Owen Caissie hits walk-off homer to give Marlins a sweep of Rockies in season-opening series

MIAMI (AP) — Owen Caissie hit a walk-off, two-run homer to give the Miami Marlins a 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and complete a sweep of their season-opening series.

Javier Sanoja doubled with two outs in the ninth inning against Rockies reliever Victor Vodnik (0-1) before Caissie drilled a change-up from Vodnik over the wall in right field.

In addition to going deep, Caissie doubled twice and batted 5 for 10 over the three-game set.

Sanoja, Otto López and Xavier Edwards had two hits each for the Marlins. Michael Petersen (1-0) got the win, throwing a perfect ninth.

The Rockies struck quickly against Marlins starter Max Meyer on Jordan Beck’s three-run double in the first.

Miami chipped away at the early deficit when López hit an RBI double in the first and Austin Slater added a sacrifice fly in the second.

Rockies starter José Quintana was lifted after 4 1/3 innings and 78 pitches of two-run ball. Quintana gave up four hits, struck out two and walked four.

The 37-year-old Quintana began his 15th season with Sunday’s outing. Quintana pitched for eight previous clubs before Colorado signed him to a free agent deal in the offseason.

Meyer settled down after the first and kept the Rockies scoreless through the remainder of his five-inning outing. He allowed five hits, struck out five and walked two.

Miami’s Deyvison De Los Santos doubled in his first major league at-bat in the second. De Los Santos was recalled from Triple-A Saturday.

Up next

Rockies: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (10-10, 4.64 with Baltimore in 2025) makes his Colorado debut in the opener of a three-game set at Toronto on Monday. Four seasons since his last major league appearance, RHP Cody Ponce will start for the Blue Jays.

Marlins: RHP Chris Paddack (5-12, 5.35 in 2025) will start the opener of a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. RHP Davis Martin (7-10, 4.10) will start for the White Sox.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Eight encouraging things about last night’s Mariners loss

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 28: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after hitting a single to score Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners to tie the game during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on March 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Having had a while to process last night’s 6-5 loss against the Guardians, I have determined that as far as losses go, I’m pretty okay with this one. Yes, there were incredibly frustrating things: the bullpen coughing up a key run after some questionable decisions, the utter lack of hitting with runners in scoring position, the double-digit strikeouts. But there were enough positives to take away to leave me about as encouraged as one can be about a loss.

One: Bryan Woo looked unhittable for five innings

Woo’s postgame interview was agonizing as he shouldered the blame for the loss after giving up [checks notes] two runs over six innings. Yes, the command faltered in the sixth, but Woo’s performance up to that point was dominant. The Guardians came in with a plan to be aggressive against him and Woo pounded the zone anyway, forcing the Guardians into quick, weak-contact outs. He also racked up nine strikeouts, 15 whiffs, and hit a career milestone of four hundred strikeouts en route to re-establishing himself as the ace of the rotation.

Two: Randy keeps getting on base

Randy Arozarena’s ice-cold challenge in the second inning that resulted in a walk was one of my favorite moments from yesterday’s game. Randy will get his hacks in, make no mistake about it, but he is running an extremely hilarious (to me) 7.7% strikeout rate vs. a 31% BB rate over these first three games.

Three: Cole Wilcox makes a strong Mariners debut

Wilcox, who’s up in place of the injured Carlos Vargas, showed why he was a spring training standout with an efficient 1-2-3 inning. The issue for Wilcox is throwing strikes, and he did that last night against the bottom of the Guardians’ order, including a fairly devastating three-pitch sequence to CJ Kayfus that ended with Kayfus chasing after 96 on the top rail. You can read more about Wilcox here.

Four: Cole Young continues to be on time for the fastball

Young didn’t have a great day at the plate but he came up huge in the ninth, shooting a 97.5 mph fastball oppo down the left-field line for a leadoff double and eventually scoring the tying run. Young continues to handily beat his preseason projections into the ground and while pitches will eventually stop throwing him fastballs on the plate, Young also did a good job in this at-bat of laying off a couple of tough splitters.

