Sports
Spring training roundup: Anthony Santander, Blue Jays tame Tigers
Mar 3, 2025; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander (25) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Anthony Santander went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and three RBIs as the visiting Toronto Blue Jays rolled to a 13-3 win over the Detroit Tigers Monday during spring training play in Lakeland, Fla.
Andres Gimenez posted one double, one triple and two RBI for the Blue Jays while Myles Straw stroked a two-run homer in the ninth.
Starter Jose Berrios didn’t allow any runs in his 2 2/3-inning stint, but gave up three hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts. Ryan Yarbrough (1-0) picked up the win in relief.
Reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal struck out three and allowed one hit in three scoreless innings for the Tigers, but Jason Foley (0-1) gave up three runs and four hits in the fourth while retiring just one batter. Trey Sweeney and Carlos Mendoza notched two hits apiece.
Rays 5, Braves 4
Ricardo Genoves lashed a walk-off RBI single to drive in Brayden Taylor as host Tampa Bay brushed off a late Atlanta rally to collect the win in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Brandon Lowe went 3-for-3 for the Rays and scored two runs while Jonathan Aranda drove in two runs with a single and a groundout. Starter Drew Rasmussen pitched two scoreless innings with one hit and one walk. Garrett Acton (1-0) picked up the win in relief after allowing two runs in the top of the ninth.
Carlos Rodriguez and Ethan Workinger made it 4-4 in the ninth when they scored on Genoves’ fielding error at first base. Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) over two innings as he fanned three and walked one. Domingo Gonzalez (0-1) took the loss as he gave up Taylor’s leadoff double in the ninth prior to Genoves’ RBI single. Jake Marisnick drilled a solo homer in the third.
Red Sox 6, Orioles 6
Abraham Toro and Nathan Hickey cracked two-run homers in the seventh and Nick Sogard added another in the eighth as Boston rallied from a 5-0 deficit to forge a tie with host Baltimore in Sarasota, Fla.
Roansy Contreras surrendered four runs in the seventh on three hits and two walks for the Orioles while Yaqui Rivera allowed Sogard’s tying homer in the eighth. Starter Charlie Morton tossed two scoreless innings and Adley Rutschman posted his first homer of the spring.
Hunter Dobbins gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) as Boston’s starter. Adam Ottavino threw a perfect inning, but Josh Winckowski allowed four hits, two walks and three runs over two innings. Leadoff man David Hamilton stole his third base of the spring.
Astros 5, Marlins 3
Cam Smith poked a bases-loaded triple in the seventh to erase a 3-1 Miami lead, and visiting Houston held on for the win in Jupiter, Fla.
Framber Valdez started for the Astros and rang up three strikeouts with two walks, two hits and two earned runs before leaving with two outs in the second. Tayler Scott (2-0) picked up the win despite allowing two hits, one walk and one run in the sixth. Jeremy Pena went 2-for-3 with a double and Collin Price added a solo shot in the eighth for insurance.
Leadoff man Xavier Edwards went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Marlins. Max Meyer scattered two hits and struck out two while working the first two innings. Josh Ekness (0-1) took the loss as he gave up three hits and four runs in the seventh, though only one run was earned.
Athletics 5, White Sox 4
Jhonny Pereda and Logan Davidson tagged Fraser Ellard (0-1) for RBI singles in the seventh inning as the visiting Athletics rallied to beat Chicago in Phoenix.
Jacob Wilson gave the Athletics a 2-0 lead in the first with a two-run homer, but Luis Robert Jr. and Mike Tauchman answered with back-to-back solo shots in the White Sox’ half of the first. Brandon Drury went 3-for-3, including a two-run double in the third that gave Chicago a 4-2 lead.
White Sox starter Sean Burke surrendered five hits, two walks and two runs over three innings. Athletics starter Joey Estes finished with three hits, two runs and two strikeouts in his two-inning stint. Colin Peluse (1-0) retired one batter to pick up the win while Elvis Alvarado, Michel Otanez and Gage Jump each threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts to close out the game.
Royals 6, Rangers 3
Nick Pratto belted a home run as host Kansas City stacked up 10 hits against Texas in Surprise, Ariz.
MJ Melendez went 2-for-3 with a triple, a run and an RBI and Kyle Isbel stole his fourth base of the spring for the Royals. Starter Daniel Lynch IV fired three scoreless innings that featured two strikeouts and just one hit. Anderson Paulino (1-0) retired one batter in the sixth to claim the win.
Rangers starter Adrian Houser tossed two scoreless innings and Kevin Pillar notched an RBI single in the fifth that gave Texas a brief 1-0 lead. JT Chargois (0-1) was issued the loss after giving up two unearned runs in the sixth.
Diamondbacks 10, Cubs 2
Jake McCarthy, Josh Naylor, Randal Grichuk and Geraldo Perdomo poked two hits apiece as Arizona lashed 16 hits to take care of visiting Chicago in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Grichuk’s second-inning solo homer off Cubs starter Caleb Kilian (1-1) gave the Diamondbacks the lead for good. Kilian struck out five without a walk while throwing 2 1/3 innings, but he surrendered four hits and three runs. Arizona starter Corbin Burnes (2-0) also went 2 1/3 innings and allowed two hits, one walk and one run while fanning two.
Gage Workman and Nicky Lopez notched two hits apiece for the Cubs. Kristian Robinson powered a two-run homer in the eighth to cap the scoring for Arizona, which rolled up eight extra-base hits.
Mariners 7, Guardians 2
Cal Raleigh homered in the fifth inning off former Seattle closer Paul Sewald to help fuel a victory over visiting Cleveland in Peoria, Ariz.
The Mariners took the lead for good on Raleigh’s solo shot after Johnathan Rodriguez and Daniel Schneemann hit solo home runs in the third inning off Seattle starter Luis Castillo to give the Guardians a 2-1 lead. Miles Mastrobuoni went 2-for-2 with three RBIs in the latter innings to help Seattle pull away.
Castillo went three innings and gave up three hits and one walk while fanning two. Eduard Bazardo (1-0) collected the win with a scoreless fifth. Cleveland starter Luis Ortiz allowed three hits and one run in his three innings. Sewald (0-1) took the loss as Raleigh’s homer was the only runner he allowed.
Rockies 8, Angels 4
Jordan Beck went 3-for-4 with a home run, a stolen base and four RBIs as visiting Colorado jumped to an early lead to defeat Los Angeles in Tempe, Ariz.
Angels starter Tyler Anderson (0-1) allowed six hits and four runs in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss in his second spring outing. Travis d’Arnaud and Ryan Noda provided solo homers for Los Angeles. Mike Trout went 2-for-3 with a double.
Sean Bouchard went 4-for-4 with a double and three runs for the Rockies, who owned a 7-1 lead by the fourth inning. Starter Ryan Feltner (2-0) picked up the win for his 2 1/3-inning stint that included two strikeouts, two hits, one walk and one run.
–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
