May 8, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) enters the field with catcher JT Realmuto (10) before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Phillies (17-22) overcame a six-run deficit to come all the way back to take their series opener against the visiting Colorado Rockies (16-23) to extra innings, only to let it slip away for a 9-7 defeat.
Jesus Luzardo dug a huge hole with a nightmare fourth inning, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks. Prior to that, he gave up one run on two hits and struck out six, including the whole side in the third.
Kyle Schwarber got the Phillies on the board with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth. A JT Realmuto RBI double cut the deficit to four but the Rockies would get that run right back on a Tyler Freeman home run in the top of the seventh.
Don Mattingly was seemingly waving the white flag by pitching his closer, Jhoan Duran, in the eighth inning to just get some work in after his return from the injured list.
But the offense had a five-run rally of their own in store for the bottom of the eighth, bringing eight batters to the plate. Bryce Harper got the fun started with a leadoff single and came home to score on a hit by Brandon Marsh. Bryson Stott hit an RBI double, his fifth extra-base hit in the month of May after tallying only four in April.
Jose Alvarado held the ninth but the top of the order couldn’t crack Rockies’ closer, Victor Vodnik, so onto the tenth we went.
Orion Kerkering allowed a one-out single which put the ghost runner on third base, but he worked out of the jam with a pop fly by Mickey Moniak and a punchout of Willi Castro.
After intentionally walking Marsh to start the frame, Vodnik again retired the heart of the order with little resistance.
Brad Keller came on in the top of the eleventh and allowed the go-ahead run to score on his second pitch, a double down the right field line by Troy Johnston. Johnston scored two batters later on a single by Jake McCarthy to cap off the victory.
Crawford legged out an infield dribbler to lead off the bottom of the eleventh and Edmundo Sosa made it to third on a Trea Turner fly out, but Schwarber and Harper couldn’t finish it off.
Harper reached base four times with two hits and two walks, raising his OBP to .382. Marsh also had two walks to go along with his RBI single, and Crawford had his second three-hit game of the year.
Turner and Sosa were the only members of the lineup to fail to reach base, each going 0-5 at the dish.
Aaron Nola will face off against Rockies’ left-hander, Kyle Freeland, tomorrow night in the middle game of the series.
May 8, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero (54) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
After a nice Thursday off day, the Tigers are in Kansas City hoping to get some games back in the AL Central and push their way back towards first. The AL Central is an extremely tight race at the moment, so every game really does count, even this early in the year. The Tigers had Keider Montero on the mound, up against Kris Bubic for the Royals. Detroit is still trying to find out what their pitching rotation is going to look like as they come to terms with major pitching losses, so we’ll see how things pan out over the coming week to get an idea of A.J. Hinch’s plans.
With one out in the top of the first, Kevin McGonigle got a walk. After another out, he successfully stole second. His hustle was admirable, but ultimately didn’t help, as the next at-bat was a groundout to end the inning. In the home half Montero got the Royals out in order.
Riley Greene got the second started with a double. Wenceel Perez then singled, but Greene was held at third. With men on the corners, Spencer Torkelson came up to bat and hit into a double play, but the Tigers managed to score their first run of the game, getting Greene home. They’d have to settle for just the one run, but it gave them an early lead. With two outs in the home half, Jac Caglianone doubled. Then Isaac Collins singled, bringing Caglianone home and tying up the game.
Freshly re-signed Zack Short got a leadoff walk to get the third started. McGonigle then grounded into a force out, eliminating Short. A wild pitch let McGonigle advance to second. Once again, though, McGonigle’s great baserunning wasn’t rewarded as a groundout ended the inning. In the home half, the Royals went 1-2-3.
Riley Greene continued to be a workhorse, reaching first on a fumbled catch by Vinnie Pasquantino. It was ruled a single but I’m pretty sure it was an error. Montero got the Royals out three-up, three-down, that’s seven Royals in a row, if you want the running count. A pretty nice game thus far for Montero.
In the top of the fifth, Short got another walk, this time with one out in the inning. He was then eliminated again in a force-out off the bat of Matt Vierling. The Tigers weren’t able to convert the baserunner, however. So far the teams have been very well-balanced in this game, which is great, but also scoring runs is fun, let’s do more of that. It was another 1-2-3 for Montero in the bottom of the inning.
For the first batter of the sixth, Jahmai Jones drew a walk, but Bubic challenged the call. The call was upheld as ball four. Jones was then eliminated in a force out off the bat of Dillon Dingler (stop me if you’ve heard this series of events before). With two outs, Wenceel Perez doubled and Dingler was able to get all the way home, and was safe largely because catcher Carter Jensen very literally dropped the ball before attempting to tag Dingler. It was a very hectic-feeling play, but the Tigers came out ahead with the run.
The Tigers would settle for two, but given the pace of the game, those two runs would likely be very, very relevant. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Bobby Witt Jr. singled, the first time the Royals got a baserunner on since the second. Pasquantino then walked. Montero was definitely starting to look shaky at this point, throwing some pitches way out of the zone, repeatedly asking for signs, just looking very uneasy. He did manage to induce the final out of the inning, though, and that was likely his last batter for the night. His final line was 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 71 pitches. A pretty solid outing for him overall.
