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Royals block Braves from clinching wild card in 4-2 win

MLB: Kansas City Royals at Atlanta BravesSep 29, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) hits a home run against Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

The visiting Kansas City Royals got home runs from Michael Massey and Hunter Renfroe to beat Atlanta 4-2 on Sunday, salvaging a game from their three-game series and preventing the Braves from clinching a spot in the postseason.

Atlanta (88-72) now needs one win over the New York Mets to secure a wild card spot. The two rivals meet in Atlanta for a make-up doubleheader on Monday that will determine postseason fates for both.

Kansas City (86-76) qualified as a wild card for the American League playoffs, one season after losing 106 games. The Royals last made the playoffs in 2015.

Kansas City starter Alec Marsh (9-9) pitched five solid innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two strikeouts.

Carlos Hernandez (1 2/3 innings), Angel Zerpa (2/3 innings) and John Schreiber (2/3 innings) did not allow a run. Kris Bubic worked around a leadoff single to pitch a scoreless ninth and earn his first save.

Atlanta starter Charlie Morton (8-10) went 4 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on five hits — two of them homers — two walks and three strikeouts.

The Royals jumped on Morton for three runs in the first inning. Tommy Pham doubled, Bobby Witt Jr. singled — his major league-leading 211th hit — and Massey cleared the bases with a three-run homer. The 390-foot shot, his 14th, sailed deep into the right field seats.

Atlanta’s Gio Urshela cut the lead to 3-1 in the third inning with a line drive homer to left field, his ninth.

But Kansas City got the run back in the fourth when Renfroe hit a solo homer that cleared the bullpen in left field, his 15th.

Atlanta scored once in the fourth inning on Ramon Laureano’s RBI single, but Kansas City limited further damage when third baseman Maikel Garcia threw Jorge Soler out at the plate on a grounder.

The Atlanta bullpen worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings and recorded the final 11 outs via strikeouts.

–Field Level Media

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Alex Cora to Red Sox fans: 'Boston, we will miss you'

MLB: Spring Training-Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red SoxFeb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Fired Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent a short farewell note to Boston via social media on Tuesday.

“Boston, we will miss you,” he wrote.

“Gracias for making us part of you. #RedSoxNation, you are the [heart emoji] of that team, keep believing, you really care and that’s what pushes everyone in the @RedSox to give it all day in and day out.

“With respect and love, AC”

Team officials dismissed Cora and five of coaches on Saturday after the Red Sox staggered out of the gate to start the season at 10-17.

While Cora’s firing has been met with some support among fans, posts on social media show they largely place the blame for the team’s woes on management, especially owner John Henry and Craig Breslow, the chief baseball owner.

After serving as bench coach for the 2017 world champion Houston Astros, Cora was hired as manager in Boston in 2018. He led the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 victories and a World Series title.

However, after the 2019 campaign, Cora was implicated in an MLB investigation involving sign-stealing by the Astros. MLB undertook an investigation into the Red Sox practices, but Cora and the Red Sox mutually agreed to separate before the 2020 season.

Cora, 50, was suspended for the 2020 season for his role in Houston, but returned to Boston as manager in 2021.

After missing the playoffs from 2022-24, the Red Sox returned last season, but lost a American League wild-card series to the New York Yankees.

Cora posted an eight-year regular-season record of 619-541 and postseason mark of 18-10.

Chad Tracy has been elevated from manager at Triple-A Worcester to serve as interim manager of the Red Sox.

–Field Level Media

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Phillies fire Rob Thomson, tab Don Mattingly as interim manager

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta BravesApr 26, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (49) on the field during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday and named bench coach Don Mattingly as their interim skipper through the 2026 season.

USA Today reported Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, fired Friday, was offered the job and declined, opting to spend time with his family.

The floundering Phillies (9-19) have lost 11 of their last 12 games are tied with the New York Mets (9-19) for the worst record in the majors. Both were expected to compete for the National League East title this season.

The move comes one week after Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he was not considering a managerial change. Yet.

“Put it this way. We’re not,” Dombrowski said last Tuesday. “But if we were, that’s not something we’ve ever shared. Rob Thomson’s been a good manager for us since (2022). We always look at everything that’s taking place, but no.

“Generally, I’ve said about 40 games of the season is when you start to say, ‘OK, where are we shaping up? Guys have had enough time.’ But there’s no magic in that number. Sometimes it’s a little bit more; sometimes it’s a little bit less. They’re not happy with their performances. Shoot, I’m responsible for putting the club on the field, so I’m not happy with the way it’s going. But I think you just balance that all the time on a daily basis.”

Thomson, 62, had an overall record of 355-270 since taking over for the fired Joe Girardi in 2022, reaching the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. His Phillies fell in six games to the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series.

The Phillies signed Thomson to a contract extension through the 2027 season in December.

Mattingly was named the bench coach of the Phillies on Jan. 5, uniting the former New York Yankees great with his son, Philadelphia general manager Preston Mattingly.

The former manager of the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers, Mattingly, 65, most recently served as the bench coach for the Blue Jays. He left the position after the 2025 season, which saw Toronto lose the World Series in seven games to the Dodgers.

Mattingly joined the Blue Jays in November 2022 as the bench coach for manager John Schneider. Mattingly’s contract expired at the end of the year, and he chose to seek a new opportunity.

Mattingly went 889-950 as manager for the Dodgers (2011-15) and Marlins (2016-22). He was named the 2020 National League Manager of the Year.

A six-time All-Star first baseman, Mattingly spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Yankees. He was the American League MVP in 1985 and the 1984 AL batting champion, and he won nine Gold Gloves.

Also on Tuesday, Philadelphia promoted third base coach Dusty Wathan to bench coach, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras has been promoted to third base coach.

–Field Level Media

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Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby steps down

NFL: NFL DraftApr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby stepped down from his post on Tuesday.

Halaby has spent 17 years in the organization, holding numerous roles before accepting the assistant general manager position in 2022. He played a role in the Eagles winning a pair of Super Bowl titles in 2018 and 2025.

“I am deeply grateful to the Eagles organization, especially (Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie) and (general manager Howie Roseman) for giving me a chance to work in the game I love,” Halaby said in a statement. “Jeffrey’s stewardship has created a first-class organization. Howie has been a mentor to me from Day One, for which I am greatly appreciative.

“It has been a rare privilege to contribute to building championship teams for the city of Philadelphia. The experience has been enriched by a set of special relationships with front office colleagues, coaches, and players. Football has been a core part of my life for as long as I can remember; that won’t change. Nevertheless, after 17 years in Philadelphia, I’ve decided to step away to start a new professional chapter. It has been a wonderful journey. Go Birds.”

The specific nature of Halaby’s “new professional chapter” was not immediately known.

“Alec has been a huge part of our success, and a close friend,” Roseman said. “Although I’m sad to see him leave the organization, I am excited to see what he does next. Whatever direction he decides to go, I have no doubt that he is going to have great success. On behalf of the entire organization, I wish him the absolute best.”

–Field Level Media

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