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Mets win with offensive beatdown in Tampa Bay

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 2: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets celebrates a single in the top of the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 2, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mets entered Wednesday night’s game with a hope to win an away series against the Rays. They had Justin Hagenman making his return to the major league roster after missing months on the 60-day injured list with a fractured rib. They would be facing Griffin Jax, also making his return from the injured list.

The Mets got off to a blazing start. They had runners on first and second with two outs, and Jared Young hit a single to right field that scored Bo Bichette as the game’s first run. Liam Hicks missed the throw at the plate and the ball bounced away, allowing Carson Benge to score and Young to make it to second. Marcus Semien then hit a double to drive in Young as the Mets third run. A.J. Ewing grounded out to end the inning, but the Mets had taken a nice, roomy early lead.

After a quiet inning and a half, the Mets ignited again in the top of the third. Bichette led off with a single, then stole second after two consecutive outs. Semien walked and Ewing got an infield single to load the bases. Brett Baty hit a monster double off the wall in left field, missing a grand slam by a few feet but driving in three runs to double the Mets lead. He also drove Rays starter Griffin Jax from the game in less than three full innings, with Steven Matz coming in to get the final out and stop the bleeding for the Rays.

The Rays began trying to comeback in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, they got a walk and a single to put two runners on, and Jonathan Aranda hit an RBI single to drive in Taylor Walls as the Rays first run. Hagenman got the final out to end the inning, which was also the end of his night. He went three innings, giving up a run on two hits and a walk while collecting a pair of strikeouts.

Chris Devenski came in for the bottom of the fourth, and he had a rough go of it. A Chandler Simpson single was bookended by the first and second outs of the inning, and a pickoff attempt was unsuccessful after Simpson was deemed to not have run out of the basepath on his way back to first, and a balk was called on Devenski to allow Simpson to advance anyway. Cedric Mullins then hit a single that drove in Simpson as the Rays second run, and Benge committed a throwing error that allowed Mullins to reach second. Richie Palacios then hit a two run home run to bring the Rays within two runs. A Taylor Walls double was the end of the line for Devenski, who ended his night with three runs allowed in 0.2 innings. Dedniel Núñez came in and got the final out of the inning to allow the Mets to escape the nightmarish fourth.

Núñez ended up going 1.1 hitless innings with a strikeout, helping the Mets reach the seventh inning, where the offense exploded once again. Bichette led off with a double, and Benge followed that up with a single to move Bichette to third. Young hit into fielder’s choice with Bichette being thrown out at the plate, driving Rays reliever Cam Booser from the game in favor of Manuel Rodríguez. Semien was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Ewing struck out in what looked to be the makings of a missed opportunity for the Mets offense. But Nick Morabito, brought in to be the defensive replacement in left field, came up to the plate for the first time in the game. He ended up getting his first major league hit, a double to drive in three runs and put the Mets ahead by five runs. Rodríguez struck out Torrens to end the inning but the Mets had opened up another wide lead with little time left for the Rays to mount another comeback.

The Mets had one last run in them, coming in the top of the eighth courtesy of a Juan Soto solo home run. And the Mets bullpen, thanks to Nate Lavender, Daniel Duarte, and Jonathan Pintaro, held the Rays scoreless for the final frames. They get a day off tomorrow before returning to New York to face the San Francisco Giants in a series that starts Friday night.

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Nick Morabito, +14% WPA
Big Mets loser: Chris Devenski, -20% WPA
Mets pitchers: +10% WPA
Mets hitters: +40% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Jared Young’s two-run single in the first inning, +18.1% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Richie Palacios’ fourth inning two-run home run, -13.4% WPA

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Spurs officially announce DAZN as exclusive broadcaster

The San Antonio Spurs have officially announced DAZN as their exclusive media rights partner for the 2026-2027 season. Last month, DAZN announced deals with several other NBA teams, filling the gap that regional sports networks left behind after closing up shop. A deal with San Antonio was strongly suggested but was not official until now.

In a deal similar to that of the Indiana Pacers, DAZN will be the exclusive provider of all Spurs games not exclusive to national television. The games will be streamed on the DAZN app, which is available on a multitude of devices and will offer simultaneous multi-device streaming.

In addition to the games, the app will offer pre- and post-game shows, highlights, behind-the-scenes insights, and original programming.

The Spurs will oversee and manage the production of the games, Spurs Sports & Entertainment tells Pounding the Rock.

As far as availability, the app will serve those in South, Central, and West Texas. Once signed up, they will be able to use the app and stream games while traveling. For those fans residing out-of-market, NBA League Pass will still be the provider.

As expected, 22 games will be broadcast over-the-air from a local provider, yet to be announced.

In addition to Spurs games, DAZN will also offer select Spurs Sports & Entertainment content including San Antonio FC matches and Austin Spurs G League games.

The cost

This is all great, but how much will it cost? A Season Pass is available at $119.99/year. Month-to-month starts at $19.99. DAZN will also be offering an “Ultimate Tier” priced at $139.99/year or $24.99/month, which will include incremental benefits, several of which will include a one-time discount code good for 25 percent off at the Spurs Fan Shop, access to alternate feeds and camera angles, and multi-view capabilities.

As far as discounts go, a free seven-day trial will be available; season ticket holders will be given 20 percent off the Season Pass price, and fans who become “Official Spurs Fan Club members” by September 9 are eligible for an exclusive subscription discount, yet to be disclosed. Additional discounts and promotions will be offered throughout the season.

The service will be available within the coming weeks. Fans can sign up here to receive updates directly from DAZN.