Luinder Avila was the new Royals pitcher in the mix in the top of the seventh. Matt Vierling got a one-out double. He was ultimately left stranded, however. Tyler Holton came out of the Tigers’ bullpen in the bottom of the inning and he got the Royals out in order.
John Schreiber was the next Royals pitcher. With one out, Riley Greene singled right between two diving fielders to get on first. That would be the only baserunner the Tigers would get for the inning. In the home half, Kyle Finnegan came on. The first thing he did was give up a leadoff double to Michael Massey. Kyle Isbel singled, scoring Massey, but because of a fielding error where Wenceel Perez simply couldn’t find the ball, sent Isbel to third. Then Maikal Garcia came in, singled, and scored Isbel to tie the game. On what would have been the first out of the inning for the Tigers, the Royals challenged the third strike call and it was ruled to be a ball, sending Bobby Witt Jr. to first. That was it for Finnegan, who was replaced by Brant Hurter. He induced a double play and helped cover first to get the job done. Salvador Perez walked, but a groundout did end the inning. The game headed to the ninth in a tie.
Lucas Erceg, the Royals closer, came in for the ninth. Zach McKinstry got a leadoff double. Zack Short then popped out into the infield, but this resulted in a pause in the game as Erceg and new catcher Elias Diaz collided hard to try getting the pop-up bunt near home. McGonigle battled out a two-out walk, but Colt Keith then popped out to end the inning. With two outs, Nick Loftin doubled off of Hurter. Then Isbel singled to score Loftin and walk off the game with a Royals’ win.
May 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Luke Raley (20) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Mariners 12, White Sox 8
The gusto with which Aaron Goldsmith introduces an in-game ad from Washington’s beef farmers and ranchers: Luke Raley, +0.43 WPA The gusto with which Rick Griffin would recommend proton therapy: Brendan Donovan, -0.14 WPA
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jacob Misiorowski reached 103 mph on 10 pitches while pitching two-hit ball over six innings and Brandon Lockridge hit two RBI singles before getting carted off the field in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Misiorowski reached a peak velocity of 103.6 mph and struck out 12 and walked two in his second straight sensational start. Misiorowski had a no-hit bid through 5 1/3 innings before a hamstring cramp forced him out of a 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals last week.
Lockridge left after his right knee crashed into an unpadded section of the left-field wall as he chased a foul ball from Cody Bellinger in the fourth inning.
The Brewers, who were in the American League through the 1997 season before moving over to the NL, shut out the Yankees for the first time since 1992.
Milwaukee’s Shane Drohan worked the three innings to earn his first career save.
José Caballero had two of New York’s three hits as the Yankees opened a nine-game trip.
New York’s Spencer Jones struck out twice and walked once in his MLB debut, and Kervin Jones allowed one run over two innings in his Yankees debut. Ben Rice was 0-for-4 as he returned after missing four games with a bruised hand.
Milwaukee scored four runs off Max Fried (4-2) in the second inning.
Gary Sánchez hit a leadoff single, then Fried walked Andrew Vaughn and Luis Rengifo on eight straight balls.
Lockridge and Sal Frelick hit consecutive RBI singles, and Rengifo came home when Joey Ortiz grounded into a forceout. Jackson Chourio grounded a single up the middle to score Lockridge.
None of the singles had an exit velocity that exceeded 87.2 mph.
Before the game, the Brewers inducted Hall of Famers CC Sabathia and Dave Parker into their Wall of Honor. Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts after joining Milwaukee in a July 2008 trade to lead the Brewers to their first playoff appearance since 1982. Parker won a Silver Slugger award in 1990, his lone season in Milwaukee.
Up next
Cam Schlittler (5-1, 1.52 ERA) pitches for the Yankees and Kyle Harrison (3-1, 2.12) starts for the Brewers on Saturday night.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Alex Newhook had two goals, again providing Montreal with some much-needed secondary scoring, and the Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-1 on Friday night to even their second-round playoff series at one game apiece.
Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Nick Suzuki, with an empty-netter, also scored for the Canadiens. Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes made 27 saves, and Montreal extended its trend of alternating wins and losses after doing so in a seven-game first-round series win over Tampa Bay.
Montreal advanced to the second round on Newhook’s game-winner 11:07 into the third period of a 2-1 series-clinching win on Sunday. Meantime, the Canadiens’ top offensive threats continue to struggle. Cole Caufield extended his point drought to five games, while Juraj Slafkovsky has one assist in his past eight outings.
Zach Benson scored for Buffalo, but Alex Lyon allowed four goals on 27 shots. He previously allowed seven goals in six-plus appearances since replacing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was was pulled after two periods in a 4-2 loss to Boston in Game 2 of their first-round series.
The series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday night.
It’ll be the Canadiens’ first trip home after being on the road since traveling to Tampa Bay last weekend. The team stayed in Florida for two days before flying directly to Buffalo on Tuesday.
The Sabres dropped to 2-3 at home this postseason, but they won all three games — including the Game 6 series clincher — at Boston.
After falling behind 2-0 in the first period of Game 1, Montreal flipped the script.
