Phillies make massive plays in 9th, 10th and 11th to extend streak with crazy win

Phillies make massive plays in 9th, 10th and 11th to extend streak with crazy win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even after receiving their shortest start in nearly two weeks on a night when they knew they’d be without their top two relievers, the Phillies found a way again, tying the A’s in the ninth inning, throwing the would-be walk-off run out at the plate in the bottom of the 10th and extending their winning streak to nine games with a wild 9-6 win in 11 innings.

Kyle Schwarber delivered the game-winning hit, a two-run double down the right-field line with one out in the 11th. A’s first baseman Logan Davidson obstructed his path to second base and Schwarber alertly hustled all the way to third, immediately motioning to umpire Bill Miller, who awarded him third base. Schwarber then chugged his way home and clapped his hands hard in celebration after barely beating CJ Alexander’s throw home from right field.

“It was electric,” said Max Kepler, who obliterated a 101.4 mph from A’s closer Mason Miller to tie the game in the top of the ninth.

It only reached the 11th because of Brandon Marsh’s outfield assist after the A’s loaded the bases with nobody out in the 10th. Brent Rooker hit a ball to medium center field and Marsh played it perfectly, camping under it with momentum toward the plate to nail Davidson. It was a rough big-league debut for Davidson, who suffered the trifecta of being thrown out at the plate, interfering with Schwarber on the basepaths and making the final out of the game within the span of 45 minutes.

“The suspense was building up,” Marsh said when asked if the flyball to him seemed to move in slow motion.

Neither Kepler nor Marsh were in the lineup to begin the game. The A’s started lefty Jeffrey Springs so the Phillies countered with Weston Wilson and Johan Rojas. Kepler and Marsh pinch-hit for them in the seventh inning and both reached base before their later heroics.

“I told Marsh specifically that we have an opportunity here to turn this baseball game around and we did,” Kepler said. “Kinda right before we went into the game, just like, here we go, let’s make a change here. He did it on defense with a nasty throw. Everyone contributed from every angle.”

The Phillies are 34-19, three games ahead of the Mets in the NL East and a game better than the Tigers for the best record in MLB.

They had to pull out all the stops becase they were without Jordan Romano and Matt Strahm, who both pitched Thursday and Friday. Manager Rob Thomson hadn’t used a reliever three days in a row since September 20-22, 2023 (Jeff Hoffman and Craig Kimbrel) but did so with Orion Kerkering on Saturday against the A’s. The difference was that Kerkering had thrown only one pitch Thursday and four on Friday whereas Romano and Strahm had full workloads.

Thomson used six relievers after pulling starter Cristopher Sanchez, who didn’t have command, with two outs in the fifth. The bullpen combined to allow two earned runs over 6⅓ innings, a terrific job given the circumstances.

The save went to Max Lazar, the last man in the bullpen who had never before appeared in a high-leverage situation in the major leagues. The 25-year-old right-hander began last season at Double A, pitched well enough to earn brief call-ups to the majors in August and September and was recalled again Monday when the Phillies optioned Mick Abel back to Triple A.

Lazar was the last man left in the ‘pen Saturday night and did his job with a scoreless 11th inning. The save was the first of his big-league career.

“The three-run lead definitely helped,” Lazar said. “Just trying to follow the guys in front of me. I knew we had some guys down so other guys had to step up. It was a back-and-forth game so just trying to stay locked in every moment.”

These nine straight wins for the Phillies have come against the Pirates, Rockies and A’s. The Pirates and Rockies have been the worst two offenses in baseball and the A’s have lost 11 consecutive games. But you play who’s on your schedule that day and the Phillies have had help from everyone on the roster to put this run together.

“Most people probably thought we were done in the ninth with Miller coming in,” Thomson said. “So many things happened in extra innings, it’s just hard to explain.”

It’s a short turnaround to Sunday afternoon when the Phillies go for their 10th straight win, third straight sweep and an undefeated road trip.

Mets Prospect Roundup: Blade Tidwell, Dom Hamel have strong outings with Triple-A Syracuse

Mets pitching prospect Blade Tidwell has been great since returning to Triple-A Syracuse after his major league debut in St. Louis earlier this month, and Saturday's performance was no different.

