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MLB roundup: Cubs erupt in 6-run first, crush Framber Valdez, Tigers

Jul 21, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Michael Conforto (20) celebrates with shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesJul 21, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Michael Conforto (20) celebrates with shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The host Chicago Cubs sent 12 batters to the plate in a six-run first inning as they rolled to a comfortable 11-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Pete Crow-Armstrong was a perfect 2-for-2 with three walks and two RBIs for Chicago, which evened the series after the Tigers’ 8-6 extra-innings win on Monday. Michael Conforto added a two-run homer. Cubs starting pitcher David Peterson (5-7) was the beneficiary of the run support and took full advantage, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Detroit managed just three hits against Peterson, who struck out four and walked only one.

Dillon Dingler doubled in the second before hitting a two-run shot in the ninth to put the Tigers on the board. Dingler is now 6-for-8 with three long balls in the series. Valdez (5-7) recorded just two outs in 42 pitches, giving up five hits and two walks. He was charged with all six runs in the inning after Madden issued another bases-loaded free pass to Seiya Suzuki.

The first seven Cubs reached base against Detroit starter Framber Valdez (5-7). The scoring started with cleanup hitter Carson Kelly knocking a two-run single to right, followed by a bloop RBI hit for Michael Busch and a run-scoring infield single for Ian Happ. Crow-Armstrong — who started the big inning with a leadoff triple — drew a bases-loaded walk in his second at-bat and ended Valdez’s night, as he was pulled in favor of Ty Madden. Valdez (5-7) recorded just two outs in 42 pitches, giving up all siix runs on five hits and two walks.

Dodgers 2, Phillies 1

Max Muncy hit a two-run home run in support of Justin Wrobleski as visiting Los Angeles held on for a victory over Philadelphia.

Muncy’s fourth-inning blast off Zack Wheeler provided enough offense for Wrobleski (11-2), who allowed one run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. The All-Star left-hander walked one and struck out seven in lowering his ERA to 2.62. Wheeler (10-2) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, striking out nine without a walk. Alec Bohm had three hits and an RBI.

The Phillies had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott. Brandon Marsh hit a grounder to third that resulted in Justin Crawford getting tagged out in a rundown between third and home, and then J.T. Realmuto — who was already on third — retreated towards second and was thrown out to end the game.

Rays 12, Blue Jays 2

Nick Fortes and Yandy Diaz hit three-run home runs and visiting Tampa Bay posted a season-best 21 hits to clobber Toronto.

Fortes finished with three hits and four RBIs, Chandler Simpson and Ben Williamson each added four hits and Junior Caminero had two hits and three walks for the Rays, who took a 2-0 lead in the four-game series. Tampa Bay is 7-1 against Toronto this season to clinch the season series.

Ernie Clement and George Springer had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of seven.

Diamondbacks 6, Athletics 5 (10 innings)

Ildemaro Vargas slapped a bases-loaded single to left with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning as Arizona recorded a victory over the Athletics at Phoenix.

Nolan Arenado delivered the tying single earlier in the inning as Arizona won for the seventh time in the past nine games. Max Kepler added a three-run homer for the Diamondbacks.

Jacob Wilson drilled a tying two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning and Jonah Heim hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for the Athletics. Shea Langeliers also homered for the Athletics, who lost for the 16th time in their past 19 games.

Padres 8, Braves 3

Manny Machado hit a pair of home runs and starter Walker Buehler recovered from early troubles to pitch 5 2/3 strong innings and help visiting San Diego beat Atlanta.

Machado, who went 2-for-5, hit a 412-foot solo homer to left field in the fifth inning and added a 418-foot solo shot to center one inning later. The Padres also got home runs from Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., and the Tatis homer traveled 474 feet, the longest in the major leagues this season. Tatis went 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Rookie Jim Jarvis hit a two-run triple for the Braves.

Rangers 10, White Sox 0

Brandon Nimmo and Wyatt Langford homered and Kumar Rocker and Marco Gonzales combined on a three-hit shutout as Texas routed visiting Chicago.

