright works in the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Atlanta. Wright (3-0) pitched three-hit ball over a career-high seven innings as the World Series champion Braves, off to a sluggish start, made it two of three over the Cubs. Playing right field, Acuña fielded the carom perfectly on Jason Heyward's liner off the fence, holding him to a single. While much of the attention was on Acuña rejoining the Braves, it was Wright who starred again. Braves: RH Ian Anderson (1-1, 5.40 ERA) gets the start as Atlanta opens a three-game series at Texas.

Ronald Acuña Jr. went 1 for 5 with two stolen bases in his return to the Braves lineup, but it was Kyle Wright who claimed a starring role, pitching three-hit ball over a career-high seven innings to give Atlanta a 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Cubs Pirates Baseball Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki (27) heads back to the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jose Quintana during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Seiya Suzuki homered twice, Drew Smyly pitched five scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh 2-1 on Tuesday, spoiling the Pirates’ home opener. Smyly also signed a $10 million, two-year contract with the Cubs in December 2017, but he never pitched for Chicago. Pirates: RHP Luis Oviedo (right ankle sprain) began an injury rehabilitation assignment at Low-A Bradenton on Sunday and pitched one scoreless inning. Pirates: RHP Zach Thompson (3-7, 3.24 ERA in 2021) makes his debut for Pittsburgh after being acquired from Miami in an offseason trade.

Seiya Suzuki homered twice, Drew Smyly pitched five scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh 2-1, spoiling the Pirates’ home opener.

Eddie Rosario homered twice in his second four-hit game of the NL Championship Series and six Atlanta pitchers combined on a four-hitter, giving the Braves a 9-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers for a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven playoff.

Dodgers ace right-hander Max Scherzer is the planned starter for the opening game of the NL Championship Series against the Braves.

Braves Dodgers Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Julio Urías earned his major league-leading 15th victory and the Los Angeles Dodgers slugged four homers to beat Atlanta 5-3 Monday night, ending the Braves' franchise-record 13-game road winning streak. Urías (15-3) retired his first 12 batters before the Braves finally broke through in the fifth. UP NEXTBraves: RHP Charlie Morton (12-5, 3.60 ERA) beat the Dodgers on June 5, allowing four runs and four hits in five innings. He twice beat the Braves last season in the NLCS, allowing one run over a combined 11 innings.

Julio Urías earned his major league-best 15th victory, and the Los Angeles Dodgers slugged four homers in a 5-3 victory over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

Jorge Soler and Austin Riley homered off Anthony DeSclafani, Ian Anderson pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 9-0.

Max Scherzer faces a familiar NL East foe when his Dodgers go for a three-game sweep of the Mets in prime time.

Jeff McNeil laced his second go-ahead hit in two days Monday night, when his RBI double in the fifth inning sent the New York Mets to a 1-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader split.

Marlins Braves Baseball Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., center, looks toward the pitcher's mound at Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez (not shown) after being hit by the first pitch thrown by Lopez in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 2, 2021, in Atlanta. Braves manager Brian Snitker, left, and Marlins' catcher Jorge Alfaro, right, look on. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (Ben Margot)ATLANTA — (AP) — Marlins starter Pablo López was ejected after plunking Ronald Acuña Jr. with his first pitch, leading to the only run as the Atlanta Braves edged Miami 1-0 Friday night. Miami pitcher José Ureña was tossed after nailing with his first pitch in 2018 and López didn't last any longer. López was ejected for hitting Acuña in the back of the left arm and manager Don Mattingly soon was ejected, too, for arguing on his pitcher’s behalf.

Marlins starter Pablo López was ejected after plunking Ronald Acuña Jr. with his first pitch, leading to the only run as the Atlanta Braves edged Miami 1-0.

Madison Bumgarner threw a seven-inning no-hitter, an achievement that won’t count in the Major League Baseball record book but completed a dominant day of Arizona Diamondbacks pitching for a 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep.

Oakland tries for its 14th consecutive victory when the Athletics play Baltimore at Camden Yards.

Oakland tries for its 14th consecutive victory when the Athletics play Baltimore at Camden Yards.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has left their game against the Chicago Cubs after experiencing pain in his lower abdominal muscles.

A pair of three-time Cy Young Award winners square off when Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers face Max Scherzer and the Nationals in a marquee matchup between the past two World Series champions.

Both winless teams in the majors are defending division champions.

Juan Soto drove in the winning run with a single on a 3-0 pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the coronavirus-depleted Washington Nationals to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Atlanta Braves after waiting five days to start their season.

The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak.

The Nationals and Atlanta Braves hadn’t heard by Sunday evening whether Major League Baseball will allow their game while Washington deals with a COVID-19 outbreak that could prevent 11 players from participating.

