BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have advanced to the AL Championship Series by knocking out the league’s best team in the division series. The Red Sox coughed up a 5-0 lead before Kike (KEE’-kay) Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to give Boston a 6-5 victory in Game 4. It brings an abrupt end to the season for the Rays, who’d been eyeing back-to-back trips to the World Series after winning a league-high 100 games during the regular season.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The reigning World Series champions are facing elimination in their best-of-five NL Division Series. The Dodgers are down two games to one heading into Game 4 after losing to rival San Francisco 1-0 on a blustery night in Los Angeles. The Dodgers managed just five singles, and the formidable lineup that led the NL with 830 runs and hit 237 homers in the regular season has been shut out twice in three games against the Giants. The Dodgers went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (dee-skla-FAH’-nee) starts for the Giants tonight. Los Angeles hasn’t named a starter.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves can wrap up their NL Division Series against Milwaukee tonight at home. Pinch-hitter Joc Pederson launched a three-run homer in the fifth inning last night, sending the Braves to their second straight 3-0 win against the Brewers. The blast made a winner out of Ian Anderson, who limited Milwaukee to three hits and no walks while striking out six over five innings. Four relievers followed with one inning of work, allowing Atlanta to complete a five-hitter. Will Smith worked the ninth for the save.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Astros have revamped their rotation for the AL Division Series after a rainout in Chicago. Lance McCullers Jr. will pitch today in Game 4 instead of José Urquidy (ur-KWEE’-dee). McCullers shut out the White Sox on four hits over 6 2/3 innings in the opener. Carlos Rodón (roh-DAHN’) is scheduled to start for Chicago, with Game 1 starter Lance Lynn available out of the bullpen. Houston leads 2-1 in the best-of-five matchup.