Five: Julioooooooooo

This was the feel-good moment of the night for me. It’s been a scuffle for Julio over these first three games but this game-tying single where he just used his strength to muscle the ball into right-center was cathartic. It’s encouraging to see Julio not getting too big with his swing and doing what the moment calls for, tying it up and passing the baton.

“What we saw from Julio throughout the spring was using the whole field, and that was a perfect example there,” said Dan Wilson. “Not trying to do too much, especially with two strikes, just trying to get something in play there, and he did get a pitch he could handle and found a hole over there on the right side and gave us the tie at the time. Outstanding at-bat for him.”

Six: That Chase DeLauter homer was an anomaly

96.6 up and away? On a cold March night in Seattle? xBA of .490, 99 mph off the bat and 365 feet? Home run at 20 of 30 parks? Get all the way out of here.

Seven: Healthy Luke Raley is a menace to opposing teams

[Crocodile Dundee voice] That’s not a home run, that’s a home run. Raley had one home run over 400 feet last year after hitting 11 in 2024, including a career-long 459-footer, and 12 in 2023 with Tampa Bay. He’s already notched one such blast three games into the 2026 season with this 411-footer, scorched off the bat at 108.9 mph.

Eight: Return of the comeback kids

Maybe the most encouraging thing from last night’s loss: the comeback the team mounted in the last few innings, even if it fell short. Cole Young said that J.P. Crawford took him aside between innings to encourage him and help coach him up with a scouting report on the pitcher, right before his leadoff double. Young also said Josh Naylor was feeding positive energy to the dugout, telling everyone the Mariners were going to come back and win that game. It didn’t happen last night, but the pieces are in place.

“That’s what this team does,” said Wilson. “We have seen that time and time again, and to feel that energy in here, to feel that fight in here again, that’s a really good sign as we get started.”

Celtics will be without two starters vs Charlotte Hornets

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 12: Derrick White #9, Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendonitis) and Derrick White (right knee contusion) when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night. Those absences will come on the first night of a back-to-back; the Celtics will visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

Jayson Tatum, who was listed as questionable with right Achilles repair management, is available, as is Neemias Queta (right thumb sprain). Nikola Vucevic remains out with a right ring finger fracture he suffered on March 6th.

It’s unclear if either Brown’s or White’s injuries are cause for concern

Brown will miss his second straight game with Achilles tendonitis; Joe Mazzulla said on Friday that he was “a little banged up” and day-to-day. White is likely just taking a rest night with the Celtics playing again on Monday, though he previously missed a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month with the same knee contusion.

With both players sidelined, Baylor Scheierman will likely remain in the starting lineup. Scheierman started on Friday in place of Brown in the win over the Hawks, his 18th start of the season. He’s averaging 4.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 17.9 minutes per game this season, while shooting 38.5% from three.

In addition, Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh could see increased minutes with the Celtics shorthanded. Harper Jr. started two games last month when Brown was sidelined, while Walsh is coming off his most extensive run in weeks, having tallied 27 minutes on Friday night.

Queta and Luka Garza will continue to anchor the frontcourt with Vucevic sidelined; Garza has played double-digit minutes in 11 straight games after previously falling out of the rotation after the trade deadline.

Celtics-Hornets tips off at 6pm ET.

Canucks To Face Former Coach On Monday As Golden Knights Make Coaching Change

Ahead of their matchup on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, the Vegas Golden Knights have made a coaching change. Vegas announced on Sunday that it had fired Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella. The Golden Knights have been in a tailspin recently, with only three wins and eight points in their last 10 games. 

Tortorella's first action behind the bench will be against the Canucks, which he coached in 2013-14. That season went off the rails for Vancouver, as they finished with a 36-35-11 and missed the playoffs. Tortorella was fired at the end of the season and replaced by Willie Desjardins. 

