NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on August 8, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aided by a controversial fair/foul call on a long Pete Alonso fly ball, the Yankees picked up a win on Wednesday night, assuring them of a series victory on the road in Baltimore. Tonight, they’ll try and sweep the Orioles before heading back home to face the other AL East birds.
To try and finish off that sweep, the Yankees will sent Gerrit Cole to the mound. Cole has been on a strong run of late, with a 2.57 ERA and a 2.33 FIP over his last eight starts. The Yankees have only gone 4-4 in those games, mostly thanks to the struggling offense, but Cole has certainly done his job in keeping them in games.
Speaking of said struggling lineup, José Caballero will get the nod at third in for Ryan McMahon after the latter left Wednesday’s game early with a hand injury. Other than that, the starters are the same as yesterday, albeit in a different batting order.
As for Baltimore, the recently-extended Kyle Bradish will get the start. For the season, Bradish has been a bit up and down, but he’s been solid of late. In his three starts in August, he’s allowed just five earned runs in 15 innings.
Here’s all the information you need to know to catch tonight’s action, and we hope you’ll come join us in the game thread!
How to watch
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards — Baltimore, MD
First pitch: 6:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES Network (NYY), MASN (BAL)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM (BAL)
As you know, the Cubs have made a habit out of exciting walk-off wins this year. They’ve had 12 in all, which is tied for second-best in franchise history. The team record of 14 was set in 1930, a year where the team came agonizingly short of a second straight NL pennant. The 2015 Cubs, a club you likely remember well, had 13 walk-off wins, as did the 1932 Cubs. (Incidentally, the MLB record for walk-off wins in a season is 17, set by the Pirates in 1959 and tied by them in 1977.)
This is the story of a walk-off win by those pennant-winning 1932 Cubs. I figure with an off day today and a late-night game tomorrow in Seattle, we could delve deep into franchise history for this story.
Let’s set the stage. The 1932 Cubs had been in first place most of June, then fell out of the top spot early in July and held second place until three straight walk-off wins over the Braves put them back in first place right around this time of year, Aug. 16.
They lost to the Braves Aug. 19, but still led by two games, in a tight race with the Dodgers.
This is the story of the game the next afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Cubs trailed the Phillies 5-2 going to the bottom of the ninth. The first two Cubs that inning were routine outs. Then Johnny Moore singled and Marv Gudat walked, bringing Gabby Hartnett to the plate as the potential tying run.
Here’s how Hartnett’s at-bat was described by Edward Burns of the Tribune:
Hartnett, who had fanned in his three previous trips to the plate, took his stance. Gabby slammed a hard grounder to Friberg. The ball caromed off Barney’s shins and bounced into center field. While G. Davis was rushing in to effect a recovery, Moore scored, Gudat reached third and Hartnett stopped at first. Jurges forthwith was put on to run for Hartnett.
They don’t write ‘em like that anymore, that’s for sure.
The next batter was Mark Koenig, who the Cubs had acquired from the then-independent Triple-A Mission Reds of the Pacific Coast League just two weeks earlier. Koenig, a star with the Yankees in the late 1920s, had fallen off a bit in production and had been sent by the Detroit Tigers to Mission for cash considerations before the 1932 season began.
Koenig had gone 4-for-7 in his first four games as a Cub, starting only one of them, and had been 1-for-3 in this game before he came to bat in the bottom of the ninth, representing the winning run.
Here’s Burns’ description from the Tribune of what Koenig did on the very first pitch:
It was as pretty a line drive homer as anybody ever saw at Wrigley Field. If any Cub player had touched Mark as he rounded the bases he would have been called out. But there was no physical demonstration as he passed third in front of the Cub dugout. But the minute he hit home plate he was embraced by half a dozen Cubs. Then the ushers had to drive back several hundred fans, each of whom apparently wanted to carry Koenig to the clubhouse.
It was a different time.
This was the first win of what became a 14-game Cubs winning streak, which is the second-longest in franchise history, behind only the 21-game streak in 1935. The 14-game streak helped the Cubs solidify their hold on first place; when it was over they had a 7.5-game lead and would eventually win the NL pennant by four games.
Koenig never was really accepted as a Cub, according to his SABR biography:
“I never fit in with the Cubs players. They only voted me a half-share of the World Series. I had six tickets for the games and they were all behind posts. Guy Bush must have had one hundred tickets. I knew damned well we couldn’t beat them.”
