Rutschman and Mountcastle have become the latest injured 2026 Orioles

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 08: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello, friends.

Can we possibly make it a day without there being any bad Orioles injury news? Yesterday was not the day, with the O’s losing Adley Rutschman to the injured list due to left ankle inflammation before the game even began and then having Ryan Mountcastle exit the game early after having an awkward run from first to second while hitting a double. After the game, manager Craig Albernaz said both players will receive an MRI on their respective injuries today. That doesn’t mean we, the fans, will get the news about those injuries today.

The Rutschman injury clearly caught the team off guard, since he was only placed on the injured list minutes before the game began and the team had to rush catcher Maverick Handley up from Bowie to serve as the backup for the game. That might only be the one game, because the team also seemed to be maneuvering to get catcher Sam Huff up from Norfolk in time for today.

In the process of this roster shuffling, pitcher Chayce McDermott was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Handley. The 27-year-old McDermott had washed out as a starter in the organization and did not do enough to show he had value as a reliever either. They don’t all turn into Kyle Bradish. A different 40-man roster move will need to be made for Huff. That might just be DFA’ing Handley after one game.

At least the Orioles did manage to win the game while all that was going on. The game was not without its frustrations, but the O’s ended up as 6-2 winners over the Giants, in the process moving themselves back up to a .500 record at 7-7. The Orioles are tied for second place in the AL East and just one game behind the Yankees. As bad as things have felt through these early couple of weeks, one difference between 2025 and 2026, at least so far, is that it’s not slipping away. Check out Alex Church’s recap of the game for more of the lovely totals.

The major league team was joined by victories from all four farm teams on Saturday night, delivering the always fun system sweep. Frederick’s JT Quinn struck out 10 batters with no walks allowed in 4.2 innings of an 11-2 win for the Keys. That’s pretty good. We’ll have more from that farm action elsewhere on Camden Chat later on Sunday.

Orioles stuff you might have missed

A lot of people want to talk about Pete Alonso, which is understandable since he’s batting .167/.262/.259 through his first 14 games.

Pete Alonso took full accountability for his poor start – now, will production follow? (Steve on Baseball)
It is less than ideal circumstances to be asking the $155 million question two weeks into Alonso’s Orioles tenure.

Pete Alonso deserves patience as he fights slow start (The Baltimore Sun)
Again, it would be better if columns like this did not need to appear in the newspaper or on the newspaper’s website.

More on Orioles early offensive struggles and Albernaz praising Alonso for handling early slump “like a pro” (School of Roch)
Included in here is manager Craig Albernaz’s thinking that Pete Alonso’s slow bat speed is a result of his expanding the strike zone and chasing bad pitches. If so, hopefully that approach can be corrected soon.

Why a few Orioles hitters could take a lesson from Taylor Ward (Baltimore Baseball)
Ward has been perhaps the most pleasant surprise on offense so far this season, all the more impressive considering that he is not hitting the dingers that I thought he would have to hit to make any kind of positive contribution around here.

The Orioles novel tactic for simulating pitcher windups in baserunning drills (Orioles.com)
Before Rutschman’s injury news, the most interesting thing during the pre-game for all of the assembled media was the Orioles using an 80-inch TV to show pitchers windups to baserunners.

Birthdays and Orioles anniversaries

In their 14th game a year ago, the Orioles beat the Blue Jays, 5-4, to improve their record to 6-8 for the season. A three-run sixth inning that included Adley Rutschman hitting a home run put the Orioles on top. Despite walking two batters, Félix Bautista had his first save of the season. Five players who appeared in the game that day are still on the active roster.

There is one current Oriole with a birthday today. Happy 26th to Cade Povich! Hey, he’s today’s starting pitcher. Good luck on your birthday. A few former Orioles were also born on this day. They are: 2023 reliever Shintaro Fujinami, 2024 reliever Burch Smith, 1961-67 catcher Charley Lau, 1956 pitcher Mel Held, and 1955-57 pitcher Bill Wight.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: St. Peter’s Basilica architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1484), Declaration of Independence signer Lyman Hall (1724), author Beverly Cleary (1916), author Tom Clancy (1947), actress Claire Danes (1979), Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Urie (1987), and actress Saoirse Ronan (1994).

On this day in history…

In 1204, soldiers of the Fourth Crusade, who were supposed to re-take the city of Jerusalem, instead breached the walls and entered the city of Constantinople.

In 1796, then-less-known army commander Napoleon Bonaparte won his first substantial victory in the Battle of Montenotte, maneuvering to prevent allied Austrian and Piedmont forces from joining up with one another. One result of this victory was that portions of modern-day Italy were annexed by France at the end of this war. Many more Napoleonic wars remained.

In 1861, insurrectionist Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, effectively marking the beginning of the Civil War.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away, leading Vice President Harry Truman to ascend to the presidency.

In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space.

**

And that’s the way it is in Birdland on April 12. Have a safe Sunday. Go O’s!

Phillies news: Alec Bohm, Adolis Garcia, Zack Wheeler

Apr 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Do the Phillies need to win this series at home to make you start feeling any better about them? Most people I know that follow the team are somewhat “blah” about the start the team has gotten off too, not caring that it’s just the beginning of the year still. They just want to see wins. This would be the second of three series at home they would be the victors of, an important thing as the season goes along. Is it a must win?

