Sports
MLB roundup: Down 7, A's rally to beat Angels on walk-off walk
Jun 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates with teammates after drawing a walk to win the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Jonah Heim drilled a pinch-hit, game-tying two-run homer in the ninth inning and Nick Kurtz drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th as the Athletics rallied from seven runs down to post a wild 12-11 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.
Heim’s homer came off Sam Bachman with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Jacob Wilson homered and drove in three runs and Lawrence Butler and Max Muncy also went deep for the Athletics.
Jose Siri and Logan O’Hoppe each slammed three-run homers as the Angels tied their season best with five blasts. Denzer Guzman added a two-run homer and Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel hit solo shots as the Angels lost for the fifth time in six games.
Butler started the 10th as the runner on second and Henry Bolte walked off Kirby Yates (0-3). Butler and Bolte then executed a double steal. One out later, Yates hit Zack Gelof in the helmet to load the bases. Samy Natera Jr. entered to face Kurtz and walked him on five pitches.
Cubs 16, Blue Jays 2
Carson Kelly belted his second career grand slam to highlight his six-RBI performance, fueling Chicago’s rout of visiting Toronto.
Kelly belted his grand slam to highlight a seven-run first inning for the Cubs. He had an opportunity for another grand slam in the sixth but drew a bases-loaded walk. Kelly also legged out an RBI infield single in the seventh. Pete Crow-Armstrong collected an RBI single among his three hits and reached base in all five of his plate appearances.
Chicago right-hander Ben Brown (4-2) allowed two runs on four hits in six innings to improve to 3-0 in his last four starts. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (4-5) lasted just two innings and surrendered seven runs on seven hits and four walks.
Royals 6, Cardinals 5
Seth Lugo returned from a scary injury and allowed an earned run over six innings, and Jac Caglianone homered with two RBIs as Kansas City held on for its third straight win, topping visiting St. Louis.
Isaac Collins drove home two with one of his two doubles for the Royals. Lugo (3-4) gave up five hits and just two runs (one earned) in his first start since taking a line drive to the forehead June 10 versus Texas. Kansas City secured its first winning home series over the Cardinals since 2020.
St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy (3-6) allowed five runs and eight hits over five innings. Blaze Jordan’s two-RBI single highlighted a three-run ninth for the Cardinals, but Alex Lange got Jose Fermin to ground into a game-ending fielder’s choice to earn his fifth save.
Rangers 9, Padres 7
Wyatt Langford went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs as Texas rallied from a five-run deficit to earn a victory over visiting San Diego in Arlington.
Alejandro Osuna and Jake Burger each drove in two runs, while Jacob deGrom (6-4) threw six innings of six-hit, six-run ball, while striking out nine. Jacob Latz earned a four-out save — his 13th in 15 tries for Texas, which had dropped five of its last six games.
Ty France hit two home runs and drove in five for San Diego, which has lost three of its last four. Randy Vasquez (6-5) lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits.
Dodgers 6, Orioles 5
Dalton Rushing delivered the game-tying RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and Ryan Ward raced home on a throwing error by right fielder Tyler O’Neill to win it as Los Angeles roared back to edge visiting Baltimore in the opener of a three-game series.
The Orioles scored five straight runs via back-to-back homers by Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso in the sixth and a tie-breaking two-RBI single by Jeremiah Jackson in the seventh before the Dodgers came back against Baltimore closer Ryan Helsley (0-3). The Orioles have lost five of six.
Freddie Freeman grounded out leading off the ninth against Helsley, who was making his second appearance after missing seven weeks with a right elbow injury. Mookie Betts followed with a homer to make it 5-4. Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki allowed three runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Red Sox 6, Mariners 2
Ranger Suarez allowed one hit over 6 2/3 scoreless innings as Boston defeated host Seattle.
Caleb Durbin went 3-for-4 with a double and homer for the Red Sox, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Suarez (3-3) took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, when Josh Naylor hit a one-out double.
Julio Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Mariners to thwart the shutout bid. Bryce Miller (3-1) permitted one run on three hits in five innings.
Braves 3, Brewers 2
Veteran Martin Perez outdueled Jacob Misiorowski to lead Atlanta to a win over visiting Milwaukee in the first game of a series matching division-leading clubs.
Perez (6-3) pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits. The Braves took a 2-1 lead in the sixth on Mauricio Dubon’s two-out single and got an insurance run on a Mike Yastrzemski home run. Raisel Iglesias allowed a run but converted his 33rd straight save opportunity, dating back to last season, thanks to Eli White’s outfield assist which threw out the would-be tying run.
