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Marlins bid for series sweep in season finale vs. Blue Jays

MLB: Miami Marlins at Toronto Blue JaysSep 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Marlins center fielder Dane Myers (54) celebrates with team mates in the dugout after hitting a three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The visiting Miami Marlins will be out to complete a disappointing season with a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

The Marlins (61-100) recorded an 8-1 win over the listless Blue Jays (74-87) on Saturday, one day after breezing to a series-opening 15-5 victory.

The Marlins have won three games in a row and four of their past five. The Blue Jays have lost nine of their past 11 games.

The Marlins are being managed for the final two games of the season by bench coach Luis Urueta. Manager Skip Schumaker had to leave the team to go home to California because of a family medical issue.

“The boys have been playing super hard,” Urueta said. “It was a pretty easy game to manage.”

Dane Myers helped make it easy on Saturday with a three-run homer and a two-run double for a career-best five RBIs.

Former Blue Jays minor-leaguer Griffin Conine was 3-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday after going 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in the series opener.

“Everyone is just taking care of their at-bats,” Conine said. “Everyone wants to finish strong. Hitting is contagious.”

The Marlins scored twice in the first inning Saturday after scoring three runs in the first on Friday. They have nine first-inning runs in their past four games.

“Guys are ready; they’re game-planning against the starters,” Urueta said. “It gives you a little bit of confidence to start the game.”

The Blue Jays do have something on the line on Sunday other than avoiding an embarrassing sweep. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 0-for-4 on Saturday and still needs one hit to become the sixth player in team history to reach 200 hits in a season.

Manager John Schneider said that batting Guerrero first on Sunday instead of the usual third in the order is being considered.

Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk had his 18-game hitting streak end when he was 0-for-3 with a walk on Saturday. One bright spot for the Blue Jays came when Nathan Lukes hit his first career major league home run in the first inning.

“It’s every kid’s dream to knock that off the bucket list,” Lukes said. “It was amazing.”

Lukes, 30, is the fourth-oldest Blue Jays player to hit his first career homer. It was one of four hits by Toronto.

The Marlins got five innings from Xzavion Curry (one run and two hits) and four innings from Darren McCaughan (two hits), who earned the save.

Urueta said he did not expect to use only two pitchers. It helped provide some rest for the bullpen heading into the season finale. Miami used seven relievers on Thursday in a 13-inning, 8-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

The Marlins are scheduled to start left-hander Ryan Weathers (4-6, 3.81 ERA) in the season finale. Weathers will face the Blue Jays for the first time.

The Blue Jays had not named a starter for Sunday. They likely will go with an opener followed by left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (5-2, 3.32 ERA). Yarbrough is 3-2 with a 1.89 ERA in eight career outings (three starts) against Miami.

Toronto recalled right-hander Nick Robertson from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned left-hander Easton Lucas to the Jays’ spring training complex since Buffalo’s season is over. Robertson pitched a clean ninth on Saturday.

Toronto infielder Leo Jimenez (right knee inflammation) did not play on Saturday. He jammed his knee while making a play at second base on Friday.

–Field Level Media

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Phillies snap 10-game skid with extra-inning defeat of Braves

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta BravesApr 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) runs to third on an RBI triple against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday to end their 10-game losing streak.

After Tyler Kinley (3-1) started the inning with a walk and left-hander Jose Suarez walked the first batter he faced, Harper, who was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, lined a sinker into left to drive in automatic runner Garrett Stubbs and Trea Turner. Brandon Marsh followed with a two-run single to widen the lead and help the Phillies win their first game since April 13.

Brady Keller (1-0) retired all four batters he faced, and Kyle Backhus pitched the 10th, allowing one run on two hits.

Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since August 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out six. He left after throwing 84 pitches.

Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out two.

The Phillies scored a run in the first inning when Harper walked with two outs and scored when Adolis Garcia lined a ball to left field that Mike Yastrzemski missed on a dive for an RBI triple.

Philadelphia scored another run in the fourth inning when Bryson Stott smacked a triple off the right-field brick wall to score Brandon Marsh.

Atlanta tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Harris II hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Austin Riley followed with an RBI double, knocking in the 500th run of his career.

The Phillies regained the lead in the fifth. Rafael Marchan singled and came around to score on Harper’s infield single which snapped Philadelphia’s 0-for-18 drought with runners in scoring position against the Braves this season.

The Braves took their first lead in the sixth, scoring twice against reliever Tanner Banks on an RBI double from Ozzie Albies and a run-scoring single from Harris.

The Phillies evened the game 4-4 in the eighth against Dylan Lee. Kyle Schwarber tripled when center fielder Eli White slipped on the wet turf and allowed the ball to get past him. He scored on Harper’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

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Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo (leg), Anthony Edwards (knee) exit early in win over Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver NuggetsApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after a three-pointer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out after injuring his lower right leg in the first quarter and was late joined on the sidelines by injured teammate Anthony Edwards in the first half of Saturday’s 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their playoff series in Minneapolis.

DiVincenzo sustained the injury on a non-contact play 79 seconds into the game. He planted his foot to go toward a loose ball, and he quickly went down as he grabbed toward the back of his right leg.

The team ruled out DiVincenzo before the end of the first quarter. ESPN reported that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, hasa torn right Achilles.

Edwards, a four-time All-Star, appeared to hyperextend his left knee while leaping to defend Nuggets wing Cam Johnson’s drive to the basket with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly and grabbed his left knee. Edwards was helped to the locker room.

Minnesota ruled him out for the rest of the game just after halftime. Edwards, who had five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes, is slated to get an MRI to determine the injury’s severity.

The Timberwolves lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, with Game 5 on Monday in Denver.

DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 37.9% from 3-point range during the regular season. He averaged 14.3 points in the first three games of the playoff series against the Nuggets.

-Field Level Media

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T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) defends against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost to the Timberwolves, who lost two starters due to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards leaped to try to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left leg, and he quickly dropped to the court and clutched his knee.

Team officials helped Edwards to his feet and he placed his arms around their shoulders. He put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.

Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo headed toward the locker room after he injured his right leg on a non-contact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot to pursue a loose ball and fell to the hardwood, and he grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.

Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8-for-22 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.

Dosunmu took over in his teammates’ absence. He helped Minnesota outscore Denver 62-42 in the second half to take a commanding lead in the series.

The Nuggets led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu helped Minnesota take charge. He made a pair of free throws as Minnesota finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to grab an 82-78 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Dosunmu continued to assert himself. He hit a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to increase the Timberwolves’ lead to 95-82 with 7:53 to go.

Denver struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and Jokic took exception to a layup by Jaden McDaniels with 2.1 seconds left. Jokic and Randle were ejected in the closing seconds after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.

–Field Level Media

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