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

Mets Daily Prospect Report, 4/12/26: Extra inning fun

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Eli Serrano III #34 of the New York Mets runs off the field during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Clover Park on March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (6-8)

BUFFALO 5, SYRACUSE 0 (BOX)

Carl Edwards probably isn’t a starting pitcher. Nick Morabito had no hits. Ryan Clifford got the day off only to strike out in his lone at bat as a pinch hitter. It was a 5-0 loss.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (5-2)

BINGHAMTON 7, SOMERSET 6 / 10 (BOX)

The Rumble Ponies blew a lead in the ninth, failed to rally back in regulation, but then managed to hold the Patriots off the board in the tenth and won in the bottom half. Eli Serrano was the walkoff hero, driving in Jacob Reimer – who successfully stole 3rd after starting the inning at second as the ghost runner – with the game winning run. A.J. Ewing continued his strong start, singling and walking three times and maintaining his OPS over 1.097.

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (2-5)

BROOKLYN 6, JERSEY SHORE 3 / 10 (BOX)

Another win in extras here, though this was not of the walkoff variety. The Cyclones tied the game in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch, then scored three more in the tenth. There was both a bases loaded walk in there and yet another run scored on a wild pitch – it’s a High-A game in April folks. Mitch Voit had a three hit day in the win.

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (4-4)

DUNEDIN 9, ST. LUCIE 2 / 7 (BOX)

Game 1 didn’t go so well for St. Lucie – Elian Peña continued to look good, but nothing else went right. Moving on…

ST. LUCIE 11, DUNEDIN 4 / 7 (BOX)

Much better in game 2. Everyone except Eddinson Paulino got in on the action. Cam Tilly wasn’t quite as good as last week but still flashed strikeout stuff and got enough support from the offense that it didn’t much matter.

Rookie: FCL Mets (0-0)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Eli Serrano

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Carl Edwards Jr.

Today on Pinstripe Alley – 4/12/26

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 10: New York Yankees Outfielder Aaron Judge (99), Infielder Ben Rice (22) and Outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) watch the action on the field during the regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 10, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We’re three weeks into the season, and officially in our first stretch of the doldrums. The Yankees’ bats have gone completely unreliable over the course of a four-game losing streak, backed up mainly by Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton swinging solid bats and the rest of the lineup noodling around. Their latest attempt to break out of their funk saw them waste a solid Max Fried start, rally late to take a lead as José Caballero managed to find a two-run double just to blow the lead in the same inning, and then repeat that in extras. They’ll look to salvage the series finale later today, but suffice to say things are not looking great for the pinstripes.

Today on the site, Estevão leads off with a look at how the concerns of the offseason have come to roost in the lineup’s early struggles, and then Matt gets a double-feature first covering the Rivalry Roundup and the results around the league from Saturday before getting into the history of Sammy Vick’s time as a Yankee on his birthday. Kento dives into Statcast to examine some key Yankees’ batting stance changes entering 2026, and after the game John will be around to deliver the weekly social media spotlight.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

Time: 1:40 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Rays.tv

Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Questions/Prompts:

1. Are we going to see the first sweep go against the Yankees this year, or can they get a sliver of revenge in the Trop?

2. Of the batters under the Mendoza line, who do you think will be the first to get back above it?

SB Nation Reacts: Jordan Walsh is the Celtics playoff x-factor

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 9: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks on April 9, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

If the Celtics season were represented by one player, it would be Jordan Walsh. As CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell writes:

One hallmark characteristic of this Celtics season has been that as soon as it appears Joe Mazzulla has a solidified rotation, things change.

That latest change?

Jordan Walsh is back.

Over the past 7 games, Walsh has re-established himself as a key member of the Celtics lineup, averaging 20.2 minutes per game.

And, in a Tuesday night win against the Charlotte Hornets, he was crucial, tallying 9 points (on 4-4 FG), 6 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes of action — while also guarding Hornets star LaMelo Ball for much of the second half.

“He just understands that when he’s at his best defensively, he’s impacting the team’s best players, creating turnovers,” said Mazzulla. “I thought he was big tonight.”

Whether it’s a recognition of the old adage that “defense wins championships” or Mazzulla just has a gut reaction, Walsh has seemingly locked in a role in the rotation in favor of teammates like Ron Harper Jr., Hugo Gonzalez, and at times, Baylor Scheierman.

And the fans agree. Walsh won our poll for who could be Boston’s biggest x-factor heading into the playoffs:

With one game left in the NBA’s regular season, you can still wager on Walsh with FanDuel’s player props or Boston as a +550 to raise the Larry O’Brien at https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba.

Yankees news: Boone angry with ABS failures

Apr 3, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) looks on during batting practice before the game against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

NJ.com | Randy Miller: With the Yankees among the worst in baseball at ABS challenge successes, there have been a couple very significant liabilities in the season’s first two weeks. While Austin Wells has been quite good behind the plate, José Caballero has been dreadful at the review system while batting. After Cabby lost two challenges in two games, both times coming in non-vital moments, Aaron Boone himself had to pull his nominal shortstop aside and reaffirm the importance of the limited challenges. After a pretty liberal attitude to reviews, expect the Yankees to tighten up just who can ask for a challenge, and when.

