TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds steals his 30th base of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds have their own Tungsten Arm O’Doyle.
For those who didn’t let their brains rot on Twitter during the long, lonely COVID days, the fictionally dominant O’Doyle was a shooting star in 2021 as future Hall of Famers Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout languished on a Los Angeles Angels roster that was a full three levels beneath them.
every time I see an Angels highlight it's like "Mike Trout hit three homes runs and raised his average to .528 while Shohei Ohtani did something that hasn't been done since 'Tungsten Arm' O'Doyle of the 1921 Akron Groomsmen, as the Tigers defeated the Angels 8-3"
— ℳatt (matttomic.bsky.social) (@matttomic) May 18, 2021
Anyway, the Cincinnati Reds watched superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz swat the 30th homer of his season last night against the Atlanta Braves and then – with just a trio of games remaining – manage to swipe his 30th bag of the season tonight in Toronto. In the process he became the first Cincinnati Reds player to log 30 homers, 30 steals, and 30 doubles in a single season in 30 years since Hall of Famer Barry Larkin is the only other player in franchise history to have done so (back in 1996).
It also marks the first 30-30 (homer-steal) season the Reds have had since Brandon Phillips pulled that off back in 2007. Elly, BP, Larkin, and Eric Davis are the only players in the history of the Reds to go 30-30.
That was all well and wonderful as the Reds surged to a 5-2 lead over a Blue Jays club that was officially eliminated from postseason play earlier in the week. Except for the fact that Cincinnati’s bullpen blew that and the Reds lost 6-5.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 25: Brett Callahan #34 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates scoring a run in the second inning with John Peck #18 and Eduardo Valencia #32 while playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on September 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let out that breath you’re holding; the Tigers won their first game of the weekend over the Pirates 8-7.
The Tigers had a lot to win for going into this weekend. They might not be fighting for a place in the postseason, but with fans coming around to celebrate the final weekend of Justin Verlander’s career, the team definitely wanted to put on a good show. Jackson Jobe got the nod for the Tigers as a starter, up against Bubba Chandler for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was nice to see that Justin Verlander, in his big farewell speech, took a moment to shout out former teammate and Pirates’ manager Don Kelly. Kind of a cool full-circle moment.
In the top of the first, the Pirates went 1-2-3. The Tigers also went down in order in the home half.
Oneil Cruz got a leadoff walk to open the second inning. With one out, Cruz stole second, his 30th steal of the season. Ryan O’Hearn then singled, bringing Cruz home for the first run of the game. After the second out, Spencer Horwitz doubled, bringing in another run. Jobe finally got the third out of the inning, but the Tigers were now in a two-run deficit. Eduardo Valencia got a leadoff walk in the home half, then with two outs, Brett Callahan singled, bumping Valencia to third. A Spencer Torkelson triple (his first of the season!) brought two runs in and clearly made Tork’s day.
Brandon Lowe got a one-out walk in the third, but two outs followed, leaving him stranded. In the bottom of the inning with two outs, Kevin McGonigle got a walk, then Valencia singled, pushing McGonigle over to third. Riley Greene walked, then a Dillon Dingler single brought two more runs in to put the Tigers in the lead. Callahan walked, then Torkelson struck out, but the third strike got away as a wild pitch and two more runs scored. That was it for Bubba, who was replaced by Evan Sisk, who came on and got the final out of the inning.
Tigers just scored 2 runs on a dropped third strike.
The last time a team scored multiple runs on a dropped third strike was April 30, 2021 (Phillies)
In the top of the fourth, the Pirates went 1-2-3. Max Clark got a leadoff single in the home half, but Hao-Yu Lee bunted into a force out that eliminated Clark at second. Lee then stole second. Valencia and Greene then got back-to-back walks to load the bases. Despite being in a great position to score more runs, the Pirates actually managed to get out of the inning without any additional runs scoring.
In the fifth, Jake Mangum got a one-out single. Once again, though, the Pirates weren’t able to convert the baserunner. Wilber Dotel was the new pitcher in the bottom of the inning. Torkelson got a one-out double, perhaps hoping to sneak in a cycle this game? Why not? Two outs followed, though, leaving Tork stranded.
With one out in the top of the sixth, Jobe’s day was done. His final line was 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K on 86 pitches. A really solid outing from him, showing some flashes of what to expect from him going forward as he hones his skills even further. Drew Sommers replaced him, and with two outs gave up a walk to Nick Gonzales before getting the final out of the inning. With two outs in the home half, Valencia walked, the seventh (!!) of the game. Greene then singled to put runners on the corners. Dingler reached on a fielder’s choice and thanks to a fielding error, one more run scored. They’d have to settle for just the one, but it gave them a 7-2 lead.
