Nathan Fitzgerald was named in the back pocket for the Epping reserves. A teacher, he was looking forward to the second week of school holidays. Early in the morning, he’d watched the Socceroos with his dad and younger brother. He planned to watch Richmond play Carlton on Saturday night. He’d recently proposed to his long-term girlfriend.
There has been big money and high-profile signings in the Northern Football Netball League over the years, but not in the third division and certainly not in the reserves. Almost all of Epping’s players live and work locally, and played their junior football at the club. Mernda Central College, where “Mr Fitz” taught maths and science, has nearly 1,800 students from prep to year 12. Some of those students were at Lalor Recreation Reserve watching their teacher play. They saw the umpires inspect the ground. They saw the away team establish a nine-goal lead. They saw the initial clash of heads. They saw Nathan’s head then hit another player’s leg, before smashing into the “multilayered synthetic surface” that covers a concrete cricket pitch.
In a 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, the Dodgers had been in control of the game, taking an early lead on Ohtani’s 300th career home run before extending it during a seven-inning, one-run gem from Justin Wrobleski.
In the top of the eighth, however, it all came undone.
Shohei Ohtani belts a solo homer in the first inning, the 300th of his career, in the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss to the Rockies on July 7, 2026 in Los Angeles. Getty Images
With two costly defensive mistakes, the team helplessly squandered a two-run lead.
The meltdown started immediately after Wrobleski finished his outing, with his replacement Will Klein allowing two runners to reach base with one out.
Then, with Tyler Freeman at the plate, Klein fired a first-pitch fastball that was grounded straight to shortstop Miguel Rojas (getting the start on a day off for Mookie Betts).
Rojas had to range to his left, but still had a chance for an inning-ending double-play.
Instead, he misread a hop and booted the ball off the heel of his mitt.
One run scored. Two runners remained on the corners. And the headache was just getting started.
Left-hander Jack Dreyer was summoned from the Dodgers bullpen next, prompting the Rockies to put on a squeeze play with left-handed hitter Jake McCarthy. McCarthy got his bunt down, scoring the lead runner from third. Third baseman Max Muncy charged to field the ball, throwing in time to get McCarthy at first base, where second baseman Alex Freeland was covering.
It was behind the play where the real action was, as Freeman got aggressive and made a hard turn for third –– realizing that Rojas hadn’t gone to cover the bag.
“Physical errors happen, and I’m okay with that, I’m not perfect,” Rojas said, referencing the error he was charged on the missed on the missed double-play. “But mental errors are the ones that are kind of disappointing. Like, I should have been on third base … That’s the one that I kind of like kick myself for.”
Rojas eventually picked Freeman up, and followed him step for step as Freeland turned at first and fired a throw across the diamond. Alas, his strike was low, Rojas couldn’t squeeze it, and the ball trickled all the way down the steps into the Dodgers dugout.
Tyler Freeman dives safely into third and then scored on Alex Freeland’s scoring error as Miguel Rojas chases the errant throw during the Dodgers’ loss to the Rockies. AP
Freeman was awarded home plate.
The Rockies scored their third unearned run of the inning to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish –– surviving a two-on, no-out jam in the ninth to deny the Dodgers a chance for a series-clinching victory.
“It doesn’t happen very often that he doesn’t make a play,” Roberts said of Rojas. “So when it happens, you know, we don’t like it, doesn’t feel good, but you know that player, I give him a lot of grace, because he is very dependable.”
What it means
Tuesday should’ve been about Ohtani, who reached his home run milestone three pitches into the game.
In a 2-0 count against Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, the two-way lifted a towering 409-foot drive deep to center field, reaching the 300-homer club with his 20th blast of the season.
Playing in his 1,101st career MLB game as a hitter, Ohtani eclipsed the 300-homer mark faster than all but four previous players to do so (Aaron Judge, Ralph Kiner, Ryan Howard, Juan Gonzalez). He also became the first Japanese-born player to hit that many home runs, and only the second –– along with Babe Ruth –– to do so while also serving as a pitcher.
Shohei Ohtani belts his 300th homer in the first inning of the Dodgers’ loss to the Rockies. AP
“Only 414 to go,” one member of the Japanese press joked, referencing Ruth’s former all-time homer record of 714.
At age 32, Ohtani is unlikely to challenge that total.
But, more round numbers figure to be in his future. Since joining the Dodgers, he has maintained a pace of more than 50 per season.
“He’s still young, still strong,” Roberts said. “So I definitely think 500 is in his future.”
Who’s hot
For now, Wrobleski remains snubbed from the All-Star Game.
But after another seven-inning gem against the Rockies, he remains a strong candidate to be picked as a replacement.
Justin Wrobleski held the Rockies to one run over seven innings in the Dodgers’ loss. AP
In Tuesday’s game, the left-hander worked around six hits while striking out nine batters –– giving him 20 total punchouts in his last two starts after struggling to generate Ks for much of this season.
The effort lowered his ERA to 2.69, eighth-lowest in the National League. It also marked his seventh time this season completing seven innings, tied for fifth-most in the majors behind only Nathan Eovaldi, Cristopher Sánchez, Michael Wacha and Logan Webb.
Who’s not
We covered the Dodgers’ porous defense above, so let’s focus on someone who is no longer injured.
In his first appearance back from Tommy John surgery last June, Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless inning in the ninth that featured two strikeouts, a fastball that got up to nearly 99 mph and a nice ovation from the crowd after stranding a two-out single.
Phillips will be a key arm to watch in the coming weeks, as the team evaluates its bullpen hierarchy and he tries to re-establish himself as a high-leverage option.
