Sports
MLB roundup: Pirates walk off Yankees after blowing lead
Apr 6, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catchers Endy Rodriguez and Joey Bart (14) congratulate left fielder Tommy Pham (28) after Pham hit a game winning RBI single to defeat the New York Yankees in the eleventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images After watching their three-run lead evaporate in the top of the ninth inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates salvaged a walk-off win in the 11th as Tommy Pham delivered a run-scoring single to give the hosts a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday.
In the top of the ninth and trailing 4-1, New York plated three two-out runs, including one on an Oswald Peraza double and two on a Trent Grisham single. In the 11th inning, however, automatic runner Jack Suwinski stole third with one out to set up Pham’s game-winner.
Bryan Reynolds doubled and drove in two runs for Pittsburgh, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa added a double and an RBI.
Grisham finished with two hits for the Yankees but missed a chance to put New York on top with runners on second and third with two outs in the top of the 11th, flying out to left field instead. Jazz Chisolm Jr. had a double and drove in a run for the Yanks.
Phillies 8, Dodgers 7
Nick Castellanos belted a grand slam that helped Philadephia record its second home win over Los Angeles in three games.
The veteran right fielder blasted his eighth career grand slam in the third inning, capping a six-run frame for the Phillies that turned a two-run deficit into a 6-2 lead. Bryce Harper had two hits, including a double, and an RBI for Philly, while Edmundo Sosa added two hits and drove in a run.
Teoscar Hernandez went 3-for-3 with two homers and five RBIs to pace the Dodgers, who have lost two of three since winning eight straight to open the season. Mookie Betts and Will Smith both doubled and singled with an RBI.
Tigers 4, White Sox 3
Spencer Torkelson’s two-run double in the ninth completed a three-run rally as host Detroit topped Chicago.
Javier Baez had three hits and drove in a run for the Tigers, who swept the three-game weekend series. Detroit’s Jackson Jobe gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits while striking out four in five innings.
Martin Perez gave up one run and four hits while striking out four in 6 1/3 innings for the White Sox, who have lost five straight. Andrew Benintendi departed in the fifth inning due to left adductor tightness.
Nationals 5, Diamondbacks 4
Paul DeJong doubled twice and drove in a run, Alex Call had two hits and an RBI and Washington held off a comeback attempt by visiting Arizona to pick up its second straight win.
Dylan Crews also had two hits for the Nationals, while Nathaniel Lowe doubled and drove in a run. The early offensive output was enough for Trevor Williams, who struck out six and allowed three runs in five innings, to earn his first win of the season.
Corbin Carroll paced the Diamondbacks with three hits, including a double and triple. Pavin Smith added two hits and an RBI and Jose Herrera had a home run as part of a two-hit day.
Mets 2, Blue Jays 1
David Peterson held Toronto to just one run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings and four relievers limited the Blue Jays to just one hit after that as New York completed a three-game home sweep.
Pete Alonso drove in a run as part of his two-hit day and Brandon Nimmo added an RBI single for the Mets, who won their fourth straight. Juan Soto added a double for New York.
Alejandro Kirk had two hits for Toronto, while Andres Gimenez drove in the lone run after the Jays fell behind 2-0. The Mets recorded the franchise’s first series sweep of Toronto since July 2001.
Brewers 8, Reds 2
Jackson Chourio had two home runs and drove in a career-high-tying five runs as Milwaukee raced away with a home win over Cincinnati.
Chad Patrick picked up his first win in just his second MLB start after limiting the Reds to just one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Brice Turang singled and doubled for the Brewers while both Christian Yelich and Oliver Dunn had a single and an RBI.
Spencer Steer smacked his first home run of the season for Cincinnati, Jake Fraley doubled and TJ Friedl drove in a run.
Padres 8, Cubs 7
Jackson Merrill homered in the fourth that started a rally for San Diego, which scored five unanswered to avoid a road sweep in Chicago.
Luis Arraez went 4-for-5 with an RBI for the Padres, Merrill finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets all added two hits and an RBI.