Andrew Sears was the new pitcher for the seventh. He got the Pirates out in order. Spencer Torkelson got a solo home run to start the home half. Officially only one single away from the cycle. John Peck then singled. A wild pitch allowed Peck to advance to second. The Tigers went down in order after that, though, failing to extend their lead.
Konnor Griffin was hit by a pitch to start the eighth, but a double play off the bat of Lowe quickly eliminated the baserunner. Bryan Reynolds walked, followed by back-to-back singles from Cruz and Gonzales, scoring another run for them. An O’Hearn single brought in a fourth run for Pittsburgh. Rafael Flores Jr. then homered, and suddenly it was a one-run game. Tyler Holton replaced Sears and got the final out of the inning. Brandon Eisert was the next Pirates pitcher and Valencia got a leadoff double against him. Unfortunately, the Tigers weren’t able to bring in any additional runs, or give Torkelson a chance to get the single he needed for the cycle.
Kenley Jansen came in for the ninth, hoping to keep the Tigers from extras. He did just that, getting the side out in order and collecting win 498.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 25: Jonathan Pintaro #91 of the New York Mets is pulled in the third inning by Manager Andy Green #70 after giving up two runs on two wild pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets fell to the Nationals by a score of 7-6 to open up the final series of the season. The Mets went with a bullpen game and most of the damage came in a disastrous third inning. It’s hard to say who was at fault but it certainly wasn’t a good look for Francisco Alvarez who was behind the plate for three wild pitches in the third. Two of them allowed a run to score and they came on back-to-back pitches with Jonathan Pintaro on the mound.
It was an ugly game for Alvarez all around. First he grounded out into a double play with the bases loaded in the first. He was 2-for-32 with the bases loaded in his career according to Gary Cohen. Next, in the second inning he attempted to throw behind a runner at second base and instead threw it into centerfield. Then came the nightmarish third inning. He did drive in the Mets’ sixth run with a sacrifice fly but overall it was a pretty poor performance by the catcher.
After the nightmarish third inning the Mets used the long ball to attempt to get back in it. Juan Soto just missed a home run that was knocked down by the wind but both Bo Bichette and Carson Benge managed to leave the yard to pull the Mets to within one. It was a milestone home run for Benge who became the first rookie in Mets’ history to join the 20/20 club.
Both the Mets and Nationals would add on another run, but the third inning was the turning point in the game. In the grand scheme of things this game means very little in a lost season but it would have been nice to pass the Nationals and get out of the cellar which is now impossible. Only two more games and then this season will mercifully come to a close.
Big winner: Carson Benge, +28% WPA Big loser: Francisco Alvarez, -30% WPA Total pitcher WPA: -40% WPA Total batter WPA: -10% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge single in eighth, +14.7% WPA Teh sux0rest play: CJ Abrams’s RBI single in first, -16.4% WPA
PHILADELPHIA — Trea Turner flailed at a four-seam fastball well out of the strike zone and slammed his bat in anger after another strikeout.
Remember that time Phillies fans rallied in 2023 to give Turner a standing ovation and he used that moment to spark his season?
That wasn’t the case Friday night in Philadelphia.
Turner dropped his helmet in the third inning and was soundly booed by a restless crowd, as was Brandon Marsh after a similar ugly whiff in the fourth, and as were the Phillies after another punchless game at the plate cost them in a 2-0 loss to the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays.
Freddy Peralta and four relievers combined to throw four-hit ball in the shutout.
The plastic tarp that circles the top of the clubhouse lockers in anticipation of a champagne celebration remained rolled up as tight as the Phillies seem to be of late. A playoff berth that seemed a lock just days ago will come down to the final two games.
The Phillies entered the game leading Arizona by two games for the final NL wild-card spot with three to play. The Phillies would have clinched their fifth straight playoff berth with a win against the Rays and an Arizona loss to San Diego.
The Phillies instead dropped their third straight game and delayed a potential clincher at least until Saturday, when they will throw a bullpen game at the Rays. Should the race come down to Sunday, the Phillies will be forced to throw ace Zack Wheeler, which would burn him for potential Game 1 or 2 starts in the NL Wild Card Series.
If they get there.
Call it Dread October.
The Phillies high-priced sluggers usually wait until the playoffs start until their bats freeze up. They got a jump on it down the September stretch.
