Category: Baseball

Wheeler's scoreless streak ends, Sale silences Phillies' bats in nightcap  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Zack Wheeler’s May magic didn’t last through his final start of the month.

Chris Sale decisively outdueled Wheeler on Thursday night and the Braves picked up a 9-3 win over the Phillies to finish a doubleheader day at Citizens Bank Park. 

The 36-20 Phillies split the doubleheader and won the three-game series vs. the 26-29 Braves. 

Wheeler conceded a run for the first time since May 6 and dropped to 6-2 on the season. The Phillies’ ace gave up six runs and four hits over 5 and 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked four. 

Sale logged six shutout innings, allowed two hits and three walks, and struck out eight. 

Wheeler tossed hard, sharp four-seamers early. He operated effectively up in the zone, jammed several Braves batters and appeared in complete command of the game. 

Sale and Wheeler struck out five hitters apiece over the first three innings. Atlanta was hitless until a broken-bat Marcell Ozuna knock with one out in the fourth. 

The floodgates suddenly opened. Matt Olson and Austin Riley doubled, Ozzie Albies’ fly ball snuck over the right-field ball, and the Braves grabbed a 4-0 lead. The flurry snapped Wheeler’s scoreless innings streak at 26. 

“The fastball was really good,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “As we got into the game, he just got behind in the count quite a bit. A lot of foul balls threw his pitch count up. Even in the fourth inning, it was a couple of broken-bat base hits, a ground ball down the line. And Albies hits the ball 94, 95 miles an hour and it gets out of the ballpark. Those things happen. Early, I thought he was really good.”

Meanwhile, Sale slung his way through the Phillies’ lineup and looked the part of last year’s National League Cy Young winner.

He didn’t cruise forever. 

The Phillies rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. Weston Wilson earned an eight-pitch leadoff walk, and the bases loaded with two outs when Sale hit Trea Turner and walked Kyle Schwarber. However, the Phils couldn’t cash in. Alec Bohm bounced a 97.5 mph Sale fastball to shortstop and the Braves maintained their four-run edge. 

Atlanta tacked on in the sixth inning. Wheeler exited with runners on first and second and one out. Both Braves scored when Luke Williams lined a Carlos Hernandez heater that shot past Bohm’s outstretched glove at first base. Bohm replaced Bryce Harper (right elbow contusion) at first for the full doubleheader. 

The Braves piled on a bit more in the seventh with a two-run Austin Riley blast off of Joe Ross.

Wilson thought he’d put the Phillies on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh, but he learned after rounding the bases that his long fly to left field was ruled narrowly foul.

The Phillies finally posted two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth — J.T. Realmuto’s ground out, Edmundo Sosa’s single and Turner’s base hit were the RBIs — but never made a serious comeback push.

On deck 

The Phillies will host the 29-28 Brewers in a three-game weekend series. 

Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Quinn Priester (1-2, 4.23 ERA) on Friday night in the series opener. Lefties Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez are slated to start the final two games. 

On the Phillies rotation front, Aaron Nola threw a bullpen session Thursday between games. There’s no firm timeline yet for his return from a right ankle sprain and Nola said Tuesday he thought he’d “probably” need a rehab assignment. 

Phillies add Josh Walker 

The Phillies announced minutes after the final out that they acquired relief pitcher Josh Walker from the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. The team optioned Walker to Triple A Lehigh Valley. 

Walker, 30, has a 6.59 ERA in 27 career MLB appearances. The 6-foot-6 lefty had a 6.30 ERA with the Buffalo Bisons this season. He struck out 16 hitters and walked seven over 10 Triple A innings. 

Wheeler's scoreless streak ends, Sale silences Phillies' bats in nightcap  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Zack Wheeler’s May magic didn’t last through his final start of the month.

Chris Sale decisively outdueled Wheeler on Thursday night and the Braves picked up a 9-3 win over the Phillies to finish a doubleheader day at Citizens Bank Park. 

The 36-20 Phillies split the doubleheader and won the three-game series vs. the 26-29 Braves. 

