Sports
Yankees-Mariners opener to pit Luis Gil against Bryan Woo
Sep 6, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil (81) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Short and sweet.
That’s what fans can expect Tuesday night when the New York Yankees send Luis Gil (13-6, 3.18 ERA) to the mound for the opener of a three-game series in Seattle against fellow right-hander Bryan Woo (8-2, 2.38).
The six combined letters in their surnames will at least tie a major league record for the fewest to start against each other, since Fu-Te Ni never opened a game for Detroit in two seasons with the Tigers (2009-10).
Gil and Woo have both made two career starts against the opposition, and neither has allowed a run.
Gil will be making his third start since a stint on the injured list with a lower back strain.
He pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball to win his return Sept. 6 at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, then gave up one run on five hits over five innings Wednesday against Kansas City in a game the Yankees won in 11 innings.
“The more innings that I pitched, I was feeling more comfortable and loose on the mound,” Gil said through an interpreter. “The arm was feeling good and in a good rhythm. I definitely felt that towards the end. I had more velo and was feeling stronger.”
The performances couldn’t have come at a better time for the Yankees (87-63) as they try to hold off Baltimore for the American League East title.
Gil defeated the Mariners 5-0 on May 23 at Yankee Stadium, allowing one hit with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. He was backed by home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.
While Gil’s fastball in his past two starts has been in the mid-90s, a tick slower than usual, he didn’t sound worried.
“I’ve been saying it all year: pitch execution,” Gil said. “(It’s) really staying within the lane that you’re trying to attack, the zones you’re trying to attack. That’s really it.”
Woo took a perfect game into the seventh inning of his last start before giving up a home run to San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr.
“I didn’t feel great in the bullpen. I was just kind of all over the place, and then you get out there and it just clicks,” Woo said. “It’s just a weird game.”
Woo pitched with flair — as in Ric Flair — wearing new cleats that featured a cartoon of the professional wrestling legend with his catchphrase, “Woo!!”
The shoes were a gift from “PitchingNinja” Rob Friedman, a popular social media personality.
“I really, really appreciate everything that he does for the game,” Woo said of Friedman. “And growing up, especially in college when he kind of got big, I learned so much from his stuff. And watching all of his interviews, watching all of his stuff, like, you get grips from this guy.
“As a pitcher, that’s the stuff that you really, really appreciate — like, truly growing the game and truly trying to help the next generation of getting better at pitching.”
The Mariners (77-73) have won three games in a row as they try to chase down either Houston in the American League West or Minnesota for the third and final wild-card playoff berth. They are 4 1/2 games behind Houston and 2 1/2 games behind Minnesota.
With home runs from Mitch Garver and Randy Arozarena, Seattle blanked the Texas Rangers 7-0 on Sunday to take three of four games in the series. The Yankees also took three of four last weekend, stymying the rival Boston Red Sox.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
Apr 4, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Red Bull New York forward Emil Forsberg (10) tries to gain control of the ball against FC Cincinnati during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls are struggling at the opposite ends of the pitch.
Over their last four MLS matches, D.C. United have failed to score. Meanwhile, over the Red Bulls’ last four league games, they have surrendered 14 goals.
When the teams meet Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J., they will be seeking answers for their recent woes.
The lack of scoring punch is nothing new for D.C. United (2-4-2, 8 points). Last year, the club scored 30 goals, the fewest in MLS. D.C. also failed to score in four straight league matches from May 10-24, 2025.
It’s been a challenge for the Black and Red to remain positive. In addition to going 0-2-2 during their scoreless MLS run, they fell last week on penalty kicks to One Knoxville SC in a U.S. Open Cup match in which they put up three goals.
“I think we’ve shown we can create. I think it’s just about being very precise in some moments on both sides of the ball,” said D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had four saves in a scoreless draw Saturday at the Philadelphia Union.
The offensive struggles of D.C. were evident as it took just six shots against Philadelphia, none of which were on frame. Coach Rene Weiler said he expects a similar challenge against New York (3-3-2, 11 points).
“You have to find ways to score goals,” Weiler said. “First of all, you have to accept the fight and the physical game because most of the teams on our side of the league are very physical.”
The Red Bulls look to rebound from a dispiriting 4-1 loss Saturday at CF Montreal in which their lone tally was an own goal.
Lowly CF Montreal has just two wins this season, both against the Red Bulls, who they have outscored 7-1.
Julian Hall (five goals, two assists) and Emil Forsberg (one goal, two assists) provide firepower for New York, which hopes to rediscover its defense against its longtime MLS rival.
“Games against D.C. United always carry extra weight,” Red Bulls manager Michael Bradley said. “We’re gonna step on the field at home on Wednesday night ready to give everything we have to respond in a really strong way.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
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Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
