India chose to bat v West Indies

Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat in the second match of the three-ODI series in Port-of-Spain, reasoning that the Queen's Park Oval pitch would slow down in the second half.

India fielded the same XI as in the washed-out first ODI, with Kohli confirming that Rishabh Pant would bat at No. 4 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 5, though he did say that the two batsmen might swap positions if the match situation calls for it.

West Indies were forced to make one change to their XI - Oshane Thomas replaced the unwell Fabian Allen.

This will be Chris Gayle's 300th ODI. He became the first West Indies player to reach the milestone, surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 299. Incidentally, Gayle (10,397) is also nine runs away from overtaking Lara's 10,405 ODI runs, the most by a West Indies batsman.

West Indies: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Shai Hope (wk), 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Jason Holder (capt), 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Sheldon Cottrell, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Oshane Thomas

India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant (wk), 5 Shreyas Iyer, 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Kuldeep Yadav

Loughborough Lightning 122 for 1 (Mathews 54*) beat Yorkshire Diamonds 121 for 6 (Gordon 2-27) by nine wickets

Loughborough Lightning secured their first win at the third attempt in this year's Kia Super League, hammering Yorkshire Diamonds by nine wickets with 40 balls to spare.

The Lightning, last year's runners-up, restricted the Diamonds, now without a win in two matches, to 121 for 6 thanks to a miserly bowling display dominated by pace off. Four wickets went to spin, including Sarah Glenn's excellent 1 for 17 from four overs of legspin.

Loughborough's West Indian Hayley Matthews, who opened the bowling and batting, then quickly helped put the game to bed with an unbeaten 54 off 39 balls. She shared partnerships of 44 in 5.1 overs for the first wicket with Amy Jones and 78 unbroken in 8.1 for the second with Sri Lankan Chamari Atapattu, who crashed 40 off 29.

Yorkshire were hurt by no one going on beyond 30, with Hollie Armitage, Alice Davidson-Richards and Indian overseas Jemimah Rodrigues all playing brightly.

Australian star Alyssa Healy was bowled for 5 by Matthews' offspin as she tried to make room to hit over the off side before only two overs in the innings went for double figures. Armitage cover drove two boundaries in as many balls off new-ball seamer Kathryn Bryce in the fifth over before captain Lauren Winfield was trapped lbw for 9.

England left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon had Rodrigues caught and bowled and bowled Armitage pushing forwards in the 10th and 12th over as the score slipped to 69 for 4. Davidson-Richards then hit three fours in four balls against Gordon, including two in two balls over mid-on's head, as Yorkshire moved to 85 for 4.

Gordon's figures of 2 for 27 from four overs were spoilt by conceding 12 off her last.

The hosts will be frustrated at having built a reasonable platform, only to fall away. Lightning captain Georgia Elwiss used eight bowlers, including herself. She bowled Cordelia Griffiths in Yorkshire's bid for acceleration late on.

But 19-year-old Glenn continued her impressive start to the competition and was the pick of the attack. In defeats to Western Storm and Southern Vipers last week, she claimed four wickets and added the late scalp of Davidson-Richards caught at deep midwicket.

Loughborough's reply started with Katie George conceding five wides down leg off the first ball. Jones then pulled a full toss from legspinner Helen Fenby for six into the healthily populated stands in the third over as the score moved to 24 without loss.

Jones miscued left-arm spinner Linsey Smith high to cover - 44 for 1 in the 12th - but Matthews maintained the momentum with some clean striking. In reaching 50 off 38 balls with seven fours, she also hit leggie Katie Levick for six over long-on.

Leg-side dominant Atapattu pulled Fenby for six over midwicket and punished her former side, whose fielding was below par and bowling was short, under a grey Headingley sky.

While Loughborough will look to build on this win in their next outing against Western Storm at Bristol on Tuesday, Yorkshire face arch-rivals Lancashire Thunder, winless after three games, at Liverpool on the same day. Both are 2.30pm starts.

It took Pat Cummins until day five of the first Ashes Test to find his best rhythm. When he did, he conjured life from the Edgbaston pitch where previously there had been none.

Just ask Rory Burns, taken in the gully off a short ball that reared in a fashion more common in Perth than Birmingham. Or perhaps Jos Buttler, bowled by a ripping delivery that held its line to flick the outside of the off stump immediately after lunch.

