EVAN PHILLIPS

Umpires barred Dodgers manager Dave Roberts from using a position player to pitch the ninth inning against the New York Mets, enforcing a rule that prevents teams from using non-pitchers with a deficit of five runs or fewer.

Umpires barred Dodgers manager Dave Roberts from using a position player to pitch the ninth inning against the New York Mets on Saturday night, enforcing a rule Roberts apparently did not know that prevents teams from using non-pitchers with a deficit of five runs or fewer. With Los Angeles trailing 9-4, Roberts sent utility player Zach McKinstry to the mound to begin the ninth, but McKinstry was halted by umpires. A lengthy delay and discussion followed, and umpires used headsets to discuss the situation with officials in New York.

Chris Taylor hit three homers and drove in six runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Atlanta 11-2, cutting the Braves' lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series.

Second baseman Trea Turner threw wildly on Buster Posey’s bases-loaded, two-out grounder in the 11th inning and a video review upheld the safe call as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 to grab first place in the NL West.

Miami Marlins' Francisco Cervelli (29) greets Jesus Aguilar, back, after they both scored on a Brian Anderson single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Miami Marlins' Francisco Cervelli (29) greets Jesus Aguilar, back, after they both scored on a Brian Anderson single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)BALTIMORE – In early March, Don Mattingly figured the rebuild of the Miami Marlins just might begin to show results this season. Jonathan Villar hit a first-pitch leadoff homer to spark a robust offensive performance by the Marlins, who beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 Thursday night to complete a startling four-game sweep and make Mattingly the winningest manager in franchise history. We felt it in spring training," Mattingly said. Although the Marlins haven't immediately suffered for their time off, the schedule revision released Thursday does Miami no favors.