MARK MELANCON

Pittsburgh infielder Rodolfo Castro lost his phone on the field and the Pirates were stymied by rookie Tommy Henry in a 6-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Josh Rojas hit a go-ahead single during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4, earning a split in the four-game series.

Merrill Kelly threw seven shutout innings and Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed each homered in the eighth inning, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dodgers Diamondbacks Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman (5) beats Arizona Diamondbacks Daulton Varsho (12) to the base for the out during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)PHOENIX — (AP) — Zac Gallen pitched six scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks scored two runs after Max Muncy's throwing error in the eighth inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Wednesday. Matt Davidson put the Diamondbacks up 3-1 with a groundout off Daniel Hudson (1-1). Dodgers starter Julio Urias allowed a hit — Ahmed’s homer in the fifth — in six innings. Gallen allowed one run and four hits in nine innings over his first two starts, but didn’t win either game.

Zac Gallen pitched six scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks scored two runs after Max Muncy’s throwing error in the eighth inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1.

Diamondbacks Mets Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks' Sergio Alcantara hits a two-run home run off New York Mets relief pitcher Seth Lugo (67) in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Sergio Alcantara snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, Ketel Marte added an RBI double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 3-2 Saturday. New York won that series finale the next day and swept three-game sets in 2018, 2019 and 2021 before winning Friday’s opener. Seth Beer led off with an infield single against Rodriguez, and Lugo struck out Carson Kelly before Alcantara homered to right field. LONG ENOUGHOnly two other teams have endured longer road losing streaks against the Mets than the Diamondbacks.

Sergio Alcantara snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, Ketel Marte added an RBI double and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 3-2.

The second act of Madison Bumgarner’s career hasn’t been nearly as successful as the first.

PHOENIX — (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks made a move to solidify the back end of their bullpen on Wednesday, adding four-time All-Star Mark Melancon on a two-year deal worth a reported $14 million. The right-handed Melancon, who will be 37 by opening day, led the big leagues with 39 saves last year in his only season with the San Diego Padres. He had a 4-3 record and 2.23 ERA to earn his first All-Star appearance since 2016. The D-backs had problems all over the roster last season, finishing with a 52-110 record, but a bad bullpen was among the worst issues. He played in college at Arizona and has 244 career saves over a well-traveled 13-year MLB career that includes time with the Pirates, Giants, Braves, Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Padres and Nationals.

Trea Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston’s Yuli Gurriel won their first batting titles in a season of boom and bust that saw four teams lose 100 games for only the third time, and four 90-game winners in the AL East alone.

The San Francisco Giants missed a chance to clinch the NL West, falling to the San Diego Padres 3-2 when Jake Cronenworth hit an RBI double in the 10th inning.

Jake Cronenworth hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Houston Astros 4-3 to take two of three from the AL West leaders.

Padres Diamondbacks Baseball San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell throws to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Blake Snell threw seven no-hit innings for San Diego before being pulled, and pinch-hitter David Peralta blooped a single into shallow left field in the eighth Tuesday night as the Padres blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-0. San Diego has won three of its past four games and pulled into a tie with the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL playoff wild-card spot. Padres manager Jayce Tingler made the call to replace Snell (7-5) after seven dominant innings. Snell cruised through the early innings on Tuesday, blowing past an overmatched D-backs lineup with 97 mph fastballs and pinpoint breaking balls.

Blake Snell threw seven hitless innings before being pulled for a reliever, and San Diego lost its bid for a combined no-hitter in the eighth inning when Arizona’s David Peralta dropped a bloop single into shallow left field in the Padres' 3-0 win.

Fashion forward.

Rookie reliever Daniel Camarena hit a stunning grand slam off Washington ace Max Scherzer and the San Diego Padres overcame an eight-run deficit, finally beating the Nationals 9-8 on Trent Grisham’s RBI single in the ninth inning.

Trent Grisham drew a go-ahead, bases-loaded walk with one out in the eighth and the San Diego Padres hit three solo homers off Trevor Bauer and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 for their first three-game sweep of the NL West rivals in eight seasons.

Dodgers Padres Baseball San Diego Padres second baseman Ha-Seong Kim (7) celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in San Diego. Los Angeles swept San Diego in the NL Division Series last year en route to the World Series title. Snell was pulled from Game 6 of the World Series by Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash with the Rays leading the Dodgers 1-0 in the sixth inning. The Padres won the next day to reach their first World Series. Padres: Kim didn't start a day after injuring the index finger on his throwing hand while fielding a grounder by Smith.