The gut punch came in the sixth when Turner and Bryce Harper led off with consecutive singles. Alec Bohm meekly grounded out but advanced the runners. Bryson Stott lined out to second base and pinch hitter Bryan De La Cruz lined out to shortstop against reliever Cam Booser.
Oh, and 35-year-old catcher J.T. Realmuto is in an 0 for 32 funk that’s dipped his average to .206.
The Phillies were shut out for the 12th game this season and have scored two runs over the last 27 innings.
All that has helped the Phillies spiral to 13 losses in the last 21 games.
It gets worse. NL batting leader and starting second baseman Luis Arraez is out indefinitely with a severely sprained left ankle. All-Star lefty Jesús Luzardo has yet to throw a simulated game as he tries to come back from a three-week absence with shoulder inflammation.
Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly insisted ahead of the game his team wasn’t wilting from the pressure.
“These guys have been through it,” Mattingly said. “I feel OK. If we’ve got to tell guys at this point that it’s urgent that we win games, then we’re in trouble. The urgency, everybody knows. It’s pretty much right in your face. We’ve just got to go out and play good baseball.”
The Phillies — who had the fourth-highest opening day payroll at $282 million — are drumming up talk around the city of joining the short list of the most egregious collapses in franchise history.
Take your pick.
More modern? The 2023 Phillies were up 2-0 and 3-2 headed home for Games 6 and 7 in the NL Championship Series only to blow the series to Arizona.
Prefer a classic story? Consider 1964, when the Phillies lost 10 straight games to blow a 6 1/2-game lead and the NL pennant with 12 games left. They wouldn’t make the playoffs again until 1976.
Just win one more game this season, and the situation won’t be that dire.
Just watch the Phillies play this week and it’s getting harder to find when that next W might come.
Sep 12, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Michael Arroyo (96) hits a two-RBI single against Athletics pitcher Yunior Tur (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After some sloppy defense and less-than-ideal pitching (what else is new, amirite?) sunk the Mariners last night, they’ll have another chance to deal the Angels their 99th loss of the season. Please, baseball gods. We are asking for so little at this point.
Lineups:
If you groaned upon seeing Weston Wilson and Leo Rivas round out the M’s lineup, I can’t say I blame you, but on a happier note, Michael Arroyo will make his first career big league appearance in left field – and batting fifth to boot! Randy Arozarena will get a rare DH day, just the fifth time he has not played the field all season, while J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh both get the night off against Reid Detmers. Don’t be surprised to see some pinch-hitting in the later innings should Seattle make Detmers work a bit, though, and we all could use some more Lázaro Montes in the last couple days of the year.
As for the Angels, they’re rolling out a nearly identical lineup to last night’s, with the exception of Denzer Guzman hitting the bench as Vaughn Grissom moves across the diamond while Moises Ballesteros covers first base. Behind the plate is one Travis d’Arnaud, and if you’re surprised he’s still playing Major League Baseball, well, join the club.
News:
Andrés Muñoz’s season will end a few days before everyone else’s, as Seattle’s closer was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation. Muñoz exited Sunday’s win against the Rockies with the injury and underwent an MRI that same day. Troy Taylor has been recalled to take his roster spot.
The Mets and Nationals went blow-for-blow, but New York could not overcome its early deficit as they fell 7-6 on Friday night in Washington, D.C.
The loss guarantees the Mets (73-87) will finish last in the NL East in a full season for the first time since 2003.
Here are the takeaways...
-The Mets offense got started quickly, with Mark Vientos driving home Juan Soto, who hit a one-out single, on a double. It's the first first-inning run Andrew Alvarez has allowed this season (17 starts). But it could have been more. After Carson Benge walked to load the bases, Francisco Alvarez was up in the count 3-1 before he grounded into an inning-ending double play.
New York would get more runs in the third inning, though, as a Bo Bichette RBI single and a Vientos sac fly put the Mets in front 3-2.
-Jefrey Yan got the start and had a tough time in the first. Yan allowed two baserunners on but was one out away from getting out of the inning when CJ Abrams hit a bomb to right-center field. It looked destined to be a home run, but the wind must have pushed it back in as it hit off the wall, scoring two, but keeping Abrams -- who was admiring his shot -- to a single.
Yan tossed 37 pitches (21 strikes), allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.