Tidwell threw 85 pitches (57 strikes) across 6.2 innings in the first game of a doubleheader against Rochester (Nationals' affiliate) on Saturday. The young right-hander was one out away from pitching the complete seven innings, but made one mistake.

Pitching against Andrew Pinckney with a 3-0 lead, Tidwell threw a 3-2 slider that was running in on the right-hander, but Pinckney launched it 381 feet for a three-run shot. Tidwell was done after that longball, leaving the game tied.

In all, Tidwell allowed three runs on five hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

In three starts since returning to Triple-A, Tidwell has allowed four runs across 15 innings.

Ronny Mauricio continued his hot hitting with Syracuse, going 1-for-3 with an RBI and two strikeouts in the first game of the doubleheader. He started at third base but did not play in the nightcap.

Mauricio extended his hitting streak to four games, collecting eight hits in that span.

Drew Gilbert, however, played both games. He went 0-for-2 with a walk, run and an RBI on a sac fly in the first game. He then went hitless in five at-bats in Game 2, but did score a run.

Dom Hamel did not start Game 2 of the doubleheader but did come on in long relief, throwing 52 pitches (33 strikes) across three shutout innings. Hamel did not allow a hit, but walked two while striking out two.

The 26-year-old continued his recent streak of dominant pitching with Syracuse. Including Saturday's outing, Hamel has allowed just one run over his last 6.2 innings (three appearances). In eight Triple-A appearances (five starts), he's pitched to a 4.01 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Juan Soto delivers go-ahead double in Mets' 5-2 win over Dodgers

David Peterson threw the most innings in a game by a Mets starter so far this season and his teammates delivered several big hits with runners in scoring position -- including a key blow by Juan Soto -- in a 5-2 win over the Dodgers on Saturday night at Citi Field.

The victory evened up the NLCS rematch, with the teams set for a rubber game in primetime on Sunday night. The Mets are now 31-21 overall, including an MLB-best 18-6 at home.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Peterson is just the second Mets starter to throw at least seven innings in a game this season. The first was Kodai Senga, who threw seven shutout frames against the Athletics in Sacramento back on April 13. Peterson was particularly rough on the Dodgers’ brand-name hitters. He struck out the mighty Shohei Ohtani three times and got him on a flyout in his other at-bat.

Freddie Freeman was also 0-for-3 against Peterson, and Mookie Betts went 1-for-3 against the lefty. Freeman and Ohtani entered the game ranked first and second in the National League in both OPS and slugging percentage. Freeman also held the NL lead in batting average and on-base percentage. When Peterson came out of the game after fanning Ohtani for the second out of the eighth inning, most of the 41,332 fans in the stands stood up and gave him a loud ovation. He waved his glove toward the crowd as he neared the dugout.

-- Down 2-1 in the fourth, the Mets took the lead, scoring three runs, and Soto had a tie-breaking two-run double. Luis Torrens led off the inning with a single and, two outs later, Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin walked both Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor on four pitches, loading the bases.

Starling Marte checked his swing and hit a soft grounder toward the middle, but the Dodgers couldn't turn it into an out and a run scored. Soto followed with a 108.3 mph drive to the base of the right-center field wall, knocking in two runs. The inning ended when Marte was thrown out trying to score on Soto’s double.

-- Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called on Edwin Díaz for a four-out save, and the closer caught Betts looking at strike three to end the eighth. In the ninth, he struck out Teoscar Hernández and Freeman, and got Andy Pages to ground out. Díaz is now 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season.

-- The Mets were 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position, a refreshing change. They've struggled with runners in scoring position this season, though they had the 10th-most at-bats with RISP entering Saturday, indicating that they’ve been creating traffic on the basepaths.

But they entered play ranked 29th in MLB in batting average with RISP (.213), behind only the 16-35 White Sox. The Mets had been especially spotty lately, going 10-for-66 (.152) over their previous seven games.

-- The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, thanks to soft contact against Peterson and, perhaps, a missed call by umpires. With one out, Pages flared a single in front of Soto in right and then Tommy Edman was hit by a pitch. Kiké Hernández hit a single up the middle to score Pages and send Edman to third. Dalton Rushing followed by hitting a ball into the ground that hit him in the shin and bounced into fair territory.

