Sports
After postponement, slumping Yankees try to salvage short series vs. Rays
May 2, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Tampa Bay Rays are comfortable waiting to the late innings to pull off comebacks and certainly at ease in those situations against the New York Yankees.
The only thing that stopped the Rays so far was heavy rain postponing Saturday’s game and the Yankees will attempt to beat the AL East rivals when the teams try to conclude the abbreviated series Sunday, though rain remains in the forecast.
The teams will make Saturday’s game as part of a split doubleheader on Sept. 22. Another doubleheader may be forced upon the teams since heavy rain is projected for New York throughout Sunday.
If the game can get played, the Rays will attempt to widen their lead in the AL East over the Yankees to 6 1/2 games.
The Rays are on a five-game winning streak and are 22-4 in their past 26 games since a 12-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on April 21 after scoring four times in the eighth inning of Friday’s 4-2 win.
“That’s who we are. I think everyone’s bought into our style of play, how we play,” starter Nick Martinez said after the Rays improved to 14-2 against divisional opponents. “We don’t give up, man. We’re not down until it’s over.”
The Rays scored four times in the eighth inning for the second straight game after also doing so in Wednesday’s 5-3 win over Baltimore.
“We’re a grindy team,” Martinez said. “We’re going to scrap our way in it.”
Jonathan Aranda is hitting .338 (22-for-65) with 13 RBIs in his past 18 games after getting a tying double. Richie Palacios is hitting .394 (13-for-33) with nine RBIs over his past 10 games after contributing a two-run single.
The Yankees are 4-10 in their past 14 games and have been held to three runs or fewer nine times in that span. During their past three games, the Yankees have scored three times while going 3-for-22 with runners in scoring position.
On Friday, the Yankees totaled 11 hits, marking only the third time during their 14-game slide they finished with double-digit hits.
“With what we’re going through, you hate losing the game,” said manager Aaron Boone, whose team won nine of 13 meetings with Tampa Bay last season. “We’ve got to find a way to beat that club.”
Aaron Judge is homerless in his past 11 games since May 10 in Milwaukee and is mired in a 1-for-24 slump after ending Friday’s game with a flyout to center field.
Drew Rasmussen (4-1, 3.19 ERA) pitches for the Rays and attempts to win three straight starts for the third time in his career. Rasmussen allowed two earned runs or fewer for the sixth time this season in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Miami Marlins when he permitted two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Rasmussen is 4-1 with a 1.03 ERA in eight career outings (seven starts) against the Yankees. He also is 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three career starts in New York and Judge is 1-for-13 against the right-hander.
Ryan Weathers (2-2, 3.58), who is coming off a pair of no-decisions, pitches for the Yankees. Weathers pitched in Monday’s 7-6 win over Toronto and tied season highs by allowing five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Weathers is starting against the Rays for the second time. On June 7, 2025 for the Marlins, Weathers allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits in three hits and took a no-decision.
–Field Level Media
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Sports
Johnny Manziel delivers quick TKO win in 1-and-done MMA debut
Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel looks on prior to the game against the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 17-7 at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Johnny Manziel made his amateur MMA debut Saturday at Brand Risk 14, making quick work of social media influencer Bob Menery in a 205-pound bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the opening minute, a lackadaisical Menery ran directly into a takedown. Manziel, a former NFL quarterback and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner easily secured the mount, raining down elbows and punches until the bout was stopped at 2:15 of Round 1.
“Respected you for getting in here. Much love, brother,” Manziel said after being awarded an honorary “W U” belt for his victory.
Both men immediately indicated they have no intentions of fighting again, with Menery adding, “Not after that display,” when asked about a second fight.
The influencer-driven spectacle — pivoted from Miami to Vegas after promoter Adin Ross secured the blessing of UFC CEO Dana White — drew an exclusive crowd including music icon Chris Brown, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
White previously helped generate buzz by publicly doubting the fight would even happen, stating he placed a $10,000 bet that the notoriously unpredictable Menery would no-show.
Saturday’s 11-fight card — with an MMA main card after a boxing prelim card — was the first Brand Risk event held outside Miami or Nashville since its inception.
Brand Risk 14 main card (MMA)
Johnny Manziel def. Bob Menery by TKO (Round 1, 2:16)
Lance Stephenson def. Michael Beasley by submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 1, 1:26)
DeWayne “Supah Hot Fire” Stevenson def. William “Ray J” Norwood Jr. by TKO (Round 2, 0:26)
Johnathan “No Neck Jay” Webb def. Shane Chance by KO (Round 2, 1:10)
Jeremy Smith def. Ryder Warbrick by unanimous decision
Dominick “Dom the Troll” Giannetto def. Tommy Tough Knuckles by submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 1, 0:29)
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tigers, Orioles each desperate for momentum in Sunday doubleheader
May 22, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Leody Taveras (30) slides safely in to third base after advancing from first on a hit in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles will be eager to build momentum and the Detroit Tigers are anxious to snap out of their funk.
There could be ample opportunities for those scenarios when the teams meet in Sunday’s day-night doubleheader in Baltimore.
With Saturday’s game rained out and a shaky forecast for Sunday, it might not be a smooth day of action.
Yet there’s a big push to get the games played Sunday as this series marks the only scheduled visit of the season for the Tigers in Baltimore.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said it’s crucial that the team focus on what they can control and not become consumed with the possibilities regarding the schedule.