“As frustrating as this loss is tonight, that’s really a silver lining for tonight,” Roberts said of Phillips’ return. “He had a long road with Tommy John, so really happy for him.”
Up next
The Dodgers and Rockies conclude this series on Wednesday, when Roki Sasaki (3-5, 5.40 ERA) will look to bounce back from his recent struggles while facing Colorado right-hander Ryan Feltner (3-2, 4.27 ERA).
For many Calgarians, the first sign that something had changed wasn’t a headline or a push notification. It was silence.
On Tuesday morning, listeners who tuned to Sportsnet 960 The Fan expecting the usual mix of Flames discussion, breaking news, and debate were met with static. The station that had served as Calgary’s sports soundtrack for decades had gone dark.
The closure came as part of a broader restructuring by Rogers Sports & Media, which announced it would shut down several radio stations and media outlets across the country, including Sportsnet 960 and 660 News in Calgary.
What happened?
Rogers is closing Sportsnet 960 The Fan and 660 News in Calgary as part of a national restructuring.
The shutdown was announced Tuesday and affects multiple radio stations in Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, and Kitchener.
“After a thorough review of our radio stations across the country, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to close Sportsnet 960 and 660 News in Calgary. We are grateful to our listeners and to our team for their contributions to the local community.”
The cuts extend beyond Calgary. Six stations in four markets are being affected, including outlets in Vancouver, Halifax, and Kitchener.
Apparently, even the Flames were caught off guard.
According to CTV Calgary, the Calgary Flames were “blindsided” by the news. The team’s vice-president of communications Sean Kelso said the organization learned of the closure as the announcement became public.
That detail underscores how deeply The Fan 960 had become woven into the franchise’s day-to-day identity. The station carried Flames games, hosted postgame shows, and served as a regular platform for players, coaches, executives, and fans. For many listeners, it was less a media outlet than a community gathering place.
Sean Kelso, VP of Communications for the Flames said the team was "blindsided" by the Fan 960 news today.
It's wild that Rogers wouldn't let the Flames know that this was happening despite having the radio rights for the 2026-27 season.
That is what makes this story larger than a business decision. Sports radio has never simply been about scores. It is where fans process trades, argue about line combinations, celebrate playoff wins, and vent after losses. It is where generations learned the voices of Calgary hockey.
For many listeners, names such as Peter Maher, Mike Richards, Rob Kerr, Peter Loubardias, and Pat Steinberg became part of the rhythm of daily life over the years.
For some, those broadcasts even shaped careers. The Fan 960 was often a first classroom for aspiring journalists, broadcasters, and storytellers who learned the language of hockey through hours spent listening in cars, kitchens, and arenas.
Rogers’ decision reflects the economic pressures facing traditional radio across North America, where audiences and advertising dollars have increasingly shifted to podcasts, streaming, and digital platforms. The business logic may be clear. The emotional impact is harder to measure.
Calgary still has talented hockey voices, independent outlets, and a passionate fan base. The conversation around the Flames will continue online, on podcasts, and through new platforms. But something meaningful was lost when 960 went silent.
For decades, turning the dial to 960 was a habit that connected the city to its hockey team. On Tuesday, many listeners reached for that familiar signal and found only static.
Sometimes the end of an era is announced with a press release. Sometimes it arrives as a hiss through the speakers on the drive to work.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Juan Mejia #47 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have lost 11 consecutive games at Dodger Stadium (that would be since September 21, 2024), and they came into tonight’s game looking to break that streak and avenge a heartbreaking loss from Monday night.
It was another game when a dogged Rockies team played without fear against a juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers squad, and this time, the Rockies pulled off a 4-3 win.
“There wasn’t a doubt in the dugout,” Tyler Freeman said after the game.
The offense
Although Justin Wrobleski stymied the Rockies in the first inning, Michael Lorenzen was less successful when facing Shohei Ohtani, who kicked off the Dodgers half of the inning by mashing his 300th career home run.
It looked like the game might go off the rails early when Lorenzen followed that up with a throwing error that put Andy Pages on second. However, he managed to get out of it without allowing any additional runs.
The Rockies got their first hit in the third inning with a Mickey Moniak single. Willi Castro followed that with a walk. They were unable to capitalize despite a TJ Rumfield single when Castro was called out at second base after being hit by a batted ball, and the score remained 1-0 Dodgers.
It looked like the Dodgers might add on in the fourth after Lorenzen gave up singles to Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning and prevented the Dodgers from adding to their one-run lead.
The Rockies again had traffic in the fifth inning after Braxton Fulford and Moniak both singled, but they were (again) unable to score.
Lorenzen had been excellent going into the fifth when he began to lose some of the control he had exhibited throughout the game. He started by issuing a leadoff walk to Dalton Rushing; Alex Freeland followed that with a single. A Miguel Rojas bunt failed to score Rushing, who was out at the plate. Lorenzen followed that by walking Ohtani to load the bases. But he wasn’t done issuing free passes with the next one scoring Pages, which made the score 2-0 Dodgers. The Rockies managed two outs after that to end the inning and keep the game within reach.
Finally in the fifth inning, the Rockies got on the board. It started with a Cole Carrigg double (allowing him to reach base in 18 consecutive games) followed by a Tyler Freeman single. Jake McCarthy brought Carrigg home, cutting the Dodgers’ lead in half, 2-1.
In their half of the fifth, the Dodgers would get back their two-run lead when a Rumfield fielding error allowed Edman to get on base. Eventually, he scored on a single by Freeland, and the Dodgers again had a 3-1 lead.
