LOS ANGELES -- LeBron James believes Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey "wasn't educated" before he sent the tweet in support of antigovernment protesters in Hong Kong that damaged relations between China and the NBA.

Speaking to the media for the first time since Morey's tweet on Oct. 4 set off a firestorm, James declined to comment about the politically tense situation between China and the NBA but did talk about Morey's tweet and how it has jeopardized the relationship between China and the league, owners, teams and players.

"I don't want to get into a [verbal] feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn't educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke," James said before the Los Angeles Lakers played the Golden State Warriors in a preseason game at Staples Center. "And so many people could have been harmed not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually. So just be careful what we tweet and say and we do, even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that, too."

When asked why he thinks Morey wasn't properly informed about the unrest in Hong Kong before he tweeted support for protesters, James said it is "just my belief."

"I believe he was either misinformed or not really educated on the situation, and if he was, then so be it," James said. "I have no idea, but that is just my belief. Because when you say things or do things, if you are doing it and you know the people that can be affected by it and the families and individuals and everyone that can be affected by it, sometimes things can be changed as well. And also social media is not always the proper way to go about things as well, but that's just my belief."

Soon after speaking with reporters, James took to social media to "clear up the confusion."

"I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I'm not discussing the substance. Others can talk about that," James said in a tweet.

"My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it," James added in a second tweet.

Hong Kong has seen months of protests and increasing violence between demonstrators and police sparked by a proposal that would have allowed extradition from the semiautonomous territory to mainland China.

The Lakers played two preseason games against the Brooklyn Nets in China, and the situation was tense. The teams did not know if the games would be played upon their arrival in Shanghai, where NBA commissioner Adam Silver held a tense meeting with players from both teams last week, sources told ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

During the meeting, sources said, several prominent players voiced frustration about their perception that they were being put in the middle of the dispute between the NBA and China, and they said they were unhappy about being asked by local Chinese reporters to address the situation before Silver was scheduled to do so.

"I think when we talk about the political side, it was a very delicate situation, a very sensitive situation," James said. "And for me personally, you guys know that when I speak about something, I speak about something I'm very knowledgeable about, something I'm very passionate about. I feel like with this particular situation, it was something not only I was not informed enough about ... I just felt like it was something that not only myself or my teammates or my organization had enough information to even talk about it at that point in time, and we still feel the same way."

After Morey's tweet created an international controversy, the Rockets general manager deleted it and attempted to clarify his intent in subsequent tweets. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta denounced the original tweet and said that the Rockets were "not a political organization" and Morey did not speak for the team.

During the meeting with the players, sources said, Silver was asked whether anything would happen to Morey, as several players said that they believed if a player cost the NBA millions of dollars because of a tweet, there would be repercussions.

Morey will not face any league discipline for the tweet, and Silver defended NBA employees' right to freedom of speech.

James declined to comment on players' voicing their concerns to Silver during that meeting.

"I think that is another situation that should stay behind closed doors," James said. "We are to see what happens with any of our players or with an owner or with a GM at a later date. I think we all sit back and learn from the situation that happened and understand that what you could tweet or could say -- we all talk about freedom of speech. Yes, we do have freedom of speech, but at times, there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you are not thinking about others and only thinking about yourself."

"I think Adam has always been receptive about what the players, the coaches, the owners, whoever has comments about our league," James added of Silver. "... It was a tough situation for Adam as well, having to put out such a fire that he didn't create, that he didn't start."

James said he will return to China when the opportunity presents itself.

"For me personally, I've always been welcomed with open arms," James said. "I've been to China probably over 15 to 20 times. The main reason why I always wanted to go to China was the game of basketball. The game of basketball has brought people together, in so many different facets, so many different countries, so many different people that you would never, ever expect.

"That has always been my goal, going over to China, the game that we all love and talk about every single day, to bring people together in the most positive way. That is why we were there this past trip. Myself, the Lakers, along with Brooklyn, we were there to continue to promote the game of basketball. ... That is what I will continue to do because this sport has done so much for me."

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howie Kendrick might not be the likeliest of heroes for the Washington Nationals, but neither is the 36-year-old vet the unlikeliest. After all, he has hit .325 the past three seasons -- the highest batting average in the majors.

