Category: MLB

In what looked like it could be a laugher early, the Guardians were able to hold on for an 8-6 victory to open the series in Toronto, off the back of two 2-run home runs from Angel Martínez. It was Martínez’s first career multi-home run game.

The first inning started off with a bang, as Daniel Schneemann took Max Scherzer deep on the 8th pitch of the first at bat of the game. The Guardians weren’t done yet, though. After a José Ramírez walk and a Rhys Hoskins single, George Valera just missed a home run, as he hit a 2 run double off the very top of the high wall in right field, giving the Guardians a 3-0 lead. Then the very next hitter Angel Martínez took Scherzer deep, capping off a 5 run first inning.

Toronto was able to answer back in the bottom half. Nathan Lukes doubled off Gavin Williams to lead off the inning for Toronto, but he would leave with injury. (As of writing, the only available update was “left hamstring discomfort”.) The pinch runner Davis Schneider moved to 3rd on a sac fly and scored on a ground ball to short stop. Then with two outs and no one on base, Jesús Sánchez took The Big Rig deep, making it a 5-2 game. 

After a scoreless 2nd from the Guards, the Blue Jays were able to tack on one more on a solo shot from Kazuma Okamoto, closing the gap to just 2 runs. Then it was Angel Martínez to the rescue again. After falling behind 0-2, Martínez fouled off several pitches, working the count back to full. On the 11th pitch of the at bat, he took Scherzer deep again to right field for his second 2-run home run of the night. 

Gavin Williams was able to settle in after that, at one point retiring 11 Blue Jays in a row, before walking Davis Schneider in the 5th, who would go on to score on an Ernie Clement double. The Guards would tack on a big insurance run with an RBI fielder’s choice by Chase DeLauter, making it 8-4. The Jays would go on to score two more in the 6th on a bloop double by Andrés Giménez off Williams to bring the Jays closer at 8-6. Williams would get out of the inning though, and was done for the night. His final line was 6IP 6ER 7H 2BB 4K, and while not ideal from the pitcher most consider the Ace of this staff, he was able to keep the lead intact and get through 6 innings to help ease the load on the bullpen.

The Guardian’s bullpen then came in and got 6 hitters out in a row, with both Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski each throwing a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th and 8th respectively. After that, it was up to Cade Smith to close it out. It wasn’t without drama, as Okamoto led off the inning with a 112 mph laser beam high off the wall in left field, but a great play on the ball off the wall by Angel Martínez held Okamoto to a very long single. He was followed by known Guardian hater Andrés Giménez lining a single to RF, and it looked like the inning was set up perfectly for the Blue Jays. However, Cade Smith was able to get the pinch hitter Eloy Jiménez to hit a weak ground ball to José Ramírez, and the Guards defense got the very clutch 5-4-3 double play. Finally, with a runner on 3rd and 2 outs, Smith was able to get Schneider to pop out to second base to end the game and seal a series opening victory for the Guardians. 

The Guards will have a chance to take the series tomorrow afternoon, but they’ll have to take down Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays Ace, to do it. It’ll be Joey Cantillo on the mound for Cleveland, with first pitch scheduled for 3:07pm.

This really is getting ridiculous. It’s not really just that they’re losing everything right now. It’s how they’re losing the games. Unpreparedness from the manager and pitching coach last night when Michael Harris stepped to the plate. Mental errors by Trea Turner. A poor at bat by Bryce Harper in the ninth inning. There is just so much that is bad right now that they really don’t deserve any goodwill at the moment. They’ll win a game eventually and get on a roll, but this is about as unlikeable as this roster has ever been.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Even after a hard fought loss to the Cubs, there are at least a few slivers of silver lining to take away from it ($).
• With all the losses on the field, the man in charge of putting the players on the field knows that ultimately, it’s his responsibility ($).
• At Fangraphs, they look at how and why the team finally decided to move on from Taijuan Walker.

MLB news:

• Where is the ol’ panic meter on several of the teams that are struggling? For the Phillies, at least, it’s high. It’s very, very high.
• I found this to be an interesting read on Paul DePodesta and his return to the game after his years with the Browns in the NFL ($).
• The Royals are doing with their stadium what George Costanza never could: they’re doing…..downtown.
• The Cubs traded cash for Nicky Lopez. Imagine saying that they did this willingly.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: W, 4-3 (10) vs. Rochester Red Wings — Scranton only had four hits to Rochester’s 11, but they made ’em count and walked off the Red Wings

SS Anthony Volpe 0-4, 2 K — third rehab appearance
SS Jonathan Ornelas 0-0
LF Jasson Domínguez 0-4, K
CF Spencer Jones 0-3, BB
RF Yanquiel Fernández 2-4, K — half of the RailRiders’ hit total
3B Oswaldo Cabrera 0-4, 2 K — scored tying run in the 10th on a wild pitch
DH Seth Brown 0-2, BB, SB
PR-DH Duke Ellis 0-0, 2 SB
1B Ernesto Martínez Jr. 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K — hit a two-run shot to tie it in the eighth, and then walked it off in the 10th on a single to right
SS Paul DeJong 0-3, throwing error
C Payton Henry 0-3, K

Adam Kloffenstein 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, HR, HBP
Yerry De los Santos 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Dylan Coleman 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Yovanny Cruz 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Danny Watson 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K — gave up RBI double in 10th that put Rochester ahead)
Harrison Cohen 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (win) — entered after a Watson jam, stranded runners on K’s, and won

Double-A Somerset Patriots:L, 6-7 at Richmond Flying Squirrels — lost lead and got walked off in bottom of the ninth

SS George Lombard Jr. 0-4, BB, K, CS
RF Garrett Martin 1-3 BB, K, HBP
CF Jace Avina 2-4, 2 HR, BB, 2 RBI, 1 K — multi-homer night!
2B Marco Luciano 0-4, BB, 2 K, SB
1B Coby Morales 1-3, HR, BB, RBI, GIDP, 2 SB — hit go-ahead bomb two batters after Avina tied it
3B Tyler Hardman 0-4, 3 K
DH Jackson Castillo 3-3, 2B, BB, 3 RBI — perfect day, and his two-run single had the Patriots ahead for awhile
LF DJ Gladney 1-4, K
C Manuel Palencia 0-3, BB