-Jonathan Pintaro was the next arm out of the Mets 'pen and had a messy third inning. He allowed two runs to score on three wild pitches in the frame, including back-to-back, to give the Nationals the 4-3 lead. Cionel Perez was next and also threw a wild pitch, the fourth of the inning before the Mets recorded an out. A Daylen Lile sac fly pushed across Washington's third run of the inning. A Keibert Ruiz RBI single later, and the Mets finally got out of the third, allowing four runs and four wild pitches.
The Mets had to use five pitchers to get through Friday's game. Justin Hagenman was the long man out of the 'pen and the most effective of the pitchers used in the series opener. However, the home run he allowed to Dylan Crews proved to be the difference in the game.
Here's how the pitchers did:
Yan: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Pintaro: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB
Perez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB
Hagenman: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Nate Lavender: 1.0 IP, 1 K
-While the wind affected plenty of fly balls to the outfield, it couldn't knock down Bichette and Carson Benge's bombs in the fourth to pull the Mets to within one run. For Benge, it was his 20th homer of the season, and he became the first Mets rookie to have 20 bombs and 20 stolen bases. An Alvarez sac fly in the eighth gave the Mets their sixth run of the game, but that's all they would muster after A.J. Ewing struck out on a check swing that was called a swing by the third base umpire, leaving a runner on base. The rookie yelled at the umpire and was ejected, the first Mets player to be ejected this season.
Game MVP: Nationals bullpen
The much-maligned 'pen allowed just one run in 4.1 innings of work.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: A general view of the locked stadium gates before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park on September 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants begin their final series of the 2026 season tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
I have not been willing to give the Giants organization much credit this season, but I do have to hand it to them for making sure that tonight’s game is not being broadcast on Apple, Twitch, or like Venmo or something. I was legitimately concerned that was going to happen and that we would miss the Willie Mac Award ceremony. So they got that one right, thankfully.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Yunior Marté, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.66 ERA, 5.37 FIP, with 11 strikeouts to nine walks in 19.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 10-4 loss to the Dodgers last Saturday, in which he allowed six runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks in four and two thirds innings.
As of the time this is being written, the Dodgers have not yet announced a starting pitcher for this game. Maybe it’s me, and the Giants might have a chance of winning! You’ll have to check down in the comments to find out.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after a strikeout in the fourth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on September 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even when you’re watching on TV, you can tell the ballpark has no juice. The fans roared boos from time to time when the offense did nothing but there was just no energy the entire night. The 2026 Philadelphia Phillies do not deserve it. They entered this game with their magic number at two and once again failed to control their own destiny.
The Phillies have scored two runs in their last three games. An offense that already ranked as one of the worst in baseball is hitting a horrible cold streak at the wrong time. They just lost their cleanup hitter and replaced him with Edmundo Sosa, hitting ninth, who went hitless with a throwing error.
The first two innings for Cristopher Sánchez were not swimming in excellence; he allowed three straight two-out singles in the first to give the Tampa Bay Rays an early lead and a Nick Fortes home run in the second. However, that probably shouldn’t end the game.
Sánchez would do whatever he could to right those first two innings. He probably got a bit lucky when Junior Caminero’s 107 mph flyball died at the track on a windy night but he was nearly flawless beyond that. After a Jonathan Aranda walk in the fifth, Sanchez retired the next seven batters he faced on strikeouts, ending Jorge Matteo in the seventh inning with two unhittable changeups.
If the Phillies somehow finish this collapse and don’t get the chance to play a playoff game, there won’t be many players blameless. If there is one guy who doesn’t deserve criticism, it’s Sánchez. While the Rays have nothing to play for, striking out ten batters over seven innings against one of the best teams in the sport should lead to a win.
But his offense offered no support. Freddy Peralta took the ball for the Rays and it isn’t like he should be unhittable. He has performed a lot better for the Rays compared to his tenure with the New York Mets but that’s still a 117 ERA+ over nine starts. That’s good but nothing special.
The Phillies made him look a bit special. He allowed a Bryson Stott leadoff single in the second but nothing materialized. Brandon Marsh cannot escape the depths of sadness he is in and hit a lazy flyball to Jonny DeLuca in center field, followed by a Justin Crawford double play.
Even though it was a two run game, the Phillies carried three opportunities tonight where one of their top baserunners reached first base to leadoff the inning. Stott did in that second inning, Justin Crawford hit a Baltimore chopper in the sixth and Trea Turner took a Freddy Peralta fastball to right field in the sixth. The Phillies never tried putting a runner in motion, despite an offense that clearly needs some juice.
It’s hindsight but it’s worth a thought nonetheless.