Since leaving the Canucks, Tortorella has coached the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia Flyers. He won the Jack Adams Award in 2017 and has made the playoffs four times since leaving Vancouver. Tortorella has also been heavily involved with Team USA and was an Assistant Coach on their 2026 Gold Medal Olympic team. 

Apr 13, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella signals from the bench during the third period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella signals from the bench during the third period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

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Dusty May's son swishes 3 to cap off Michigan Elite 8 win over Tennessee

For the second time in the past four years, and at the second different program, Dusty May is in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.

This time around, the end of the path to college basketball’s preeminent event came with a little extra personal meaning.

With May’s Michigan team leading Tennessee 92-62 late in their Elite Eight matchup on Sunday, March 29 in Chicago, his son, Charlie, swished a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:02 to cap off a 95-62 victory.

A 6-foot-5 senior, the younger May is in his second season with the Wolverines after transferring over from UCF in 2024 after his father was hired at Michigan. Prior to Sunday’s win, he had scored just four career points and made one career field goal. This season, he has appeared in 18 minutes across seven games.

May’s trey sent the Michigan bench into hysteria, with the team’s biggest stars like Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara celebrating passionately.

“Mayday in Chicago!” CBS play-by-play broadcaster Andrew Catalon said after May splashed the shot.

The win against the Volunteers continued a dominant postseason run for the Wolverines, who have won their four NCAA tournament games by a combined 90 points. Only one of those victories came by fewer than 21 points.

It's the second career Final Four trip for May, who led Florida Atlantic on an improbable run to the national semifinals in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where the Owls lost on a buzzer-beater to eventual national runner-up San Diego State.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dusty May's son swished a 3 to cap off Michigan's Elite 8 win over Tennessee

Wizards at Trail Blazers discussion

WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 27: Alexandre Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 27, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Washington Wizards play the Portland Trail Blazers today. Tip off is at 6 p.m. ET. Go Wizards.

Jalen Green’s big night was a reminder of what could be

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 28: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dunks the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 28, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The book on Jalen Green when he arrived in Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant deal was simple. Electric scorer, can get anywhere he wants on the floor, can create his own shot at will. The question has always been consistency. Some nights it flows, some nights it disappears, and in his short time with the Phoenix Suns, we have already seen both sides of that coin.

But when he finds it, when he locks into that rhythm, it is something different. It is smooth, it is effortless, it is the kind of scoring that makes you lean forward in your seat a little bit. Against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, he hit that gear.

31 points in 22 minutes, and it never felt forced. Threes falling, drives collapsing the defense, mid-range shots dropping in stride. It came from everywhere. That is the version of Jalen Green that reminds you why the ceiling is so high, why the flashes keep you believing, why you keep waiting to see if it can become something more consistent over time.

It is fun to watch. It really is. Because it feels a little different from what we have had in Phoenix for a while. A guard who can create his own shot, get downhill whenever he wants, and do it with real burst and athleticism. You probably have to go back to Gerald Green or Jason Richardson to find that kind of pop out of the two slot, and that is more than a decade ago. Having that on the roster adds something. It bends defenses. It pulls help. It creates space for everyone else because when Jalen Green turns the corner, the defense has to react.

But there is another side to it, and we have already seen it.

That same ability can bring a level of confidence that drifts into tough decisions. Shot selection gets a little loose. The moment can turn into a search for the spectacular instead of the simple. You see it on drives where he has a clean path. Instead of finishing quickly, the ball gets cocked back, the play stretches, and suddenly defenders have time to recover.

And it sounds funny to say, but sometimes you want the layup. Two points is two points. Is this the anti-Ayton argument, isn’t it? I can LO to the L about the thought, but it’s true. With Ayton, we pined for aggression at the basket, begging for a dunk. With Green? Just get the ball through the cylinder. This is not about asking him to be something he is not. It is about channeling what he already does into something more efficient. Finish the play, keep the pressure on, make the defense pay. Because when he does that, when he balances the flash with control, that is when it all starts to come together.