Xavier Rivas 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Michael Arias 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Kelly Austin 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K
Hayden Merda 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Chris Kean 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, HR (loss) — a strike away from winning on multiple occasions, allowed a double and then a walk-off homer to Drew Cavanaugh

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades: W, 6-4 vs. Brooklyn Cyclones

SS Kaeden Kent 1-5, RBI, GIDP
3B Core Jackson 3-3, 2B, 3B, RBI, SF — homer shy of the cycle and a perfect day at the plate
1B Kyle West 1-4
C Eric Genther 1-4, RBI, passed ball
2B Roderick Arias 0-2, BB, K, HBP, SB
RF Wilson Rodriguez 1-3, 3B, BB
LF Josh Moylan 3-3, 3 RBI, SF — Cyclones never figured out how to retire him either
DH Josue Gonzalez 0-4, K
CF Cole Gabrielson 1-3, BB, K

Carlos Rodón 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, HBP — first rehab start, looked very good
Rory Fox 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 8 K, HR (win)

Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 4-3 at Lakeland Flying Tigers

2B Enmanuel Tejeda 3-5, 2B, 2 K
DH Engelth Urena 1-5, 2 K
CF JoJo Jackson 0-4, RBI, 2 K, SF
SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 3-5, RBI, K
LF Willy Montero 0-3, 2 BB, K
C Ediel Rivera 0-5, 3 K, passed ball
1B Austin Green 2-3, 3B, BB — tripled right before the hit of the night
3B Kevin Verde 1-4, HR, 2 RBI — first pro homer above Rookie ball made it 4-3, Tampa, in the eighth
RF Santiago Gomez 0-3, BB, 2 K, SB, CS, outfield assist

Justin West 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 6 K, WP, balk
Jose Ledesma 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, WP
Thomas Balboni Jr. 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, HBP (win)
Greysen Carter 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K

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Saturday’s MLB board is full of spots to attack — if you know where to look.

We’re locking in our top MLB picks and moneyline plays for Saturday, April 25, targeting pitching mismatches, fading overpriced favorites, and backing teams in strong form before the market fully adjusts.

MLB moneyline picks for April 25

Matchup	Pick
SEA vs STL	-138
CLE vs TOR	-133
BOS vs BAL	-113
MIA vs SF	-113
COL vs NYM	-186
MIN vs TB	+117
WSH vs CWS	+113
SD vs AZ	+100
ATH vs TEX	-133
LAA vs KC	-138
NYY vs HOU	-133
PIT vs MIL	+127
DET vs CIN	-104
PHI vs ATL	-127
CHC vs  LAD	-150

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 4-25.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 25

Mariners vs Cardinals: Mariners (-138)

Mariners win probability: 58%

Bryan Woo has been really solid to start the year, and that gives them a clear edge on the mound.

The Cardinals haven’t done enough offensively to scare you, and Liberatore tends to put guys on base, which can get him in trouble.

If Woo does his job, Seattle should be in control and win this one.

Guardians vs Blue Jays: Blue Jays (-133)

Blue Jays win probability: 57%

Kevin Gausman has been sharp and gives them the edge over Joey Cantillo, who’s been fine but not dominant.

The Jays are also hitting better right now, and Cleveland’s offense hasn’t done much to separate.

At home with the better arm, Toronto should take care of business.

Red Sox vs Orioles: Orioles (-113)

Orioles win probability: 53%

Garrett Crochet has been getting hit hard, and that’s a bad combo against an Orioles lineup with some pop.

Trevor Rogers isn’t perfect, but he’s been more stable, and Boston’s offense has been near the bottom.

Baltimore has the edge.

Marlins vs Giants: Giants (-113)

Giants win probability: 53%

Robbie Ray has been solid, and Miami’s offense drops off in this matchup.

The Marlins can hit, but Ray limits damage better than Pérez, and the Giants should do just enough at the plate.

This feels like a controlled, lower-scoring win for San Francisco.

Rockies vs Mets: Mets (-186)

Mets win probability: 65%

Not pretty, but New York has the edge.

Both starters have been bad, but Kodai Senga still has more upside than Quintana, and Colorado on the road is always a tough sell.

The Mets have the slightly safer path to outscore them.

Twins vs Rays: Twins (+117)

Twins win probability: 46%

Bailey Ober has been the more stable arm, and Tampa’s pitching hasn’t been as sharp as usual.

The Rays can hit, but Minnesota has been more consistent overall, especially at the plate.

If Ober holds things down, the Twins can get this done.

Nationals vs White Sox: Nationals (+113)

Nationals win probability: 47%

Neither team is great, but Washington’s lineup has been more productive, and Chicago’s pitching still gives up too much.

Jake Irvin isn’t perfect, but he’s facing an offense that hasn’t done much. Washington can outscore them here.

Padres vs Diamondbacks: Padres (+100)

Padres win probability: 50%

San Diego has been more reliable on the mound, and Arizona hasn’t done enough to earn trust.

Zac Gallen is solid, but the Padres' lineup can get to him, and their pitching does a better job limiting damage over nine innings.

Athletics vs Rangers: Rangers (-133)

Rangers win probability: 57%

Jeffrey Springs has been good, but Texas is the more complete team.

The Rangers' lineup is deeper, and they’ve been much better at preventing runs. 

Angels vs Royals: Angels (-138)

Angels win probability: 58%

Cole Ragans has struggled, putting too many runners on base, and that’s dangerous against a lineup with power.

Walbert Ureña isn’t dominant, but he should be steady enough. The Angels have the better path to control this game.

Yankees vs Astros: Yankees (-133)

Yankees win probability: 57%

Ryan Weathers has been solid, while Houston’s pitching has been a problem.

The Yankees' lineup is in a much better spot right now, and the Astros are giving up runs at a high rate.

That’s a tough combo to overcome.

Pirates vs Brewers: Pirates (+127)

Pirates win probability: 44%

Mitch Keller has been more reliable, and Pittsburgh’s lineup has shown a bit more pop.

Milwaukee can create pressure on the bases, but if Keller keeps things steady, the Pirates can grind out enough offense to win.