Kendrick went 3-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs in the Nationals' 8-1 victory over the Cardinals in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Monday. The Nationals are now one win away from the first World Series appearance in franchise history.

Kendrick became just the fourth player to hit three doubles in an LCS game, matching Ben Zobrist, Albert Pujols and Fred McGriff. He also hit the grand slam to beat the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS. He is hitting .314 in the postseason, with nine RBIs in nine games.

"He's the greatest ever," teammate Anthony Rendon said after the game. "I mean, you see the man. He's -- what? -- 36 years old, and he's still doing it. He's built like a frickin' cinderblock. He's huge. Man, he stays short. He's strong. So if he puts that barrel to it and stays behind the ball, you see it. He does damage. So he knows how to hit. That's what he does."

Kendrick is a lifetime .294 hitter, but he hit a career-high .344 in 334 at-bats in 2019.

"I'm just trying to get smarter," Kendrick said of his big season and being locked in at the moment. "Making adjustments, I would say, is the biggest thing. Trying to be more efficient with my body and my swing. Kevin Long is a big part of that. Kevin lives out in Phoenix, and I live in Phoenix. It's funny because the first time we met, I said to him, 'Hey, what can I do to get better?' He had a list, like, he had wrote down on a pad of paper. I wasn't expecting it. This was the first time I had ever hit with him. He had this sheet of paper. He goes, 'All right. This is what I know about you. This is what you hit with this, this and this.'"

Long became the Nationals' hitting coach in 2018. Kendrick hit .303 last season but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury on May 19. His work with Long has paid big dividends this season.

Kendrick's big hit on Monday came against Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty and capped the Nationals' four-run inning -- with all four runs coming with two outs. Kendrick lined a 2-1 fastball into the gap in right-center at 105.5 mph, capping the rally with a two-run double. It was the one hard-hit ball off Flaherty in the inning.

"I didn't execute the one to Kendrick," Flaherty said. "That's the one pitch I want back."

Kendrick first joined the Nationals in a trade with the Phillies in 2017 and then remained as a free agent.

"I love the team, and I re-signed for two years," he said. "Last year was bittersweet because I got off to a good start and ruptured my Achilles. Having the ability to come back this year and be a part of this team and to be with the guys in the locker room, that was huge. Me and Kevin and Joe Dillon, we got to continue the process that we'd already started with my hitting, and I just trusted them and stuck with it. They just helped me get better at a time when I really needed to."

Now in his 14th season in the majors, Kendrick is one win away from his first trip to the World Series.

Rendon was asked what he'll be doing at 36.

"Hopefully not playing baseball," he said. "Probably sitting on the couch hanging out with my kids. [Kendrick's] probably going to play another 20 years."

WASHINGTON -- Gerardo Parra wrapped both arms around Stephen Strasburg and wouldn't let go. Their embrace has morphed into something of a tradition. It began late in the season and spilled into the playoffs, partly because this Washington Nationals team has grown so close and partly because Strasburg detests these hugs.

For this one, in the late stages of a victorious night in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, Parra held on long enough that a nearby Anibal Sanchez could get in on the action. Max Scherzer then spotted them from the end of the dugout, walked over, spread his long limbs wide and enveloped them all, suffocating Strasburg with affection.

"Why not," Scherzer said. "He deserved it."

Strasburg, pitching three nights after Sanchez and two nights after Scherzer, had just held the St. Louis Cardinals to one unearned run in seven innings, leading the Nationals to an 8-1 victory Monday that gave them a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

In Game 1, it was Sanchez, expertly mixing a variety of pitches, who came within four outs of a no-hitter.

In Game 2, it was Scherzer, playing his fastball off his changeup, who gave up zero hits and struck out 10 through the first six innings.

In Game 3, it was Strasburg, armed with untouchable off-speed pitches, who struck out 12, walked none and added to what is becoming an illustrious postseason résumé.

In Game 4, it will be Patrick Corbin -- every bit as capable, every bit as imposing -- looking to pitch the Nationals into their first World Series.

