Sports
Phillies power past Cubs, secure first-round bye
Sep 25, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Kody Clemens (2) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Brandon Marsh hit a three-run double, Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott each collected three hits and the Philadelphia Phillies topped the visiting Chicago Cubs 9-6 on Wednesday.
Castellanos, Trea Turner and Kody Clemens homered for Philadelphia (94-65), which clinched a first-round bye in the National League playoffs with their win combined with the Milwaukee Brewers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Phillies also are keeping a close eye on the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-64) – who face the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night – in the race for the NL’s top seed.
Philadelphia wrapped up its home schedule with a major league-best 54-27 record despite impressive performances from Chicago’s Isaac Paredes and Nico Hoerner. Paredes went 4-for-5 for the Cubs (81-78), while Hoerner hit a pair of home runs – his sixth and seventh of the campaign.
The Phillies jumped out to an early lead in the first inning against Javier Assad (7-6). Turner’s 20th home run made it 1-0 before Stott’s two-run double increased the advantage to 3-0.
Castellanos’ 23rd homer extended the lead to 4-0 in the third, but Hoerner answered with a three-run shot against Cristopher Sanchez in the fourth to bring Chicago within a run.
The offenses continued to exchange runs, as Clemens responded with a solo shot before the Cubs countered with Cody Bellinger’s RBI single. That hit ended the night for Sanchez, who allowed four runs (three earned) and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Sanchez walked one and fanned four.
Philadelphia tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Castellanos singled with one out and Stott reached on an infield hit before Assad walked J.T. Realmuto to load the bases. Marsh followed with his bases-clearing double against Keegan Thompson, making it 8-4.
Jose Ruiz (5-1) allowed Hoerner’s solo shot in the sixth before Orion Kerkering, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez closed it out with one inning apiece.
Realmuto made it 9-5 with an RBI single in the seventh, and Dansby Swanson had a run-scoring double in the ninth for Chicago.
Assad allowed eight runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; The Orlando City logo is seen prior to a match against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Orlando City SC signed homegrown defender Bernardo Rhein to a first-team contract through the 2027-28 season.
The deal includes team options for the 2028-29 and 2029-30 campaigns.
“Bernardo has earned this opportunity through his dedication, consistency and the progress he’s shown at every stage of our development pathway,” said Orlando City general manager Ricardo Moreira.
“Having started in futsal, Bernardo brings flair and intensity to our backline. From the Academy to OCB and now the First Team, he has embraced every challenge and continued to grow as a player and as a person. This signing reflects our commitment to developing talent from within, and we’re excited to support Bernardo as he takes the next step in his career with the Club.”
The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on April 22, 2026, against Charlotte FC. He becomes the 19th Orlando City Academy product to advance through the full development pathway.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
Jerry Kelly drives on hole No. 4 during the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship Final Round, July 12, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. With a 2-under par third round, Jerry Kelly tied Cameron Percy atop the leaderboard of the ISPS Handa Senior Open in Perth, Scotland on Saturday.
For Kelly, it was his second straight round of 2-under par 68 en route to being at 8-under 202 through three rounds. Meanwhile, Percy had his roughest afternoon of the week with a 1-over 71. The Australian started the event red hot with a 7-under 63.
Peter Baker (67, 5-under 205) and South Africa’s Darren Fichardt (68, 4-under) resided in third and fourth place, respectively. Pat Perez (67), South African Ernie Els (71) and Austria’s Markus Brier are all tied for fifth at three-under par.
Despite his position, Kelly, 59, remains focused on the round ahead of him.
“Yeah, we scoreboard watch, but it’s still Saturday,” he said. “So, there’s no real emotions going on for that scoreboard. Just want to position yourself for tomorrow and you want to get the job done tomorrow and that’s the key.”
Nevertheless, he recognized how meaningful it would be to win a Senior Open Championship.
“Yeah, that would be one of the most special things at this stage of my career. Like any player, I might treasure that above all else.”
Tim Petrovic was the round leader, shooting a 4-under that vaulted him 46 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 16th place.
Clark Dennis had a strong showing, as well. His 67 shot him up 21 spots to a tie for eighth place.
Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink (70) is tied for 31st at 3-over 213.
–Field Level Media
Sports
With 318th homer, Royals' Salvador Perez sets club mark
Jul 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) receives receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Salvador Perez, who hit the first home run of his career at Comerica Park in Detroit in 2011, set the Kansas City Royals’ all-time record with No. 318 on Saturday at the same venue.
In the Royals’ 3-2 win over the Tigers, Perez tied the game at 2 in the seventh inning with a 401-foot solo shot to left off right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan.
Perez’s blast broke a tie with Hall of Famer George Brett, who hit 317 homers for Kansas City from 1973-93. Like Brett, Perez has played his entire career with the Royals since debuting in 2011.
The 36-year-old is batting .210 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 98 games this season. He is a nine-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove catcher.
In 1,805 games with Kansas City, Perez has hit .261 with 748 runs and 1,060 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