Phillies vs Braves: Braves (-127)

Braves win probability: 56%

Atlanta is rolling right now. The offense is producing, and Bryce Elder has been sharp, while Zack Wheeler hasn’t looked like himself. 

Philly isn’t hitting enough to keep pace.

Tigers vs Reds: Tigers (-104)

Tigers win probability: 51%

Detroit’s lineup has been more consistent, and while Jack Flaherty hasn’t been perfect, he’s still a step up from Brady Singer.

Cincinnati’s offense has been one of the weakest in the league.

Cubs vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-150)

Dodgers win probability: 60%

This is a strong matchup, but the Dodgers have the deeper lineup and a more complete team.

Even with some pitching questions, their offense can carry them at home.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (13-11)

SYRACUSE 3, WORCESTER 0 (BOX)

Three runs in the third were all the Mets needed in this one. Nick Morabito and Ji Hwan Bae drove basically all of the offense, compiling five hits and three walks atop the lineup. Meanwhile, six pitchers combined to shutout the Red Sox, including a perfect inning from the rehabbing A.J. Minter. Austin Warren also recorded two outs and has a 1.13 ERA on the season.

• CF Nick Morabito: 2-3, R, 2B, 2 BB, K, CS (1)
• LF Ji Hwan Bae: 3-4, R, RBI, BB, SB (5)
• RF Ryan Clifford: 0-4, RBI, K
• 1B Christian Arroyo: 1-3, RBI, BB, K
• 3B Vidal Bruján: 0-4
• DH Cristian Pache: 1-4
• SS Jackson Cluff: 0-3, BB, K
• C Hayden Senger: 0-4, 2 K
• 2B Yonny Hernández: 0-3, R, K
• RHP Daniel Duarte: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• RHP Austin Warren: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, W (2-1)
• REHAB ALERT: LHP A.J. Minter: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, H (2)
• RHP Dakota Hawkins: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, H (1)
• RHP Dan Hammer: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, H (1)
• LHP Anderson Severino: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, S (3)

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (7-11)

BINGHAMTON 10, ERIE 2 (BOX)

Four homers for the Rumble Ponies propelled them to a 10-2 win. A.J. Ewing launched a homer for the second consecutive day and now has an OPS over 1.000, and he sure looks the part of a top-end prospect. Chris Suero, Jose Ramos, and Nick Lorusso also went deep; Lorusso finished a triple shy of the cycle.

• 2B A.J. Ewing: 1-3, R, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB, E (3)
• C Chris Suero: 1-5, R, HR (4), RBI, K
• CF Eli Serrano III: 1-3, R, RBI
• LF Jose Ramos: 1-4, R, HR (3), 2 RBI, K
• DH Kevin Parada: 1-4, R, 2 K
• 3B Nick Lorusso: 3-4, 3 R, 2B, HR (2), RBI, K
• RF Matt Rudick: 1-3, R, BB, K
• SS Wyatt Young: 2-3, RBI
• 1B Vincent Perozo: 1-3, R, RBI, 2 K
• RHP Brendan Girton: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, W (1-1)
• LHP Jefry Yan: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• RHP Saul Garcia: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• LHP Gabriel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• RHP Ben Simon: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (4-14)

HUDSON VALLEY 6, BROOKLYN 4 (BOX)

Despite a big day from Kevin Villavicencio, the Cyclones couldn’t rally back from an early deficit. Mitch Voit’s offense continues to be sluggish, and there’s not many other names of true note on the offensive side here. Hopefully there will be some reinforcement here down the line this season, but the current iteration of the team isn’t much fun.

• SS Mitch Voit: 1-4, K, SB (5)
• RF John Bay: 1-4, R, 2 K
• DH Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-4, K
• C Ronald Hernandez: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K
• 3B Colin Houck: 0-4, 3 K
• 1B Yohairo Cuevas: 1-4, R, K, SB (2)
• 2B Kevin Villavicencio: 2-3, 2 R, HR (2), 2 RBI, BB, SB (2)
• LF Diego Mosquera: 0-4, 2 K
• CF Heriberto Rincon: 1-4, RBI, K
• RHP Irving Cota: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, L (1-1)
• RHP Parker Carlson: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
• RHP Garrett Stratton: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• RHP Hunter Hodges: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RHP Felix Cepeda: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (9-10)

PALM BEACH 12, ST. LUCIE 4 (BOX)

Second straight ugly loss for the Mets to the visiting Cardinals. Ernesto Mercedes was the primary culprit, surrendering five runs while recording only a single out. Elian Peña continues to look real good though, so that’s something.

• SS Elian Peña: 1-3, R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 SB (8)
• LF JT Benson: 1-4, R, 2B, BB
• RF Randy Guzman: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K
• 1B Julio Zayas: 0-4, 4 K, E (1)
• DH AJ Salgado: 2-4, R, HR (4), RBI
• 3B Sam Robertson: 0-4, 2 K
• CF Sam Biller: 2-4, R, 2B, K
• C Francisco Toledo: 0-4, 2 K
• 2B Vladi Gomez: 1-3, RBI, K
• RHP Cam Tilly: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
• RHP Luke Jackson: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• RHP Ernesto Mercedes: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, L (0-1)
• RHP Miguel Mejias: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• RHP Joe Scarborough: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• RHP Luis Alvarez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• RHP Jorge De Leon: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Rookie: FCL Mets (0-0)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Nick Morabito

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Ernesto Mercedes

Mizzou baseball’s recent struggles continued Friday evening with a 5-0 loss against No. 24 Arkansas. The defeat clinches a third straight series loss in Southeastern Conference play and leaves the Tigers without an SEC win at home since their 12-11 victory over Auburn in May. 10 2024.

The Tigers will have one more chance to earn their first victory against Arkansas since Mar. 26, 2022, on Sunday at 2:00 P.M CT and avoid the sweep in this year’s edition of the Battle Line rivalry.

In that game, the Tigers accumulated 13 hits, including two RBI singles, an RBI double, and a solo homer from their lineup. The bats in the order on Friday weren’t able to provide this level of execution or production. Two hits, three walks, and five strikeouts were all that Missouri had to show for against Razorbacks starter Cole Gibler and reliever Steel Eaves.

‘We do meetings, and we talk about what the pitchers’ arsenal is and how they’re going to be pitched,” Jackson said. “Our guys are armed with a ton of information. But for whatever reason, there are times where we get into the box, and we have a bunch of anxiety, and we forget the things we’ve talked about, so just being mindful of that and telling them to execute when it comes to the offensive strategy.”

Mizzou and the Razorbacks couldn’t find anything to separate them for the opening three innings, as Gibler and Tigers starter Brady Kehlenbrink were both putting up zeros. No runners left on base, seven strikeouts, and no hits were surrendered by Kehlenbrink as he cruised through his opening three innings of work.

Well, except for Kaden Peer providing Tigers fans with some extravagance in the outfield. For the third time this season, Peer took away a home run from the opposing side. The robbery victim this time was Maikia Niu, who had connected on a 1-0 pitch to deep center field.

Despite getting into three-ball counts in the opening inning, Kehlenbrink struck out the side, and by the third, he began to attack the zone with more aggression, while maintaining the accuracy, mowing down three more Razorbacks by the way of the strikeout.

Arkansas broke the deadlock in the fourth inning in a big way. Cam Kozeal was second in the home run category on the Razorbacks coming into the series. He made his mark with a two-run shot off of Kehlenbrink that a jumping Pierre Seals couldn’t provide Tigers fans another SportsCenter Top 10 moment.

The rockiness of the outing began for Kehlenbrink in the sixth, after a pair of singles by the two-headed monster of the Razorbacks lineup, Kozeal and Ryder Helfrick. Eli Skidmore took the reins and immediately ran into trouble, surrendering an RBI double to Niu, who ended up getting his RBI anyhow.

After issuing a free pass to Nolan Souza, Zack Stewart extended the Arkansas lead to four on his shallow single into center field. After retiring the next batter, another walk by Skidmore led to his replacement. Left-handed reliever Isaiah Salas closed the inning, as Carter Rutenbar grounded out to short to conclude the productive three-run sixth for the Razorbacks.

Salas pitched through the eighth, and following an error at second base by Blaize Ward on a ground ball to open the inning, Nolan Souza found himself on base and took full advantage, stealing second immediately after. A groundout that moved Souza to third base, followed up by an RBI single from Reese Robinett.

QUIET NIGHT FOR MISSOURI OFFENSE

You might have just read through that debriefing and thought to yourself, “Where was the mention of the Tigers’ offense?” That offense, as described earlier, earned two hits, coming from outfielders Donovan Jordan and Pierre Seals, and left a total of four runners on base.

Cole Gibler earned his season-high in innings pitched against the Tigers, an offense that has proven itself to be explosive and timely at certain points in the season. It hasn’t shown those colors enough throughout the course of their latest nine-game losing streak, four of those occasions scoring three runs or less.

In Missouri’s 5-4 defeat to Arkansas on Thursday, there were brief moments from Jase Woita and Blaize Ward, a pair of homers that gave a spark from plate appearances. The candle was very much snuffed out in Friday’s at-bats for the Tigers.

“We’re allergic to offense and executing two-strike pitches,” Missouri coach Kerrick Jackson said. That’s ultimately what today’s game came down to…There’s a pride aspect of it where you can’t keep going up and doing the same things and expecting it to be different. Hitting is hard, and I think our guys are chasing hits and not quality at-bats.”

PITCHING STAFF FEELING EFFECTS OF PLATE STRUGGLES

As the outs continued to pile up, fellow MU baseball writer Amber Winkler and I looked through the previous games where the Missouri offense had faltered in a quality outing.

To her credit, Amber had found that in two of Mizzou’s four shutout losses, Brady Kehlenbrink has been on the mound. Now, following this defeat, it’s been five shutout losses, three Kehlenbrink outings.

The Tigers had also scored fewer than three runs in five of their outings, and each of these has now increased by one, respectively, following the 6-0 defeat on Friday. Jackson had this to say post-game on those pair of statistics.

“I think it’s tough for anybody,” Jackson said. “In one of those shutouts we lost 1-0, I think anytime you’re not scoring, and you’re going out and putting your team in a position to win, you want to be in a better position when it comes to that. So I’m sure there’s frustration on his part, but he’s no more frustrated than we are.”

UP NEXT

Missouri will look to avoid the sweep in the series finale at 2:00 P.M. Saturday. Claiming a victory in the Battle Line rivalry and breaking its recent losing streak is what the Tigers will be looking for to turn their fortunes.

Since splitting that strange four-game set with the Angels in the Mike Trout/Aaron Judge Show, the Yankees haven’t lost. They swept the Royals, shipped up to Boston and did the same to the Red Sox, and are now coming off a decisive win in Houston last night, their seventh in a row. The only bad part was Giancarlo Stanton leaving early with a calf injury. As we await word on whether Stanton will need IL time, the Yanks are still sitting pretty and eyeing and eight-game winning streak with Ryan Weathers taking the bump tonight. Very nice!

Today on the site, Nick will present his first edition of the monthly Reliever Confidence Index, Madison will run through the latest the Rivalry Roundup, and Matt will celebrate the 143rd birthday of a forgotten Deadball Era one-year wonder. Later, Matt will return to create an All-Star team of April birthdays in Yankees history.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros

Time: 7:10 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Space City Home Network

Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

Questions/Prompts:

1. What were your impressions of the Astros after seeing the 2026 iteration for the first time this year?

2. Now that the dust has settled a bit on the NFL Draft, did you have any quick reactions to the first couple days?

New York Post | Mark W. Sanchez: Among the many positives to come out of the Yankees’ sweep of the Red Sox was the first homer of the year from Jazz Chisholm Jr., who saw his OPS rise almost 60 points during the series. Chisholm credited a small mechanical tweak as a possible reason for his improved play over that span, saying that he opened up his stance and backed off the plate a little bit. “Probably his best group of at-bats, especially off some tough lefty matchups there,” Aaron Boone said of Chisholm this week.

On cue, Chisholm went out and had his best game of the year in last night’s demolition of the Astros, reaching base four times and hitting his second homer. Let’s hope this version of Chisholm is here to stay.