Peyton Krebs’ turnover in Buffalo’s zone led to Newhook scoring at 1:36 by sneaking a shot under Lyon’s blocker arm. Matheson scored 2:51 later by floating in a shot from the left point that beat Lyon over his right shoulder.
Buffalo’s power play came up empty on five chances after going 2 for 3 in Game 1. The Sabres have converted just three of 32 power-play opportunities this postseason.
Newhook’s second goal, scored 4:47 into the second period, came four seconds after the Sabres’ power play failed to register a shot with Carrier off for hooking.
Carrier’s goal 3:54 into the third was emblematic of Buffalo’s evening. With the Sabres buzzing the Montreal net, Tage Thompson kept the puck in at the right point only to lose his balance and spin down to the ice. Carrier picked up the loose puck and scored to put Montreal up 4-1.
Benson whiffed on a tip-in chance two minutes later. In the first period, Buffalo’s Alex Tuch had the puck roll off his stick while attempting a shot breaking up the right wing, and Jack Quinn shot over the top of the net after being set up alone in the slot.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 8: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talk during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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
Spike Lee made the trip. So did Tracy Morgan, Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller, and Timothee Chamalamalamalet. Despite attempts to keep Knicks fans from the Xfinity Mobile Arena, and Joel Embiid moaning about it being “Madison Square Garden East,” plenty of orange and blue support was present for Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In the first quarter, the 76ers swung their strongest punch of the series, but New York regained its footing to flip the momentum in the second. While Philly choked under defensive pressure, the good guys stretched their lead to 12 with a 27-11 run. The camera caught a dejected Embiid toweling his forehead on the bench and looking ready to weep. Those Knicks cheers? They came through loud and clear on the Amazon Prime broadcast.
New York brought a 60-52 lead into intermission. Following that, Philly took another swing to cut the deficit to three, but New York rallied with a run to start the fourth ahead, 85-76. Then, the Knicks blew the lid off. Our heroes pushed their lead to 16, Nick Nurse waved a white flag with two minutes left, and a 108-94 win puts New York one away from a return trip to the ECF!
Who deserves the gold stars? Quoth foiegrastyle, “NOVA KNICKS.” The Villanova alums Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges carried the game tonight, combining for 68 points, 19 rebounds, and 14 assists. Sure, Landry Shamet (15 PTS, +20, 26 MIN) and Mitchell Robinson (4-8 FT, 6 REB, +16) provided a huge lift off the bench, and Karl-Anthony Towns played pretty well (8 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST, 5 FLS, 26 MIN). But those ‘Nova cats were next level. Campus is just 17 miles from Philly, right? Maybe they’ll crash a frat party while they’re in town.
First Half
A strained hamstring kept OG Anunoby from traveling with the team. The absence was acutely felt in the first quarter. OG has played career-best basketball of his career this postseason, so it was no coincidence that Philly made more buckets and the Knicks offense fizzled early on.
The Sixers came ready for war. They scored the game’s first seven points and their defense forced four misses and two turnovers. The guests fell behind by nine, and after more sloppy play, trailed 15-8 at 7:30. Less than a minute later, thanks to a miss at the rim by Brunson and an offensive foul by Hart, they had surrendered five more points, digging a 12-point hole. Miles McBride, starting with OG out, recorded two blocks in the quarter, but heaved two bricks, once again failing to make much of an impact offensively.
Paul George (15 PTS, 6-18 FG, -14) carried the scoring load to start Game Two and repeated that tonight…for awhile He scored six of his team’s first 11 makes, tallying up 15 points in the opening frame. He would be much less effective as the game went on. Meanwhile, the visitors had coughed up the rock six times, which cost them nine points, and they lost the first period, 31-27.
To start the second quarter, Jalen Brunson (33 PTS, 11-22 FG, 9 AST, +13) took a breather after getting heavily harassed by VJ Edgecombe (11 PTS, 7 RBS, 40 MIN) for 12 minutes. New York continued a roll they’d started at the end of the first period, and when Jordan Clarkson assisted Landry Shamet on a dunk, they knotted the score at 33. When Alvarado drilled a 29-footer, New York had their first lead of the contest. And when Mitchell Robinson sonned Embiid with a dunk on his overlarge noggin, the difference was five and the stadium rocked with NY cheers.
There was a ton of physicality in the frontcourt. KAT and Joel Embiid (18 PTS, 6 RBS, 5 AST, -9) fell all over each other (literally) and both collected three fouls in the first half. By the break, the Knicks are winning 60-52. They had shot 53% and 43% while hammering Philadelphia inside for a 36-24 edge in points in the paint and out-rebounding them, 25-16. After six turnovers in the first quarter, New York had only two giveaways in the second. At the same time, Philly’s sizzling first quarter shooting had faded to 46% and 36% at the break. Mikal Bridges (23 PTS, 8-14 FG, +15, 37 MIN) and Kelly Oubre, Jr. (22 PTS, 8 RBS) topped their teams with 15 points apiece at the half.
Second Half
Out of the locker room, McBride finally hit from beyond the arc. A couple of misses and a few Sixer baskets narrowed the score, but Brunson and Towns were distributing crisp passes that set the twilight reeling.