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Shohei Ohtani injury update adds confusion to perplexing status

Shohei Ohtani is expected to have an impact on the postseason as the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their quest for a World Series three-peat.

What opportunities Ohtani might have to make an impact remain uncertain.

Ohtani appeared to be trending in the right direction with his pitching progression, but that was put to a halt on Aug. 29. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that the team's two-way star would not be making a return as it was anticipated. The pitcher had thrown a 20-pitch bullpen just the day before.

In a Sept. 2 conversation with reporters, Roberts said the team is still considering shutting down Ohtani, but the Dodgers aren't ready to make that decision.

“I know he is in lockstep with (Mark Prior), the pitching guys, the training staff, but I think for me he has to throw a bullpen, then we will see the next progression,” Roberts said.

Ohtani is expected to remain available as a designated hitter, but hasn't taken the mound as a pitcher in a game since July 3 due to knee inflammation and biceps discomfort.

Ohtani did not pitch during his first season with the Dodgers, after needing a full year to recover from right elbow surgery.

Roberts was also asked about the possibility of Ohtani playing in the outfield, but the manager declared that’s "not on the table.”

What to expect if Shohei Ohtani pitches

The Dodgers have not officially shut down Ohtani as a pitcher for the rest of the season. If and when he is cleared and ready to pitch, Ohtani could see limited action on a pitch count before working a full game.

Shohei Ohtani stats

As of Wednesday, Sept. 2, Ohtani was hitting .281 with 88 runs scored, 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 128 games this season.

As a pitcher, Ohtani has posted an 8-2 record in 14 starts this season. He's allowed 55 hits, 21 runs (17 earned) and four home runs, while striking out 95.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani injury update adds confusion to perplexing status

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Brett Baty, Nick Morabito each tally three RBI in Mets' 10-4 series-clinching win over Rays

The Mets (63-77) took the rubber match of their three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays (83-56), 10-4, the final score.

Here are the takeaways...

-- The Amazins wasted no time taking an early lead over Rays right-handed starter Griffin Jax. Juan Soto reached base on a single up the middle, but was retired on a fielder's choice by Bo Bichette. Carson Benge walked to put runners on first and second with two outs, and Jared Young capitalized with an RBI single. Tampa catcher Liam Hicks couldn't hold onto the ball when applying the late tag on Bichette, and the ball skittered away. The error allowed Benge to score and Young to move up to second base on the play. Marcus Semien added to the damage with a double down the left field line to bring Young across home plate, and the Mets were up 3-0.

-- The Mets engineered another two-out rally in the third inning. They loaded the bases after A.J. Ewing hustled out an infield single, and Brett Baty capitalized with a big opposite-field swing which ricocheted off the very top of the wall in left-center field, clearing the bases and knocking Jax out of the game. 

-- 29-year-old righty Justin Hagenman was called on to make the start for the Mets on Wednesday, marking his first MLB appearance of the season. He threw 46 pitches, allowed two hits, walked one batter, and allowed one earned run while striking out two over three full innings. 

-- Right-handed reliever Chris Devenski came in for Hagenman, and had a nightmare outing. After recording two outs in the fourth inning, Devenski unraveled, allowing three earned runs on three hits, including a two-run homer off the bat of Richie Palacios. Taylor Walls extended the inning with a double to force Mets interim skipper Andy Green to call on Dedniel Núñez to strand the runner in scoring position and hold the Mets' 6-4 lead.

-- Bichette led off the seventh inning with a double off the foot of the wall in right-center field. With the bases loaded and nobody out, rookie left fielder Nick Morabito stepped into the box for his first turn at the plate. He cleared the bases with a looping line drive into the left-field corner, his first career hit.

-- The Mets wouldn't relinquish their lead, and closed out the final three frames of the ballgame without surrendering a run thanks to strong relief pitching from Nate Lavender, Daniel Duarte, and Jonathan Pintaro. Along the way, Soto mashed a solo shot, his 23rd round-tripper on the season, to extend New York's lead to 10-4.

Game MVP: Whoever was batting eighth!

Baty began the game as the eighth batter in the Mets' order, and his three-run double padded the team's early cushion. Mark Vientos pinch-hit for Baty to face left-handed reliever Cam Booser and stroked a single. Morabito pinch-ran for Vientos and, in his first time at the plate, faced right-handed reliever Manuel Rodriguez, and he replicated Baty's earlier feat with yet another two-out three-run double, a moment he'll cherish for a lifetime. Morabito kept his momentum rolling in the ninth inning with a line drive single. 

Collectively, the eighth man in the Mets lineup batted 4-for-5 with six RBI on the night. 

Highlights

What's next

The Mets travel to San Francisco to take on the Giants in a three-game series, with first pitch for Friday's game set for 7:10 p.m. EST.

New York will send out Nolan McLean (3.06 ERA, 1.12 WHIP in 155.2 IP).

The Giants have not yet announced their starter.

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New York Yankees @ Los Angeles Angels: Cam Schlittler vs. Reid Detmers

TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 15: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 15, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees rebounded from their ugly loss in the opener to level the series against the Angels with a 7-3 victory. Spencer Jones and Jazz Chisholm Jr. continued to power the offense, their bats heating up at just the right time. New York has just the man they want on the mound to go for the series win as Cam Schlittler looks to stick another pin in his AL Cy Young case.

Schlittler is coming off one of his most important starts of the year. It was a bit of a weird one — he allowed just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings while also becoming the fourth-youngest Yankee to record 200 strikeouts in a season, but also tied a career high with five walks. Nonetheless, it spearheaded a big win over the Red Sox to keep the rivals at arm’s length in the division. Keep an eye out for Schlittler to keep upping the usage of his curveball, an offering that he has turned into a true unicorn pitch in baseball. In 28 starts, Schlittler is 12-6 with a 2.09 ERA (202 ERA+), 2.63 FIP, and 201 strikeouts in 163.2 innings pitched.