"They're the heart and soul of our team," Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle said of the team's starting pitchers. "It's fitting that they're the reason we're in this position."

If not for Michael Taylor misreading a line drive on Saturday and Juan Soto slipping in the middle of a throw on Monday, the Cardinals would probably have been shut out for 27 innings in this series. Sanchez, Scherzer and Strasburg have combined for one unearned run allowed, three walks and 28 strikeouts in 21⅔ innings. The Nationals' starters boast a 1.59 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a .164 opponents' batting average in 56⅔ innings this month -- numbers that don't even include their contributions out of the bullpen.

Since the wild-card era began in 1995, only the 2012 Detroit Tigers, 2018 Milwaukee Brewers and 1995 Cleveland Indians have had starters' ERAs better than that of the current Nationals through their first nine postseason games, according to research from the Elias Sports Bureau. The Brewers, however, relied on openers, skewing the numbers. This postseason has been marked by the rebirth of traditional starting pitcher usage, and the Nationals -- not the Houston Astros -- stand as the prime example.

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon called the team's starters "nothing short of amazing."

"They're feeding off each other. They really are," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "It's fun to watch."

Strasburg has compiled 57 strikeouts and five walks in 41 career postseason innings. His 1.10 ERA trails only Sandy Koufax's 0.95 among pitchers with at least five playoff starts. Strasburg has 10-plus strikeouts in four of his first seven postseason starts, a feat only Bob Gibson and Cliff Lee have matched. The only pitcher with zero walks and more strikeouts in a postseason start than the 12 Strasburg had Monday was Tom Seaver, pitching in an NLCS that took place 46 years ago.

"It's so impressive to me that when the crowd is the loudest, and in the biggest moments, is when he looks like he's his calmest," Doolittle said. "And you have to be able to stay calm if you're gonna execute your off-speed pitches in the zone the way that he was all night long."

Strasburg recorded all 12 of his strikeouts on off-speed pitches, the most in any start of his career. He allowed a leadoff double in the second, then fielded a comebacker and caught Marcell Ozuna between second and third base. He gave up back-to-back singles in the fourth, then got Yadier Molina to line out and end the threat. Paul DeJong laced a sharp single in the fifth, and then Strasburg retired the next five hitters, three of them on strikeouts.

When his pitch count was escalating and he needed a quick inning, Strasburg used only 10 pitches to get through the sixth.

When trouble brewed in the seventh -- on three singles, one of which scored a run after Soto's back foot slipped on an attempted throw home -- Strasburg became defiant.

Martinez paid a visit -- with two on, one out, a run across and Strasburg's pitch count at 109. The manager saw Strasburg grab his hamstring and thought about removing him. It was merely a cramp, Strasburg told Martinez. Happens all the time.

"I'm staying in the game," Strasburg said. "I want to finish this inning."

"You sure you're all right?" Martinez asked.

"I'm in the game!"

Kurt Suzuki chimed in and told Martinez to let Strasburg finish, and the two retreated. Strasburg proceeded to strike out Matt Wieters and Dexter Fowler on nasty changeups that darted below the zone. Opposing hitters have slugged just .218 on that pitch all season, 175 points below the major league average on changeups.

"It looks pretty much like a fastball, just 10 to 12 miles an hour slower and a lot of depth at the end," Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong said. "It looks like a fastball until it gets to the cut of the dirt, and then it starts to sink or run. It kind of takes on both."

After the inning, as Strasburg was approaching his preferred dugout seat, he was met by Parra, the affable, veteran outfielder who joined the team in May. Parra has been among those who have worked diligently to soften Strasburg, who can be about as tightly wound as they come. Sanchez has tried to help.

"They're just trying to make Stras as uncomfortable as possible," Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton said. "It's great, and when Stras is uncomfortable, good things happen."

Strasburg -- the former prodigy with impossibly high expectations who sat out two prior Octobers but is maximizing what could be his final postseason run with the Nationals (he can opt out of his contract this offseason) -- provided a few light pats on the back. He tried to push away, but Parra pulled him back in. Strasburg laughed, swayed side to side and had the look of someone who was trying to savor the moment but didn't quite know how.