By rule, it could’ve been declared a foul ball by umpires, but it wasn't called. Torrens sprang from behind the plate to field the ball and threw to first for the second out, but Edman scampered home. The play wasn't reviewable, so Rushing got an RBI and the Dodgers had their second run.

-- The Mets scored their first run of the game in the second, and with two outs. Jared Young, starting at designated hitter after being called up from Triple-A Syracuse, was hit by a pitch and Tyrone Taylor singled to left. Baty, whose offense has really picked up, then delivered an RBI single to right. In the eighth, Baty -- batting ninth in the order -- smacked an RBI double to push the Mets' lead to 5-2.

-- Apart from the key double, Soto smashed a deep drive to center in his first at-bat that traveled 396 feet and was clocked at 102.5 mph off the bat. According to MLB’s Statcast, the drive had an expected batting average of .790, but it was caught by Edman. In Soto’s second at-bat, he thought he had checked his swing on a 3-1 pitch and walked. But his cut was ruled a swing. He followed with a ground-ball single up the middle that was clocked at 102.2 mph. In the seventh inning, Soto flew out to left. In the eighth, he grounded out with the bases loaded.

Game MVP: David Peterson

Peterson, who gave up two runs and five hits across 7.2 innings, struck out seven and walked two. A night after the Mets used eight relievers in a messy and dramatic 13-inning loss, the left-hander was masterful in giving them crucial length. He induced four double-play grounders, which helped him get deep into the game. He threw 99 pitches (59 strikes) and lowered his season ERA to 2.79.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets (31-21) will play the rubber game of their series against the Dodgers on Sunday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Kodai Senga (4-3, 1.43 ERA) is slated to take the mound opposite Landon Knack (2-1, 6.17 ERA).

Juan Soto makes overtaxed Dodgers pitching staff pay in Mets victory

Los Angeles Dodgers' Tony Gonsolin pitches during the second inning of a baseball game.
Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin delivers during the second inning of a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)

It had been more than two weeks since Juan Soto, the only man in baseball with a richer contract than Shohei Ohtani, had recorded an extra-base hit for the New York Mets.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday night at Citi Field, however, Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin provided him the perfect opportunity to get back on track.

After a solid opening three innings for Gonsolin, who was making an all-important start for the Dodgers a night after their 13-inning marathon victory in the series opener, the right-hander had made a mess for himself in the fourth.

With two outs, he issued back-to-back four-pitch walks to load the bases. The Dodgers’ early one-run lead then disappeared when Starling Marte reached on a half-swing infield single.

Read more:Teoscar Hernández and Dodgers defeat Mets in 13 innings, but pitching issues loom large

That brought up Soto, who had underperformed through much of his first two months in Queens after signing a $765-million mega-contract with the Mets. Gonsolin got ahead 1-and-2 in the count, before narrowly missing with a slider. He tried to come back with his trademark splitter. But Soto was all over it, crushing a two-run double that proved to be the decisive blow in New York’s 5-2 victory over the Dodgers.

“At the outset, I was pretty optimistic, getting a 2-0 lead,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And then there was that [fourth inning] where he sort of lost command, had two outs and the back-to-back walks. ... And obviously the big hit from Soto with two outs. He just couldn't kind of limit damage right there.”

In what likely will be a preview of what’s to come for the Dodgers (32-20) over a grueling portion of their schedule in the next month, the team’s fate Saturday was almost entirely reliant upon the performance of their starter.

On Friday night, their already overworked bullpen had been gassed again by their extra-inning gantlet. And though they won that game, and freshened up their pitching staff by calling up Bobby Miller on Saturday for some extra length, Roberts had his hands tied as Gonsolin started to lose command.

Juan Soto runs to first base after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning Saturday against the Dodgers.
Juan Soto runs to first base after hitting a two-run double in the fourth inning Saturday against the Dodgers. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)

Over his first three innings against the Mets (31-21), Gonsolin had been fine, giving up one run in a two-out rally in the second by skirting more danger in the third by dialing up an inning-ending double-play with runners on the corners.

The fourth was a different story.

Luis Torrens led with a single. Tyrone Taylor clobbered a fly ball that seemed like a no-doubter off the bat before dying in a stiff breeze at the left-field warning track. Then, Gonsolin became erratic, throwing eight consecutive balls to Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor to load the bases for the heart of the Mets' order.