Misiorowski (8-3), coming off a complete-game shutout win on June 12 against Philadelphia, pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits. It was the first time the right-hander has allowed more than one run in a game since April 25. Brice Turang had both RBIs for the Brewers.
Yankees 5, Reds 0
Cam Schlittler recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts in six dominating innings to help New York defeat visiting Cincinnati.
The Yankees won for the 16th time in their past 22 games and improved to 10-5 since losing Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib, thanks to Schlittler’s stellar performance. Winless in his previous three starts, Schlittler (8-3) allowed four hits and walked none. He threw 66 of 96 pitches for strikes.
Cincinnati lost for the 11th time in 16 games without Elly De La Cruz (strained right hamstring), who started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville Friday.
Tigers 4, White Sox 3
Kerry Carpenter had a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and host Detroit held on for a 4-3 win over Chicago. Matt Vierling hit a two-run homer and Dillon Dingler supplied three hits and scored two runs for the Tigers.
Detroit ace Tarik Skubal allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Skubal, who recorded eight strikeouts, was making his second start since undergoing a surgical procedure on his pitching elbow.
Junior Perez had the first two hits of his career, including a solo homer, for the White Sox. Randal Grichuk also homered.
Marlins 4, Giants 3
Rookie Owen Caissie went 3-for-3 with three RBIs as host Miami defeated San Francisco.
The Marlins are 12-4 this month, giving them MLB’s best record so far in June. Overall, Miami has reached .500 at 38-38. It was a bullpen day for the Marlins, who used eight pitchers. Their sixth pitcher, Cade Gibson (1-0), earned the win, retiring all five batters he faced.
Rafael Devers led the Giants’ offense with a homer, his 11th of the season. Giants starter Landen Roupp, who hasn’t won a game since April 26, pitched well but was left with a no-decision. The right-hander struck out seven in six innings, allowing just two runs. However, he is now 0-6 with three no-decisions over his past nine starts.
Rays 5, Nationals 2
Jonathan Aranda sliced a go-ahead, three-run homer off the left field foul pole, and Tampa Bay kicked off a season-long 10-game home stand with a comeback defeat of Washington.
Jonny Deluca returned to the lineup after a nearly month-long absence and hit a solo homer for the Rays, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Griffin Jax (2-5) threw five innings and allowed two runs on four hits including two solo homers. Closer Bryan Baker notched his 19th save with a perfect ninth.
Luis Garcia Jr. went 2-for-3 with a homer and CJ Abrams also went deep for the Nationals. Miles Mikolas (2-6) was the bulk reliever after projected starter Cade Cavalli was scratched earlier in the day due to illness. He surrendered five runs on nine hits.
Astros 9, Guardians 3
Jose Altuve slugged a game-altering three-run homer and Jeremy Pena delivered a multi-homer game as Houston topped visiting Cleveland.
The Astros improved to 16-10 since May 22 and moved within five games of .500 for the first time since April 17. Altuve and Pena went a combined 5-for-9 with seven RBIs. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai (4-3) matched his season high by working six innings, allowing three runs on six hits while recording a career-high 11 strikeouts.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (2-8) allowed an unearned run in the first inning and a solo homer to Pena in the third that enabled the Astros to close within 3-2. He was charged with four runs (three earned) on four hits in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Rockies 4, Pirates 3
Pinch hitter Braxton Fulford delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning and host Colorado survived to beat Pittsburgh in Denver. Kyle Freeland struck out eight to become the second Rockies pitcher to reach 1,000 for his career, joining German Marquez (1,069).
TJ Rumfield homered among his two hits and Ezequiel Tovar also had two hits for the Rockies, who recovered to win the opener of the three-game series. Colorado has alternated losses and victories for six games.
Jared Triolo had two hits and an RBI for Pittsburgh, which overcame Freeland’s longest start of the season. Freeland blanked the Pirates on two hits through seven innings and reached his strikeout milestone when he fanned Marcell Ozuna in the seventh.
Diamondbacks 9, Twins 5
Corbin Carroll had three hits — including his league-leading ninth triple — and drove in four as Arizona took the opener of its three-game set with Minnesota Twins in Phoenix.
Ketel Marte homered, Nolan Arenado had two hits and scored a run, and Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs for the Diamondbacks, who have won four of five. Arizona starter Michael Soroka lasted just one inning before posterior left hip discomfort ended his night early.
