You’d think not having Aaron Judge around might make it more of a fair fight for teams like the White Sox.
But the supposedly resurgent White Sox were pummeled 12-2 by the Yankees on Tuesday night in The Bronx, as the Judge-less offense still pounded them for three homers in the first four innings en route to the lopsided win.
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Gerrit Cole barely broke a sweat, as he allowed just one base runner until the sixth inning.
For the Yankees, it was their seventh win in their past eight games, as they improved to an AL-best 44-27.
“It’s not like Judge and [Giancarlo Stanton] are coming back tomorrow, so we have to do this for a while,” said Paul Goldschmidt, who hit his 10th homer of the season. “This is a good start, but we’ve got to keep it going. I think the way we’re playing speaks to our depth and the culture I stepped into here last year. It’s about winning, no matter who’s out there.”
Beating the teams they should helps, as well.
The Yankees have won 11 of 13 games this season against the consistently lackluster AL Central, having swept the Guardians in Cleveland just over a week ago and winning all six games against Kansas City.
Spencer Jones belts a solo home run in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 12-2 win over the White Sox on June 16, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for New York Post
A four-run third inning set them up for an easy win with Cole on the mound and a six-run fourth ended any hope of a Chicago comeback.
By the end, they put up 16 hits — their second-highest total of the season — and hit four homers.
Cole, brilliant in his first two starts back from Tommy John surgery before struggling in his past two, was strong again Tuesday.
Gerrit Cole held the White Sox to two runs over six innings to pick up his second win of the season in the Yankees’ victory. Robert Sabo for New York Post
He allowed a two-out solo homer to ex-Yankee Andrew Benintendi in the first.
The Yankees tied it on Spencer Jones’ second homer since his arrival — and first at home.
In the third, the Yankees loaded the bases with no one out to set up a two-run single by Cody Bellinger, which made it 3-1.
Ben Rice belts a two-run homer in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ blowout win over the White Sox. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s one-out walk loaded them again for Jones, who drove in another run by also drawing a walk.
José Caballero hit a sacrifice fly to add to the lead, as the Yankees went up 5-1 in the 40-pitch inning.
A pair of two-run homers in the fourth — one from Rice and then Goldschmidt — ended Chicago starter Davis Martin’s night. However, the Yankees weren’t done, as Ryan McMahon added an RBI single and a throwing error by new pitcher Chris Murphy led to another run.
Paul Goldschmidt celebrates in the dugouts with teammates after belting a two-run homer in the Yankees’ win over the White Sox. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Cole rolled along, as he retired 13 straight after the homer to Benintendi before Tristan Peters opened the sixth with a single that Rice couldn’t handle.
By then, the Yankees had chased Martin, who entered with the sixth-best ERA in the majors. He’d also allowed just three homers in 13 starts on the season and gave up three in just 3 ¹/₃ innings Tuesday.
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Chicago entered the game in a virtual tie with Cleveland atop the AL Central, but looked more like the laughingstock that just suffered through three straight 100-plus-loss seasons.
And while the Yankees have been making it look easy even with their stars sidelined, Goldschmidt said they know there will be hard times ahead as Judge & Co. are on the mend.
“We know how long the season is, especially with two of our best hitters out,” Goldschmidt said. “But this is what we’re built for.”
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 16: Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 16, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Andre Pallante was nearly unhittable for the first half of the game while the St. Louis Cardinals offense was just good enough to beat the San Diego Padres again at Busch Stadium Tuesday night.
One pre-game moment worth mentioning. JJ Wetherholt’s 5th grade teacher Mrs. Ingoldsby threw out the ceremonial first pitch to JJ. She was the teacher that famously shared Wetherholt’s grade school picture where he declared that he wanted to be a MLB player when he grew up. Spoiler Alert: that worked out well for the Cardinals. By the way, JJ Wetherholt had quite a night with 3 hits, a walk and a stolen base.
During the actual game, it didn’t take long before the Cardinals got on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Lars Nootbaar walked leading off. After Masyn Winn flied out to center, Jimmy Crooks grounded out to second, but Nootbaar advanced to second. With 2 outs, Blaze Jordan ripped a double to left-center scoring Nootbaar giving St. Louis an early 1-0 lead. Nathan Church followed that up with a single of his own scoring Jordan doubling the Cardinals lead to 2-0 after 2 innings.
Andre Pallante did not surrender a hit until the top of the 5th inning and even then, just barely. With two outs, Samad Taylor hit a ball up the middle that Pallante deflected before Masyn Winn made a barehanded grab and nearly threw out Taylor at first. The safe call was upheld after a challenge by manager Oli Marmol. Taylor then easily stole second after getting a huge jump that gave Ivan Herrera no chance. Ty France then singled to center scoring Taylor and giving San Diego their first run of the series cutting the Cardinals lead in half at 2-1 halfway through the game.
St. Louis would get the run back in the bottom of the 5th inning when Iván Herrera was hit by a pitch (again). Alec Burleson followed that with a single before Jordan Walker came within an eyelash of hitting a 3-run homer to deep center field, but his flyout did advance Herrera to third. Lars Nootbaar hit a sacrifice fly scoring Herrera upping the Cardinals lead to 3-1. They would need that run.