Wrobleski had another strong start for the Dodgers. He logged 7.0 IP and allowed one run (earned) on six hits. He walked two and struck out nine on 94 pitches. His current ERA is 2.69.
The Rockies have come to dominate the eighth inning, and the offense made on of their trademark appearances tonight. It started with a walk by Kyle Karros and then a single by Carrigg, putting runners on first and second. Tyler Freeman followed up with a hit that let to a Rojas error, but it was enough to score Karros, making the score 3-2 Dodgers, while Carrigg moved to second.
The hit knocked reliever Will Klein out of that game after just 0.1 IP, and manager Dave Roberts turned to Jack Dreyer.
It didn’t matter.
McCarthy laid down a bunt that scored Carrigg. Third baseman Max Muncy had not other move but to throw to second. That led to a throwing error by Freeland that left the ball in the camera well, scored Tyler Freeman, and put McCarthy at third when Dreyer failed to cover the base.
The Rockies finished their half of the eighth with a 4-3 lead.
“We executed,” manager Warren Schaeffer said after the game. “It was a good inning.”
As the game turned to the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies maintained their one-run lead.
Jordan Romano came in to close for the Rockies.
He started by surrendering a single to Freeland. Roberts sent in Teoscar Hernández to pinch hit for Rojas, and during the at-bat, Freeland stole second. Following that, Romano walked Hernández with no outs as Ohtani stepped to the plate.
He promptly popped out to Karros leaving two on with one out as All-Star Andy Pages came up to hit. However, a fly out to right brought the second out as Freddie Freeman took his turn at the plate.
Fulford used two ABS Challenges to correct miscalls by home plate umpire Adam Beck, leaving the Dodgers first baseman with a 0-2 count.
Romano caught Freeman on a swinging strike on a gut-churning slider.
Game over.
Rockies win!
Michael Lorenzen gets the job done
For Lorenzen, this game was a solid outing.
In terms of his pitching, Lorenzen was outstanding. In 6.0 IP, he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits. He walked three, struck out five, and allowed one home run on 95 pitches (54 for strikes).
However, he was also responsible for one fielding error.
That said, Lorenzen’s strong start kept the Rockies in the game until the offense’s eighth-inning tear. His current ERA is 6.65.
“He had a great night pitching,” Schaeffer said, noting Lorenzen’s throw to the plate in the fourth.
”I thought his offspeed stuff was really good. He pitched with confidence.“
“The changeup changed everything for me today,” Lorenzen said after the game. He has been working with Tanner Gordon on the pitch. “He gave me a cue that I felt comfortable going into the start with.”
The bullpen does something
In the seventh inning, Schaeffer turned the game over to the bullpen.
Juan Mejia was first out, and he started by striking out Ohtani. Although Mejia allowed a hit, the Dodgers did not score. His final line was 2.0 IP with one hit and one strikeout on 24 pitches. It was the kind of outing the Rockies expect from Mejia.
“I thought Juan was fantastic,” Schaeffer said.
The ninth went to experienced closer Jordan Romano who did not disappoint. He went 1.0 IP, allowing no runs on one hit. He also walked one and struck out one batter.
Right now, Reader, the Rockies bullpen is very good.
“The first couple of outings from him look really good,” Schaeffer said. “We’re happy to have him.”
Up next
Join us tomorrow night for Game 3 when Gabriel Hughes will face Roki Sasaki as the Rockies will look to take the series.
First pitch is at an ungodly 8:10 pm. (Hey, if the Rockies win, who cares?)
The veteran first baseman’s recent skid hit a new low Tuesday night in the Yankees’ 6-4 loss to the Rays, when he struck out in all four trips to the plate to sink to 0-for-30 over his last nine games.
“I wish I had an answer for you,” Goldschmidt said on a night when the Yankees struck out 17 times for the second straight game. “Obviously the performance tonight especially was terrible. I like to try to be more positive than that, but you strike out four times and there were guys on base, really just a bad performance. [Monday] night was the same.
“Probably swung at too many balls, taking strikes. When I do swing at the right pitch, fouling it off or swing and missing. I’ll be ready to go [Wednesday] and every game, but there’s no excuses. I have not played well.”
Before this brutal nine-game stretch, which has coincided with some awful play from the Yankees overall, Goldschmidt was batting .301 with a .933 OPS through his first 55 games of the season.
His consistent presence as a right-handed bat, especially with the Yankees missing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, was immensely valuable.
But the 38-year-old is now searching for answers on how to snap out of his recent funk.
Paul Goldschmidt strikes out in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 6-4 loss to the Rays on July 7, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Fla. AP
“They beat me tonight, every time, badly,” Goldschmidt said. “You got to keep pushing and just be ready to go. Can’t carry over any bad things, like for me individually, to the next day. I don’t feel like I’ve done that, but obviously the performance hasn’t been better.”
José Caballero, who matched Goldschmidt with four strikeouts, started at shortstop for the second straight game, marking only his third start at the position since returning from the injured list in late May.
While Aaron Boone continues to describe the shortstop situation as a “day-by-day” decision between Caballero and Anthony Volpe — the manager is unlikely to come out and declare one as the full-time starter even if he is leaning that way — now that the Yankees are closer to being whole, Caballero has a chance to be there more days than not.
With the Yankees facing Rays lefty Ian Seymour on Tuesday, it marked only the second time since Volpe was called up from Triple-A that he did not start against a lefty (the other came June 18, when the White Sox used a lefty opener).
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Volpe did eventually enter the game as a pinch hitter for Ryan McMahon (who had hit for Amed Rosario earlier) in the eighth inning against lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger and grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Max Schuemann started in right field, giving Jasson Domínguez a day off for the first time since June 16 — though he also entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh and went 1-for-2.