But for one day, Koenig was a Cubs hero. His three-run walk-off homer that gave the Cubs a 6-5 win over the Phillies in front of about 16,000 at Wrigley Field happened 94 years ago today, Saturday, Aug. 20, 1932.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 04: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 04, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
After coming within one game of sweeping the Rays over the weekend, the Orioles are now the team in danger of being swept. This series is a letdown no matter what, but a win tonight would help things. Not just in the standings, where the Orioles are currently 1.5 games out of the final Wild Card (behind four teams), but also for our mental well-being.
It won’t be easy. I mean, it’s never easy. But tonight the Orioles must face Gerrit Cole. Cole has been limited to 15 starts this season as he returned from Tommy John surgery, but they have been good. He was a 3.22 ERA overall; since July 1st, it’s just 2.57. So that will be a challenge.
Some good news: Pete Alonso is back at first base! Alonso and Samuel Basallo are switching spots tonight, with Basallo DH’ing. Tyler O’Neill is getting the night off, though I expect we will see him if a lefty reliever comes in.
Pitching for the Orioles is Kyle Bradish. Bradish battled through six innings against the Rays over the weekend. He allowed just two runs but walked four and had a lot of traffic on the bases. Bradish’s strikeouts have been down this season, I’d love to see him with rack up 10 or so tonight.
Orioles lineup
Jackson Holliday (L) 2B Pete Alonso (R) 1B Gunnar Henderson (L) SS Samuel Basallo (L) DH Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R) 3B Dylan Beavers (L) LF Leody Taveras (S) RF Colton Cowser (L) CF Carlos Narváez (R) C
Yankees lineup
Trent Grisham (L) CF Ben Rice (L) DH Heliot Ramos (R) LF Luis García Jr. (L) 1B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B George Lombard Jr. (R) SS Spencer Jones (L) RF Austin Wells (L) C José Caballero (R) 3B
The Mets are set to honor Howie Rose in a ceremony befitting the radio broadcaster's legendary career.
Prior to the Mets' final regular season game on Sept. 20, the team will host a special retirement ceremony for Rose.
“For generations of Mets fans, Howie Rose has been more than a broadcaster, he has been the soundtrack of summer and the voice behind some of the most memorable moments in our history,” said Mets Owners Steve and Alex Cohen in a statement. “His love for baseball and this organization has come through in every call, creating a connection with Mets fans that few broadcasters ever achieve. Howie's impact extends far beyond the booth. He is part of the fabric of this franchise, and we are proud to celebrate an extraordinary career while thanking him for everything he has meant to the Mets. We wish Howie and his family nothing but the best in this next chapter.”
“Having grown up a Mets fan, calling games for this organization has been the honor of a lifetime,” read Rose's statement. “I am deeply grateful to the Mets and Ownership, my broadcast partners, the players, coaches and staff, and most of all, the fans who have made this journey so meaningful. Sharing one more day at Citi Field with them is something I will cherish forever.”
Rose, 72, announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2026 season back in March. Rose has been calling Mets games on the radio since 2004, with his "put in the books" sign-off the iconic phrase of Mets wins for more than 20 years.
He was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2023 and has emceed major on-field ceremonies such as Opening Day and number retirements. The Bayside, Queens native began hosting pre- and postgame shows on Mets radio starting in 1987 before becoming the voice of Mets radio.
Fans can learn more about Rose's life and career in SNY's new documentary "Howie Rose: Put It In The Books," which premiered Aug. 18.
Pitcher Tyler Glasnow took a big step forward in his potential return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In what is expected to be his last rehab assignment outing, Glasnow allowed one hit, one earned run and a walk while striking out nine in 5.1 innings pitched for the Triple A Oklahoma City Comets.
The right-handed pitcher went through the lineup twice and threw 77 pitches. He displayed several key pitches, including a 97 mph fastball, a 96 mph sinker, an 81 mph curveball and a 90 mph slider.
Glasnow was dealing with back spasms since May, but could return to a starting role with the Dodgers during the team's next road series against the Atlanta Braves.
In the first start of his rehab assignment, Glasnow threw two scoreless innings for the Dodgers' Class-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers, on Aug. 4.
“Just trying to go and compete to win another ring,” Glasnow told the Tower Buzzers in a video clip about what he looks forward to most about his return to the Dodgers. “Just getting back and having a few starts before the postseason, then getting into that craziness is always super exciting.”