In the top of the 6th inning, San Diego would draw closer. Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to right with two outs. Jackson Merrill doubled Tatis in leaving St. Louis with a tiny 3-2 lead heading into the late innings. St. Louis threatened in the bottom of the 6th inning when JJ Wetherholt scorched a single up the middle and then stole second base. Iván Herrera was hit by a pitch (yes, AGAIN), but Alec Burleson’s laser shot down the right field line was unfortunately directly at Padres first baseman Ty France.
The Cardinals would attempt a 2-out rally in the bottom of the 7th inning also. After Jordan Walker grounded out and Lars Nootbaar struck out, Masyn Winn singled to center and Jimmy Crooks walked. That brought up Blaze Jordan who turned on an 80 mph changeup sending it down the 3rd base line which was unfortunately guarded by Manny Machado who made a great grab and threw out Jordan to end the St. Louis 7th. Dang.
Andre Pallante gave St. Louis 7 strong innings. His stat line for the night ended with 7 innings pitched, giving up only 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 6 and walking no one. A really nice effort that got the Cardinals deep into the game before the bullpen would intervene.
Ryne Stanek was the designated St. Louis Cardinals 8th inning hall monitor. He did a fine job setting the Padres down in order. Honorable mention to the “Tarps Off” crew who chanted “Padres Suck” most of the top of the 8th inning. Second honorable mention to the Padres for proving them right.
The St. Louis Cardinals decided to send Riley O’Brien out to close out the Padres which gave many of us trepidation as we remember the beginning of a bad run for Riley that started in San Diego when he gave up a heartbreaking 2-out walkoff to Nick Castellanos. Riley fortunately allowed very little drama (other than a nervous 2-out walk to Manny Machado) to seal another St. Louis victory. More of this, please!
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their short homestand vs the San Diego Padres Wednesday afternoon as they try to sweep the series. Kyle Leahy will start for the Cardinals while the Padres don’t have a starter announced yet which may mean a bullpen game is planned. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm at Busch Stadium.
Jun 16, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Robert Gasser (54) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
It was a big day for the Brewers. Cooper Pratt, the shiny new prospect, made his major league debut. While Pratt will surely have “better” days to look forward to from a baseball-playing standpoint, he’ll remember it forever. But tonight, the story for the Brewers was lefty Robert Gasser, who at times has looked like the odd man out amongst Milwaukee’s crop of young pitchers. Tonight, Gasser had his best big-league start since before Tommy John surgery ruined most of his last two seasons, and a couple of big Brewer hits were all they needed to squeak out a tight win.
Gasser got off to a clean start in the first. Leadoff hitter Travis Bazzana hit a ball pretty deep to center field, but Garrett Mitchell caught it while battling the sun. Brayan Rocchio also flew out to Mitchell, though this one was shallow, and a Rhys Hoskins strikeout ended the frame.
The Brewers were aggressive in the bottom of the first: Christian Yelich pounced on the first pitch from Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi and crushed it into right, but David Fry caught his 106-mph line drive for the first out. Jackson Chourio saw five pitches and also made solid contact, but flew out to the warning track in left. On the first pitch Brice Turang saw, he reached on an infield single, but William Contreras, who became the third Brewer of the inning to put the first pitch in play, grounded out to end the inning.
Gasser dug himself a hole in the second inning. He was unable to put away former Brewer minor leaguer David Fry, who fouled off five two-strike pitches before taking a walk on the 11th pitch of the at-bat. Kyle Manzardo followed with another full-count walk, and the Guardians had two on and nobody out. But Gasser struck out Stuart Fairchild, and Pratt got his first big-league chance when Steven Kwan hit a grounder to shortstop that Pratt flipped to second as he started a 6-4-3 double play. One wonders how many double plays Pratt and Turang might turn before all is said and done.
Jake Bauers started the second with a flyout to shallow left, and was quickly followed by groundouts from Andrew Vaughn and Mitchell. Gabriel Arias, in his first at-bat since April 6, led off the third with a base hit to right, but he was erased when a weak grounder from Austin Hedges turned into a 4-3 double play in which Turang tagged Arias and threw to first to get Hedges. A Bazzana fly ball to center ended a third scoreless inning for Gasser.
The bottom of the third started with Pratt’s first at-bat as a big leaguer. After taking a strike, he grounded out to shortstop. Get ‘em next time, kid. David Hamilton tried to sneak a bunt past Cecconi, but it was too straight, and Cecconi got him by a step. Yelich grounded out, too, and the Brewers went quietly in the third.
Rocchio gave Pratt his first tough defensive test to lead off the fourth, and Pratt’s throw to first sailed after his plant foot moved a little, so first double play, first groundout, and first error got out of the way early. Rocchio ended up at second, and Gasser got the first out shortly thereafter when Hoskins popped out in foul territory near the Brewers’ dugout. After seeing 11 pitches in his first at-bat, Fry needed only one to ground out to Hamilton at third in his second at-bat. After a Manzardo flyout to right ended the inning, Gasser had successfully picked up his young shortstop and gotten through a fourth scoreless inning.
