NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: A detail shot of the exterior of Yankee Stadium during sunset prior to Game 5 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
I was lucky enough to be at The Greg Bird Game.
2017 ALDS Game 3 — a potential final game of the season for the Yankees, who of course dropped the first two of the series to Cleveland. We were sitting in the first row of the third deck, somewhere outside the right field foul pole. I remember the euphoria of Bird’s homer, off of a then-unbeatable Andrew Miller, was a feeling I hadn’t had at an in-person game before. I’m not even sure how this game holds up in recent Yankee memory, but it’s a mighty fine one in this fan’s mind.
I skipped a college presentation to make the pilgrimage to this game, my first postseason contest. I recall telling the professor, one of those cool ones that simply gets it, the opportunity that this was for me. She allowed it with little push back.
By this point, I was maybe a couple years removed from being a real “rah-rah” sort of fan, and had become more of an ardent observer of the game, happy to take in any information about any team or any player. But, when Aroldis Chapman came on to close that game, protecting just the 1-0 lead provided by Bird, it was difficult to remain in such a state.
My sister, who was the catalyst in even going to this game, at one point asked me if I was okay. Because, as Cleveland began to threaten in the ninth, all of the color had basically drained from my face. Although I wasn’t necessarily jumping out of my seat, it was, and is, a part of who I am.
I remember laying on the floor, as a much younger lad, deep into the night, ecstatically heading to bed after patiently waiting on Alex Rodriguez’s walk-off homer in the 15th inning of a random August game during the magic ‘09 season. We all have these moments, and I think the feeling sticks with us one way or another. I believe this sort of thing is a vital unifying glue for all of us.
I also remember when I heard that I’d gotten a spot contributing here at Pinstripe Alley, when I was coaching from a dugout.
Over the last four seasons I’ve had the privilege of covering everything from playoff runs, the WBC, and outrageous hypotheticals that had been floating around in my brain for years. From the procedural to passion projects, I always tried to keep in mind how cool it was that at least some people were reading things I had to say about the Yankees, and about baseball. What a dream!
Even more, it has been a privilege to work alongside so many smart and talented people here at PSA, who each do their part in making this site the best in the biz. Of course, a special thanks to Andrew, Madison, Jake, and now Dani, who do more work that you’d think to keep the train on the tracks.
As I’ve progressed in my life, I have only felt increasingly strong that one should spend their time on this earth with people and doing things that they love — little else matters. For most of my life, baseball has been a heavy hitter on my own personal list of those things, and I hope it always will be.
But, for now, as my life continues to be filled with these things, I have decided it fit to step away from contributing to this terrific site for now. For any and all who have read, I am grateful that you took the time, and hope I provided something in that transaction.
In the meantime, I will be keeping an eye on this game we love, and this site that provided me with such a cool outlet. But I’m also off to find more people and more things to care deeply about. It is my strong recommendation that you all do the same.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 12: Kevin Alvarez #17 of the Houston Astros on the American League Team looks on in the seventh inning during the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (72-72) lost 5-2 (BOX SCORE)
Sugar Land got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Dezenzo RBI double. Alexander started for Sugar Land and allowed 5 runs over 6 innings. Schiavone connected on a solo home run in the 5th to get a run back. The pen tossed 3 scoreless innings but the offense was quiet the rest of the way as Sugar Land fell 5-2.
Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (62-76) SEASON OVER
A+: Asheville Tourists (43-87) SEASON OVER
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2-0) won 7-4 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning thanks to a Tryon grand slam. Fraide got the start and dominated tossing 5 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. Carrera relieved Fraide and allowed 2 runs but the offense scored 3 more in the 7th on an Alvarez 2 run single and a Luciano groundout. Cassedy allowed a 2 run home run in the 9th but struck out 6 over 2 innings as he closed out the Championship game. Find a more detailed Championship recap here.
Note: The Woodpeckers are the 2026 Carolina League Champions!