These are the kinds of spells for which Cummins has fast developed a reputation, delivering the big wickets for Australia in the way that Glenn McGrath once did in England, or Merv Hughes before him. For this reason alone, Cummins is shaping as the one member of the Australian pace attack to play all five Tests, in a year where he has also crossed the 100-wickets barrier in just 21 matches and been rewarded with the world No. 1 spot on the ICC rankings.

"It's those kinds of spells you remember the most when it's to win a Test match," Cummins said of his fourth-innings effort at Edgbaston. "Day-five wicket, didn't feel like there was a lot in it for us bowlers up to that point, but one of those moments where I felt in really good rhythm, the ball was hard, there seemed to be a bit of zip in the wicket and that's when I love it. Trying to break up a partnership or get that crucial wicket to win the match - I love that, so I enjoy that role when it comes off, when it doesn't, it's normally pretty hard work, but yeah I enjoyed that day five.

"I felt like with each spell I got a little bit better and better. I haven't played a lot of red-ball [cricket] coming into the first day's play, and I think just trying to find that tempo of Test cricket - it's slightly different to white ball, and I think mixed into that the excitement and the nerves of first spell in Ashes over here. I was pretty pumped up and felt probably by the lunch session I was into my work and pretty happy how I was going. Definitely by the end of the game I felt a lot better than that first spell.

"First Test I came in pretty fresh for that Test match and luckily we had a big break, so I knew that was the carrot at the end of the game that we were going to get 10 days off, so it was pretty easy to tear in that last day. I feel really good; [I] haven't really done much in the last few days and [have] just build up nicely. I feel 100%."

Cummins' dual defeats of Buttler were a feature of the Test, unsettling England's middle order and demonstrating the value of a tight line with bounce. Eight balls, two wickets and no runs conceded were a considerable feather in Cummins' cap, given Buttler's destructive capabilities for England in any format of the game. Buttler has conceded that Australia won the battle of "who can own the top of off stump" in Birmingham, something Cummins will want to do again at Lord's.

"I felt like both times I was into my work and my rhythm was pretty good," Cummins said. "We've all got our plans, but most of the times its around off stump or fourth stump and for the most part of the game we bowled well to everyone. Fortunately it came off against someone like Jos both times early, but we've got our plans to all of them, none of them too flamboyant, they're normally just around that off stump, but he's a dangerous player, and if you can get him early, it goes a long way towards winning the game."

Cummins spoke, too, about how Australia's belief had grown across the five days of the opening match, a sequence that should have them in decent fettle for Lord's. He is certainly eager to play in all five Tests, if possible, a scenario that will be opened up by how much rest is attained between innings and matches, with the relatively generous 10-day break between Edgbaston and Lord's not to be repeated again this series.

"I think the good thing was, the first couple of days we were behind in the game and with each day, we felt like we were getting more and more into the game, so it was a continual build-up of, 'are we really going to do this; we're on top now; all right, it's ours to win,'" Cummins said. "So it's one of those moments you finish the game, you sit together and have a beer in the change room and you reflect on what you've achieved.

"We've had a bit of a break, so we've been able to reflect on that before we now come up here and concentrate on the next game. I don't think it was lost on any of us. For more than half the team it was our first Ashes win here in England, so it's big. I think everyone would like to play all five.

"I think it's one of those things where it's just great that we've got that flexibility, so I think every game you're going to pick your best three bowlers you think are going to win that match. I guess we're lucky we've got six guys here who are a real chance of playing every game. Personally, I'll be hoping to play every game, and if I'm fully fit and bowling well I expect to, but it's good we've got plenty of bowlers here."

Lord's, with all of its history, pomp and circumstance, invariably provides Australian teams with a lift, even if Cummins' first experience of a Test here was to hear a sound other than that of bat on ball. Keeping things simple has long been a strength of Cummins in knowing how to handle any given match or scenario, and he has taken a similar view about the Lord's slope.

"I was running drinks during 2015 and a pretty special occasion," he said. "The first thing that stuck out to me was everyone starts popping champagne bottles with the first ball, so on the sideline I remember dodging corks for the first hour. So, its going to be pretty exciting.

