Category: MLB

The Mets weren't comfortable trusting Frankie Montas to solve his season-long first-inning struggles against a formidable Brewers lineup on Saturday night. So, they delayed the veteran right-hander's entrance by one inning, and appointed Reed Garrett as their opener.

But the expectation was for Montas to still provide sufficient length during the middle frames, and much to the Mets' chagrin, the plan backfired. While he wasn't solely responsible for the Mets' frustrating 7-4 loss at American Family Field, he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in just three innings of work. The effort required 72 pitches, too.

"I thought I threw the ball pretty good today," Montas said after the Mets' sixth straight loss. "I was making more pitches today, attacking the zone, to be honest. Besides that homer, I thought I threw the ball pretty well today... [The plan] was pretty much as it goes, was going to go after Reed and go as long as they needed me to."

Montas didn't have to face the Brewers' first three hitters, but the heart of their order made him sweat almost immediately in the second inning. After a one-out strikeout, Montas gave up back-to-back singles and then a two-out walk, and a fielding error from Francisco Lindor on a grounder with the bases loaded allowed two runs to score.

The third inning was much quieter for Montas, but he still walked one and threw a wild pitch. Then, in the fourth, he served up a game-tying solo homer to Brice Turang before completing the frame. It was by no means a meltdown performance, but Montas made the Mets burn through their high-leverage relievers early.

"We were just watching it, but three innings, 70 something pitches? It was a grind for him," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "I figured where we were in the game, up one with the lefties second time through, decided to go to the bullpen there."
It's unclear how long Montas' leash is as a rotation-type fixture, but the Mets' patience with him must be waning. The 32-year-old now owns a 6.38 ERA across eight appearances (seven starts) this season, and while his first-inning demons weren't a concern in this game -- he wasn't even allowed to face them -- the change to his routine didn't make things smoother.

Soon enough, the Mets will need to rely on someone else to complete the task at hand, and the incessant chatter about top prospects Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat as replacement options isn't going away. David Stearns said on Friday that both youngsters are progressing toward a big-league promotion, but the timeline remains vague.

"At the end of the day, I have to go out there and keep competing, keep trying to get people out," Montas said. "Don’t matter if it’s front, starting again or pitching out of the pen. Whatever I can do to help, I’m willing to do."

Montas wasn't bothered by Saturday's arrangement -- he's taking the team-first approach and wants to contribute in any way possible. But in this case, availability shouldn't outweigh reliability with the Mets in the midst of another disconcerting, dog-days losing skid.

The Mets launched three home runs, but their bullpen and defense betrayed them late in their 7-4 loss to the Brewers on Saturday evening in Milwaukee.

New York has now lost six in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. The Brewers have won eight straight games.

The Reds won earlier in the day, and are now 2.5 games behind the Mets for the final wild card spot.

Here are the takeaways....

-The Mets decided to go with an opener on Saturday and Reed Garrett got the start. The right-hander struck out two in a 1-2-3 first inning and then gave way to Frankie Montas, who struggled in his first inning of work. 

Two singles and a walk allowed the Brewers to load the bases with two outs. Montas got what he wanted, though, as Joey Ortiz hit a chopper toward Francisco Lindor, but he whiffed, allowing two runs to score on the error. Montas would be unable to give the Mets length, as he only went three innings.

The veteran right-hander tossed 72 pitches (44 strikes), allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits (one home run) and two walks while striking out three. 

-Alonso, meet the Straw. After going hitless in the series opener, Alonso greeted the booing Milwaukee crowd with a towering 413-foot blast on a 94 mph fastball up in the zone off of Tobias Myers in the second inning. It was Alonso's 26th homer of the season and the 252nd of his career. The blast tied Darryl Strawberry's all-time record. Alonso finished 1-for-4.

The Mets threatened some more in that frame, loading the bases with two outs thanks to hits by Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez and a walk by Cedric Mullins. However, Lindor struck out looking as Myers and the Brewers escaped further damage.