Chourio struck out looking to start the bottom of the fourth, but Turang broke the scoreless tie when he followed with a blast to right center for a solo home run, his 11th of the season. Contreras reached on an error by Arias with one out, but Bauers grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Now working with a 1-0 lead, Gasser struck out Fairchild again, got Kwan to fly out to left, and struck out Arias for a 1-2-3 inning, and he was looking rather comfortable.
Vaughn grounded out to start the bottom of the fifth. Mitchell also hit a ground ball, but Hoskins couldn’t pick it on a tricky hop; it bounced to the second baseman, Bazzana, who was able to make a throw to first, but Mitchell beat it by a step. Pratt grounded into another out in his second career at-bat (100.3-mph exit velocity!), but at least advanced Mitchell to second. Hamilton struck out, though, and the inning ended with Mitchell on second.
Gasser allowed a single to Hedges to start the sixth, just the second hit of the game for the Guardians. Bazzana followed with a hard line drive to center, but Mitchell didn’t need to move far to catch it. Rocchio struck out on three pitches, and with Gasser at 92 pitches and the right-handed Hoskins coming up for the third time, the Brewers decided to make a move to the bullpen. Joel Kuhnel was the choice to face Hoskins, and on a 3-2 pitch, Hoskins hooked a 3-2 curveball over Hamilton’s head at third base for a double. Hedges, the runner, is not exactly fleet of foot, and Chourio got to the ball fast enough to prevent Hedges from trying to score. With runners on second and third and two out, Daniel Schneemann came on to pinch-hit in place of Fry, and he grounded out to second to end the inning.
That closed the book on Gasser, who had his best outing since before he had Tommy John surgery in 2024 and a good bounce-back performance from his tough start in Las Vegas. He finished with just two singles and two walks allowed in 5 2/3 innings, while striking out five and not allowing a run.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Chourio drew a really nice walk to give Milwaukee a one-out baserunner. Turang walked, too (after a very close call on a 2-2 pitch that might’ve been overturned if it had been challenged), and Milwaukee had two on with one out. Contreras hit a grounder up the middle that could’ve been a hit and could’ve been a double play, but ended up as neither; Rocchio made a nice sliding grab and flipped to Bazzana for one out, but Contreras beat the throw to first. With runners on the corners and two out, the Guardians moved to Colin Holderman (a righty?) to face Bauers. On a 2-2 pitch, Holderman hit Bauers in the front foot with a curveball, and that loaded the bases with two outs. Pat Murphy moved to Sal Frelick over Vaughn to get a favorable platoon matchup, but Frelick hit a groundball to second that ended the inning.
Aaron Ashby replaced Kuhnel, and with one out, he walked Fairchild in a pretty non-competitive at-bat. He struck out Kwan for the second out, but threw a wild pitch during the at-bat that allowed Fairchild to reach second, and Arias came through with a two-out RBI single that tied the game at one. The Brewers got out of the inning when Hedges grounded out — but not until Bauers made a really tough pick when Hamilton spiked his throw to first.
Cleveland had tied the game, but that didn’t last long. Hunter Gaddis came in for Holderman, and on his fourth pitch, Mitchell hit an absolute bomb to right field, a 112-mph, 440-foot shot that put the Brewers back on top 2-1. Gaddis recovered by getting Pratt, Hamilton, and Yelich to all ground out, but Mitchell’s shot gave the Brewers a late lead.
Ashby continued in the eighth, but walked Bazzana to start the inning, after which he was removed in favor of Abner Uribe. Rocchio, Uribe’s first hitter, flew out lazily to left. With Hoskins batting, Uribe yanked a slider into the dirt and past Contreras, and for the second straight inning, a batter who reached on a walk moved to second on a wild pitch. Uribe struck out Hoskins on a fastball right down the middle at 100 mph, but another wild pitch with Schneemann at the plate advanced Bazzana to third. Uribe walked Schneemann to put runners on the corners with two out for Manzardo, but Uribe’s stuff suddenly clicked, and he looked great in striking out Manzardo to strand both runners and preserve the Brewers’ lead.
Matt Festa entered for the Guardians and made quick work of the heart of the Brewers’ order in the eighth, as he got Chourio, Turang, and Contreras on two groundouts and a strikeout. That set the stage for Trevor Megill, who entered in the top of the ninth with a one-run lead. Pinch-hitter Petey Halpin was first, and he struck out on three pitches. Kwan harmlessly rolled a grounder to second base for the second out. Arias, who had a nice night in his return from a two-month layoff, wasn’t able to add a storybook ending: he struck out on a check swing, and the game was over.
There wasn’t much offense for the Brewers tonight — they managed only four hits, and eight of the 10 batters who appeared in the game for Milwaukee went hitless. But two solo homers (from Turang and Mitchell) were enough tonight, as Gasser and four relievers held the Guardians to just four hits as well, and Cleveland’s only extra-base hit was Hoskins’ double. Ashby wasn’t very good tonight and was the only Brewer to allow a run, but in doing so, he vultured another win to become the first player in the majors to 10 wins.
Pratt, for his part, didn’t exactly have a debut for the ages — he went 0-for-3 with three groundouts at the plate and committed an error in the field — but he got number one out of the way, and hey, he didn’t strike out, and his team won the game.