So yeah, there are holes in Jalen Green’s game, but that does not erase the potential he brings. The season is closing fast, and when you look ahead, it feels unlikely that the Phoenix Suns are going to rush into any decisions on a player set to make $36 million next season. This is something you let breathe. You gather more data, you see how the market shapes up, and you give yourself more time to evaluate what you truly have.

The path forward is still there. If he tightens the shot selection, if he finds a little more efficiency, it can unlock something real. The tools are obvious. The flashes are not subtle. It is about refining how and when he uses them.

And in the meantime, there is nothing wrong with enjoying it. Nights like Saturday, when he catches fire and everything opens up, that is part of the experience. That is the version of him that can swing a game, that can tilt momentum, that can carry a team for stretches. You take that for what it is. You appreciate it, you recognize what still needs to come along, and you understand that both can exist at the same time.

That is the story with Jalen Green right now. The peaks are real, the questions remain, and somewhere in between is the player he is still becoming.

Marlins 4, Rockies 3: Unable to avoid spring cleaning

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Owen Caissie #17 of the Miami Marlins gets a gatorade bath after hitting a walk-off home run against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at loanDepot park on March 29, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Colorado Rockies were unable to avoid the sweep in their Opening Weekend series against the Miami Marlins. The Fish walked off the Rockies on a two-run home run, cementing an 0-3 record to kick off the 2026 campaign with three straight one-run losses.

Unable to capitalize

The Rockies struck first, when Jordan Beck hit a bases-loaded and bases-clearing double in the first inning to put the Rockies up by three.

Those would be the only runs the Rockies would score for the rest of the game. Striking out a whopping 11 times—with four hitters being punched out at least twice — the Rockies finished the series with 30 total strikeouts.

The Rockies had multiple opportunities to score more runs throughout the game. They drew two walks and had six hits in total. In the top of the seventh, the Rockies had both Jake McCarthy and Kyle Karros on base with no outs, only to come up empty. They then went down in order with two strikeouts in both the eighth and ninth innings.

Overall, the Rockies were just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

A solid debut for José Quintana

Like Kyle Freeland and Michael Lorenzen before him, Rockies starting pitcher José Quintana went for 4 1/3 innings in his season debut. Quintana, signed this off-season on a one-year, $6 million contract, held the Marlins to two earned runs during his start despite not having his best stuff. He nibbled the strike zone and struggled somewhat with command, walking four batters and giving up four hits. He threw 78 total pitches, 42 for strikes. It took more than 50 pitches for Quintana to make it through the first two innings of the game. However, he made much quicker work of the third and fourth frames.

One mistake from the bullpen is the Rockies’ undoing

With a runner on and one out in the fifth inning, Quintana gave way to Jimmy Herget for his second appearance of the young season. “The Human Glitch” quickly dialed up back-to-back strikeouts on eight pitches to end the inning.

Following Herget, starter-turned-long reliever Antonio Senzatela took the mound for his first appearance of the year. Senzatela was incredibly sharp during his first two innings. He set down all six batters in order with three strikeouts. His fastball was clocking near 99 MPH and his pitches were showing good shape and movement compared to previous seasons. Senzatela recorded the first two outs in the eighth inning but did allow a walk and a single before being pulled for Victor Vodnik.

Vodnik—looking for the four-out save—was charged with hitting the first batter he saw even though the ball hit the knob of the bat and not the batter himself. He quickly struck out the next hitter on three well-placed pitches, including a 94.4 MPH changeup and a 99.7 MPH four-seam fastball.

