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Rays continue winning ways at home, hand Mariners 5th straight loss

Jul 11, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) slides for a fly ball during the first inning against Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn ImagesJul 11, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) slides for a fly ball during the first inning against Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

Jonathan Aranda recorded three hits and drove in the go-ahead run, and the Tampa Bay Rays claimed their final home series before the All-Star break in a 6-1 win over the struggling Seattle Mariners on Saturday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Aranda went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run, including his first two-bagger in the third that scored Yandy Diaz to break a 1-1 tie.

Pinch hitter Ryan Vilade stroked a three-run homer in the seventh that created separation.

On a career-best day, Ben Williamson went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run and a stolen base to help the Rays improve their majors-best home record to 35-14.

Starter Griffin Jax (5-6) turned in a strong outing over five innings, yielding one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Seattle’s Logan Gilbert (7-6) tossed 6 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and two walks as the club lost its fifth straight.

Cole Young’s double was one of Seattle’s six hits. He scored its only run.

After franchise great Evan Longoria was inducted into the Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony, Jax kept the home enthusiasm up by extricating himself from a bases-loaded, one-out mess in the first with a pair of strikeouts.

Two batters after Young’s leadoff double in the second, Colt Emerson produced a sacrifice fly, but Williamson tied it for the Rays on an RBI double that scored Chandler Simpson in the home half.

Tampa Bay went up in the third on consecutive doubles by Diaz and Aranda to open the inning, but Gilbert recorded three straight outs to escape the jam. He did so again in the fourth when the Rays put a runner on third with one out.

In the seventh, Mariners manager Dan Wilson appeared to come out to remove Gilbert with two outs, but the pitcher made his case to stay in and did. Aranda then ripped a double.

Following an intentional walk to Junior Caminero, Vilade greeted left-handed reliever Gabe Speier with a three-run blast to left on the first pitch, making it 5-1.

Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger fanned pinch hitter Mitch Garver looking with two runners on in the eighth to maintain the four-run lead.

The home side added an unearned run in the eighth on reliever Michael Rucker’s throwing error.

–Field Level Media

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Victor Caratini helps Twins defeat Angels

Jul 11, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Royce Lewis (23) heads to third base after hitting a home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Ryan Johnson (32) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesJul 11, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Royce Lewis (23) heads to third base after hitting a home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Ryan Johnson (32) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Victor Caratini’s double down the left field line scored Royce Lewis for the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Minnesota Twins notched a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Lewis had earlier in the game hit a two-run home run and the Twins held a three-run lead before the Angels rallied to tie. But Minnesota scored two runs in the seventh, starting with a Lewis double, Caratini’s double and Alan Roden’s run-scoring base hit, to take a two-run lead and hold on.

Both of those runs were charged to Angels reliever Mitch Farris (0-1).

The Angels threatened in the top of the ninth against Twins closer Yoendrys Gomez. Mike Trout singled and Nolan Schanuel walked with one out, but Gomez got Jorge Soler to pop out and struck out Vaughn Grissom on a foul tip to end the game.

Gomez picked up his 11th save of the season.

Twins reliever Tommy Nance (2-2) allowed his first run with the team after arriving Friday in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Nance got two outs in the top of the seventh with a runner on base, then Schanuel singled to drive in Zach Neto for a 3-3 tie.

In the top of the third, Soler’s double to left field drove in two runs to cut the Twins’ lead to 3-2. But Minnesota starter Joe Ryan was able to get the next two outs and strand Soler.

Ryan allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work.

Lewis’ two-run home run got the Twins off to an early lead. He drove a pitch from Angels starter Ryan Johnson an estimated 419 feet to the left field upper deck in the top of the second inning.

The home run was the 10th of the season for Lewis.

Johnson gave up three runs and three hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out one.

The game was delayed about 30 minutes for a Twins Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the field at Target Field.

–Field Level Media

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Veteran Grant Enfinger wins wild NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at historic Lime Rock Park

Feb 12, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger (9) during practice for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesFeb 12, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger (9) during practice for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Popular veteran Grant Enfinger took the lead on a late race restart and held off a hard-charging Landen Lewis to make his first visit to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victory Lane in more than a season — earning his first career road course win Saturday afternoon in the LiUNA 150 at Connecticut’s historic Lime Rock Park.

