Sports
Nationals score 6 in 7th; Cade Cavalli fans 8 in shutout of Rockies
Jul 22, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Kyle Karros (12) is caught in a run down against Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (24) in the second inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images Luis Garcia Jr. homered, Cade Cavalli tossed six strong innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-0 in the rubber game of the series in Denver on Wednesday.
Cavalli (7-4), making his second start since serving a five-game suspension, scattered four hits, walked a pair and struck out eight in his six innings.
CJ Abrams had four hits and Jorbit Vivas, Nasim Nunez, Dylan Crews and Jose Tena finished with two each for Washington. The Nationals, who entered the afternoon leading the majors in runs, RBIs and home runs, have scored seven or more runs in four of their last five games.
Jake McCarthy doubled to extend his on-base streak to 17 games and Kyle Karros singled and walked twice for Colorado, which finished 2-4 on its homestand. The Rockies committed three errors that resulted in two unearned runs.
Colorado starter Gabriel Hughes (0-2), making his second career start at Coors Field and fourth overall major league appearance, was locked in a pitching duel with Cavalli. Hughes struck out five through four shutout innings before the Nationals got to him to start the fifth.
Vivas led off the inning with a triple off the wall in right and James Wood drove him home with a hit a sacrifice fly.
Washington broke it open in the seventh against reliever Jimmy Herget. Daylen Liles led off with a walk, went to second on a groundout and Vivas walked. Nunez singled to left to bring home Liles, and Vivas came home when the ball rolled under Mickey Moniak’s glove for an error.
One out later, Garcia blasted his 21st homer of the season into the Nationals’ bullpen to make it 5-0.
Zach Agnos relieved Herget and gave up consecutive singles to Tena and Abrams. Crews followed with another single to drive in Tena, and two throwing errors on the play allowed Abrams to score.
Washington added to its lead in the eighth. Keiber Ruiz led off with a double, Vivas singled and Nunez followed with an RBI single.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Sports
No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonus
Jun 9, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko (left) talks with quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Kirk Cousins (8) during minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images What’s the deal with Fernando Mendoza as the Raiders begin training camp with rookies due in Las Vegas on Thursday?
The franchise might be without the No. 1 overall pick, and the cause of his absence is a clause in his unsigned rookie deal.
The Heisman Trophy winner is locked into the four-year, $57.2 million contract parameters set by the collective bargaining agreement, with a $38.11 million signing bonus.
Representatives for Mendoza, according to multiple reports, are asking for the entire signing bonus at the time the rookie puts pen to paper on his first pro deal. Fact is, the lump sum bonus for No. 1 picks has become a matter of course since the Cincinnati Bengals decided to pay Joe Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 draft, his full signing bonus before ever taking a snap. After some posturing and public consternation, the Jacksonville Jaguars followed suit in 2021 (Trevor Lawrence) and 2022 (Travon Walker).
Rookies report for the first day of training camp with the Raiders on Thursday and veterans join next week, including backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins could start the season as the No. 1 quarterback even if Mendoza decides to sign.
But he’s not the only quarterback giving the stiff-arm to his rookie contract at the moment. A line formed behind Mendoza with Rams rookie first-round pick Ty Simpson (13th overall) waiting to see whether any precedent is established with the only quarterback drafted ahead of him. Carson Beck (65th overall by the Arizona Cardinals) and Drew Allar (76th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers) were in the same holding pattern as of Wednesday afternoon.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Lynx coach: Napheesa Collier on minutes restriction in debut
Jul 3, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) warms up before a game against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier will be on a minutes restriction when she makes her debut Wednesday against the host Seattle Storm, head coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Collier, 29, was the Most Valuable Player runner-up in consecutive seasons and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. She hasn’t played since Sept. 27, 2025, when she tore ligaments in her left ankle during a playoff loss to Phoenix.
She had surgery on both her ankles during the offseason.
Reeve addressed the tentative plan involving Collier on Wednesday.
“I’m going to be mindful of how many minutes she plays, but she hates the idea of a minutes restriction, so just don’t tell her,” Reeve told reporters.
“… We still have a couple more steps to go before we see the Phee we know her to be.”
The Lynx have gotten along splendidly despite her absence. The league leaders at 21-6, Minnesota has thrived thanks to rookie guard Olivia Miles (19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists per game) and Kayla McBride (18.1 ppg, 39.4% from 3-point range).
–Field Level Media
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonus