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 17: Carter Jensen of the Kansas City Royals singles during the tenth inning to drive in two runs for the win over the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium on July 17, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals had high hopes for Carter Jensen after he raked in a September callup late in 2025. He has not disappointed, tying Bob Hamelin for the club record for most home runs by a Royals rookie with 24. While he still has two weeks to surpass “The Hammer,” he has already cemented his status as one of the best rookie hitters in Royals history. But how does he stack up against the best rookie seasons the franchise has ever seen?
For this ranking, I’m looking at what each player actually accomplished as a rookie, with performance taking precedence over what he went on to do in his career. George Brett was a Hall of Famer, but his rookie season pales in comparison to a rookie slugger like Hamelin. Here are the top hitting rookie seasons in Royals history.
10. Bobby Witt Jr., 2022
There was a lot of hype for Bobby after a monster minor league season in 2021. He had the game-winning hit on Opening Day and became just the second player in MLB history with a 20-home-run/30-stolen-base season in his debut year. However, he put up just a .294 on-base percentage and showed some shaky defense at shortstop, which hurt his WAR numbers. It was a solid season, but there were blemishes to his game that he would quickly correct to become one of the best players in baseball.
9. Mike Fiore, 1969
Fiore had a very overlooked season in that inaugural Royals campaign. Selected from the Orioles in the expansion draft, he was a semi-regular at first base who finished second on the team with a .274 batting average. He also had a very patient eye, finishing 13th in the American League in walks, despite only making 427 plate appearances. It is still the 11th-most walks by a Royals hitter in a season. Fiore hit .274/.420/.428 with 12 home runs, but the next year he clashed with new manager Charlie Metro, and was traded to Boston, where he was buried on the depth chart.
8. Eric Hosmer, 2011
Hosmer also had a highly anticipated debut, and he quickly showed why the Royals had been so high on him. Called up in May, the 21-year-old hit .293/.334/.465 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 128 games. He looked smooth scooping out throws at first base, showing the defense that would win him four Gold Glove Awards. He would finish third in Rookie of the Year voting that year, eventually earning All-Star honors and a championship in Kansas City.
7. Lou Piniella, 1969
“Lou Piniella has the red ass,” wrote Seattle Pilots pitcher Jim Bouton in his book Ball Four. The two had been teammates in spring training for the expansion franchise, but Piniella’s fiery temper got him shipped to the Royals before the regular season began. It was a trade Seattle would regret. Piniella had the first hit in Royals history and batted .282/.325/.416 with 11 home runs, earning MVP votes and winning American League Rookie of the Year.
6. Mike Avilés, 2008
Avilés had to overcome a lot to make the big leagues. Drafted as a senior out of tiny Concordia College in New York, he was offered a cheap “take it or leave it” $1,000 bonus. He made the big leagues at age 27 and impressed early on. In just his tenth game, he had a four-hit day with two doubles and a home run. He ended the year with a line of .325/.354/.480, a batting average that would have been sixth in the league had he qualified. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, but his 4.7 rWAR was just behind winner Evan Longoria’s 4.8.
5. Angel Berroa, 2003
The Angel Berroa era in Kansas City ended poorly, but the future seemed bright in his rookie year. Acquired from the Athletics in the Johnny Damon trade, the Royals hoped Berroa could solidify a shortstop position that had been inconsistent since the days of Freddie Patek. He was a big part of why the team had a successful 2003 season, hitting .287/.338/.451 with 17 home runs, 73 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He edged out Hideki Matsui to win American League Rookie of the Year honors, but he never lived up to a long-term deal he signed with the club.
4. Bob Hamelin, 1994
Hamelin was 26 years old when he burst onto the scene in 1994. He didn’t look like a baseball star – he was chubby and wore glasses – but that was part of what endeared him to Royals fans that summer. Oh and the dingers. So many dingers. Hamelin smashed 24 home runs in just 375 plate appearances, finishing ninth in the American League. His bat helped propel the Royals during a hot streak where they won 14 in a row to climb into contention – he hit .354 with six home runs in those games. He finished fifth in the league in OPS and won Rookie of the Year, but just five years later he would retire from baseball.
3. Carter Jensen, 2026
Last night, Jensen set the Royals rookie record for most extra-base hits with 58, and he has flashed some promising power all season. The Kansas City native is hitting .232/.319/.452 with 62 walks and his 24 home runs are fourth-most among all rookies. He has had some mixed results behind the plate, but has shown a strong arm. He has gunned out 35 percent of attempted base stealers, fifth-highest for anyone with at least 10 caught stealing. The Royals are used to a power-hitter behind the plate, and Jensen is a worthy successor to Salvador Perez.
2. Carlos Beltrán, 1999
Beltrán got his Hall of Fame career off to a good start by making an immediate impact for the Royals in his rookie year. He exhibited a unique blend of power and speed, smashing 22 home runs and stealing 27 bases. He became just the eighth rookie to score 100 runs and hit 100 RBI. Overall, he hit .293/.337/.454 while playing spectacular defense in center. He was worth 4.7 rWAR and was a near-unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year.
1. Kevin Seitzer, 1987
All Kevin Seitzer did was hit. He got off to a blazing start, batting .382 in the month of April. He was named to the All-Star Game at third that summer and caught fire in August, batting .395 and tying a club record with a six-hit game against Boston. He led the league with 207 hits, at the time, the fifth-most by a rookie since 1900. He was a 5.5 rWAR player, hitting .323/.399/.470 with 15 home runs and 80 walks. But he did this in a home-run-happy year – the 1987 season saw a spike in power and slugger Mark McGwire and his 49 homers beat out Seitzer for Rookie of the Year.
Honorable mention: Pat Kelly, 1969; Bo Jackson, 1987; Jon Nunnally, 1995; David DeJesus, 2004; Alex Gordon, 2007.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 30: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the final out of the fourth inning of the game against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This morning, Paul Toboni made a big revelation on the radio. He announced that Connelly Early is scheduled to pitch this season for the Nats. Toboni said that he expects Early to pitch the second to last game of the season for the Nats on September 26th. This will be a good chance for the Nats new lefty to make a strong first impression.
Paul Toboni expects that Connelly Early will pitch on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Nationals Park. From @JunksRadio
When the Connelly Early for Curtis Mead trade was made, it looked like it could help both teams this season. While Early was hurt, he was expected to be back some time in mid to late August. On the other hand, Mead was supposed to be a big boost to the Red Sox lineup.
However, Early had a slight setback and Mead broke his wrist in his first game. So far, the trade has been a wash for both teams. When Early had forearm tightness, it made Nats fans very scared. Multiple arm injuries in short succession is never a good thing for a pitcher. It looks like Early has avoided the worst case scenario though.
He made his first rehab start in AAA yesterday. In that outing, he looked decent but rusty. Early struck out two hitters in a strong first inning. His 4-seam fastball was in the 93-94 MPH range while his sinker sat around 91-92. That is very slightly down from his season averages, but not worryingly so. It was his first outing back, so Early wanted to ease himself in. We saw enough velocity and sharpness on his secondary stuff.
He showed all six of his pitches as well. After that first inning, Early hit a wall in the second. He gave up a walk and a hit to start the inning. Then he lost a 10 pitch battle and issued another walk. Early threw 4 pitches to the next batter, getting ahead in the count. However, he hit his 35 pitch limit and was replaced by fellow deadline addition Jack Cebert.
Cebert struck out that batter, but allowed all three inherited runners to score. That meant that Early’s overall statline was ugly. For a rehab start, I don’t really care about the statline. All that concerns me is the quality of the stuff and getting through the start healthy. Early’s stuff was fine and all indications are that he got through the start without any incident.
As Jackson Kent puts the Nats in a quick 1-0 hole here in D.C. … up in Buffalo, Connelly Early has completed his rehab start for Rochester: Faced 7 batters over 1+ innings, allowed 2 hits and 2 walks, struck out 2, threw 23-of-35 pitches for strikes.
