Sports
Spring training roundup: Juan Soto homers in first Mets at-bat
Feb 22, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) hits a home run in his first at bat for the Mets against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images After signing a record $765 million 15-year contract with the New York Mets this offseason, Juan Soto hit a solo shot in his first spring training at-bat, helping the hosts defeat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Saturday in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Soto, who had an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the second, took Houston left-hander Colton Gordon deep on a 2-1 pitch to left-center in the first inning, with the blast estimated at 426 feet.
Mets right-hander Clay Holmes, who like Soto left the New York Yankees after last season, struck out three on 34 pitches in three perfect innings. Mainly a reliever as a big leaguer, Holmes is converting to a starting role.
Gordon gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Brice Matthews and Chase Jaworsky each had an RBI for Houston.
Reds 6, Guardians 3
Elly De La Cruz homered from both sides of the plate, totaling an estimated 859 feet, as Cincinnati defeated Cleveland in Goodyear, Ariz.
In the first, De La Cruz took Guardians starter Triston McKenzie deep while batting left-handed, with the ball landing 450 feet away, per Statcast. From the right side in the fourth, De La Cruz ripped a drive off lefty Logan Allen an estimated 409 feet. Willie Banfield added a three-run shot for the Reds.
Cleveland’s Lane Thomas opened the scoring with a two-run drive in the first off Hunter Greene. McKenzie gave up just the one run in two innings on De La Cruz’s shot, while Greene went two innings and struck out three.
Nationals 6, Astros 3
Robert Hassell III delivered a tiebreaking three-run double in the top of the ninth inning to lift Washington over host Houston in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Nationals reliever Tyler Stuart picked up the win despite blowing the save, allowing two runs in the eighth. Marquis Grissom Jr., son of the former major leaguer, earned the save with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.
Astros reliever Joey Mancini was saddled with the loss, giving up the double to Hassell after walking a pair and hitting a batter. Houston was limited to two hits, scoring a sacrifice fly, a groundout and a wild pitch.
Pirates 10, Orioles 5
Matt Gorski homered twice — including a grand slam — and drove in six runs, sparking visiting Pittsburgh to a win over Baltimore in Sarasota, Fla.
D.J. Stewart also went deep and finished with two hits and three RBIs as part of the Pirates’ 12-hit attack. Seven Pittsburgh relievers combined to allow two earned runs.
In his spring debut, Orioles starter Albert Suarez gave up two runs on three hits and walked two in 1 2/3 innings. Emmanuel Rivera belted a two-run shot and scored twice.
Red Sox 6, Rays 4
Tyler Miller belted a tiebreaking two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, lifting Boston over host Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Ceddanne Rafaela and Trayce Thompson also went deep for Boston, which let a late 4-1 lead slip away before Miller’s blast.
Former Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen homered for the Rays, who got RBI hits from Willy Vazquez and Tres Barerra in a three-run seventh.
Tigers 7, Phillies 6
Justice Bigbie notched a walk-off RBI single and Ben Malgeri went 3-for-3 with four RBIs as Detroit battled back to beat visiting Philadelphia in Lakeland, Fla.
The Tigers’ Eliezer Alfonzo doubled in a pair to help pick up Matt Manning, who gave up three runs on three hits and four walks in 1 1/3 innings.
For the Phillies, Buddy Kennedy belted a two-run homer, Josh Breaux added a solo shot and Max Kepler hit a two-run single. Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies after 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins.
Twins 3, Braves 1
Starters Chris Sale and Zebby Matthews each tossed two scoreless innings in a matchup that featured just nine hits in Fort Myers, Fla.
Minnesota’s Luke Keaschall delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth, and Kala’i Rosario added an insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly. Seven relievers held Atlanta to just one run on three hits.
For the Braves, Nick Allen’s RBI single in the third accounted for the visitors’ lone run. Sale retired all six batters he faced in his spring debut.