MLB.com | Steve Schaffer: Giancarlo Stanton exited last night’s game in Houston after appearing to suffer a leg injury running the bases. It’s the kind of injury we’ve all come to expect from Stanton at some point nearly each year, but it’s always disheartening when it actually happens. Stanton’s injury was later reported as “right lower leg tightness,” with Boone saying it was related to the calf.

ESPN | David Schoenfield and Jorge Castillo: This week’s series at Fenway Park highlighted the divergent fates of the Yankees and Red Sox so far this season. ESPN spelled out exactly what’s gone right in New York and what’s gone wrong in Boston, with the Yankees’ starting rotation and Boston’s lack of bop the main storylines. The Red Sox also have concerns about their ace Garrett Crochet, who’s gotten absolutely crushed in his last two starts. Boston will likely pull it together at some point, but for now, it’s not so bad to see the Yankees’ rivals eight games back in the AL East standings.

MLB.com | Shanthi Sepe-Cheperu: Gerrit Cole’s steady journey back to the bigs continued on Thursday night, the right-hander taking the ball for High-A Hudson Valley and tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Cole got up to 52 pitches (42 strikes), after throwing 44 pitches in his first rehab start. The Yankees are working him up slowly and carefully, and he appears to remain on track for a return to the majors in roughly a month if all goes to plan.

As if it was 2024 again, Cole was followed in Hudson Valley by Carlos Rodón last night, making his first pro appearances of 2026. In 4.1 innings of his own, he threw shutout ball, struck out four, and allowed one hit and a walk across 65 pitches. The Yankees expect that he’ll need just two more rehab starts before returning to the rotation from his much-less-serious elbow surgery.

MLB.com | Jason Catania: What should the Yankees do with Spencer Jones? It’s a question we’ve asked many times before, and probably will ask many times more. The options are pretty clear: bring him up to the majors, continue to let him develop at Triple-A, or trade him for immediate veteran reinforcement. The most likely outcome for now is the status quo, with Jones remaining in the minors to try and refine the rougher edges of his game, but anything is possible come the summer, when the Yankees will presumably be shopping at the deadline.

It was not third time’s the charm for Freddy Peralta. 

The Mets pitcher faltered toward the end of his night Friday against the Rockies as he lost his third consecutive start and continued to struggle with his longevity. 

Peralta pitched a scoreless four innings before surrendering control, as he allowed an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the fifth before giving up a go-ahead double from Jake McCarthy the following inning in the Mets’ 4-3 loss. 

The righty had managed to get off relatively scot-free after loading the bases in the fifth but was pulled shortly after McCarthy’s RBI put runners on second and third. 

He finished his night with eight strikeouts against seven hits in 5 ²/₃ innings, and acknowledged he’s putting “pressure on myself” to finish starts off. 

“Mentally, I have to allow myself to keep trusting in the process. Because I feel amazing, man, I feel really good,” he said following the loss. 

“Everything’s been great, like the work that I’ve been putting in every day. It’s just, whenever I get to the mound — just finish it. That’s it. And I know for sure that a lot of those are going to come.” 

Peralta, whom the Mets acquired from Milwaukee in January, has lasted six innings just once in his six starts this season, while his current ERA (3.90) would be his worst over a full season since 2020. 

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Nonetheless, the Dominican pitcher said he felt good about Friday’s performance aside from not finishing the sixth, and, more importantly, has the backing of his manager. 

“I mean, he did it once already, so he’ll get there,” Carlos Mendoza said of Peralta lasting six innings. “He’s an ace. Yeah, I’m not worried about that.” 

Mendoza conceded that Peralta, who also walked three batters Friday, does try to be “too perfect” at times, but said he has been “pretty solid” in general. 

The pitcher’s teammates also did him few favors with their lack of run support prior to their short-lived offensive burst in the eighth — when he had already been replaced by Sean Manaea.

HOUSTON — Entering Friday, only one player in the big leagues had lost more automated ball-strike system challenges than José Caballero, but none had won more than the Yankees shortstop.

Taking into account the situations in which Caballero has challenged and been unsuccessful — not necessarily the highest-leverage spots — some have looked worse than others on the way to being 5-for-10.

And while Aaron Boone said it is “possible” that he could get to a point where he would tell a player to stop challenging, the Yankees manager is not yet at that stage with anyone just a month into the ABS era.

That said, Boone has had conversations with Caballero about some of his challenges.

“Firm,” Boone said with a grin of the nature of those conversations. “Quite firm.”

It would not be surprising if Boone had a similar conversation with Jazz Chisholm Jr. after Friday’s 12-4 win over the Astros, following his horrific challenge on a 3-2 pitch in the ninth inning that was not close to being a ball.

“You just gotta laugh, at that point,” Chisholm said. “We were winning, it’s a kid’s game. You got to laugh at some things. Sometimes you just got to laugh at yourself and walk off. Did get fined a thousand dollars, but it’s OK.”

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Chisholm, who is 1-for-6 in challenges, indicated it was his second fine of the season.

“I put that as myself fining myself,” he said. “I got to do something for the team worth at least $1,000 after that.”

Coming into Friday’s series opener, Caballero was tied for the major league lead with five successful challenges. But his five unsuccessful challenges were tied for the second most, trailing only Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., who had six.

Meanwhile, Caballero could be in his last week as the Yankees’ starting shortstop as Anthony Volpe is nearing a return from the injured list — perhaps as soon as the beginning of the homestand next Friday.

Boone said he was “not necessarily anticipating” Volpe returning on the last stop of this road trip against the Rangers in a series that runs Monday through Wednesday.

Carlos Rodón looking sharp in his first rehab start for the @HVRenegades.

The @Yankees southpaw racks up 4 K's over 4 1/3 scoreless innings and tosses 43 of his 65 pitches for strikes. pic.twitter.com/AhTDQZSW2f

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 25, 2026

Carlos Rodón began his rehab assignment Friday night at High-A Hudson Valley, throwing 65 pitches across 4 ¹/₃ scoreless innings.

The left-hander, who struck out four and allowed just one hit and one walk, is expected to need at least two more rehab starts before he might be ready to return to the Yankees rotation.

Rodón is expected to come back before Gerrit Cole, who threw 52 pitches in his second rehab start Thursday night.