"It's a funny one, it seems like everyone has a theory on which end to bowl here. People reckon they nip it down the hill, people reckon they nip it up the hill, I've got no idea. You normally settle into an end. I haven't bowled enough here, played one-dayers and haven't found too much of a difference, but [I] don't know. I'm sure it'll come up but it's not a massive factor I don't think."

OAKLAND -- Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he hopes to see Antonio Brown return to training camp soon and defended the enigmatic receiver, who is dealing with frostbitten feet suffered in a cryotherapy mishap last month in France and a grievance against the league regarding his helmet.

"I support this guy. I think that's what needs to be said," Gruden said after the Raiders' 14-3 exhibition-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at RingCentral Coliseum. "I don't know what anybody's writing or what anybody thinks, but this foot injury wasn't his fault. This was a total accident. It really wasn't his fault, and it's a serious injury. I know that some people are [joking about] it, but it's really not a laughing matter. The guy is hurt, he didn't do anything wrong, and the helmet thing is a personal matter to him."

Brown began camp on the non-football injury list with the soles of his feet cracked and healing. He came off the list two days later and has participated in one pre-practice walk-through, on July 28. He was limited on July 30 before leaving early.

The Raiders have had 11 camp practices and one preseason game thus far. Brown has not been at the Raiders' Napa, California, camp site as he gathered information on his feet and stewed about his helmet. The helmet is believed to be a 10-year-old Schutt Air Advantage model, which the company no longer makes and thus is no longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment. In short, it is illegal to use in games.

Brown, who believes the newer-certified helmets protrude out and inhibit his vision, had a conference call with an independent arbitrator on Friday, though no ruling has been issued, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. One could come as early as next week. Should Brown wear the helmet in a game, the team would be liable for a fine.

Other high-profile players such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, as well as a "handful of Raiders players," per a league source, have balked at the change but have demurred.

"He has a strong feeling about what he's worn on his head, and we're supporting him," Gruden said of Brown. "We understand the league's position as well, so we're in a tough spot, and we hope Antonio is here soon because he's exciting to be around. I'm excited. I've got some plays for him. I hope we can start calling them."

While Brown, who was acquired by Oakland in a trade for a third- and a fifth-round pick in March from the Pittsburgh Steelers and promptly given a three-year, $50.125 million contract, has reportedly threatened to retire if not allowed to wear his helmet, Gruden would not speculate.

"I have a lot of confidence that he's one of the premier competitors that I've ever been around," Gruden said. "And I've got a feeling he would play with no helmet -- that's how much he loves to play. But I'm not going to put words in anybody's mouth. We're going to support him, and whatever his decision is, we'll stand by it. But we're confident that he's going to be a huge factor for the Raiders for years to come.

"It was a total accident and injury that he's looking to get right from, and hopefully, with all the people that have seen it, that he's gotten it cured, and he's ready to roll."

LIMA, Peru -- Fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry face possible repercussions from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for their protests over the weekend during their medal ceremonies at the 2019 Pan American Games.

Imboden, a two-time Olympian, took a knee on the medal stand as a member of the men's foil team that won gold Friday. Berry raised a fist during the "Star-Spangled Banner" after winning her event Saturday.

On Twitter, Imboden posted that he sacrificed his moment on the podium to bring attention to issues in the U.S. with racism, gun control and immigration under "a president who spreads hate," referring to President Donald Trump.

We must call for change.
This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, pic.twitter.com/deCOKaHQI9

— Race Imboden (@Race_Imboden) August 10, 2019

The USOPC prohibits athletes from making political, religious or racial demonstrations during events on the Olympic circuit.

"Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature," USOPC vice president of communications Mark Jones said in a statement to ESPN on Sunday. "In these cases, the athletes didn't adhere to the commitment they made to the organizing committee and the USOPC. We respect their rights to express their viewpoints, but we are disappointed that they chose not to honor their commitment. Our leadership are reviewing what consequences may result."

Closing ceremonies for the Pan American Games take place Sunday night.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake died suddenly at age 62 on Sunday, the team announced.

The team did not disclose a cause of death. The Steelers canceled their training camp practice on Sunday.

"We are at a loss for words following Darryl Drake's passing this morning. Darryl had such an impact on the players he coached and everyone he worked with throughout his entire career. He was a passionate coach and had a tremendous spirit toward life, his family, his faith and the game of football," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Sheila, his three daughters, his grandchildren and entire family during this difficult time."