The worst one of these innings has to be the sixth. Trea Turner reached based on that aforementioned single and Bryce Harper followed him up with a single of his own.
With two and no one out, Alec Bohm hit a worked a full count but hit the seventh pitch right to Jonathan Aranda at first base, who’s only out was to first base.
That still left runners on second and third with one out. Left hander Cam Booser came out of the Rays bullpen to face Bryson Stott, who fouled off a couple of well placed fastballs before hitting a soft line drive right at Ben Williamson at second base.
Don Mattingly called Bryan De La Cruz to hit for the struggling Brandon Marsh, and hit a line drive kind of hard but right at Jorge Matteo at shortstop to end the inning.
The Phillies would not have another reach base the rest of the night. Jhoan Duran pitched the eighth inning against the Rays top of the order but did not return for the ninth when the top of the Phillies order went down in order. Tim Mayza worked a meaningless ninth and the Phillies didn’t make Rays closer Bryan Baker work a sweat.
The Phillies do not need a Diamondbacks loss tonight but they could sure use it. A win from them only puts more pressure on a Phillies team that can’t string anything together. Remember, the Diamondbacks have the tie breaker so if both teams are locked with the same record, the Diamondbacks get in.
PHILADELPHIA — Freddy Peralta pitched into the sixth inning to help Tampa Bay deny Philadelphia a third straight shot at clinching a wild-card spot, as the AL East champion Rays beat the Phillies 2-0 on Friday night.
The Phillies entered leading Arizona by two games for an NL wild card with three to play. The Phillies would have clinched their fifth straight playoff berth with a win against the Rays and an Arizona loss to San Diego.
The Phillies instead lost their third straight and delayed a potential clincher at least until Saturday when they will throw a bullpen game against the Rays.
Jonny DeLuca had an RBI single in the first inning and Nick Fortes hit a homer in the second to back Peralta (10-11) as the Rays tune up for the playoffs. The Rays have home-field advantage in the AL Division Series and would have it if they reach the AL Championship Series.
Tampa Bay received a scare when .300-hitting left fielder Chandler Simpson fouled a ball off his right foot. He was in pain but finished the at-bat and struck out.
Peralta struck out four and allowed four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Bryan Baker tossed a scoreless ninth for his 41st save.
For the moment, Tampa Bay has surrendered its home field. Major League Baseball moved a regular-season series finale between the Red Sox and Chicago Cubs from Fenway Park to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, because of a weekend storm threat in the Boston area.
Cristopher Sánchez (18-7) struck out 10 and walked one in seven innings.
The Phillies sluggers continued to shrivel in the September spotlight.
The gut punch came in the sixth inning when Trea Turner and Bryce Harper led off with consecutive singles. Alec Bohm grounded out but advanced the runners. Bryson Stott lined out to second and pinch hitter Bryan De La Cruz lined out to shortstop.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 23: Major League Field Coordinator Bob Geren #88 and Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on April 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 3-0. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All eyes will be on Blake Snell on Saturday afternoon as the Dodgers left-hander makes his final tuneup of the regular season before October, against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
Snell left his last start, on September 16 in Cincinnati, after only one inning as a precaution after feeling left groin discomfort.
Left-hander Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson starts for the Giants.
Sep 25, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) jumps but cannot make a catch against Miami Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee (not pictured) during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Braves’ pitching staff largely took care of business despite an untraditional assignment in Friday night’s opening game of the regular-season sendoff series in Miami
The offense, which was not tinkered with and likely resembled what could be the team’s postseason lineup, did not seem to get the memo.
Atlanta managed just one hit off Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez, who threw his first career complete game and first career shutout in a 3-0 Miami win. Pérez struck out eight and walked one, facing just two over the minimum.
The lone Braves hit, a sixth-inning single from Sean Murphy to break up the no-hit bid, was immediately erased by a double play.
That offensive no-show negated what had been a strong combined pitching performance from Ray Kerr and Grant Holmes.
Kerr made his first start of the season as an opener while Holmes pitched four innings out of the bullpen, each testing out potential new postseason roles.
After Kerr allowed the first two Miami batters to reach on singles, he escaped the first-inning jam unscathed and retired eight of the final nine batters he faced to finish with three scoreless innings. The only additional baserunner he allowed, a leadoff walk in the second, was immediately erased by a double play.
Holmes (10-6) replaced him and navigated two hits and three walks through his first three innings before allowing the game’s first run on a solo homer from Marlins catcher Joe Mack with one out in the seventh.