“I thought [Cole] looked really good,” Boone said. “Another good step for him. I didn’t hear how he’s doing yet [Friday], I’m assuming everything was fine, but I thought he looked good. … Overall, his fastball’s in a pretty good place, both four-seam and two-seam.”

Fernando Cruz and Ryan Yarbrough both pitched Friday for the first time in over a week.

Cruz gave up a pair of solo home runs in the seventh inning before Yarbrough closed out the game with a pair of scoreless frames.

Ryan Weathers is expected to return from the paternity list to start Saturday’s game.

Devin Williams spent Thursday night with some of his new pitching coaches with the Mets looking at video of what’s gone wrong for him this season. 

“He’s not feeling sorry for himself,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the closer, who has been scored upon in each of his last four appearances and allowed multiple base runners in six straight outings heading into Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Rockies in which he did not pitch. 

“They’re looking for what’s missing here,’’ Mendoza said. “He knows what he needs to do to get out of it. He’ll continue to get opportunities [as closer].” 

Williams’ changeup, which helped make him one of the most dominant relievers in the game — at least until Pete Alonso homered off him in the 2024 playoffs — has been hit hard this season, as batters are feasting on it. 

President of baseball operations David Stearns said Williams’ “changeup hasn’t been exactly where he wants it yet.” 

And his four-seam fastball hasn’t been much more effective. 

Pitching coach Justin Willard said they are working on some minor tweaks and said he does not believe Williams is pitching poorly because of playing in New York — even as he’s struggled as a closer in The Bronx and Queens. 

“That guy has the slowest heartbeat I’ve ever been around,” Willard said. “It’s not the atmosphere. It’s minor tweaks to get him back to the level he wants to be at, which is one of the best to have ever done this.” 

The rest of the bullpen is a bit of a mess, as well, with the Mets going with David Peterson, Sean Manaea and Tobias Myers — all options to be in the rotation — pitching in relief. 

Mendoza acknowledged Friday that might not be sustainable — and that was before Manaea threw 3 ¹/₃ innings out of the bullpen in Friday’s loss, striking out seven and throwing 61 pitches. 

Before the game, Christian Scott was optioned to Syracuse after he struggled Thursday in his return from Tommy John surgery. Scott walked five in just 1 ¹/₃ innings, but the move to Triple-A was not a product of his poor outing, according to Mendoza. 

“It had nothing to do with [Thursday] night,’’ the manager said. “The message was, ‘Flush that one, go back and you’re going to start a lot of games here.’ ” 

Since they needed an arm capable of providing length out of the pen, veteran right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. was recalled from Triple-A. 

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The 34-year-old Edwards has spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors. 

Peterson, who has pitched well in long relief after three straight poor starts, may replace Scott in the rotation and will almost certainly pitch on Wednesday, either in a start or after an opener. 

Kodai Senga starts Saturday after two of the worst outings of his career. 

Despite his subpar performance, Stearns said a move to the bullpen hasn’t been considered. 

“We’ve seen flashes from Kodai,” Stearns said. “We haven’t seen consistency. We’re banking on the flashes and him continuing to get into the rhythm of the season, but we need more consistency.” 

Jorge Polanco, nursing a right wrist contusion and a sore left Achilles, began baseball activities Friday, but is “week to week” according to Stearns. 

Whenever he does return, the Mets still hope to include him in the first base mix since they want flexibility at DH, especially with Juan Soto still being protected after his return from his calf strain. … The Mets have lost the opening game of their last five series. 

Through the heartbreak, an underdog became a big-leaguer originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO — A few hours before hitting cleanup in Wrigley Field on Wednesday, Felix Reyes reached under his red practice jersey and pulled out the pendant he wears around his neck, a constant reminder of his No. 1 supporter.

“Every at-bat, every game, he’s always here,” the 25-year-old Phillies rookie said.

The pendant features a small photo of Reyes and his dad, also named Felix. The photo was taken in February 2024, back home in the Dominican Republic, just a few months before Felix Sr., was struck by a car and killed at age 62 in the family’s hometown of Bani.

When young Felix was called up to the majors from Triple A last week, folks throughout the Phillies’ player development system and Latin American scouting and development departments quietly rejoiced.

“He’s an unbelievable kid, an unbelievable human, the kind you’d like to see your daughter bring home,” said Sal Agostinelli, the organization’s longtime international scouting boss who now serves as a special adviser in that department.

“Everybody loves him. He’s humble. Polite. He’s dedicated to his family. He’s worked his butt off to get where he is.

“We’re like a big family here. Felix has gone through a lot. That’s why we’re all so happy for him. It couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

Though physically imposing at 6-4, 256 pounds, Reyes is a baseball underdog. Like most young players from the Dominican Republic, he hoped to be signed at age 16, but was repeatedly passed over because he didn’t run well, didn’t have a true defensive position. Luis Garcia, a Phillies scout in the DR, always liked Reyes’ bat, however. He kept tabs on the kid as he moved around the diamond, even trying pitching at one point in an effort to catch a team’s eye.

Garcia eventually convinced another DR-based Phillies scout, Carlos Salas, to take a look. He, too, saw potential in the bat. They took some video and sent it to Agostinelli. For the bargain rate of $10,000, the Phillies took a chance and signed Reyes. He was already 19, a late signee by international standards. Maybe the late signee would be a late bloomer.

As Reyes was being passed over by other teams in the DR, he thought of quitting baseball.

His father would not let him.

“My dad introduced me to the game when I was a kid,” Reyes said with Phillies’ Spanish language interpreter Diego D’Aniello lending a hand. “He always took me to the field. I always say that after God, he’s the reason I’m with the Phillies organization right now because at one point I wanted to be done with the game. He’s the one who talked to me all the time and insisted I keep playing.”

Reyes’ journey through pro ball has been a slow climb. He signed during the pandemic and spent three years in the low minors bouncing between corner infield and outfield positions, trying to capitalize on his signature tool, his bat. He made it full-time to High A Jersey Shore in 2024 and had an outstanding showing in winter ball in Columbia following that season. Still, at the start of the 2025 season, there wasn’t a roster spot for Reyes in the minors, so he had to stay in extended spring training. Some privately say the team was considering releasing him. Others say the Phillies simply wanted him to get more at-bats before being assigned to Double A Reading.