Blue Jays 6, Yankees 4
Orelvis Martinez hit a solo shot off Brandon Leibrandt as Toronto built a four-run lead before holding on to defeat visiting New York in Dunedin, Fla.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who cut off extension talks before full-squad workouts began, delivered the game’s first run with an RBI single. Alejandro Kirk and Steward Berroa also had RBI hits for Toronto.
In his spring debut, Carlos Rodon was touched up for three runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Spencer Jones ripped a two-run homer and Alexander Vargas delivered a solo blast for New York.
Marlins 7, Cardinals 6
Heriberto Hernandez notched a three-run double in a five-run seventh as the Marlins rallied from a six-run deficit to upend host St. Louis in Jupiter, Fla.
Joe Mack capped Miami’s comeback with a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth, scoring Jack Winkler, who had tied the game with an RBI double.
In his spring debut, St. Louis starter Erick Fedde allowed two hits but held Miami scoreless in his one inning of work. Jose Barrero hit a two-run single to cap a five-run sixth and give the Cards a 6-0 lead.
Royals 11, Dodgers 10
John Rave delivered a go-ahead two-run triple in the top of the ninth inning as Kansas City edged Los Angeles at Glendale, Ariz.
The Royals’ Maikel Garcia drove in three with a triple and Omar Hernandez added a two-run single to highlight an 11-hit attack.
For Los Angeles, Hunter Feduccia went 3-for-3 with a three-run shot and five RBIs, while Max Muncy also hit a three-run homer and Zyhir Hope added a solo blast.
Giants 6, Rangers 1
Sam Huff and Bryce Eldridge ripped two-run home runs while eight San Francisco pitchers limited Texas to just four hits in Surprise, Ariz.
Grant McCray also homered and Jake Lamb added two hits and a run for San Francisco, which walked only one while recording 10 strikeouts.
Trevor Hauver was the lone bright spot on Texas’ offense, belting a homer off reliever Raymond Burgos.
Cubs 7, White Sox 3
Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the host Cubs rode a five-run second inning to victory over the White Sox in Mesa, Ariz.
Benjamin Cowles also starred for the victors, finishing 2-for-3 with a solo shot, two RBIs and two runs. In his spring debut, Cubs ace Justin Steele struck out five over two scoreless innings.
For the White Sox, Colson Montgomery drilled a two-run homer and Tim Elko hit a solo shot. Starter Jared Shuster gave up five runs in two innings.
Rockies 9, Diamondbacks 3
Michael Toglia hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in the fifth inning as Colorado beat visiting Arizona in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Zac Veen also went deep for the Rockies with a two-run shot and Cole Carrigg drove in a pair.
Arizona’s Ketel Marte drove in two runs on a deep sacrifice fly to center in the fifth, with a third run scoring on an errant throw.
Padres 10, Athletics 3
Jackson Merrill had two RBIs as part of a 13-hit attack as host San Diego crushed the Athletics in Peoria, Ariz.
Luis Arraez and Oscar Gonzalez notched two hits and an RBI apiece for the Padres, who had nine players drive in at least one run.
For the Athletics, Lawrence Butler went 2-for-3 with a solo shot and two runs, while Tyler Soderstrom hit an RBI single.
Angels 11, Mariners 10
Kyren Paris’ go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Los Angeles a walk-off victory over Seattle in Tempe, Ariz.
Yolmer Sanchez and Nelson Rada each drove in a pair for the Angels, who totaled 14 hits. Meanwhile, pitchers Caden Dana and Jack Dashwood gave up three runs apiece.
For Seattle, Hogan Windish ripped a two-run homer in the top of the ninth for a short-lived 10-9 lead. Nick Dunn and Carlos Jimenez also collected two RBIs.
Brewers 8, Reds 7
Vinny Capra played the role of walk-off hero with his second three-run homer of the day, a go-ahead blast to lift Milwaukee over Cincinnati in Phoenix, Ariz.
Capra, who drove in six runs, cranked his first three-run shot in the sixth to get the Brewers on the board. Ernesto Martinez Jr. added a two-run dinger.
In his Cincinnati debut, Gavin Lux finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Santiago Espinal hit a solo home run and TJ Friedl had an RBI hit.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