A fourth infraction sent Karl-Anthony to the bench at 6:27. The teams traded baskets, shoves, and choice words. With three minutes to go, Josh Hart (12 PTS, 11 REB, 40 MIN, 2 damaged digits) fouled a driving Embiid. The big Cameroonian crashed to the floor and came up gingerly, massaging his hip—a hip that was already sore and kept him out of Game Two. His two free throws cut the differential to three. At the other end, Nick Nurse played Hack-a-Mitch (Robinson made one). Then Embiid battled Mitch at the rim, missing dead on, then making a fiercely contested putback. They hacked Mitch again, and this time he made both.
MSG, I mean, Xfinity Mobile Arena erupts after Mitchell Robinson makes 2 consecutive free throws pic.twitter.com/CyXPc1PyfK
When Edgecombe missed the basket completely on a long attempt, a cheer of “Airballll!” came from Xfinity Mobile; when Shamet swished from range, he capped a 7-0 run; and when the quarter ended, New York held an 85-76 lead.
OAKAAKUYOAK Quentin Grimes waited until the final quarter to make his three-pointers. He drilled two, and the differential was four with nine minutes to play. After a timeout, the Knicks responded with an 11-2 run, thanks to timely buckets by the Villanova Three and another steal by Bridges. Many times tonight, the Cheesesteaks got within sniffing distance, and every time they did, New York pumped the gas to open up some distance.
A chyron on the TV showed a startling stat: through nine playoff games, the Knicks have a +238 point differential in the fourth quarter. That’s the third-best in the NBA in the last 70 seasons. And they weren’t done scoring! Embiid had sat through the first half of the fourth, and frankly, his team had played better without him. After his return, our heroes went up by 16 with just under four minutes left. One starts to wonder if Daryl Morey regrets trading Jared McCain (the youngster had 18 points in 18 minutes for OKC yesterday). With two minutes left and down by 16, Nick Nurse surrendered, subbing out all five of his guys for reserves. Somewhere, Tom Thibodeau was screaming about that time Tracy McGrady scored 22 points in 30 seconds! Never surrender! Gaaaahhh!!!
Knicks coach Mike Brown responded in kind, letting Tyler Kolek, Jeremy Sochan, Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, and Ariel Hukporti finish out the win. With it, New York is one game away from returning to the Eastern Conference Finals. Another fun tidbit from the broadcast? No NBA team has ever come back from three games down in a seven-game series.
Up Next
Game Four will be played on Mother’s Day afternoon. Not convenient. Rest up, Knickerbockers.
PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Brunson scored 33 points and sealed the game with big buckets late to the delight of roaring Knicks fans, leading New York to a 109-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night for a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
With 2016 and 2018 Villanova national championship banners hanging in the rafters, the so-called Nova Knicks all took turns taking the fight out of the Sixers in the fourth quarter, turning a four-point lead into another double-digit victory
Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Mikal Bridges added 23 points, pushing the Knicks and first-year coach Mike Brown within one victory of their second straight conference finals appearance.
The Knicks have the luxury not to rush back forward OG Anunoby, who’s averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason. He sat out with a strained right hamstring and remains day to day.
Joel Embiid scored 18 points for the Sixers in his return after he missed Game 2 with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip.
Embiid’s return from an appendectomy helped spur the Sixers’ rally from a 3-1 deficit in the opening round to stun the Celtics.
Beating the Knicks four straight times — including twice in New York — seems like a much harder hill to climb for Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers.
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 22 points and Maxey added 17.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 08: Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on after hitting Jeff McNeil #22 of the Athletics with a pitch during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 8, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Two things have been true about the Orioles this season: their defense is terrible, and they can’t hit lefties. Both of these issues were front and center in tonight’s loss to the Athletics. Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish was as good as he’s looked all year, but the offense managed just four hits against the A’s pitching staff. The end result, a 4-3 loss, is the Orioles’ seventh in their last nine games.
Bradish breezed through the first four innings. Three of those four innings were of the 1-2-3 variety. In the third, he hit a batter and allowed an infield single. Through four, Bradish had struck out six batters.
The only problem through four innings was that the A’s pitcher, Jacob Lopez, was giving the Orioles batters as tough a time as Bradish was giving the A’s. It was frustrating to watch as Lopez came into the game with a 6.60 ERA. The first inning started off in a promising way when Lopez walked Gunnar Henderson and gave up a single to Adley Rutschman. But with runners on the corners, neither Pete Alonso nor Tyler O’Neill could bring in a run.
The Orioles remembered that they do not hit lefties. Starting with the first-inning Alonso pop-out, Lopez retired nine straight. But when Alonso came back up in the fourth, he did not miss. On a first-pitch change up, Alonso went to the opposite field with a 107 mph laser. It just snuck inside the out of town scoreboard for his 8th home run of the year. The Orioles were up, 1-0. The lead did not last very long.
In the fifth, Bradish stumbled a little. And that, combined with the previously mentioned bad defense, was enough to put the Orioles in a hole. Jacob Wilson started the inning with a ground ball hit just 78.8 mph up the first base line. Alonso was playing well off the line and managed to get a glove on it with a diving stop, but couldn’t come up with the ball.