Wheeler conceded a run for the first time since May 6 and dropped to 6-2 on the season. The Phillies’ ace gave up six runs and four hits over 5 and 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked four. 

Sale logged six shutout innings, allowed two hits and three walks, and struck out eight. 

Wheeler tossed hard, sharp four-seamers early. He operated effectively up in the zone, jammed several Braves batters and appeared in complete command of the game. 

Sale and Wheeler struck out five hitters apiece over the first three innings. Atlanta was hitless until a broken-bat Marcell Ozuna knock with one out in the fourth. 

The floodgates suddenly opened. Matt Olson and Austin Riley doubled, Ozzie Albies’ fly ball snuck over the right-field ball, and the Braves grabbed a 4-0 lead. The flurry snapped Wheeler’s scoreless innings streak at 26. 

Meanwhile, Sale slung his way through the Phillies’ lineup and looked the part of last year’s National League Cy Young winner.

He didn’t cruise forever. 

The Phillies rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. Weston Wilson earned an eight-pitch leadoff walk, and the bases loaded with two outs when Sale hit Trea Turner and walked Kyle Schwarber. However, the Phils couldn’t cash in. Alec Bohm bounced a 97.5 mph Sale fastball to shortstop and the Braves maintained their four-run edge. 

Atlanta tacked on in the sixth inning. Wheeler exited with runners on first and second and one out. Both Braves scored when Luke Williams lined a Carlos Hernandez heater that shot past Bohm’s outstretched glove at first base. Bohm replaced Bryce Harper (right elbow contusion) at first for the full doubleheader. 

The Braves piled on a bit more in the seventh with a two-run Austin Riley blast off of Joe Ross.

Wilson thought he’d put the Phillies on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh, but he learned after rounding the bases that his long fly to left field was ruled narrowly foul.

The Phillies finally posted two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth — J.T. Realmuto’s ground out, Edmundo Sosa’s single and Turner’s base hit were the RBIs — but never made a serious comeback push.

On deck 

The Phillies will host the 29-28 Brewers in a three-game weekend series. 

Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Quinn Priester (1-2, 4.23 ERA) on Friday night in the series opener. Lefties Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez are slated to start the final two games. 

On the Phillies rotation front, Aaron Nola threw a bullpen session Thursday between games. There’s no firm timeline yet for his return from a right ankle sprain and Nola said Tuesday he thought he’d “probably” need a rehab assignment. 

Wheeler's scoreless streak ends, Sale silences Phillies' bats in nightcap  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Zack Wheeler’s May magic didn’t last through his final start of the month.

Chris Sale decisively outdueled Wheeler on Thursday night and the Braves picked up a 9-3 win over the Phillies to finish a doubleheader day at Citizens Bank Park. 

The 36-20 Phillies split the doubleheader and won the three-game series vs. the 26-29 Braves. 

Wheeler conceded a run for the first time since May 6 and dropped to 6-2 on the season. The Phillies’ ace gave up six runs and four hits over 5 and 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked four. 

Sale logged six shutout innings, allowed two hits and three walks, and struck out eight. 

Wheeler tossed hard, sharp four-seamers early. He operated effectively up in the zone, jammed several Braves batters and appeared in complete command of the game. 

Sale and Wheeler struck out five hitters apiece over the first three innings. Atlanta was hitless until a broken-bat Marcell Ozuna knock with one out in the fourth. 

The floodgates suddenly opened. Matt Olson and Austin Riley doubled, Ozzie Albies’ fly ball snuck over the right-field wall, and the Braves grabbed a 4-0 lead. The flurry snapped Wheeler’s scoreless innings streak at 26. 

“The fastball was really good,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “As we got into the game, he just got behind in the count quite a bit. A lot of foul balls threw his pitch count up. Even in the fourth inning, it was a couple of broken-bat base hits, a ground ball down the line. And Albies hits the ball 94, 95 miles an hour and it gets out of the ballpark. Those things happen. Early, I thought he was really good.”

Meanwhile, Sale slung his way through the Phillies’ lineup and looked the part of last year’s National League Cy Young winner.

He didn’t cruise forever. 

The Phillies rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. Weston Wilson earned an eight-pitch leadoff walk, and the bases loaded with two outs when Sale hit Trea Turner and walked Kyle Schwarber. However, the Phils couldn’t cash in. Alec Bohm bounced a 97.5 mph Sale fastball to shortstop and the Braves maintained their four-run edge. 

Atlanta tacked on in the sixth inning. Wheeler exited with runners on first and second and one out. Both Braves scored when Luke Williams lined a Carlos Hernandez heater that shot past Bohm’s outstretched glove at first base. Bohm replaced Bryce Harper (right elbow contusion) at first for the full doubleheader. 

The Braves piled on a bit more in the seventh with a two-run Austin Riley blast off of Joe Ross.

Wilson thought he’d put the Phillies on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh, but he learned after rounding the bases that his long fly to left field was ruled narrowly foul.

The Phillies finally posted two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth — J.T. Realmuto’s ground out, Edmundo Sosa’s single and Turner’s base hit were the RBIs — but never made a serious comeback push.

On deck 

The Phillies will host the 29-28 Brewers in a three-game weekend series. 

Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Quinn Priester (1-2, 4.23 ERA) on Friday night in the series opener. Lefties Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez are slated to start the final two games. 

On the Phillies rotation front, Aaron Nola threw a bullpen session Thursday between games. There’s no firm timeline yet for his return from a right ankle sprain and Nola said Tuesday he thought he’d “probably” need a rehab assignment. 

“Really good,” Thomson said of the session. “Twenty-six pitches. (Pitching coach Caleb Cotham) said he looked good, he felt good. Don’t know what the next step is because we’ll find out tomorrow when he comes in how he’s feeling.”

Phillies add Josh Walker 

The Phillies announced minutes after the final out that they acquired relief pitcher Josh Walker from the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. The team optioned Walker to Triple A Lehigh Valley. 

Walker, 30, has a 6.59 ERA in 27 career MLB appearances. The 6-foot-6 lefty had a 6.30 ERA with the Buffalo Bisons this season in Triple A. He struck out 16 hitters and walked seven over 10 innings.

Two years ago, Alexis Díaz was an All-Star closer with the Cincinnati Reds.

Now, the 28-year-old right-hander is set to become a Dodgers reclamation project.

Amid a wave of early-season injuries to their bullpen and rotation, the Dodgers agreed to acquire Díaz from the Reds on Thursday, the team announced.

Díaz, who was demoted to triple-A earlier this month by the Reds, won’t be joining the Dodgers’ big-league roster right away. He will instead report to Arizona to work with the Dodgers' pitching group there.

Read more:'A major league shortstop, on a championship club.' Why Dodgers don't plan to move Mookie Betts

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred injured reliever Evan Phillips (who was initially expected to only miss 15 days with a forearm injury) to the 60-day IL.

Once a rising relief star who had a 1.84 ERA as a rookie in 2022, and 37 saves and a 3.07 earned-run average as an All-Star selection in 2023, Díaz has faded over the past two seasons.

In 2024, he was 28 of 32 in save opportunities, but posted a 3.99 ERA with 31 walks in 56 1/3 innings.

This season, he lost the closer’s job while battling a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the start of the season, then was optioned to triple-A after giving up eight runs, eight hits, four homers and five walks in his first six appearances. Five of the runs, and three of the homers, came in a single outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, the day before he was sent down.

Díaz, the brother of New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, hasn’t experienced much greater success in the minors, holding a 4.61 ERA with 12 walks in 13 2/3 innings with the Reds’ Louisville affiliate.

Still, just two years removed from the early heights of his MLB career, the Dodgers were willing to take a flier on the once-promising talent, only giving up minor-league pitcher Mike Villani (a 13th-round pick in last year’s draft) in return.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posey confirms Giants closer role is ‘fluid' between Doval, Walker originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buster Posey is confident that the Giants are in a good place with their closer situation and the fluidity it allows.

The San Francisco president of baseball operations was asked about the Giants’ recent change at closer, with Camilo Doval slotting into the position and Ryan Walker moving back to a set-up role.

“I read something yesterday where Bob [Melvin] said [the closer spot] was a fluid situation and it kind of took the words out of my mouth,” Posey said Thursday on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.”

“The nice thing about having Doval and Walker is you feel like you could insert either one of them in the ninth [inning] and they’re going to do a nice job for you. The amount of close games that we play. Right now, the save situations can be Doval, but there’s a real chance that we’re sitting here on Sunday saying, ‘Doval has closed out the last two games, we need Walker to close out the ninth.’

“So, those guys have shown a real willingness to pitch in whatever role [Bob Melvin] decides.”

With the Giants recently finding themselves in a lot of close, low-scoring games, there has been added stress on the bullpen to shut down opposing teams and close out games.

Melvin elected to make the move earlier this week, reinstating Doval to the closer role for the first time since August 2024. Walker had filled in admirably, but he had recently begun to struggle with his command. With 10 saves and a 4.95 ERA this season, the 29-year-old no longer was performing at the level needed for San Francisco to remain in contention in a loaded National League West.

Doval has looked significantly better in recent months, so the hope is that he can continue to regain his All-Star caliber form.

Still, Posey and the Giants know how unpredictable baseball can be, so expect San Francisco to keep its closer situation fluid and dictated by what’s happening in the game.

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Why Posey believes Bailey is ‘instrumental' part of Giants' success originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Buster Posey is backing his catcher, Patrick Bailey, amid a sluggish offensive start to the 2025 MLB season.

The San Francisco president of baseball operations was asked about Bailey’s otherworldly defense behind the plate despite his dismal batting numbers.

“Well, Patty’s an instrumental part of our success,” Posey said Thursday on KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” show. “As far as pitching and defense goes, it’s well-documented [his hitting struggles]. And it’s not an easy place to be when you’re having to run out there and be a leader on one side of the ball, and then to struggle as much as he has, it’s not an easy thing.

“You’ve got to give him a lot of credit for keeping a positive outlook because, for anybody, you want to come through with the bat. For him to go out and not lose focus defensively, has been really impressive.”

Bailey is a Gold-Glove caliber catcher, with a strong arm and great instincts, but his batting average on the year is a measly .174. With the Giants struggling to produce consistent offensive numbers, this lack of production has been difficult for Bailey to endure.

The San Francisco offense has been particularly anemic over the past few weeks, as the Giants haven’t scored more than four runs in a game since May 14. Given the highly competitive National League West and the offensive juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Dodgers standing in the way, the Giants’ entire lineup will need to figure out how to put more balls in play.

Posey knows how hard it is to balance offense and defense while squatting behind home plate, so he’s supporting Bailey through this slump.

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Why hasn't Roman Anthony been called up? Craig Breslow explains originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s unfair to expect Roman Anthony to save the Boston Red Sox. But as MLB’s No. 1 prospect continues to tear it up at Triple-A Worcester, it’s fair to wonder why he isn’t on the next flight to Atlanta for the club’s weekend series vs. the Braves.

Anthony could bring much-needed thump to the middle of Boston’s lackluster lineup. The 21-year-old is slashing .318/.450/.528 with eight homers and 23 RBI through 49 games in Worcester this season. He’s ready for The Show.

So, what’s keeping him down in the minors? Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow addressed that question Thursday morning on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show.

“We need to be mindful of the environment that Roman would be coming into, and the pressure that we’d be putting on a 21-year-old in the midst of a losing streak — to come up and save the team,” Breslow said. “Roman’s time is coming, and I don’t think there’s any question about that. So we have to figure out what is best for the organization and what is best for him.”

The biggest roadblock on Anthony’s path to the majors has been Boston’s outfield logjam. With Jarren Duran in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Wilyer Abreu in right, finding ways to keep Anthony in the lineup would be challenging.

“We want to make sure when he comes up, not only is he ready, but there’s runway for him to play,” Breslow added. “You don’t wanna bring up a 21-year-old and have him play sporadically. He needs to be in the lineup every day.”

That explanation may have sufficed a month ago, but the Red Sox’ situation has changed. Injuries to first baseman Triston Casas and third baseman Alex Bregman have shaken things up, as have the ongoing struggles of shortstop Trevor Story and rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell.