The series continues tomorrow night at 6:40 p.m., when we expect to see Brandon Sproat face off with Cleveland’s ace, Gavin Williams.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 16: Gabriel Arias #13 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at American Family Field on June 16, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a surprise off-day and a scheduled off-day, the Cleveland Guardians traveled to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in a 3-game series.
Slade Cecconi and Robert Gasser faced off as the starting pitchers for this evening’s game. Cecconi had another decent start, holding the Brewers to one run in 5.2 innings of work. The run came off a solo home run by Brice Turang and was one of three hits that Cecconi allowed. Cecconi gave up two walks, both in the sixth inning and was pulled having only thrown 82 pitches.
Brayan Rocchio backed up his pitcher with a nice play turned at second to get the runner out. Colin Holderman retired the side to finish out the sixth inning.
The 0-1 score held until the top of the seventh. Stuart Fairchild drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Gabriel Arias, fresh off of a rehab assignment, singled to right field to score Fairchild and tie the game.
Hunter Gaddis came on in the bottom of the seventh with a tie game. Gaddis gave up a lead off home run to Garrett Mitchell, giving the Brewers the lead once more.
The curse of the runner in scoring position struck the Guards again in the top of the eighth. Travis Bazzana drew a lead off walk and forced the Brewers to go to Abner Uribe. Brayan Rocchio flied out, but Bazzana reached second base on a wild pitch. Rhys Hoskins struck out swinging, but Bazzana reached third based on a wild pitch. Daniel Schneemann, who pinch hit for David Fry in the sixth, drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Kyle Manzardo struck out swinging, retiring the side without a run crossing home.
Matt Festa pitched the eighth and was graced with stellar defense to turn two quick ground outs to start the inning. William Contreras struck out swinging to retire the side for a clean 11 pitch inning from Festa.
The Brewers held onto their lead, taking game one of the series from the Guardians by a score of Cleveland 1 – Brewers 2. Both teams had four hits and one error on the night.
The Mets lost for the second straight night in Cincinnati, dropping Tuesday's game by a score of 5-3.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- In his first start since re-joining the team after nearly two months on the injured list, Kodai Senga had a difficult first inning. After walking the first two batters he faced, with some pitches not even close, the right-hander served up a three-run homer to Sal Stewart that opened up the scoring. Three batters later, Spencer Steer, who was stuck in a 1-for-29 slump, launched a solo shot to give the Reds a 4-0 advantage.
-- Following Monday night’s 12-0 loss, it looked like things might get out of hand for New York once again. However, Senga managed to keep Cincinnati hitless for the next three innings and even showed some swing-and-miss stuff by striking out five in four innings.
-- Senga’s command was off for most of the night and he had trouble getting his secondary stuff over the plate, but the velocity on his fastball sat around 96-97 mph, which is always a good sign for the right-hander who threw 82 pitches (46 strikes) before getting pulled. The start wasn’t great, but it was good enough because of how Senga ended it to likely get him another one his next time through with the Mets desperate for starting pitchers at the moment.
-- Offensively, New York’s only run off Reds starter Brady Singer came in the third inning when Bo Bichette singled with runners on first and second to get the Mets on the board for the first time in the series. Bichette continued his incredible hot streak by finishing 2-for-5 at the plate for his fifth consecutive multi-hit game.
-- After Bichette’s run-scoring single, Juan Soto walked to load the bases, but just like in Monday’s game, where New York left the bases loaded three separate times without scoring a single run, the Mets were unable to cash in after Jared Young’s flyout ended the inning.
New York left the bases loaded again in the fourth inning and went 2-for-11 with RISP for the game.
-- Facing Cincinnati’s bereft bullpen in the sixth inning, the Mets were finally able to strike. With a runner on second and two outs, pinch-hitter Mark Vientos homered against the left-hander Sam Moll to get New York back in the game. The home run was Vientos’ first pinch-hit home run of his career and eighth of the season.
-- The Mets had another golden opportunity to get closer in the eighth after back-to-back walks by Marcus Semien and Brett Baty led off the frame, but strikeouts by Vientos and Francisco Alvarez and a groundout by Carson Benge ended the threat.
-- Soto singled in the ninth inning to get the tying run to the plate, but Eric Wagaman struck out and A.J. Ewing grounded out to end the game.
-- New York’s bullpen was once again awesome, giving up just a run in four innings. Austin Warren, Huascar Brazoban and Luke Weaver, who struck out the side in the eighth, were particularly great.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 16: Kodai Senga #34 of the New York Mets reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park on June 16, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets came into Tuesday’s game looking to recover from Monday’s demoralizing blowout loss. Kodai Senga was returning from the injured list and coming off his best rehab start yet, where he gave up just one run and struck out five batters in six innings. With how decimated and inconsistent the Mets rotation has become over the past few weeks, even half of a return to form by Senga would be a welcome addition in a time of great need.
Kodai Senga’s first inning back from the injured list went about almost as poorly as one could imagine. He gave up two consecutive walks to start the bottom of the first, then gave up a three run home run to Sal Stewart to immediately dig a hole for the offense to try and climb out of. He got two outs, seemingly pulling it together, but he didn’t get out of the inning without giving up another run, this time on a solo home run courtesy of Spencer Steer. He finally got out of it with a strikeout, but not before facing seven batters and throwing over thirty pitches.