Nimmo powered the Rangers to a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, reaching White Sox starter Noah Schultz for a two-run blast with two out in the first inning. The Texas right fielder finished 4-for-4. Alejandro Osuna added three hits and three RBIs, Langford had two hits and two RBIs and Ezequiel Duran and Nicky Lopez both contributed two hits and an RBI.

Schultz (3-7), a rookie left-hander, endured one of his roughest outings. He allowed five runs on a career-high 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Rocker (3-8) countered with a sparkling effort to earn his first victory since May 19 at Colorado. The right-hander stymied Chicago over six shutout innings.

Guardians 5, Twins 2

Austin Hedges and rookie Petey Halpin had back-to-back sacrifice flies in a pivotal sixth inning, propelling Cleveland over visiting Minnesota.

Hedges brought home Kahlil Watson with the go-ahead run after the Guardians loaded the bases with no outs against Mike Paredes (0-3). After a double steal, Halpin’s sacrifice fly off Taylor Rogers drove in Travis Bazzana after a replay review overturned an out call at the plate to make it 4-2. Bazzana added a two-out RBI single in the seventh to make it 5-2.

Ryan Jeffers hit a solo homer in the first inning for the Twins, extending his on-base streak to 15 games.

Mets 4, Brewers 0

Zac Thornton tossed six scoreless innings and earned his first big-league win as visiting New York beat Milwaukee in the middle game of a three-game series.

Jared Young and Luis Robert Jr. homered while Carson Benge had an unusual two-run double for the last-place Mets, who have won three of five since the All-Star break against the Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, each of whom currently occupy a playoff spot. The Brewers, blanked for just the fourth time this season, had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Thornton (1-1) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two while extending his scoreless streak to 18 innings dating back to June 26. He has a 1.93 ERA in his first four major league starts. Brandon Sproat (3-5), who was dealt to the Brewers by the Mets in the Freddy Peralta trade in January, gave up two runs on four hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings.

Royals 3, Giants 2

Luinder Avila allowed two runs while setting career highs with seven strikeouts and 6 1/3 innings, while Vinnie Pasquantino and Nick Loftin each had two hits and an RBI as Kansas City won over visiting San Francisco.

Pressed into the Royals’ injury-ravaged rotation since early June, Avila (5-3) yielded five hits while helping secure a series win. Pasquantino and Loftin delivered RBI singles in the sixth to help Kansas City erase a 2-1 deficit.

Tyler Mahle (2-9) was charged with all three runs and allowed five hits while completing five-plus innings for the Giants, who have lost four straight. San Francisco managed only five hits and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Astros 5, Marlins 3

Tatsuya Imai allowed one run over six innings, Isaac Paredes clubbed a three-run homer and Houston sent reeling Miami to its eighth straight loss.

Imai (6-4) produced his fifth quality start of the season. He retired the side in order only once — in the second — but stranded four baserunners in scoring position across six innings. Astros closer Josh Hader notched his 11th save with a scoreless ninth, working around a leadoff double.

Joe Mack shaved the Marlins’ deficit to 5-3 with a two-run homer off AJ Blubaugh in the seventh, his ninth home run of the season and second of the series.

Rockies 8, Nationals 7

Hunter Goodman hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, lifting Colorado over Washington in Denver.

Goodman leads all catchers in homers with a career-high-tying 31. Jordan Romano pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his seventh save, making a winner of Juan Mejia (3-6), who tossed a clean eighth. Goodman finished with two hits, Mickey Moniak also went deep and singled, Cole Carrigg had three hits and Jake McCarthy added two hits for the Rockies.

CJ Abrams homered twice, James Wood had two doubles and two RBIs and Luis Garcia Jr. and Nasim Nunez also had two hits each for Washington.

Angels 5, Cardinals 1

Jo Adell hit a two-run home run to highlight a five-run first inning and rookie Walbert Urena allowed one run on six hits over six innings to lead Los Angeles to a victory over slumping St. Louis in Anaheim, Calif.

Jorge Soler had a two-run double, Jose Siri doubled and had two hits and Zach Neto and Adell also had two hits for Los Angeles, which won its third straight game. Urena (6-7) threw 28 pitches during a scoreless first inning, 16 of which registered 100 mph or better. Mitch Farris, Chase Silseth and Ryan Zeferjahn combined to allow one hit over three shutout innings.