Domínguez, who remains a work in progress in right field, entered Tuesday batting just .209 with a .641 OPS in 30 games this season.
“Obviously want more production [from Domínguez]. I expect more production out of who I think he is as a hitter,” Boone said. “But I also feel like he’s kind of had competitive at-bats every day.”
Max Fried is scheduled to throw a third live batting practice session Saturday at Double-A Somerset, continuing his comeback from a left elbow bone bruise.
If it goes well, he could be in line to start a rehab assignment after the All-Star break.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres looks on during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Petco Park on May 02, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres appear to be at rock bottom for the 2026 season. Losing eight games after their one victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in their home series that began on June 26, the organization is on the brink of being sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Their only other win over these last 10 games was Sunday, salvaging the last game in the four-game series in Los Angeles over the holiday weekend.
With the combination of poor performance in all aspects of their game and injuries that have devastated the roster, the Padres no longer resemble a team suitable for the playoffs. They played the Chicago Cubs to the most lopsided loss in team history, a 23-3 score that highlighted a horrendous trip to the windy and hot city.
Pitching problems
The pitching has been bad to inconsistent, and the offense has improved, but not enough.
The organization, and baseball at large, knew that the starting pitching needed to get lucky to be enough. With the loss, early in the season, of Nick Pivetta, the Friars had to resort to signing a pitcher in free agency who no one else seemed to want. Late signee, Lucas Giolito, has been a disaster.
The reclamation projects the team signed before the season, Germán Márquez and Walker Buehler, have been both better and worse than expected. Buehler has risen to the challenge and battled back to respectability. Márquez is largely ineffective and was placed on the injured list after his shaky start to the season. He is now back with the team as a reliever, and maybe just a mop-up man.
The offense, late-inning heroes to start the season, has misfired ever since. Injuries have forced the team to bring up multiple minor league players from Triple-A El Paso for extended work in the major league lineup. Outside the fire provided by left fielder Samad Taylor, none have given the team any useful help.
Starters Michael King and Buehler have had the best performances, but both have been inconsistent. Neither can be depended on to be the stopper the team needs.
The bullpen, the strength of the team at the start of the season, has faltered with the staggering performance of their teammates.
There isn’t a lot to be optimistic about at this point
There are increased rumblings among fans about the lack of experience with the manager and several members of his coaching staff. Having inexperienced coaches, with the team floundering, brings up questions about the ability of the coaching staff to pull the team out of its freefall.
The All-Star break is coming up. The trade deadline follows within a couple weeks. If the team can’t turn this around, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller might not have any choice but to sell off some players to acquire pieces for the future.
It will be up to the players currently on the roster to determine the future of this season for the Padres. There is no help available elsewhere in the organization. The only pitcher that can be promoted to take the place of the injured Randy Vásquez is righty Jhony Brito. He is building up after his return from UCL surgery and looks to be the last option to join the major league rotation or bullpen.
Bad luck, injuries, poor offense, and bad pitching appear to have doomed this team for this season. Any recovery will be left to the players who have dug this hole.
Kudos for Rudolfo Durán
Backup catcher Rudolfo Durán deserves a mention for his efforts to save the bullpen during the Padres’ losing streak. In the 23-3 loss to the Cubs on July 1, Duran pitched in mop-up for two innings after serving the same role on June 27 in the 15-3 loss to the Dodgers. His three innings, allowing nine earned runs, saved at least two bullpen arms for other games.
Roster moves and injury updates
Reliever Jason Adam went on the injured list on July 3 with a right shoulder strain. He was replaced on the roster by Márquez, who started his rehab with El Paso as a starter but was used as a reliever before being activated by the Padres.
Vásquez, who started the season well but has been largely ineffective in his last eight starts, was placed on the injured list after being hit by a batted ball on his right ankle during his last start. X-rays showed no fracture, but he fainted while walking for testing and was taken to the hospital. He is listed as having an ankle contusion. Reliever Alek Jacob was brought up to fill his roster spot.
Catcher Freddy Fermin was removed from the game July 2 after being hit directly on his face mask by a foul tip. It is the second time he has been placed on the IL after direct hits behind the plate. Luis Campusano was activated after only three rehab appearances with El Paso. He spent almost two months on the IL with a fractured toe and an oblique strain.
Jake Cronenworth returned to the team on June 29 after almost eight weeks on the injured list with a concussion and its complications. He also only had three rehab appearances before being pressed into service for the Padres. Infielder Will Wagner was sent to El Paso when Cronenworth was activated.
Both Joe Musgrove and Pivetta are progressing in their throwing programs. Neither has a timeline.
Giolito has not begun any rehab work and there has been no timeline discussed for his return.
Matt Waldron is at Triple-A for his rehab and last threw four innings on July 1. He allowed eight hits and a run with a strikeout and has a week-and-a-half left in his rehab window before a decision has to be made about his position.
There has been no update on Jeremiah Estrada’s timeline. He has not begun a rehab assignment after being on the injured list for right knee inflammation.
Editor’s Note: This article was written and submitted prior to the start of the series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Shohei Ohtani watches his 300th home run sail over the fence at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
In Shohei Ohtani, who on Tuesday became the first Japanese player to hit 300 home runs in MLB, the Dodgers had the first National League All-Star voted in this year.
They still have a chance for a late addition.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been lobbying for two members of his pitching staff to be named replacement players: left-handed starter Justin Wrobleski and left-handed reliever Tanner Scott.
“There’s going to be some changes and some talks here,” Roberts said before the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. “There’s continual talks about both guys.”