Didier Fuentes was tasked with the eighth inning and had a rare ineffective outing, allowing two runs on five hits — both the most he’s allowed since he gave up seven hits and four runs in an April relief appearance at Washington.
The first five Miami batters of the inning had hits off Fuentes, who got the first two outs via a baserunning mistake and a pickoff at second base. Heriberto Hernandez made it 2-0 with an RBI single after Jakob Marsee’s leadoff triple, and Griffin Conine closed out the scoring with another solo homer.
The Marlins somewhat surprisingly sent Pérez back out to the mound for the ninth as he approached 100 pitches and he retired Murphy, Drake Baldwin and Ronald Acuña Jr. in order to finish just six pitches shy of a Maddux at 105 pitches.
Game 2 of the series is slated for Saturday at 4:10 p.m. EDT.
Mark Reynolds' record lasted 17 years. Colson Montgomery took it from him Friday night in the fifth inning.
The Chicago White Sox shortstop struck out for the 224th time this season. The record whiff came against Colorado right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano for the second out in the inning. That set a new single-season major league mark and broke his tie with Reynolds, who struck out 223 times for Arizona in 2009.
Montgomery was called out on a 3-2, 93-mph fastball for the historic punchout.
Montgomery, 24, tied the record Thursday night in Kansas City on a called third strike from Royals reliever Anthony Gose. After the game he celebrated in the clubhouse with his teammates, not for the dubious record, but because the White Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2021. Chicago is the first team to reach the postseason after back-to-back 100-loss seasons.
Why the White Sox live with Colson Montgomery's strikeouts
Montgomery's strikeout Thursday also moved him past former White Sox slugger Adam Dunn, who set the American League record with 222 in 2012.
The White Sox have lived with the strikeouts because of what comes with them. Montgomery entered Friday with 31 home runs and 87 RBI to go with a .202 average.
September has tested the White Sox player's patience. Through Thursday he was hitting .111 this month, with 38 strikeouts and eight walks. Chicago manager Will Venable said the young shortstop hasn't let it get to him and added that the team is supporting him.
In his first full big-league season, Montgomery has said he knows he is still developing as a hitter.
He might not hold onto the infamous MLB record long
There is a race for the major-league record this season. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber entered Friday with 218 strikeouts and three games left against Tampa Bay.
Reynolds told The Athletic in July that he wasn't rooting for anyone to catch him.
"I'm like 'No. How many big-league records do you have?'" Reynolds said.
Up next
The White Sox finish the regular season with two more games against Colorado before the playoffs begin.
In the midst of the Mets' disappointing season, rookie Carson Benge is having one to remember.
With two outs in the fifth inning Friday against the Nationals, Benge took Andrew Alvarez deep. Benge smashed a 3-1 sinker that was over the plate, and it went 407 feet. Incredible, considering the wind had knocked down a few potential home runs already in this game.
Benge's blast was the 20th of his season, and it put him in the Mets' record books. The home run put Benge in the 20-20 club for the year, the first Mets rookie to ever do it.
"I feel like anything that means the history books and done for the first time is something special and I hold that close to my heart," Benge said after the game. "God is good all the time. Being even-keeled through all of it, the highs and lows, it’s a blessing."
With his 20 doubles, Benge is now the 11th player in Mets history to have that amount of doubles along with the homers and stolen bases.
In addition, Benge became the 18th rookie in MLB history to post such a season. That list includes names like Bobby Witt Jr., Mike Trout and Carlos Beltrán.
The 23-year-old admitted he was thinking about hitting 20-20 once he got his 19th homer back on Sept. 19. But he tried to not think about it, and keep having good at-bats.
Benge has had a fantastic rookie season. Through Friday's game, Benge is slashing .277/.342/.426 with an OPS of .768 to go along with the aforementioned 20 home runs, 22 stolen bases (third in Mets rookie history), 21 doubles, three triples and 64 RBI.
He's also played impressive defense in right field, with his arm contributing to his 10 assists this season. Benge's arm is also becoming known to opponents, who think twice before challenging the youngster.
Benge already broke Pete Alonso's Mets rookie record for hits earlier this month, and is looking to potentially add some hardware in the offseason as he's in the thick of the NL Rookie of the Year race with the Reds' Sal Stewart and the Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt. Benge's teammate, Nolan McLean, also has a shot to win the award.
"That’s a huge award. There’s a bunch of guys in the running, one being another guy in this clubhouse," Benge said of potentially winning. "There’s a lot of good players in there and winning it would be amazing."