“Very upset with the walks,” Gonsolin said. “Don't walk those guys, potentially that inning looks a lot different. Just need to attack guys."

Read more:'It’s reimagining team travel.' Why the Dodgers are using two planes on road trips this year

Maybe on a night the Dodgers' bullpen was fresh, Roberts could have considered summoning a lefty to face Soto once Gonsolin began floundering. But after using seven of his eight relievers the previous night, he had no choice but to leave Gonsolin in as the four-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger came to the plate.

Five pitches later, Soto changed the game — sending Citi Field into euphoria with his go-ahead double that banged high off the wall in right center, the inning only ending when Marte was thrown out at home trying to score from first as the trail runner.

“Thought I executed a slider really well there,” Gonsolin said of a two-strike offering that Soto didn’t bite on. “He's got a really good eye. Barely missed.

“Then yeah, the splitter, thought it was a solid one, just elevated it. And he didn’t miss it.”

Gonsolin did return to the mound and completed the fifth, saving at least one inning that otherwise would have fallen upon the Dodgers’ bullpen. Miller also contributed two innings at the end, giving up one run in the eighth and getting out of a bases-loaded jam.

But on the other side, Mets starter David Peterson had no trouble going deep, using sharp command with his sinker, seven strikeouts and three double plays to get through 7 ⅔ innings of two-run ball.

“There wasn’t much offensive energy tonight, as far as how we were swinging, the at-bats we were taking,” Roberts said. “So to try to chase and use leverage guys in a down game, it just didn’t make any sense for me.”

So goes things for the Dodgers right now; ever mindful of their MLB-leading bullpen workload, and needing better production from their starters than what Gonsolin provided.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Yankees Notes: Offense produces 10-pack of runs at Coors Field, Max Fried continues to make history

It didn't take long for the Yankees to shrug off Friday's humiliating loss to the historically awful Rockies. They corrected those wrongs by resembling the far superior team less than 24 hours later.

Those who visited Coors Field with hopes of witnessing a two-game winning streak from one of the worst clubs ever assembled in MLB's modern era were disappointed. Reality set back in on Saturday, as the Yankees produced a mammoth 10-run inning en route to a 13-1 drubbing of the lowly Rockies.

With the score knotted at 1-1 entering the fifth, New York proceeded to send 14 batters to the plate, and the offensive eruption featured seven hits, three walks, and one error. Ironically, the monstrous rally ended with a strikeout of Aaron Judge, who drew first blood just 10 pitches into the game with his 18th home run of the season.

Each player in the Yankees' lineup registered a hit, and the trio of Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and DJ LeMahieu logged three knocks apiece. New York totalled a season-high 21 hits, and the fifth-inning barrage also marked the Yankees' first season with multiple 10-run frames since 2009.

"It just started to snowball. We had a few games here where the offense had been held down," Yankees manager Aaron Boonetold reporters after the win. "To have a breakout inning like that was really good to see. Just a lot of really outstanding at-bats that inning. Today was just a really good example of a snowball inning... Coming off four or five days where we hadn't scored a bunch, to break out like that, was nice."

Pitching to the Max

While only one-third of the season is in the books, Max Fried has been earning every penny of the record-breaking contract he signed in free agency this past offseason. The veteran lefty once again resembled an ace, completing 7.1 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts and two pickoffs. He also lowered his season ERA to a league-best 1.29 and threw an economical 83 pitches.

Fried also made some history of his own. According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, the southpaw's laudable ERA is the lowest by a Yankee in his first 11 starts of a season since earned runs became an official stat, back in 1913. The immense pressure to lead New York's rotation with Gerrit Cole sidelined for all of 2025 hasn't fazed Fried. The pinstripes clearly aren't too heavy for him.

"The elements are different [at Coors Field]. It's more about making pitches and making sure you're executing those pitches," Fried explained. "Because the ones that hang and are left over the plate really can beat you. It's really about making sure you're staying on top of it... We're in a good position to win games, that's all I can really control. Everything else is nice, but for me, when I take the ball, I really just want us to win. That's been my main goal."

Langs also noted that Fried -- who now owns an AL-best seven wins -- has the fourth-lowest ERA for a pitcher through their first 11 starts with a new franchise over the last 30 seasons. His next challenge will come against the reigning champion Dodgers at Chavez Ravine next weekend.