Drake was entering his second season as the Steelers' wide receivers coach after being hired by the Steelers in January 2018. He was an assistant coach for 16 years in the NFL, also serving as wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.

Today we mourn the untimely passing of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. Darryl was the former Bears wide receivers coach under Lovie Smith from 2004-12, including the 2006 Super Bowl appearance.

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 11, 2019

Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Darryl Drake. It is impossible to overstate his impact on the game in nearly four decades as a coach in college and the NFL.

Today, the entire football community mourns his loss.

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 11, 2019

"Darryl was a close friend and had a tremendous impact on my coaching career," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. "He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, and it is difficult to put into words the grief our entire team is going through right now.

"Darryl loved the game of football and every player he ever coached. We will use our faith to guide us and help his family throughout the difficult time."

BALTIMORE -- Houston manager A. J. Hinch was awestruck by his team's extraordinary display of power.

The Astros aren't showing any type of weakness heading into the final stretch of the season.

Rookie Yordan Alvarez hit three of Houston's six homers and drove in a career-high seven runs to help the Astros to the highest scoring game in franchise history with a 23-2 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.

"It was obviously a pretty explosive night from the beginning," Hinch said. "From top to bottom just incredible at-bats, productive at-bats, explosive at-bats and ultimately a comfortable win."

The victory was the eighth straight for the Astros, who became the latest team to feast on the reeling Orioles. Baltimore has allowed a major league-leading 240 homers and lost five straight.

It was the second 20-run game in Astros history. Houston also beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 21-5 on Oct. 2, 2015. The 13 extra-base hits set a franchise record.

Alex Bregman, who went 3 for 3, and Alvarez set the tone with back-to-back homers in the first inning. Alvarez added the grand slam in the seventh and a two-run shot in the ninth.

Jose Altuve hit his fourth home run in his last seven games in the second. Carlos Correa hit another home run an inning later with a 474-foot shot that cleared the bullpens in straightaway center.

"It's really hard to explain what happened today," Altuve said. "A great game for us. A lot of good at-bats put together."

Yuli Gurriel tied a career-high with four hits for Houston.

Aaron Sanchez (5-14) made his second start for the Astros after being acquired from Toronto on July 31. He allowed one run and three hits with six strikeouts and three walks over five innings.

The Orioles are coming off a series where they tied an MLB record by allowing 16 home runs in three games against the Yankees. Baltimore did not allow multiple homers for the first time in 12 games in the opener against Houston.

However, the Astros had a power surge the following night.

The Astros took an early 3-0 lead off Orioles starter Aaron Brooks (2-6) on a two-run homer by Bergman followed by Alvarez's solo shot. It was the ninth time Houston has hit back-to-back home runs this season.

Houston pulled away with five runs in the second. Josh Reddick started the barrage with an RBI single followed by a two-run homer by Altuve. Bregman had an RBI double and scored on a balk by Brooks. Correa's solo shot in the third extended the lead to 9-1.

Brooks allowed a career-high nine runs and four homers over just three innings.

"Just ran into a good offense, didn't execute pitches and had a few things not go my way," Brooks said.

Rio Ruiz managed his first career pinch-hit home run for the Orioles in the seventh. Baltimore outfielder Stevie Wilkerson made his fourth appearance this season as a reliever, allowing three runs in 1 1/3 innings.

"By the third inning, probably I was planning how was I going to finish this game, and somehow we finished it," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said.

MORE MILESTONES

Alvarez has 51 RBI through his first 45 career games, the most in major league history over that stretch, surpassing Ted Williams' record of 47 RBI in his first 45 games in 1939.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: RHP Brad Peacock (shoulder) was scheduled to pitch Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi. Peacock, who has been on the IL since June 28, will pitch again Sunday if there are no setbacks.

Orioles: OF DJ Stewart is "symptom-free " after being placed on the 7-day concussion list with a concussion Tuesday, manager Brandon Hyde said.

UP NEXT

Astros: Justin Verlander (15-4, 2.68 ERA) has won his last five consecutive starts, striking out 10 or more batters in four of those decisions.

