Corbin first with 10 Ks in first 4 innings of a playoff game

WASHINGTON » Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin is the first pitcher with 10 strikeouts in the first four innings of a postseason game, according to STATS .

The Nationals led the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1 as Game 4 of the NL Championship Series headed to the fifth inning Tuesday night.

Corbin is trying to help Washington finish off a sweep of the NLCS and reach the World Series.

He began the game by striking out the first four batters he faced. Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong were the only two Cardinals position players who did not fan at least once in the first four innings. Molina homered in the fourth. The record for most strikeouts in a postseason game is 17, set by Bob Gibson of the Cardinals in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against Detroit.

Astros fan arrested, accused of slapping Yankees fan

HOUSTON » An Astros fan is facing an assault charge after being accused by authorities of slapping a New York Yankees fan after the two got into an argument at Houston’s Minute Maid Park during the second game of the American League Championship Series.

James Dinkins was arrested on the misdemeanor charge after police say he slapped the Yankees fan in the back of the head after he cheered for the New York team during Sunday night’s game.

The 73-year-old Dinkins, a former justice of the peace in neighboring Montgomery County, is free on a $100 bond. Court records didn’t list an attorney for Dinkins.

Harris County District Attorney’s Office prosecutor Nathan Beedle called the allegations against Dinkins “troubling,” saying that Houston prides itself on “hospitality, sportsmanship, and welcoming anyone from anywhere.”