ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to put the Atlanta Braves back in the playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to put the Atlanta Braves back in the playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Freeman’s drive off Mike Dunn clinched at least an NL wild-card berth for the Braves, who squandered a big lead in the wild-card race with a huge collapse last September.
Longtime star Chipper Jones, who plans to retire at the end of the season, led off the ninth with a double. He moved to third on a wild pitch by Dunn (0-3) and scored when Freeman’s 22nd homer easily cleared the center-field wall.
Craig Kimbrel (3-1) worked a scoreless inning to help the Braves win their 22nd straight game started by Kris Medlen. The streak is the longest in the majors since the New York Yankees won 22 consecutive games started by Whitey Ford in 1950 and ‘53.
The Braves still have a chance to catch first-place Washington in the NL East. They moved within four games of the Nationals, who lost to Philadelphia 6-3.
Reds manager Baker won’t
return until next week
CINCINNATI — Dusty Baker won’t manage the Cincinnati Reds until the final series in St. Louis, giving him time to recover from an irregular heartbeat and a mini-stroke suffered last week.
The 63-year-old manager was hospitalized for four days in Chicago because of an irregular heartbeat that he’s had for some time.
He said in a statement released Tuesday that he also had a mini-stroke.
His cardiologists said his condition has “improved dramatically” and a full recovery is expected.
Bench coach Chris Speier will manage the team during a three-game series against Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park and a three-game series in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Yankees activate
Aardsma, Gardner
MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Yankees have activated right-hander David Aardsma and outfielder Brett Gardner from the disabled list.
The Yankees announced the moves on Tuesday before they played the Minnesota Twins. Aardsma has not pitched since 2010 with Seattle. He had Tommy John surgery last year. Manager Joe Girardi says he will be cautious with how he uses Aardsma out of the bullpen with the Yankees in a tight division race.
Gardner has been on the 60-day DL since April 17 after having surgery on his right elbow. Girardi says it will be difficult to find many at-bats for Gardner down the stretch, but he can use the speedy outfielder as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
Utility player Steve Pearce and LHP Justin Thomas were designated for assignment to make room for Gardner and Aardsma.
Darvish scratched from
start against Oakland
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas right-hander Yu Darvish has been scratched from his start Tuesday against Oakland because of neck stiffness.
The Rangers announced Darvish’s injury 2 1/2 hours before he was scheduled to face the A’s. Scott Feldman started in Darvish’s place.
The Rangers say Darvish felt stiffness on Tuesday morning. The club also says it is not known when Darvish will make his next start.
Darvish, who is 4-0 in his past five starts, is 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA. The Japanese rookie has 214 strikeouts, which ranks third in the AL.
The first-place Rangers lead the Athletics by four games after Oakland’s 3-2 win in 10 innings.