What does Tyler Glasnow’s return mean for Dodgers?
With the return of Glasnow, Justin Wrobleski might be coming out of the bullpen during the postseason. The Dodgers placed Wrobleski on the injured list due to forearm inflammation on Sunday, Aug. 16.
The state of the Dodgers bullpen has led to some concern about the legitimacy of a potential World Series three-peat.
Relief pitcher Edwin Díaz struggled after making a recent return from the injury list and was placed back on the IL due to neck inflammation earlier this week.
A member of the Yankees’ 2024 American League championship team is hanging up his spikes.
Infielder Jon Berti announced his retirement from professional baseball after eight MLB seasons in an emotional Instagram post Thursday.
“I’ve been on a social media hiatus the last year or so and I’ll probably dip out again, but just wanted to give an update,” Berti’s post began.
Berti announced his retirement after eight MLB seasons. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from professional baseball. It’s been a hell of a journey, full of ups and downs. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities and lessons that baseball has given me over the last 15+ years.
“I want to thank the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs for giving me a chance to play the game I love professionally. It was an honor to represent such great MLB organizations.”
Berti, 36, appeared in four games with Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic this year, slashing a strong .375/.444/.688 with a home run, but couldn’t latch on with a major league organization.
An 18th-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2011, the Troy, Michigan, native spent eight seasons in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the team.
Berti made history in August 2020, becoming the first player in Marlins history to steal three bases in a single inning during a game versus the Mets at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
After just four games, Berti was designated for assignment and joined the Marlins on a minor league pact, a move that turned out well for his career.
The versatile and speedy Berti became a key part of Miami’s lineup, seeing time at every outfield position and every infield spot outside of first base.
In 73 games, he slashed .273/.348/.406 with six homers, 24 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
“The last one there was just a thought that kind of came up in the moment,” Berti said postgame, per MLB.com. “I’ve always kind of wanted to do it, or thought of doing something like that, and fortunately it worked out.”
After an up-and-down 2021, Berti showcased his base-stealing in 2022, swiping a National League-leading 41 bags for Miami.
Berti enjoyed his best run with the Marlins from 2019-23, which included an NL-best 41 stolen bases in 2022. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Berti posted career-bests in average (.294), homers (seven) and RBIs (33) in 2023, his final year with the Marlins in 2023.
Berti enjoyed a solid start to his career in pinstripes, but a high-grade calf strain in late May ultimately kept him sidelined for three-and-a-half months.
With Anthony Rizzo sidelined during the ALDS, the ever-versatile Berti made his first career start at first base in Game 2 — and made a series of his strong plays in the 4-2 loss.
Berti became just the fifth player in MLB history to start a postseason game at a position he’d never fielded before, per MLB.com.
Berti made his first career start at first base in Game 2 of the American League Division Series for the Yankees in 2024. JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST
“I’m doing the best I can to learn and be an athlete,’’ Berti said after the game. “I felt good overall. I don’t expect it to be perfect. I’m just trying to be a baseball player and I felt pretty comfortable.”
After sustaining a hip flexor injury in the ALCS, Berti was kept off the World Series roster, marking the end of his time in pinstripes.
In his final MLB action, Berti appeared in 51 games with the Cubs last season before being DFA’d in August.
“Last but not least, thank you to all my family and friends who joined me for the ride,” Berti added. “All the love and support from my amazing wife, parents, and brothers. I couldn’t have had all the success I did without you all in my corner.
“Not bad for an undersized kid from Michigan. I’m excited for what’s to come. Until next time.”
Two brothers thought they were heading out for breakfast before school, until they opened the car door and found a surprise waiting for them that left one of them in tears.
Austin and David “Ducky” share a love of baseball. Both brothers play the sport and are die-hard Boston Red Sox fans, despite living hundreds of miles away in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When their mom, Charlie Sue, finally got tickets to see the Red Sox play, she knew she wanted to surprise the boys.
The brothers’ school start times are two hours apart, so Charlie needed a plan that would get them ready at the same time. She decided to tell them that their grandfather, Bob, was going to watch them while she was away for work.
“But before I left, I would go grab breakfast with them before school,” she said.
Little did they know, they were in for a major surprise when they opened the car doors. Sitting on their seats were two piles of Red Sox gear waiting for them.