Reid Detmers was widely expected to be traded at the deadline alongside since dealt rotation mate José Soriano, but he ended up staying put. He has yo-yoed between the rotation and bullpen the last three seasons but really nailed down a starting role this year. He’s got one of the best sliders in baseball from a run value standpoint, the pitch inducing a 35.3-percent whiff rate and 38-percent strikeout rate. The southpaw faced the Yankees on April 14th, holding them to a run on four hits while striking out nine in seven innings. In 27 starts, Detmers is 4-8 with a 3.54 ERA (116 ERA+), 3.20 FIP, and 174 strikeouts in 155 innings.

Both Jones and Jazz are sporting a wRC+ of at least 150 over the last month or so, the pair a big part of the offense’s turnaround in August. Otherwise, the Yankees make four changes to last night’s lineup with the lefty on the mound. Paul Goldschmidt plays first and leads off giving Luis García Jr. the night off. Heliot Ramos comes in to play right sliding Jones to center and Trent Grisham to the bench. Amed Rosario replaces Ryan McMahon at third and Ali Sánchez subs in for Austin Wells behind the plate.

The Angels meanwhile make just one change to their lineup, Travis D’Arnaud getting the start at catcher over Tyler Heineman. Zach Neto and Wade Meckler have had big series for the Angels so far. They form the top of the batting order sandwiched around the ever-dangerous Mike Trout which, if silenced, makes the job a whole lot easier for Schlittler.

How to watch

Location: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA

First pitch: 9:38 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, ABTV

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | KLAA 830, KWKW 1330 (LAA)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv (out-of-market only)

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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What does severe NBA Kawhi punishment mean for Clippers future?

What was the final cost for the Los Angeles Clippers acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019?

Just as the organization had finally paid off their significant draft pick haul of five first rounders, two pick swaps and future two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Oklahoma City to secure Leonard's running mate from seven years ago, the NBA dropped the hammer on the Clippers.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz's independent investigation concluded that the Clippers violated the league's salary cap circumvention rules by facilitating side deals between Leonard and four companies: Aspiration, Daktronics, Boingo Wireless and Lockton Insurance and offering them business from the team in exchange for entering into agreements with Leonard.

Among the several sanctions announced by the league against the team, owner Steve Ballmer and other high-ranking front office members, the Clippers are being stripped of five-first round draft picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033.

Fines of $30 million for the team and $700,000 for Leonard were also levied while Ballmer and president of business operations Gillian Zucker received one-year suspensions; president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was also suspended for six months without pay. Additionally, the Clippers must enter into a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office over the next five years.

"The NBA’s collectively bargained system for determining player compensation is a fundamental component of the basketball competition that the league oversees for the benefit of the teams and players and ultimately the fans. I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations."

Where do the Clippers go from here?

Clippers future after NBA punishes team, Kawhi Leonard

First, the Toronto Raptors need to decide whether they want to go through with the previously agreed upon trade for Leonard. That deal was paused until the conclusion of the investigation. Now, with the superstar at the center of the scandal emerging relatively unscathed, that essentially clears the way for the trade to move forward. Assuming the deal gets done, LA gets back Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and two unprotected first-round picks, two second rounders and a first-round pick swap in 2027.

Because of this trade and the deal they made to acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, the Clippers still have some draft capital. They will own one first rounder in 2031 and 2033 after that deal and forfeit the lone picks they had in 2030 and 2032. They will also lose either the unprotected pick they got from the Indiana Pacers in the Ivica Zubac trade or the top-three protected pick swap with the Sixers in 2029.

But even with that, the future in Inglewood looks about as muggy as the unusual humidity that's bogged down the city for much of the summer.

Before his suspension, Lawrence Frank was adamant that although the Clippers are no longer contenders, he does expect them to stay competitive. The roster reflects that gray area. Darius Garland arrived in February as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' return package for James Harden. Bradley Beal joined the team after getting bought out by the Phoenix Suns and expected to be part of a three-headed monster alongside Leonard and Harden before fracturing his hip just six games into the 2025-26 season. He returns after agreeing to a new two-year $13.27 million contract not to be a third star, but now as a veteran presence in a locker room that got a lot younger.

Keaton Wagler, the No. 5 overall pick in June, stands as the Clippers' biggest roster addition this offseason. Instead of a major splash like we've seen Ballmer's teams make in recent years, the team pursued moves along the margins such as bringing in Rui Hachimura, Brook Lopez and Max Strus in free agency. Vets Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins all walked.

But it's not like the Clippers have the flexibility to make any big moves happen right now. Once the Leonard trade goes through, roughly half of their cap space this season will be tied up in two players, Garland and Ingram, who are set to make over $82 million combined this season according to Spotrac. They might be able to swing a trade, but that seems unlikely this year without their top basketball ops executive or any tradeable draft assets. Ingram is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

They don't even have flexibility for moves in the long-term, either. Frank said it himself months ago.

"There’s not much left in the piggy bank prior to this trade in terms of premium picks," He told The Athletic at the trade deadline. "We’ve kind of gone all in, all in, all in. We’ve made a bunch of trades to kind of please today’s team. … OK, how are we gonna bridge this era to the next era? And with it is, guys who are part of the team now can also be part of the next era.

"But if everyone is part of the team, there’s a cliff. And … it could take years, years to get out of it."