Enfinger, who lined up alongside Gio Ruggiero for a restart with three laps remaining, got the jump at the green flag and then held off Lewis — who was racing for his first career series win. It was a fittingly exhilarating way to close out the race which included an 18-minute red flag and thrilling door-to-door competition particularly in the closing laps.

Enfinger’s No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the line only a slight .483-second ahead of the Niece Motorsports driver Lewis.

“I feel like we had some things play into our hand,” Enfinger said, noting of the day’s strongest cars, “I don’t think we had anything for the 11 (Honeycutt) or the 34 (Scott Riggs) straight up.”

Of the final restart, Enfinger said he was enthused to get the edge out front on then-leader Gio Ruggiero at the drop of the green. He had considered taking the preferable position outside but opted to start alongside Guggiero on the front row and honorably vie for the lead that way. This marks his 13th career win.

“I wanted to beat him straight up on the outside,” Enfinger added. “A lot went into that decision but I didn’t want to go in there and purposefully take him out of the way for the win. I feel like we beat him on the launch. And I think we had a better car.

“Just an amazing job with this Chevrolet. … I think this is only my second top 10 at a road course. We have had road course trucks this year, but I think today we were a solid top five truck and the seas parted and the good Lord blessed us today and we were able to come home for a win.”

Championship contender Kaden Honeycutt claimed third place after an absolutely amazing drive back up through the field. The TRICON Garage Toyota driver had dropped to 24th position with 28 laps to go after being involved in a multi-car accident late in the race.

Popular driver and television analyst Parker Kligerman — a part-owner of Lime Rock Park — finished fourth in the Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet. Christian Eckes was fifth in the No. 91 McAnally Hilgemann Chevrolet.

Honeycutt’s finish to the day came after he won Stage 2 and kept polesitter, and the series championship points leader Riggs honest for the majority of the race. Riggs led the first 34 laps with one or the other leading through the opening 62 laps of the 100-lap event. Riggs won Stage 1 and Honeycutt won Stage 2.

And then the chaos set in. Four caution flags — and the red flag — came out in the closing 40 laps.

Varying pit strategies shook up the front of the field, relegating Riggs and Honeycutt to play catch-up following the Stage 2 break at Lap 60. The two who have dominated the championship standings for the last two months collided while trying to race through the field.

The damage to Riggs’ No. 34 Front Row Chevrolet proved to be too much for him to contend up front. His 48 laps out front was the most on the afternoon, but he ended up 23rd, the first driver a lap down.

He retained the championship lead, however, and is now 44 points up on Honeycutt with four races remaining to settle the regular season championship. They officially clinched a spot in the Chase today.

Enfinger’s victory was crucial in that it moved him inside the championship top 10 that will ultimately advance to the Chase. He’s now ninth in points, 25 points up on 10th place Tyler Ankrum. Stewart Friesen and Jake Garcia are tied, 17 points behind Ankrum.

Daniel Hemric, Andres Perez De Lara, Tanner Grey, Friesen and Colin Braun — an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series full-timer — rounded out the top 10 Saturday.

Thomas Annunziata, who ran up front all day after winning the ARCA Menards Series race at Lime Rock on Friday, ended up sidelined in the most dramatic incident of the day. He pulled off track with his No. 1 truck in flames while running second with 22 laps to go. Annunziata climbed out his No. 1 truck quickly and bent over to catch his breath next to a track wall. He was transported to a local area medical facility for further evaluation. He finished 29th.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to competition next week with Saturday’s Faith Fest 250 (12:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith is the defending race winner.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race — LiUNA 150 at Lime Rock Park

Lime Rock Park

Lakeville, Connecticut

Saturday, July 11, 2026

1. (12) Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, 100.

2. (6) Landen Lewis, Chevrolet, 100.

3. (3) Kaden Honeycutt, Toyota, 100.

4. (16) Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, 100.

5. (13) Christian Eckes, Chevrolet, 100.

6. (8) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 100.

7. (14) Andres Perez De Lara, Chevrolet, 100.

8. (20) Tanner Gray, Toyota, 100.

9. (18) Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 100.

10. (33) Colin Braun, RAM, 100.

11. (22) Cole Butcher #, Ford, 100.

12. (29) Brenden Queen #, RAM, 100.

13. (30) Jackson Lee, Ford, 100.

14. (23) Justin Haley, RAM, 100.

