LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Landon Knack of the Los Angeles Dodgers waves to the crowd during the 2025 Back-to-Back World Champions Ring Ceremony prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Seth Halvorsen made his Dodgers debut on Tuesday night, pitching a spotless 10th inning to strand the free runner and earn the win over the Kansas City Royals. But with a bullpen depleted by heavy usage of late and a six-man rotation, the Dodgers were in need of a fresh arm to eat some innings, so Halvorsen was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City so Landon Knack to get called up in his place.
A six-man rotation left the Dodgers with seven active relievers instead of eight, and the septet has all worked heavily of late, ironically save for Halvorsen, who before Monday’s appearance last pitched last Thursday for Oklahoma City.
Recent Dodgers bullpen usage
The numbers in the table above are expressed as innings/pitches. For instance, Alex Vesia threw 21 pitches in his one inning on Tuesday.
Vesia, Jack Dreyer, and Evan Phillips have each pitched three times in the previous four days, making them all likely unavailable on Wednesday. Which essentially means the bullpen following Eric Lauer on Wednesday is essentially Knack and Edgardo Henriquez, plus perhaps Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz depending on how the game goes.
Knack’s previous stint with the Dodgers this season surrounded the All-Star break, and he pitched in bulk relief entering two games when the Dodgers trailed by four runs. In those games, Knack allowed five runs in five innings, including four home runs, with four strikeouts and two walks.
Knack, who missed the first three and a half months on the injured list with an intercostal strain, has pitched well with Oklahoma City this year, with a 2.60 ERA in five games, with 19 strikeouts and four walks in 17 1/3 innings. Knack last pitched last Wednesday, throwing 72 pitches in 5 1/3 innings. That more than satisfies the fresh component of the fresh arm express.
Just don’t be surprised if, after Knack takes down three innings when called upon, if someone like Paul Gervase walks into the Dodgers clubhouse the very next day. Wednesday is the Dodgers’ sixth game of 13 game days in a row.
What would a trip to Florida be without hitting the beach?
Social media star Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and Pirates ace boyfriend Paul Skenes made sure to check that off the list, hitting up a beach in Key Biscayne one day after the latter took the hill against the Marlins.
Dunne, the former LSU gymnast who is set to play a role in Fox’s reboot of “Baywatch,” enjoyed the water and sand in a black-and-white bikini. She also strolled the beach with the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner.
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne is pictured in Key Biscayne, Fla. on Aug. 11, 2026. BACKGRID
The Pirates are slated to play the Marlins again at loanDepot park in Miami on Wednesday, one day after Skenes was pulled after throwing just 65 pitches and failing to exceed 96.5 mph on his fastball.
Skenes told reporters after the loss that he would have removed himself from the game if he were in manager Don Kelly’s shoes, too.
“[Kelly] walked me through everything, and it made sense,” Skenes told reporters after the 2-0 loss. “I wish I could have gone more, but it kind of is what it is. … He’s the manager, and I don’t ever argue with it. Like I said, I understand why.”
Kelly reiterated that Skenes isn’t dealing with an injury but added that “everybody is going through it” on the Pirates.
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne is pictured in a black bikini in Key Biscayne, Fla., Aug. 11, 2026. BACKGRID
Dunne and Skenes have been in the spotlight the last three years after they went public with their relationship. They’ve had plenty of red carpet moments, including at this summer’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
In the spring, Dunne explained to Jimmy Fallon on the “Tonight Show” how the star couple met at LSU.
“When I met Paul, we were just two normal college kids at LSU,” Dunne said. “I was a gymnast, he was a baseball player. I was already pursuing social media and gymnastics. Paul wasn’t Paul Skenes yet. There’s no predicting that somebody’s going to become the best pitcher in the MLB.
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and Paul Skenes are pictured in Key Biscayne, Fla., on Aug. 11, 2026. BACKGRID
“There’s really no way, and it’s just been such a joy to watch him. And we really support each other.”