Now, it could take even longer than that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does severe NBA Kawhi punishment mean for Clippers future?

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NBA penalizes Clippers, Kawhi Leonard: Winners and losers from investigation

Fines, suspensions, forfeited picks and temporary league banishment.

Those were the consequences the NBA came down with following their investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention tactics with their superstar Kawhi Leonard.

The hammer came down hard on the Clippers, Leonard and those found to be involved with the investigation.

The league said it "found a pattern of misconduct" regarding salary cap circumvention leading to "significant rules violations contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)."

The NBA handed down penalties that included a $30 million fine to the Clippers and a $700,000 fine to Leonard. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended for a year, Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended for a year without pay and Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended for six months without pay.

The team lost five years worth of draft picks. Additionally, the Clippers will be monitored by the league for the next five years. Leonard's uncle, Dennis Robertson, is banned from doing business with anything or anyone NBA-related for five years.

The Clippers, once again, are the laughing stock of Los Angeles. Here are the winners and losers that come from this investigation:

WINNERS

Journalism

On behalf of journalists, shout out to Pablo Torre, who was the first one to break the news, now proven true.

Over the previous 11 months, Torre proved to all doubters that journalism, especially investigative journalism, is far from a dying demand. And despite naysayers who tried to attack his credibility as a journalist, he stuck to his guns, and the facts.

Amid content creators, internet personalities and media opportunists looking for their next chance to become a viral sensation, Torre proved that actual research and fact-checking is still the way to get clicks.

The Clippers messed around, Torre found out.

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard is one of the biggest winners throughout all of this because he seemingly gets to pocket the millions of dollars that was wired to him for his "sponsorship duties."

His name and reputation comes out completely unscathed. No one looks at Leonard as unethical. He doesn't view himself that way. Leonard, in a social media post, denied any wrongdoing, but accepted responsibility.

"Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses and judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family," Leonard wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. "I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question and good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations, and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap."

Regardless, he still walks away with $28 million from the alleged sponsorship deal. He might have had to cough up $700,000 back to the league, but what's $700,000 to $28 million? Accept responsibility (because that's just good for PR), pay the little fine and go on with your life.

Board man got paid.

Toronto Raptors

Amid all the drama, the Toronto Raptors come out on top.

They traded for Leonard in June 2026, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a 2027 first-round swap to the Clippers.

"For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with," Leonard said in his social media post. "As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the trade is "on track."

"There's full expectation that this trade will be going down, as is," Charania wrote on X. "The trade is on track and both sides can move forward on this."

Leonard will join a team that includes a supporting cast of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. USA TODAY Sports gave the Raptors-Clippers trade an A- grade, as they position themselves to be a dark horse in the Eastern Conference title.

Clippers trades

It seems like a gut-punching blow for the Clippers following the investigation. It is.

The only win from this when you look at it, beyond the distractions, is that they won't completely lose all their draft picks for the foreseeable future.

The Clippers still have one first rounder in three of the five impacted years due to the trades they made, including with Toronto to send Leonard to the Raptors.

The Clippers have a first-round pick swap in 2027 and unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033.

That's the only positive takeaway from this debacle. Yes, they also get Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to join a roster that has Darius Garland. But how good will the team even be?

Adam Silver

The NBA commissioner made a statement with the punishment. He sent a message throughout the league to other owners, players, agents, business partners, etc. You break the rules, there will be a price to pay. Literally, and figuratively.

LOSERS

Clippers organization

Once again, the Clippers prove to the league and the Los Angeles region, that they are the sporting joke of the town. Ballmer's suspended and his team was fined $30 million. Presidents of basketball and business operations, Frank and Zucker, were suspended for six months and a year, respectively, both without pay.

The Clippers lose picks and a superstar. There's a real world where the team could contend with the Sacramento Kings for worst team in the Pacific Division this year.

Uncle Dennis

Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle and former business manager, was not only fired amid the reports, but following the NBA's ruling he has been banned from "conducting business or otherwise engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of or with respect to any player, employee, or other league or team personnel," the league said in a statement.

Robertson cannot associate with anyone or anything NBA, business-related for a period of five years.

Robertson violated the circumvention rules, on his nephew's behalf, by pressuring the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities, successfully obtaining those opportunities, and failing to reimburse payments by the Clippers for personal expenses, the league said.

Maneuvers he tried in 2019 with the Lakers when Leonard was a free agent pursuing the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Lakers' then-owner Jeanie Buss didn't go for it.

Anyone and everyone who discredited Torre's Pulitzer Prize-winning work

All of those who were quick to discredit the reporting and findings from Torre's podcast, this section is for you, whether that's Mark Cuban, Steve Ballmer or ESPN personalities. Just loud and wrong. The apology should be just as loud.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA penalizes Clippers, Kawhi Leonard: Winners and losers from investigation

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Pork Is Back on the (Tasting) Menu as Mariners Perfect September Continues

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bryce Miller #50 of the Seattle Mariners leaves the field during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It’s not much, but it’s a start, for Bryce Miller and the Mariners.

The Mariners took a series in Boston on Wednesday with a solid 8-3 win. Bryce Miller got the start for the first time since his no-good, very-bad week, and did all that was asked of him, handing the ball to the bullpen with a lead. The Mariners offense did something we haven’t seen much in 2026, stringing together 12 hits and five walks and applying constant pressure to Red Sox pitchers, who simply couldn’t handle it. The Mariners somehow, someway salvaged their road trip, and return home with a shiny 2-0 record in September.

