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Takaoka has 2 saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis

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Takaoka has 2 saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis
Sport

Sport

Takaoka has 2 saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis

2025-04-20 11:09 Last Updated At：11:20

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yohei Takaoka made two saves for Vancouver on Saturday night to help the Whitecaps play St. Louis City to a 0-0 tie.

Vancouver (6-1-2) has allowed just one goal during its current four-game unbeaten streak dating to a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on March 22.

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St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis (2-4-3), which is winless in five straight, snapped a four-game losing streak. Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made his sixth consecutive start in place of the injured Roman Bürki and finished with a save. Lundt has two shutouts this season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

 St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

 Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

 Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City's Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City's Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

 St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

 St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis City's João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

ATLANTA (AP) — AJ Smith-Shawver is breaking out as an emerging force in the Atlanta Braves' rotation.

That rotation soon will receive another boost, as Spencer Strider is ready to come off the injured list.

After Smith-Shawver allowed only two hits and no earned runs in six innings in the Braves' 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday, manager Brian Snitker said Strider would return to the rotation when Atlanta plays at Washington next week.

“We're not sure which game,” Snitker said.

Snitker didn't say how the Braves would create a spot for Strider, who threw a five-inning simulated game at Truist Park on Wednesday. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 21 after straining his right hamstring.

The hamstring injury came after Strider had completed his comeback from UCL internal brace surgery on his right elbow on April 12, 2024. He was an All-Star in 2023, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a major league-best 281 strikeouts.

Strider pitched five innings in a 3-1 loss at Toronto on April 16 in his first game back from the surgery. Then his comeback was put on hold, thanks to the hamstring injury.

Smith-Shawver, 22, has been dominant since his recall from Triple-A Gwinnett on April 29. Though it's not clear how the Braves will make room for Strider, Smith-Shawver has made a strong case that he ranks as one of the team's top starters.

“For me, it's really just been trusting my stuff,” Smith-Shawver said Thursday.

“I don't know if it's more belief or just getting more comfortable with more reps.”

Smith-Shawver (3-2) has allowed one earned run in 19 2/3 innings over his last three starts, leaving his ERA at 2.33. The right-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a 4-0 win over Cincinnati on May 5. Snitker said Thursday's start, which included six strikeouts, “might have been better.”

“Very impressive right there,” Snitker said. “He came out of the shoot firing, boy.”

Smith-Shawver has won his last three decisions and is a big reason the Braves (22-22) returned to .500 for the second time in three days after losing their first seven games to open the season.

The rotation has also included 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder. Following Thursday's game, Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Right-hander Reynaldo López was shut down for 12 weeks last month following surgery on his inflamed right shoulder but could return in the second half of the season.

Snitker said a six-man rotation is “not feasible” when the team has off days.

Smith-Shawver says he knows the team could face a surplus of starting pitchers.

“Those decisions are always tough,” he said, adding he's just focusing on each opportunity.

“When they tell you to throw the ball, you throw the ball and enjoy it.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker stands in the dugout before a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker stands in the dugout before a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

 Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
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