Theoretically, Anthony could play left field with Jarren Duran sliding to center. The Red Sox could take advantage of Rafaela’s defensive versatility, mixing him in at second and shortstop. They’d lose some defensive upside in the outfield, but that would be outweighed by Anthony’s impact on the inconsistent offense.

At this stage, it’s fair to wonder whether Breslow and the Red Sox are manipulating Anthony’s service time. As ESPN’s Jeff Passan laid out, now is the time of year when prospects are called up and become “Super Twos.”

That label is given to players whose time on a big-league roster is in the top 22 percent of their service class. Super Twos are awarded an extra year of arbitration beyond the standard three, so they can earn more than the major league minimum before their third full season. Boston could also lose a year of control if Anthony wins the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Still, with the big-league club trending toward another letdown season, there is no valid excuse for holding Anthony back. The kid has nothing left to prove in Worcester, and the best projected Red Sox lineup features him in the middle of it.

He isn’t the savior, but he’d provide a spark that Boston and its restless fanbase so desperately need.

Marchan shines as Phillies beat Braves in dramatic Game 1 of doubleheader  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Rafael Marchan shined Thursday afternoon in the opening game of the Phillies’ split doubleheader with the Braves. 

The backup catcher was a central figure in the Phils’ dramatic 5-4 victory at Citizens Bank Park and drove in the game-winning run with an eighth-inning hit by pitch. 

Cristopher Sanchez started for the Phillies and pitched 5 and 2/3 innings. His final line was seven hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts. 

Sanchez walked two Braves in the second inning and threw balls on 14 of his first 27 pitches. His sinker, slider and changeup all induced regular whiffs in the early innings, though.  

In contrast to Sanchez, Atlanta starter AJ Smith-Shawver began the day with 18 of 20 strikes. The bottom of the Phillies’ lineup then broke through. 

Brandon Marsh managed a seven-pitch walk. Marchan ripped a hanging curveball just over the right-field wall and on the good side of the foul pole to put the Phillies up 2-0. The home run was Marchan’s first of the season and his first hit of any kind since May 14. 

Smith-Shawver soon headed back to the Braves’ dugout. Bryson Stott rocketed a liner that struck Smith-Shawver’s lower leg on its way to center field. The righty came out of the game following Trea Turner’s fly out to deep left. 

Atlanta placed Smith-Shawver on the 15-day injured list with a strained right elbow postgame.

The Phillies were inches away from a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning. After one-out singles by Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos against Braves reliever Scott Blewett, Michael Harris II robbed Max Kepler of a three-run homer, reaching over the center-field fence and nabbing his 403-foot fly ball. 

Marchan registered another highlight in the fourth when he nailed Stuart Fairchild trying to steal second base. He also tallied the Phillies’ third run, working a fifth-inning walk and coming around to score on a Turner infield hit. 

“Really impressed,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Marchan. “I’ve been saying all along this kid is really a player. There’s not many numbers there, but he’s really given us good at-bats.

“He understands the strike zone. He’s very disciplined. He can really throw, obviously. Calls a great game; he was coming off two shutouts. … He does a great job. It’s just a huge day for him.”

Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Sean Murphy singles in the sixth inning produced Atlanta’s first run of the series. Sanchez’s outing ended with two outs and runners on the corners. Orion Kerkering entered and Ronald Acuna Jr. lined an RBI hit over Turner’s head, trimming the Phillies’ lead to 3-2. 

With assistance from a leaping Turner snag, Kerkering pitched a scoreless seventh. The Phillies got a little cushion in the bottom of the inning courtesy of a mammoth Kyle Schwarber dinger. Acuna didn’t move in right field for Schwarber’s 19th homer, which easily landed in the second deck and officially traveled 438 feet.

The Phillies’ advantage went down the drain in the eighth inning. Murphy crushed a solo shot vs. Matt Strahm and two-out doubles by Acuna and Harris evened the contest at 4-4.