Lindor would swing into some more bad luck in the fourth. With runners on the corners and one out, he smashed a grounder to third baseman Anthony Seigler, who knocked the ball down with his body, threw to Brice Turang at second and he made a nice turn to barely get Lindor at first to complete the inning-ending double play. Lindor finished 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.

-Starling Marte, who has been swinging a hot bat for weeks now, got the Mets back even at 2-2 with an opposite-field solo shot in the third inning. It was the second consecutive game he went yard. Prior to this series, Marte hadn't hit a home run since the first week of June. Over his last 30 games, Marte is slashing .320/.358/.490. He finished 1-for-4. 

Juan Soto joined in on the fun with a solo shot in the fifth. It was the third straight game the slugger has hit a homer and he now has 28 on the season. He went 1-for-4 with a walk.

Mullins has been struggling since arriving to the Mets at the trade deadline, but he blooped an RBI single in the fourth to give the Mets the lead. The veteran outfielder went 2-for-3 with a walk. 

-With the lead, Carlos Mendoza went to recently-acquired relievers to try and get the final 15 outs. Gregory Soto got the Brewers in order in the fifth and Tyler Rogers did the same in the sixth before Ryne Stanek took the mound in the seventh. Stanek pitched into trouble after a leadoff single and a ground-rule double put runners on second and third with one out. 

Sal Frelick hit a slow chopper to the right of Stanek and Lindor's only play was to first to get the second out, but the tying run scored. Ryan Helsley came in to try and get out of the inning, but Isaac Collins hit a scorcher the opposite way to Ronny Mauricio at third base and the young infielder muffed it, allowing the Brewers to score the go-ahead run. 

Even weirder, Helsley looked to get William Contreras to fly out on the first pitch he saw but was called for a pitch-clock violation. Helsley climbed the mound again after heading toward the dugout when he thought the inning was over. The next pitch Helsley threw, Contreras deposited the 100 mph fastball over the left-center field wall to put Milwaukee ahead, 7-4.

-That was all the Brewers needed, as they shut out the Mets in the final two innings, striking out five times in that span. The team struck out 12 times as a whole.

Game MVP: William Contreras

The young catcher's homer was a back-breaker, and with how cold the Mets' offense has been, those three runs were more than enough.

Highlights

Back-to-back strikeouts for Reed Garrett to end the first! pic.twitter.com/oWv1bmejEQ

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2025

"Darryl Strawberry, you've got some company!"

Pete Alonso officially ties the Mets' all-time home run record and puts the Mets on the board first!🔥 pic.twitter.com/DnZMzUY6sn

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2025

Starling Marte ties it!

Back-to-back nights with a home run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TNsZDOhFTh

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 10, 2025

Cedric Mullins' RBI single gives the Mets the lead back!

His first RBI as a Met 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZSBYhQLSzk

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 10, 2025

SOTO! 💣

Three straight games with a home run for Juan Soto 😤 pic.twitter.com/9E9oWBlnj2

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 10, 2025

What's next

The Mets and Brewers complete their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m.

Sean Manaea (1-1, 3.52 ERA) will take the mound against Quinn Priester (11-2, 3.15 ERA).

Outfielders take center stage as Phillies top Rangers, win series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ARLINGTON, TX – While none of them would ever admit they’re in competition against each other, that is just what the Phillies outfielders are right now.

Rob Thomson has recently said he’s basing his decision for consistent starters in the outfield on who has the hotter hand. But that’s just a side story to the lead one, and that is to win baseball games as the Phillies try to hold on to their lead in the National League East over the New York Mets.

Saturday’s outfield consisted of Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader and Max Kepler, as Nick Castellanos was given a rare day off. Two of the starter’s against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field will join Castellanos as regulars in the outfield at some point it seems, so Saturday it was fitting that the three teamed up to spark the Phillies to a 3-2 win.

Rangers starter and future Hall of Famer Jacob deGrom was cruising through six innings in a fun pitching duel with Jesús Luzardo. With deGrom clinging to a 1-0 lead since the first inning, he got J.T. Realmuto to hit a weak fly to left to start the seventh. Then left fielder Marsh singled, center fielder Bader walked and right fielder Kepler drove them both in with a double down the right field line. Kepler scored on a single by Bryson Stott for a 3-1 lead.