Even though he was not at his best, this was still a successful day for him. He took the next step towards making his Nationals debut. The debut date that Toboni announced is still 10 days away, so I wonder what will happen from here.
Either Early will make another rehab start at AAA or he will just throw a live bullpen in DC. The AAA season ends this week, but Rochester should make the International League playoffs. Toboni will have to determine the next steps though and that will be something I can ask about today.
That final series against the Mets already had some intrigue with the two clubs looking to avoid last place. Early’s debut adds another element of excitement though. It gives Nats fans something to look forward to and a chance to get to know their new lefty.
This is totally unfair, but given how the season went down after the Mead trade, Early could use a good first start. I think he has the personality and talent to be a fan favorite one day. However, right now he is just the injured pitcher we traded Curtis Mead for. With a good Nationals debut, that can change very quickly. I am really looking forward to seeing Connelly Early on the mound at Nationals Park in 10 days.
After the game, Alonso met with the trio of fans who caught his historic home run ball, and they traded it for an assortment of signed memorabilia in a special moment.
Alonso went above and beyond to show his gratitude, gifting beers and offering tickets to future Orioles games in Baltimore to the three fans – Michael Shaw, Nick Maldarella, and Chris Makarius – that generously returned the prized home run ball.
"On the way here, we were saying we're going to catch his 300th home run," Maldarella told ESPN. "And sure enough, man. It's crazy."
Pete Alonso met up post game with Mike, Nick & Chris - the trio of Mets fans who caught his 300th career home run.They exchanged the ball for signed baseballs, bats and Alonso to sign their jerseys.Pete brought beers and offered the trio tickets to games in Baltimore https://t.co/wxxiRlRXzf
The former Mets star's accomplishment drew a rousing standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd, displaying the admiration New York fans still hold for Alonso despite his move to Baltimore.
After the game, Alonso spent time signing each fan’s jersey, as well as a bat and ball for each of them. In addition to inviting them to Orioles games, Alonso also offered exclusive access to batting practice at Camden Yards next season. The first baseman brought out beers and posed for photos with the group, and he expressed heartfelt appreciation for their generosity in giving him back the milestone home run ball.
"Thank you so much, guys," Alonso said, embracing each fan. "You guys are so kind, and I appreciate it."
Jacob deGrom started yesterday’s game instead of Cody Bradford, who was the expected starter after deGrom had an injury scare last week.
The Rangers’ capitalized on the strong deGrom start and some early offense to snag a crucial win in their series opener against the Red Sox.
The deGrom outing was somewhat abbreviated, though he managed to strike out eight batters in five innings of work.
You know it hasn’t been a pretty season when Skip Schumaker says “we are in the playoff hunt, it doesn’t matter what the record is.”
Joc Pederson has a fracture in his hand but is going to try to play through the pain over the final two weeks.
Jake Burger has been named the Rangers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente award on the strength of their work on behalf of children with Down’s syndrome.
The Rangers have announced a slate of eight players that will be joining the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
The Rangers Sports Network had technical issues during the broadcast last night.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 25: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros looks on against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Daikin Park on April 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello folks!
The Mariners season continues unceasingly as the squad cemented a losing record in 2026 following a 2-1 loss to the Angels. If you’re still watching the conclusion of this season unfold, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Unfortunately, I cannot provide that to you. But, I can provide you with some news from around the league. I hope that will suffice.
Even after a down season, the Reds front office is expected to return in 2027 without casualty.
Matthew Trueblood at Baseball Prospectus broke down a remarkable 18-pitch battle between Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams and White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi. ($)
Aug 26, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Tommy White (47) tosses the ball to first base for an out against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Yesterday, the Athletics opened their final road-trip of the season with a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the tough defeat, right-hander Jack Perkins’ quality start gave the team a positive take away.