It was Miller’s first start since being demoted to the bullpen last week. He never actually appeared in a game as a reliever because Emerson Hancock got hurt shortly after the decision, which allowed Miller to slot back into the rotation after nine days of rest. If anybody on the team needed a break, it was probably Miller, whose last two starts ended 22-0 and 19-2.

I was interested to see how the Mariners would manage Miller after acknowledging he wasn’t holding up as a true starter. We kind of got the answer: Dan Wilson pulled Miller at just 65 pitches in the middle of the fifth inning while holding a 4-1 lead. The start looked more like his abbreviated outings from May, albeit without the bullpen-saving piglet on his shoulders.

But Miller didn’t exactly recapture the dominance from his former piggyback role. He was in trouble from the jump, putting runners on with back-to-back singles in the first. It looked like the Red Sox would score on a third single, but Randy Arozarena came up firing and just caught Mickey Gasper at the plate (with a nice tag from Jhonny Pereda):

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Miller set down the side in order in the second inning, and easily worked around a single in the third. The fourth wasn’t so simple. Wilyer Abreu doubled off the Monster to lead off the inning. Miller got an out, then walked a batter, then got an out, then gave up a dinky ground rule double to score a run. This was kind of a make-or-break moment, and Miller completely broke Connor Wong’s brain with a sweeper way out of the zone for a swinging strike three.

Miller returned for the fifth inning to face the top of the order a third time. Roman Anthony singled to lead off. Gasper hit a little flare that nearly landed for hit, if not for Arozarena’s second Gasper-thwarting gem of the day — a diving-ish effort that left him breathless for a few beats.

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Miller got the second out in the fifth inning with a grounder, then Wilson came out to get him. The decision made some sense. Miller has really struggled in the middle innings and later. For whatever reason, whether that be health or stuff or God, he entered Wednesday with a 10.57 ERA and 7.07 FIP on the third pass through the lineup in 2026. It’s been an issue dating back to last year, and really calls into question his long-term status as a starter. That’s why he was such a great candidate for the piggyback setup. With Abreu already two-for-two against Miller, and José Ferrer presenting a favorable platoon matchup out of the bullpen, Wilson decided to call it before things could sour. Miller finished at 4 2/3 innings, seven hits, one run, one walk, three strikeouts, and five whiffs. That’s not great, but it’s nice to see him get through a game without making any national headlines.

Of course, we also saw why it’s not ideal to pull a starter early. Wilson turned to Ferrer to face Abreu, and Ferrer immediately gave up a double to put runners on second and third. Ferrer eventually escaped, but Wilson still found himself with four innings to cover with one of the worst bullpens in the majors. He turned to Michael Rucker, arguably one of his best options (I know, I know), to try and hold an 8-1 lead. Rucker cruised through the sixth inning, but gave up a pair of runs in the seventh on a solo homer and back-to-back doubles.

This looked like the makings of a classic “no lead is safe at Fenway” kind of game, but Seranthony Dominguez pitched a clean eighth, and Cooper Criswell pitched a clean ninth to seal a relatively comfortable 8-3 win. The game was managed better than it was pitched, but ultimately everyone did their job.

The lineup did their job, too. Patrick Sandoval got the start for the Red Sox, as the sort of crafty lefty that seems to give the Mariners fits. They put up a four spot and chased him midway through the fifth inning, then put up a four-spot against his replacement Brayan Bello (who’s having a season not dissimilar to Miller’s).

The Mariners didn’t homer in this one. In fact, their only extra base hit was a double from Dominic Canzone. Instead, they strung together 11 singles and five walks and always seemed to have someone on base. It’s the type of performance that doesn’t summarize well in text, because it was just single after single after single. The hardest single was a 107 mph line drive from Julio in the third that scored a run to make it 2-0. The softest single came on the next batter, a 68 mph flare from Josh Naylor that scored two more runs (thanks in part to a throwing error from Jarren Duran). 

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The Mariners now return to Seattle after a 2-4 road trip. I wrote after Sunday’s brutal — and I mean brutal — loss to Old Man Scherzer that I wasn’t sure if Wilson would make it back home as manager. That seemed about right following another hard-feelings, extra-innings loss on Monday, which punctuated one of the worst months in team history. 

But the Mariners have pulled off commanding, back-to-back wins to steal a series in Boston. They’re now 2-0 in September, and face the easiest strength of schedule in the majors the rest of the way. It’s going to take something close to perfection to win the division, or even finish above .500. Nevertheless, everything remains in front of them. The 2026 Mariners aren’t dead yet.

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Know Your Enemy: Sabres Will Face Mountainous Challenge Against Defending-Champion Carolina Hurricanes

Jordan Staal (James Guillory Imagn Images)
Jordan Staal (James Guillory Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres enjoyed a terrific 2025-26 season, winning the  Atlantic Division, then beating the Boston Bruins in the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Sabres lost to the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2, but Buffalo sent a message – namely, that the days of the Sabres being a laughingstock are over. 

With that out of the way, here at TheHockeyNews.com, we're breaking down Buffalo’s Eastern Conference opponents for the second season in an ongoing series we call “Know Your Enemy”. And in this particular file, we’re focusing on the team that won a championship last season – the Carolina Hurricanes.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES

NEW HURRICANES PLAYERS: None

2025-26 SERIES: Sabres 1-2-0, Hurricanes 2-1-0

2026-27 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: January 9, at Buffalo; February 13 at Carolina; February 18 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? GIven that the Hurricanes handed the Sabres fairly easily this past season, and given that the Canes are the defending Cup champions, we don’t see Buffalo having more success against them in 2026-27. The Canes lost a few players including goalie Frederik Andersen, but they don't need to prove anything to anyone.