Alec Burleson had three hits for St. Louis, which lost its fourth straight and fifth in six games. Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore (5-7) allowed five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Reds 4, Mariners 2

Chase Burns pitched five scoreless innings to win his 11th straight decision as Cincinnati defeated host Seattle.

Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suarez and Nathaniel Lowe homered for the Reds, who snapped Seattle’s three-game winning streak and knocked the Mariners out of first place in the American League West. Weston Wilson and Julio Rodriguez went deep for the hosts.

Burns (12-1), in his first full season, allowed three hits — singles by Josh Naylor and Victor Robles in the second and another single by Naylor in the fourth. The Mariners were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10. Luis Castillo (3-9) made a quality start, giving up three runs on four hits over seven innings.

–Field Level Media

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NYCFC focusing on Fire, not player's demand, fan reaction

Sep 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder a(7) brings the ball up the pitch against Charlotte FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesSep 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder a(7) brings the ball up the pitch against Charlotte FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Their leading goal scorer wants out of town and their goalkeeper is public enemy No. 1 after a costly gaffe during the World Cup played a key role in the United States losing to Belgium in the round of 16.

But New York City FC is still relying on Nicolas Fernandez Mercau and Matt Freese for big contributions Saturday night when the Chicago Fire invade Yankee Stadium.

Fernandez Mercau scored his 11th goal on a penalty kick Wednesday night during a 2-1 win at Columbus that got NYCFC (6-6-4, 22 points) to .500. It came one day after reports that the club rejected an $18 million offer for his services, leading to his demand that the team transfer him.

“You see a player that is performing for and with his team with a lot of energy,” head coach Pascal Jansen said of Fernandez Mercau. “That’s what he’s supposed to do.”

Freese, whose whiffed clearing attempt led to a third goal for Belgium in a 4-1 win on July 6, was booed on every touch Wednesday. Despite the jeers, he made three saves in the team’s first fixture after the World Cup break.

Meanwhile, Chicago (8-5-2, 26 points) sits third in the East table despite a 3-2 loss Wednesday night at Inter Miami. The result snapped the Fire’s three-match winning streak.

Chicago opted not to stand pat during the summer transfer window, adding Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona on a two-year deal. The 37-year-old Lewandowski, the captain of Poland’s national team, started at Miami and played 63 minutes.

“After just two days with my new team, I didn’t expect everything to work perfectly in my first game,” Lewandowski said.

Lewandowski’s signing led to the departure of star striker Hugo Cuypers. The Fire sold him to LIGA MX’s Monterrey for a reported $7.5 million after he scored 40 goals in 75 league matches over the past 2 1/2 seasons. Cuypers scored 13 goals in 11 matches this season, tying Dallas’ Petar Musa for the league lead.

NYCFC is 3-0-2 in its last five matches against Chicago.

–Field Level Media

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CF Montreal acquire Brayan Ceballos from Revs for up to $850K GAM

Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution forward Luca Langoni (41) congratulates defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after he scored his second goal during the first half against the FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesMar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution forward Luca Langoni (41) congratulates defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after he scored his second goal during the first half against the FC Cincinnati at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The New England Revolution traded defender Brayan Ceballos to CF Montreal on Friday in exchange for up to $850,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).

The payments were divided into $500,000 in 2026 GAM, $250,000 in 2027 GAM and up to $100,000 in conditional GAM. The Revs also retained a percentage of Ceballos’ sell-on rights should he be transferred again.

“Brayan is a reliable and versatile defender who can play effectively in a variety of systems, making him an important addition to our roster,” Luca Saputo, Montreal’s managing director for recruitment and sporting methodology, said in a statement. “His strengths will complement those already present in our defensive unit. We are confident that he will contribute to our collective objectives as well as the team’s development.”

Ceballos, 25, came to the Revolution from Brazil’s Fortaleza EC in January 2025. He had three goals in 38 career games (37 starts) for the Revs, with two of those goals coming in one game this season, March 15 against Cincinnati.