New York Daily News | Bill Madden: There was a lot of concern that Brian Cashman didn’t do enough over the winter to improve the lineup, and so far that concern seems justified. The Yankees sport the worst 7-8-9 lineup spots in the sport, and even leadoff hitter Trent Grisham has been good at walking with very little punch. Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton have been excellent, but there’s too many easy ABs for opposing pitchers right now.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: Cade Winquest was DFA’d off the roster this week, ending his Rule 5 draft experiment with the Yankees. Brian Cashman was candid that that was the only possible move with the club finally starting to get some pitching reinforcements, but it was a pity the right-hander never got into game action with the club. Winquest will now be returned to the Cardinals unless the Yankees can work out a trade with the acquiring team taking on his Rule 5 requirements to stay on the 26 man roster.

Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home: A melancholy happy trails to Billy Bryan, who spent two seasons catching for the Yankees in 1966 and ‘67, but made a name with the then-Kansas City Athletics. Bryan’s time with the Athletics is perhaps highlighted by being batterymates with no less than 59-year old Satchel Paige:

Our best to Bryan’s family and loved ones.

Golden Knights in action against the Jets after overtime win

Winnipeg Jets (35-32-12, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (37-26-17, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Monday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Winnipeg Jets after the Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime.

Vegas has gone 18-12-9 at home and 37-26-17 overall. The Golden Knights are 35-6-11 in games they score at least three goals.

Winnipeg has a 16-17-6 record in road games and a 35-32-12 record overall. The Jets have allowed 239 goals while scoring 223 for a -16 scoring differential.

Monday's game is the third time these teams square off this season. The Jets won the previous meeting 4-1.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pavel Dorofeyev has 36 goals and 27 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has six goals and two assists over the last 10 games.

Mark Scheifele has 34 goals and 65 assists for the Jets. Kyle Connor has scored seven goals and added four assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 6-1-3, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.

Jets: 7-3-0, averaging 2.8 goals, 4.9 assists, 3.2 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: William Karlsson: out (lower body).

Jets: Gustav Nyquist: day to day (undisclosed), Morgan Barron: out (lower-body), Colin Miller: out (knee), Elias Salomonsson: out (concussion).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Buffalo visits Chicago after Doan's 2-goal game

Buffalo Sabres (49-23-8, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (28-38-14, in the Central Division)

Chicago; Monday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres visit the Chicago Blackhawks after Josh Doan scored two goals in the Sabres' 5-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Chicago has a 13-18-8 record in home games and a 28-38-14 record overall. The Blackhawks have a 9-13-6 record in games they have more penalties than their opponent.

Buffalo is 49-23-8 overall and 23-13-4 in road games. The Sabres have a +39 scoring differential, with 275 total goals scored and 236 allowed.

The matchup Monday is the second time these teams play this season. The Sabres won 9-3 in the last meeting. Doan led the Sabres with two goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Bertuzzi has 32 goals and 25 assists for the Blackhawks. Ilya Mikheyev has five goals and three assists over the last 10 games.

Tage Thompson has 38 goals and 41 assists for the Sabres. Jack Quinn has scored four goals with three assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blackhawks: 2-7-1, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.1 assists, 2.4 penalties and 5.1 penalty minutes while giving up 4.1 goals per game.

Sabres: 5-3-2, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.4 assists, 4.5 penalties and 11.7 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.

INJURIES: Blackhawks: Shea Weber: out for season (ankle), Frank Nazar: day to day (face), Ethan Del Mastro: day to day (undisclosed), Artyom Levshunov: out for season (hand), Oliver Moore: out (lower body), Matt Grzelcyk: out for season (upper-body).

Sabres: Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Sam Carrick: out (arm), Alex Lyon: out (lower body), Justin Danforth: out (lower body), Noah Ostlund: out (upper-body).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Yankees have taken turn for worse in ABS challenges after quick start

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Austin Wells celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of the Yankees' 5-4, 10-inning loss to the Rays on April 11, 2026

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One week into the season, the Yankees looked like they were going to be the league’s best exploiting the automated ball-strike system.

A week later, their hitters have looked like the league’s worst challengers.

Aaron Boone chalked that up to the “ebb and flow” of the new ABS system, but the Yankees have not been particularly sharp at it of late, both in their actual success rates and some of when they have decided to tap their helmets.

“Being great at this is not, ‘We’re great at 80 percent,’ ” Boone said before the Yankees lost their fourth straight to the Rays in extras on Saturday at Tropicana Field. “It’s the right amount of volume, having that good sense of calls. So it’s nuanced and everyone’s a little bit different.”

Through their first five games of the season, Yankees hitters went 8-for-10 in successfully overturning strikes to balls. In nine games since, though, they were just 2-for-13 — the last few games of unsuccessful challenges standing out in particular because they coincided with the group’s overall offensive rut.

In Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays, they ran out of challenges by the top of the fifth inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. had an unsuccessful tap on an 0-0 count with one out and no one on in the fourth inning of a 3-2 game and then an inning later, José Caballero challenged the first pitch of the frame and was proved wrong. Saturday, Yankees hitters didn’t challenge once.