That’s when Charlie delivered the news: They weren’t going to school that day. They were going to a Red Sox game in Atlanta!
Watch the video above to see the brothers’ priceless reaction!
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TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros, who own a slim 2.0-game lead in the AL West, will host the Angels tonight for the rubber game of their three-game series at Daikin Park.
RHP Peter Lambert (8-6), the Astros most consistent starter this season, will get the start for Houston opposite RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-5) and the Angels.
THE LAMBO: RHP Peter Lambert leads the club in wins (8), starts (21), innings (118.2) and strikeouts (117) among AL pitchers with at least 115 IP, Lambert ranks seventh in opponent average (.208) and eighth in ERA.
A minor league signing by Houston this offseason, Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 starts.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 44-32 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: Among American League teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.411), first in total bases (1755), second in home runs (170), third in runs scored (580), and fourth in OPS (.728).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (182) and Yankees (173).
VS. THE ANGELS: The Astros are 7-5 against the Angels and have won their sixth straight season series vs. the Angels (2021-26).
The Astros 145-93 (.609) all-time record against the Angels is their best against any single opponent in club history.
TONIGHT’S RADIO BROADCASTS: The Astros English radio broadcast can be heard on SportsTalk 790 featuring Robert Ford and Brian Bogusevic.
The Spanish radio broadcast will feature Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño on TUDN 102.9 FM.
WINSDAY NIGHT: The Astros earned a much-needed victory last night with a 3-2 win over the Angels.
RHP Ethan Pecko (2ER/3.2IP) made his MLB debut before giving way to a dominant Astros bullpen that tossed 5.1 scoreless innings.
C Christian Vázquez (1×2, HR) hit a solo homer, but the biggest swing came off the bat of RF Cam Smith (0x2, RBI), who drove in the go-ahead run with a sac fly.
STARTING BLOCKS: The Astros used their 17th different starting pitcher of the season last night in RHP Ethan Pecko, who made his Major League debut.
Their 17 starters used are the most by any Major League team this season and ties as their franchise record, also reached by the 1965 Astros.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average(.317), first in HR (36) and first in RBI (88).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.040), OBP (.430), SLG (.610), and TB (277)…in the AL, he ranks first in XBH (61), and second in hits (144), walks (86), and runs (83)
YOR-GONE!: DH Yordan Alvarez has hit 36 home runs this season, which leads the AL.
He’s just one homer shy of matching his career high in homers (37 HR in 2022) and is 11 homers shy of matching the franchise record for a single season, set by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000 (47 HR).
AUGUST HEROES: RF Cam Smith is hitting .340 (16×47) with four homers, nine RBI and a 1.020 OPS in 15 games this month.
2B Jose Altuve is also having a strong month, hitting .340 (18×53) with a .410 OBP and an .882 OPS in 15 games in August.
THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Hader made his 500th career appearance last night becoming the 15th active pitcher to reach that milestone.
Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in early June, going 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA (3ER/31IP), 41 strikeouts, a .123 opponent average (13×106) and a 0.77 WHIP, while also converting all 18 of his save opportunities in 32 appearances.
MY BOY BLU!: RHP A.J. Blubaugh has taken a commanding Major League lead in innings pitched as a reliever with 78.0, far ahead of second-place LHP Adrian Morejon (68IP).
The Astros have not had a reliever lead the Majors in innings pitched since RHP Doug Jones (111.2IP) in 1992.
THROWING STRIKES: LHP Steven Okert walked a batter in a scoreless inning last night, snapping a streak of 22 consecutive appearances and 22.0 innings pitched without a strikeout (June 28-Aug. 16).
Per Elias, Okert’s streak of 22.0 consecutive innings without a walk is the fifth-longest by a reliever in a single season in club history.
ON THE MEND: RHP Mike Burrows (rt. elbow neuritis) is scheduled to make another rehab start for Triple A Sugar Land tonight in their home game vs. OKC.
Burrows last pitched on Aug. 14 at Triple A, working 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits with three strikeouts on 67 pitches (43 strikes).itting .347 (17×49) with a .421 OBP and an .890 OPS in 14 games in August.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Several of the Astros minor league clubs are having success this season: • Triple A Sugar Land: In the second half, the Space Cowboys (32-15) are in first in the PCL East Division.
• Class A Fayetteville: For the second half, the Woodpeckers are in first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 28-20 (.583) record.