The interesting wrinkle in this year’s Sabres schedule is that the Sabres and Carolina will square off three times in the span of about five weeks from January to mid-February. That’s going to give the Sabres a good barometer of what they’ll need to do to acquire pieces at next year’s trade deadline with a focus on beating the Hurricanes.

To be sure, Carolina is a swift-and-skilled squad, and to be sure, the Sabres are also swift and skilled. But Buffalo lost major pieces this summer, and the Hurricanes are probably going to improve at one point or another this season. This is why we’re skeptical that the Sabres will be able to last longer in next year’s post-season than the Hurricanes will.

The Hurricanes clearly subscribe to the school of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, and their youngsters are going to keep them competitive for years to come. So while we’ll have to wait until the new calendar season until we see the Sabres against Carolina, the wait is going to be worth it. And Buffalo will be able to use the Canes as a measuring stick by which to compare themselves. So we’re going to get high-quality hockey when these two teams go head-to-head.

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Did Kawhi Leonard get off light in the NBA's Clippers crackdown? | Opinion

When it comes to salary cap subterfuge, as it does with practically all white-collar shenanigans, it pays to insulate.

This is why the NBA flattened the Los Angeles Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer and various other key figures in the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention scheme with crushing penalties.

It’s also why Leonard, the player who seemingly pocketed millions of dollars from those deals, is walking away mostly unscathed.

Did Leonard get off light? In short: yes, he did.

Leonard was fined $700,000 and can seemingly continue his career without interruption. There was no mention of the millions that landed via direct deposits through these dubious endorsements.

Yet, the issue, as outlined in a report published by New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, is a little more complicated. Essentially, the deeply flawed structure for discipline in this case allowed for Leonard to get a slap on the wrist. The burden skewed heavily toward the franchise, which therefore somewhat absolved the player.

Put another way: this case set a precedent where a player (or his representatives) can ask for the moon and the sky and the stars — the only real infraction is if the team does not report it, particularly if the organization are repeat offenders. The issue here for the NBA, and for the general optics of the situation, is that these penalties are set with the National Basketball Players Association in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, limiting the scope and severity of the NBA’s ability to sanction Leonard.

Yet, the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver stopped short of exercising his full authority, granted under Article XIII of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which grants him the ability to void Leonard’s contract in the case of salary cap circumvention.

Compare Leonard’s discipline to the onslaught facing the Clippers:

  • The forfeiture of five first-round picks
  • A $30 million fine
  • A year-long suspension of the team owner from all league activities
  • A year-long suspension without pay of the team’s president of business operations
  • A six-month suspension without pay of the team’s president of basketball operations
  • A five-year compliance and monitoring program

The NBA clearly wanted to make an example of Ballmer’s Clippers, who were also fined $250,000 in August 2015 for “violating NBA rules prohibiting teams from offering players unauthorized business or investment opportunities” in their pursuit of then-free agent center DeAndre Jordan.

But Leonard is no ordinary player. And the Clippers had languished in Los Angeles, under the massive shadow of the crosstown Lakers. The two teams even played in the same venue for 25 seasons.

The prospect of landing a franchise-altering player like Leonard — the pressure to claw from irrelevance — is massive and unforgiving. So when a player exercises undue leverage to finagle shady dealings the way Leonard did, it creates an environment that allows for (if not encourages) smaller market and less popular teams to bend the rules when a player makes those asks.

This is not to condone the Clippers; it’s to propose that the penalty to Leonard and future players match in kind.

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am,” Leonard said Wednesday in a statement released through his agent. “I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.

“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap.”

By limiting Leonard’s suspension to just a fine, the NBA seemingly avoided a battle with the players’ union, which likely would have argued that voiding Leonard’s contract would be a step too far, given that his trade to the Raptors is expected to be finalized soon. To be sure, voiding Leonard’s contract, which is in its final season, would create other headaches and ripple effects for the league to contend with — not to mention that it would represent a drastic measure against a player, one not seen since 2000, when former commissioner David Stern voided Joe Smith’s under-market deal after it was revealed he and the Timberwolves had entered an illegal secret agreement.

But then again, this is an unprecedented case, and the millions of dollars from the alleged no-show endorsement deals had to be going somewhere.

While $700,000 is life-changing money for most American households, it represents a fraction of Leonard’s $50.3 million salary for this upcoming season.

In fact, the fine represents just 1.4% of his pay this year and a staggeringly low 0.46% of the total value of his $149.5 million maximum extension signed in January 2024.

Granted, Dennis Robertson, Leonard’s uncle, was banned from doing any NBA business for five years, essentially becoming the latest fall guy.

But all of this prompts one massive question: where did all those millions of dollars from the no-show endorsement deals go?

A $700,000 fine doesn’t come close to answering that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Kawhi Leonard get off light in the NBA's Clippers crackdown? | Opinion

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The Lakers’ front office appears to be stuck in limbo amid ownership change

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on May 12, 2026 in El Segundo, California. 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. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ideally, you don’t want an ownership change to come right in the middle of a restructuring of a front office and franchise philosophy. It tends to cause some issues.

The Lakers find themselves in an awkward position. The Dodgerizing of the front office was well underway when Mark Walter abruptly sold the team to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.

While it has remained status quo with the hirings already made, whether those hirings continue will be one of the bigger questions. Dan Woike of The Athleticrecently provided some insight into how things are operating in the front office.

As he reported, the team hasn’t frozen all hirings as they posted a position for a video producer. However, the bigger roles are where things are less clear.