When asked whether he deserved Rookie of the Year, Benge said it's not his job to decide, just try and play the best he can every day. Mets manager Andy Green would vote for him, though.
"Just did something no Mets rookie’s ever done before. That’s really special," he said. "It’s well-rounded. What he’s done offensively, what he’s done defensively when it comes to position players, add in the bases, he’s done all of those things, in my mind, as well as any rookie in baseball."
Benge ranks in the top-5 in the National League in 10 offensive categories for rookies, including fWAR (3.7 - second), home runs (20 - second), hits (162 - third), steals (22 - third), runs (84 - third), RBI (64 - third), average (.277 - fourth), triples (3 - fourth), doubles (21 - fourth) and walks (50 - fifth).
While Benge continues to collect accolades, he says he's happiest with how he bounced back from a rough start to the season because it showed "what I’m made of."
But there could be more for Benge to tap into this offseason for next year. Green talked about his outfielder putting on strength this offseason and while Benge believes he can still get better in all facets of the game, putting on strength would be huge for him.
"Couple of those balls in the warning track, leave," Benge said at the possibility of getting stronger. "Not only that, but get faster, stronger and also to keep that throughout the year, would be huge for me."
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Yainer Diaz #21 and Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros react during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Daikin Park on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (79-80) will continue their final road trip of the regular season with the second game of a four -game series against the Athletics (63-96) at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA.
RHP Hunter Brown (6-3, 3.26 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite LHP Jacob Lopez (6-5, 5.68 ERA) and the Athletics.
THE DIESEL: Astros ace RHP Hunter Brown has posted a 5-2 record and a 2.76 ERA (19ER/62IP) in his last 11 starts (since July 25), pitching through the 5th inning in all 11 outings. Brown, who finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting last season, has been limited this season, missing over two months due to a lengthy stint on the IL (April 1-June 15) with a right shoulder strain. In 10 career starts vs. the Athletics, Brown has recorded a 2.86 ERA (18ER/56.2IP) with 67 strikeouts.
THE POSTSEASON CHASE: The Astros and Rangers are locked in a tight race down the stretch for the AL West with the two teams having the same record with three games left to play. The Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers with a season series victory (9-4 record).
VS. THE ATHLETICS: This is the final series between the Astros and Athletics this season, with the two clubs last seeing each other from Aug. 21-23 at Daikin Park.. The Astros have gone 5-5 vs. the Athletics this season. The Astros also own an overall regular season record of 125-111 against the Athletics, including a 60-60 record on the road.
ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight is the fourth game of a six-game road trip for the Astros. Since going 1-9 on the first road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have gone 39-29 (.574) on the road since April 14, which ranks third in the AL in that span, behind the Red Sox (43-28) and the Yankees (42-30).
LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Astros defeated the Athletics, 7-5 at Sutter Health Park last night. The Astros offense combined to hit five home runs between CF Lucas Spence (3×4, 3 HR, 5 RBI), 3B Isaac Paredes (1×4, HR, RBI) and 1B Christian Walker (2×4, HR, RBI). RHP Miguel Ullola allowed one hit and struck out three in three scoreless innings to earn his second win of his career.
GOIN’ DEEP: The Astros have hit 218 homers as a team this year and have hit 200-plus homers in a single season for the 10th time in franchise history (last, 222 HR in 2023). The Astros rank second in the AL in home runs this season behind only the Yankees (223).
TWO-OUT MAGIC: The Astros lead the American League in two-out runs with 311 on the season, trailing only the Cubs (331) in the Majors. 3B Isaac Paredes leads this effort, as he holds the Major League lead with 45 two-out RBI, directly ahead of CHC Pete Crow-Armstrong and STL 1B Alec Burleson (44 RBI).
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Last night’s victory was the 254th win for Astros Manager Joe Espada tying him with Hal Lanier for the ninth-most managerial wins in Astros franchise history. Espada owns a 254-228 record with the Astros.
THE CASE FOR THE MVP:DH Yordan Alvarez is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award. Alvarez leads the American League in OPS (1.032), slugging percentage (.600), OBP (.432), batting average (.315), total bases (333), walks (108), IBB (33), wRC+ (181), OPS+ (.190) and extra-base hits (75). He also ranks tied for second in home runs (41), second in RBI (102), tied for second in hits (175), fourth in runs (101), and tied for third in doubles (33).