“We’re told to be aggressive and use them,” catcher Austin Wells said. “I think you can always hindsight and look back and think, ‘Oh man, I should have maybe not used it there.’ But they tell us to be aggressive and use it when we think it’s a ball. There’s been some really, really close ones that haven’t gone our way. But I think that’s just the game.”

Boone has in fact preached being aggressive to his team, but he has also said he wants them to get to a place where understanding leverage becomes instinctual — which is where he seemed to disagree with Friday’s challenges.

Austin Wells celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of the Yankees’ 5-4, 10-inning loss to the Rays on April 11, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images


“We, just like the umpires, are going to be needing to make adjustments throughout the year,” said Ben Rice, who had a pair of bad challenges during the series against the Marlins. “Of course having understanding of situations, when to challenge and when not to. But at the end of the day, it’s just kind of a gut feeling.”

During spring training, Boone said he was direct with players in telling them they had either made a good or bad challenge. That has carried over into the regular season, as he indicated Saturday he had made his feelings known with Caballero (in a light way) after his rough one Friday night.

Overall, Yankees hitters entered Saturday 10-for-23 in ABS challenges — a success rate of 43.5 percent, which was the ninth lowest in the majors. Their 13 unsuccessful challenges were the most in the majors, but their 10 successful challenges were also the second most.

Chisholm and Caballero both had three unsuccessful challenges, though Caballero was 2-for-5 while Chisholm was 1-for-4.

Trent Grisham led the club with three successful challenges.

“I predicted all this coming out of [spring training] — there’s going to be noisy weeks where it’s like, ‘Ohh,’ ” Boone said. “The last thing I want is our guys to get gun-shy. I want us to be smart. I want us to continue to learn where it becomes reactionary, instinctive. There’s going to be weeks where you have not a great umpire, not a great receiver back there that you have a lot of opportunities to challenge. There’s going to be nights when you don’t. There’s going to be nights when you have a few and it doesn’t fall in a leverage spot. So there’s a lot of things that goes into the noise of the day to day.

“I think we’re going to be good at this. We’ve had a few this week that haven’t been great. But it also had nothing to do with us losing a game [Friday] night.”

Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets

DENVER, CO - APRIL 4: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to drive against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Ball Arena on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs come into Game 82 of the 2025-2026 regular season with the power to influence the final standings and potential 2nd round match-ups. Though they’re locked into the #2 seed and one side of the West bracket, their opponent tonight, the Denver Nuggets, come into tonight’s game as the 3rd seed, but with their final placement in the standings very much up in the air. The scenario that’s being floated the most amongst pundits and Twitter timelines: A Nuggets loss and Los Angeles Lakers win (they play at the same time at home against the Utah Jazz) would drop Denver to the #4 spot. That sounds like a dream scenario for the young Spurs, who would have to face just one of either Denver or the Oklahoma City Thunder on a potential path to the NBA Finals. There’s no telling what Mitch Johnson and the Spurs’ brain trust is thinking or if they have a preference or if it’s something they’re even thinking about. Based on the history of this franchise, even with Denver sitting basically everyone and leaving their fate in San Antonio’s hands, it really wouldn’t be a shock to see them ultimately hold at least Victor Wembanyama out, give the rest of the top 6 guys a bit of burn, and let the chips fall where they may, completely unconcerned with what path other teams have to take. These Spurs think they can beat anyone and the real test is just around the corner.


San Antonio Spurs (62-19) vs Denver Nuggets (53-28)
April 12 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: ESPN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama, questionable, Devin Vassell, questionable, Stephon Castle, questionable, Luke Kornet, shoulder (OUT), David Jones-Garcia, OUT

Nuggets Injuries: Nikola Jokic, questionable, Jamal Murray, OUT, Aaron Gordon, OUT, Tim Hardaway Jr, OUT, Christian Braun, OUT, Peyton Watson, OUT, Spencer Jones, OUT, Cam Johnson, OUT


What to watch for

  • With 3 starters questionable coming into this one including Wemby, Mitch Johnson’s line of thinking sadly won’t be revealed until gametime. Regardless of Johnson’s final approach to this game, expect to see Nikola Jokic on the court for the Nuggets. Jokic comes into Sunday’s game sitting at 64 games played, 1 shy of the 65-game minimum that players must hit to be considered for regular season awards. Injured for part of the year, Jokic has nonetheless was spectacular yet again this season, leading the league in both rebounding (12.7) and assists (10.9) on his way to averaging a triple double for the second consecutive season.
  • Pretty much everyone else is out for Denver though, which should tell you all you need to know about David Adelman’s approach to tonight’s game. Having already won a championship with their current core (though Michael Malone was the head coach at the time), it seems pretty apparent by their decision to sit their starters these last two games that the Nuggets aren’t particularily concerned with which side of the bracket they end up on. Having a player the caliber of Jokic, a highly decorated veteran who is capable of carrying a team throughout multiple playoff series, affords them that luxury.

If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!

Captain Clutch completes comeback, Mariners walkoff Astros 8-7

Apr 11, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) celebrates with teammates after a game against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The game looked lost for the Mariners early on Saturday. It was not.

The Astros were all over Luis Castillo from the jump. They lead 7-2 when they chased him in the fourth inning. Things felt final. But Cal Raleigh homered, Julio Rodríguez homered, and the Mariners offense roared back, with a J.P. Crawford walkoff single in the ninth to cap a six-run comeback.