"I'm not much of a hugger," Strasburg said. "They kind of just surround me, so I just have to take it."

The Nationals need to capture only one more win, in as many as four tries, to give Washington D.C. its first World Series team since 1933.

More hugs are coming.

CONCORD, N.C. – Stevie Jackson doubled up Monday when he claimed the championship in the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service and the event win at zMAX Dragway during the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals.

A round win in the semi-finals clinched the first Pro Mod championship for Jackson when his pass of 5.734 seconds at 251.20 mph defeated Michael Biehle II. However, he only had a quick moment to celebrate before getting back to the pits to prepare for the final round of the event where he would face Steven Whiteley.

“There’s no I in ‘team,’ and we never give up,” said Jackson. “This championship started when I was lying in a hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling after crashing here (in April 2018), and I told these guys we were going to get it. It’s awesome to tie a bow on the season here.”

Jackson punctuated his winning weekend just minutes later when he defeated Whiteley in his Bahrain1 Racing Camaro with a pass of 5.731 at 252.10 in the final round on Monday, his sixth of the season.

“Everybody’s got hot rod cars and these guys are driving the wheels off them,” said Jackson. “Pro Mod is, I believe, the most exciting class out here. You’ve got top notch equipment. You’ve got real drivers who are real people.”

Jackson walked away with two trophies at the conclusion of the event thanks to round wins against Eric Latino, Justin Bond and Biehle.

TALLADEGA, Ala. – In his usual jovial manner, Brendan Gaughan laughed off a wild flip in turn three after looking like he might be able to steal a win in Monday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

After laying low for much of the day in the No. 62 Beard Oil Company/South Point Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Gaughan marched into the top 10 when it counted and was in contention with six laps to go.

The Las Vegas native was getting a huge push up the outside from the Ford of Brad Keselowski when contact between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch sent Busch up the track into the left-rear quarter panel of Gaughan’s machine – hooking him down the banking right in front of the oncoming pack.

That led to a myriad of contenders being eliminated in the wake of the accident, but not before Matt DiBenedetto’s oncoming Toyota impacted the side of Gaughan’s car and sent it into a full 360-degree barrel roll before it landed on all four wheels and came to rest in the third-turn grass.

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After being checked out at the infield care center, Gaughan was quick to make sure everyone knew he was uninjured.

“Mother, it’s OK,” Gaughan noted on NBCSN. “It’s just a flip. It didn’t hurt. I promise!”

In regards to the landing from the flip, however, Gaughan was as animated and witty as ever.

“The Russian judge docked me a couple of points; he said I didn’t put them all down at the same time, but politics are nasty right now,” Gaughan joked.

As he reflected on his afternoon, Gaughan broke into another huge smile as he looked back on what he called “maybe the best superspeedway car I’ve ever had.”

“There toward the end, Brad (Keselowski) was pushing the crap out of me and I loved it,” Gaughan noted. “This Beard Oil Distributing Chevy, we ran a great strategy. Darren Shaw, Ron Lewis our spotter, everybody … it was awesome. The 62 was in front for a split second. I was just so proud at that moment.

“Thank you to ECR, Richard Childress, Chevrolet and to Darren and Ron and all the guys on this team. The Beard family, I love them. Doing this the way we do it … it’s just so much fun.”

Despite the optics of the crash, Gaughan dispelled the notion that his end-over-end adventure caused any sort of pain, especially considering his background in off-road racing.

“Listen, I spent three years in off-road racing and we flip flop. The easiest thing you can do is go upside down, because nothing hits hard. That’s the nicest thing about it,” Gaughan explained. “It really doesn’t hurt. When you flip, you just slow down. I’d rather flip than hit a wall any day of the week, I promise.

“It was an easy one; it happens. We were fast right before that!”

Considering his Beard Motorsports team only races the superspeedway events each season, Gaughan was borderline-giddy with the fact that he was not only in contention down the stretch, but pressuring for the biggest prize in American stock-car racing – a win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

“I show up four times a year, and people call me crazy for loving this form of racing, but I love racing at Daytona and Talladega. I enjoy the crap out of this and when we come here with this group and the cars and motors they give me, we race for the win. There were six (laps) to go and we had a chance at the win.