Victor Caratini, Josh Bell and Royce Lewis homered for the Twins, who were trying to win five in a row for the first time this season. Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-5) allowed six runs (three earned) and nine hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked three.
–Field Level Media
Sports
No Pulisic, no problem: USMNT beat Australia 2-0, win Group D
United States men’s national team players celebrate after beating Australia 2-0 at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. SEATTLE — Mauricio Pochettino’s plan to take the long view to the United States men’s national team’s run at the 2026 World Cup proved wise on Friday.
The U.S. coach kept star Christian Pulisic on the bench against Australia, and his side responded with a 2-0 win over the Socceroos at Seattle Stadium to secure a spot in the knockout round.
When Paraguay defeated Turkey 1-0 late Friday night, the U.S. sealed first place in Group D.
With Pulisic recovering from a calf injury sustained in the opening win over Paraguay, Pochettino opted to start Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi up front. The pair kept constant pressure on Australia, which struggled against the Americans’ speed despite playing five defenders.
It was Balogun who forced the issue with a run down the left wing in the 11th minute. His pass into the six-yard box was intended for Pepi but never reached its target. That’s because Swansea City defender Cameron Burgess got in between, only to have the ball deflect off him and past goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
“(Pochettino has) always given us different ideas to attack. So, to play with Pepi today wasn’t a shock,” said Balogun, who added that he did not know Pulisic’s status until before the match. “It wasn’t like a plan B before CP was out. It didn’t feel like that to me.
“It just felt like another solution to win the game.”
It was the second own goal the Americans have benefited from in as many matches and set the tone for the remainder of the day. The U.S. added a second goal when defender Alex Freeman headed a ball past Beach. Initially ruled offsides, the call was overturned by VAR.
The victory gave the Americans (2-0-0) six points in Group D. By topping the group, the U.S. will play their round-of-32 match in Santa Clara, Calif., on July 1.
Australia (1-1-0) remain in contention to advance with their final group game coming Thursday against Paraguay (1-1-0).
Despite Pulisic being seen at team training on Wednesday, Pochettino said after the game that it was “impossible” for him to play Friday. While saying earlier in the week that Pulisic would face Turkey if he wasn’t able to play against Australia, after the match he offered only that he hopes Pulisic can “help the team as soon as possible.”
For Balogun, Friday continued a torrid start to the World Cup, which began with two goals against Paraguay. He also helped force an own goal in that game, making the United States the first team in World Cup history to benefit from own goals in consecutive games.
Freeman’s third international goal came just minutes after he and Australian midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler were attended to following a head collision. The son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, who once scored a touchdown in the same stadium, Alex Freeman admitted he was anxious while waiting for the VAR.
“When it was a goal, I looked back and I saw all my teammates running at me,” Freeman said. “I was like, ‘Oh Lord, now they’re running.’ And then, I ended up running and celebrating with them, and I think it just made me very emotional in the moment.”
Both teams managed only a pair of shots on goal. The Aussies’ first came in the opening minute of play, when Mohamed Toure’s attempt was easily saved by goaltender Matt Freese. The Americans would dominate the remainder of the half.
Australian coach Tony Popovic attempted to switch the flow with a trio of substitutions coming out of halftime. That included removing Toure and playing Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe up top. While the Aussies did apply more pressure on Freese in the second half and created multiple frantic moments in front of the goal, they were unable to find the back of the net.
The U.S. finished with a clear edge in possession at 56%, according to FIFA, while Australia was credited with 33%, and the remainder was contested.
It was also a physical match, with U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams the target of multiple hard tackles in the first half.
“It was a physical game. I don’t think it was anything different than what we expected,” Adams said. “Fouled a couple times, fouled other people a couple times. It’s the nature of the game.
“I think you need to play into it a little bit and understand what the game requires, and that’s what it required today.”
The tone was set early for a match that saw 28 combined fouls and seven yellow cards.
“Very physical, a lot of challenges,” Balogun said. “I think the referee did his best to try and contain it, but this is a World Cup. So it’s expected for the passion to sometimes spill over. But I think we kept our cool, and it was a really professional performance from us.”
The U.S. have now won games in front of partisan crowds in Los Angeles and Seattle, and will return to L.A. to face Turkey. Friday’s game included a helicopter flyover and a vibrant crowd in the home of MLS’ Seattle Sounders, whose fans are known to stand for the entirety of matches.