“It felt good, somewhat relieving, too,” said Kepler. “I’m just happy we got the W. (Hitting the ball hard but not getting hits) are always salty, they sting. The best you can do is put them behind you, but if they come in bunches then eventually I feel like they’ll get to me. They always hurt if you hit a ball over 100 and it’s right at a guy, it’s upsetting but the best you can do is get over it ASAP.”

It was a typical outing for the right-hander deGrom, now in his 12th season. Through six he gave up no runs and just four hits and struck out eight. It didn’t seem like a good day for the Phillies, as in his 21 career starts against them, deGrom was 9-1 with a 2.47 ERA. Furthermore, he was 7-0 in 10 starts following a Rangers loss, which this was.

”I don’t know that it’s much different, it’s all been really electric stuff,” said Thomson of seeing deGrom through the years. “It’s like (Zack) Wheeler, the combination of command and control. He’s really good and he has been for a long time and still is.”

And he was Saturday, until the dueling outfielders came to bat in that seventh. Marsh, who had previously struck out twice against deGrom, hit a 1-2 curveball on the ground between first and second to get on. Then Bader worked a five pitch walk, followed by Kepler who hit a shot to deep center in the third and singled in the fifth. He also got the go-ahead 2-RBI double with a liner to right.

“Marsh base hit,” said Thomson. “Bader, who has good at-bats against deGrom in the past, draws a walk and then Kepler, whose hit him in the past, bit double that was huge. And then Stott with a huge base hit. It was a really good game. We played some really good defense. I’m happy for (Kepler). There’s been a lot of talk, a lot of noise, he’s had good at bats for a bit and he showed it tonight, he came through. He hit three balls hard off deGrom. He can hit velocity.”

After giving up a run in the first on three singles, Luzardo settled in nicely for the rest of the game and got some real help from his defense, which has been the norm for Phillies pitchers of late. Catcher J.T. Realmuto gunned down to attempted base stealers, one at third, another at second, to prevent Ranger rallies.

Edmundo Sosa had an outstanding play in the third to save a run. With two outs and Sam Haggerty on second, Sosa slid on his knees towards short and snared and one-hopper off the bat of Wyatt Langford. He made the throw to first to end the inning.

Luzardo mixed in working out of jams and keeping innings clean as he finished the game with six innings under his belt. He gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out four while giving up just that one earned run.

“There was a lot of traffic on the bases and obviously we handled it pretty well,” said Luzardo, who improved to 11-5. “Obviously with J.T. and the defense, which was great. Just kind of understanding their game plan a little bit and just kind of making the adjustments that we needed to keep them off balance a little bit better.

“The plan is always to try and go scoreless but understanding who you’re up against and understanding that he’s a great pitcher, you know you’re not going to score many runs. It adds a little bit to it and you just want to show you can go toe-to-toe with anyone.”

Before the game, Thomson spoke of something he had to do during the game, and that was to get newly acquired sensation Jhoan Duran some work, as he hadn’t pitched since Sunday. After Matt Strahm gave up a solo home run in the eighth to Corey Seager, it couldn’t have played out at a better time for Duran to get work in.

“Bullpen was good,” Thomson said. “(Duran) was up in the eighth. We would have gone for a four-out save if we had to, but Strahmy did a nice job getting out of that inning.”

Pitching, defense and timely hitting are certainly a pretty good recipe for winning baseball … no matter who may be manning the outfield spots.

Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker fuel one another as Athletics clobber Orioles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Athletics’ starting pitching has been a primary storyline for their recent success.

Much like J.T. Ginn in Friday’s loss, starter Jack Perkins rebounded from a three-run first inning to deliver a solid start the following night.

But Saturday night’s 11-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards was all about the A’s offense, which found hard contact early and often to give Perkins his first MLB win.

