Sports
Red Sox, Rays ready for twin bill, hoping break did not slow their rolls
Jul 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Anthony Seigler (48) hits a run scoring sacrifice fly in the tenth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays certainly hope their players had a restful MLB All-Star break.
It will be a busy return to play for the American League East rivals on Friday as they begin a four-game, three-day series with a day-night doubleheader in Boston.
The Red Sox return to play with a nine-game winning streak that has brought them only a half-game outside the playoff picture.
Since a July 1 loss to the Washington Nationals, the Red Sox rolled to three straight road sweeps against the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and New York Mets before the break. Incredibly, interim manager Chad Tracy’s club allowed more than two runs in only one of those nine games, including a pair of shutouts.
“When you’re winning, everything is good,” All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman said.
The Red Sox got timely hitting in Sunday’s final game in New York, winning when trailing after eight innings for the first time this season. Boston scored twice in the ninth to tie the game at 2-2 and Anthony Seigler delivered the game-winning RBI in the 10th inning.
Brayan Bello, who was recalled from Triple-A Worcester to join the bullpen, threw 4 1/3 crucial innings while piggybacking starter Payton Tolle to set the stage for the late-game combination of Chapman and Garrett Whitlock.
It was a good stretch, but important games are ahead. It all starts with the division-leading Rays, who have won four straight and five of the first six head-to-head meetings between the teams this season.
Heading into the break, Tracy’s message was simple.
“Let’s make sure we’re ready to go coming out of the break,” he said. “Do what needs to be done over the break to physically and mentally not let it slip too far from your mind. Make sure we’re ready.”
Tampa Bay went 13-5 in an 18-game span before the All-Star break, splitting a four-game set against the New York Yankees before taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners. Despite the latter series ending with an 8-2 loss, the Rays still boast the best record in the AL by three games.
Manager Kevin Cash had a scare during Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Star third baseman Junior Caminero was hit on the finger by a 97-mph pitch in the third inning, but appears to have avoided a major injury as the unofficial second half of the season begins.
“In the moment, I was just scared, right?” Caminero said through an interpreter. “Kind of in that situation, right there in the moment, you’re thinking the worst, and I honestly thought something might have been broken. But look, thank you to God that everything’s fine, and now it’s just a little bit sore, but we’re all good.”
Rumors have swirled that the Rays plan to be aggressive at the trade deadline in a few weeks, with Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal being among the targets.
“Know that (Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander) will do everything he can to improve our club, like he always does,” Cash said. “Definitely appreciative of the guys that are here right now and feel like we’ve got a very strong group with us right now.”
The Rays have righty Griffin Jax (5-6, 3.47 ERA) taking the ball against Red Sox southpaw Jake Bennett (4-3, 2.64) in Friday’s opening game. Neither team has announced a pitcher for the nightcap.
Jax has won four of his last five starts, with the lone loss coming in a July 6 outing against the Yankees in which he struck out 10 over five innings. He pitched five innings of one-run ball to beat the Mariners in his last start on Saturday.
Jax will look to turn around his career fortunes against the Red Sox, having posted a 0-1 record and 6.75 ERA in 15 career appearances. Only two of them have been starts, including a four-inning no-decision (two earned runs on four hits) on May 7 this season at Fenway Park.
The 25-year-old Bennett has won three straight starts, working at least seven innings in back-to-back victories over the Angels and White Sox. He held the Chicago to four hits over seven scoreless frames on July 8.
Bennett has lost two starts against the Rays this season, however, going 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union reacquire star D Kai Wagner
Oct 4, 2025; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) lifts the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield after the game against New York City FC at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Three-time MLS All-Star defender Kai Wagner returned to the Philadelphia Union on Friday, being acquired via transfer from Birmingham City FC.
Philadelphia also sent $100,000 in General Allocation Money to Sporting Kansas City to swap spots in the waiver order, landing the No. 1 position to claim Wagner in exchange for the No. 22 spot.
Wagner spent seven seasons with Philadelphia (2019-25) prior to the seven-month stint with Birmingham FC. He had three assists in 18 matches across all competitions for Birmingham.