Either way, Reyes finally got to Reading a few weeks into the season and when he did, he took off, solidifying himself on the organization’s radar screen in 95 games there.

Reyes led the Eastern League in batting average (.335), doubles (34), slugging (.572) and OPS (.937). He hit 15 homers and was league MVP.

Edwar Gonzalez, in his first season as the big club’s assistant hitting coach, watched Reyes’ development in his previous role as minor-league hitting coordinator. Gonzalez saw an improved hitter and student of the game in 2025.

“The previous winter in Columbia, that’s when he started turning the page,” Gonzalez said. “He had an amazing season there. He learned what pitchers were trying to do to him and he took that into our season. His attention to detail improved. He bought into his routine, started taking more advantage of resources and little by little got better. He bought into game-planning. He studied pitchers. Those qualities had previously been questionable. But in 2025, he was a different player. He showed great maturity.”

That happens when life hits you hard.

And Gonzalez knows how hard life hit Reyes.

Reyes had just finished a game with the Jersey Shore club on May 28, 2024. He retreated to the clubhouse and was blindsided by dozens of voice mails and texts on his phone. Earlier that day, his father, an electrical technician, had been struck by a car and killed while walking on a street back home. His younger sister, Yasmil, was injured in the accident, but survived thanks to her quick-thinking father, who was able to get her far enough out of the way to avoid full impact.

Gonzalez called Reyes that night.

“We connect with these players and we care about them,” Gonzalez said. “As soon as he heard my voice, he started crying and screaming on the phone.”

After the accident, Reyes returned to the DR and spent two weeks with his mom, Juanamaria, and five siblings, two who still live at home. While at home, Reyes experienced a wide range of emotions, from heartbreak to resolve. He realized how much his family needed him. The best way to be there for them was to continue to follow the dream he shared with his dad.

“My faith in God has helped me a lot,” he said. “It’s been one of the keys to keep me going. I’ve been through a lot of difficult times. It has helped me be stronger and move on for me and my family.

“I believe my dad is grateful to me for the way I’ve taken care of our family after everything that has happened. In the same way, I’ll always be grateful to him and never forget all he did.”

Gonzalez is amazed by the strength Reyes has shown.

“Something like what he went through can crush a person,” he said. “But he does the opposite. He keeps fighting. He doesn’t stop throwing punches. We were talking when he moved up. I told him, ‘You’re here because you’re doing great things.’

“It’s one of the most amazing stories I’ve seen in my career.”

Reyes’ journey to the majors included a storybook moment, a home run in his first big-league at-bat last week. The Phillies are struggling mightily and are searching for offense. There are still flaws in Reyes’ game, such as plate discipline, but he’s shown the ability to improve and if he continues to do that, the opportunities will continue to come.

Baseball is a performance-based business. Reyes understands that. He understands a lot of things now. And he knows the man on the pendant he wears around his neck is with him every step of the way.

“This was our dream,” Felix Reyes said. “I think he’s proud.”

Emmet Sheehan’s night started with a PitchCom issue.

There weren’t many hiccups for the Dodgers starter after that.

But, somehow, Los Angeles still lost.

The 26-year-old right-hander dominated the red-hot Cubs on Friday, but a Dodgers bullpen implosion saddled Los Angeles with a stunning 6-4 defeat at Dodger Stadium.

“He did a great job,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of his starter. “It’s just unfortunate that we couldn’t get him a win. Because he pitched his tail off.”

Sheehan, who entered with a 5.85 ERA, struck out seven of the first nine batters he faced and appeared to have control of all his pitches.

His fastball velocity — the subject of much consternation earlier this year — dipped from 95-96 mph to 92-93 mph in the fourth inning, though it came back up later.

Sheehan ultimately went 6 1/3 innings and tied his career high with 10 strikeouts. He allowed four hits and one walk.

His pristine line, however, was scuffed up in the seventh, when Alex Vesia replaced him following a Moises Ballesteros base hit. Vesia gave up two knocks, hanging one earned run on Sheehan while adding two to his own ledger.

Blake Treinen relieved Vesia an inning later and surrendered a solo shot to Alex Bregman — who was booed throughout the game — that tied the game at four.

Tanner Scott ultimately yielded the game-winning runs in the top of the ninth after Dansby Swanson took him deep to left.

Asked about his bullpen usage after the game, Roberts said, “I wouldn’t do anything different.”

“We all gotta do our parts,” he added. “Just tonight, we didn’t get it done.”

Offensively, the Dodgers started sleepily against Chicago righty Jameson Taillon, but after Hyeseong Kim recorded the team’s first hit in the third inning, they briefly woke up.

Alex Freeland worked a walk following the Kim hit, and two batters later, Will Smith plated Freeland and Kim with a three-run home run to right field.

The Dodgers tacked on another run in the fourth via a Kim single, but that’s all they’d score the rest of the night.

What it means

Baseball fans everywhere know the Dodgers are almost certainly the real deal, but they’ve sure been scuffling. They’re now losers of five of their last eight — and have some real bullpen questions.

Who’s hot

Hyeseong Kim. After a two-hit afternoon against the Giants on Thursday, the shortstop logged two more hits in the series opener against the Cubs. He scored a run, plated another and stole a bag, too. He had another hit taken away in the seventh thanks to a wild defensive play by the Cubs.

In his last four games, Kim has five hits, three RBIs and two steals.

Who’s not

Shohei Ohtani. The four-time MVP has found himself in quite the rut at the plate. After going 0-for-9 in the final two games of LA’s road series with San Francisco, he’s 0-for-3 to start things off vs. Chicago.

During one of his at-bats early in the contest, he didn’t look comfortable at all, with his helmet falling off his head on a bad swing and a miss.

Roberts, though, told reporters he thought “there was a better effort” from his star slugger.

“Obviously,” the manager said, “the results aren’t what we would hope for. But, yeah, I thought today was better.”

Up next

The Cubs and Dodgers will square off again at Dodger Stadium on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

The Chicago Cubs (17-9) came into the series against the Dodgers (17-9) red hot having won nine straight games, their longest winning streak in 10 years. The Cubs couldn’t touch Emmet Sheehan in the series opener Friday at Dodger Stadium, but as soon as he came out Chicago pounced on the L.A. bullpen and scored six unanswered runs for the 6-4 comeback win.