Shea Langeliers homered yet again — his AL-leading 11th since the MLB All-Star break — before Brent Rooker smashed his 24th round-tripper of the season. The two sluggers combined to drive in seven of the 11 runs scored by the Green and Gold.

Shea gives the A's an early lead 💪 pic.twitter.com/usPPkibRU9

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 9, 2025

LET ROOK COOK 🧑‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/TdF4nt6uBE

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 9, 2025

All nine A’s starters scored a run and eight recorded a hit, which pleased manager Mark Kotsay.

“I think offensively, when we get going, there’s some momentum behind it and they feed off one another, which you saw tonight,” Kotsay told reporters postgame. “The at-bats just continue to be put together in a way that was really productive.”

Langeliers started that momentum quickly on Saturday with his first-inning shot, and he capped it off with a fifth-inning ground-rule double. He parroted Kotsay’s words about the Athletics’ ability to feed off each other’s success at the plate.

“We’re just building confidence, and the momentum is going from one guy to the next,” Langeliers said. “It’s a lot of fun when you stack a night like this — one through nine through the lineup and everybody’s producing and building momentum going into tomorrow.”

Bangeliers is a triple away from the cycle and the Athletics are pouring it on 💪 pic.twitter.com/TvkQK3985Z

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 10, 2025

Amazingly, the A’s catcher now has six games this season — and three this month — in which he has finished just a triple shy of the cycle. That’s two more instances than any other MLB player in 2025, per Stathead.

But Langeliers hasn’t thought about those near misses too much. After all, it’s hard to complain about a three-hit night with a home run.

“When you say it, it’s kind of funny,” Langeliers explained with a smile. “I mean, I’ll take a night like this any time.”

Perhaps Langeliers finally can complete all four legs of the cycle in Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles, as the A’s chase a series win.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke on a variety of topics before Saturday night's meeting with the Brewers. Here's what he said...

---

Frank change for Montas

While the Mets are entrusting Frankie Montas to deliver a starter's workload on Saturday night, the veteran right-hander won't face the Brewers' top hitters immediately. Reed Garrett has been assigned as the opener, with Montas slated to follow in bulk relief duty.

The adjustment to Montas' routine was predictable, as he's struggled mightily during the first inning this season. In seven starts since coming off the injured list, he owns a bloated 6.43 ERA with three doubles and two home runs allowed in that first frame. Leadoff hitters are also hitting a collective .333 against him.

"It's not a secret, it's been a struggle for Frankie the past couple of outings," Mendoza said. "We're just trying to go with one of our bullpen arms to face the top of the lineup, and the goal is for Frankie to go through the middle innings and win us a ballgame. The stuff has been there. Now it comes down to executing, pitch selection. That's what we all need."

Montas' delayed entrance in this bulk-relief setup could be beneficial, but the Mets' patience with him must be wearing thin. The 32-year-old has been largely ineffective on the mound, as he's given up 12 earned runs across his last two outings (8.1 innings). Montas also hasn't logged a quality start.

It's unclear how long Montas' leash truly is, but the Mets have two budding prospects -- Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat -- who could assume rotation roles if called upon. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was asked about the future of both youngsters on Friday, and said they're "putting themselves in the position" for a big-league promotion.

Can Cedric entertain?

The Mets are still waiting to see the All-Star version of Cedric Mullins, who's hit a measly 1-for-17 (.059) since being acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Orioles less than two weeks ago.

But the veteran outfielder's early woes in his new uniform aren't discouraging to Mendoza. He believes Mullins' timing at the plate is a little off and the six-game slump can be erased soon with consistent at-bats and some adjustments.

"I feel like he's missing some good fastballs to hit. We know he's a good hitter," Mendoza said. "We've just got to get him back on track, especially against fastballs... This is a guy who's been in the league for a long time. As we continue to get to know him, we'll find out more. But in the meantime, we're counting on him... There's a lot he brings to the table."

It's been a strange 2025 campaign for Mullins, who's been the epitome of streaky. In spite of his meager .221 season average, he wrapped up July hitting a sharp .290 with 10 extra-base hits across a 23-game span. The warm weather doesn't guarantee results, though -- he hit just .156 in June.