Dunne will hit the airwaves in January when the “Baywatch” reboot is expected to be released. Skenes will likely pitch again early next week against the Tigers.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 12: Brett Sullivan #26 of the Colorado Rockies gestures to the dugout after hitting a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field on August 12, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Trying to avoid yet another rubber-match loss, the Colorado Rockies utilized an early offensive outburst to stave off the Arizona Diamondbacks and a bullpen meltdown in a 6-4 victory to secure a series win.
With the victory, Colorado is now 4-13 in rubber matches. This also marks the first series win in Arizona since 2022.
Feltner doesn’t falter
The last month of outings has been a mixed bag of results for Ryan Feltner, but he was able to steady the ship and deliver a solid start against the Diamondbacks.
Things started a bit shaky in the first inning after Corbin Carroll hit a one-out triple. Feltner had an opportunity to escape unscratched after Gabriel Moreno got an infield hit, setting up a double play, but Ketel Marte delivered a single to put the Diamondbacks up 1-0.
The Rockies answered back in the top of the second, and Feltner settled in, working efficiently with little traffic through the fourth inning, having allowed just two more hits in that span.
He ran into a little more traffic in the fifth inning that ran his pitch count up. Geraldo Perdomo had a one-out single and moved up to second on a savvy play where Willi Castro caught a pop-up in foul territory. Moreno followed up with an RBI double to give the Diamondbacks their second run of the game. Feltner then loaded the bases with a pair of walks before getting Nolan Arenado to ground out and end the inning.
Feltner ended up throwing 93 pitches, 59 for strikes, having allowed just two runs on seven hits over five innings of work. He only had two strikeouts while walking three, but an even split of five groundouts and five flyouts helped him mitigate the traffic. It also helped having his defense make plays like the one Carrigg made in the second inning.
He kept the game from spiraling and didn’t get rattled after the first inning, allowing the Rockies to build run support for him
Building a lead with blasts
After giving up their 10th first-inning run of the road trip, the Rockies offense went to work in the top of the second. Hunter Goodman walked to lead off the inning, followed by a single from Mickey Moniak. With two men on base, Castro delivered an RBI single up the middle to tie the game 1-1.
Merrill Kelly retired the next two batters on lineouts, but backup catcher Brett Sullivan came through with a towering fly ball that hit the foul pole in right field for a three-run home run and a 4-1 Rockies lead.
The Rockies would extend their lead in the fourth inning. Castro won an ABS challenge to draw a walk to lead off the inning. Newly recalled Zac Veen, making his first start in the outfield this season, then gave the Rockies a 6-1 lead when he barreled a low changeup from Kelly. The ball sailed 407 feet into the center field pool for a two-run home run, his second big-league home run, which also proved to be the difference maker in the score.
The offense continued to pester Kelly but wasn’t able to do more than the six runs on six hits against him as he went five innings, having allowed three walks and two strikeouts. Thankfully, he wasn’t able to induce more than one double-play ball.
The offense was rather quiet after the fourth inning despite collecting four more hits, including a pair of doubles. They had eight hits in total and struck out just six times with four walks. With runners in scoring position, Colorado went 2-for-11.
“The boys fought hard, even though it didn’t go completely our way,” manager Warren Schaffer said after the game.
Of Veen, Schaeffer added, “It just seems like he is in such a better place coming up this time.”
Bullpen stress
Despite the four-run lead entering the sixth inning, the Rockies bullpen made things far more stressful than they needed to be.
Parker Mushinski took the hill in the sixth inning and recorded just two outs after giving up a hit and issuing a pair of walks to load the bases. Juan Mejia entered the game and escaped the jam. He then started the seventh inning but walked the first two batters, forcing the Rockies to turn to Jimmy Herget.
He then issued a walk to the first batter he saw to load the bases for the third straight inning for Arizona. Max Kepler then flew out to left field, but it wasn’t deep enough to score a run, leaving the bases loaded with one out. Needing a ground ball, Herget’s command continued to waver, issuing a walk to Ildemaro Vargas to drive in a run, making it 6-3. Herget then induced a ground ball to third that the Rockies turned into a double-play to end the inning.