Earlier Tuesday, MLB announced replacements for three NL pitchers who won’t be eligible to appear in the All-Star Game. Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft, Philadelphia’s Jesús Luzardo and St. Louis’ Riley O’Brien claimed spots as Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and Miami’s Max Meyer bowed out.
“Obviously it’s disappointing,” Wrobleski said after holding the Rockies to one run through seven innings. “You want to be an All-Star. It’s something that, regardless of the year, whenever, it’s always a big deal. It’s something I wanted to do. It’s frustrating to not get that nod. But like I said before, it’s just more reason to try and keep getting better. Hopefully I can gain the respect of players and everybody else and maybe be in there next year.”
There should continue to be movement on the All-Star roster, especially on the pitching side, with rotation schedules limiting which starters can participate. Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, for example, is lined up to start Saturday, which may take him off the table for the All-Star Game next Tuesday.
Asked to make his pitch for Wrobleski, Roberts pointed to his ERA (2.69, No. 8 among qualified NL pitchers), average of more than six innings per start and 10 wins.
“We run a six-man rotation, and I just don’t want him to get dinged for not making a couple more starts that he potentially could have had,” Roberts said. “I just think that he’s performed enough to earn that opportunity.
“And also, Tanner had a rough one [Monday], but I still think that … he’s one of the elite relievers in the National League.”
Scott, after notching just his second blown save Monday, compared to his 12 saves and 2.70 ERA, didn’t have an opening to improve on his All-Star campaign Tuesday.
Wrobleski, however, strengthened his.
He stayed true to his identity, pounding the strike zone and inducing weak contact to go with nine strikeouts. The only run he gave up came on a groundout in the sixth inning with runners on the corners.
In a nod to Wrobleski’s new nickname, “The Shark,” coined by Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martínez, Dodger Stadium organist Dieter Ruehle played a snippet of the “Jaws” theme to punctuate Wrobleski’s punchouts, and as he walked off the mound for the last time.
Justin Wrobleski was great for seven innings Tuesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Once Wrobleski’s job was done, he paced in the dugout, interrupted once in a while by a hug or handshakes from a teammate. Catcher Dalton Rushing held his hand up to his forehead like a shark fin.
The name and attacking reputation had stuck. Would it be enough for an All-Star nod?
“If it happens, great,” Wrobleski said. “If it doesn’t happen, some time off and just chill for a couple days. Either way, I’m all good.”
On the offensive side, Ohtani’s leadoff homer made him the first player to notch 300 home runs and 100-plus stolen bases in his first nine MLB seasons, according to ESPN Insights. Tuesday was his 1,101st game with at least one plate appearance. By that measure, he was the fifth-fastest to 300 home runs, according to mlb.com and Elias Sports Bureau, behind only Aaron Judge (953), Ralph Kiner (1,086), Ryan Howard (1,091) and Juan González (1,093).
“It was quite the homer,” Roberts said. “I mean, it was [112 mph] off the bat, low launch angle. It was squared up, got out in a hurry. And 300 — he got there pretty quickly for us. I just marvel at him every day.”
The Dodgers widened their lead to two runs but gave it up in the eighth on a pair of errors, including one on a sacrifice bunt.
Shortstop Miguel Rojas, who botched a grounder to his left earlier in the inning that enabled a run to score, was late breaking to cover third, leaving the bag wide open. Second baseman Alex Freeland tried to hit Rojas in stride with his throw and was charged with an error when it got away and the go-ahead run scored.
“Physical errors happen, and I’m OK with that,” Rojas said. “I’m not perfect, and I’m going to make errors, and physical errors are OK. But mental errors are the ones that are disappointing. I should have been on third base, I shouldn’t be putting Alex Freeland in the situation of throwing the ball with me on the run there. That’s the one that I kick myself for.”
Said Roberts: “This guy’s as dependable as they come. So that it happens, we don’t like it, doesn’t feel good, but you know that player. I give him a lot of grace, because he is very dependable.”
Right-hander Evan Phillips made his first major-league appearance in 14 months, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer, and had two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning. But the Dodgers offense didn’t muster a comeback, as the top of the batting order went down in order with two runners on.
Ohtani on track
Ohtani is still in line to pitch Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Roberts said.
The right biceps issue that flared in Ohtani’s final at-bat last Friday, and sidelined him Saturday, raised the question of whether he should skip his last start before the All-Star break. But Roberts said Ohtani’s catch play has been normal and he hasn’t reported any concerns with his biceps.
“As he goes through the next couple days, if he doesn’t feel great, we’ll pivot, and we’re prepared to pivot,” Roberts said. “But as we sit here, I don’t see that changing.”
Roberts said he doesn’t think Ohtani will pitch in the All-Star Game or participate in the home run derby. But he does expect him to take an at-bat or two as the NL’s starting designated hitter.
“He understands the responsibility he has,” Roberts said. “So I do think that there’s a middle for what’s best for him, what potentially could be downside, but also what’s best for the game.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Juan Mejia #47 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES— The Dodgers were close to adding another walk-off win against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, but instead came up short in a 4-3 defeat.
Shohei Ohtani reached yet another milestone on Tuesday night, teeing off for his 300th career home run and leadoff homer run no. 25 as a Dodger to give his team an immediate cushion. Ohtani is now the 18th active player in baseball with at least 300 career home runs— 129 of them coming with the Dodgers.
Offense would be an unusually challenging feat against Lorenzen throughout his night, with the Dodgers producing an additional run on a bases-loaded walk to Andy Pages in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Dodgers scratched across another run in the bottom of the fifth inning with an RBI single from Alex Freeland, Unlike how they fared against Lorenzen in April, three runs was more than efficient for the Dodgers’ starter.