• Rookie Level FCL Astros: The Astros won the Florida Complex League championship, finishing with a 42-11 (.792) record in the regular season.
• Rookie Level DSL Astros: The DSL Astros Orange finished with a 33-20 record and clinched a spot in the DSL playoffs, which began today.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Thursday, August 20, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees will return home Friday, Aug. 21 after a six-game road trip and will be greeted by a very welcome sight: Aaron Judge doing more baseball things and, perhaps the return of Cody Bellinger.
Judge hit off a tee for a second consecutive game and reported no complications, manager Aaron Boone said Thursday before the Yankees' series finale against Baltimore at Camden Yards. Judge, the reigning AL MVP, has missed the last 68 games with a rib fracture, and has undergone a very deliberate progression toward a return.
"He did more tee today and sounds like it went well. Be good to see him tomorrow," says Boone.
The Yankees have gone 35-32 without Judge and are 71-55 overall, padding their hold on the No. 1 wild card by winning the first two games against the Orioles. Yet it has been a struggle offensively without their two former MVP outfielders, putting stress on the pitching staff and making it challenging to chase down first place Tampa Bay, which leads the AL East by five games.
One of them is on the verge of return.
Bellinger was slated to begin a rehab assignment at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, weather permitting. Boone says he believes Bellinger will require more than one rehab game, yet also believes there's a strong chance he'll be back at some point during their three-game weekend series against Toronto at Yankee Stadium.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 20: Randy Dobnak #62 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the first inning against the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on August 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bobby Witt Jr. homered in the bottom of the first inning to give the Royals the lead over the Athletics, a lead Kansas City would never relinquish as they completed the four-game mop, winning 6-2.
What’s a mop? you might ask. Well, on the radio, Jake Eisenberg mentioned how the baseball podcast Cespedes Family BBQ differentiates between winning all the games in a three-game series versus a four-game series. In a three-game series, it’s a sweep. A four-gamer, a mop.
Mop it is, and it’s the Royals first mop of the A’s since 1994.
Rodney Dobnak started for the Royals and received a no-decision. He struggled, but since he struggled against this pathetic Athletics lineup, he didn’t allow a run. In four innings, Dobnak threw 96 pitches, striking out four while walking four and giving up six hits. According to Ryan Lefebvre right after the game, Dobnak became the first starting pitcher since 1932 to allow 1o or more baserunners in four or fewer innings while not allowing a run.
He left the game with a 5-0 lead that Carlos Duran messed with, but just a little bit. Duran recorded only one out but walked three and was charged with two earned runs. Once he left the game, though, the bullpen settled. Connor Thomas, Craig Kimbrel, John Schreiber, and Nate Pearson followed with four-and-2/3 innings pitched in which the Athletics recorded one hit and zero walks.
Thomas picked up his first big-league win.
The offense hummed along nicely in large part due to Witt. Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen received the day off while Maikel Garcia pulled his hamstring early in the game. He’ll be placed on the Injured List either today or tomorrow.
Still, without those three, the Royals racked up a dozen hits while drawing five walks.
Witt homered, Michael Massey (who finished 3-for-4) and Garcia doubled while Nick Loftin added a triple. Salvador Perez went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored while also reaching base on an error. Isaac Collins added two RBIs with a two-run single in the third.
For the series, Witt finished 6-for-15 with two home runs, four walks, five RBIs, and eight runs. He becomes the first Royal since George Brett in 1985 to score eight runs and drive in another five in the same series.
That means that today the Royals did things that hadn’t occurred since 1932, 1985, and 1994. They’ve won five straight for just the second time this season while taking six of their last eight, improving their record to 17-15 since the All-Star Break.
Don’t worry about their overall record.
Now, the Royals host the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. The Tigers are 61-66 but only five games out of first in the Central while just 1.5 games back in the Wild Card.
Andrew Benintendi had the only hit for the ice-cold offense. | (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The bats were not aware that today was not an off-day, as the White Sox fell to the Braves with only one hit in nine innings. Atlanta broke its losing streak with a 2-0 win before leaving town again.
Anthony Kay had two solid innings, getting nearly every batter to ground out for quick frames. Grant Holmes met him with the same enthusiasm, except for a walk issued to Colson Montgomery in the second inning.