Brennan Bernardino then took over for the eighth inning and gave up a one-out home run to Carroll, the 100th of his young career, to put the Diamondbacks back within two runs. He dealt with more traffic but managed to escape the inning without further damage.
Thankfully, Jordan Romano was able to secure his eighth save with the Rockies, despite issuing a walk and facing the tying run at the plate, thanks to a bullet catch at first base to end the game.
The bullpen issued seven walks, but just two runs on four hits. Arizona outhit the Rockies with 11 hits and only struck out three times while securing 10 walks. However, they went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 15 total players on base. It wasn’t pretty, but they locked down the win.
Up next
The Rockies are off tomorrow and will then kick off a three-game set in San Francisco starting Friday.
Kyle Freeland (3-10, 6.63 ERA) will make the start for Colorado while Landen Roupp (7-11, 4.22 ERA) takes the hill for the Giants.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 11: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves bats in the fourth inning during the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
College Week continues at Truist tonight and because I am here with you all, I am not at the ballpark for my own alma mater’s night. But it’s always and forever up with the white and gold / go Jackets, baby. 🐝
A series finale, rubber match, and final game vs. the Mets this season is on deck. First pitch is at 7:15 pm ET.
The Sox came up one miracle short on Tuesday. Maybe Sister Mary Jo Sobieck saved one for tonight. | (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)
Last night was a gut punch with the Sox up 4-1 heading into the eighth, then the bullpen did its best impression of a sieve, and the Reds walked off with a 5-4 win in 10. Sean Burke deserved better — seven innings, three hits, eight punchouts, just one run — but the bats went virtually silent after the fourth and the pen coughed it up.
Tonight, the South Siders try to even the series, and we get our first look at Luis Castillo in a White Sox uni at home. He came over from Seattle at the deadline, and his Sox debut in Boston on August 6 was a mess. He surrendered five runs on six hits and a walk, was yanked after four innings, and the Sox lost a 13-inning circus, 12-11.
There will be a little extra spice tonight as Castillo gets to face his old club. He broke in with the Reds back in 2017, stuck around for five-plus years, then got shipped to Seattle in 2022. Now, at 33, he’s got a shot to stick it to his old mates and maybe, just maybe, give Chicago a start they can actually use.
Statcast shows us that Castillo’s stuff isn’t fooling many this year. He’s in the 30th percentile in strikeout rate and 40th in whiff rate, but at least he’s getting guys to chase (69th percentile). Translation: he better hit his spots, because when he misses, hitters are teeing off — exit velo, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, all ugly and south of the 30th percentile. He can’t just try to blow the Reds away. The righthander needs to get ahead, make them chase, or else.
The pitch mix? Same story. Sinker and cutter are working, but the slider and changeup are disasters sitting in the fifth and ninth percentiles in run value. Hang one of those to this Reds lineup, and it’s fireworks. Castillo needs to pound the fastball early — which still has above-average life — live on the edges, and let the Reds’ jumpiness work against them if he gets ahead.
The Reds counter with Rhett Lowder, rocking a 4-7 record, 5.26 ERA, and a 1.48 WHIP in 89 innings. He’s punched out 73, walked 39, and even if he’s been less terrible lately, his Statcast page shouldn’t exactly scare anyone in the Sox dugout.
Lowder’s whiff, chase and strikeout rates are all bottom-of-the-barrel — 15th, 17th and 20th percentile. Sox hitters should sit tight and make him throw strikes. His slider has been especially vulnerable, sitting in just the third percentile in run value, while his four-seamer and sinker have been much more effective at the 70th and 74th percentile.
The bottom line is for the Good Guys to lay off the slider. Make Lowder come into the zone, work the count and force him to throw the fastball. He gets grounders, so the Sox need to look for something they can lift instead of beating balls into the turf. He’s not a strikeout guy, so don’t bail him out by chasing.