Tuesday was another spectacular night for the southpaw Justin Wrobleski, as he only made Colorado’s struggles against left-handed pitching more agonizing. Wrobleski managed to complete seven full innings allowing just one run and striking out nine. Although he still has a 6.55 strikeout per nine innings rate, the left-hander now has 20 strikeouts across 14 innings over his last two starts.
While Wrobleski was excellent yet again, the bullpen failed to secure a winning decision for him. Will Klein was the first man in relief, and immediately ran into trouble after putting two men on base with just one out. Tyler Freeman brought in the runner from third, and Klein was subsequently replaced by Jack Dreyer. Jake McCarthy was thrown out on a sacrifice bunt, but the relay throw from Alex Freeland sailed past Muncy into the Dodger dugout, allowing two runs to score as the Rockies took a one-run lead.
After two scoreless innings from Juan Mejia, Jordan Romano was called upon to try and close things out. The Dodgers looked to be mounting another walk-off after Freeland and Teoscar Hernández reached base with nobody out. Romano got both Ohtani and Andy Pages to fly out before striking out Freddie Freeman to give Colorado their first win at Dodger Stadium this year.
Evan Phillips made his return from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, marking his first appearance since May 2025. Phillips tossed a scoreless ninth inning while allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out two.
Jul 6, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Owen Murphy (73) pitches the ball against the New York Mets during the tenth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves made a series of roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s contest in Pittsburgh. Most notably, right-hander Owen Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. In addition, the club selected the contract of lefty Connor Thomas, released righty Daysbel Hernández, recalled righty James Karinchak, and placed righty Tyler Kinley on the paternity list.
The #Braves today selected LHP Connor Thomas to the major league roster and optioned RHP Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club released RHP Daysbel Hernández. Atlanta also recalled RHP James Karinchak and placed RHP Tyler Kinley on the…
22-year-old Murphy made his debut on Monday evening, where he was put in a difficult extra-inning situation against the New York Mets. He threw just one inning but allowed the game-winning runs.
The remaining moves are refreshing Atlanta’s bullpen as the club continues the final road trip before the All-Star break. Thomas gives the Braves a fresh left-handed arm, while Karinchak returns after a brief stint in Triple-A to help cover innings with Kinley away on the paternity list.
More Braves News:
Hurston Waldrep struggled and the Braves suffered a 12-4 beatdown from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is reportedly nearing a rehab assignment. It could begin as soon as next week.
MLB News:
The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list with a right hip strain. The move is retroactive to July 6. The injury will cause Buxton to miss the All-Star Game.
The rookie outfielder went 4-for-4 -- his first four-hit game -- including a two-run shot and a career-high three RBI. It was an overall impressive game for Ewing, who has picked it up offensively recently.
Over his last 22 games, since June 14, Ewing has a
.311/.400/.568 slashline with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI, 12 runs
and a .968 OPS.
"I feel comfortable in the box right now. That’s pretty much it," Ewing said after Tuesday's game. "When I say comfortable in the box, I mean it. I’m relaxed."
When asked specifically about his growing power numbers, five of his six home runs this year have come in the last month, Ewing reiterated his comfort at the plate, but emphasized that he's not intentionally going for the long ball.
"That's not really something I'm pushing for," he said. "It's more just line drive stuff, but the fact that I'm getting the ball in the air to the pull side, it's cool."
Tuesday was also the third time Ewing batted leadoff with the big league club. Although the series opener with the Royals was the first time he picked up a hit in that spot, the outfielder is accustomed to it. In 33 games batting leadoff with Syracuse before his call-up, Ewing slashed .342/.448/.525 with a .973 OPS.
Through 52 games, Ewing's OBP (.359) is ranked ninth among rookies and his 22 walks are 13th. Should be noted that only one rookie, the Giants' Bryce Eldridge, has more walks in fewer games, with the majority of the players ahead of Ewing having already played in at least 60 games.
Ewing was asked how his skillset fits with batting leadoff, and the 21-year-old gave a concise response.
"Naturally, I see a lot pitches," he said. "That's going to suit me well in that spot."
The Royals have right-hander Steven Cruz scheduled to start Wednesday's game as the opener. There's a good chance we'll see Ewing hitting leadoff and whether he can continue to use his particular skillset as the Mets' table-setter.
Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images | Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
Jays 9 Giants 3
Before the game, I asked the Jays to score and not just one run. And they did….I should have asked earlier.
The Jays scored:
Three in the second: Brandon Valenzuela led off with a single. An out later, Sean Keys singled (108.5 mph). Then Jonatan Clase homered (362 feet, homer in 22 of the 30 MLB stadiums).
Five in the third: Vladimir Guerrero started it off with a single to the opposite field. Kazuma Okamoto followed his lead, singling to the opposite field. Valenzuela singled to center, scoring one. A Daulton Varsho ground out put runners on second and third. Keys singled again, scoring both. Clase singled putting runners on the corners. Andrés Giménez singled one home. And Ernie Clement hit a sac fly.
One in the ninth: Clement led off with a single. Lukes singled to give us runners on the corners. Then Vlad hit into a double play, which brought in the run, but it was a crappy swing.
We did go five inning there without getting a baserunner. But let’s focus on the nine runs instead.
We had 13 hits. Clement (leading off) had three hits. Valenzuela, Keys, and Clase had two each. Varsho was the lone member of the batter order not to get a hit. He did have a 102.7 mph lineout, .650 expected BA. But his other at bats were pretty sad.
And we were 4 for 10 with RISP, so a good day.