Castellanos cracked his fourth hit of the afternoon on the first Daysbel Hernandez pitch the Phillies saw in the eighth inning. They then exploited Hernandez’s wildness to regain the advantage.

Kepler walked, Edmundo Sosa executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, and Marsh walked to load the bases.That set the stage for Marchan, who trotted to first base after apparently being nicked on the foot by a 2-2 slider. Following a Braves challenge, the call on the field stood.

Jordan Romano conceded a leadoff walk to Ozzie Albies, but Marchan rifled a beautiful throw to second base for his second caught stealing of the day.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Marchan said of the moment. “You feel like a kid when you do something good. You’re really excited, you’re really hype. A lot of emotion.”

The Braves then filled the bases with walks by Marcell Ozuna and Murphy and an Olson single. Romano ultimately sealed the deal, striking out Eli White looking.

Zack Wheeler (6-1, 2.42 ERA) and Chris Sale (2-3, 3.36 ERA) will start Game 2 of the doubleheader. Wheeler preferred the nightcap, according to Thomson. 

“He just called me back,” Thomson said, “and he said, ‘Hey, is it too late to switch? I’d like to pitch the night game.’ “I said, ‘Yeah, whatever you want. You’re Zack Wheeler.’” 

Bohm manned first base in the afternoon instead of Bryce Harper (right elbow contusion). Harper remained out of the Phillies’ Game 2 lineup.

Marchan shines as Phillies beat Braves in dramatic Game 1 of doubleheader  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Rafael Marchan shined Thursday afternoon in the opening game of the Phillies’ split doubleheader with the Braves. 

The backup catcher was a central figure in the Phils’ dramatic 5-4 victory at Citizens Bank Park and drove in the game-winning run with an eighth-inning hit by pitch. 

Cristopher Sanchez started for the Phillies and pitched 5 and 2/3 innings. His final line was seven hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts. 

Sanchez walked two Braves in the second inning and threw balls on 14 of his first 27 pitches. His sinker, slider and changeup all induced regular whiffs in the early innings, though.  

In contrast to Sanchez, Atlanta starter AJ Smith-Shawver began the day with 18 of 20 strikes. The bottom of the Phillies’ lineup then broke through. 

Brandon Marsh managed a seven-pitch walk. Marchan ripped a hanging curveball just over the right-field wall and on the good side of the foul pole to put the Phillies up 2-0. The home run was Marchan’s first of the season and his first hit of any kind since May 14. 

Smith-Shawver soon headed back to the Braves’ dugout. Bryson Stott rocketed a liner that struck Smith-Shawver’s lower leg on its way to center field. The righty came out of the game following Trea Turner’s fly out to deep left. 

The Phillies were inches away from a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning. After one-out singles by Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos against Braves reliever Scott Blewett, Michael Harris II robbed Max Kepler of a three-run homer, reaching over the center-field fence and nabbing his 403-foot fly ball. 

Marchan registered another highlight in the fourth when he nailed Stuart Fairchild trying to steal second base. He also tallied the Phillies’ third run, working a fifth-inning walk and coming around to score on a Turner infield hit. 

Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Sean Murphy singles in the sixth inning produced Atlanta’s first run of the series. Sanchez’s outing ended with two outs and runners on the corners. Orion Kerkering entered and Ronald Acuna Jr. lined an RBI hit over Turner’s head, trimming the Phillies’ lead to 3-2. 

With assistance from a leaping Turner snag, Kerkering pitched a scoreless seventh. The Phillies got a little cushion in the bottom of the inning courtesy of a mammoth Kyle Schwarber dinger. Acuna didn’t move in right field for Schwarber’s 19th homer, which easily landed in the second deck and officially traveled 438 feet.

The Phillies’ advantage went down the drain in the eighth inning. Murphy crushed a solo shot vs. Matt Strahm and two-out doubles by Acuna and Harris evened the contest at 4-4.

Castellanos cracked his fourth hit of the afternoon on the first Daysbel Hernandez pitch the Phillies saw in the eighth inning. They then exploited Hernandez’s wildness to regain the lead.