“There’s always the thought of coming back here (to make up a game or two), but we can’t get our heads too far down that path,” Hinch said.
The teams played through wet conditions when the Orioles won 7-4 in Friday night’s series opener.
Once again, Baltimore first baseman Pete Alonso has been leading the rallying cry that the Orioles are on the verge of a sustained breakthrough, delivering his 10th homer and four total RBIs in the win.
“I still believe in these guys,” Alonso said. “This team, this organization, I think we’re right there, and I just think collectively, once we kind of get the ball rolling, so to speak, and starting to connect the dots on all sides of the ball … it’s going to be a lovely snowball effect when we get it going.”
The result from the series opener left Detroit with a seven-game losing streak and losses in 15 of its past 17 games. Much of the shortcomings are connected to the offense, as the Tigers are batting a combined .199 since May 3.
The teams combined to use 11 pitchers Friday night, so the rainout allowed them to replenish their bullpens.
The Orioles are expected to use right-hander Brandon Young (3-1, 4.25 ERA) and left-hander Trevor Rogers (2-5, 6.87) as Sunday’s starting pitchers in Game 1 and 2, respectively.
Young has allowed two runs in each of his last two outings, but those covered only a total of nine innings. He has faced Detroit only once, picking up his first big-league decision on April 26, 2025 with a loss when he worked 4 2/3 innings and gave up three runs in a road assignment.
Rogers posted victories in his first two outings, but he hasn’t reached the six-inning mark in his last five starts, taking the loss in all of them. In his last three games, he’s surrendered 17 runs (16 earned) in a combined 9 1/3 innings.
The Tigers also might have a left-hander and right-hander in starting roles on the mound.
Right-hander Troy Melton appears ready for his season debut in the big leagues after rehabilitation assignments that included throwing Tuesday in a Class-A game for Lakeland. Prior to the start of the series, Hinch called the possibility of having Melton in a game this weekend likely. Bringing Melton on board would have to involve player moves that would include the 40-man roster.
The Tigers will use lefty Framber Valdez (2-3, 4.58), who’s 0-2 with a 6.12 ERA across his last five outings, in the first game of the day. Valdez has faced the Orioles seven times in his career — all while with the Houston Astros — and holds a 1-2 mark with a 4.17 ERA across 41 innings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies' Andrew Painter follows aces into finale vs. Guardians
May 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter (24) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Phillies are holding a pair of aces, and they hope a win is in the cards on Sunday afternoon when they conclude their three-game series with the visiting Cleveland Guardians.
The Phillies’ starting pitching has been on full display in the first two games of the weekend series. Cristopher Sanchez logged eight scoreless innings Friday in his team’s 1-0 defeat, and Zack Wheeler blanked the Guardians over six frames in a 3-0 triumph Saturday.
“I think everybody feeds off each other, you know?” Wheeler said. “You always try to beat the guy the day before you. He’s pretty hard to beat right now, but you’ve got to go out there and try. … Whatever run he’s been on, it’s pretty special. It’s almost unmatchable.”
Wheeler has a 1.67 ERA this season, while Sanchez’s mark is even better at 1.62. Sanchez also is riding a scoreless streak of 37 2/3 innings.
The Guardians managed only three hits against Wheeler and a trio of relievers in Saturday’s setback. One hit was by impressive rookie Travis Bazzana, who doubled against hard-throwing closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning.
“Just felt like it was a good time for Travis to get an opportunity tonight,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Saturday regarding Bazzana batting in the leadoff position. “Don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. We’re trying to look to see how this group fits together the best.”
Saturday’s outcome snapped the Guardians’ seven-game winning streak. It also halted the Phillies’ three-game skid.
Philadelphia hopes to begin a new winning streak with rookie Andrew Painter (1-4, 5.77 ERA) on the mound on Sunday.
The 23-year-old right-hander is coming off back-to-back productive outings. Most recently, he yielded two runs in a career-high six innings Monday in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds. Philadelphia won 5-4.
“He looks really good,” Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott said. “He’s got elite stuff, and I think once he knows that, I think you’ll see a lot more outings like this.”
Stott has 20 RBIs in 21 games this month, including a two-run single to spark Philadelphia in Saturday’s victory. He’ll hope to continue that run as he faces Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick (5-1, 2.45 ERA) in the series finale.
Messick has walked three batters in each of his last two starts, although he limited the damage in each outing. He gave up three runs — two earned — in five innings Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers in a game the Guardians won 4-3.
“Probably some of the worst command we’ve seen Parker have, but for him to be able to keep getting outs and keep them off the board the way he did, I thought he and (catcher Austin Hedges) worked excellent together,” Vogt said after the game. “Just the command we saw from Parker tonight wasn’t what we’re used to.”
Messick and Painter both will face the opponent for the first time in their careers.
Bryce Harper had three hits and scored twice for the Phillies on Saturday. But Kyle Schwarber struck out three times, giving him 11 punchouts in his last three games.
For Cleveland, Kyle Manzardo will look to bounce back after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Saturday. On Friday night, Manzardo hit a pinch-hit homer off Duran in the ninth to score the game’s only run.
–Field Level Media
Johnny Manziel delivers quick TKO win in 1-and-done MMA debut
Tigers, Orioles each desperate for momentum in Sunday doubleheader