In the bottom of the ninth inning Vodnik gave up a ground ball single to Xavier Edwards only for Liam Hicks to line into an unassisted double play via the glove of Rockies first baseman Troy Johnston. With two outs, the save—and the Rockies’ first win of the season—was in sight. However, Vodnik gave up a double to Javier Sonoja and then left a changeup hanging middle-middle to Owen Cassie, who sent the ball over the outfield wall for a walk-off home run.

Coming Up Next

The Rockies will continue their season opening road trip tomorrow evening with a trip to visit the defending American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays. Right-handed veteran Tomoyuki Sugano will make his season debut for Colorado while the right-handed Cody Ponce will toe the rubber for the Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:07 PM MDT.


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Mets strike out 16 times in extra-innings loss to Pirates

The Mets fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a final score of 4-3 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon.

Here are the takeaways...

-- With the game still tied in the ninth, Luke Weaver worked around a pair of walks to keep things knotted at 2-2. After the Mets couldn't score in the bottom half, Richard Lovelady came on for the 10th, and Ryan O'Hearn greeted him with an RBI single to score the free runner. Lovelady, pitching on back-to-back days, allowed another RBI hit to Henry Davis, giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the 10th, after a Lindor walk, Juan Soto crushed a double to left-center, and while free-runner Francisco Alvarez scored easily, Francisco Lindor was out by quite a bit at the plate for the first out of the inning, following a questionable send from third base coach Tim Leiper. Later, with two outs and a runner on third, Jorge Polanco hit one to the wall in right, but it was just off the end of the bat enough to be caught for the final out of the game.

-- It was clear from the jump that Nolan McLean had a hard time getting comfortable on the mound. After walking the first two hitters of the afternoon, McLean allowed an RBI single toO'Hearn, and then gave up a solo shot to Brandon Lowe (his third homer of the series) in the top of the third inning, the first homer he's ever allowed to a left-handed hitter in the big leagues.

McLean settled in during the middle innings, striking out four combined hitters in the fourth and fifth frames, and his afternoon ended there. McLean went 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with eight strikeouts and a walk. He threw 84 pitches, 52 of which were strikes.

-- Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski had the Mets baffled early. The young right-hander struck out the side in both the first and third innings, fanning Lindor, Soto, and Bo Bichette two times each. That being said, the middle and bottom parts of the order were able to push a run across in the second, as Luis Robert Jr. singled and came around to score on a Marcus Semien sac fly. Mlodzinski set a new career-high with seven strikeouts through just three innings.

--But the top of the order came through the third time through the order, as Lindor tripled in the fifth (his first since the 2024 season), followed by a Soto RBI single, which tied the game at 2-2 and chased Mlodzinski from the game after 4.1 innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits, striking out a career-high eight while walking none.

-- Sean Manaea made his season debut out of the bullpen, coming into the game with two outs and nobody on in a 2-2 game in the top of the seventh. With a fastball around 88-90 MPH, Manaea allowed an Oneil Cruz single and committed an error on a pickoff attempt to allow Cruz to get into scoring position, but got out of the inning with a grounder to second. He pitched into the eighth, when he allowed a pair of two-out walks, but he again got out of the jam.

--It was another big day at the plate for Robert and Baty, with both recording a pair of hits. Meanwhile, Bichette and Soto each struck out three times, but Soto did also drive in a pair of runs.

Game MVP

O'Hearn, who had three hits and a pair of RBI on the afternoon.

Highlights

Upcoming schedule

The Mets begin a seven-game road trip on Monday with the first of three against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Clay Holmes will face righty Kyle Leahy, with first pitch on SNY at 7:45 p.m.

Red Sox 2, Reds 3: Slow Start

Mar 29, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

It’s not even March, but today’s game is an example of why I couldn’t fully buy in on this Red Sox roster. Starting pitching is great, but when the offense can’t support it, you’re always in danger of one swing changing the game. Connelly Early pitched well, although it wasn’t a dominant performance, but his offense only gave him two runs of support. A single and a walk later, and the go-ahead run was at the plate for Cincinnati. Greg Weissert left a pitch over the plate, and the Reds had a lead in the sixth inning.