Atlanta started to stir in the third with a base hit from Mauricio Dubón and an RBI double from Austin Riley for an early lead. Kay worked around the runner at third by again forcing grounders from Braves batters. The White Sox failed to respond.
Kay worked around a walk for a smooth fourth before Dubón reached again in the fifth. With Sam Antonacci unable to locate the ball, Dubón made it to second on a fielding error. Two big strikeouts and a first-pitch pop out from Ronald Acuña Jr. kept Atlanta from any real damage. Meanwhile, the Sox continued to get no-hit through five.
Drew Romo picked up a one-out walk in the sixth, prompting Atlanta to go to its bullpen despite still having a no-hitter in play. Romo took second thanks to a little wild-pitch offense, but he was stranded when Munetaka Murakami went down swinging.
Michael Harris II started the seventh with a double, prompting Will Venable to pull his starter. Huascar Brazobán stepped in and allowed an RBI double, giving the Braves a 2-0 lead, though the run was charged to Kay. Sean Murphy singled to put two runners on with one out as Hagen Smith started warming. Brazobán struck out Acuña before turning it over to Smith, who stranded both runners by retiring Drake Baldwin. The no-hitter was finally broken in the bottom of the seventh. Miguel Vargas picked up a walk, and Andrew Benintendi deposited a single into left field on a 0-2 count. Didier Fuentes entered the game to shut down the threat, and he did just that, striking out three batters in a row.
Dubón picked up his third hit of the game in the ninth after a successful ABS challenge that took him to a full count. On two consecutive wild pitches, Dubón made it to third, but thankfully the next pitch ended the frame. Any dreams of walking it off were squashed when all three Sox batters went down in order.
MVP: Andrew Benintendi: Broke up the no-hitter
Runners-Up: Hagen Smith: 1 1/3 IP, 3 K Miguel Vargas: 1 BB Drew Romo: 1 BB Anthony Kay: 6 K, 6 IP
Cold Cat: Anthony Kay: 6 K, 6 IP (yes, he’s in both spots)
Runners-Up: Munetaka Murakami: 0-for-4, 1 K Sam Antonacci: 0-for-4, 1 K Huascar Brazobán: 2 H, 1 K The whole team — what a stinker
One of the scariest sights in Williamsport might just be a big white bow.
That’s because it means that Alabama’s Kinley Rasmus is on the mound, and the 12-year-old Phenix City Little League star has been making waves at this year’s Little League World Series, becoming just the 25th girl to ever compete in the tournament and tying a record previously set by Mo’ne Davis.
Rasmus made headlines this week when she became the first girl since Davis in 2014 to record eight strikeouts in a Little League World Series game during Phenix City’s 2-0 loss to Washington. She allowed just one hit during her time on the mound before moving to shortstop, where she made a run-saving catch.
Pitcher Kinley Rasmus of Phenix City, Alabama, delivers a pitch to a batter for Tacoma, Washington, at the Little League Baseball World Series on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
But her story goes deeper than that, and if her last name sounds familiar, well, that’s because she’s the daughter of former major leaguer Cory Rasmus, who pitched 84 games between the Braves and Angels, and her uncle is veteran outfielder Colby Rasmus.
And the coach of the Phenix City team is also her uncle, Case Rasmus, who played four seasons in the minor leagues.
“It’s just so amazing. Just the opportunity is so great, it’s going to be such a blast,” Rasmus told ESPN before her first pitching appearance in the Little League World Series on Wednesday.
Runner Kinley Rasmus of Phenix City, Alabama, is safe at second base against Tacoma, Washington, at the Little League Baseball World Series on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Rasmus has worn a big white bow in her hair during her games and she and her teammates had coined the phrase “Fear the Bow,” which seems quite fitting for how teams will be feeling going up against her.
“When I hear people say that it, it just brings joy to me,” she said. “Knowing that they’ve got my back and everything I do on the field and it just gives me so much excitement.”
Rasmus has been a big part of helping to get Phenix City to the Little League World Series for the first time in 27 years.
Phenix City will need to get a win on Saturday in the loser’s bracket in order to keep their Little League World Series dreams alive.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 20: Gage Jump #61 of the Athletics pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 20, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Athletics couldn’t escape Kansas City with a win in four tries. The club was swept by the Royals in this four-game series, finishing it off with a listless 6-2 loss to wrap things up. Off to Houston.
It was left-hander Gage Jump’s turn in the rotation this afternoon. Things haven’t always been smooth sailing for the rookie in his first big league action but that’s not unexpected for such a young arm.
