MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 15: Brandon Valenzuela #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays is out at second base as Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers turns a double play during the third inning at American Family Field on April 15, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a dark and stormy night in Milwaukee, with big lightning displays outside the stadium and rain leaking through cracks in the American Family Field roof. Inside the stadium, it was a pretty juiceless affair. Neither offence could get much of anything going. Ultimately, it was the Brewers who cobbled together a little bit more.
Toronto struck first. Daulton Varsho worked a one out walk in the first, moved to third on a Vladimir Guerrero jr. ground ball single, and came home on a Jesus Sanchez sac fly. From there, it settled into a pitchers’ duel. Cease gave up a line single in the bottom of the first, walks in the second and fourth, and another hit to Joey Ortiz in the fifth. In the sixth, he gave up his third walk but a strike’em out-throw’em out double play ended the inning. All told, he went six shutout innings on two hits and three walks, striking out six.
After his stumble out of the gate, Chad Patrick was even stingier, conceding just one single each in the third (by Brandon Valenzuela) and fifth (by Lenyn Sosa). He also went a bit deeper than Cease, recording two outs in the seventh around a walk to Kazuma Okamoto. DL Hall took over to face the lefty Lenyn Sosa, getting a fly out.
Mason Fluharty started the bottom of the seventh, giving up a single while getting two outs before giving way to Braydon Fisher. Fisher got Ortiz to ground out to preserve the shutout.
In the eighth, Aaron Ashby gave up a single to Varsho and walked Guerrero with two out. Myles Straw was called on to pinch hit for Jesus Sanchez, but struck out.
Tyler Rogers took the eighth. David Hamilton reached on a swinging bunt that Rogers couldn’t bare-hand. Brandon Valenzuela misplayed a ball chopped straight down onto the plate, allowing Sal Frelick to reach and Hamilton, representing the tying run, to move all the way to third with none out. A Contreras ground ball single tied the game with runners still on the corners. A Turang chopper bounced just over Rogers’ head, scoring the go ahead run. Rogers got out of it from there, but the damage was done. The four balls that resulted in either batters reaching or scored runs traveled a total of 22 feet in the air. So it goes.
Abner Uribe locked it down, retiring the Jays in order
Jays of the Day: Dylan Cease (0.39)
Less so: Nathan Lukes (-0.12), Ernie Clement (-0.13), Tyler Rogers (-0.54)
Getaway day tomorrow, with first pitch at 1:40pm ET. The Jays will hope that Patrick Corbin (0-0, 9.00) can do a little better than he managed last time out. For Milwaukee, top prospect Brandon Sproat (0-1, 10.45) will look to bounce back from a dreadful first three starts of the season.
Apr 15, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero celebrates his two run walkoff hit against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
As corny as it sounds, a lot can happen before that 27th out, and what felt like it would’ve been yet another deflating loss—following a dangerous trend early on in 2026—turned into one of the more thrilling wins for the Yankees this season as they walked off the Angels at home, 5-4, on a José Caballero two-run double. But before getting to that moment against a familiar face in Jordan Romano, the Angels’ new closer who also blew the game on Monday, the Yankees tested the patience of their fans.
Facing a starting pitcher who was dealing with walk issues ahead of this game, the Yankees capitalized on it by earning four free passes against Jack Kochanowicz. Two of them led directly to runs, as Trent Grisham made it a 3-0 game early on with a two-run knock in the second after Aaron Judge began the scoring in the first with his 375th career homer, a solo shot. And yet one can’t help but feel underwhelmed by the Yanks’ efforts. Despite allowing three runs in the first two innings, Kochanowicz managed to pitch into the seventh inning and left in line for the win as the Yankees’ bats took a hiatus from scoring in between the second and the ninth, allowing the Angels to take control of this one for a large period.
In order for the Halos to do that, they had to get at Luis Gil, which turned out to be not much of a problem, homering three times against him. In fact, with the way the Yankees performed after Gil’s departure, the Angels probably wished he could’ve stayed in there a bit longer. For someone who ultimately failed rather spectacularly in his number-one objective in trying to deliver a solid performance tonight—keeping the ball in the park—Gil certainly could’ve done worse than the four runs he allowed in five innings of work.
The Angels got to work on Gil with solo shots by Adam Frazier in the third and Logan O’Hoppe in the fifth, and then the star of this series, Mike Trout, got what looked like—right until the end—was going to be the biggest hit of this game. Notorious for loving the ball down in the zone, Trout got a low heater he was looking for and took it to right field for a two-run shot to then give the Angels the 4-3 lead on career long ball no. 410. Absurdly, it was Trout’s fourth long ball of this series, going deep in each of the three games.