With 11 games remaining, time is running out for the A’s to evaluate certain players before the offseason begins. For instance, center fielder Denzel Clarke, who is elite in the field, could pose a challenge to Henry Bolte in center field if he can get his bat to match his glove. Yet, the A’s will never know whether he has made improvements if manager Mark Kotsay continues to leave him on the bench.
In contrast, fellow outfielder Carlos Cortes has received plenty of at-bats, even with Clarke back. Cortes has not provided enough offense to offset his lack of speed and defensive ability. Rookie infielder Tommy White has similarly struggled to hit enough to make up for his defensive limitations. White has not lived up to his “Tommy Tanks” nickname, recording only two home runs and five doubles in his first 162 major league at-bats.
The Athletics are once again ranked near the bottom of the league in advanced metrics measuring defensive efficiency and runs saved. As a result, the new general manager must work with Kotsay to align the A’s defense in a way that helps, rather than hurts, the pitching staff moving forward.
If the A’s want an example, they should look to fellow small-market teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, two organizations that have used strong pitching and defense to compete with bigger spenders in their respective divisions.
Speaking of those two teams, the fact that they were the first two to clinch playoff spots this season shows that parity exists without a salary cap. The Athletics were in a similar position a few years ago, but now have plenty of work ahead to escape this losing rut and return to playoff contention. The looming offseason lockout could further complicate matters, potentially creating a unique crunch for player movement and free agency.
How should the A’s approach this upcoming offseason? What do you think of MLB’s latest salary-cap and salary-floor proposal?
A's are sending OF Breyson Guedez, catchers Cole Conn & Davis Diaz and pitchers Kenya Huggins, Tucker Novotny, Jared Johnson, Jay Dill & Grant Richardson to the Arizona Fall League. Originally planned to send Devin Taylor instead of Guedez but decided to give Taylor a rest.
Last week, I asked every MLB team to speak with its owner on camera. They’re less than three months from shutting down the sport via a lockout, and I wanted to hear their explanation for why they think a salary cap is worth the fallout that's bound to come. None agreed to talk. pic.twitter.com/dSKoE8Y7ms
The Athletics search for their next general manger continues to expand.
The Athletics are casting a wide net in their search for their next general manager. According to multiple sources, they’ve had conversations with Boston Red Sox SVP/AGMs Mike Groopman and Taylor Smith about the role.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (testicle rupture and repair) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas Friday. Kotsay: “Really encouraging. That takes him into the offseason really confident that everything is OK and he can move forward with his training and prepare for 2027.”
READING, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Gage Wood #15 of the Reading Fightin Phils warms up prior to the game between the Erie SeaWolves and the Reading Fightin Phils at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in Reading, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cade Burdette/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Goat has become a confusing sports term. Originally, it meant the person saddled with the blame for a defeat. It still means that, but capitalize it, and you get something much, much more positive. Today, the entire Hartford Yard Goats team were the goats. In the negative sense.
Syracuse 9, Lehigh Valley 1
The IronPigs offense was kept quiet tonight, as they put up just a single run on four hits. They had twice as many strikeouts as hits. Meanwhile, the Mets put together a steady drumbeat of runs. Brian Keller took the start, surrendering four runs on four hits, and walking five. Nestor Cortes pitched 1.2 innings, allowing a two-run homer. Andrew Hoffmann had four hits and three runs allowed in just two-thirds of an inning.
Reading 21, Hartford 4
No, that’s not a typo. In the first game of the Eastern League Divisional Series, the Fightin Phils put together one to remember. The Yard Goats got off to a fast start by scoring three in the second… and then saw the home club put up four times as many in their half. Not content with a dozen, the Phils scored four in the third. That wasn’t enough for them either, as they added on five more in the seventh. Shockingly, only one of those 21 runs came on a homer. Every member of the starting lineup joined the hit parade, and all but one had at least one walk and one RBI. Raylin Heredia and Pedro León led the way with three hits each; the homer belonged to Aroon Escobar. Bryan Rincon and five RBI, and León, Aroon Escobar, and Austin Murr had three each. Aidan Miller was one for five with a RBI, a walk, and three strikeouts.