Ok, no big deal. Bradish has been dealing after all. The next batter, Lawrence Butler, hit another soft ball that fell into left field for another single. It was then that the defense decided to rear its ugly head. Manager Craig Albernaz called for the corners to play in to defend against the bunt. But the A’s did not bunt and Zach Gelof grounded a ball past Gunnar Henderson, who had been moving towards third base on the pitch.
That play tied the game and left runners on first and second for Jeff McNeil. McNeil grounded a ball up the middle, right to where Henderson was playing. It looked like an easy double play ball, but the ball kicked off the heel of his glove. Jeremiah Jackson grabbed the deflected ball and got the out at first, but the runners moved up to second and third.
That brought Nick Kurtz to the plate, and finally Bradish gave up a hard hit. Kurtz lined a ball into the right field corner, where it rattled around a bit. Tyler O’Neill chased it down in what I wouldn’t call an efficient manner. Kurtz landed on third base with both runners knocked in. The A’s were up, 3-1.
After the fifth inning, Bradish went right back to dominating. He struck out two more in the sixth inning and worked around a two-out walk. His final inning, the seventh, was 1-2-3. Bradish struck out one more to finish the night with double digits. His final pitching line: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 10 K. I think with better defensive decisions and performance behind him, he would have allowed just one run.
Two runs down wasn’t that many, and Adley Rutschman got one back with a home run into the bullpen. His fifth homer of the year was a beaut, hit 100.9 mph off the bat. It landed 401 feet later in Yennier Cano’s glove. That cut the lead to one and drove Lopez out of the game. The Orioles got to him for just three hits and two walks, though two of those hits were homers. I had hoped for more against this pitcher.
With that, the game was turned over to the bullpens, and once again, the A’s prevailed.
For the Orioles, Trey Gibson came out of the ’pen. Gibson was just called up today when Cade Povich was placed on the injured list. He started the eighth inning and was greeted by Shea Langoliers, who smoked a ball to left field for a single. Gibson then induced a groundout back to himself. But he made a low throw to second base, which kept Henderson from being able to get the ball to first for the double play.
Brent Rooker followed with another hard hit single, then Gibson got a fly ball out and was one out from getting out of it. But Jacob Wilson slapped a ball to the right side that the diving Alonso couldn’t get. That drove in a run to make the score 4-2. Gibson followed with a scoreless ninth.
The A’s bullpen has been below average this year, but just like with Jacob Lopez, you’d never know watching tonight. Justin Sterner, and Scott Barlow followed Lopez with 2.2 perfect innings, which brought us to the bottom of the ninth. Jack Perkins was on to try for the save, scheduled to face Rutschman, Alonso, and O’Neill.
Adley continued to do Adley things. He worked a five-pitch walk. Unfortunately, Alonso did not do Alonso things. He struck out swinging. Dylan Beavers came on to pinch-hit for O’Neill and also struck out, with Rutschman moving up to second base on defensive indifference.
The Orioles were down to their final out with Samuel Basallo coming to the plate. Basallo hadn’t started the game, but pinch-hit for DH Coby Mayo in the seventh. He had a great at-bat, battling some before sending a ball back up the middle for an RBI single. Leody Taveras walked to put the winning run on base, but Jeremiah Jackson couldn’t come through.
It was an exciting ending, but a loss all the same. Orioles lose, 4-3. These two teams are back in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. with Shane Baz facing off against Aaron Civale.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder shifts to LA, where Game 3 will be held on Saturday. The purple and gold aim to protect homecourt by finally getting a win over the Thunder.
Despite a stronger all-around performance from Austin Reaves and a better overall effort to match the Thunder’s pace and style of play in Game 2, the Lakers once again failed to steal a win on the road. They came into Game 2 with a couple of solutions, but those were wiped out by more problems the Thunder presented.
Now down 2-0 in the series, time is ticking for Los Angeles to figure it all out.
The good news for the purple and gold is that they’re back home for Game 3, where they’ll look to capitalize on home court and fight their way back into the series.
Match the Thunder’s depth
Putting aside all the talk about the officiating in this series, OKC has established that they simply have better depth than the Lakers.
Look at how the Thunder stepped up last game when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was off the floor. They went on a 32-14 run, led by Chet Holmgren, Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell, who overwhelmed the Lakers. That can’t happen in Game 3 if the Lakers hope to win.
Luke Kennard on what the Lakers need to do in the non-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander minutes, which they've lost by a combined 22 points across 33 minutes in Game 1 and Game 2:
"We need to up our physicality. Obviously, we've been putting the 2 guys on Shai a lot. And kind of let some… pic.twitter.com/csR0IhMv0m
If anything, it’s Los Angeles’ role players that badly need to step up. What if Luke Kennard gets more than a total of five attempts from the field? How about more opportunities for Rui Hachimura, who has by far been the most consistent role player in this series? Can the Lakers shoot better in Los Angeles? Hopefully the supporting cast puts together their best performance yet.
Control the controllable
In my preview for Game 2, I mentioned that the Lakers have to do a better job of rebounding and preventing second-chance opportunities. That absolutely didn’t happen, as OKC produced 17 second-chance points and, worse, took advantage of the Lakers’ 21 turnovers, which led to 14 fastbreak points. This was where the Lakers lost the game.
