Sports
Angels hype Mike Trout for All-Star Game, face Mariners in series finale
Jun 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout stands in the dugout before the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images With Phase 2 of All-Star Game voting ending Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels are making a late push for Mike Trout.
The outfielder grew up in Millville, N.J., about 45 miles from Philadelphia, which hosts the midsummer classic July 14 at Citizens Bank Park.
While Trout remains on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, he traveled with the Angels for their trip to Seattle this week. The three-game series wraps up Thursday at T-Mobile Park after taking Wednesday off for a FIFA World Cup match at Lumen Field across the street.
Nearly the entire Angels roster, along with the coaching staff, wore “Vote Trout” T-shirts during batting practice Monday before a 6-2 loss. The Angels’ social media team also visited nearby Pike Place Market and got fishmongers to toss around a few trout while wearing fish-shaped red foam Trout hats that featured his signature and number on the side.
“It’s pretty cool,” said Trout, an 11-time All-Star. “One of my things when I was coming into spring training, I knew the game was going to be in Philly, so it would be cool to go back. I love my teammates and I take care of them and they take care of me. We have a tight group, and it’s pretty cool to see that.”
In results announced Wednesday on MLB.com, Trout leads all American League outfielders with 23% of the vote, followed by Minnesota’s Byron Buxton (20%) and the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (19%) and Cody Bellinger (16%).
Trout has been on the IL since June 18. Before the injury, he missed only one of the Angels’ first 75 games and produced a .234/.394/.472 slash line along with 17 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said Tuesday that Trout has been increasing his baseball activities each day and feels good.
“Obviously, Mike doesn’t need the extra notoriety and support. … He’s Mike Trout,” Suzuki said. “Just having the organization behind you and helping to promote like Mike to get to the All-Star Game is definitely a great thing.”
The Angels lost the first two games of the series after winning six of their previous eight. They dropped an 8-3 decision Tuesday.
The Mariners, who entered the week with a franchise record-tying streak of 13 consecutive games scoring three runs or fewer, have scored 19 over their past three. That includes a 6-5 loss Sunday in Cleveland in which they blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning.
Julio Rodriguez and rookie Colt Emerson each had three hits Tuesday, part of a 13-hit attack.
“We’re starting to see the results come through,” Emerson said. “We know our process. We know everything we’re doing is going to lead to wins, so I think you’re just now seeing the results. A lot of guys are working super hard behind the scenes, a lot of guys are staying committed to their plans, and it’s cool to see a lot of great at-bats (Tuesday) in such a good game.”
Thursday’s series finale will feature a pair of right-handers in the Angels’ Walbert Urena (5-6, 3.14 ERA) and the Mariners’ Bryce Miller (3-2, 1.97).
Urena suffered a 9-3 loss to the visiting Athletics last Friday, allowing seven runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old rookie had won four of his previous five decisions, including when he pitched five scoreless innings against the A’s in a 7-0 victory on June 20. This will be Urena’s first appearance against Seattle.
Miller lost his past two starts, though he gave up just four earned runs over 10 2/3 innings in that span. He allowed three runs in 5 2/ 3 innings Thursday in a 5-1 defeat in Pittsburgh.
Miller, who has issued just four unintentional walks versus 54 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings this season, is 2-2 with a 3.05 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Matt Olson breaks out of homerless rut, helps Braves top Mets
Jul 3, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Matt Olson emphatically ended a 16-game homerless streak Friday with pair of solo shots to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 win over the visiting New York Mets in the opener of a four-game series.
It was Olson’s second multi-home run game of the season and the 27th of his career. He raised his total to a team-high 22 homers this season.
The Braves had only five hits and four left the park. Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies also homered for Atlanta.
Grant Holmes (5-4) went five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk, striking out two. Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI single to Bo Bichette in the ninth but earned his 17th save.
New York starter Christian Scott (2-1) worked four innings and allowed three runs on two hits and four walks, with seven strikeouts.
The Mets fell a season-worst 16 games below .500.
The Braves broke through in the second inning when Harris hit a two-run homer, his 15th. Harris had saved a run in the top of the first when he robbed Carson Benge of an extra-base hit by making a long running catch.
The Mets tied it in the third on an opposite-field home run by Juan Soto, his 18th of the season and 27th of his career against the Braves.
Albies put the Braves on top again in the third with a solo homer, his 14th, for a 3-2 lead.
