CINCINNATI (AP) _ The NL East-leadinf Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Rick Ankiel, reliever Kyle Farnsworth and cash from the Kansas City Royals in a five-player deal. Atlanta sent pitchers Tim Collins and Jesse Chavez and outfielder Gregor Blanco to…

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Scott Olsen returned from the disabled list to win his first appearance in more than two months, Adam Dunn and Ian Desmond each homered and doubled, and the last-place Washington Nationals beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves…

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Rookie Jason Heyward gave Atlanta its first steal of home in a decade, and Tim Hudson shut down Washington the way he almost always does, helping the NL East-leading Braves beat the last-place Nationals 3-1 Wednesday night.…

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Stephen Strasburg's warmup session in the bullpen had lasted about a half-dozen tosses when Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty approached the star rookie with a simple question. "I just said, 'Well, how're you feeling?' He said, 'I…

MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Marlins' latest pie-in-the-face celebration came with a twist: Wes Helms was a target twice, the second time when his 7-year-old son delivered a platter of shaving cream to dad's face in the clubhouse. "He more…

MIAMI (AP) -- The Atlanta Braves enjoyed their best inning of the season by taking advantage of the Florida Marlins' mistakes, including the fat pitch Brooks Conrad hit for a grand slam. Conrad's second pinch-hit grand slam of the year…

MIAMI (AP) -- Donnie Murphy delivered his second game-ending hit of the week giving the Florida Marlins a 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Murphy also hit a game-winning homer to beat Colorado on Monday. Jose Veras…

ATLANTA (AP) -- Chipper Jones is getting that 1995 feeling again. Jones, the Atlanta Braves' last link to their World Series championship team, says this year's squad boasts similar strengths and balance. The latest proof was the Braves' series win…

ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta's corner outfielders have returned from thumb injuries to give the Braves more reason to believe they can hold their lead in the NL East. Matt Diaz homered in his third straight game, Jason Heyward added three…

NEW YORK (AP) -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Jonny Venters has been suspended for four games and fined by Major League Baseball for throwing consecutive pitches at Milwaukee's Prince Fielder last weekend. Baseball's vice president in charge of discipline Bob Watson…

ATLANTA (AP) _ Brian McCann hit a grand slam and matched his career high with five RBIs, helping the Atlanta Braves end a rare two-game home losing streak by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 11-6 on Sunday. The Braves, who won…

ATLANTA (AP) _ Corey Hart hit a three-run double in Milwaukee's five-run seventh, Chris Narveson outpitched Tim Hudson and the Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Saturday night. Prince Fielder hit his 21st homer in the Brewers' big seventh…

ATLANTA (AP) _ Jair Jurrjens gave up only one run, rookie Jason Heyward made two strong defensive plays in his return from an injury and the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Thursday night. Martin Prado and Chipper…

(AP) -- The Atlanta Braves have traded shortstop Yunel Escobar and left-handed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes to the Toronto Blue Jays for shortstop Alex Gonzalez and a pair of minor leaguers. "This trade improves our club for the second half of…

NEW YORK (AP) -- A gem by Johan Santana and the mere sight of Carlos Beltran gave the New York Mets two reasons Sunday to get excited about the second half. Santana saved the Mets from a sweep with another…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- These Atlanta Braves seem to have that swagger the Philadelphia Phillies carried around the last few years. Brian McCann hit a go-ahead three-run double during a six-run sixth inning, Kris Medlen pitched neatly into the seventh and…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Matt Diaz hit a tiebreaking double in the 11th inning, Eric Hinske added a two-run homer and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Tuesday night. Yunel Escobar singled off David Herndon (0-2)…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Roy Halladay pitched his major league-best seventh complete game this season, Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Monday night. Halladay (10-7) allowed five hits and struck out…

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves felt good about winning a series against Tampa Bay. Jason Heyward homered and Troy Glaus drove in two runs to back seven strong innings by Hudson in Atlanta's 3-1 victory over…

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tom Glavine thought of his rocky first full season with the Atlanta Braves when the team announced Tuesday it will retire his number. Glavine's highlights with the Braves included two NL Cy Young awards and the decisive…

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Martin Prado hit a grand slam, Tommy Hanson got plenty of run support in eight scoreless innings and the scuffling Atlanta Braves snapped a power drought in a 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.…

PHILADELPHIA (AP)-- The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen finished what Cole Hamels started, and Placido Polanco, Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino provided the offense. Each of them hit solo home runs Sunday, and the Phillies' bullpen worked four perfect innings in relief…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- With Jason Heyward on the bench resting a sore right groin and starter Jair Jurrjens on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, Braves manager Bobby Cox started utility man Eric Hinske in right field and…

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Scott Olsen took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Willie Harris delivered the winning RBI single in the ninth, and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Thursday night. After reliever Eric O'Flaherty (1-1) walked…

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Atlanta Braves rookie slugger Jason Heyward has left a game against the Washington Nationals in the second inning with a sore right groin. Heyward lined out to shortstop Wednesday night for the first out in the second…