“I’m just so happy they were able to come out and to be able to kind of have that atmosphere,” Freeman said. “And kind of sing those songs that calm and make us, you know, kind of accept the fact that we’re here and we have such an amazing thing to do. And now we have more stuff to do.”
And even though first place in Group D is now clinched, work remains to be done ahead of the knockout round.
“We kind of need to put a 24-hour rule on things,” Adams said. “Enjoy the moment. Enjoy your time with the families. Disconnect a little bit. And then when it’s time to work, we got to go back to work.
“Another important game against Turkey. And I feel like in my head, it’s like, ‘Do the job.’ Focus on the next one until you’re out of games to play, because then you did something right.”
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
Sports
Error with 2 out in ninth gives Dodgers walk-off win over Orioles
Jun 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland (76) scores against Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Dalton Rushing delivered the game-tying RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and Ryan Ward raced home on a throwing error by right fielder Tyler O’Neill to win it as the Los Angeles Dodgers roared back to edge the visiting Baltimore Orioles 6-5 in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.
The Orioles scored five straight runs via back-to-back homers by Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso in the sixth and a tie-breaking two-RBI single by Jeremiah Jackson in the seventh before the Dodgers came back against Baltimore closer Ryan Helsley (0-3).
Freddie Freeman grounded out leading off against Helsley, who was making his second appearance after missing seven weeks with a right elbow injury. Mookie Bets followed with a homer to make it 5-4. Max Muncy walked and Tommy Edman popped out before Ward worked a four-pitch walk.
Rushing fell behind 0-2 before singling to right on a 1-2 pitch. Alex Call, pinch running for Muncy, slid in with the tying run as O’Neill’s throw glanced off the glove of catcher Samuel Basillo and skipped towards the Dodgers dugout and well beyond Helsley. Ward never broke stride as he rounded third and scored the winning run standing up.
Blake Treinen (4-1) struck out two in a perfect ninth as the Dodgers earned their fourth straight win.
Muncy produced a two-run single in the first and Andy Pages laced an RBI double in the second to stake the Dodgers to a 3-0 lead.
The Orioles have lost five of six.
Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. He allowed just two baserunners in the first five innings before Jackson Holliday led off the sixth with a single and scored two outs later on Henderson’s homer. Alonso chased Sasaki with a blast to left.
Orioles starter Trey Gibson gave up three runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out eight over five innings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
10-man Paraguay eke out win over 1-0 Turkey, still alive in World Cup
June 19, 2026; Santa Clara, California, U.S.; Paraguay’s Matias Galarza celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Paraguay’s Matias Galarza scored the fastest goal in any World Cup match this year barely more than a minute in, leading Paraguay to a 1-0 win over Turkey on Friday night in Santa Clara, Calif.
The South American team overcame the loss of veteran Miguel Almiron to a red card just before halftime.
Paraguay (1-1-0, 3 points) kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages, after the U.S. defeated Australia 2-0 earlier Friday in Group D. The U.S. (2-0-0, 6 points) clinched first place in the group thanks to the Paraguay-Turkey result.
Australia (1-1-0, 3 points) will face Paraguay on Thursday in Santa Clara, with the Aussies needing only a draw to clinch second place. Turkey (0-2-0, 0 points) were eliminated ahead of their group finale against the U.S. on Thursday in Inglewood, Calif.
Galarza delivered his decisive strike from 25 yards out as three defenders converged on him.
Turkey had shots hit the crossbar and the goalpost, rattling the woodwork but not going in.
Turkey pressed for a tying goal early in the second half but came up short, though they played with a man advantage for the last 45-plus minutes.
Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth when talking to an opposing player, a gesture banned under a new FIFA rule.
Can Uzun shot just wide in the 82nd minute, one of several attempts for Turkey as they desperately tried to salvage a point to stay alive for possible advancement.
An 85th-minute cross filtered through the box in front of the goal, another late missed Turkey chance. Three more attempts in the closing minutes didn’t hit the target, and Turkey players crumpled to the ground at the final whistle in disbelief over their elimination from advancement in the World Cup.
Turkey had five shots on target and 31 shots overall, while Paraguay had just two and seven, respectively. Turkey also had 11 corner kicks to zero for Paraguay, but Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made five saves for the clean-sheet win.
–Field Level Media
No Pulisic, no problem: USMNT beat Australia 2-0, win Group D
NYT Pips hints, answers for June 20, 2026