But other sources, including high-ranking ones, have acknowledged that high-end positions, particularly in basketball operations, aren’t actively being filled. While some people in the organization push back on the notion that the Lakers are in a “hiring freeze,” multiple sources acknowledged that it would be foolish for the organization to make hires of consequence while in this strange moment of its history.

On one hand, this is how things happen in any industry when there’s a new owner in charge. But at the same time, the Lakers, as noted, were in the middle of reshaping things and now are left in a weird limbo for the next few months.

Part of the uncertainty also stems from the fact that no one knows what the new owners’ philosophy will be. With Walter, he at least had a track record with the Dodgers that fans and the Lakers themselves could look at and set an expectation for what was in store.

Iger and Kushner have never done this before. Will they want to continue building out the front office? Will they want to cut costs like Tom Dundon in Portland?

All that leaves the Lakers in an awkward place, halfway through a rebuild but not fully there with no clue if there will be an end in sight.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Clarke Schmidt strikes out three in second rehab start as Yankees right-hander builds to bullpen role

Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt completed his second rehab start on Wednesday, as he makes his way back to the big league club.

While it was an overall success, Schmidt pitched into trouble in the first inning. After getting the first two outs, Lehigh Valley picked up back-to-back hits, the second being a double, to score the game's first run. Schmidt bounced back by getting Alex Binelas to fly out and strand a runner on second. 

But that's all Schmidt would allow. In his second inning of work, Schmidt struck out two in a 1-2-3 frame to end his night.

Schmidt tossed 23 pitches (20 strikes), allowing one run on two hits and no walks across his two innings of work while striking out three batters. 

Wednesday was an improvement on Schmidt's first rehab start. Pitching with Double-A Somerset on Aug. 29, Schmidt tossed just 20 pitches, allowing two runs on two hits in 0.2 innings while striking out two. 

It's unclear if this will be Schmidt's final rehab start as the right-hander makes his way back from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old said he felt good after his first rehab start and expects to be stretched out enough to pitch out of the bullpen when he's activated. 

"Today was a lot sharper, I felt like,"  Schmidt said after the game. "Obviously in the first inning I gave up a couple of hits on the sinker. There’s different things I’m working on. The sinker I’m continuing to work on. The cutter was sharp and a lot of swing-and-miss on the four-seam."

Schmidt said Wednesday that he's just trying to get the rust off after 400-plus days on the shelf, and execute his pitches, but is also mindful of the transition to the bullpen and is trying to make those adjustments in these rehab starts. 

“There’s a lot of different factors when you’re relieving," Schmidt said. "You go straight from the bullpen to jog in, lot less throws in the bullpen. Not as long of a sit-down period. Just getting used to those adjustments, just trying to make the transition as easy as possible." 

With the injury to Fernando Cruz, the Yankees are looking to piece together a bullpen of former starters, which includes Schmidt and Luis Gil, who was activated this week. 

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Dodgers on Deck: Thursday, September 3 vs. Cardinals

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 28: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday August 28, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Dodgers finish off their home series against the St. Louis Cardinals with Tarik Skubal on the mound on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

Skubal in his first month with the Dodgers had a 3.00 ERA in five starts and 30 innings, with 37 strikeouts (a 30.6-percent strikeout rate) against only seven walks, and two home runs allowed. This will also be Skubal’s first Dodgers start with Will Smith behind the plate, but not his first time pitching to Smith. On March 7 at Daikin Park in Houston, Skubal allowed a solo home run in three innings and struck out five against Great Britain.

Left-hander Quinn Mathews is expected to be on the mound for the Cardinals, making his fifth major league start. Expect Tommy Edman to be back at second base after a few games in center field to begin the series.

Thursday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Cardinals
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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Stop. Hammer time. The Clippers finally got what was coming

INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 23: Steve Ballmer smiles before the game between the Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers on October 23, 2024 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In a decision we’ve been waiting nearly a year to hear, the NBA has finally ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers circumvention investigation. The case was originally uncovered by Pablo Torre and centered on Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration, a company that allegedly paid Leonard to serve as an ambassador while potentially functioning as a mechanism to provide him additional compensation outside of his Clippers contract.

The decision came down today. And the penalty was significant.

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania:

“The NBA has ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers in for salary cap circumvention investigations on Kawhi Leonard after yearlong probe — stripping the franchise of 5 first-round picks, issuing a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer and suspensions for Ballmer, Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker, sources tell ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard will have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits by the Clippers for his uncle and former business rep, Dennis Robertson. No contract void or suspension for Leonard. And Robertson — who was fired by Leonard in June — is being banned by the NBA from all business dealings”

Further details, per Charania:

“The Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules.

Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for one year for being primarily and directly culpable for the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for providing false and misleading statements to investigators.

Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for six months for his involvement with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for approving impermissible expenses incurred by Mr. Leonard and his family.

The Clippers organization and personnel are subject to a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office for a period of five years.”

Let me start by saying holy shit. This is one of those events you will certainly remember for years to come, and if you support Clippers blue and red, you are devastated. I don’t envy anyone involved, from the fanbase to the front office, from The Wall to Ballmer’s crapper stall. This is a story of greed, rule-bending, deception, and corruption. It’s a black eye for the NBA and a death sentence in the City of Angels.

The Clippers are no longer a viable threat for more than half a decade moving forward. They’ve been stripped of assets and significantly limited in how they can operate. And for what? For a player who could help sell tickets and help usher in a new arena in Inglewood? For a team that still never made it out of the Western Conference, with its best chance coming in 2021 before the Phoenix Suns ended it? As if giving up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t a big enough kick in the gonads, they did all of this and won 23 playoff games in 7 seasons.