TRIFECTA: CF Lucas Spence went 3×4 with three home runs and five RBI last night vs. the Athletics. He became the third player in Major League history to hit their first three career home runs in the same game, joining STL Joshua Baez (Aug. 15, 2026) and CWS C Seby Zavala (July 31, 2021). Spence is the second rookie in Astros franchise history to record a three-homer game, joining DH Yordan Alvarez (Aug. 10, 2019 at BAL). It was the first three-homer game by an Astro this season (last, IF Jose Altuve on Sept. 5, 2023 vs. TEX).
ANNUAL HOUSTON BBWAA AWARDS: On yesterday, Houston BBWAA Chapter Chairman Chandler Rome (The Athletic) announced the 2026 Houston BBWAA Awards:
Astros MVP: Yordan Alvarez
Astros Pitcher of the Year: Peter Lambert
Astros Rookie of the Year:AJ Blubaugh
Darryl Kile Good Guy Award:Bryan Abreu
Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball Award:Brent Strom
STRONG SEPTEMBERS: 3B Isaac Paredes has a 1.009 OPS this month to go along with a team-leading 20 RBI, which ranks second in the AL. C Yainer Diaz is also having a strong September, as he’s hitting .343 (24×70) with four homers, 10 RBI and a .956 OPS in 20 games (17 starts) this month.
THE FIREMAN:LHP Josh Hader has converted 26 consecutive save chances to open his season, which is the Astros record. Should Hader finish the season without a blown save, he would become the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post 26-plus saves without a blown save. The last Major Leaguer to do so was RHP Ken Giles in 2018 (26 SV).
NO. 200: 1B Christian Walker recorded his 200th home run of his career on Tues. night at SEA with a three-run home run in the third inning. Became the 34th active player in the Majors to record 200 career HRs.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1986 – RHP Mike Scott clinches the NL West Division title for the Astros in historic fashion by hurling a 2-0, no-hit victory over the Giants in the Dome. Scott, who tallied 13 strikeouts in the win, would go on to win the NL Cy Young Award later that season, finishing with an 18-10 while leading the Majors in both ERA (2.22) and strikeouts (306).
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, September 24, 8:40 p.m. CT
Location: Sutter Heath Park, Sacramento, CA
TV: SCHN
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on September 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, the A’s dropped the first game of this four-game set with the Astros last night. The final series of the season continues this evening as the weekend gets underway with a nightcap against Houston. The Athletics’ loss paired with the Angels’ win yesterday means that Los Angeles still has a chance to pass our A’s so let’s get the win tonight and clinch fourth place once and for all.
On the other side of the ball, thanks to both Texas teams winning last night the two squads are still tied atop the AL West, fighting with the Rangers for the division (and therefor their last path to the playoffs). At 79-80 they still have a chance to finish with either a losing or winning record, regardless of if they win the division. Let’s make sure they finish with at least a .500 record. That means we’ll need to take two of three. Think our A’s have it in ‘em to play spoiler a few more times?
The Athletics have left-hander Jacob Lopez on the bump this evening making his 24th and final start of the season. It’s definitely been an up-and-down year for the southpaw as he started the year in the rotation before faltering so hard he found himself back in the minor leagues. He’s worked through the adversity however to have worked his way back into the rotation and overall thrive. That is, until his last start. That was easily the worst appearance of his career as he allowed 10 (!) earned runs to the Guardians in less than three innings of work. That has skewed his overall ERA on the year but he’s in general ending the year on a good note. That likely won’t be enough to guarantee him a rotation job next spring but he could be one of the top depth options for next year’s squad.
Here’s how the lineup for game two looks this evening:
The A’s are going with their usual starting lineup again tonight, with minimal changes from yesterday. And why mess with a lineup that put up five runs? Tonight’s scorecard will see the return of Tommy White to the lineup playing first and batting eighth, taking Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s spot in the lineup. That’s the only major difference, with the rest of the changes coming on the defensive side of the ball. McNeil moves to second base, Walton to shortstop to accommodate White on the infield.
As for Houston, they have their top arm on the bump in this one. Right-hander Hunter Brown is getting the ball for his 20th start this season. After missing most of the first two months of the year Brown has helped stabilize a shaky Houston rotation thanks to his team-leading 3.26 ERA. He lines up to take the ball for Houston in their first playoff game if they make it to October.
And the Astros’ starting nine tonight shapes up like this:
Can’t let Alvarez kill us. Or for that matter Spence, who nearly single-handed beat us last night with a three-home game (his first three career homers, go figure). If we can handle them then we should be able to stick around and sneak out our 64th win. Let’s go A’s!
