Sports
MLB roundup: Casey Mize, Tigers shut down Yankees
Apr 7, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) celebrates the win over the New York Yankees with pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images Andy Ibanez hit a three-run homer, Casey Mize pitched six strong innings and the host Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday.
Justyn-Henry Malloy supplied a two-run single for Detroit, which has won six of its last seven games. Jake Rogers and Colt Keith scored two runs apiece.
Mize limited the Yankees to one run and four hits in six innings while recording six strikeouts. Tyler Holton, Beau Brieske and Tommy Kahnle each tossed an inning of scoreless relief.
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon gave up six runs, five earned, on four hits with eight strikeouts in six-plus innings. Aaron Judge had an RBI single for New York, which managed just one extra-base hit in the chilly conditions.
Reds 2, Giants 0
Hunter Greene came within one out of a complete-game shutout, Blake Dunn ended a scoreless deadlock with a two-run double in the eighth inning, and Cincinnati ended host San Francisco’s seven-game winning streak with a victory in the opener of a three-game series.
Greene (1-1), who had never previously pitched more than 7 1/3 innings in his career, allowed just three hits and no walks until Jung Hoo Lee singled with two outs in the ninth and Matt Chapman followed with a full-count walk. Reds manager Terry Francona pulled his right-hander at that point. The combined shutout was the fourth of Greene’s career. He struck out seven.
Logan Webb matched Greene zero for zero until getting pulled after seven innings. Webb allowed just four hits, all singles. He struck out 10 without issuing a walk.
Nationals 6, Dodgers 4
MacKenzie Gore threw six quality innings, James Wood hit a two-run home run and Washington earned a win over visiting Los Angeles.
Gore (1-1) allowed two runs as the Nationals won their third in a row in the opener of a three-game series.
Dustin May (0-1) gave up three runs (one earned) over six innings for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and was a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
Royals 4, Twins 2
Kyle Isbel went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs to lead Kansas City past visiting Minnesota.
Michael Lorenzen (1-1) allowed one run and five hits in six innings as the Royals won for the third time in four games. Carlos Estevez yielded a run in the ninth but got his third save.
Willi Castro and Harrison Bader each drove in a run for the Twins, who lost for the third time in four games. Bader and Matt Wallner had two hits apiece for Minnesota. Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1) was touched up for four runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Mets 2, Marlins 0
Kodai Senga and three relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout for host New York, which continued its stingy ways against Miami.
Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor each had an RBI hit for the Mets, who have won five straight — a span in which they’ve allowed just eight runs. The shutout Monday was the second in the last four games for New York, which leads the majors with a 1.72 ERA.
Senga (1-1) gave up five hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings. He induced double plays in the fourth and fifth.
Pirates 8, Cardinals 4
Joey Bart hit a home run and an RBI triple to help host Pittsburgh defeat St. Louis and secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
The Pirates’ eight runs were a season high. Andrew McCutchen, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Endy Rodriguez joined Bart in going 2-for-4.
Pirates rookie Thomas Harrington, who started on April 1, changed roles and tossed a four-inning save. According to the Pirates’ broadcast, it was the third four-inning save by a rookie in Pirates history, joining Kent Tekulve and Blas Minor.
Padres 5, Athletics 4
Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. homered while Manny Machado knocked in two runs as San Diego held off the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
Michael King (2-0) allowed eight hits and three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Four relievers covered the final 10 outs, with Robert Suarez pitching the ninth for his fifth save in as many chances.
Tyler Soderstrom hit two solo homers, and he is tied for the major league home run lead with six. Luis Severino (0-2) permitted eight hits and five runs in seven innings.
Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 2
George Springer went 4-for-4 with three two-out RBIs and Jose Berrios spun seven strong innings to lead visiting Toronto to a win over Boston in the opener of a four-game series.
Springer contributed to all four run-scoring innings and led a 13-hit attack for the Blue Jays, who had lost three straight. Berrios (1-1) induced nine groundouts and struck out two to complete his outing on 88 pitches despite allowing one run on four hits and three walks.
Jarren Duran had two of Boston’s five hits. The Red Sox were on a five-game win streak. Starter Richard Fitts (0-2) departed after six innings of three-run ball. He permitted six hits and four walks while striking out four.
Cubs 7, Rangers 0
Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki had two hits each and Justin Steele allowed just three hits over seven innings as host Chicago rolled to a win over Texas in the first of a three-game interleague series.
Steele (3-1) was masterful, allowing three singles and two walks while striking out eight as the Cubs dominated throughout. Colin Rea pitched the final two innings and did not allow a baserunner while striking out one. Ian Happ drove in three runs out of the leadoff spot.
Nathan Eovaldi (1-1) took the loss for the Rangers after allowing three runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He was followed to the mound by Gerson Garabito, who surrendered four runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings. Kyle Higashioka had two of the three hits for the Rangers, who had a five-game winning streak snapped.
Mariners 4, Astros 3
Jorge Polanco’s two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth capped an eventful inning as Seattle rallied to defeat visiting Houston in the opener of a three-game series.
The Mariners entered the eighth with a 2-1 lead after a pitching duel between Houston’s Hayden Wesneski and fellow right-hander Logan Gilbert of Seattle. But the Astros scored twice thanks in part to a wild pitch, a pair of walks and an error that allowed the runs to score.
But the Mariners put the first two batters on in the bottom of the eighth before Polanco then lined a slider off pitcher Byan Abreu’s glove and into center field to score the tying and go-ahead runs.
Orioles 5, Diamondbacks 1
Ryan O’Hearn had two hits including a homer, and Gunnar Henderson had two hits, two runs and two stolen bases as Baltimore won in Phoenix to hand Arizona its third straight loss.
Ryan Mountcastle had a two-run single and Zach Eflin (2-1) gave up one run in six innings in his third quality start of the season for the Orioles, who had lost four of five.
Arizona starter Zac Gallen (1-2) gave up five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, with four walks and two strikeouts. He has walked four in both of his home starts this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