And hey, as Kellan Olson noted, the Suns no longer have the worst situation in the NBA.

As Carl Spacker once uttered, “So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice”.

The saga is over, and personally? I’m pleased with the result. Because it showcases accountability, something I wasn’t convinced we would fully see when this decision eventually came down. After all, Steve Ballmer is the richest owner in the NBA, and there was always the possibility that the league would hand down what amounted to a slap on the wrist for circumventing the cap. I’m no lawyer. This isn’t a court of law, it’s a court of opinion. But based on everything Pablo Torre reported, it certainly appeared there was enough evidence to suggest that something wasn’t right and that the spirit of the rules had been violated in Los Angeles. And now, apparently, that has been validated.

Again, that’s something I wasn’t convinced would happen. We live in a time where circumvention, lack of accountability, and corruption seem to run rampant in plenty of corners of the world. Apparently, you don’t need approval from Congress if you don’t call it a war, even when every opportunity is taken to call it a war, know what I mean? A lack of accountability compromises integrity, and that’s not only frustrating but also exhausting. Because so many people try to do things the right way. And when those who don’t are allowed to skate by without consequences, it wears on you.

That’s what I was worried about here. But it didn’t happen. It was nice for the system to work, at least from my narrow-viewed, uninformed perspective. It looks and feels like justice to me. If you try to cheat, you will get burned, as well you should. It’s a reminder that rules exist for a reason. Playing by them has value. It has merit. It has integrity.

I know what you’re thinking, and you’re not wrong. Who am I to step up on a pedestal and start spouting off about cap circumvention and integrity in the NBA? Maybe that’s fair. But I’ll tell you what I am. I’m a fan who watches this sport. I’m someone who believes in fair play, and I’m someone who wants to know that everyone is operating on an even playing field. From there, teams can make their mistakes. Trust me, as a Phoenix Suns fan, I know plenty about mistakes. The difference is that those mistakes were self-inflicted. They weren’t made by trying to cheat the system.

Of course, the parties involved lack some of that accountability. In a statement from Kawhi Leonard:

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.  

I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.  

For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.”

You may wonder where the accountability is for Leonard, considering $700,000 is essentially a rounding error to him and he won’t miss a single game. The decision was made by the team and the owner, not the player, although Leonard’s hands were certainly not clean in all of this. He is the one who cashed the checks.

The real punishment for Kawhi is that this is a legacy tarnisher. We probably won’t see the full implications of this today. Leonard will play basketball, collect his money, and eventually move on to the next season. But this story is going to follow him. Years from now, when people talk about Kawhi Leonard and his career, this will be part of the conversation. It will be referenced when his legacy is discussed. Father Time has a funny way of stripping away the noise and leaving behind the things that mattered. Trust me, he is going to look poorly upon Leonard’s role in this story.

And then there’s the Clippers themselves:

“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy.  

For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence.  

We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”

What else would you expect them to say? Challenge it all you want, but the NBA doesn’t have an appeals process for this. The league made its decision, handed down the penalty, and that’s where it ends. There isn’t another door to knock on.

It’s a complex process, a complex investigation, and one that took nearly a year to complete. Perhaps it was a witch hunt. Perhaps the Clippers were presumed guilty rather than innocent. Those arguments will exist. But the fact remains that when you put yourself in bad situations, bad things can happen. And without a doubt, that is what occurred with the Clippers.

As a fan of the sport, I’m pleased that perceived accountability ultimately won out. We finally have an example where you can’t simply throw money and lawyers at a situation, circumvent the rules, and walk away scot free. You cheated. And this time, there were consequences.

That’s ultimately what matters here. Not whether the Clippers agree with the findings, or whether Ballmer can afford the $30 million. Umm…he can. The NBA investigated, reached a conclusion, and handed down consequences with actual teeth. Five first-round picks are gone. Executives are suspended. The franchise will carry this with it for years. Rules only matter when breaking them costs you something. The Clippers found out exactly what that cost looks like.

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Ronald Acuña Jr. becomes fastest to 200 homers, 200 steals as Braves beat Nationals 9-0

Atlanta Braves v. Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 02: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a three-run homer to become the fastest player in major league history to reach 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 9-0 on Wednesday.

Sean Murphy homered for the third time in five games, a three-run shot in the sixth inning that broke a scoreless tie in a game that was interrupted by a 1-hour, 25-minute rain delay in the fourth.

Acuña followed with a drive to left-center in the seventh, his 14th of the season, to make it 6-0. He needed 904 games to reach the 200/200 club. Alfonso Soriano set the previous record at 929 games in August of 2006 while playing for the Nationals against the Braves.

Acuña stole the 225th base of his career and 20th of the season, swiping second after his leadoff single in the sixth against Riley Cornelio (2-2), who struck out the next two batters. After Michael Harris II was walked intentionally, Murphy took Cornelio deep to left.

Acuña led off the fourth with a single off Nationals starter Brad Lord. A walk and an error loaded the bases before it started raining. When play resumed, Cornelio came in and retired Murphy and Mike Yastrzemski to escape the jam.

Grant Holmes needed only 26 pitches to retire the first nine Nationals before the delay. Dylan Dodd worked a scoreless inning and Elieser Hernández (2-0) pitched the next three, allowing two hits, including James Wood’s two-out single in the sixth for Washington’s first hit.

Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz left in the fourth inning after taking a foul ball off his mask.

Up next

The Braves will start LHP Chris Sale (13-9, 2.06) on Friday at Philadelphia opposite Phillies LHP Cristopher Sánchez (16-4, 2.52) in the opener of a four-game series. The Nationals begin a series at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.