Kepler walked, Sosa executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, and Marsh walked to load the bases.That set the stage for Marchan, who trotted to first base after apparently being nicked in the foot by a 2-2 slider. Following a Braves challenge, the call on the field stood.

Jordan Romano conceded a leadoff walk to Ozzie Albies, but Marchan rifled a beautiful throw to second base for his second caught stealing of the day. The Braves then filled the bases with walks by Marcell Ozuna and Murphy and an Olson single.

Romano ultimately sealed the deal, striking out Eli White looking.

Zack Wheeler (6-1, 2.42 ERA) and Chris Sale (2-3, 3.36 ERA) will start Game 2 of the doubleheader. Wheeler preferred the nightcap, according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson. 

“He just called me back,” Thomson said, “and he said, ‘Hey, is it too late to switch? I’d like to pitch the night game.’ “I said, ‘Yeah, whatever you want. You’re Zack Wheeler.’” 

Alec Bohm manned first base instead of Bryce Harper (right elbow contusion). Thomson did not know pregame whether Harper would play Game 2. 

Posey bluntly assesses Giants' lackluster first-base production originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants’ first-base situation is something Buster Posey can’t ignore.

The first-year president of baseball operations joined KNBR 680 on Thursday morning and put it bluntly.

“We need to get more production out of that position, there’s no question,” Posey told Brian Murphy and Markus Boucher. “LaMonte [Wade Jr.], I think, you know it was nice he got a big hit yesterday in the game and we’re hopeful he can get that going but at this point we are going to need some more production and I think that’s the way that we’re kind of looking at this right now is some sort of time share.”

Wade, who slashed .260/.380/.381 last season, has struggled in 48 games this year with just a .171/.278/.279 slash line.

Wade went 2 for 3 in Wednesday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers, however, and has boosted his average from .133 to where it currently stands since the start of May while hitting .233 on the month.

Posey said the team will be looking at three players to potentially shore up the position.

“With [Jerar] Encarnacion coming back, he’ll mix in some, [Wilmer Flores] might mix in some, [Casey] Schmitt might mix in some,” Posey said.

Encarnacion (fractured left hand) currently is rehabbing with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

Additionally, Posey didn’t indicate the Giants have any plans to rush top prospect Bryce Eldridge to the big leagues. The 20-year-old, who just so happens to play first base, is slashing .294/.361/.532 with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels.

“We’re really happy with the way he’s progressing,” Posey said. “He’s hitting in a tough league. Still has a lot of work to do defensively. He’s making strides, he’s putting in the work and that’s all you can ask for.”

For now, the Giants will have to find a first-base solution with the guys who have big-league experience.

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Red Sox stock up, stock down: Kristian Campbell hits the rookie wall originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Not much has gone right for the Boston Red Sox since the calendar flipped to May. They’ve gone 10-16 this month to fall to 27-31, 9.5 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East.

The blame pie can be sliced several ways. The offense has been inconsistent, the rotation has struggled behind ace Garrett Crochet, and the team is 6-15 in one-run games. Several key players are in the middle of brutal month-long slumps.

So, who needs to turn it around for the Red Sox to get back above .500? Which players have been bright spots during the disappointing stretch?

Here’s our updated “Stock Up, Stock Down” with June looming.

Stock Up

Carlos Narvaez, C

The Red Sox acquired Narvaez in an under-the-radar offseason trade with the New York Yankees. The assumption was that he would serve as Connor Wong’s backup throughout the 2025 season, but he already has a firm grip on the starting catcher role amid a shockingly impressive start to the campaign.

In addition to being one of the game’s best defensive backstops, Narvaez has been one of Boston’s most consistent hitters. The 26-year-old rookie entered Thursday slashing .289/.357/.465 with five homers and 17 RBI. He ranks fourth on the team with a 1.8 fWAR, trailing only Alex Bregman, Garrett Crochet, and Rafael Devers.

It's a beautiful thing. pic.twitter.com/iomhJilsqS

— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 11, 2025

Rafael Devers, DH

Devers refusing to play first base wasn’t the best look, but it’s easy to look past when he’s in the midst of a career year at the plate.