“That’s all I can ask for. It is what it is.”

Prior to the weekend, Gaughan had affirmed that he would be back in 2020 at Daytona Int’l Speedway for the season-opening Daytona 500.

Asked if Monday’s flip changes those plans, Gaughan deflected the answer to a higher party.

“You might have to call Michael and Paula Gaughan (Brendan’s parents) and ask that question, because I imagine they’re not too happy right now,” he noted. “In 22 years of NASCAR racing … I flipped a lot in the desert (off-road racing), but I’d never flipped a stock car before today, so my parents may not be too pleased. I’m 44 years old but I still have a mommy and a daddy, and I’ll work on cooling them down!

“It’s gonna take some talking to get my family to let me come back in February, but I’ll try to do it.”

Before he left to head for home, Gaughan flashed one more wide smile and made sure everyone in the area knew he was not only good to go, but “pleased as punch” with how his day went overall.

“How can I be upset?! We came here to win, and we had a chance!” he said. “That’s all I wanted.”

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings senior vice president Jim Devellano has had surgery to remove a noncancerous brain tumor.

The surgery was Monday, and the Red Wings said it was successful. The team said Devellano is resting comfortably in a hospital and is expected to have a full and speedy recovery.

The 76-year-old executive is in his 38th season with the franchise and 53rd in the NHL.

He helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups after playing a part in the New York Islanders' winning three NHL titles.

Devellano was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 as a builder.

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino has reminded his players that participating in the CONCACAF Nations League is at times "like returning to being amateurs" and urged them to make the most of every opportunity with the national team.

El Tri needed to extend its dressing room in order to accommodate their traveling party ahead of their 5-1 win at Bermuda on Friday. And both Martino and former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann have questioned how much the U.S. and Mexico have to gain from the new competition, in which they are forced to play against lower-ranked nations.

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But Martino on Monday reminded his players that they also started from humble beginnings.

"I was saying to the players ahead of the game the other day that it's almost like returning to being amateurs," said Martino ahead of El Tri's match against Panama at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday. "It's like playing in the youth teams of Pachuca or any team in Mexico. It's not exactly the same but there are some similarities. And that's the positive perspective we try to find."

Martino went on to state that a player like Hirving Lozano is going from very different realities with club side Napoli to coming back to play in CONCACAF competition.

"It's also true that if we look at Chucky [Lozano], 20 days ago he played against Juventus, which today together with Inter [and Lozano's Napoli] are the three most important teams in Italy and the most important games," he continued. "A week before or after he debuted in the Champions League against reigning champion Liverpool in front of a full stadium and then he comes to this reality, which is what it is and [the players] are aware of what it is."

"Sometimes you have to put yourself in the players' and the coaches' position to see how to manage this type of situation," added Martino. "On one hand, let [the players] know that it's here that we have to compete and that it's here that they started and to not forget about where they are from, but also to not forget about their current situation and look for a balance between the two things."

Continued Martino: "It's also been asked what the point is of bringing in players from Europe for this type of game. It's not about only about the game, it's about how else we can shape a team, showing them videos, training sessions on the field. I don't bring them only to compete, but also to train so they start to get the footballing idea. If we only brought them for the important games we'd never be able to shape a team."

After beating Bermuda in last week, Martino's team will take on a Panama side that hasn't lost to Mexico by more than a single goal in any of its last 13 meetings.

"There's a big difference between a team that played a World Cup and one that was a long way from getting to one," said the Argentine. "Panama has very good players. I know some of them from my time at Atlanta United."

Martino practically ruled out Jesus "Tecatito" Corona from the game due to injury and added that while he wouldn't be surprised that European scouts are watching Leon's Jose Juan Macias and America's Sebastian Cordova, it's too early to say they'll be moving to big clubs.

"It's probable that there are scouts taking them into consideration, but I'd also say that the big teams in Europe will have there eye on over 100 footballers ... that doesn't mean they'll buy them," he said.

"If they are being looked at by Benfica or Manchester United, or others, the players should keep trying to establish themselves, earn attention and try to go [to Europe] as complete as possible for a 10-year career [in Europe]."