Jake Cronenworth and rookie Kim Ha-seong homered off Clayton Kershaw, Blake Snell pitched five scoreless innings and the San Diego Padres got their third straight win against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-2.

APTOPIX Reds Padres Baseball The San Diego Padres celebrate at home plate after Victor Caratini hit a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 17, 2021, in San Diego. The Padres took a 2-0 lead into the ninth after Tatis and Machado homered off Wade Miley. Melancon was one out away from his big league-leading 20th save before he melted down against the red-hot Reds. Machado hit a monster shot into the second deck in left-center off Miley leading off the seventh, his 10th. The Padres treated this game like a real opening day by hanging bunting and introducing both teams before the game.

Victor Caratini hit a two-run, game-ending homer two batters after Eric Hosmer hit a tying, two-run homer for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Cincinnati Reds in a 6-4 thriller before the first sellout crowd at Petco Park since 2019.

Cardinals Padres Baseball San Diego Padres' Manny Machado (13) is congratulated by Austin Nola (26) as he scores during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 14, 2021, in San Diego. Musgrove (3-4) had lost four decisions in five starts since pitching the first no-hitter in Padres history at Texas. San Diego had only four hits but drew 12 walks against five Cardinals pitchers. The Padres beat the Cardinals 2-1 in the wild-card round last season before being swept in the NL Division Series by the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Musgrove loaded the bases again in the sixth but all the Cardinals got out of it was a sacrifice fly by Molina.

Joe Musgrove got through five innings for his first victory since throwing a no-hitter on April 9, and San Diego beat St. Louis 5-4 in the first meeting between the teams since the Padres eliminated the Cardinals from the playoffs last year.

Padres Rockies Baseball Colorado Rockies' Josh Fuentes is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run off San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell during the second inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Josh Fuentes capped a big night with a two-out, walk-off single in the eighth inning after earlier hitting a two-run homer and the Colorado Rockies salvaged a doubleheader split by beating the virus-hampered San Diego Padres 3-2 on Wednesday. The Padres were poised for more, only to run themselves out of the inning with one out and runners on first and second. He was back in his usual spot behind the plate for the second game. They split with the Rockies on June 28, 1994, at Mile High Stadium and lost both on July 3, 1999, at Coors Field.

Padres Rockies Baseball San Diego Padres' Victor Caratini follows the flight of his grand slam off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Robert Stephenson in the sixth inning of game one of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Victor Caratini lined a two-out grand slam in the sixth, powering the virus-depleted San Diego Padres to a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in a doubleheader opener. “It was awesome by Nola,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said. Until Caratini's long ball, the Padres managed three singles, just one of which left the infield. DOUBLE DUTYThe Padres are playing a doubleheader in Denver for the third time.

Josh Fuentes capped a big night with a two-out, walk-off single in the eighth inning after earlier hitting a two-run homer and the Colorado Rockies salvaged a doubleheader split by beating the virus-hampered San Diego Padres 3-2.

Fernando Tatís Jr. scored on Eric Hosmer’s sacrifice fly in the 11th inning and the San Diego Padres rallied from a late six-run deficit for an 8-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The San Diego Padres opened the second series of the season between Southern California’s big baseball rivals with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Eric Hosmer delivered the tying and go-ahead RBIs in the seventh and eighth innings, helping the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 to avoid a sweep in the first series of the year between the NL West rivals.

Scherzer will make his Nationals-record sixth opening day start April 1, facing the New York Mets in Washington. The original lineup released by Washington before the game featured a designated hitter; that was revised to include Scherzer batting for himself. DeGrom struck him out, part of his 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits and five Ks. YANKEES 8, BLUE JAYS 3Gerritt Cole struck out eight in five innings, allowing one run in his fourth spring start for New York. BRAVES 11, RAYS 1Atlanta starter Max Fried gave up three hits and struck out five over six innings.

Starter Zach Eflin pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. ROCKIES 2, MARINERS 1Kyle Freeland allowed three hits in four shutout innings in his second start for Colorado, striking out four. Seattle's Marco Gonzales threw four shutout innings in his second start, allowing two hits while striking out four. Martín Pérez made his second start, allowing two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. ATHLETICS 5, REDS 2 (7)Oakland lefty Sean Manaea struck out four in three innings, allowing one run and three hits.

The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The average fell despite Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Christian Yelich all starting long-term contracts guaranteeing $215 million or more. The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The players’ association calculated the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played. Because the pandemic caused players to receive roughly 37% of pay last year, the actual average plunged to $1.59 million, its lowest since 1998.