Orioles: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (2-5, 4.89 ERA) is looking to snap a two-game skid when he faces his former team (2015) for the first time.

CINCINNATI -- Aristides Aquino is setting records almost every time he takes the field.

The Reds rookie homered in his first three at-bats in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Chicago Cubs to match Trevor Story for the most home runs in a player's first 10 games, with seven.

Aquino took Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks deep in the second and third innings, then hit a third solo shot -- a 452-foot blast -- off reliever Dillon Maples in the fourth. That got him a curtain call.

"That's why I put that show on out there, for the fans to enjoy that," Aquino said through an interpreter.

Aquino, 25, became the first rookie and 12th player in major league history to homer in three consecutive innings. He is the second player to record a three-homer game in his first 10 career games, joining Bobby Estalella, who did it in his 10th career game in 1997.

"I'm not focused about my numbers," Aquino said. "I don't care about what I've done. The big thing is the team and to go out there and win as many games as we can."

In Aquino's next at-bat in the sixth, reliever Alec Mills walked him on four straight pitches -- none of which came close to the strike zone -- drawing boos from the standing crowd at Great American Ball Park. Aquino struck out swinging when he faced Mills again in the seventh.

Eighteen players have hit four homers in a game, most recently J.D. Martinez for Arizona on Sept. 4, 2017, but no rookie has hit more than three. Scooter Gennett homered four times for the Reds in Cincinnati on June 6, 2017.

Aquino wasn't the only major league newcomer to hit three home runs on Saturday; Houston's Yordan Alvarez equaled the feat in a 23-2 rout of the Orioles. They became the first pair of rookies to launch three homers on the same day in major league history.

Aquino has homered five times in the first three games of the series against the Cubs. He tied Eric Davis' Reds rookie record by homering in four straight games starting Wednesday against the Angels.

Called up from Triple-A on Aug. 1 to take Yasiel Puig's place in right field after Cincinnati traded him to Cleveland, Aquino has a 1.250 slugging percentage and 1.750 OPS.

On Thursday, Aquino tied the record for the hardest-hit home run in the Statcast era when he went deep with an exit velocity of 118.3 mph. In the same game, he set the mark for fastest throw by an outfielder, at 101.5 mph, when he threw a ball from right field to third base.

"I could go on and on about him," Reds manager David Bell said. "Even more, he's proven to himself he can be a big part of our team. ... He's aggressive, but he's also under control.

"Not only is he hitting home runs, he's doing it in really meaningful games. These games are so important to us as a team, and he's coming through like that."

It was a long road to the spotlight for Aquino, who signed with the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and spent six seasons in rookie or Single-A ball. He hit 20 homers at Double-A last season and got called up to the Reds, striking out in his only at-bat.

This year, Aquino opened his stance to access more power. He has become an overnight sensation in his first nine games with Cincinnati.

"I'm just kind of meeting him and learning about him," Reds winning pitcher Sonny Gray said. "He seems to be an incredible guy as well and a fun person to be around. He's added some excitement in this locker room for sure."

The win drew the Reds within six games of the Cubs, who hold a narrow lead in the Central Division. The defeat means the visitors will go yet another road series without a win. The Cubs have dropped two of the first three games to the Reds, ensuring it to be their 11th consecutive road series that they've either split or lost.

They can thank the rookie known as "The Punisher" for that.

Asked if he enjoys that nickname, Aquino waved off his interpreter and smiled.

"I love it," he said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

NEW YORK -- As Mets rookie Luis Guillorme stepped in to lead off the eighth inning, teammate J.D. Davis was in the clubhouse, studying video of Washington's struggling bullpen. He had just queued up tape of Daniel Hudson -- a hard-throwing right-hander warming in the bullpen -- when he heard a roar from down the tunnel.

It was hard to imagine a few weeks back, but this fervor in Flushing is making waves across the National League.

"We have all the confidence in the world right now with us," Davis said. "But some things that we're doing right now, we're surprising ourselves."

Guillorme picked a perfect time for his first big league homer -- a tying shot to start the eighth -- Davis added a go-ahead sacrifice fly a few batters later, and New York worked its magic again, beating the Nationals 4-3 on Saturday for a season-best eighth straight victory.