Here’s how Will Venable will send them out against Lowder:
Chase Meidroth is back in the lineup tonight after dealing with a sore left wrist. He’s one of the team’s hottest hitters over the last seven days, slashing .357/.438/.857 with a 1.295 OPS. The infielder will be slotting in at short, and Colson Montgomery at third, with Miguel Vargas getting the day off.
This is how the Reds will line up versus Castillo:
After letting one get away yesterday, the assignment tonight is fairly straightforward. For Castillo, he needs to keep the ball out of the heart of the plate, and Chicago’s offense needs to make Lowder come into it. Let’s see if the South Siders can even this thing up.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised on CHSN and can be heard on ESPN Chicago 1000.
Jul 24, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) comes out of the game during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Like a child in a Victorian workhouse, we sup on the thin gruel of this game preview in dim hopes it will sustain us through another punishing day of watching the 2026 Seattle Mariners. I think I’d rather have my hand caught in a spinning jenny.
Heads up: today’s game is on ESPN. Because that’s exactly what this team needs: National Exposure.
Lineups:
Here is today’s lineup graphic with today’s load-bearing Randy Arozarena picture:
News:
LHP Gabe Speier was not available last night due to back tightness; he remains day-to-day and his availability for tonight’s game is in question.
Reinforcements for the beleaguered bullpen gets closer. Carlos Vargas made his second rehab outing for Triple-A Tacoma last night; he’s expected to make one more rehab appearance before rejoining the team.
Carlos Vargas throws a scoreless 4th inning in his 2nd rehab appearance. 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, K, 17 pitches, 12 strikes. Fastball topped out at 98.2mph. pic.twitter.com/pvlN3am1tH
The Mariners have claimed former UW catcher Willie MacIver on waivers from the Blue Jays. He’ll report to Tacoma. This is their second waiver claim this week; on Monday they claimed RHP Nolan Kingham off waivers from the Rangers.
Not news, particularly, but Nice, and heaven knows we all need that right now:
HOOVER, AL - MAY 21: Infielder Justin LeBron #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches the ball as he starts toward first base during the SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinals game between Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide on May 21, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds used the 18th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft to select shortstop Justin Lebron out of the University of Alabama, a player who actually entered the 2026 season for the SEC powerhouse as a potential #1 overall pick.
Things didn’t go quite as well for him during his final season in Tuscaloosa, but he still flashed all the skills in the world you’d need to go off the board as one of the first 30 picks. The Reds chose to look past the adjustments made against him during SEC play and focus on the tools – power, speed, incredible bat speed, and the athleticism to play shortstop for the rest of his career – and their confidence in him is already showing as he makes his professional debut.
Cincinnati didn’t send the 21 year old to Daytona to begin things down in the Florida State League. Rather, they chose to begin him at High-A Dayton with the Dragons, where he made his debut on Tuesday night.
Lebron backed up their confidence with a 2-hit game, both of which came on hard-hit balls to the pull side – the second of which went for a double. He also scored a run as part of a 2 for 5 day.
He’s part of an overall infield that’s oozing with talent, as 2nd round pick Eric Becker has slotted in at 2B and Top 5 prospect Tyson Lewis is manning 3B for the Dragons. If you’re in central Ohio for the last month of the season, you should absolutely find your way to Dayton to check that group out.
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 06: Cleveland Guardians pitcher Foster Griffin (22) leaves the field following the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians on August 6, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 11: Will Warren #29 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on August 11, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are doing a decent enough job putting wins on the board even if they’re not doing it with much dash. It took them until the seventh inning last night to push any runs across the board, but those four runs were enough to give the club the win over the Mariners. Now the team can lock up their third series win of the last four with a victory tonight, although hopefully one that sees a little more juice from the hitters.
Will Warren gets the ball for the Yankees, in the down cycle of a mercurial season. Over the last two months he’s run an ERA over 5.20, and the really tough bit is that when Warren’s off, he’s off. In his last 10 starts he’s completed six innings just once while failing to finish five four times, and allowing 5+ earned runs three times. The Mariners’ offensive ineptitude has been well-documented, so we have a bit of weakness vs. weakness going tonight.