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)SAN DIEGO – Fernando Tatis Jr. has yet to take a ground ball or swing a bat at spring training and he’s already the talk of the San Diego Padres’ clubhouse. Giancarlo Stanton, now with the New York Yankees, signed a 13-year, $325 million deal with Miami in 2015. Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with Philadelphia in 2019. Tatis’ deal will be the third-largest. Tatis was literally raised in the game at the feet of his father, who played 11 seasons in the big leagues.

Freddie Freeman also homered for the second night in a row, and the streaking Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series. “I didn’t feel good with a big lead because these guys are too powerful, and that’s a good ballgame to win. All previous 14 teams to win the first two games of a best-of-seven NLCS went on to take the pennant. Kyle Wright, another rookie right-hander, is on the mound for the Braves, who have outscored opponents 37-13 in the playoffs. ... Freeman and Albies joined Swanson and d’Arnaud by homering in back-to-back Braves games this postseason.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – Atlanta Braves fans were still doing tomahawk-chop chants as they filed out of the stadium, real people who replaced the cardboard cutouts players got so accustomed to this season. One game, but a big boost for the Braves in their first National League Championship Series since 2001. “It was awesome — fun to play in front of fans again,” Braves slugger Freddie Freeman said. Riley became the youngest player with a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning of a postseason game or later since Braves star Chipper Jones in 1995. Dodgers: Kershaw, the ace lefty from nearby Dallas, has 19 strikeouts in his two starts this postseason — both wins.

Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson delivers a pitch during the fourth inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Miami Marlins Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)HOUSTON – Rookie Ian Anderson pitched like a poised veteran, right fielder Nick Markakis made a nifty defensive play late and the Atlanta Braves threw another playoff shutout, beating the Miami Marlins 2-0 Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the NL Division Series. Corey Dickerson reached on an error by Swanson at shortstop to start the inning, setting up Markakis' heads-up play. Cameras panned to Anderson in the dugout, and the pitcher smiled broadly as he watched the ball sail away. UP NEXTAtlanta’s Kyle Wright will make his postseason debut when he starts in Game 3 against rookie Sixto Sanchez.

Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna (20) hits a two-run home run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of a National League wild-card baseball series, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – It had been so long since the Atlanta Braves won a postseason series, Marcell Ozuna wanted to make sure he captured the moment. Anderson struck out nine in six innings as the Braves snapped their record-tying string of losses in 10 consecutive postseason rounds since their last playoff series win in 2001. Bauer struck out 12 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the Reds' Game 1 loss. Braves: After sitting out the final two regular-season games with a sore quadriceps, Riley had no setback in the series opener.

Duvall hit a pair of two-run shots over the Green Monster and a solo blast to center for his five RBIs. Duvall and Ozuna were the first teammates with three-homer performances in back-to-back games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Martinez had two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox, who fell a season-high 13 games under .500. Fenway was built in 1912, but the Red Sox are an AL club and interleague play wasnt introduced in MLB until 1997. The Braves tied it at 3 in the second when Duvall hit his first homer, and Ozuna added an RBI single.

Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis, left, celebrates with Adeiny Hechavarria (24) after hitting a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. Markakis was added to the active roster on Wednesday after changing his mind about sitting out the year. Following the homer, Braves players circled home plate with plenty of distance, waving their hands in the air as Markakis finished his trot. Manager Charlie Montoyo said before the game Waguespack was recalled when right-hander Trent Thornton was placed on the 10-day injured list. Following a chat with home plate umpire Alan Porter, Waguespack left the field without making a pitch and Montoyo instead brought in Rafael Dolis.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, in Atlanta. After the game, Van Wagenen said: Hes decided to opt out of the remainder of the season for COVID-related reasons." Cspedes went 0 for 4 during a 7-1 loss Saturday night in Atlanta. ROSTER MOVESThe Mets traded for speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton, sending right-handed pitcher Jordan Humphreys to the Giants. He pitched six innings of four-hit ball in the season opener against the Mets.

Now, the former East Ridge star has a chance to finish games that really matter. Saddled with the worst record in the big leagues, it became clear that Detroit was looking to move Greene ahead of the deadline. "The best way to describe it is your girlfriend texts you and says, 'We need to talk,'" Greene quipped. Jackson leads the team with 17 saves, but he's blown eight other chances and seen his ERA climb to 3.96. Anthony Swarzak, who got off to a strong start after being acquired from Seattle, also has struggled in recent games.