The Mets have won 15 of 16 and are on their best roll since a 16-1 run in 1990. They pulled within a half-game of Washington for the first wild card and will try for a three-game sweep on Sunday -- just a month after having the second-worst record in the National League.

They did it by beating Washington's bullpen for the second consecutive night. Juan Soto put the Nats ahead 3-2 with his second home run of the game in the eighth inning, but Guillorme countered with a pinch-hit no-doubter off Fernando Rodney in the bottom of the inning. Guillorme entered with a .192 average in 56 major league games, and sold-out Citi Field had already erupted before he realized the line drive would easily clear the fence.

"I think it took a split-second to know," said Guillorme, who had the home run ball waiting in his locker. "I don't hit many of those. It was a great feeling."

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said a home run was "toward the end" of his list of potential outcomes for Guillorme in that spot.

"You just want a good at-bat, whether he makes him throw some pitches, bunt and get on, or single," Callaway said. "But we'll take the homer."

After two more Mets reached against Rodney (0-5), manager Dave Martinez went to Hudson. The right-hander got one out, intentionally walked slugger Pete Alonso, and then Davis drove an 0-2 pitch to deep right field that brought in newcomer Joe Panik for the tiebreaking run.

Wilson Ramos, celebrating his 32nd birthday, followed with a two-out drive to right-center, but Victor Robles made a leaping catch against the wall to end the inning.

It was the second consecutive blown save for Washington's bullpen and 22nd this season, tying the Mets for most in the majors. Closer Sean Doolittle allowed four runs in the ninth inning of a 7-6 loss on Friday.

"We've got to come back tomorrow and will it," Martinez said. "I told the boys, 'Hey, we've got to will it tomorrow."

Soto hit a two-run drive in the first inning against Noah Syndergaard, and the 2-0 lead held until Davis and Ramos hit consecutive solo shots off Patrick Corbin in the fourth.

Soto struck again in the eighth against Seth Lugo (5-2), ending the reliever's string of 14 consecutive scoreless appearances. Lugo got two outs to tie the Mets' record with 26 consecutive batters retired before Soto hit a no-doubter to right field.

Soto has 24 homers this season, and the 20-year-old already has four career multihomer games.

"He's feeling the energy," Martinez said. "He's very poised, he goes out there, and he's getting pitches to hit. He's taking pitches that he should be taking. He's doing really well."

Lugo also pitched the ninth as All-Star closer Edwin Diaz warmed in the bullpen. Callaway said he wanted to ride the converted starting pitcher, figuring he'd be unavailable Sunday regardless. Diaz has had his struggles in the closer role this year, but Callaway said he would be New York's go-to reliever if it faces a save situation Sunday.

Fans lined up outside Citi Field five hours before first pitch, and many stood and clapped for lineup introductions as if it were Opening Day. The buzz died a bit after Soto's first-inning homer, but Davis and Ramos got it rocking again in the fourth. The park had an October feel the rest of the night.

"I think it's pretty reminiscent of what happened in 2015," said Syndergaard, referencing New York's run to the World Series, in which it lost to Kansas City.

Aside from homers by Davis and Ramos, Corbin allowed only one other hit. He struck out eight over six innings.

Syndergaard, pitching to Ramos for the first time since June 15, threw seven innings of two-run ball with five strikeouts and seven hits allowed.

GOOD HANDS

Quality control coach Luis Rojas presented New York's lineup card to umpires during a seven-game winning streak from July 25 to Aug. 1. A game after the string ended, Callaway passed the responsibility to third-base coach Gary DiSarcina and challenged him to do better. New York started this eight-game run that day.

"Call me superstitious, but I think it's about who takes the card out," Callaway said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (mild strain in upper back) threw a 36-pitch bullpen at nearly full effort and came out feeling well. The club will evaluate him Sunday before determining the next step, but manager Dave Martinez said Scherzer will likely throw at least one more bullpen before getting into a game.

Mets: OF Tim Tebow is expected to miss the rest of the minor league season due to a cut on his left hand. The 31-year-old hit .163 in 77 games during his first season with Triple-A Syracuse but hasn't played since July 21 after injuring himself while fielding a ball in the outfield.

UP NEXT

Mets ace Jacob deGrom (7-7, 2.77) is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his past six starts. He'll try to stay hot against National RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 3.67) in Sunday's series finale.