Bryce Miller counters for the M’s, having a solid enough season after starting the year IL’d with an oblique injury. A 3.08 ERA/3.38 FIP in 14 games, 13 of them starts, makes for a tough assignment for the Yankees, but an elevated home run rate in one of baseball’s best home run parks catches the eye. Miller’s 1.38 HR/9 could be just the tonic this thin lineup needs.
Speaking of the lineup, Spencer Jones bats third now! George Lombard Jr. finds himself all the way down in ninth, while Ben Rice is DH’ing with Luis García Jr. playing first and cleaning up. Take note this is a national game, so we’ll see you on ESPN.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — The Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: ESPN/ESPN App
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), Seattle Sports 710 AM (SEA)
Detroit Tigers center fielder Max Clark (15) looks on before taking the field for the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Detroit Tigers (59-60) vs. Cleveland Guardians (58-62)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Covering the Corner Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (7-7, 4.17 ERA) vs. LHP Foster Griffin (12-4, 3.31 ERA)
When the Red Sox were winning 15 straight, and later nine straight, an — all told — 35 of 43 games over a seven-week stretch, everyone knew the utterly unsustainable run would eventually come to an end.
The question, simply, was how severe would the correction be?
The answer, five games into this new reality, is quite severe.
The latest loss — Boston’s fifth straight — came Wednesday night in Toronto, in a game that was fairly even through seven innings. The first seven innings featured Willson Contreras snapping out of his cold streak with a game-tying solo homer in the fifth inning, Wilyer Abreu authoring a top-10 web gem for the week, and Ranger Suarez allowing just one run over six innings.
The game also featured Ceddanne Rafaela unwisely trying to take two bases on a wild pitch, a decision which resulted in him being easily thrown out at third base by catcher Alejandro Kirk.
That was one mistake, though. And throughout the Red Sox’ stretch of seemingly endless wins, the team overcame numerous gaffes along the way.
This one, however, was compounded in the bottom of the eighth. With two on and nobody out, reliever Tyron Guerrero was able to induce a harmless foul pop-up from Kaz Okamoto for the first out of the inning.
But Contreras didn’t catch it.
And Okamoto sent the very next pitch into center field, breaking the 1-1 tie and plating two runs for Toronto.
Willson Contreras dropped a foul ball that would have been an infield fly rule if fair and Kazuma Okamoto immediately drove in the go-ahead run pic.twitter.com/hndvqzW5df
Guerrero, who’s historically struggled with command but has displayed great control all season, then walked Ernie Clement to give Toronto another run. Guerrero gave way to Alec Gamboa, who gave up a sacrifice fly before surrendering a back-breaking double to Myles Straw.
And just like that, a 1-1 tie was a 6-1 deficit for the Red Sox.
To that point, the Red Sox had been 3-for-39 (.077) with runners in scoring position dating back to Saturday’s game vs. the A’s, the day when the current losing streak started. They did manage to improve those numbers ever so slightly, with Caleb Durbin singling to center with runners on second and third before Jarren Duran ripped an RBI double in the top of the ninth. Closer Louis Varland was called upon, and Andruw Monasterio hit a sacrifice fly before Nick Sogard harmlessly grounded out to second base to end the game.
Improving the RISP batting average to .119 and making the final score 6-4 might have represented some positive progress for a Red Sox team that’s been scuffling for five straight days. Still, that’s a very minor moral victory on a night where things once again fell apart.
Contreras — who’s been the target of booing at Fenway Park and criticism from some corners of the media, all while battling through some physical ailments and illnesses — was once again at the center of this one. Had he simply caught the routine pop-up instead of trying to make the catch while spinning toward the runner at second, perhaps Guerrero would have settled down. Based on the fact that he has allowed a run in just five of his 30 appearances this year and allowed multiple runs just twice, the flamethrower’s record would suggest exactly that.
Instead, Guerrero unraveled, taking the Red Sox down with him.