Unfortunately the Royals were on him early and often today. A solo blast in the first off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr. gave KC a lead they would not relinquish today, then they put up two more runs against Jump in each of the third and fourth innings, then chased him with no outs in the fifth, ending his day earlier than the coaching staff was hoping for.
The bats meanwhile took a while to get going. The A’s would not be shut out today thanks to RBI hits from veteran journeymen Brian Serven and Donovan Walton, but that was about it for the bats today. The Green & Gold collected eight hits, but just one of those went for extra bases.
Well, we got swept. And we’re the worst team in baseball by record. Things can’t get much more worse, can they?
The team leaves KC and is on their way to Houston now for three games against the Astros. Right-hander J. T. Ginn will try to help the A’s snap this skid. He’ll be opposed by Hayden Wesneski. Need to get that 50th win ASAP!
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 20: Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey (16) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians on August 20, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With one out in the 8th inning of Thursday’s afternoon rubber match, Cleveland Guardians center fielder Petey Halpin singled, then got caught leaning by JT Brubaker. The pickoff throw went to Bryce Eldridge, who ran Halpin to Willy Adames, who threw to Osleivis Basabe, who dropped the ball.
Three pitches later, Halpin was at third after Brubaker threw a wild pitch. One pitch after that, he’d scored the final run of Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on an RBI single from Brayan Rocchio.
The Giants would make it interesting in the 9th, drawing two walks off closer Cade Smith (32 saves) after being down to their last strike, but Rafael Devers flew out to end the game and send the Giants to their sixth straight series loss, and their 9th road series loss in a row.
The story of the game was, once again, poor Giants defense. Little Leaguers can successfully execute a pickle, but not the Cement Glove keystone duo of Basabe and Willy Adames, who committed his 18th error of the season and also fumbled the exchange on a potential double play.
Cleveland’s three-run first-inning rally got a boost from a ground-ball single from Travis Bazzanna that went under Basabe’s glove, giving the Guardians first and third with no one out instead of a rally-killing double play. A bloop single and a sacrifice fly made it 2-0, then Adames booted a second double-play ball grom Angel Genao. That opened the door for an RBI single from Patrick “Patty Barrels” Bailey, the first hard-hit ball of the inning off of Landen Roupp (7-13) despite it being a 3-0 game.
Roupp settled down and gave up only two more hits in the next 4 1/3 innings, though he did issue three more walks. Conservatively, Adames forced Roupp to throw 13 extra pitches and made Tony Vitello burn a challenge on an “illegal slide” from Steven Kwan in the second inning that seemed purely motivated by trying to save his player from the embarrassment of dropping the ball for no reason. Otherwise the challenge was pure incompetence, but it’s hard to imagine we’d see that from the crafty Vitello.
Adames did provide all the scoring from the Giants on offense, hitting his 20th home run of the season and the 200th of his career after a Devers single in the first. He’s now the fourth shortstop in Giants history with more than one season of 20 or more homers, joining Alvin Dark, Rich Aurilia, and Brandon Crawford.
Guardians starter Gavin Williams (12-7) never got Devers out, issuing two of his three walks to the Giants DH. He got 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, giving up only one hit outside of the 4th. Williams’ biggest weakness is the long ball, but only Adames could take advantage and only once did they get a runner into scoring position off of him, after two 5th-inning walks. After he got pulled with two outs and a runner down in the 6th, pinch-hitter Victor Bericoto’s flied out to center, though the wind may have knocked the ball down.
The shaky defense continued. Bailey singled and stole second in the 4th, without anyone on the Giants noticing him running. Bryce Eldridge dove for an Angel Martinez ground ball in the 6th but couldn’t come up with it, Bailey reached base for the third time in a row with a walk and Kwan (1-for-2, three walks) singled off Sam Hentges to make it 4-2. The Giants did get a force out at third when they ran the “wheel play” on a sac bunt, but Adames declined to throw to first to try for the double play, which was probably just as well.
Good defense on the other side derailed the Giants in the 8th, when Rocchio made an acrobatic play to retire Bericoto after Eldridge walked and Jung Hoo Lee singled.
Left-handed relievers continued to stymie the Giants. The Giants pinch-hit the hitless Andrew Knizner and Jonah Cox, who’d struck out five times in a row, in the 7th inning off Erik Sabrowski. Knizner popped out, though he drew a walk in the 9th, and Cox eventually ran his strikeout streak to seven.
