Sports
Orioles take on visiting Phillies, aiming for third straight victory
Jul 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) hits a two RBI triple during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images The Baltimore Orioles have found enough ways to stay in the chase for an American League wild card. The recent formula has come in the form of comebacks this week.
“I feel like we showed that we can come back all year,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Like we’ve had some chances and shots that we’ve scratched and clawed to come back.”
The Orioles will look to get it done again Saturday night regardless of how the script plays out when they meet the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in the middle game of a three-game series.
Baltimore is looking for its second three-game winning streak since the All-Star break.
“There are obviously a couple games where we kind of shot ourselves in the foot,” shortstop Gunnar Henderson said. “But overall, I feel like we played better baseball and there’s still, obviously, a lot more room for improvement, but I felt like we started to get back to where we are and trending in the right direction.”
The Phillies have lost eight of their last nine games after falling 6-4 in Friday night’s meeting. They were undone by the Orioles’ four-run seventh inning.
“It feels different to me,” Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. “I think early (in the season) when it’s snowballing, it’s a lot easier to go ‘we’re going to be fine,’ I think now it will be a little bit more sense of urgency where we’re at.”
Shortstop Trea Turner had half of Philadelphia’s six hits, including a home run, in the series opener.
Henderson had only one RBI for Baltimore across a nine-game stretch prior to his go-ahead, two-run triple in Friday’s seventh inning.
“It was big for Gunnar, big for us,” Albernaz said. “But big for Gunnar just because, I mean, the standards are high for Gunnar in his eyes and to come through like that for us was huge.”
The Phillies look to starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (13-4, 2.73 ERA), a left-hander, to launch a turnaround of the team’s fortunes. He’ll be looking for a victory in his fourth consecutive start.
Sanchez was a bit erratic during Sunday night’s six-inning effort in defeating the visiting New York Yankees, giving up three runs and handing out three walks – the most he had issued in a game since April.
Five of Sanchez’s victories this year have come against American League teams. He has faced Baltimore only once, going without a decision while giving up two runs in seven innings in a July 2023 meeting.
The Orioles send right-hander Shane Baz (4-9, 3.98 ERA) to the mound searching for his first victory since June 12. He hasn’t reached the five-inning mark in two of his last three starts.
Baz’s control has improved because in July he issued five walks and struck out 20 batters in 21 innings. In his career, he has made two starts vs. the Phillies, going 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA across 8 2/3 innings.
Baz could be throwing to a Baltimore newcomer after the Orioles acquired catcher Jake Rogers from the Detroit Tigers. He made his debut with the Orioles as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning Friday.
“The intangibles jump off, like great teammate, everything we’ve heard about him,” Albernaz said. “So he’ll fit in nicely with us.”
-Field Level Media
Sports
Falcons, G Matthew Bergeron agree to 4-year extension
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (65) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Atlanta Falcons and left guard Matthew Bergeron have agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2030 season.
The team announced the deal on Saturday but didn’t provide any financial terms. ESPN and NFL Network said the contract is worth $96 million, with $60 million fully guaranteed.
“Matthew is the type of player you build around,” Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said. “He’s establishing himself as one of the top young guards in the NFL, and his toughness, consistency and leadership have made him a cornerstone of our offensive line and the culture we’re building in Atlanta.
“Extending players like Matthew reflects our commitment to investing in the trenches and building a strong foundation for the future.”
Bergeron, 26, is a native of Montreal who played in college at Syracuse. The Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and Bergeron has played in 49 of 51 possible games — all starts.
With Bergeron teaming with left tackle Jake Matthews, the Falcons led the league in 2025 with 61 first downs from that side of the line. Matthews enters his 13th season as a starting offensive lineman for the team.
Bergeron told AtlantaFalcons.com that staying in Atlanta with the new contract “means the world” to him.
“I’m from Canada, and the second I got to Atlanta everybody welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “Atlanta is a special place for me and my family. And now, I have the resources to give back to a community that has given me so much and changed my life.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss season
Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) stiff arms Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall requires right knee surgery and will miss the 2026 season.
General manager John Lynch confirmed on Saturday that Pearsall needs a procedure to repair a torn PCL.
Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick, experienced pain and swelling in his knee earlier this week at training camp. He initially sustained the injury in Week 4 last season and wound up appearing in only nine games.
Through his first two seasons, Pearsall has recorded 67 catches for 928 yards and three scores in 20 contests.
The 49ers placed Pearsall, 25, on injured reserve Saturday and also confirmed the signing of wideout Deebo Samuel. Terms were not disclosed but reports earlier in the week said Samuel returns on a one-year deal for $7 million. Samuel will replace Pearsall of the 49ers’ roster.
Samuel, 30, caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five TDs in 16 games last season with the Washington Commanders.
Samuel played for San Francisco from 2019-24, posting 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 TDs in 81 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Steelers signing veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, multiple outlets reported on Saturday.
Jenkins, 32, recorded 45 tackles and one interception in 17 games (three starts) last season with Cleveland.
He has 562 tackles, 11 interceptions and four forced fumbles in 139 games (92 starts) with the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-20), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-23), Seattle Seahawks (2024) and Browns.
Jenkins, a fourth-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2017, has scored two defensive touchdowns: a pick-six in 2022 and a 102-yard fumble return in 2024.
Jenkins provides depth in the secondary behind starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, along with fellow veteran newcomer Darnell Savage.
–Field Level Media
Falcons, G Matthew Bergeron agree to 4-year extension
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss season