It took until the third inning for the Mets lineup to put up any fight. Brett Baty was hit by a pitch (though he was replaced at first by MJ Melendez on a fielder’s choice) and Francisco Alvarez hit a one-out single to put two runners on. Bo Bichette followed two batters later with a two-out single to drive in the Mets first run of the game. They then loaded the bases but were unable to drive any more runs in. Which, in a continuing theme of the series, they did again in the fourth inning.
Kodai Senga was pulled after four innings, having allowed four runs on two hits and four walks, while striking out five. All of his runs were given up in that first inning, which also prevented him from going longer with the high pitch count from the first inning alone. Cionel Pérez was brought in the fifth, and gave up a double and two singles which allowed for another Reds run to score, digging the hole a little deeper to dig out of.
In the top of the sixth the Mets fought back a little more. Brady Singer was taken out of the game in favor of Sam Moll. He gave up a one-out single to Marcus Semien, who was able to advance to second on a fielding error by Steer. And two batters later, Mark Vientos (who was brought in to pinch-hit for Melendez), hit a two-run home run to put the Mets back by only two runs.
Austin Warren, Huascar Brazobán, and Luke Weaver combined to pitch three scoreless innings to end the game for the Mets. But that didn’t matter. The Mets were unable to score any runs. They had multiple base runners in the final three innings that were stranded, leaving eleven runners on base over the course of the whole game. In a game with such a slim run differential, even being slightly less inept with runners in scoring positions could lead to a Mets win. And instead, it was yet another loss started by a struggling starter and carried through by an offense that can’t finish the job.
The Mets play their final game against the Reds tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully with Nolan McLean on the mound the Mets can find their way, provided McLean doesn’t struggle the way Tobias Myers and Senga did. Then they head to Philadelphia, and they really can’t afford to give up any games to not only a divisional rival but a team they need to ostensibly catch up to in the Wild Card chase. Unfortunately, they just gave up two games to a team just one spot ahead of them in that race.
Big Mets winner: Brett Baty, +15% WPA Big Mets loser: Carson Benge, -24% WPA Mets pitchers: -16% WPA Mets hitters: -34% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Brett Baty’s eighth inning walk (god that’s sad), +10.5% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Sal Stewart’s three run home run in the first inning, -16.2% WPA
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 15: Nasim Nuñez #26 of the Washington Nationals advances to third base against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Nationals Park on June 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
These Nats are just a series winning machine. They have now won 11 of the last 12 series and improved to 39-35 on the season. The Nationals now have sole possession of a Wild Card spot, which is pretty crazy if you ask me. I say it all the time, but man has this season been fun.
Like most great teams, it feels like there are different heroes every night. Tonight there were three main stars. The first one was Foster Griffin, who was excellent again. He threw 6 innings of one run ball, striking out six. At this point, this kind of outing from Griffin feels like the expectation rather than something to be excited about.
For the season, Griffin now has a 3.32 ERA. He had two rough starts in May, but has gotten back to rolling since then. Griffin has been such an astute signing by this front office. You have to wonder what is next for him. I tended to think he was a near lock to be traded. While that still might be the case, what would the Nats do if they remain in a playoff race in six weeks?
Griffin’s deep arsenal was fooling Royals hitters most of the night. He scattered a few hits here and there, but unlike some of his recent starts, the home run ball was not a factor. When Griffin needed to find another gear with runners on base, he got a couple of clutch strikeouts on the night.
The next big star in this one was Nasim Nunez, whose bat has really heated up lately. Nunez is hitting .333 with an .857 OPS in his last 15 games. It feels like Nunez is relaxing in the batters box more and trying to hit line drives. For much of the season, Nunez has been trying to lift the ball, which is just not his game. Now, he is back to his bread and butter.
Tonight, Nunez hit two triples, something you do not see too often. The first one drove in Drew Millas to open the scoring in the third. Then, the speedster got another three-bagger in the 5th to start the inning. James Wood would drive him in right afterwards.
if i had a nickel for every time nasim tripled tonight i'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice pic.twitter.com/c0W0trfhLd
It was not just the offense where Nunez was a threat though. He made a couple really nice plays on defense, including a clutch double play turn in the 9th when things looked to be getting dicey for Gus Varland. Nunez also walked twice and used his speed to steal his league-leading 26th base. Tonight shows you why the Nats have stuck with Nasim through the struggles. When he is giving you something with the bat, he can be such a spark plug.
The last hero of the night was a player who has been clutch all season long. Curtis Mead had been in a mini-slump the past week, but he changed that with one swing of the bat. After the bullpen gave away the 3-1 lead in the top of the 7th, the Nats ferocious offense responded in a big way in the bottom half.
The normally reliable Daniel Lynch’s control escaped him tonight. He walked Nunez and Andres Chaparro to bring up the Aussie. Mead absolutely leaned into a laser beam of a homer on a Lynch hanging slider. That made the game 6-3, a lead that would stick.
Curtis Mead just smashed his 11th HR. Gave the Nats a 7th-inning lead. Been a revelation.
