Brewers get a big assist from their ballpark roof to beat the Padres 3-2 in NLDS opener
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ty France believed he had hit a two-run homer to put the San Diego Padres ahead in the ninth inning of their NL Division Series opener against Milwaukee. Brewers manager Pat Murphy figured France’s drive was heading foul instead. Neither was correct. France hit a towering flyball that seemed as though it might be headed over the left-field wall until it struck a cable on the roof of the stadium. The ball then fell into the glove of Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio on the warning track for the second out of the inning. Moments later, Milwaukee secured a 3-2 victory.
Rasmussen has no-hit bid for 7 2/3 innings, Rays open AL Division Series with 1-0 win over Yankees
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the eighth inning, Jonathan Aranda homered off Gerrit Cole and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in their AL Division Series opener. Rasmussen retired 15 consecutive batters before Austin Wells doubled with two outs in the eighth, ripping a line drive just inside the right-field line on an inside sinker. He tried for a triple but was easily thrown out at third. A 31-year-old righty, Rasmussen struck out 10 and walked two in eight innings against a Yankees lineup again missing injured slugger Aaron Judge. Bryan Baker pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Skubal brings 101 mph heat in 100-degree weather as Dodgers take NLDS opener over Braves
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tarik Skubal dominated in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their National League Division Series. He tossed six strong innings and retired 15 consecutive batters after giving up a single to Drake Baldwin leading off the game. The game-time temperature was 100 degrees, making it the second-hottest postseason game in Dodger Stadium history. Skubal has been a strong addition to the Dodgers since being acquired just before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. The two-time Cy Young Award winner’s confident approach and quick adaptation have impressed fans and teammates alike.
White Sox beat Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of ALDS behind Murakami homer, 3-hitter
CLEVELAND (AP) — Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run homer, five Chicago pitchers combined for a three-hitter and the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. Colson Montgomery added an RBI double for the White Sox, who have won nine of their last 11 games dating back to the regular season. Chicago advanced to the division series after sweeping Houston in the wild card series. Cleveland — which won its third straight AL Central title by one game over the White Sox — had the bases loaded with two outs the third and fourth innings, but couldn’t get any runs across.