Spencer Miles got the start and wasn’t great. He gave up 7 hits in 4 innings, with just 1 strikeout. He was lucky to get through the four innings with just 2 earned.
Patrick Corbin gave up a run, going 2.1 innings. He started his 2.1 innings with a single and double allowed. Both of which I thought Nathan Lukes likely should have caught. The single, Nathan kind of ran parallel to, instead of going after. I guess he was playing it safe, but I though he should have made the catch. And the double was just over Lukes head, and again, I thought he could have made a better effort. So Corbin allowed one run in his 2.1.
Jeff Hoffman got the last two outs of the seventh, with a strikeout.
Mason Fluharty pitched a quick eighth. And Louis Varland pitched the ninth on 19 pitches. More than I would have liked him to throw, but he didn’t allow a baserunner.
And our pitchers didn’t give out a walk.
After the defense was so awful yesterday, it was pretty good today.
Jays of the Day: Clase (0.25 WPA) and Keys (0.09).
No one gets the other award, tho Vlad came close at -0.08.
We have a day game tomorrow. 3:45 Eastern start time. I was out in the sun all day today, so I might just about be up by that time. Dylan Cease (5-4, 2.79) vs. Logan Webb (5-6, 3.66).
The Utah Jazz capped off a perfect 3-0 run through their home summer showcase with a dominant 103-69 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. It may not have been pretty, but the Jazz got the job done.
Unlike the first two games, none of Utah’s draft picks played. Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, and Cody Williams were all sidelined as the Jazz’s Summer League roster took on the OKC Thunder, who were also missing their draft picks: Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz.
Plan for the Jazz is to sit Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey and Cody Williams tomorrow in SLC and have them all available for July 9 in Vegas
The only players who got some action tonight with regular season appearances for the Jazz were Blake Hinson, Bez Mbeng, and Hayden Gray. This gave an opportunity for the other Summer League players to show what they can do, and several took advantage.
From the start, the Jazz controlled the game. The Jazz went on a 42-25 run stretching from the 4:25 mark of the first quarter into halftime. This surge put the game out of the reach from the Thunder early on, and they kept their foot on the gas, winning the second half 50-32, with a lead that swelled as much as 37 points.
The Jazz won both the 3-point shooting and paint points battles, outscoring the Thunder 46-28 in the paint. This dominant win was characterized by balanced scoring, with 7 Jazz players reaching double figures.
Max Abmas, a small crafty guard, started at point guard, dropping 15 points and 6 assists. He has a tight handle and solid passing. His size is limiting as he is listed at only 5-foot-11. However, he was a steady hand in Peterson’s absence with only two turnovers.
Jonas Aidoo also had a good game, starting at center and dropping 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He is a decent rim protector and uses his size well.
This was Oklahoma City’s third straight loss in Salt Lake City, after an earlier blowout against Memphis and a 5-point loss to Atlanta. The OKC Thunder struggled to shoot from distance, only making 26.5% of their 3-point attempts.
Their rookie big man, Aday Mara (the No. 12 pick), and young guard Bennett Stirtz (the No. 16 pick), showed nice flashes but struggled to find consistency throughout summer play so far.
“If we guarded and played as a team, we knew we were going to win,” said Justin Harmon, who finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. “We love playing with each other, and when we play together, we can beat anybody.”
Hopefully Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, and Cody Williams got the rest needed to perform in their upcoming games.
Both teams will now head to the main NBA Summer League event at Las Vegas. The Jazz will take on the Washington Wizards on July 9th in the highly anticipated battle between the top two picks: AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
The San Jose Sharks were one of the busiest teams to start out the month of July. While their moves have been met with a considerable amount of criticism from fans and experts alike, the message that Mike Grier was trying to send is clear. The Sharks are ready to move out of the rebuilding phase, and they want to win.
The first major move by the Sharks in free agency was the most unexpected one. Most expected the team's priority on July 1 to be solving their blue line, not adding more middle-six forwards to an already noticeable logjam. A half hour into free agency, though, insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news that the Sharks' first piece of business was signing 31-year-old winger Mason Marchment, the son of long-time Sharks scout Bryan Marchment.
Marchment does help address the Sharks' need for depth goal-scoring, as they only had three players on the roster surpass the 20-goal threshold last season, but it does put the team in a strange bind, which we'll discuss more in detail at a later date.
The more notable additions came later in the day, addressing the Sharks' defensive group. First, the Sharks signed former New York Rangers captain and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba to a four-year deal worth $33 million with an average annual value of $8.25 million. While it is a steep price to pay for an aging defenseman, as we’ve seen in recent months, $8 million isn’t what it used to be around the NHL. Trouba’s deal is currently the 29th highest cap hit for a defenseman, but once a multitude of young, high-end defensemen start signing their second or third contracts, he’ll have a run-of-the-mill deal for a second-pairing defenseman by the time his new contract expires.
The Sharks were then done with big-name free agent signings, with no disrespect meant to Eric Comrie, who will likely compete for the Sharks’ backup goalie job when training camp comes around. As a result, Grier turned his attention to the trade market. After months of rumors and speculation linking the Sharks to either Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Reilly or Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, Grier opted to pull the trigger and acquire the latter.
Nurse, despite public opinion, is a serviceable second-pairing defenseman who often is the brunt of considerable criticism due to his high cap hit. It is true that he carries the 11th highest average annual value amongst NHL defensemen, and it is certainly fair that he has not lived up to his $9.25 million cap hit since signing his current contract back in 2021. At that time, he seemed to be on the same trajectory as players like Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, and others, but of course, that never came to fruition. If Nurse had a $6 million, or even $7 million, cap hit, he likely wouldn’t be constantly scrutinized. With that being said, there’s a certain amount of expectations that come with a cap hit that nears eight figures.