Former top prospect in TB; played for Blake Butera in Rays system. Knew Butera and Michael Johns well. Toboni traded for him a day into season. He's been huge. pic.twitter.com/1aPGqwJYS3
Picked up in a waiver wire trade, Mead has been an invaluable piece for this team. He has played all over the infield, and gives his team such good at bats. Mead was considered a failed prospect heading into the new season, but like so many of these Nats, he has found new life this year.
The fans have also found new life here in DC. The yard was packed tonight, and fans were ready to explode in the 9th. They went nuts when Gus Varland struck out Isaac Collins to end the game. That feeling is starting to come back in DC. If you have not already been paying attention to the Nats, there are a few more seats on the bandwagon. Take them before it is too late!
Jun 16, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) is greeted at home plate by catcher J.C. Escarra (25) after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
I recapped the Yankees’ incredible 13-run inning against Sacramento, and I was tapped for tonight’s blowout win as well. Should I recap a third blowout, that’s a trend and I’ll be asking my editors for a raise, since clearly I’m having influence here.
The Yankees were down 1-0 three batters into the game, but that was just about the only time it felt like they were in any danger. Two huge innings catapulted them to another win, and they’re now 8-2 in their last 10 — all without Aaron Judge! The 12-2 victory tonight sets them up well for yet another series win against what would ostensibly be called a playoff contender, this time the Chicago White Sox.
Until the third inning, you could make a very good case that Davis Martin would be the runner-up to Cam Schlittler in the AL Cy Young race. We’re still a little under halfway through this season, but those odds certainly took a hit once the Yankees got a second look at the right-hander. He entered play second in the Junior Circuit with a 2.38 ERA. He left ranked 12th, at 3.31.
Spencer Jones jumped on a ball to tie us up in the second:
Jones paired that with a bases-loaded walk a couple of innings later, and for all my skepticism about his potential as a major-leaguer, being able to cut back on whiffs just a little bit makes him a much more valuable piece of this team. He struck out in the sixth on one of those pitches he has to learn how to take because his levers are so long, but on the whole, well done Spencer.
Now, onto the third inning — and then the fourth.
Ben Rice chose a great time to challenge a called third strike, setting up Cody Bellinger to push the Yankees ahead:
Jones’ walk and José Caballero’s sac fly pushed the lead to four, and Gerrit Cole did exactly what you want your “ace” to do — delivered a shutdown inning and got a weary Martin back on the bump. With one on and one out, Benny Barrels made this a laugher:
Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled and Jones worked another walk, while Ryan McMahon continued to build something of a floor for himself with an RBI base hit. Reliever Chris Murphy threw away another run, committing an error trying to retire J.C. Escarra, and that gave the Yankees their 11th run. It wasn’t quite the 13-run inning that we saw against the As, but those two frames today took eons to finish, for very good reasons.
As for Cole, he was solid and certainly seemed to be pitching to the scoreboard, another crafty veteran trait to match the new windup and uhhhh, paunch. Six full innings, two runs allowed, and we saw a little more whiff on his pitches than in his previous start. He did leave an absolute sub to Andrew Benintendi in the first inning and Benintendi did exactly what you’re supposed to do with a pitch like that.
That was really Cole’s only mistake though. He got into a little bit of trouble in the sixth, giving up another run, but if he repeats himself tonight the rest of the way, that vaunted Yankee pitching rotation is gonna be in pretty good shape.
We got a position player pitching in the bottom of the eighth, and of course Caballero took an absolute daddy hack:
I startled my friend with how loudly I laughed at the swing, and the Yankees had a dozen.
It’s nice to start the baseball week with a breeze, and it’s even better when you knock around one of the league’s best arms. Carlos Rodón will look to keep this hot streak going tomorrow in game two against fellow southpaw Anthony Kay, once again with a 7:05pm Eastern start.
Jun 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Davis Schneider (36) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 1
I’ve said my favourite thing is a Jays win and a Yankees loss. But a Red Sox loss is up there on the list of Tom’s favourtie things. No, I’m not going to start singing.
It really was the Davis Schneider/Andrés Giménez show. Schneider homered—419 feet, over the Monster—and doubled. He didn’t walk. He drove in two of our four runs. Giménez also homered right after Davis—413 feet, dead center—and doubled. Well, Springer had a day too.
We also scored in the third. Andrés doubled. He was called out on the field, but it was overturned on a close challenge. Myles Straw had an incredible at-bat—14 pitches—before hitting a fly ball deep enough for Giménez to move to third. Giménez then scored on George Springer’s sacrifice fly. Dan Schulman suggested Straw might bunt, which inspired a stream of swearing from me.
The scoring continued in the sixth. Kazuma Okamoto drew a one-out walk. He moved to third on Nathan Lukes’ single. Okamoto then scored on Schneider’s double.
Later, in the ninth, two more runs came in: Straw walked, then Springer hit one over the monster (438 feet). It was the 300th home run of his career and his 126th with the Jays.
Overall, we had just 7 hits. Three were home runs. We also drew 6 walks. Springer, Schneider, and Giménez had six of the hits. Luke had the other hit.
Switching to pitching, this game will not be used by Dylan Cease if he ends up in arbitration at some point. He was not sharp. But he had 5 scoreless innings, with 4 hits, 4 walks and 7 strikeouts. He wasn’t helped by a plate umpire who had a very interesting view of the strike zone.