Striking Gold against lefties

Goldschmidt's placement atop the Yankees' lineup on Saturday was calculated and predictable. Entering the game, the veteran first baseman had a stellar .538 average with nine extra-base hits against left-handers this season (48 plate appearances), and the Rockies' starter was -- surprise! -- southpaw Kyle Freeland.

In the leadoff spot, Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, two runs scored, and a walk. His season average now sits at .344 -- third-best in the majors -- and a change of scenery has undoubtedly rejuvenated the 37-year-old slugger.

"I know the last couple games we hadn't scored that much. I feel like yesterday we had a lot of chances," Goldschmidt said. "Same thing today, those first few innings, we had a bunch of people on base and then some double plays. So I think the mindset is, just continue to have good at-bats and know there could be a big inning or a lot of small innings. Fortunate to get all of those runs there."

Yankees' offense erupts for 10 runs in fifth inning en route to 13-1 win over Rockies

The Yankees' offense erupted for 13 runs and a season-high 21 hits, thanks to a 10-run fifth inning, in their 13-1 rout of the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday marked the second time the Yankees have produced a 10-plus run inning this season (May 6). It's also the first time that's happened multiple times in one season since 2009.

Here are the takeaways...

-After homering in his first game at Coors Field, Aaron Judge gave the Denver crowd an encore with a solo shot in the first inning. Judge went the other way, 405 feet off of Kyle Freeland for his 18th homer of the season.

Aside from the Judge blast, the Yankees' offense just couldn't get much going, leaving runners on base and grounding into double plays. But that changed in the fifth. Austin Wells hit a leadoff single, which was followed by Oswald Peraza's double that scored the Yankees' catcher. Trent Grisham then hit a chopper at the plate and Freeland made a poor throw that got by the first baseman, which allowed Peraza to score.

Cody Bellinger drove in the third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly after Judge was intentionally walked to load the bases. Anthony Volpe singled up the middle that hit second base and bounced off the second baseman's glove. Jasson Dominguez hit a sacrifice fly that scored Judge, Wells doubled to score two, Paul Goldschmidt hit an RBI single and Grisham capped off the 10-run inning with a two-run double.

After 10 runs on seven hits, three walks, and one error, the inning mercifully ended on a Judge strikeout. The Yanks sent up 14 batters in the fifth.

-After scoring just two runs on five hits in Friday's loss, the Yankees' offense came to play. Every starter registered at least one hit, with Goldschmidt, Bellinger, Volpe and DJ LeMahieu picking up three knocks apiece. Even J.C. Escarra and Pablo Reyes picked up hits in mop-up duty.

Bellinger got the series opener off after his 15-game hitting streak was snapped on Thursday. Back in the lineup, the veteran outfielder hit a double in his first at-bat and finished 2-for-4. Judge went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout and his season batting average dipped to .395.

-The run support was more than enough for Max Fried. The southpaw got through the Rockies' lineup with relative ease, scattering six hits and a walk while allowing just one run. Fried was very economical, throwing just 77 pitches entering the eighth inning. After a strikeout on six pitches to start the inning, manager Aaron Boone pulled his ace.

Fried allowed just one run on six hits and one walk across 7.1 innings (83 pitches/57 strikes), while striking out seven. An impressive line, considering he was pitching at Coors Field and the number of long innings he had to sit on the bench for. He's lowered his MLB-low ERA to 1.29.

He also picked off two runners at first base, increasing his AL lead to six pickoffs this season.

-Ian Hamilton, who allowed eight runs over his last six appearances, was brought in to finish the game. The right-hander allowed two hits and struck out three batters over the 1.2 innings.

Game MVP: Max Fried

The entire Yankees offense could have been the MVP. But Fried not only mowed down the Rockies and got the team their first win in the series, he gave the bullpen a breather.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees finish off their three-game set at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m.

RHP Will Warren (3-2, 4.05 ERA) gets the start for New York, and will be opposed by the Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-8, 6.34 ERA).

Mets' Frankie Montas makes first rehab start with Single-A Brooklyn

In his first outing in the Mets organization since signing a two-year deal in the offseason, Frankie Montas pitched 1.1 innings for Single-A Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon.