Kyle Tucker belted a two-run homer in the second inning — his second hit and second and third RBIs — to put the Cubs up 7-3 before San Diego rallied. Nico Hoerner went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Rockies 12, Athletics 5
Despite giving up two first-run innings, Chase Dollander held on for his first major-league win after striking out six Athletics in five innings in Denver, Colo.
The Rockies evened the score 2-2 in the first and added three runs in the second as well as one each in the third and fourth innings to provide insurance. Colorado then plated five in the eighth to secure the win.
Ezequiel Tovar went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs for the Rockies, Brenton Doyle was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, including a home run, and Kris Bryant added two hits and drove in a run. Both Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom homered as part of two-hit days for the Athletics.
Giants 5, Mariners 4
Wilmer Flores delivered a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning to give host San Francisco the win over Seattle and earn the team’s seventh straight victory.
After falling behind by two when the Giants posted a four-run fourth inning, the Mariners battled back with a Ryan Bliss RBI in the sixth and a Randy Arozarena run-scoring double in the ninth.
Jung Hoo Lee doubled and singled for San Francisco and Mike Yastrzemski blasted a three-run homer. Cal Raleigh was 3-for-4 for Seattle, including a solo home run, and Victor Robles had two hits before exiting with a left arm injury in the ninth inning.
Royals 4, Orioles 1
Kris Bubic allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings to help host Kansas City win against Baltimore in the rubber match of their three-game series.
Bubic surrendered five hits, struck out eight and walked one. Bobby Witt Jr. singled, doubled and tripled. Salvador Perez, Mark Canha and Maikel Garcia each had two hits and a run scored, while Michael Massey drove in two runs for the Royals.
Baltimore starter Cade Povich allowed four runs and 13 hits over six innings. The left-hander struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.
Astros 9, Twins 7
Jose Altuve delivered a go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning as visiting Houston rallied for a win over Minnesota.
Yordan Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs for the Astros, who stormed back from a 7-1 deficit and scored the final eight runs of the game. Isaac Paredes went 4-for-6 with a pair of RBIs.
Twins right-hander Louis Varland took the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) in one inning of relief. He was one of seven relief pitchers to follow starter Chris Paddack, who allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits in four innings.
Rangers 4, Rays 3
Jonah Heim hit a walk-off single to center to score Josh Smith as Texas completed a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay in Arlington, Texas.
Corey Seager hit his first home run of the year for the Rangers, who have won eight of 10 to start the year. Edwin Uceta sat down the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth before Smith hit a double to left. Two pitches later, Heim followed with his game-winner.
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen went five innings, allowing a run on three hits and fanning four batters. Kameron Misner added an RBI single early on for the Rays, who have dropped four in a row.
Angels 6, Guardians 2
Logan O’Hoppe made franchise history by homering in his fourth straight game and Jorge Soler hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the sixth inning to lead Los Angeles to a win over Cleveland in Anaheim, Calif.
With a second-inning solo shot, O’Hoppe, who also singled, became the first Angels catcher to homer in four consecutive contests. He’s batting .345 with five home runs and nine RBIs in seven games for Los Angeles, which has won two straight to win its third consecutive series to open 2025.
Kyle Manzardo homered for one of Cleveland’s three hits. Ortiz allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings for the Guardians, who went 3-6 while opening the season on the road.
Red Sox 5, Cardinals 4 (Game 1)
Wilyer Abreu hit a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning to lift Boston to a come-from-behind win over visiting St. Louis in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader.
The Red Sox forced extras after drawing four walks, including one to Rafael Devers with the bases loaded to drive in the game-tying run against Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley in the ninth. Romy Gonzalez, who went 2-for-2 off the bench, also had an RBI double during the inning.
For the Cardinals, Pedro Pages had two doubles and three RBIs. Ryan Fernandez (0-1) took the loss.
Red Sox 18, Cardinals 7 (Game 2)
Alex Bregman went 4-for-5 with a homer and six RBIs as Boston routed visiting St. Louis to complete a three-game sweep.
Rafael Devers went 4-for-4 with four runs and three RBIs for the Red Sox. Boston starter Hunter Dobbins held the Cardinals to two runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings to win his major league debut.
St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits and a walk in 2 2/3 innings. Thomas Saggese had a homer and four RBIs.
-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