The Red Sox have now been outscored 24-14 since Saturday, and the mistakes — whether it’s forgetting how many outs there are on the bases, Durbin making fielding errors, Monasterio missing balls at short, Contreras dropping pop-ups, Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock combining to turn wins into losses, Jake Bennett running out of gas, etc. — are piling up.
That’s not to suggest that the Red Sox played perfect baseball when they were winning 32 of 37 games. Far from it. Those Red Sox, though, found a new way to overcome the mistakes when they did pop up. These Red Sox seem stuck in some mud.
Combined with a Yankees win in New York, the Red Sox dropped to four games behind the Yankees for the top wild-card spot. Dreams of catching the Rays in the AL East — which may have been a bit aggressive to begin with — are now fully dashed, with Boston sitting 10 games behind Tampa Bay.
What the team seems to need more than anything is a break. They had last Monday off — the day of the trade deadline — but also spent it traveling back from a late-night West Coast game. Their last day off before that was July 23, and their next scheduled day off is next Thursday, Aug. 20.
The question, amid this sudden stretch of losing, is what position the Red Sox will be in before they welcome Rafael Devers (and perhaps Marcelo Mayer) and the San Francisco Giants to Fenway Park next weekend. At some point, they’re going to need to stop the bleeding. As it stands right now, they don’t appear to have any solutions.
Aug 12, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (20) looks on after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Athletics took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale, hoping to avoid yet another sweep. The Rays left no doubt about which team was better, defeating the A’s 8-4 to complete the sweep and leave the A’s still searching for answers on how to pitch and win at Sutter Health Park.
Rays Strike First
The Rays began the top of the second inning with three straight hits, capped by second baseman Richie Palacios’ RBI single that put them up 1-0. Designated hitter Yandy Díaz brought the second run home on a slow dribbler, which A’s starter Jack Perkins errantly fielded. The right-hander stopped the bleeding by getting the next batter to ground into an inning-ending double play.
For a second straight inning, the A’s failed to capitalize after getting a runner on second with one out against Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen. First baseman Tommy White once again made an out on the first pitch he saw. He needs to go back to Triple-A and learn some patience, as that is becoming a major weakness in his game.
The Rays rallied again in the third inning as Perkins allowed two more singles to begin the frame. With two outs, center fielder Cedric Mullins lined an RBI double to left, extending the visitors lead to 3-0. On that play, the A’s defense put together a nice relay to cut down the second runner, who was trying to score from first base.
A’s Comeback
In the bottom of the third, A’s left fielder Carlos Cortes lined a two-out, two-run double against Rasmussen, cutting the Rays’ lead to just one run.
Perkins was left in the game too long and immediately erased his team’s momentum. After getting the first two outs of the fourth inning, he fell apart, allowing three straight singles. The Rays were not done teeing off. Catcher Liam Hicks delivered the knockout punch with his third hit of the game. Hicks’ 16th home run of the season, a three-run shot to right-center, put Tampa Bay ahead 7-2.
Perkins should not be a starting pitcher any longer. Yes, he was facing a tough Rays lineup, but it is inexcusable to allow seven runs on 12 hits with only two strikeouts over five innings, particularly when his team is on the verge of being swept at home. The A’s should put Perkins back in the bullpen, where he had some success earlier this season.
Bullpen Time
Unlike Perkins, Rasmussen maintained his team’s momentum. He allowed two runs on just four hits over five innings. Left-handed reliever Steven Matz replaced him in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Rays turned to their rested bullpen to finish the game and complete the series sweep.
Speaking of relievers, left-hander Drew Rom made his A’s debut, tossing a scoreless sixth inning against the three best hitters in the Rays’ lineup. Scott Blewett followed with a second consecutive scoreless inning from an A’s reliever.
Small Positives
The struggles continued for freshly recalled A’s reliever Hayden Juenger, who allowed one run on two hits in the top of the eighth inning. The young right-hander showed poise by recording a strikeout and then inducing an inning-ending double play to escape a runners-on-the-corners, no-out jam. Fellow struggling youngster Seth Johnson bounced back from his Monday meltdown, pitching a scoreless inning in a less stressful situation with the A’s trailing by multiple runs.