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's foot injury has healed well, and he is expected to be ready to practice after the team's bye this week, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Kyle Allen, an undrafted free agent, has gone 4-0 as the starting quarterback in Newton's absence.

Allen has completed 65.6% of his passes for 901 yards with seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 106.6 quarterback rating, which ranks fifth in the NFL behind those of Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Deshaun Watson.

Newton struggled through the first two weeks of the season before a mild Lisfranc sprain shut him down. He completed just 56.2% of his passes for 572 yards with one interception in losses to the Rams and Buccaneers.

The Panthers have said they will make a quarterback determination when Newton is healthy, a decision that looks like it will be coming soon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles released linebacker Zach Brown Monday, just three days after he made unflattering comments about former teammate Kirk Cousins.

Multiple teams are expected to be interested in Brown's services, according to Adam Schefter.

His level of play is believed to be the primary factor behind the move, though his recent comments didn't help his cause.

When asked about Cousins on Friday, in advance of the Eagles' game at the Minnesota Vikings, Brown said: "I think every defense is going to want that guy to throw the ball. For me, that's probably the weakest part of their offense is him. Everything else is good. They've got a good running game, probably one of the best in the league. They have real good receivers. You just want them to pass the ball. You want Kirk Cousins to get it in his hands."

Cousins threw four touchdown passes against the Eagles in a 38-20 Vikings win.

After the game, Brown was asked to comment on Cousins.

"I'm here to talk about the game. Not about that," he said.

Pressed further, he said: "Any other questions besides about Kirk Cousins?" before finally relenting and saying: "He did a good job. He played good. Hats off to him."

Brown, who was signed to a one-year deal by the Eagles in May, has played significant snaps in all six of Philadelphia's games this season, posting 29 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pair of passes defensed.

Brown, 29, has 661 career tackles for Tennessee, Buffalo, Washington and Philadelphia.

His departure likely means increased roles for Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nate Gerry. It is also likely that the Eagles will sign a linebacker, especially with starter Nigel Bradham dealing with an ankle injury.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Maybe this is how the St. Louis Cardinals' luck turns in the National League Championship Series: Pitching coach Mike Maddux hit two holes-in-one before Monday's Game 3 at Nationals Stadium, holing out the 155-yard third hole and the 142-yard 13th hole at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington -- the fifth and sixth aces of his career.

As Maddux left the field after pregame warm-ups and headed to the clubhouse, he was asked what clubs he used. He laughed and said, "Apparently the right ones."

ESPN play-by-play announcer Jon Sciambi tweeted Maddux's scorecard, which showed he shot a 36 on the front nine and another 36 on the back nine.

Big day for @Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux who had TWO hole-in-ones at the Army/Navy course today. His 5th and 6th... pic.twitter.com/3PNc9PzsS1

— Jon Sciambi (@BoogSciambi) October 14, 2019

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt reported Maddux's big day during his pregame news conference. Asked whether Maddux was then allowed to fill out the lineup card, Shildt joked, "How do you know he didn't?"

Team president of baseball operations John Mozeliak was in the foursome and called it "unbelievable." Asked about his own golf, he said, "Ask me how many hole-in-ones I had today? Zero. Ask me how many I've had this year? Zero. Ask me how many I've had in my life? Zero."

Shildt made sure to add that Maddux has done a great job with the Cardinals' pitching staff. They will send their own ace to the mound in Game 3 in 23-year-old Jack Flaherty, who had a 0.91 ERA in the second half and has allowed four runs in 13 innings in the postseason with 16 strikeouts.

"Mad Dog's done a great job outside of his sixth hole-in-one today," Shildt said. "Making sure spring training looked well, spacing guys out, and [he] did a nice job of appropriately skipping guys or giving the guys an extra day during the course of the season. We picked our spots where we would give Jack that extra day, but also, in competition, if we felt like -- clearly, we want to win every game, but if we could take an inning off [with] Jack here and there, we took it off him."

Flaherty will be working on his regular four days of rest after pitching six innings and throwing 104 pitches in winning Game 5 of the NL Division Series. He threw 117 pitches in his first start in the postseason.