The Red Sox threatened in the eighth inning, but Jarren Duran was picked off to give away an out. Andruw Monasterio doubled in the ninth inning, but Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story couldn’t get him home. Timely hitting comes and goes throughout a 162-game season, but it’s fair to wonder if the offense isn’t good enough after a slow start. For the record, I think they’ll be better, but hitting with runners in scoring position has been a problem to this (incredibly early) point.

Back to Early. 5.1 innings of one-run baseball is great. At the same time, he wasn’t as sharp as he was at the end of last season. His four-seam fastball caught a lot of the strike zone and generated just two whiffs on 37 pitches. He did a good job of jumping ahead of hitters, but had a hard time putting them away. Reds hitters fouled off nine two-strike pitches, forcing Early to work hard for outs. His curveball, in particular, was fouled off several times and didn’t return a swing and miss. It’s a good start to build off of for Early, but better two-strike execution and fastball command will help him get deeper into games.

The Reds held on to win the game and the series by a run and a game. We’ll travel to Houston for a three-game set with the Astros on Monday.

Three Studs

Wilyer Abreu (3-4, HR, 2B)

Abreu continues to swing a hot bat. He went yard again in the fourth inning after fouling off nine pitches. He also doubled to the opposite field off a lefty later in the game, and singled to continue a rally in the eighth inning. He’s seeing the ball really well right now.

Jovani Moran (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 ER)

Moran handled the seventh and eighth innings, keeping the deficit at one. His command wasn’t sharp, but his fastball shape is going to miss bats, and the changeup has always been a good pitch for him. Nice start to the season for the lefty.

Connor Wong (2-3, 2B)

How about Connor Wong? He singled early in the game, and then stuck his bat out at a ball off the plate that somehow flew to the warning track for a double. It’s nice to see him get a couple of early hits and start his numbers off without being anchored by a frigid streak. Decent day for Wong.

Three Duds

Greg Weissert (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 ER)

Weissert came in in relief of Connelly Early with a runner on and one out. He walked Sal Stewart on five pitches, and then got ahead of Eugenio Suarez 0-2. He tried to elevate a four-seam to punch Suarez out, but channeled his inner Italian, throwing a meatball directly in the turbo zone. Suarez hit the ball almost to Italy to put the Reds in front in the sixth inning.

Side note: I saw a lot of “what was Weissert thinking?” in response to him throwing that pitch. I’m sure he was thinking, “I’m going to throw this above the zone”, not “I’m going to throw this in the perfect spot for him to hit it 500 feet.”

Jarren Duran(0-2, 2 BB)

Tony Santillan pitched on Saturday and walked two of the five hitters he faced. He walked Jarren Duran, and then went down 3-0 to Willson Contreras. Given those two facts, you absolutely cannot be picked off of first base representing the tying run in the eighth inning. Credit to Santillan, it was a good move, but Duran can’t let it happen.

Caleb Durbin (0-4, 2 K)

Durbin is now 0-12 with three strikeouts to begin the season. He was acquired in part because he doesn’t strike out frequently, but struck out in a huge spot late in Sunday’s game. Let’s hope he picks it up offensively soon.

Simply offensive: Rangers 8, Phillies 3

Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Baseball seems to have the longest offseason around. If you have a team that you follow that isn’t in the playoffs (or gets bounced from the playoffs quickly), it feels like forever until Opening Day. That wait brings hope, promise and hype that this will be the season a championship parade is the endgame. Opening Day brings pomp and circumstance, games are finally played and….

…you get this performance from the Phillies.

Outside of a masterful six innings by Cristopher Sanchez, the Phillies looked rather lackluster against the Rangers. Sure, their comeback Saturday in the ninth inning was somewhat memorable, but what the offensive decided to do (better yet, not do) left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

Sunday’s game got out of hand rather quickly. The game was scoreless to begin, Jesus Luzardo on the mound for the Phillies, Mackenzie Gore opposing him for the Rangers. Both traded scoreless innings to start, but in the third, Texas got going. A one out single by Sam Haggerty was brought around on a home run by Brandon Nimmo to give the Rangers the lead.