By now, the Lakers know the Thunder are the kind of elite team that makes opponents pay for their mistakes. Even the thinnest of errors can be so impactful in determining the outcome of this one.
Deal with “physicality”
For as much as I’d like to blast how the officiating has been so far in this series, akin to what JJ Redick and Austin Reaves did, it feels moot at this point because it’s not like that will change anything. The Lakers simply have to adjust to how the game is being officiated.
The worst possible scenario here is to continue getting worked up on these calls to the point that it significantly affects their performance on the court.
So, with a tall task ahead of them, let’s see whether or not the Lakers can make it a series on Saturday.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Jarred Vanderbilt (right finger dislocation) has been upgraded to questionable, and Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) remains out.
As for the Thunder, Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) and Thomas Sorber (ACL surgery recovery) will not suit up.
May 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early (71) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Let’s do a little dive into what I think was the most important frame of the entire ballgame.
Top of the third inning, things could have gone off the rails and fast. Nick Fortes leads off with an infield single—advancing to second on a balk by Connelly Early. Taylor Walls loops a single to left field on a pitch that leaks a little back towards the middle of the plate with some cut, and Yandy Diaz gets hit on a back foot curve to load the bases.
This could have been absolute chaos.
Early said no way. Ryan Vilade, sit back down on a nice strikeout to settle things down a hair. Junior Caminero then saved Boston’s skin. First pitch, bounding bouncer to Caleb Durbin: 5-4-3 double play. The Rays frankly didn’t threaten any other time in this ballgame.
Not only did this cool off Connelly Early, it completely changed his tempo. He dialed in and got six more strikeouts after that—eight total—and ate his way through seven frames.
You don’t need a ton of offense when your starter dominates like he did. Better rebound start for him and a nice Friday night win for the Red Sox.
Studs
Connelly Early (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)
Nuff said above. This was an absolutely stellar start for Early.
Ceddanne Rafaela (2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R)
What a needed homer for Rafaela and a good game for the center fielder overall.
Wilyer Abreu (1-f0r-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB)
Wilyer’s deadlock breaking solo shot is the longest home run of his career at 427 feet. Working two walks showcases how big a threat Abreu is at the dish.
Aroldis Chapman (1.0 IP, 2 K)
…how is he still this good? Did he drink the Tom Brady defy father time juice?
Duds
Masataka Yoshida (0-for-4)
Just an eh day but it happens! I’m starting to find a warm spot for Masa again.
Trevor Story (0-for-3, 3 Ks)
The hat trick of strikeouts drops Story’s season batting average to .199, and that’s a big yikes for this lineup.
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Freddie Freeman gauntlet weekend begins. Some lineup shuffling against tough lefty Chris Sale.
DENVER, CO - MAY 02: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves are about the face the biggest test of the season as they taking on the might Los Angeles Dodgers in a road game after losing their first series of the season and getting an off day.
Chris Sale will be taking the mound. Can we talk about how crazy it is that he gave up six earned runs in 4.0 innings in a game, yet still has a pristine ERA of 2.14? He has had one poor outing and every single other one he has been one of the best pitchers on planet Earth. He will be facing Emmet Sheehan, who is not exactly performing like he did last season. Sheehan currently has an ERA of 5.23 ERA. His expected ERA (xERA) of 4.31 is better than his on-field ERA, but it does give the Braves offense some hope. It also should be noted that the Braves are second in all of MLB in balls hit 95.0 MPH or higher and hard-hit rate is Sheehan’s biggest weakness.
Let’s keep up with the game together in the comments.
Get your caffeine ready as the game starts at 10:10 EDT
The Knicks took the 76ers' best shot early and turned a tight game into another comfortable victory in their 108-94 win over the Sixers in Game 3 on Friday night.
Here are the takeaways...
- The Sixers got off to a fast start, as Karl-Anthony Towns tipped the opening tip toward his own basket, where Kelly Oubre was waiting and he made an easy layup and turned it into a 9-0 run. The Knicks had a hard time getting decent looks on offense, and their defensive intensity was lacking, but New York would fight back, causing turnovers and turning them into baskets. However, back-to-back alley-oops from Tyrese Maxey to VJ Edgecombe forced coach Mike Brown to call his first timeout with Philly up 15-8.
The Sixers were noticeably more intense on both ends of the floor, and that helped them end the first with a 31-27 lead. It could have gotten away from the Knicks, but four offensive rebounds helped them cut into the deficit. Both teams shot around 50 percent, but the story of the first frame was the refs. Both teams were not happy with the foul and no-calls. The Knicks were called for six fouls in the first (Towns picking up two) while the Sixers had four. Joel Embiid, who missed Game 2, was back for this one and while he only scored four points, his presence was felt on the glass and spacing the floor.
Paul George was on fire in the opening frame, scoring 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting (3-for-4 from three). He torched the Knicks for 11 points in the first quarter of Game 2.