“We are grateful to Brayan for all his contributions during his time in New England. We wish him all the best in Montreal,” Revolution general manager Chris Tierney said in a statement. “As we look to continue improving the first team, generating this significant amount of allocation money will allow us to continue investing in the roster in the future.”

–Field Level Media

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UFC Abu Dhabi Best Bets: Top Picks for Ankalaev vs. Guskov Fight Night

Mar 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; UFC CEO Dana White talks to the press after the fight between Israel Adesanya (red gloves) and Joe Pyfer (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesMar 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; UFC CEO Dana White talks to the press after the fight between Israel Adesanya (red gloves) and Joe Pyfer (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

We’re one day away from the UFC returning to its Fight Island home on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for another weekend Fight Night. It’s the first of what is expected to be two occasions this year where the Octagon lands in Abu Dhabi, with the annual late October numbered card in Abu Dhabi expected.

The main event will see former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev taking on Bogdan Guskov.

This will be Ankalaev’s first fight since dropping the title to Alex Pereira last year at UFC 320. Before that, Ankalaev went on a 14-fight unbeaten streak, culminating with his UFC 313 title win over Pereira.

Guskov takes this fight on short notice, only being announced for this bout on July 13 after an injury to Khalil Rountree Jr. Guskov dropped his UFC debut but then won four straight. He most recently fought at UFC 323, battling former champion Jan Blachowicz to a majority draw.

The co-main event will see former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg battle Ramazan Temirov. After losing three straight, Erceg enters this bout with back-to-back wins, defeating Ode’ Osbourne last year and Tim Elliott this past May in Perth. Temirov, meanwhile, has won 11 straight, including his first two UFC bouts, finishing CJ Vergara and earning a decision over Charles Johnson.

The rest of the main card will see Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman, Damian Rzepecki vs. Magomed Zaynukov, Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune, and Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev.

ISLAM DULATOV VS WELLINGTON TURMAN

Unbeaten since dropping his pro debut, Islam Dulatov is a name the UFC has had its eye on. He’s 11-1, had a strong first-round finish on Dana White’s Contender Series, and quickly finished Adam Fugitt in his UFC debut last year. At 6’3” and with a 75-inch reach, Dulatov is a fairly big man for the welterweight division. Add in his high-volume striking and pressure, and his ability to finish by either KO/TKO or submission, and you can see the danger he presents.

Wellington Turman is an experienced veteran of the Octagon, and he’ll look to trouble Dulatov with his jiu-jitsu work. This will be Turman’s first fight since December 2023, however, and he enters this fight on a three-fight losing skid. Signs point to this being another Dulatov showcase.

BET: Dulatov to win via KO/TKO in Round 1 (FanDuel: -110)

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VALTER WALKER VS THOMAS PETERSEN

How Valter Walker is not on the main card of this event is downright criminal. He might be fighting an unranked fighter and the heavyweight division might be lackluster, but he’s probably this writer’s favorite thing about the division right now. The man gets submissions like crazy, and he’s developing into one of the most talented heavyweights in a UFC division that desperately needs talent.

Petersen has talent, but he’s been up and down since entering the UFC – and I prefer the competition Walker has faced. Point blank, a loss for Walker here would be devastating for not just Walker, but the division as a whole. The challenge for making a play here is that Petersen has a wrestling base and has never been submitted…and yet, the way Walker’s momentum has been, that might not matter.

BET: Walker via submission (DraftKings: +165)

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DUSTIN JACOBY VS MUHAMMAD SAID

Dustin Jacoby might not reach the upper echelon of the UFC light heavyweight rankings, but he’s tough competition for anyone who is put in front of him. The power in his strikes, which stem from his kickboxing days, translated well into the Octagon. Not only are his losses not bad, but he’s riding a three-fight KO/TKO streak entering this bout.

Said is going to have a hometown factor in this one, and he’s a strong striker and finisher in his own right. The question about him is the level of competition. Jacoby is the most experienced guy he’s going to have fought – in his first six fights, he fought fighters who had no more than four fights. He’s faced experienced fighters in his last three, but they didn’t have the greatest of records.

Some have felt this will be a difficult fight to predict, but I’ll trust in both fighters’ finishing abilities.

BET: Fight to end via KO/TKO/DQ (Caesars: -125)

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