Atlanta got another run in the fifth inning when Olson hit a solo homer to the right-center-field seats. The homer came against reliever A.J. Minter and ended a streak of 25 consecutive scoreless appearances by the left-hander. It was the first earned run the former Brave has allowed this season.
Olson hit another solo homer in the eighth off Kodai Senga.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Folarin Balogun on red card: 'Yellow card would have been fair'
July 3, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Folarin Balogun of the U.S. speaks to media before training. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Forward Folarin Balogun disagreed with the red-card ruling that will see him miss the United States’ World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, and he admitted to experiencing a range of emotions since being sent off.
In the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Inglewood, Calif., Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament in the first half before receiving a second-half red card for his tackle on Tarik Muharemovic.
No foul was called against Balogun originally, but a video review led to the referee sending him off.
Speaking Friday in Seattle, where the U.S. will oppose Belgium on Monday, Balogun said, “I’ve seen many different opinions and takes. For me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It’s something that’s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it. But the most important thing is just to focus on the bigger picture, which is Belgium.”
He added of the aftermath of the red card, “It’s been a roller coaster. There’s been lots of different emotions. I’ve been upset. I’ve been happy. It’s been surreal, to be honest. But for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion.
“There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring, little kids, boys and girls who are watching, and we have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust.
“So I felt I did that. And as I said, I’m happy with the support, not just that I’m receiving, but the team. And I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium.”
As for how the U.S. will cope against Belgium while missing their top scorer in the event, midfielder Tyler Adams said, “When you miss a player like (Balogun), obviously things change a little bit, but we’ve been flexible. Guys have shown that they’re ready to play. …
“If it’s (Ricardo) Pepi, if it’s Haji (Wright filling in for Balogun), if they go a different direction, who knows? I’m not the coach. But yeah, it should be an exciting opportunity for everybody.”
The USMNT were officially notified that Balogun’s suspension is the standard one match, so Balogun would be able to return to action in the quarterfinals against Spain or Portugal on July 10 in Inglewood should the U.S. win on Monday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Spacestation, Liquid reach OWCS NA Stage 2 upper-bracket final
YMCA member Austin Manengu works the keyboard as he plays a game of Fortnite during the unveiling of the new gaming lab at the Maplewood Family YMCA in Rochester Thursday, June 20, 2024. YMCA of Greater Rochester in partnership with Metro Sports & Entertainment Group will open two gaming labs for youth and teens this year. Spacestation Gaming and Team Liquid advanced to the upper-bracket final of the Overwatch Champions Series’ North American Stage 2 playoffs with a pair of 3-0 sweeps on Friday.
Spacestation blanked LuneX Gaming and Liquid did the same to Dallas Fuel, the team that finished second in the regular-season standings. LuneX and Dallas will meet in the lower-bracket semifinal on Saturday before Spacestation and Liquid square off in the upper-bracket final, with a chance to punch their ticket to the grand final.
Six teams participated in a round-robin regular season, with the top four advancing to the playoffs, which run from Friday through Sunday. All matches in the double-elimination bracket are best-of-five, except for the grand final, which will be best-of-seven.
In addition to earning shares of the $75,000 prize pool, the top four Stage 2 finishers advance to Stage 3. The top three finishers also will qualify for the Overwatch Champions Series’ Midseason Championship, a $1 million event scheduled for July 29-Aug. 2 in Paris.
On Friday, Spacestation hardly let LuneX get on the scoreboard, prevailing 2-0 on Ilios Control, 2-1 on King’s Row Hybrid and 3-0 on New Junk City Flashpoint.
Team Liquid opened with a 2-0 victory on Ilios Control, pulled out a 4-3 result on Dorado Escort and shut out the Fuel 3-0 on King’s Row Hybrid.
Overwatch Champions Series’ North American Stage 2 prize pool
1. $30,000, qualifies for Midseason Championship and NA Stage 3
2. $15,000, qualifies for Midseason Championship and NA Stage 3
3. $12,000, qualifies for Midseason Championship and NA Stage 3
4. $8,000, qualifies for NA Stage 3
5-6. $5,000, qualifies for NA Stage 2 promotion/relegation — The Kafe, Disguised
–Field Level Media
Matt Olson breaks out of homerless rut, helps Braves top Mets
Folarin Balogun on red card: 'Yellow card would have been fair'