Gage Wood had the start, with a four inning, two hit, three run, and four strikeout line. Evan Gates earned the win with a 1.1 inning, 1 hit relief performance.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Romy Gonzalez #23 of the Boston Red Sox prepares in the dugout before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning! Last night, Chad Tracy gave at-bats to two pinch-hitters in the 8th inning: lefty killer Jahmai Jones and utility infielder Andruw Monasterio. Jones did his job in the 8th, singling to start the inning in place of Mickey Gasper, but would subsequently strike out to end the game in the 9th. Jones was a platoon revelation when he first arrived in Boston, but he’s cooled off since then (a .200 batting average over his last 12 games), and his positional inflexibility makes him a difficult roster fit. Monasterio did not do his job last night. He struck out with the bases loaded, putting an end to the biggest threat the Sox had all night.
In light of last night’s events it’s time to ask: Is it time for Romy Gonzalez to get another crack? Romy theoretically combines the best of both Jones and Monasterio — he’s a lefty-killer and a utility infielder. He struggled mightily in his (rushed) return to the Sox earlier this year and has recently been battling a nagging injury lately, but his AAA line reads .344/.400/.505 with 3 homers and 6 doubles. He could inject some pop just as the Sox look like they could use a little extra juice.
Use this space to talk about bench bats and whatever else you want, and, as always, be good to one another.
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 15: Cole Carrigg #16 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after hitting a three run home run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 15, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
None of the San Diego Padres pitchers could find an answer for Cole Carrigg of the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego State product had a huge night finishing 4-for-5 with a single, a double and two home runs with two runs scored and five RBI to hand the Padres a 9-3 loss at Coors Field on Tuesday.
Carrigg connected on single in the first inning, but was thrown out attempting to steal second base. He hit a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning and doubled in the bottom of the fifth. Wandy Peralta replaced Walker Buehler in the bottom of the fifth after the Carrigg double, which meant he would have to face a new pitcher in his next at-bat. That pitcher was Randy Vasquez and Carrigg turned in a 13-pitch turn at the plate that ended with a three-run home run to right field that gave the Rockies a 7-3 lead. Vasquez was able to strike Carrigg out in his final at-bat but the performance from Carrigg was all Colorado would need to snap the San Diego eight-game winning streak.
The Padres started the game with a bang when Fernando Tatis Jr. connected on a leadoff home run. They took a two-run lead in the top of the second when Luis Campusano connected on a solo home run. Carrigg hit the two-run home run to tie the game, but San Diego regained the lead with another solo home run, this time from Austin Hays, in the top of the fifth inning. That marked the end of the scoring for the Padres despite the fact that they finished with 11 hits in the game. San Diego was 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position in the game while Colorado finished 4-for-10. Outside of Carrigg, that was the difference in the game, the Padres could not string hits together and did not get hits when they had opportunities to drive in runs.
Buehler lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Peralta was abysmal and allowed four runs on four hits with a hit batter and one strikeout over 0.2 innings pitched. The only real positive to come from the game was Vasquez finished the final 2.2 innings and saved the high leverage bullpen arms for San Diego who have been taxed recently. He allowed three runs on five hits with a strikeout.
The Padres will try to start a new winning streak when they play the third game of the series against the Rockies today at 5:40 p.m.
NEW YROK, NY - AUGUST 1: Tim Raines #31 of the New York Yankees bats during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners August 1, 1996 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hall-of-Fame outfielder Tim Raines was one of the faces of Canadian baseball in the 1980s—an adroit hitter and fast-twitch baserunner whose 808 career steals ranks fifth all time. By the mid-90s, he had won a batting title, accumulated 2,295 hits, reached 50 steals in eight seasons, and been named an All-Star seven times in his prime with Montreal, before a strong yet less spectacular five-year stint in the South Side. But a taste of World Series glory had always eluded Raines until he came to the Bronx in 1996.