The Athletics scored a couple consolation runs against Rays’ reliever Michael Grove in the bottom of that inning. With one out, second baseman Zack Gelof hit his 13th home run of the season and second in three games, a solo shot to left-center field.
Two batters later, right fielder Lawrence Butler joined Gelof in the home run column. His ninth home run of the season and second in as many days was a 426-foot solo shot to right-center field that cut the Green and Gold’s deficit to four runs.
Grove retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, securing the victory that completed a historic 9-0 West Coast road trip for the Rays, who are on a collision course for the top seed in the American League playoff bracket.
Meanwhile, the A’s are just attempting to finish this season on a good note. They still have not won a series at home since the week they spent as the home team at their Triple-A ballpark, meaning the drought in West Sacramento extends even further.
After receiving the day off tomorrow to reset, the Athletics will look to finally end that drought this weekend when they host the Texas Rangers for a three-game series. At the moment, neither team has announced its starter for Friday night’s series opener.
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 19: Fans view the new Joe Carter statue in before the Toronto Blue Jays play he Chicago White Sox in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on July 19, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game #122. Forty games left after this on.
I think I’m going to use this picture for every Game Thread the rest of the season. It will save me the time I usually waste looking at the pictures we are allowed to use, trying to remember ‘did I use that one already’.
Might as well win the series today and go for the sweep tomorrow.
The Jays picked up Paul Sewald off waivers from Diamondbacks. He was DFAed because of a 6.23 ERA, caused by a .228/.278/.530 batting line against. He gave up 12 home runs in 39 innings, which seems like a lot. But, nobody is DFAing their best pitchers. After selling off guys and watching guys get injured, it was down to you or me or Paul, and apparently you weren’t picking up the phone.
They say he’ll be with the team Friday.
To make room, Jake Bloss was called up to the major league roster and has been put on the 60-day IL.
Also catcher Willie MacIver was claimed by the Mariners. Willie was having a pretty good season for the Bisons, hitting .270/.344/.460 in 60 games.
Tonight we get to see Jose Soriano make his second start for the Jays. We could use him going more than the 4.2 innings he did last time.
And Kazuma Okamoto is back in the lineup, in the DH spot. McAdoo leads off again and plays third again. Brett Bateman is in right, which Straw in center.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 7: Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – LF Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Luis Robert – CF Jared Young – 1B Francisco Alvarez – DH Brett Baty – 2B Luis Torrens – C
SP: Zac Thornton – LHP
Braves lineup
Ronald Acuna – RF Drake Baldwin – DH Matt Olson – 1B Ozzie Albies – 2B Michael Harris – CF Mauricio Dubon – SS Lane Thomas – LF Austin Riley – 3B Sean Murphy – C
SP: Tyler Mahle – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:15 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Nico Hoerner #2 of the Chicago Cubs steals second base against Nasim Nuñez #26 of the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park on August 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After dropping a hard fought contest in game one, the Nats will look to even the series tonight against the Cubs. It will be a tough task, as the Cubs offense looked like a well oiled machine last night. The Nats will have a new face trying to shut down this offense, with Jackson Kent making his debut.
With another lefty on the mound for the Cubs, it will be the same nine guys for the Nats. However, Andrew Pinckney will move up in the lineup for this contest. The Nats have been strong against LHP this season, and will look to keep that up. As mentioned, lefty Jackson Kent will be making his debut. The Illinois kid will be making his debut against his hometown team.
With a lefty on the mound, the Cubs have made two tweaks. Tyrone Taylor will replace Ian Happ in left field. The other change is at DH, where rookie Pedro Ramirez will replace veteran Michael Conforto. After being traded mid-season, long time Met David Peterson is a Cub now. The Nats have seen a lot of Peterson over the years.
Last night was a good battle between two elite offenses. I would expect more of the same in this one, though hopefully Kent has more success than Jake Irvin did. It is a tough opening assignment for the 23 year old lefty, and I am curious to see him in action. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