“This is one of those feel-good wins,” Dan Wilson said after the game.

“I can’t say enough about the effort to come back. Being down five runs is a big deal, and these guys, they scratched and clawed their way back. … It’s a confidence builder. And again, the crowd, the ballpark, being here at home, all that plays into it, too. Just a great, great night at the ballpark.”

Things actually started pretty well for the Mariners. Castillo was sharp in the first. He got two quick outs before ending an eight-pitch battle against Isaac Paredes with a strikeout. His velocity was fine, his pitches looked sharp, and he was locating in the zone but away from the heart of the plate.

The Mariners’ lineup gave him quick support, too. Crawford drew a leadoff walk and Cal Raleigh yanked a first-pitch hanging curveball 364 feet to right for a 2-0 lead.

Julio Rodríguez followed with a rocket double just fair down the left field line, flashing a big smile after recording his first extra base hit of the season. It was just about the perfect start to a game.

But things quickly derailed. Josh Naylor popped out. And Randy Arozarena lined a 102-mph comebacker that just so happened to fly right into the glove of Lance McCullers Jr., who doubled-off Julio at second.

Castillo didn’t look as sharp when he came back out for the second inning. He loaded the bases with a single, a walk and another single — Julio prevented a run with a strong throw home that forced the runner to stay at third. Castillo initially looked like he might escape. He worked a full count to Yainer Diaz and then threw a called ball four, but a successful challenge from Cal turned the bases loaded walk into a strikeout.

With two outs, however, Castillo threw a first pitch fastball right down the middle and Taylor Trammell lasered a double off the wall in left center, clearing the bases and giving the Astros a 3-2 lead.

They would make it 4-2 on a Yordan Àlvarez home run to lead off the third. And they would make it 5-2 after stringing together three consecutive hits later in the inning. After three more singles and two more runs in the fourth, Dan Wilson turned to the bullpen down 7-2.

Again, this score felt pretty final there. The Astros’ lineup was scorching. They picked up 17 hits on the day, including six doubles and a homer, to go with four walks. The Mariners’ lineup, on the other hand, went nine-up and nine-down after the first inning, allowing McCullers to settle in. With the general malaise at the plate over the first few weeks of the season, it was hard to see them suddenly figuring it out.

Slowly but surely they did. Cole Young picked up a single in the bottom of the fifth. Dominic Canzone doubled him to third. Leo Rivas loaded the bases with a walk, bringing up Crawford, who plopped a two-run single into right center.

Cal followed with a sac fly, bringing Julio to the plate with two outs and a runner first, down 7-5. After falling behind 1-2, he got a hanging slider below the zone and scorched it out to straightaway center field at 108 mph — his first homer of the season to tie the game at 7-7.

The Astros threatened to take back the lead in each of the next three innings but couldn’t quite pick up the go-ahead knock.

In the seventh, Eduard Bazardo gave up a leadoff double to Carlos Correa. Joey Loperfido followed with a single to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Bazardo got Cam Smith to watch three strikes for the first out. Then he got Diaz to pop out. Then he froze Trammell with a front-door, 94-mph sinker at the top of the zone to escape the jam.

In the eighth, Matt Brash gave up a one-out double to Yordan Alvarez that bounced off the top of the wall in right field at 111.3 mph. Brash eventually escaped three batters later.

Andrés Muñoz loaded the bases with the game still tied in the ninth. He gave up a screaming double to Smith that went off (or maybe through?) Leo Rivas’ glove at third. Then he walked two consecutive batters to load the bases with two outs. Muñoz was struggling to find the strike zone and things looked dicey when he fell behind Alvarez 2-0. But he got Alvarez to a chase a slider below the zone and ended the inning with a pop out.

That brought the Mariners to the plate with a chance to win in the bottom of the ninth. Luke Raley struck out to leadoff. Then Bryan Abreu completely lost the zone, loading the bases with three straight walks to Young, Brendan Donovan (who started the game on the bench with an illness), and Rivas.

Crawford stepped in. He watched a fastball right down the middle for strike one. He just missed on another fastball right down the middle, fouling it back for strike two. Then he got a third-straight fastball right down the middle, and this time sliced a firm line drive the other way to walkoff the Astros 8-7.

Crawford was the ideal person to have at the plate in that moment. He entered the game with a career 196 wRC+ with the bases loaded (ninth best since tracking began in 2002) and a 145 wRC+ in high-leverage plate appearances for his career (tied for 10th best).

He said he’s been able to consistently come through in big spots because of he’s confident in his approach.

“Get the job done — do your job, handle business, don’t try to think so much, put a good swing on it, and find a hole,” he said on his mindset in the ninth. “I just go up there with the same game plan. He’s got bases loaded, less than two outs, so all the pressure’s on him. He has to make his pitches, and I knew he was going to be aggressive right there. So just trying to be on time for a fastball.”

Crawford’s season didn’t get off to a good start. He began the year on the injured list with a sore shoulder that bugged him throughout Spring Training. He was activated just days after the Mariners signed Colt Emerson, likely his future replacement at shortstop, to a historic extension for a prospect. After a sleepy second half in 2025, there was some question about what Crawford might be able to provide in 2026, and how soon the Mariners might seek change.