Rehabbing from a right lat strain he suffered in spring training, the right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one for the Cyclones. He threw 37 pitches (20 strikes) while on a 30-35 pitch count, the team announced on Friday.

Both of the runs allowed came in the first inning.

Montas walked the leadoff hitter (who stole second and third), but had a strikeout and flyout to put himself in position to get out of the inning. Instead, the 32-year-old gave up a single and a triple to put Brooklyn in an early 2-0 hole. A groundout put an end to the frame.

After walking the leadoff man again in the second, Montas got a groundout that ended his outing.

Nola's recovery from ankle sprain taking a bit longer than expected

Nola's recovery from ankle sprain taking a bit longer than expected originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Aaron Nola’s right ankle sprain is not healing as quickly as the Phillies originally anticipated and it does not sound like he will throw a bullpen session this weekend at Sutter Health Park.

The team hoped to get Nola back on the mound for a ‘pen session before one of the games against the Athletics but Nola is still sore. Manager Rob Thomson said in Colorado earlier in the week that Nola was still experiencing tenderness when putting on his shoe.

“No bullpen today. He was still a little sore today. It’s day by day. We’ll see if he’s OK tomorrow,” Thomson said before the second of a three-game series.

Asked if Nola’s recovery was taking longer than he initially expected, Thomson said, “Originally, yeah. I thought by this weekend he’d be throwing a bullpen but he still feels it in there. There’s no sense in pushing it.”

Combine that with the fact that the mounds at the minor-league stadium the A’s are calling home from 2025-27 have been described as substandard by pitchers and it makes even less sense to push it. Zack Wheeler called the mound on the field and in the bullpen “terrible” after pitching 6⅔ scoreless innings Friday night and Jordan Romano also looked uncomfortable.

Nola (1-7, 6.16 ERA) was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 16 with the ankle sprain. He suffered the injury a week earlier and pitched through it for two starts before the Phillies shelved him. This stint on the injured list is his first in more than seven years.

Sosa day to day

Edmundo Sosa hurt his left wrist on a swing late in Friday’s win and was removed in the ninth inning for Bryson Stott. Sosa would have started Saturday vs. lefty Jeffrey Springs if not for the injury. Instead, Stott was in the lineup against a southpaw for the first time since April 8.

“I was planning on play Sosa,” Thomson said. “My intention was to try not to upset the apple cart here. But his wrist is bothering him a little bit.”

Sosa is 14-for-35 this season against lefties, hitting .400. Stott is 7-for-30 (.233).

“Stotty will play (Sunday) against the right-hander and then we’re off Monday,” Thomson said. “Hopefully we don’t need (Sosa) and he gets three days off.”

Rangers SS Corey Seager takes another step in his recovery from a hamstring injury

CHICAGO — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager faced live pitching Saturday in another step in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Seager could return to Texas’ lineup as soon as next week.

“It’s going well with him,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “So I could see him playing next weekend at home. I mean that’s how well he’s doing. Continue to get live BP when we get home on Monday. Could be even a little sooner, who knows? That’s how good he looks.”

Seager was activated from the injured list on May 3 after being sidelined by a right hamstring strain. He played in five games before he went back on the IL on May 13.

The 31-year-old Seager, who is in the fourth season of a 10-year, $325 million contract, is hitting .300 with six homers and 12 RBIs in 26 games this year.

Outfielder Evan Carter also worked out before Texas’ game at the Chicago White Sox. Carter is on the IL with a right quadriceps strain.

Carter is on a similar timeline as Seager, but Bochy said Carter is going to need a rehab stint in the minors before returning to the team.

“He’s running well. He’s taking swings. He’s doing everything now,” Bochy said. “So he’ll continue to do this and we’ll get his rehab going here real soon, within a week.”

The 22-year-old Carter is batting .182 with a homer and three RBIs in 11 games this season.

Rangers SS Corey Seager takes another step in his recovery from a hamstring injury

CHICAGO — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager faced live pitching Saturday in another step in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Seager could return to Texas’ lineup as soon as next week.

“It’s going well with him,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “So I could see him playing next weekend at home. I mean that’s how well he’s doing. Continue to get live BP when we get home on Monday. Could be even a little sooner, who knows? That’s how good he looks.”