With his prime years behind him, Raines donned the pinstripes and brought his wealth of experience to a club on the rise; while the Yankees, for minimal cost, brought an additional marquee name into the fold alongside elder statesman Wade Boggs. Despite injuries which limited his playing time in New York, Raines won two World Series rings with the Yankees in 1996 and 1998.
Born: September 16, 1959 (Sanford, FL) Yankees Tenure: 1996-98
Raines was, commensurate to his preternatural athleticism and agility, a three-sport athlete who played baseball and football in addition to running track for Seminole High School in Florida. He was selected by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round of the 1977 Draft, behind pitchers Bill Gullickson and Scott Sanderson. Raines, though, was the prize. The young switch-hitter broke out as a rookie in 1981, securing his first of seven straight All-Star selections in the National League and establishing himself as one of the most feared (and consistently successful) base stealers in the league.
In that strike-shortened season, the Expos defeated the Phillies in the expanded playoffs before falling in a five-game NLCS to the Dodgers. Raines, who went 5-for-21 in the series with no steals, would never make the playoffs with Montreal again. He would be 33 the next time he suited up in October—with the White Sox, who fell to the defending champion Blue Jays in the ALCS. His performance in that series was far more Raines-esque: 12 hits in 29 at-bats.
Raines took a step back offensively in his final two years with Chicago as he reached the end of his prime. Now in his mid-30s, his teammates and coaches wanted him stealing fewer bases, though Raines maintained he was still as quick as ever. The White Sox, unconvinced, dealt him away a few days after Christmas 1995. Minor league pitcher Blaise Kozeniewski was the lone player the Yankees parted with for Rock.
With a fresh start in a new organization, Raines relished the opportunity to play with an organization which had gone out of its way to bring him in for a championship quest. Yankees GM Bob Watson gave him a contract extension right after trading for him. He arrived right on time to bolster a roster poised to begin a dynastic run.
While Raines fractured his thumb and missed time from May to August in 1996, he proved a useful contributor for the Bombers when healthy, with a characteristically high .383 on-base percentage and 20 doubles bolstering his slugging percentage to .468. In a postseason timeshare at left field with slugger Darryl Strawberry, he contributed 11 hits in 13 appearances.
While he never plated a run himself, he scored seven times as the Yankees ran the table in the American League playoff. He started Games 2, 3, and 4 of the World Series, scoring the go-ahead run of Game 4 on Steve Avery’s bases-loaded walk of Wade Boggs in the 10th inning. Raines had himself walked to catalyze the two-run rally which wiped away the 2-0 series deficit into which the Yankees had fallen. Raines, who memorably made the final catch of that game while slipping and falling on the warning track, did not take the field again in the Fall Classic, but New York finished the reversal in six games, giving the veteran his long-awaited World Series ring in his 16th full season.
Raines returned for 1997, continuing to produce when he saw the field. His 74 games played constituted only a modest uptick from the year before, but he remained highly productive with a .321/.403/.454 slash line. However, despite hitting a three-run home run in Game 1 of the ALCS against Cleveland, the Yankees were denied their title defense, losing in six.
Raines re-upped with the Yankees ahead of 1998, a year in which he served as the top reserve player for one of the greatest teams in baseball history. Despite being more of a backup, Raines appeared in more games than he did in the previous two seasons, eclipsing the 100-game threshold for the only time in pinstripes. The reliable veteran continued to be an absolute pain for pitchers to get out, as his on-base percentage once again hovered close to .400 for the whole season. On June 10th, he picked up his 800th career stolen base in where else but Montreal’s Stade Olympique, where his star was born in the 1980s. He became just the fifth player in MLB history to reach that milestone.
Now 38, Raines was increasingly stashed at DH, then struggled in the 1998 playoffs and largely rode the bench, with Chili Davis getting the majority of the plate appearances there. Still, when he wasn’t on the field, he had a front-row seat to the finest incarnation of this Yankee dynasty—including all four games of their decisive World Series sweep in San Diego.