“Coming back to Philadelphia feels incredibly meaningful for me and my family. Over the years, this city has become our home, and returning was a decision that came from the heart,” Wagner said in a news release. “My time away gave me the opportunity to experience a new challenge, but it also reinforced how much this club, this city, and our supporters mean to me.
“There’s something special about representing the Union and playing in front of our fans. I believe in what this club stands for, its culture, ambition, and commitment to competing at the highest level. I’m excited to be back, and grateful for the opportunity to help write the next chapter.”
Wagner is a two-time MLS Best XI pick and helped Philadelphia win two Supporters’ Shield awards for best regular-season record (2020, 2025). He was also a stalwart on the 2022 squad which lost to Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup Final.
Wagner holds the franchise record of 63 assists. He has eight goals in 204 regular-season matches.
In 2025, he had two goals and 11 assists in 32 matches and anchored a defense that gave up an MLS-low 35 goals and registered 14 clean sheets.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kai back to Philadelphia. He’s been an integral part of this club’s success and has consistently established himself as one of the top left backs in Major League Soccer,” Philadelphia sporting director Jon Scheer said. “Kai understands what this club represents, what our supporters expect, and the standards we hold ourselves to every day. We’re confident he’ll make an immediate impact this season as we pursue our goals and be an important part of our club’s future.”
The Union (1-10-4, 7 points) are struggling with the fewest points in the league. They resume play after the nearly two-month international break for the World Cup on Wednesday when they host the New York Red Bulls.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jon Rahm warned after tossing club at Royal Birkdale
May 9, 2026; Sterling, Virginia, USA; Jon Rahm lines up a putt during the third round of LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John (Jack) Power-Imagn Images Jon Rahm received an official code of conduct warning after tossing his club on the 15th hole at the Open Championship on Friday, the R&A confirmed.
Rahm hit his tee shot with an iron and immediately could see the ball was going off to the left. The Spaniard then threw the club into the ground and it took a big bounce before landing.
Rahm was reportedly informed of the warning by tournament officials as he approached the 17th hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
A second offense this weekend could result in a two-stroke penalty.
Rahm shot 3-under 67 on Friday and is 4 under for the tournament. He was part of a large tie for eighth place when he completed a round that consisted of six birdies and three bogeys.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stampeders aim to improve defense in rematch against Alouettes
Nov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot (6) runs with the football during warm up before the start of the Eastern Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images It’s a simple proposition for the Calgary Stampeders. Improve defensively or languish around .500 this year.
Heading into a rematch Saturday against the visiting Montreal Alouettes, Calgary (2-3) is permitting 35.2 points and 433.8 yards per game. Even with points and yardage up across the league, those figures aren’t good enough.
“When you let them score that many points, it proves a bigger challenge,” said defensive end Folarin Orimolade. “We’re giving up a few more explosive plays and we’re giving up a few more touchdowns.”
Some of those happened last week in Montreal, where the Als outscored the Stamps 37-30. Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander has thrown for 1,779 yards, second only to Toronto’s Chad Kelly, and receiver Tyson Philpot already has 719 yards — 240 more than anyone else.
Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said playing the same opponent in consecutive weeks makes preparation easier.
“You kind of start trying to predict,” he said. “It’s like, ‘OK, if they did this, what is the counterpunch to that?’ But sometimes, it’s actually counterproductive to do that.”
While the Stamps aim for a split, the Als (4-1) try to keep rolling behind their pitch-catch combination. Philpot riddled Calgary for nine catches, 132 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth straight 100-yard game.
If Philpot can continue at this pace for 18 games, he would finish with 2,588 yards, obliterating the CFL record of 2,036 set by Calgary’s Allen Pitts in 1994. Philpot also has 45 receptions, putting him on pace to break the 28-year-old mark of 160 that Derrell Mitchell achieved for Toronto in 1998.
“When I hear my number called, all I think about is making a play for these guys,” Philpot said. “As long as I keep doing that, I’ll continue having my number called. It’s in my DNA. I’ve done this since I was a young kid. In my mind, the guy across from me can’t guard me.”
Like the Stamps, Montreal is seeking better defensive performance. Even though they’re tied for the league’s best record with Edmonton and Saskatchewan, the Als are yielding 30.8 ppg.
–Field Level Media
Union reacquire star D Kai Wagner
Jon Rahm warned after tossing club at Royal Birkdale