Sheehan’s slider stifled the Chicago batters in the series opener, and he started the night with two perfect innings and four strikeouts. Ultimately, Sheehan wasn’t involved in the decision but struck out 10 in 6 1/3 and on 101 pitches in his most dominant start of the season.

With two outs in the third, Will Smith powered an opposite field three-run home run off a Taillon four-seam fastball to give the Dodgers the first lead of the game.

The first base hit of the night against Sheehan, a ground-rule double, came off the bat of old friend Michael Busch in the top of the fourth.

Andy Pages continues to impress. Busch tested the arm of Pages for some unknown reason with a three-run deficit. Alex Bregman singled to center, and Pages charged and fired a bullet to cut down Busch at the plate. Smith made a great tag as well to preserve the shutout for Sheehan.

It was the first outfield assist for Pages on the season but likely not the last.

Hyeseong Kim drove in Max Muncy, again with two outs, to tack on a fourth run for the Dodgers in the bottom of the fourth.

The Cubbies had runners at the corners with one out in the sixth looking to battle back. The Chicago batters adjusted, waiting on Sheehan’s slider. Dansby Swanson was hit by a pitch, and Busch singled him to third with his second hit of the game.

Sheehan earned his ninth strike out of the night when Bregman swung through a slider. Whiff No. 10 came from an ABS challenge initiated by Smith. Once again Smith used ABS to snag an extra strike back. Ian Happ went down on strikes, and the Cubs remained off the board through six.

It was the calm before the Chicago storm. After Sheehan was relieved in the seventh the Cubs attacked a shaky Dodgers pen.

Alex Vesia came in to take over for Sheehan with one out, and he was unable to hold off the late-inning Chicago offense. Vesia walked Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Swanson tripled to center field. Pages crashed against the wall, but he was unable to make the catch. Two runs came in to break up the shutout and put the Cubs right back in the game.

Nico Hoerner singled in Swanson, and all of a sudden it was a one-run game. Vesia reared back to strike out Busch and prevent the Cubs from tying the game at least momentarily.

Defense was on display by the Cubs in the home half of the seventh. Pages received a taste of his own medicine when he was thrown out in an attempt to stretch a double into a triple. Hoerner also dazzled with the glove to get the speedy Kim out at first.

Alex Freeland singled with two outs against Ryan Rolison to extend the inning and bring up Ohtani. The arguably slumping slugger struck out for the third time on the night.

Alex Bregman hit a bomb off Blake Treinen in the eighth to tie it 4-4. Happ singled. Moisés Ballesteros doubled but was thrown out at the plate by Kim’s relay from Pages. Another spot-on tag from Smith erased another run at the plate to keep it tied.

Tanner Scott continued to mightily struggle on the mound this year. Swanson completed the onslaught on the L.A. bullpen with a two-run home run to seal the deal on the come-from-behind victory.

The Cubs are going to be a problem.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Will Smith (3), Alex Bregman (3), Dansby Swanson (6)

WP — Ryan Rolison (1-0): 3 IP, 2 hits, no runs, no walks, 1 strikeout (35 pitches)

LP — Tanner Scott (0-1): 2/3 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, no walks, no strikeouts (17 pitches)

Sv — Corbin Martin (1): 1 IP, 1 strikeout

Up next

Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA, 1.87 WHIP) looks for a dominant start after failing to find consistency as a starter thus far this season (4:15 p.m.; FOX). Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) starts for Chicago.

It didn’t take long for the Giants to fall back to earth after taking two of three from the Dodgers.

The Marlins pounced on Adrian Houser and handed San Francisco a 9-4 loss.

Houser surrendered eight runs, all earned, on a career-high 11 hits, two of which left the yard, and took his third loss of the season Friday night to open a three-game series against Miami at Oracle Park.

The Marlins (13-13) led 8-0 by the end of the second inning, which was more than enough behind Sandy Alcantara, who only allowed the Giants (11-15) to turn nine hits into three runs across six frames.

Rafael Devers and Willy Adames were the only Giants kept off the bases as the team banged out 11 hits, matching their seventh-best total of the season. They are 6-0 when totaling 12 or more hits.

Jung Hoo Lee sent a solo shot on a hop into McCovey Cove in the eighth inning. His second home run of the season gave Lee his third hit of the night and the Giants their fourth run for the first time in five games.

What it means

The Giants rode their arms to a series win over the Dodgers. But since their season reached an early apex with Wednesday’s shutout win that clinched the series, they’ve dropped their past two games. They fell to 1-4 behind Houser, who remains their only starter yet to earn a win.

Who’s hot

Luis Arraez hit safely in the 19th game of the 25 he has played this season, raising his batting average to .320 with a 3-for-5 night. Arraez provided the only hit in Thursday’s shutout loss, and his second opposite-field single Friday night drove in Eric Haase with two outs for the Giants’ third run of the fifth inning.

The pitching staff had been on a roll, with the lowest ERA in MLB over the past week entering the game (2.22), but that was quickly put to a halt when the Marlins jumped all over Houser.

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Who’s not

Houser’s ERA swelled to 7.36 as he allowed at least four earned runs for the fourth consecutive start. The Marlins scored on him in all four innings he touched the rubber in his worst outing of the season, culminating in a three-run home run from Connor Norby that extended Miami’s lead to 8-0.

Adames’ 0-for-5 performance dropped him to 2-for-28 with 13 strikeouts over his past six games.

Devers’ OPS stands at .565 after striking out twice and grounding into a double play. He had a chance to stunt Miami’s momentum when he stepped into the box already down 3-0 in the bottom of the first.

With runners on first and third and one out, Devers rolled over on an 0-1 sinker and allowed the Marlins to turn two and escape the jam. It was the sixth double play Devers has hit into in 26 games, tied for the second-most in MLB. The Giants, meanwhile, are tied for the league lead with 24 as a team.

Up next

The Giants host the Marlins for two more to wrap up their home stand, and they will have to win both to take a third consecutive series after stringing together two in a row for the first time this season.

LHP Robbie Ray (2-3, 2.86) gets the ball against RHP Eury Pérez (2-1, 4.15) in a Saturday matinee.