Blackburn nearing closer

The plan for Paul Blackburn's potential return to the majors remains unclear, according to Mendoza, but the veteran right-hander took another step forward in his rehab assignment on Friday night.

In his fourth start with Triple-A Syracuse, the 31-year-old allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out three across 5.2 innings. Blackburn also improved to 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA in eight Triple-A outings this season -- four have come in his rehab stint that began in mid-July.

"I know he pitched yesterday. I haven't heard anything from him today," Mendoza said. "We've just got to wait for the next couple of days to see what we've got... We're getting close to make that decision, and we'll make that decision when we have to. But he continues to feel good. Let's wait for the next couple of days to see what's the next step."

Mendoza also couldn't offer a clear update on Tylor Megill, who threw live batting practice on Thursday and remains on track ot begin a rehab assignment soon.

Yankees legends played in the once-annual Old Timers' Day game for the first time since 2019, but one of the franchise's most beloved players was injured on Saturday.

Mariano Rivera, 55, left the game with an Achilles injury, a Yankees spokesperson confirmed to the Daily News' Gary Phillips. The severity of the injury is not known, but he did meet with trainers. One of Rivera's teammates, Roger Clemens, broke the news to Suzyn Waldman during the team's radio broadcast on WFAN of Saturday's 5-4 win over the Houston Astros.

“It was a fun day until we heard about Mariano. Mariano hurt his Achilles," Clemens said. "I don’t know what was going on. We all thought it was a hamstring, but I think it’s a little worse than that. I think he’s at the hospital now. Unbelievable."

Later, Rivera's agent told The Athletic that Rivera tore his Achilles

It's unclear when Rivera was injured. He did lace a single against Andy Pettitte in his only at-bat. Waldman speculated Rivera may have injured his Achilles running to first base. 

However, The Athletic uncovered that in the bottom half of the inning after the single, Rivera was in center field when the Hall of Fame closer fell to the ground when he took a step during a Willie Randolph at-bat.

Of course, this harkens back to 2012 when Rivera tore his ACL shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City. 

The 2025 Old Timers' Day game not only brought back the fan-favorite exhibition between legends, but was also the 25th anniversary celebration of the 2000 World Series, in which Rivera recorded the final out.

Need the exit velo from this @MarianoRivera single 🔥#OldTimersDaypic.twitter.com/4d00ShrShD

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 9, 2025

The Yankees bullpen blew another lead but Trent Grisham's go-ahead homer in the eighth inning propelled New York to a 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

After the bullpen allowed two runs on two walks, one hit and one big error in the eighth, Grisham smoked a fastball from left-hander Bryan King over the right field wall 408 feet. It's Grisham's 21st homer of the season, extending his career high. 

Here are the takeaways...

- Luis Gil had a rude start to his second start this season when Jeremy Pena took him deep to begin the game. Gil would settle in nicely, however, as he worked into the sixth inning. Gil had his command, unlike his first start when he allowed four walks against the Marlins down in Miami. That pointpoint command allowed him to clip corners and strike out seven batters, including the side in the third inning.

The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year tossed 91 pitches (60 strikes) across 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, one walk and striking out seven batters.

- The Yankees had another test in Framber Valdez, just a day after taking on Cy Young candidate Hunter Brown. Manager Aaron Boone sent out an unconventional lineup. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Dominguez were on the bench against the lefty, while Jose Caballero got the start at second and Giancarlo Stanton parked himself in right field.

The hitters would get to the southpaw early, loading the bases on two hits and one walk with no outs. A bases-loaded walk to Stanton pushed across the Yankees' first run and a Ben Rice sac fly gave New York the lead. Anthony Volpe could not push across more, as his inning-ending double play put a stop to the second. New York would get traffic on the bases against Valdez after the first but had trouble cashing in. Through three innings, they were 1-for-6 with RISPS and left four runners on base.

- After Houston tied the game, the Yankees would score a pair in the fifth. A walk by Judge followed by back-to-back singles from Cody Bellinger and Stanton gave New York the lead. Rice grounded into a double play but it allowed Bellinger to score from third.

