Sports
Streaking Astros eager to continue winning ways vs. Rangers
Jul 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Bryan King (74) celebrates with catcher Yainer Diaz (21) after the game against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images While 51 games remain on their schedule, the Houston Astros reached a milestone of sorts on Friday when they defeated the visiting Texas Rangers 11-2 in the opener of a three-game series.
The Astros, after all, reclaimed first place in the American League West for the first time since April 6. They’ll look to bolster their standing on Saturday when they continue their series versus the Rangers.
Houston won for the ninth time in 10 games and moved a half-game ahead of the Rangers atop the division. The Astros were 11 games under .500 on May 20 and six games back in the AL West as recently as June 2.
“Still baseball to be played, but I think it’s important to recognize those guys in there (and) how they worked really, really hard to get to this point,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We have battled injuries, some ups and downs, and they come to work every day with the right attitude and the right mindset. They’re very tough, they stay together, and I’m just proud of our effort.
“There’s still baseball, but we’re pausing them and reminding them that we’ve worked really hard to get to this point. But we’ve got to come back out here (Saturday) and do it again. But how far we’ve come, I’m extremely proud of our team.”
Right-hander Ronel Blanco (0-1, 8.10 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Astros on Saturday.
In his second start back after returning from Tommy John surgery, Blanco allowed five runs on four hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings in a 12-3 road loss to the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. Blanco has surrendered two home runs in both of his starts this season.
Blanco is 2-2 with a 3.34 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against the Rangers. In his previous start against Texas, Blanco allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a 5-1 road loss on May 17, 2025. That was his final start before he underwent season-ending elbow surgery.
Right-hander Jacob deGrom (7-6, 3.67 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Rangers.
He did not factor into the decision of a 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners last Sunday after allowing one run on seven hits with four strikeouts over five innings. deGrom ranks fourth in the AL, averaging 10.77 strikeouts per nine innings, and is fifth in opponent on-base percentage at .265.
deGrom is 1-3 with a 3.96 ERA over six career starts against the Astros. The Rangers have lost his last five starts against the Astros, including both starts this season. deGrom is 0-2 with a 5.82 ERA in three career starts in Houston.
Rangers shortstop Corey Seager returned from a 23-game stint on the injured list and finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Seager, sidelined with back inflammation, played in his 52nd game this season. A two-time World Series MVP, Seager has logged three stints on the IL in 2026.
“I think they’re really excited that Corey is back, that’s for sure,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I think there are guys that are capable of carrying teams, and Corey Seager is absolutely one of those.
“He makes everybody better around him. You circle guys that you don’t want to beat you that series. When you have multiple guys that you have to circle, that makes it really challenging. And I feel that we’ve been missing Corey, and there is no question about that.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Pirates acquire veteran RHP Camilo Doval from Yankees
May 27, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval (75) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees on Saturday in exchange for two prospects.
Doval, 29, is 3-1 with one save and a 4.54 ERA in 44 appearances out of the New York bullpen this season. The Pirates were seeking late-game relief help.
The Yankees received catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz in the deal. New York also included cash as part of the trade.
New York acquired Doval, a former All-Star closer, in a deal with the San Francisco Giants at last year’s trade deadline.
Doval is 29-20 with 109 saves and a 3.53 ERA in 341 career relief outings with the Giants (2021-25) and Yankees. He tied for the National League lead with 39 saves in 2023 when he made the NL All-Star team.
Alfonzo, 22, was batting .238 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 62 games this season, including 60 for Double-A Altoona.
Cruz, 18, was batting .300 with eight RBIs and eight steals in 19 games for the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League affiliate.
The MLB trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. ET.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Blazers sign F Jeremy Sochan to one-year contract
Mar 22, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Jeremy Sochan (20) runs up court after a basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Portland Trail Blazers forward Jeremy Sochan agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN.
Sochan was the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.
Across three-plus seasons with the Spurs, he averaged 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 212 games (149 starts). He shot 46.8% from the field and 28.7% from 3-point range.
He was waived by the Spurs in February. He then signed with the New York Knicks.
The 23-year-old only appeared in 16 regular season games for the Knicks, averaging a meager 6.9 minutes per game. In that limited run, he averaged 2.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists, while shooting 56.7% from the field.
During the postseason, he appeared in eight games during the team’s championship run, playing 26 total minutes and averaging 2.5 points.
Now, the former lottery pick will look to earn a bigger role on a revamped Blazers squad. Portland has a loaded backcourt with Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. The 6-foot-8 Sochan will give them frontcourt depth behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Athletics select LHP Ben Bowden, demote RHP Luis Morales
Jul 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Athletics relief pitcher Ben Bowden (62) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images The Athletics selected left-hander Ben Bowden from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
The 31-year-old was a second-round pick by the Colorado Rockies back in 2016, but has not had much production at the major league level.
Bowden was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 32 relief appearances for Las Vegas this season.
In 2021, he made his MLB debut for the Rockies, going 3-2 and posting a 6.56 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 42 strikeouts across 35 2/3 innings.
He returned to the big leagues in 2025, away from hitter-friendly Coors Field, as a member of the Athletics. He had a 4.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and seven strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Luis Morales was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. He was 0-2 and had a 14.06 ERA across 16 innings over five appearances (two starts) this season.
Morales was 1-3 with a 7.18 ERA in 19 appearances (nine starts) for Las Vegas earlier this season.
–Field Level Media
Pirates acquire veteran RHP Camilo Doval from Yankees
Report: Blazers sign F Jeremy Sochan to one-year contract