In the first inning, with two on, Cease got Jarren Duran to hit a soft popup just beyond the mound, but Dylan tripped when he was running over the mound to get the ball, and, well, didn’t make the catch. But he got out of the inning on the next batter.
As for the bullpen, most did the job. Jeff Hoffman had a great sixth inning with no baserunners and one strikeout. Tyler Rogers gave up one hit in his inning but allowed no runs. Tommy Nance made us nervous: he gave up a home run, another hit, and a walk while recording only two outs.
Finally, Louis Varland earned a four-out save, his 13th of the season. He gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth, but had three strikeouts.
In addition to his day at the plate, Myles Straw made two very good plays in center field. Lukes also had a nice catch in right field on a ball he almost overran.
Jays of the Day: Cease (0.29 WPA), Schneider (0.15), and Giménez (0.12). Let’s give an honourable mention to Straw and Varland.
No one had the ‘Other Award’.
And they had a lot of Scottish soccer fans in the wooden seats of Fenway:
Tomorrow we have Max Scherzer (1-4, 10.23) starting for the Jays. Jake Bennett (1-2, 5.28). If you are going to the game, and sitting at the top of the Green Monster or in any of the outfield seats, bring a glove.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals runs in the seventh inning during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
In a lot of sports, the best players can impose their will on the game and, well, will their team to victory. But that’s not the case in baseball. Today was a clear example that baseball stars can only do so much, as Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, a walk, and a stolen base—but his Kansas City Royals still lost 6-4 to the Washington Nationals.
One such hit happened in the fifth inning, a rare (for Kansas City) two-out base hit on a really nice opposite field line drive single to score Tyler Tolbert. Cutting the lead in half, it was a needed bit of offense, as old friend Foster Griffin had held the Royals scoreless for most of the game.
The Royals scored again two innings later to tie the game at three with Isaac Collins swatting another crucial two-out single to left field. It was a nice job coming back, tied together with a nice start by the ever-reliable Michael Wacha. While Wacha did give up seven hits in his six innings, he only walked one and avoided giving up any home runs.
Ah, but then the Royals bullpen entered the game, and that home run came. Against Daniel Lynch IV, Curtis Mead smacked his 11th home run of the year on a really terrible middle-middle slider. With two men on base, it was a three-run blast that put the Nationals firmly ahead.
To be fair to the Royals, they almost had something going in the ninth inning. Lane Thomas led off with a solo home run, and Witt worked his walk. But Jac Caglianone capped off a 0-4 day with a ground ball double play ball. Collins then struck out swinging, and that was that.
Both teams left a decent chunk of batters on base (the Nationals eight, the Royals nine), and both teams had 10 hits and four walks. However, the Nationals had four extra base hits—including a pair of triples and a home run—while the Royals only had two. That’s really becoming the story of the last bit of the season: Kansas City now ranks 26th in total home runs hit, and this despite bringing in the fences at home.
The Royals have won 29 of their 74 games, and are on pace for 99 losses. Things would be dire except they apparently are not and everyone’s doing a great job. So it goes.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 7: Javier Assad #72 of the Chicago Cubs reacts in a game against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on June 7, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thanks for stopping by. You’re always welcome here. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night I asked you if you would trade Seiya Suzuki before the trade deadline. Forty percent of you said “no,” you wouldn’t. Of course, that means that sixty percent of you would, which broke down to 33 percent if the Cubs could actually get a starting pitcher for him and 27 percent would just trade him for prospects.
On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I don’t write about movies. But I’ll try to find some music for you.
We lost the great South African jazz artist Abdullah Ibrahim (gift article) at the age of 91 yesterday. Ibrahim, who recorded as “Dollar Brand” before converting to Islam, played with Duke Ellington, Elvin Jones, Max Roach and others. Nelson Mandela called him “Our Mozart.”
Ibraham’s song “Mannenberg (Is Where It’s Happening)” became an anti-apartheid anthem and was a favorite of Mandela. who listened to it on records smuggled into Robben Island. Mandela often played it at his rallies after his release.
Welcome back to those of you who skip the music.
The Cubs pitching has been disappointing this year, although if you look at their overall ERA and runs allowed are just around the major league average. But that’s disappointing for this team. While they may not expected to have an elite pitching staff coming into this year, I think the Cubs had hoped for a little more than “average.” And certainly some pitchers that the Cubs expected to be major contributors have either been hurt (Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd) or bad (Jameson Taillon, Edward Cabrera).
But I always want to look at the positive. Not because I’m optimistic by nature (I’m not), but because I find dwelling on the negative to have deleterious effects on my mental and physical health. So let’s look at Javier Assad, who has been called upon to step up this year
And Assad has stepped up this year. Al listed him as one of the “who’s up” players just yesterday after a start in San Francisco.
Assad started the season in the majors, but went down to the minors after a couple of appearances where he just got hammered: nine runs in 4.1 inning start in Philadelphia and six runs in 2.1 innings of relief in Los Angeles. That, and just a general numbers and having options thing, got Assad sent down to Triple-A Iowa.