- It was a bit of an adventure for Stanton in right field. He had not problem on balls hit at him, but when he had to drift back toward the wall, you could tell he can't bust it with his history of injuries. In the fourth, Jesus Sanchez lined a double off the wall that Stanton backed off to try and play it off the wall but let it skip past him. The play would cost the Yankees as Carlos Correa hit a single to right field to drive in Sanchez. To Stanton's credit, his throw home on the single was a seed but was a half second too late to get Sanchez.

Stanton finished 1-for-2 with two walks and two RBI.

- With the bullpen short on Friday, leading to another subpar Devin Williams appearance, it was well-rested on Saturday. Mark Leiter Jr. got an inning-ending double play to end the sixth, Luke Weaver got through the seventh in order on 11 pitches while Camilo Doval had the eighth. After allowing a leadoff walk, the new right-hander had an opportunity to end the inning when a chopper was hit right back to him, but his throw took Volpe off second base and everyone was safe. After Doval allowed a run-scoring single and walked the bases loaded, Boone went to David Bednar for the five-out save. Unfortuantely, Bednar walked in the tying run but struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam.

Bednar would mow down the Astros in order in the ninth after getting the lead for his second consecutive five-out save with the Yanks.

Game MVP: Trent Grisham

The Yankees looked destined for another heart-breaking loss, but Grisham's three hits including that homer saved the day.

Highlights

G drives in Judge 👊 pic.twitter.com/Vy6MeNjH9n

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 9, 2025

Go-ahead solo home run from Trent Grisham in the 8th! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K3aAqbY860

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 9, 2025

What's next

The Yankees and Astros finish off their three-game set on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.

The Yankees will send Max Fried (12-4, 2.78 ERA) to the mound while Houston has yet to announce a starter.

Turner slugging away from home, outfield merry-go-round continues originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ARLINGTON, TX – A laugh, a shrug and a shake of the head is the reaction given Friday night from Trea Turner following the Phillies 9-1 win over the Texas Rangers. He went 2-for-4 with five RBI, a double and a home run.

That isn’t what particularly caused the response from Turner after the win … it was when the subject came up concerning his home and away power numbers.

Here’s the breakdown heading into Saturday’s game: Turner has 12 home runs on the road, none at Citizens Bank Park this season. His RBI totals are 14 at home compared with 37 on the road, and his slugging percentage is .500 on the road to .365 at home.

Pretty interesting when you consider Turner has played 58 games at home and 55 away and has only eight more at-bats on the road. Most of the rest of his numbers are comparable in the home and road splits, it’s just those power numbers.

“I have no idea to be honest with you,” Turner said of the disparity. “So I looked at my heat zones for home and away, and away I have a lot more zones. And then at home, I’m just hitting the ball away really well. I don’t think I’ve ever had that in my career to where I’ve always been good at pulling the ball. I take my hits the other way but at home it just seems like that outer third is kind of my sweet spot. I couldn’t tell you why. We were talking about it in the cage and I have no idea. Hopefully with a little adjustment the last few days, hopefully that kind of turns around and goes back to normal.”

In a nine-game stretch from July 27 to August 5, Turner hit a bit of a lull where he went 4-for-38 and saw his average dip down to .280. His last three games before Saturday, Turner has seemed to find a rhythm with six hits in 12 at-bats with a home run and six RBI.

“I have no idea what that is,” said Thomson of the road power surge. “I think it’s just coincidence, really. He’s hit home runs in CBP before. I don’t know what it is.”

Thomson’s extended plan for outfield rotation

The search for a “regular” outfield lineup continued Sunday as Nick Castellanos got a day off and the outfield consisted of Brandon Marsh in left, Harrison Bader in center and Max Kepler in right to go against Jacob deGrom.