Seager was activated from the injured list on May 3 after being sidelined by a right hamstring strain. He played in five games before he went back on the IL on May 13.

The 31-year-old Seager, who is in the fourth season of a 10-year, $325 million contract, is hitting .300 with six homers and 12 RBIs in 26 games this year.

Outfielder Evan Carter also worked out before Texas’ game at the Chicago White Sox. Carter is on the IL with a right quadriceps strain.

Carter is on a similar timeline as Seager, but Bochy said Carter is going to need a rehab stint in the minors before returning to the team.

“He’s running well. He’s taking swings. He’s doing everything now,” Bochy said. “So he’ll continue to do this and we’ll get his rehab going here real soon, within a week.”

The 22-year-old Carter is batting .182 with a homer and three RBIs in 11 games this season.

Mets recall LHP Brandon Waddell, INF/OF Jared Young in series of roster moves

The Mets made a few moves ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The team announced they have recalled LHP Brandon Waddell, and utilityman Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse. In corresponding moves, they have designated outfielder Jose Azocar and LHP Genesis Cabrera for assignment.

With the 13-inning game on Friday night, Waddell's call-up comes at a time when the Mets need a lift after using every arm in the pen. Waddell had made one appearance earlier this season, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 30. It was the 30-year-old's first game in four years.

As for Young, he's batting seventh on Saturday in the DH spot. It'll be his first game in two years. With Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo day-to-day with separate ailments, the Mets could use the versatility that Young brings.

In Syracuse, Young was hitting .259 with five home runs across 22 games down in Triple-A.

Cabrera, 28, pitched two scoreless innings on Friday, allowing just one hit and striking out two. In six appearances this year with the Mets, he pitched to a 3.52 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Azocar pinch-ran for Pete Alonso in extra innings on Friday but has had limited playing time with the Mets this season. He was 5-for-18 with a stolen base in 12 games.

Mets recall LHP Brandon Waddell, INF/OF Jared Young in series of roster moves

The Mets made a few moves ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The team announced they have recalled LHP Brandon Waddell, and utilityman Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse. In corresponding moves, they have designated outfielder Jose Azocar and LHP Genesis Cabrera for assignment.

With the 13-inning game on Friday night, Waddell's call-up comes at a time when the Mets need a lift after using every arm in the pen. Waddell had made one appearance earlier this season, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 30. It was the 30-year-old's first game in four years.

As for Young, he's batting seventh on Saturday in the DH spot. It'll be his first game in two years. With Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo day-to-day with separate ailments, the Mets could use the versatility that Young brings.

In Syracuse, Young was hitting .259 with five home runs across 22 games down in Triple-A.

Cabrera, 28, pitched two scoreless innings on Friday, allowing just one hit and striking out two. In six appearances this year with the Mets, he pitched to a 3.52 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Azocar pinch-ran for Pete Alonso in extra innings on Friday but has had limited playing time with the Mets this season. He was 5-for-18 with a stolen base in 12 games.

Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman moves closer to possible IL stint, manager Alex Cora says

BOSTON — Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman could be nearing a trip to the injured list after leaving Friday’s game with right quadriceps tightness, manager Alex Cora said.

“He’s getting an MRI. He’s sore,” Cora said at Fenway Park on Saturday morning before Boston was set to face the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a split doubleheader.

“We’ll see where he’s at,” Cora said before later adding that Bregman said it felt “worse” than he expected.

When ask if a stint on the IL could be coming, Cora said: “I don’t want to jump into conclusions, but yes.”

If Bregman does need to go to the IL, who will play third?

Cora said the plan is for the team to “mix and match” and answered “no” when asked if Rafael Devers could be in the immediate plans.

“There’s a lot of guys in the conversation,” Cora said. “Roster construction comes into play, guys in the minor leagues, how they fit the roster — all that stuff.”

Could Devers be in the mix at some point?

“We made a decision in the offseason and this is where we’re going,” Cora said, without completely closing the door. “There are a few things that we took into consideration and I think we’ve been very consistent with it.

“I’m not going react to the outside world because (they) think that’s the right move. Maybe it’s not, right? Maybe we’re doing it right? Maybe we’re doing it wrong?”

Earlier this month, Devers told the Red Sox he wasn’t moving to play first base. The DH has been red-hot lately after collecting a career-best eight RBIs in a lopsided victory over the Orioles on Friday afternoon.

