Sports
Astros rack up 18 hits while trouncing Athletics
Apr 4, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) celebrates with Houston Astros third base coach Tony Perezchica (12) after hitting a solo home run against the Athletics during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images Christian Walker and Cam Smith hit homers and the Houston Astros recorded 18 hits as they blasted the Athletics 11-0 on Saturday afternoon in West Sacramento, Calif.
Tatsuya Imai (1-0) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts to earn his first career major league win. The 27-year-old right-hander from Japan signed a three-year deal with Houston this offseason.
Imai left two runners on base as he exited in the sixth inning protecting a 10-0 lead, but Kai-Wei Teng came in to get the third out and keep the shutout intact.
After 2 1/3 innings from Teng, Steven Okert worked the ninth and preserved the Astros pitching staff’s first shutout this season.
Walker, Joey Loperfido and Yainer Diaz and Christian Vazquez led the way for Houston with three hits and two RBIs each.
A’s starter Luis Morales (0-2) was under siege from the opening pitch, as as four of the first five Astros to the plate reached base and Houston took an early 2-0 lead with RBI singles by Jose Altuve and Walker.
Walker then hit the first pitch of the third over the left field fence for his first home run of 2026.
Later in the frame, the Athletics’ defense let Morales down when Tyler Soderstrom lost a fly ball in the sun in left field and it dropped in for an unconventional RBI double for Vazquez.
Morales gave up five runs in three-plus innings, allowing eight hits and six walks. Changing pitchers did not reverse the A’s fortunes, as Houston added three runs off reliever Elvis Alvarado with an RBI double for Loperfido and a two-run single by Diaz.
Loperfido and Vazquez got their second RBIs of the afternoon with base hits in the sixth, before Yordan Alvarez – who drew a walk in each of his first four plate appearances – added on with an RBI single.
Smith capped off the Astros’ offensive outburst with a pinch-hit solo shot in the eighth.
Max Muncy had two of the Athletics’ four hits. That is his second multi-hit game in as many days.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
Jul 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Progressive Field during a rain delay before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians’ home game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather, with a traditional doubleheader scheduled for Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Slated to start Saturday for the Cubs, right-hander Edward Cabrera is listed as Sunday’s Game 1 starter. Left-hander Parker Messick is listed as the Guardians’ Game 1 starter. The Game 2 starters have not been announced.
Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter, who entered Saturday tied for the major league lead with five home runs, belted a two-run shot in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Cubs in the series opener.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dodgers SS Mookie Betts (back) exits in first inning vs. Nationals
Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts exited in the middle of the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals due to right lower back pain, the club said.
Betts apparently was injured while the running the bases. He drew a walk and scored on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double. Betts slowly walked toward the Dodgers’ dugout after scoring.
A further update is expected after the contest.
Betts, 33, is batting just .179 (5-for-28) with two homers and seven RBIs in eight games.
Miguel Rojas replaced Betts at shortstop.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lakers G Austin Reaves (oblique) out for the regular season
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Lakers continue to get troublesome news in the injury department with star guard Austin Reaves sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, per ESPN.
He has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury. As a result, he is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Reaves came away from Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder with discomfort in his oblique area. In the same game, fellow star guard Luka Doncic injured his left hamstring and likely will miss the final five games of the regular season.
“I went back to get a rebound, overextended a little bit and I felt something,” Reaves said after the loss to the Thunder.
Reaves, 27, has averaged a career-best 23.3 points with 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 51 games (45 starts). He missed 19 consecutive games earlier this season with a calf injury.
In five seasons, all with the Lakers, Reaves has averaged 15.8 points with 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 331 games (216 starts).
With Reaves and Doncic both out, Los Angeles also could be without guard Marcus Smart (ankle) against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Smart was not a full participant in the Lakers’ practice on Saturday, ESPN reported.
Given the injuries, Redick said he plans to expand the rotation from nine players to possibly 11.
“All hands on deck,” Redick said, adding that Kobe Bufkin, Dalton Knecht, and Nick Smith Jr. will join the team in Dallas after playing for the South Bay Lakers in the G League playoffs.
“Our mission, it hasn’t changed. The rest of these guys and my staff, we’re going after the 3-seed and we’re going to try to win a playoff series. And we’ll see what happens with Luka.”
When asked how he’ll mentally prepare for the challenge ahead in light of the injuries, Lebron James said, “You got to flip the mindset a little bit when your role changes, whatever the case may be, or what’s needed out of [you for] the team. So, the mindset changes a little bit, for sure.”
The Lakers traveled to Oklahoma City feeling good about their playoff prospects while winning 13 of their previous 14 games to reach third place in the Western Conference. But their night against the Thunder has proved costly and not just because of a 139-96 blowout loss.
Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 33.5 points per game and is also averaging 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds. Doncic was just named Western Conference Player of the Month for March when he averaged 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.3 steals.
–Field Level Media
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
Dodgers SS Mookie Betts (back) exits in first inning vs. Nationals