“So, it was pre planned,” Thomson said. “I didn’t give it to you yesterday because I hadn’t seen Casty yet. This turf is, I like the turf because it plays a little bit more like grass than other turf but it’s pretty firm, pretty hard. So, I was trying to give all the outfielders one day off on it. That’s one thing. Plus, Bader’s had pretty good success against him. Three at-bats but he’s hit the ball hard twice and he’s got a couple of hits. I just felt it was a good day to give Casty the day off. I just thought, where we’re at, we’re trying to figure out who everybody is and how we’re going to align this thing. Just the matchup and the surface is probably the best day to do it.”

So, the question was posed, once you do figure it out, will there be pretty much a set starting outfield moving forward?

Thomson was non-committal.

“It’s probably just a day-to-day thing right now, unless somebody gets super-hot and then we have to go with the hot hand.”

Odds and ends

Thomson said that Jhoan Duran would see action Saturday, no matter what. “He needs to pitch today. Banks has had four days off, he’s had five days off. Although we had up last night and he got hot, he doesn’t like to go more than five days without seeing hitters. We’ll get him in tonight for sure. And Banks is really good when he pitches more often so we need to get him in too.”

On the pitching front, Thomson added that reliever David Robertson will join the team Sunday after his stint in Lehigh Valley. Aaron Nola will get another start there on Tuesday, and if all goes well it appears he will join the Phillies after that and possibly get a start next weekend. José Alvarado will pitch for the Iron Pigs on Sunday and then go again either Tuesday or Wednesday. He can rejoin the team on August 19th.

Rafael Devers' hot stretch at plate coincides with growing comfort at first base originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Rafael Devers, daily, is taking extra work to improve his defense at first base and get more comfortable at the position.

If the three-time MLB All-Star can get that to match his comfort level at the plate, there’s no limit on what the veteran slugger can do.

One day after making a pair of spectacular defensive plays, Devers went deep for a second consecutive day when he connected for a home run leading off the sixth inning.

It was the seventh time Devers has gone deep in 45 games in a Giants uniform, showing why president of baseball operations Buster Posey targeted him just before the trade deadline.

Rafi goes deep two games in a row 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Zm1GHgFwyU

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 9, 2025

“I think it’s just him being Devers at this point,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said in the aftermath of Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park. “He’s just a really good hitter who knows what his strengths are.”

That was the scouting report on Devers before joining San Francisco: A well-accomplished slugger with a career .277 batting average who has clubbed 10 or more home runs in each of his 10 MLB seasons.

Things didn’t start well for Devers with his new team on the West Coast. He had some inconsistencies at the plate and in the field, leading some to question the trade with Boston.

A lot of that noise has been muted lately.

Devers is playing a lot more effectively at first base and is currently one of the hottest hitters in Melvin’s lineup.

After ending July in a 0-for-14 funk, Devers has found a nice rhythm at the plate. In eight games this month, he has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with three home runs, eight walks and seven RBIs.

In the 45 games since his acquisition from the Red Sox, Devers has 22 RBIs.

“Just basically doing the same thing that I’ve done all year, just making sure that I take advantage of all my at-bats,” Devers said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I don’t think that it’s necessary for me to change anything. I’m just being the type of player that I am. Things are beginning to work out for me.”

That includes playing first base, one of the issues that led to his exit from Boston. He was reluctant to play a position he had never played before at the big league level.

Devers faced early criticism from the media and Giants fans but has quieted that chatter with some smooth fielding. That included a heads-up play Friday when the Nationals loaded the bases and hit a grounder to first that Devers snagged and wisely threw home to get the out.

“Every single day, I’m always making sure that I work at first and make sure that I’m ready for everything that’s going to be thrown my way,” said Devers, who had two hits and two walks as the Giants’ designated hitter on Saturday.

Rafi Devers Gold Glove loading? 👀 pic.twitter.com/AZ4xBzcHQG

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 9, 2025

It’s worth noting that Devers’ comfort level on defense has coincided with his output at the plate. It makes sense that less stress and concerns in one area would translate into success in other areas.

Devers isn’t sure if that’s what’s happening but acknowledged that playing in the field keeps him more engaged.

“I really don’t know if that’s something that’s working out. I just know that when I play first base, I’m more involved in the game,” Devers said. “You’re thinking about different aspects of the game, not just thinking about your next at-bat.”