“I know the guy. He’s raking. He’s the best DH in the American League right now,” Cora said. “If he keeps continuing to do this, he’s going to be in the All-Star Game as the DH and going to win a Silver Slugger as a DH. This is where we’re going. We’ll continue to talk. I’m not going to say we’re going to close the door.”

Boston already lost a corner infielder for the season when first baseman Triston Casas ruptured a tendon in his left knee and had season-ending surgery. The loss of Bregman could be a big blow to a lineup that’s struggled, at times.

“We’ll be OK. Obviously, he’s a big part of our offense,” Cora said. “Triston is a big part of our offense. We’ve just got to find a way to score runs in a different way and we’re prepared for that.”

Devers, the team’s third baseman for eight seasons, was moved to DH after Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal as a free agent and was given the job. Following a slow start at the plate, Devers has heated up and is batting .299 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs.

Alex Bregman out with a significant quad strain as Red Sox call up top prospect Mayer

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox are getting ready to be without one of their most productive hitters for an extended period of time.

Third baseman Alex Bregman will be out with what manager Alex Cora called a significant right quad strain. The big free agent addition for the Red Sox left their game Friday with tightness in the quad.

Turns out it’s a similar injury to his left quad strain in 2021, one that cost him 58 games.

“Very similar to ’21,” Cora said after the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 in 10 innings on Saturday.

Bregman agreed.

“Yeah, pretty severe right quad strain,” he said, speaking quietly in Boston’s clubhouse in the middle of a doubleheader. “Pretty similar to ‘21.

“But, it is what it is, and now I’ll try to take it day by day and approach rehab.”

Signed by the Red Sox as a free agent to a three-year, $120 million deal during the offseason, Bregman has been hitting .299 and has 11 homers and 35 RBIs.

To take his place on the roster, Boston promoted top infielder prospect Marcelo Mayer from Triple-A Worcester. It placed Bregman on the 10-day injured list.

“It feels good,” Mayer said before the doubleheader’s second game. “It’s something I worked for my whole life.”

Mayer, who was selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 amateur draft, is slated to make his major league debut at third — a position Cora says will be get a “mix and match” approach.

“There’s a lot of guys in the conversation,” he said. “Roster construction comes into play, guys in the minor leagues, how they fit the roster — all that stuff.”

Cora answered “no” when asked if Rafael Devers could be in the immediate plans, but he didn’t completely close the door.

“We made a decision in the offseason and this is where we’re going,” Cora said. “There are a few things that we took into consideration and I think we’ve been very consistent with it.

“I’m not going react to the outside world because (they) think that’s the right move. Maybe it’s not, right? Maybe we’re doing it right? Maybe we’re doing it wrong?”

Devers was the team’s third baseman for eight seasons and moved to designated hitter when Bregman was given the job. He told the Red Sox earlier this month he wasn’t moving to play first base, as he’s been red hot at the plate. Devers is batting .299 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs.

He collected a career-best eight RBIs in a lopsided victory over the Orioles on Friday.

“I know the guy. He’s raking. He’s the best DH in the American League right now,” Cora said. “If he keeps continuing to do this, he’s going to be in the All-Star Game as the DH and going to win a Silver Slugger as a DH. This is where we’re going. We’ll continue to talk. I’m not going to say we’re going to close the door.”

Boston already lost a corner infielder for the season when first baseman Triston Casas ruptured a tendon in his left knee and had season-ending surgery. The loss of Bregman could be a big blow to a lineup that’s struggled at times.

“We’ll be OK. Obviously, he’s a big part of our offense,” Cora said. “Triston is a big part of our offense. We’ve just got to find a way to score runs in a different way and we’re prepared for that.”

Giants explain motivational reason for jersey switch vs. Nationals

Giants explain motivational reason for jersey switch vs. Nationals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants took the field in unorthodox fashion for Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals in America’s capital.

San Francisco sported its black jerseys which typically are reserved for Saturday home games at Oracle Park.

So what was the reason for the Giants bypassing their usual gray road jerseys in favor of a fit normally worn by McCovey Cove? Team unity, according to the Giants.

While the jersey change didn’t produce optimal results on the field in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Nationals, don’t expect the Giants to abandon their new road threads any time soon.

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