The three-time All-Star is hitting .287/.409/.523 with 12 homers and an American League-leading 50 RBI. He recorded the first walk-off homer of his career on May 17 against Atlanta and a grand slam on May 23 against Baltimore.

Since starting the season 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts, Devers has hit .315 with a 1.005 OPS.

RAFAEL DEVERS WANTS THE WALLY HELMET! #WALKOFFpic.twitter.com/ou0RLfYAq9

— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2025

The way Devers has raked as the designated hitter, it’s easy to see why the Red Sox have refrained from asking him to move back to third base in the wake of Bregman’s injury.

Jarren Duran, OF

Duran is heating up after a subpar start to the season. The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has hit .377 with two homers and 11 RBI in 13 games since May 16. He leads the majors with six triples.

JARREN DURAN JUST STOLE HOME!!!! pic.twitter.com/fcLZx7cgk9

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 26, 2025

Duran took his game to another level in June of last year and finished eighth in AL MVP voting. While it’s unfair to expect him to duplicate that success, it’s encouraging that he appears to be on the same trajectory as his All-Star season.

Brennan Bernardino, RHP

Bernardino has been the Red Sox bullpen’s unsung hero. The 33-year-old righty is tied for the MLB lead with 14 appearances in May. In those appearances, he has amassed an 0.75 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over 12 innings.

He has been a bright spot throughout Boston’s abysmal stretch.

Stock Down

Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF

It’s been all downhill for Campbell since being named the American League Rookie of the Month for March/April.

The 22-year-old is hitting .120 with a .335 OPS through 20 games in May, and he was partly responsible for Boston’s demise in Wednesday’s series finale vs. Milwaukee with a brutal defensive miscue in the 10th inning:

Red Sox absolutely gift the Brewers the tying run pic.twitter.com/b72t4L9w7P

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 28, 2025

Credit where it’s due: Campbell has willingly taken practice reps at first base despite never playing the position in his professional career. But at this stage, it’s fair to wonder whether the best course of action is to let him figure things out at Triple-A rather than throw him into the fire at a new position during a brutal slump.

Campbell ascended quickly through the minor-league ranks, cracking Boston’s Opening Day roster one year after playing at High-A. The raw talent is undeniable, but he hasn’t looked like a big-league player for the last month.

Trevor Story, SS

Two weeks ago, we stated that the Red Sox couldn’t go on much longer with this version of Trevor Story. It hasn’t gotten any better for the veteran shortstop, so it’s time for the club to seriously consider cutting ties.

Story is slashing .218/.263/.318 in 54 games this season. Since May 6, he’s hitting .132 (10-for-76) with a .369 OPS. His fielding hasn’t made up for those offensive struggles as he’s in the midst of arguably the worst defensive season of his career.

Now that top prospect Marcelo Mayer is in the mix, Story’s days in Boston should be numbered. We’ve reached the tipping point in his disappointing Red Sox tenure.

Connor Wong, C

Wong has never shined behind the plate, but he had some solid offensive stretches as the Red Sox’ starting catcher in 2024. That has not been the case this season.

The 29-year-old, who will forever be remembered as one of the key pieces in the infamous Mookie Betts trade, is hitting .157 with no homers and a .402 OPS in 22 games. It didn’t take long for him to lose the starting catching gig to Narvaez.

While the Red Sox aren’t regretting their offseason deal for Garrett Crochet, they may be kicking themselves for parting ways with top catching prospect Kyle Teel. It’s been a disastrous year for Wong, even by a backup’s standards.

Starting pitchers not named Garrett Crochet

Crochet has lived up to his ace expectations, but who’s the No. 2 in Boston’s rotation?

Tanner Houck was placed on the injured list after a nightmare start to the season, Walker Buehler has been up-and-down and also spent time on the IL, Brayan Bello hasn’t looked the part, and Lucas Giolito isn’t anything close to his 2021 self. Hunter Dobbins looked sharp to start his rookie campaign but has come crashing back down to earth over his last few appearances.

The Red Sox rotation was expected to take a significant step forward in 2025. Instead, it has remained one of the club’s biggest weaknesses.