They got three more in the fourth when Corey Seager and Jake Burger, who reached on walk and a single respectively, scored thanks to a missile from Andrew McCutchen.

They would add another run in the top of the sixth on a Kyle Higashioka RBI single. So as the Rangers are scoring runs and then adding more to that total, the Phillies staggered to and back from the plate like an 11U baseball team. Their approaches were bad, their swings were worse and that meant they were no-hit again through multiple opening innings. They got on the board when in the bottom of the sixth, they loaded the bases thanks to an excuse me single by Justin Crawford, a walk to Trea Turner and a broken bat single by Kyle Schwarber, all with no outs.

Bryce Harper then looked feeble once again, striking out to get the first out. Alec Bohm was hit by a pitch to get a run, then another followed on an sacrifice fly by Adolis Garcia. Bryson Stott pinch hit next, only to ground out, but at least there was a pulse.

Enter Zach Pop. Walk, double, hit by pitch and one run was given back. Another sacrifice fly given up two batters later made the sure that the runs the Phillies got were neutralized quickly.

In the eighth, Stott got an RBI single to make the score 8-3, but that was about it.

There was much consternation about the team running it back, even though there are a lot of new faces. Part of that consternation was the team not fixing the issues that got them bounced from the last two playoff appearances, where the offense simply didn’t show up when it mattered. These two games this weekend did not help quiet those voices.

Even if it is just three games (and friends, they will ultimately be fine), this was not the performance one was hoping after weeks of missing baseball.

Where does Michigan blowout rank among largest margin of victories in Elite 8?

CHICAGO – Michigan basketball is hitting its stride in the NCAA Tournament.

After using an explosive second half to blow out Alabama in the Sweet 16, the No. 1-seeded Wolverines carried over the momentum just two days later in a dominant 95-62 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Sunday, March 29, at the United Center.

Michigan dominated the first half, using a 21-0 run to take control of a game that Tennessee had led 16-14 with 11:22 left in the first half. In just 4:42 of game time, that score changed to a 35-16 lead for the Wolverines.

The win for Michigan advances it to the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis. But the Wolverines also dominated the game in a nearly historic way. With 1:46 in the game, Michigan held an 92-58 lead. The Wolverines also led by 31 with just under 12 minutes left.

Yaxel Lendeborg subbed out of the game for the final time with the Wolverines ahead by 32 points. The rest of the starters were out of the game with 3:14 remaining.

How dominant was Michigan in the Elite Eight victory? Here’s what you need to know about the largest margin of victories in the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament:

Largest margin of victories in Elite 8

On March 14, 1964, Duke dominated Connecticut 101-54 at the Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 62-27 first-half lead and never looked back. 

Jeff Mullins led Duke with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win, while four total players finished in double figures.

In 1971, Villanova defeated Penn 90-47 in the Regional Final and in 1965 Princeton took down Providence by 40 points (109-69).

Here’s a look at the biggest blowouts in the NCAA Elite Eight round, according to BetMGM.

  • 1964: Duke 101, UConn 54 (47 points)
  • 1971: Villanova 90, Penn 47 (43 points)
  • 1965: Princeton 109, Providence 69 (40 points)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Largest margin of victories in Elite 8 after Michigan dominated Tennessee

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Michigan sends message: You don't want to play them

CHICAGO – With Tennessee already down by 19, one basket wasn’t going to make a difference. The game was effectively over, and whether Michigan won by 10 or 20, the outcome was still going to be the same.

Michigan coach Dusty May challenged the goaltending call, anyway. The Wolverines weren’t just here to win, they were here to send a message:

They’re the best team in the country, and they’ll steamroll anyone who is in their way.