Alec Bohm hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, Zach Eflin gave Philadelphia another strong start and the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves with a 2-1 win Sunday.

In the final spring training game of the year, Betts hit two home runs Tuesday night and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4. GOOD SIGNOn the final day of spring training, former All-Star pitcher Mike Soroka took a big step toward getting back on a regular-season mound. Ad“It was a perfect way to end a really good spring training on a positive note,” manager Brian Snitker said. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer and Christian Yelich singled to finish spring training with a .393 batting average. AdDIAMONDBACKS 3, INDIANS 2At Phoenix, Diamondbacks starter Taylor Widener struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits.

Sixto Sánchez made his third start, yielding a run on three hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. Austin Gomber gave up five runs on eight hits, four of them home runs, 5 1/3 innings. Arizona starter Luke Weaver struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Adbert Alzolay continued to struggle for Chicago, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings. BREWERS 2, GIANTS 2Brett Anderson pitched two-run ball over 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out three for Milwaukee.

TWINS 1, ORIOLES 0 (7 INNINGS)Minnesota ace Kenta Maeda allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four in his second start. Baltimore's Dean Kremer fared better in his second start, allowing a hit and a walk in three scoreless innings. Deivi García pitched three shutout innings in his second start for the Yankees. Nick Pivetta made his second start for Boston, allowing a run on three hits with three strikeouts in three innings. Alex Wood worked two innings in the start for San Francisco and gave up a home run to Omar Narvaez.

I look forward to getting back to work in the next several days.”LESTER SURGERYWashington Nationals left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland. He underwent chemotherapy treatments and returned to the Red Sox at spring training before the following season. Soto’s spring training start was delayed because he fouled a ball off his right foot in live batting practice Sunday. Martinez had two hits for a second straight game, driving in his first two runs of spring training. Jarred Kelenic, Seattle’s top prospect, hit a two-run homer and Taylor Trammell hit a solo homer.

San Francisco Giants' Drew Smyly throws against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)ATLANTA – Left-hander Drew Smyly became the first of the 181 free agents to switch teams when he agreed Monday to an $11 million, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, who bolstered a rotation that was depleted by injuries and disappointing performances. The 31-year-old pitched seven games last season for the San Francisco Giants, making five starts. He's only scratched the surface.”Smyly earned a $1,481,481 prorated base salary from an original $4 million contract with the Giants, plus roster and performance bonuses. The Braves also are counting on the return of Mike Soroka, who missed most of this past season with a torn Achilles.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Tim Lopes reaches into seats occupied by cutouts while unsuccessfully trying to catch a foul by hit by San Francisco Giants' Wilmer Flores during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Donovan Solano and Mauricio Dubon hit early RBI singles as the Giants backed Drew Smyly (1-0) and snapped a three-game losing streak with a “road” victory at Oracle Park. Crawford contributed a two-out shot in the seventh and Mike Yastrzemski added an RBI double as the Giants pounded out 15 hits. Some went straight to Oracle Park upon landing in San Francisco, while others opted to stop by the team hotel. Game time temperature in San Francisco, 71 degrees.

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)SAN FRANCISCO Evan Longoria and Darin Ruf launched back-to-back home runs in the second inning and the Giants spoiled Madison Bumgarners return to San Francisco with a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night. His 119 wins are third-most in San Francisco history and his 1,794 strikeouts rank second. Joey Bart and Mauricio Dubn added consecutive RBI triples in the sixth to give San Francisco a 4-1 lead. San Francisco improved to 6-2 against the Diamondbacks this season, outscoring them 39-23. He went 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in three starts against San Francisco last season.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy, right, celebrates with Justin Turner, second from left, and A.J. Sam Selman (1-0) recorded the final out in the top of the 11th for the victory. Justin Turner began on second base in the 10th inning and scored the go-ahead run on Bart's wild throw past third immediately after a passed ball. The Dodgers flew late in the day to the Bay Area to give players time for treatment or optional workouts. ... RHP Jeff Samardzija, sidelined by inflammation in his throwing shoulder, is throwing on flat ground and is scheduled for his first bullpen Wednesday.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)SAN FRANCISCO Stephen Piscotty hit a tying grand slam in the ninth inning, Mark Canha's sacrifice fly put Oakland on top in the 10th, and the Athletics stunned the San Francisco Giants 8-7 on Friday night in the opener of the Bay Bridge Series. Oakland trailed by five in the ninth inning but rallied to win from such a deficit for the first time since July 15, 1952, according to STATS. The Giants hadn't lost after leading by five or more runs in the ninth inning or latter since June 25, 1929. The ball carried on a rare hot evening in San Francisco, where first-pitch temperature reached 85 degrees.