The Sharks didn’t add superstars in free agency this summer, and they still drastically lack a true number one defenseman, or even a number two for that matter. Despite that, the Sharks now have a total of three, arguably four depending on your view of Michael Kesselring, legitimate top-four defensemen. Last season, it could’ve been argued they had just one, Dmitry Orlov. If you take salary out of the equation, it’s hard to back an argument that the Sharks’ current defensive corps of Nurse, Trouba, Orlov, and Kesselring isn’t a dramatic improvement over last year’s group that included John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Mario Ferraro.
While many have their opinions, both positive and negative, regarding the Sharks’ moves this summer, it’s hard to dispute that Mike Grier’s message to the NHL has been received loud and clear.
Jul 7, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) celebrates with designated hitter Gavin Sheets (30) after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images
Whatever momentum seemed to have been gained by the offensive outburst last night was immediately lost 24 hours later. We are right back in the same spot we were in when we got here yesterday. Really a frustrating night for a team that was hoping to turn a corner after last night and get some momentum going.
The team turned as they have done all season to their former ace to be a leader and put this team on his back, but Zac Gallen faltered once again. He allowed 4 runs in the first inning and his team seemingly shut down behind him. Gallen was able to keep the Padres at 4 for the next 5 innings which was kind of nice, but the damage had already been done. Overall, the line for Gallen wasn’t terrible going 6 innings and allowing 4 runs, however allowing all 4 of them in the first inning seemingly really killed this team’s momentum. The Dbacks TV commentary was really trying to push the narrative that tonight was somehow an improvement for Gallen, however I am not really buying it.
As for the Dbacks offense what else can really be said at this point? Nobody hit. Pavin Smith should’ve been DFA’d 3 weeks ago but is still somehow inexplicably getting starts. And guess what? He went 0-3. Shocker!
Corbin Carroll appears to have a hole in his swing again at the top of the zone that pitchers have been exploiting the past couple of weeks and it doesn’t look good. It took him quite a while last season to make an adjustment on that pitch and the Dbacks really need him now.
Really not an approach that is going to allow you to score runs when you cant avoid the groundball with runners on base. After the Marte double in the first inning, After loading the bases with 0 outs in the first inning, a fielders choice, a walk to score the lone run, Nolan Arenado lined into an inning ending double play. Definitely a missed opportunity. This would be the first of 3 inning-ending double plays on the night for the Dbacks offense, 2 of which by Arenado. After the first, the Dbacks managed only 3 hits the rest of the game, all singles. Especially frustrating after getting the Padres starter Marquez to over 30 pitches in the first inning.
Like I said, there’s not much that can be said that hasn’t already. This offense got outslugged by the worst offense in the league tonight. Something needs to change.
The Dbacks will look to rebound in a big way tomorrow and get back to .500. They will turn to the youngster Jose Cabrera and the offense will have their hands full facing Michael King. These games over the coming weeks are too important to be handing them away like they seemingly did tonight. If the Dbacks are going to be buyers, we need to see something quick.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 6: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round Two Game Two on May 6, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For those concerned about the Lakers running it back, fear not.
Last year, in the first three wins LA had over Houston in the opening round of the playoffs, they started LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. If Rui Hachimura doesn’t return, that means the entire starting lineup is gone.
Everyone the Lakers have signed is under 30 years old and all are known more for their offense than their defense, except Walker Kessler. Grimes is no exception. At 26 years old, he qualifies as part of the youth movement and he can score with the best of them.
Last year, Grimes averaged 13.4 points per game and shot 33.4% from deep. That level of scoring would’ve made Grimes the fourth-highest scorer on the Lakers last year, and with James gone, a case can be made that he’s now the team’s third-best offensive player.
His 3-point shooting took a dive last year, but he’s shown an ability to be a laser. In three of his five seasons, he’s shot above38% from beyond the arc.
With Luka and Austin now feeding him the ball, he should get great looks. Thanks to the gravity of Luka and Austin, there should also be room for him to operate, drive inside and put pressure on the rim.
Grimes enters this backcourt asalso their best dunker. Last year, he had 35 dunks, which was almost three times the amount LA’s best guard dunker, Dalton Knecht had. Fans should expect Grimes to have a few finishes that get the entire NBA buzzing.
Quentin Grimes soars for the absolutely nasty poster dunk over Jake LaRavia (with replays)
While dunks are fun and youth is ideal, all of this has to translate into elite production.
The Lakers lost two guards to free agency this summer in Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, leaving big shoes to fill. Smart was arguably the best player for LA after the team’s big three and Kennard had the league’s best 3-point shooting percentage.
The Lakers are banking on Grimes stepping up in a bigger role to help replace what was lost. If not, then the Lakers’ ceiling for the 2026-27 season will dip considerably.
However, this is far from a gamble by the franchise. Grimes has a great rapport with Lakers head coach JJ Redick, working out with him way back before either was associated with the team.
Redick is aware of his game, and assuming he was part of the brain trust that made these decisions, if Redick feels adding Grimes will improve his roster, he’s earned the benefit of the doubt regarding his talent evaluation.
Still, Grimes is now in a position where he is needed to consistently produce offensively. This is a moment for him to step up in the bright LA spotlight and excel.
He has shown flashes of this. In 28 games with the Sixers during the 2024-25 season, he averaged 21.9 points per game and started in 25 of those contests.
If he can have performances like that in a Lakers uniform, then the front office can take a victory lap with this signing.