"It's just people stepping up to the moment," Roddy Gayle Jr. said. "I feel like March brings out the best in people."

It certainly has with this team.

Top-seeded Michigan routed sixth-seeded Tennessee 95-62 on Sunday, March 29, to reach the Final Four for the third time since 2013. With apologies to Moritz Wagner and Glenn Robinson III, these Wolverines have the best chance yet to win the school’s first national title since 1989.

In a span of two days, Michigan humbled the country’s top offensive team and the SEC’s best defensive team, and the Wolverines barely broke a sweat in doing so. They’ve scored 90 or more points and shot 50% or better in each of their NCAA Tournament games, and the 33-point win over Tennessee was the biggest blowout of the weekend.

And if Yaxel Lendeborg isn’t the player of the year, he’s for sure the player of March.

Lendeborg tagged Tennessee for 27 points, his third game with 23 or more, and 10 of those came during a 23-2 run in the first half that effectively sealed the game. He’s making a career’s worth of highlights every game, including his tip-in layup off his own missed 3-pointer with 11:57 left to play against Tennessee.

The Wolverines are not a one-man team, however. Four other players finished in double figures and two others were only a bucket away. Elliot Cadeau had double-digit assists (10) for the fifth time this season.

Whatever those hiccups Michigan had in the Big Ten tournament, where they struggled against Ohio State and Wisconsin before losing to Purdue in the title game, they are long gone. Michigan is rolling, and good luck to anyone who faces them.

Michigan plays fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four in Indianapolis on Friday night, April 3.

"When this group got together, we all wanted to make it the national championship and win it," Lendeborg said. "We worked tirelessly on making sure that our mental was right, not just physical. And we all trust each other. We play hard for each other. We make extra plays for each other. We're going to do whatever we want for each other.

"So just being able to make it this far and continuing to want to get more, it means a lot."

Michigan is only two seasons removed from a team that lost 24 games. While quick turnarounds are more doable now with the transfer portal, building chemistry when there's a new coach and new players presents its own challenges.

Add in being thrust into the spotlight as a national title contender a month into the season, and Michigan very easily could have gone sideways.

"The most difficult part is that everyone starts getting so much more attention, advice. Literally everything they get more of," May said. "It's difficult not to make it about you because the people you're talking to are making it about you.

"There's just a lot of distracting information," May added. "And if you're not mature and you're not connected as a group and you're not willing to be held accountable by the staff and each other, then it's not going to work. Once it creeps in it's almost impossible to weed it out. So our guys never let it in.

"They stayed the course and stayed about each other. And that's ultimately why we're here," May said. "We weren't a super team, but these guys became super teammates."

Though Michigan’s Fab Five never won an NCAA title, they changed college basketball with their outsized personalities, baggy shorts and black socks. These Wolverines aren't going to have that kind of influence, but they’ve got a similar brand of fun.

Lendeborg is as goofy as he is good, and Gayle isn’t far behind. They all love to hype each other up — when Lendeborg said Will Tschetter deserved a shout out for his toughness, Nimari Burnett woofed in response — and their tightknit chemistry isn't forced.

They might be stealing people's souls, but they're having a blast doing it.

"That's our main thing. We say before every game to just go out there and have fun," Cadeau said. "We're not worrying about our stats, not worrying about the scoreboard."

Michigan cruised through the regular season, not losing a single Big Ten road game. Its two losses, to Wisconsin in January and Duke in late February, were by a combined eight points. They spent time at No. 1 and were never ranked lower than third after Dec. 1.

But the Wolverines didn't have their usual swagger in the Big Ten tournament. When they lost to Purdue in the title game, it wasn't even that big a surprise.

It also might have been the best thing for them.

"Watching another team cut down the nets, feeling that was something that we didn't want to feel again," Gayle said.

Message received.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan basketball makes statement with win over Tennessee in Elite 8