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The Yankees are going through it right now. 

They were defeated by the Houston Astros in extra innings on Friday night, cutting their lead for the final wild card spot in the American League to just a half game. 

They've now dropped six of their last seven games, and with each loss, Aaron Boone’s seat seemingly gets hotter and hotter. 

The boos have been loud and heavy lately in the Bronx. 

Joe Torre has been there before; he understands what the long-time skipper is going through. 

“People always ask me who I root for, I root for people,” he told SNY’s Chelsea Sherrod at Old Timers' Day. “I feel for Aaron, I’ve been in that place before -- you’re trying to rearrange the furniture and hopefully it makes a difference.”

Though things aren’t looking good right now, Torre remains confident in the team under Boone’s leadership.

The four-time World Series champ certainly knows what it takes. 

“This club is too good to not have a run, there’s still time left,” he said. “If it were Sept. 1, I’d be more concerned, but I have a lot of confidence -- Booney has been down this road before, he’s a third-generation major leaguer.

“I feel that they’re going to make a run and will be where they are supposed to be at the end of things.”

Wille Randolph. 

Jorge Posada. 

Tino Martinez.

Johnny Damon.

That’s just a few of the Yankees stars who were in attendance at the Stadium on Saturday afternoon for this year’s Old Timers’ Day festivities. 

It’s the 77th annual Old Timers' Day game, but the first since 2019.

The event also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2000 World Series championship.

While that team and all the great memories they shared were a hot topic of discussion, so was the current state of the organization as they fight through a brutally tough stretch. 

The Yankees currently find themselves trailing the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the AL East and hold a slim advantage for the final wild card spot after dropping Friday’s series opener in extra innings to the Astros.  

“They’re going through a tough time,” Damon told SNY’s Chelsea Sherrod. 

“Teams are not afraid of us anymore,” Randolph added. “We need to get that mojo back to where when they come into Yankee Stadium and places like that, they know they’re going to be in for a big fight.”

Though things are looking bleak, there is still plenty of baseball to be played.

“They’re struggling right now, but they’re still in the hunt,” Martinez said. “As long as you’re there this time of year and you can improve from here, they have a chance, but they have to minimize the mistakes and play better baseball.”

“It’s more of an attitude than anything,” Posada added. “They have to get a little angry, hopefully a fight or something to get them going -- they need to have that chip on their shoulder, they need to play like that.”

It’s been a tough stretch for New York baseball. 

Despite adding a handful of big pieces ahead of the trade deadline, both the Mets and the Yankees have remained in their deep slumps over the past week.

The Mets now sit 3.5 games behind the Phillies in the NL East after dropping their fifth consecutive game in frustrating fashion on Friday night. 

The Yanks were knocked off by the rival Houston Astros in the series opener Friday too, and they now find themselves with just a half-game lead for the final AL wild card spot. 

They are 3.5 games back of the Red Sox for second in the AL East and 6.5 games behind the Blue Jays for first. 

Things are not looking good for either World Series hopeful team right now, but a former New York baseball legend is confident they'll be able to turn things around down the stretch.

“I think the Mets are going to be okay,” Dwight Gooden told SNY’s Chelsea Sherrod at Yankees Old Timers' Day. “I still like to say pitching wins, you have to have consistent pitching because the lineup is nice, but they have to get more consistent.

“The main thing is they have to stay healthy because they are right there -- once you get into the postseason, it’s the hottest team that wins, not always the best, so I think they’ll be okay, they just have to get more consistent.”  

Gooden feels the same way about the Yankees, who he says are playing not to lose.

“You just have to have confidence you’re going to win,” he said. “When you go out there and try not to lose, you put a lot of pressure on yourself -- they just have to take things one game at a time, sometimes all it takes is getting back to the basics.”

Both teams will look to get back on track on Saturday. 

The Mets face off with right-hander Tobias Myers in Milwaukee, while Luis Gil makes his second start of the season against ace left-hander Framber Valdez in the Bronx.