But after reaching base four times Sunday, Crawford has a 129 wRC+ in his first 31 plate appearances of the new season. If he keeps hitting, he’ll keep finding himself in big spots like Saturday’s. And is history is any indicator, he’ll keep coming through.

“It means everything. You know, it’s one of those moments you dream of as a kid in the batting cages, and honestly it’s a dream come true. You have a chance to be the hero. You gotta capitalize.

“It never gets old. Hearing the crowd chant my name is honestly a dream come true. There’s no better feeling than that.”

Sharks' Struggles Continue, Fall to Last-Place Canucks in Shootout

The San Jose Sharks hosted their final regular season home game on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

The Sharks looked competitive right out of the gate, with some big hits and some quality scoring chances in the opening minutes. Macklin Celebrini had a breakaway attempt denied by Kevin Lankinen roughly seven minutes into the game. After Lankinen made the save, Vancouver launched an attack of their own and forced Yaroslav Askarov to make a save at the other end of the ice.

Askarov had a bit of an issue with one of his pads as it came completely off his leg following the save, causing a short delay in action. 

Igor Chernyshov opened the scoring with 3:41 remaining in the first period after he beat Lankinen from close range to make it a 1-0 game. The Sharks carried that lead into the first intermission. 

As time expired though, Chernyshov showed his value to the Sharks in another form. Celebrini was hit hard by Victor Mancini as the period came to an end. 

Zack Ostapchuk drew the first penalty of the game just over three minutes into the second period, as Zeev Buium sat for hooking. Shortly after the penalty expired, the Canucks evened things up with a strange goal.

Askarov attempted to play the puck, and as he rushed back to his crease, he pulled the net along with him. Although he pulled the net to the ice, the puck crossed the goal line before he did so, making it a 1-1 game with the goal credited to Marco Rossi, his 11th of the season.

Chernyshov nearly restored the Sharks’ lead eight minutes into the middle frame, but his shot from point-blank range went wide of the goal. Tyler Toffoli would be the one to give the Sharks their next lead, breaking an 11-game goal drought in the process to make it 2-1. 

Dmitry Orlov would take the Sharks’ first penalty of the night with just over four minutes left in the second period after he tripped up Drew O’Connor. Jake DeBrusk would even things up off a rebound right before the penalty expired.

The Sharks challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the call stood. As a result, Will Smith went to the penalty box, and the Sharks were back on the penalty kill right after giving up a power play goal. San Jose killed off the penalty, and the game went into the third period tied at two goals apiece.

William Eklund nearly put the Sharks back in front early in the third period, but his shot deflected off the post and went behind Lankinen, then through the crease. Chernyshov had a chance on an open net just over five minutes into the period, but fanned on the shot. He got a follow-up shot off, but it was saved by Lankinen.

Chernyshov scored his third of the night with 7:16 left in regulation, giving the Sharks a 3-2 lead with limited time remaining. 

Vincent Desharnais went to the penalty box with just under five minutes remaining for a hook on Nils Hoglander, giving the Canucks a key opportunity to tie things up. Teddy Blueger did just that, as he scored Vancouver’s third goal of the night with just one second remaining on the Desharnais penalty.

60 minutes wouldn't be enough to decide a winner, as the game went into overtime. Alex Wennberg drew a tripping penalty which saw DeBrusk heading to the penalty box with just 2:17 remaining in overtime. 

Smith had the winner on his stick with just 40 seconds remaining and a wide-open net in front of him, but his shot deflected out of play.

Eklund was called for interference with 28 seconds remaining, as expected, the call was not well-received in the SAP Center. The Sharks were able to kill of the Canucks' very abbreviated power play though, sending the game to a shootout. 

After a lengthy shootout, Linus Karlsson eventually won it for the Canucks. 

Lankinen Shines In Canucks’ 4–3 Shootout Win Against The San Jose Sharks

In Kevin Lankinen’s return to the lineup, the Vancouver Canucks put together a strong 4–3 shootout win effort against the San Jose Sharks. Jake DeBrusk scored his 20th goal of the season, while Marco Rossi and Teddy Blueger also found the back of the net. While Linus Karlsson scored the shootout winner, it was Lankinen who showed up most by stopping 28 of 31 shots faced as well as five of six shootout attempts.  

In his first game since April 1, having missed the past week due to an upper-body injury, Lankinen put together a strong outing. He faced a handful of high-danger chances for San Jose in the first period, standing tall on chances from both Sharks stars Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Lankinen continued his strong play throughout the game, stopping two massive chances in-tight from Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli in the third period. 

Celebrini continued his dominance over his hometown team, first by putting in the extended effort to get the puck to Igor Chernyshov on the Sharks’ first goal. He also assisted on Chernyshov’s second goal of the game and scored in the shootout. The forward is now up to three goals and 10 assists in six games against his hometown team as well as a five-game point streak against the Canucks. Tonight also marked his fifth-career multi-point game against Vancouver. 

Tonight’s game featured an unexpected play in net. Victor Mancini rimmed the puck along the boards in his own zone, though nobody was able to collect it before it slid behind San Jose’s net. Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov went out to play it, though the puck bounced off the boards and into the possession of Rossi. Making a quick decision knowing he wouldn’t be able to get back into the crease in time, Askarov pulled the net down to try and negate the goal, though Rossi shot the puck and appeared to have gotten it in the tipping net. Regardless, the goal counted for the centre. 