15. (21) Dawson Sutton, Chevrolet, 100.

16. (24) Wesley Slimp, Toyota, 100.

17. (19) Kris Wright, Chevrolet, 100.

18. (2) Connor Mosack, Chevrolet, 100.

19. (27) Graham Doyle, Toyota, 100.

20. (7) Giovanni Ruggiero, Toyota, 100.

21. (26) Louis Foster, Chevrolet, 100.

22. (10) Jake Garcia, Ford, 100.

23. (1) Layne Riggs, Ford, 99.

24. (28) Mini Tyrrell #, RAM, 99.

25. (11) Tyler Ankrum, Chevrolet, 98.

26. (31) Frankie Muniz, Ford, 98.

27. (32) Josh Reaume, Ford, 98.

28. (25) Corey LaJoie, RAM, Engine, 90.

29. (4) Thomas Annunziata, Toyota, Engine, 79.

30. (9) Chandler Smith, Ford, Driveshaft, 56.

31. (17) Ben Rhodes, Ford, Accident, 50.

32. (5) Ty Majeski, Ford, Accident, 44.

33. (15) Ben Maier, Chevrolet, Electrical, 33.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 57.929 mph.

Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 33 Mins, 5 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.483 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 7 for 39 laps.

Lead Changes: 9 among 6 drivers.

Lap Leaders: L. Riggs 1-34;K. Honeycutt 35;L. Riggs 36-49;K. Honeycutt 50-62;C. Butcher # 63-73;S. Friesen 74;G. Ruggiero 75-85;G. Enfinger 86;G. Ruggiero 87-96;G. Enfinger 97-100.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Layne Riggs 2 times for 48 laps; Giovanni Ruggiero 2 times for 21 laps; Kaden Honeycutt 2 times for 14 laps; Cole Butcher # 1 time for 11 laps; Grant Enfinger 2 times for 5 laps; Stewart Friesen 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 34,11,45,7,1,88,17,19,9,44

Stage #2 Top Ten: 11,34,9,19,44,18,77,98,15,13

–By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service. Special to Field Level Media

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Seven Fire score in double-digits in win over Dream

Jul 11, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Portland Fire guard Carla Leite (0) is defended by Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesJul 11, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Portland Fire guard Carla Leite (0) is defended by Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Carla Leite and Emily Engster had double-doubles, five teammates scored in double figures and the visiting Portland Fire defeated the Atlanta Dream 102-92 on Saturday.

Engstler finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, Leite had 13 points and 10 assists, Megan Gustafson scored 17 points, Serah Williams scored 15, Bridget Carleton had 12, Frieda Buhner added 11 and Teja Oblak 10 for the Fire (10-13), who had their highest point total in a regulation game this season.

Allisha Gray scored 20 points, Madina Okot had 19, Naz Hillmon had 15, Sika Kone scored 11, Jordin Canada added 10 points and 12 assists and Rhyne Howard scored 10 for the Dream (13-10), who played without third-leading scorer and leading rebounder Angel Reese.

Leite made two free throws to start the second-half scoring and give the Fire their biggest lead to that point, 53-44. Howard made consecutive 3-pointers and assisted on Hillmon’s three-point play as the Fever took a 60-59 lead.

The lead changed hands seven more times before Williams made consecutive layups and Nyadiew Puoch added a 3-pointer to help Portland open a 78-72 lead. Atlanta crept within four points before Gustafson converted a three-point play and Engstler added two free throws to help the Fire take an 83-75 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Dream got within six points twice early in the fourth quarter, but Leite’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 88-79 and the margin was never fewer than six points after that.

The score was tied three times and the lead changed hands three times before Canada’s layup completed an 8-0 run that gave Atlanta a 14-8 lead. Williams converted a three-point play and Buhner and Carleton each made a 3-pointer to help Portland pull within one point.

Okot made a layup for the Dream’s only field goal during the final 3:22, and the Fire scored the final five points to take a 25-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Carleton made a 3-pointer to start the second-quarter scoring before Gray’s 3-pointer and Canada’s layup gave Atlanta a 31-30 lead. The score was tied three times before Carleton made two more 3-pointers and Gustafson added one to help Portland grab a 48-40 lead.

The Dream scored the next four points, but Leite made three free throws with 0.6 seconds left to give the Fire a 51-44 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

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