- Despite having two fouls, Towns was on the floor to start the second, along with Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado. This lineup gave the Knicks their first lead of the night on the back of Shamet's scoring and better defense from the team. However, after Alvarado's three put the Knicks up for the first time, Towns and Embiid stumbled to the floor and the Philly big man was called for the foul. Sixers coach Nick Nurse challenged and it was overturned to give Towns his third foul with eight minutes to go in the half.
With Towns on the bench with foul trouble, the Knicks picked up their big man by going on a run themselves, thanks to their patented defense-to-offense approach. They finally started getting to the line -- didn't have a free-throw attempt in the first -- and Mikal Bridges was especially huge, scoring six points and guarding his tail off -- he kept George scoreless in the second once Bridges took on that assignment. With 3:37 to go, the Knicks flipped their 12-point deficit to a 12-point lead.
The final few minutes saw the teams go basket for basket with Oubre making a corner three as time expired. The Knicks entered halftime up 60-52. Bridges and Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 15 points apiece. However, the Knicks outrebounded Philly, 25-16, and the New York bench outscored the Sixers' 16-0.
- The Knicks continued to outwork the Sixers, especially on the boards. But the Knicks missed five straight shots, allowing the Sixers to cut the deficit to just five points. Towns also picked up his fourth foul with six minutes remaining in the third. With Towns on the bench, the Sixers pushed the pace and were seemingly more energetic, as they gradually cut the Knicks' lead to three with three minutes to go. Philly resorted to the hack-a-Mitch strategy, but the Knicks big man made 3-of-4. In the final two minutes, the Sixers couldn't buy a basket as the Knicks got out to a 7-0 run to end the frame, capped by Shamet's three. New York took an 85-76 lead into the final frame.
- The fourth quarter lineup was the same as the one that started the second. But unlike that quarter, the combination couldn't get going offensively, forcing Brunson and the other starters back in. And that's when the Knicks started to pull away, building a 16-point lead -- the largest of the night to this point -- with 3:46 to go. The defense and ball movement were just too much for Philly and the Sixers offense was disjointed. Nurse waved the white flag with a couple of minutes to go with the Knicks taking a commanding 3-0 lead.
- Brunson had a game-high 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting. He now has the most 30-plus playoff games in Knicks history. Bridges had 23 points on 8 of 14 shooting.
Oubre had a team-high 22 points for Philly with Embiid going for 18 and Maxey just 17. Philadelphia shot 43 percent.
- With OG Anunoby out with a hamstring strain, Miles McBride was inserted into the starting lineup. The guard scored just three points on 1 of 6 shooting and was a minus-4 on the floor.
Game MVP: Mikal Bridges
Bridges complemented Brunson on the offensive end, and his defense on George and Maxey was superb.
May 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Well, it wasn’t exactly the offensive explosion we’ve been waiting for but they got the win. Dylan Cease was phenomenal, taking the Angels lineup apart for seven innings without ever really getting into trouble. They needed to stop the losing streak, and they did enough tonight to do that.
Dylan Cease was exceptional tonight. He made it through three innings before allowing a base runner, picking up five K’s and three soft pop outs his first time through the order. Zach Neto lined a single to lead off the fourth, and Mike Trout crushed a grounder up the third base line that could have been a problem had Kazuma Okamoto not made a great grab to turn it into a double play ball. He gave up a single each in the fifth and sixth, but neither scored and he also racked up his sixth through eighth punch outs.
He got the first two batters in the seventh, but Jo Adell lofted a fly ball over Daulton Varsho’s head in centre that bounced over the fence for a ground rule double to give the Angels their first runner in scoring position of the night. Cease responded with his tenth strikeout. That would be the end of his night. He went seven shutout innings, scattering five hits. Importantly for him, he didn’t walk a batter and took only 97 pitches to get as deep as he did. This is the kind of outing the Jays hoped to see a dozen of a year when they paid him.
The offence was happy to wait out a wild Angels pitching staff, but when they did swing they didn’t generate a lot of hits. Reid Detmers battled his command all night, but it took the Jays offence a while to capitalize. Vladimir Guerrero jr. and Kazuma Okamoto worked back to back two out walks in the first but were stranded. In the second, Davis Schneider also walked and then stole second. He moved to third on a ground out but again was left on. Finally, in the third, they brought a couple home. George Springer lead off with a ground ball single up the middle. One batter later, Vlad won a challenge to earn his second walk of the evening. Okamoto singled up the middle himself to bring Springer around to score. Following a Varsho walk, Ernie Clement hit a sac fly that was just deep enough to get Vlad home, putting the Jays up 2-0.
Detmers’ pitch count was getting out of hand at that point. He returned to face the first four batters in the bottom of the fourth, getting two outs but walking Brandon Valenzuela and allowing Springer to reach on catcher’s interference. At that point, Kurt Suzuki called for Jose Fermin to face Vlad. Vlad hit one on a line but not that hard and right to Neto at short to end the inning. Fermin returned and struck out the first two Jays in the bottom of five. Clement hit a deep fly ball to the track in centre, but Trout was there to make the catch.
Brent Suter got two strikeouts in a clean sixth. In the seventh, after Kirby Yates got the first out pinch hitter Yohendrick Pinango lined a single into left field. A Yates balk advanced him to second. Vlad hit a one hopper that looked like it passed a few inches outside the third base bag, but it was called fair and Vlad was thrown out at third without running. Okamoto lined out to prevent them from adding the insurance run.