Vancouver’s power play remained hot in tonight’s game, scoring on their first opportunity thanks to DeBrusk. While they did have some issues breaking in on their first man-advantage, once they were able to set up, the Canucks had an easier time connecting their passes and getting the shot on net for DeBrusk to tip-in. While they didn’t score on their second opportunity, Blueger’s goal on the third man-advantage tied things up for Vancouver late in the third period. The Canucks are now up to 11 power play goals in the past 10 games that they’ve had at least one power play in.  

By far the Canucks’ hero past regulation was Lankinen, who ended up facing a 4-on-3 power play for the Sharks during overtime. During this sequence of chances for San Jose, Lankinen stopped a massive near open-net chance for Smith, helping send Vancouver to the shootout. While Lankinen managed to stop Chernyshov to extend his shootout save streak to 18, it was Celebrini who managed to find the back of the net. Tonight’s shootout went six rounds, with the results increasing Lankinen’s numbers to 22 saves on 23 shootout chances faced. 

With the win, the Canucks have snapped a four-game losing streak and made a substantial dent in the Sharks’ playoff chances. They also very nearly avoided being swept by the Sharks in a season series for the first time since 2016–17, as Vancouver previously dropped their three other games against San Jose earlier this year. 

Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) defends against San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov (92) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) defends against San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov (92) during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Stats and Facts: 

  • Jake DeBrusk becomes the second Canuck to score 20 goals this season 
  • Vancouver records 40+ shots on goal for the second time in 2025–26 
  • Teddy Blueger is now up to three goals and three assists in his past six games

Scoring Summary: 

1st Period: 

16:19 - SJS: Igor Chernyshov (6) from Macklin Celebrini 

2nd Period: 

5:56 - VAN: Marco Rossi (11) from Victor Mancini 

9:02 - SJS: Tyler Toffoli (19) from Sam Dickinson and Michael Misa 

17:37 - VAN: Jake DeBrusk (20) from Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson (PPG) 

3rd Period: 

12:44 - SJS: Igor Chernyshov (7) from Macklin Celebrini and Dmitry Orlov 

17:01 - VAN: Teddy Blueger (9) from Linus Karlsson (PPG) 

Overtime: 

No Scoring. 

Shootout Winner: 

VAN - Linus Karlsson 

Up Next: 

Vancouver is back at it right away with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow at 5:00 pm PT. This game will mark the end of their current road trip, with this being their last multi-game road trip of the 2025–26 season. The Canucks currently lead the season series 2–1, but dropped their most recent game by a score of 5–3 on March 24. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Mets’ Francisco Lindor admits he’s ‘got to be better’ after infield gaffe

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, right, throws to first base after a force out against Athletics' Max Muncy (3) at second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 11, 2026

Francisco Lindor doesn’t have any answers for his puzzling play.

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He doesn’t have any excuses, either.

It’s not missing most of spring training due to a hamate bone injury. It’s not the absence of Juan Soto, adding pressure on the shortstop.

“I’m not sure. I feel like I’m locked in,” he said after the Mets’ 11-6 loss to the A’s at Citi Field Saturday, their fourth straight. “It just happens. I’ve got to be better.”

The defeat highlighted Lindor’s latest mental mistake. In the second inning, he failed to cover second on a potential double-play ball, allowing the A’s to tack on a run. Rather than cover the bag, Lindor pursued the ball up the middle. Second baseman Marcus Semien fielded it, and with nobody to throw to, stepped on second for the force.

“I went after the ball and Marcus was there,” said Lindor, batting just .167 on the season without an RBI. “I didn’t make it to second base. We didn’t turn the double play. Senga could’ve gotten out of the inning right there and I didn’t help him.

Francisco Lindor throws to first base after forcing out Max Muncy at second base during the fifth inning of the Mets’ 11-6 loss to the A’s on April 11, 2026 at Citi Field. AP

“No miscommunication. He’s one of the best second basemen in the game, and I should expect he’s gonna be there. There was no miscommunication at all.”

This wasn’t an isolated incident. In an April 1 game against the Cardinals, Lindor forgot how many outs there were on a double-play ball, which wound up forcing starter Freddy Peralta to throw extra pitches to get out of the inning. Later in the game, Lindor was picked off first while adjusting his sliding mitt.



There was another miscue Friday. With runners on first and third and no outs and the Mets trailing by a run, Lindor only went halfway on a ground ball to first. He was thrown out trying to get back to third. Afterward, Lindor said he should’ve forced a rundown to advance the other runners. The next hitter, Luis Robert Jr., grounded into an inning-ending double play.

“It’s weird, because that’s not him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It’s hard to explain, and he’ll tell you he has to be better. Never seen so many plays, he’s out of position at times.”

Lindor dismissed the notion his spring training injury contributed to his poor start. He also said any extra responsibility to produce isn’t weighing on him differently than in past seasons.

“There’s always been pressure and I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself, because I expect a lot of myself,” Lindor said. “It’s the same every single year.”