Injuries forced Assad’s return to Chicago, and he’s made two appearances since his return. The first was a relief appearance after an injury to Jameson Taillon. Assad went 6.1 innings, allowed no runs and just one hit. Then there was that start in San Francisco, when he pitched six shutout innings with only three hits.
Overall, Assad is 4-1 with a 3.99 ERA in four starts and six relief appearances, totalling 38.1 innings.
So while it’s not time for a final grade for Assad, let’s give him a mid-semester progress report. What grade do you give Javier Assad so far?
Thank you for stopping by. We always enjoy having you. Please get home safely. Call a ride if you need to. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 16: The Umpire crew meet with Manager Walt Weiss (22) of the Atlanta Braves, Manager Tony Vitello (23) of the San Francisco Giants and the head groundskeeper while the grounds crew work on the infield during the Tuesday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on June 16, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
There were many who thought that Tuesday’s scheduled game between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves would be postponed before it even began. And now, those people can say it should have been. Despite pouring rain, the teams started their game on time. In between the top and bottom halves of the second inning — with the Giants leading 3-2 — the game was paused while the grounds crew worked on the field.
It was a funny scene. The rain has mostly ceased, but the infield was soaked enough that the grounds crew needed to spend time trying to make it playable.
And spend time they indeed did. We went well over an hour without a delay ever officially being declared, though eventually the teams left the dugouts entirely, and Atlanta did announce on social media that they would update fans on any resumption of play. According to the beat reporters, there were essentially no announcements inside the stadium.
Finally, after a delay of roughly an hour and a half, the game was officially postponed. Action will resume on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. PT, with the Braves at bat to start the bottom of the second inning. Wednesday will now be a doubleheader, with the second game at the regularly scheduled 4:15 p.m. PT start time.
Because of the doubleheader, both teams will be allowed to call up a 27th player for the roster. The Giants will almost certainly use that additional roster spot on a pitcher who can eat a good chunk of innings, since Adrian Houser will be unavailable after throwing 28 pitches in the first inning on Tuesday. Carson Whisenhunt last pitched on Friday, so he’s the logical selection (Carson Seymour is pitching today for AAA Sacramento, while Blade Tidwell pitched on Saturday).
We’ll see if Wednesday’s games are able to get off the ground, as plenty more rain appears in the forecast in Atlanta.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 24: The tarp covers the field during a rain delay in a game between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals in the seventh inning at Truist Park on May 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, the rain delay (that wasn’t an official rain delay) has officially claimed this game as far as tonight goes. The Atlanta Braves have announced that the game has been suspended and will be picked up in the bottom of the second with Atlanta down 3-2 against the San Francisco Giants.
Tonight’s game against the San Francisco Giants has been suspended due to inclement weather. We will resume the game tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17, at 2 PM ET with the Braves batting in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
All ticket holders from tonight’s suspended game will be…
Again, it raises some pretty big questions as to whether or not this game should’ve even started when it did but at this point, you can’t undo the damage. All you can do is move on and hope whatever is going on with Michael Harris II’s back isn’t anything serious. We’ll see what happens.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Ryan Ward #67 of the Los Angeles Dodgers doubles in the forth inning during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, June 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tom Wilson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Yankees offense exploded in support of Gerrit Cole as New York took its series opener against the White Sox, 12-2, on Tuesday night.
It's the team's eighth game this season with 10-plus runs scored this season. New York posted 15 hits with all nine starters getting at least one knock.
Here are the takeaways....
-The White Sox entered Tuesday with the fourth most home runs in MLB, and showed that power early. Andrew Benintendi took Cole deep with a two-out homer to give Chicago an early 1-0 lead after one.
But Cole would settle down, retiring 13 straight through five innings. He'd pitch into trouble in the sixth, allowing a run on an infield single by Luisangel Acuña, but the former AL Cy Young winner would get out of it and deliver six solid innings for the Yankees.
Cole finished by tossing 90 pitches (59 strikes), allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six batters.
-Davis Martin had allowed just three home runs all season (13 starts). He went up against the Yankees, who entered Tuesday with the most home runs in MLB (102). Which side will blink? Well, Spencer Jones took Martin deep in the second to knot the game at 1-1 with a screamer into the second deck in right field.
Then luck was on the Yankees' side in the third. An excuse-me swing by J.C. Escarra resulted in a leadoff double, then Anthony Volpe hit a hopper to second base, but first baseman Jacob Gonzalez didn't cover first, allowing runners on the corners. Ben Rice walked to load the bases before Cody Bellinger lined a two-run single to give the Yankees the lead. Jones walked with the bases loaded before Jose Caballero drove in the team's fourth run of the inning with a sac fly.
Rice added on with a towering two-run shot in the fourth. His 20 homers are now tied for third in the majors. Paul Goldschmidt added a two-run shot to put the Yankees up 9-1 and knocked Martin out of the game. Martin entered the contest with a 2.41 ERA, second-best in the AL, which has been raised to 3.31.
-Ryan McMahon had an RBI single and Jones scored after pitcher Chris Murphy threw a dribbler from Escarra away to account for all runs in a six-run fourth inning.
In the eighth, with Acuña pitching, Caballero launched his seventh homer of the season.
Game MVP: Entire Yankees lineup
Difficult to pick one bat in this one. They all did their job to knock around the White Sox's best starter.