Positives! Christian Koss made a nice throw on the wheel play and caught a tough popup against the netting. Adames is hitting the ball hard, even if sometimes he’s using his glove to deliver the blows. Roupp settled down nicely after a rough first inning that was hardly his fault. And Knizner added some levity when he burned an ABS challenge with two outs in the 9th on a pitch that was such a clear strike that the National Labor Relations Board sent out an official statement of support for it after the game.
Next the team will travel to Boston, a homecoming for Rafael Devers and possibly Marcelo Mayer, though he’ll likely debut at home. Devers is likely to face old friend Erik Miller, who is getting extensive use from the Red Sox since the Giants traded him, striking out 12 and yielding only a single unearned run in 7 1/3 innings over seven appearances. Maybe the Giants will even win a road series!
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 20: Garrett Mitchell #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a double in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at American Family Field on August 20, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers took the rubber match against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday afternoon, as a big day from Garrett Mitchell and the Brewer bullpen led the team to a 7-4 win.
Robert Gasser started the day with a walk of Brendan Donovan but bounced back to pick up a strikeout and flyout before Julio Rodríguez singled to put a pair of runners on. Josh Naylor grounded out, though, and Milwaukee was through a clean first.
Then, the offense kicked it into gear.
Brice Turang started the day with a single and, after Jackson Chourio flew out (and Turang surprisingly tagged up), Jake Bauers drew a walk. Gary Sánchez then lined a double just fair down the left-field line, bringing both runners home for a quick 2-0 lead.
Christian Yelich followed with a single to put runners at the corners, and Joey Ortiz hit a single of his own to move everyone up, putting Yelich at third and scoring Sánchez for a 3-0 lead. After Ortiz swiped second base, Mitchell hit a double to right, scoring both for a 5-0 lead. David Hamilton then worked a long nine-pitch at-bat, lining the final pitch into right for a double of his own and a 6-0 lead. Luis Lara and Turang lined out and grounded out, respectively, and the inning was over.
Gasser once again walked the leadoff hitter in the second, this time in the form of Taylor Ward. After getting the next two batters out, Gasser gave up a single to No. 9 hitter Brock Rodden, and Donovan made him pay with a two-run double into the right-center gap to cut the score to 6-2.
Milwaukee had another scoring chance in the second as Chourio walked and Bauers singled, but Sánchez struck out and Yelich hit into a double play (aided by a Mariners’ challenge at first) to end the inning.
In the fourth, the Mariners threatened again, with a leadoff walk by Cole Young, a single by Jhonny Pereda, and a passed ball by Sánchez to make it 6-3. Pat Murphy — for the second time this season after doing so to Brandon Sproat in early August — emerged in the middle of an at-bat to make a pitching change, as Chad Patrick took over from Gasser.
Patrick ended up walking Randy Arozarena (who was already in a 2-0 count) and gave up an RBI single to Dominic Canzone to make it 6-4 before the inning was over.
It wasn’t a great day for the lefty Gasser, as he went just 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks, striking out four.
Both bullpens then traded zeros for the next several innings, as no runners got into scoring position after the fourth until the top of the eighth, when Aaron Ashby walked a pair of hitters. He got out of the jam, though, as he struck out a batter and induced a groundout to strand the runners at second and third.
The Brewers finally got one back in the bottom of the eighth, as Mitchell slugged a solo homer to center, his ninth of the year and third extra-base hit of the afternoon. Hamilton followed with a single but was stranded there, leaving Trevor Megill to protect a three-run lead in the ninth.
Megill had no trouble, picking up a strikeout and two flyouts — including a nice ranging grab by Mitchell in center — to wrap up the 7-4 victory.
Mitchell led the Brewers with three hits, including a pair of doubles and a homer, driving in three. Sánchez had two RBIs, and Ortiz and Hamilton had an RBI each. Every starter had at least one hit with the exception of Lara, who went 0-for-4.
After Gasser’s short outing, Milwaukee’s bullpen combination of Patrick, Ashby, and Megill combined to keep the Mariners off the board for the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.
The Brewers are back in action on Friday afternoon, as they’ll begin a series with the Braves on MLB Players’ Weekend, including a game in MLB’s Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Sunday. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 3:10 p.m.