With two World Series rings in hand, Rock could easily have walked off into the sunset as a man with nothing more to prove—but like many a baseball lifer, he couldn’t give the sport up. Not even after he was diagnosed with lupus in the middle of the 1999 season did he hang up his spikes. The treatment he had to undergo for the autoimmune disease cut short his one-year cameo with the Oakland A’s—and while he attempted to rejoin the Yankees in 2000, he didn’t make the roster.
Still, he continued playing. In 2001, Raines, already inducted into the Expos’ Hall of Fame, returned to the club and played 47 games in his old colors before taking the field with his son, Tim Jr., with the Orioles at the tail-end of the season. Even after that, he snuck in one last season with the Marlins before finally retiring at age 43.
Raines’ late retirement meant a rather delayed start to his Hall of Fame eligibility, which began in 2007. Initially, he received little serious interest from voters, but as the 2010s wore on and he neared the end of his decade on the ballot, the sabermetric community—as well as his contemporaries—rallied for his induction, as they would later do for Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker in those players’ final year of eligibility. At last, in 2017, Raines got his plaque in Cooperstown.
While the man they called “Rock” finished his career as the most efficient base stealer of all time among those who even approached his body of work, Tim Raines was not that dynamic force at the top of the lineup once he came to the Bronx. But his other skills—his outstanding contact ability, discerning plate discipline, and the ability to plug gaps and pick up doubles—hadn’t gone anywhere. Those skills allowed him to assist the Yankees as they made the leap from franchise in limbo into an era-defining dynasty.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
The Mets conclude a three-game series against Pete Alonso and the Orioles at Citi Field on Wednesday night at 7:10.
Mets Notes
Francisco Lindor enters play on Wednesday with 299 career home runs
A.J. Ewing is hitting .380/.448/.620 with three homers and three doubles in 58 plate appearances over his last 13 games
Robert Stock allowed three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four in four innings against the Marlins in Miami during his last start on Sept. 9
Today's Lineups
ORIOLES
METS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
How can I watch Mets vs. Orioles online?
To watch Mets games online via ESPN, you will need a subscription to a TV service provider or to ESPN+. This will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone browser, or via the ESPN App.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 01: Starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the MLB game at Chase Field on September 01, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No news is good news. That’s not always true (few fans feel this way during trade deadline season), but it’s arguably true during the final days of the campaign, where news can really mean only one thing: an injury. And this was so yesterday, as the Phillies placed Jesús Luzardo on the 15 day IL with the shoulder inflammation that had caused him to miss his last start. A return for the postseason is possible but certainly not guaranteed.
There’s no question that this is a major blow for the team. So today’s question is: how does it change your outlook for the rest of the season?
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 11: Didier Fuentes #72 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the eleventh inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on September 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m shamelessly stealing from the comments, because it’s a long season and I had nothing else for today anyway.
Didier Fuentes is 12th among relievers with 2.0 fWAR. He also ranks in the top 15 in WPA, which isn’t really something he did alone, but is a bit of a tiebreaker when others are close.
He’s not going to win. There are five position player rookies in the NL with more than 2 fWAR, including JJ Wetherholt, who has 4.4 while underhitting his xwOBA by .030. (If he weren’t underhitting it, he’d probably ge some downballot MVP votes.) The Mets’ Carson Benge has 3.5 fWAR and hasn’t missed any time with injury. TJ Rumfield has a .375 wOBA / 125 wRC+, though the former is very Coors-addled and he’s outperforming his inputs. Sal Stewart has 31 homers.
On the pitching end, you have Nolan McLean as the “full-time starter as a rookie” option (3.1 fWAR, about 170 innings), as well as Logan Henderson as the “pitched super-well but only up for like half a season” option (2.3 fWAR, under 90 innings).
But, Fuentes is still ninth in the NL in rookie fWAR, so maybe he gets some recognition, even if it’s not much. He does actually lead all NL rookies in WPA, but again, I don’t expect that to carry the day. It is pretty funny, though.