That looked like it might cost them in the top of the eighth. Jeff Hoffman gave up a lead off double to Vaughn Grissom, who advanced on a ground out. Hoffman pulled it together to get a pop out and a Trout K to escape.
Old friend Alek Manoah got the eighth for the Angels. In his first MLB appearance in almost two years, he got two pop ups and a strikeout to hold the margin at two.
Louis Varland picked up the save without much drama in the ninth.
Jays of the Day: Cease (0.40), Okamoto (0.10),
Less So: Nobody!
It’s a 3:07pm ET start tomorrow. Jack Kochanowicz (2-1, 3.05) will take the mount for the angels. For the Jays, Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.96) will make his third start of the season.
The Knicks gave the 76ers a few glimmers of hope. But, just as they kept beginning to believe they could actually make it a series, the Knicks kept yanking it right away, like a big brother toying with his little brother.
After absorbing an early double-digit deficit, the Knicks completely took over in the second quarter. They let the 76ers pull within four near the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth, but quickly reestablished double-digit leads both times.
The second time elicited a loud “Let’s go Knicks” chant from the plethora of their fans taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena. The 76ers’ PA announcer didn’t even try to hide it — he responded with a “C’mon, 76ers fans” plea to drown them out.
But it was a useless effort. The Knicks soon after rattled off a 13-3 run to take a 16-point lead. Jalen Brunson put the 76ers away. There was nothing left for 76ers fans to yell about. Xfinity Mobile Arena became a Knicks party.
And they brought themselves within touching distance of reaching the conference finals for the second straight year with a 108-94 victory Friday night in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
“They jumped out and they kind of punched us in the mouth to start the game,” coach Mike Brown said. “Our guys settled down and they figured it out the next three quarters after that first one went by. Great response by our group.
“They’re resilient, they’ve been through a lot as a veteran group and it showed tonight.”
The Knicks have won six consecutive postseason games, their most since 1999.
They did it without OG Anunoby, who was out with a right hamstring strain. And they did it with minimal contribution from Karl-Anthony Towns, who again was glued to the bench for large stretches of the game due to foul trouble.
Jalen Brunson greets Mikal Bridges after scoring in the second quarter in of the Knicks’ 108-94 Game 3 win over the 76ers on May 8, 2026 in Philadelphia. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Brunson, after starting 0-for-4 and 2-for-8 from the field, largely carried the offense and finished with a game-high 33 points — on 11-for-22 shooting from the field — along with nine assists. Nine of those points came in the fourth quarter.
Mikal Bridges, without Anunoby, stepped up and delivered 23 points — 10 of which came in an impressive second quarter. His defense on Tyrese Maxey was terrific, and he also spent significant time on Paul George.
Josh Hart had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Rapper Fat Joe watching the game in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Miles McBride started for Anunoby, but it was Landry Shamet — reentering the rotation — who provided huge minutes in his place. He recorded 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting and closed in the fourth quarter. It was part of a huge bench advantage for the Knicks, who held an 18-point edge in bench points.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Brunson said. “Obviously, we want everyone back healthy. But it was important for everyone to step up and have the right mindset. To do whatever you gotta do to win.”
Towns played just 26 minutes and finished with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Mikal Bridges goes up for a layup during the Knicks’ Game 3 win over the 76ers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. George was torching them and had 15 points (6-for-9 shooting) in that first quarter. The Knicks committed six turnovers as the game threatened to get away from them. But they weathered the storm and only trailed by four heading into the second quarter.
Within four minutes of the second quarter, they took the lead. And they went on to dominate the second quarter, outscoring the 76ers by 12 points. It came with a key defensive tweak, at times switching Bridges onto George as opposed to Hart.
George went scoreless the rest of the game, missing all nine shots he took.
Josh Hart (left) and Karl-Anthony Towns double team Joel Embiid in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 3 road victory over the 76ers. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“We had to mix up coverages on him,” Brown said. “…Obviously with OG out, we were down a big wing. Mikal had to take that part over.”
Mitchell Robinson caught a lob from Brunson off an inbounds and dunked all over Joel Embiid to give the Knicks a five-point lead with 7:09 left in the second quarter. It was around then they took control and never looked back.
After they took the lead with 8:20 left in the second quarter, they led the rest of the way.
Mitchell Robinson dunks over Joel Embiid during the Knicks’ Game 3 road win over the 76ers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“That’s just what our identity is,” Hart said. “We continue to give something game after game and that’s energy. That’s what we strive to have, that energy, that physicality, that attention to detail and focus. We try to have that every game. We need to do that game after game after game.”
Much of the third quarter was defined by Robinson’s free-throw shooting. The 76ers went Hack-a-Mitch, and he was also fouled twice going up for a lob and layup. He went 4-for-8 from the line in the quarter.
Embiid had 18 points for the 76ers, while Maxey added 17. But the Knicks made them footnotes.
“We withstood the first punch,” Towns said. “That’s a great team.”
The Knicks have made them look extremely ordinary.