Padres 9, Rockies 5: An early spark gives way to a disappointing loss

Apr 11, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner (18) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images

On a day when the University of Denver hockey team won their historic 11th National Championship, it felt like nothing could go wrong in the Colorado sports world. Alas, there was no more Mile High Magic to go around for the Colorado Rockies (or Colorado Avalanche) tonight.

Things got off to a promising start. Ryan Feltner looked sharp early and the offense came out swinging with some big bombs on Germán Márquez in his first start against the Rockies since signing with the San Diego Padres this offseason.

The start wouldn’t last, as the Padres would quickly get back in front and pull away in the middle innings.

Pioneering the way

What the Rockies possibly needed most in this game was a hot start against starter Germán Márquez. They got just that.

Márquez has been susceptible early and often this season. Across his two starts, he carried a 13.50 first-inning ERA into today’s game. He had also given up 14 hits over eight innings pitched.

The Rockies hope was to put runners on base and rattle him with some early runs. Edouard Julien started that with a leadoff single. Julien attempted to steal second, was called out, but a successful challenge kept him there.

That would prove vital as Mickey Moniak hammered a two-run homer to right for an early lead.

The Padres nearly responded in the bottom of the inning, reaching second and third. With those runners in prime position to score, Nick Castellanos boomed a deep drive to left. With a save that was reminiscent of DU goalie Johnny Hicks, Jordan Beck made an incredible leaping grab at the left field wall to rob Castellanos of a three-run homer and the lead to end the inning.

And the purple coat would not stay away for long!

Julien would come back around and extend the early lead with a solo shot in the top of the third, right before Moniak would do the same with his second of the night, bringing the game to 4-0.

Trust the “proscess”

Following in the footsteps of DU hockey’s intentionally misspelled motto, the Rockies would trust in their gameplan and try to weather some storms.

The Friars got back into things with a strong three run third inning. With runners on first and third, Jackson Merrill would drive in a run on a grounder that was nearly a double play, bringing things to 4-1. With the next at-bat, Manny Machado blasted a two-run homer into left-center to make things a one-run game.

Márquez would settle things down, securing a 1-2-3 fourth inning. That, unfortunately, set the stage for the Padres to take the lead.

After striking out Gavin Sheets, Feltner gave up a double to Miguel Andujar and walked Freddy Fermin. Feltner nearly escaped, striking out Jake Cronenworth for the second out.

Ramón Laureano seized the opportunity with a three-run homer, giving San Diego a 6-4 lead heading into the fifth.

Similar start, different finish

Feltner and Márquez entered the matchup with eerily similar stat lines across their two starts.

In his two games, Feltner went 1-0 across 8.1 innings with a 4.32 ERA, one home run surrendered, and five strikeouts. Márquez was 1-1 across 8.0 innings with a 4.50 ERA, two home runs, and five strikeouts.

Despite a shakier start, Márquez would get the better of Feltner tonight.

After a scoreless first and second, Feltner gave up six runs on seven hits, including two home runs, with three walks, four strikeouts, and a 7.30 ERA for the night.

On the flipside, after giving up four runs in the first two innings, Márquez would rebound and post a 5.54 ERA after five innings of work, with just four hits, including three home runs, five strikeouts, and two walks.

An opportunity on thin ice

The Rockies chances quickly slipped away as the game went on.

Zach Agnos entered in relief of Feltner in the bottom of the fifth and didn’t fare much better. He made it through the fifth unscathed, but would lose control in the sixth. After Fermin reached base on an error, Agnos would walk the next three batters and walk in a run to put the game at 7-4.

Agnos finished his night with a 7.56 ERA on top of those three walks and three runs (two earned) surrendered.

There, things went from bad to worse. Brennan Bernardino came in and immediately gave up a double to Jackson Merrill pushing the score to 9-4. He intentionally walked Castellanos before striking out Gavin Sheets to limit the damage.

Take me home, country roads

The ol’ Fighting Rocks would not go quietly. The makings of a rally would come together in the eighth and ninth.

Ezequiel Tovar doubled in the top of the eighth. Moniak’s hot night continued with an RBI single to right field to bring Tovar home and make it 9-5. Moniak finished 3-for-4 with four RBI on two home runs.

Entering the ninth down four, Willi Castro struck out swinging and Brett Sullivan popped out for outs one and two. Just when it looked all but over, things got exciting.

TJ Rumfield, pinch-hititng for Kyle Karros, hit a line drive single to center. Tyler Freeman singled to right. Julien drew a walk on a wonderful at bat to load the bases. The situation forced a San Diego pitching change, bringing in Jason Adam to close things out. Tovar got behind in the count early and popped out to second for the final nail in the coffin.

A lot went well early and late tonight. It was nice to see the Rockies work with a decent lead early on. It felt promising that the big deficit led to an inspired rally. Ultimately, Warren Schaeffer highlighted the team’s seven walks, noting that you won’t win many games that way. The Rockies leave this one with some nice things to point to, but plenty left to clean up.

Up Next

The Rockies will ride three straight losses into the finale of this four game series out in Petco Park on Sunday afternoon.

Back at the top of the rotation, Kyle Freeland will take the mound against Nick Pivetta for a 2:10 p.m. MT first pitch.

The Rockies will look to escape the series with a win before shipping off to Texas for an early season rematch with the Houston Astros.

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