What’s even more worrisome is that the three home runs were in no way a fluke—the Angels were all over Gil and could’ve easily constructed a more damaging scoreline. According to Statcast, the average exit velocity on batted-ball events against Gil’s fastball was 99.1 mph. Every time the Angels connected, they did so with authority, and they connected quite often, whiffing on just 3 of 17 swings against his fastballs.
Somewhat leaving Gil off the hook would come back to bite the Angels, but it took many a comeback attempt from the Yankees before doing so. The Yankees first got some momentum back in the seventh inning, securing the third out at the top of the frame with Cody Bellinger gunning down Zach Neto, who attempted to go from first to third on a ground-ball single from Trout—and then by opening the bottom of the frame with a beautifully laid down bunt single from Austin Wells. With Wells at second and two outs following Ryan McMahon’s strikeout, the managerial chess match took place. Trent Grisham was coming up for his fourth at-bat against Kochanowicz, so the Angels brought in Drew Pomeranz, and Aaron Boone countered with Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran’s hard liner unfortunately found the glove of Frazier at second base to close the threat.
The theme of narrowly missing out kept going as Giancarlo Stanton—who had a particularly difficult time striking out three times against Kochanowicz—crushed a 3-2 fastball against Romano to start the ninth, but it didn’t have enough air under it and was caught by Bryce Teodosio in right. Teodosio had just come into the game as a defensive replacement.
Sometimes, though, it’s better to be lucky than good, and the Yankees’ successful comeback effort originated on a massive blunder from the Angels’ defense. Right after Stanton’s lineout, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a casual popup, but miscommunication on the infield between Neto and old friend Oswald Peraza saw it drop in.
With Jazz on base, the Yankees had an immediate threat. Chisholm stole second, and a slightly-rattled Romano walked Wells.
That’s when Caballero mustered a timely hit, knocking one into left-center field with the runners in motion. Chisholm easily scored the tying run, and a hustling Wells came all the way around to cross home as well, just barely beating the surprised Angels’ relay throw home.
The Survive Trout Show continues for one more day tomorrow at 1:35pm ET, as the Yankees send out the best they have for this series finale against the Angels, with ace Max Fried looking for his third win of the season. The Angels haven’t announced their starter yet. Just in case you were wondering, Trout and Fried have never faced each other before in the big leagues.
Sometimes a slumping offense just needs to see an opposing pitcher it routinely hits. Sometimes a slumping offense just needs to catch a break from the opposing defense.
In Wednesday’s ninth inning, the Yankees were gifted both.
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Bats that seem to be silent against everyone except Jordan Romano these days got to face the Angels closer again. And Romano’s job grew much tougher when a routine pop-up to his infield somehow bounced on the dirt.
When the frame from Angels hell was over, José Caballero had drilled a walk-off two-run double to steal a 5-4 victory in front of 41,019 in The Bronx, where Aaron Boone’s club blew an early three-run edge and was shut out from the third through eighth innings before finding life (and two runs) just in time.
A hard-to-believe comeback was launched against Romano, who blew Monday’s game when he allowed three runs without recording an out and who owns a 6.17 ERA in 26 career games against the Yankees, who seem to enjoy stepping into the box against the former Blue Jays reliever.
Austin Wells celebrates with Jazz Chisholm Jr. after scoring the winning run on a walk-off two-run hit by Jose Caballero (not pictured) during the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 5-4 wins over the Angels on April 15, 2026 at the Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The second blowup in three days — which led to the second Yankees walk-off in three days — was not entirely Romano’s fault. In a frame that began with the Angels ahead 4-3, Jazz Chisholm Jr. lofted a lazy, one-out pop-up to the left side of the infield.
Third baseman Oswald Peraza seemed early in the ball’s ascent to take charge. Shortstop Zach Neto probably should have called him off because the high pop ended up in his territory.
Both were unsure who would catch it, and thus neither did.
“Let’s go,” went through Boone’s mind as the ball dropped.
“We’ll take anything we can get,” said Austin Wells, who followed the pop-up single with a hard-earned walk.
“Whenever you give us a chance,” Caballero said with a small laugh, “it’s a dangerous thing.”
José Caballero belts a game-winning two-run double during the ninth inning of the Yankees’ 5-4 comeback win over the Angels on April 15, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Two days prior, Caballero had played hero by following Trent Grisham’s game-tying ninth-inning home run against Romano with a double and, with aggression, a stolen base and wild pitch creating the game-winner. This time Caballero’s bat was the star, smacking a hit over Neto and into left-center while Chisholm and Wells were attempting a double steal. Chisholm scored without issue, and third base coach Luis Rojas kept spinning his arm with an audacious send.
The relay throw beat Wells to the plate but was toward the first base line, allowing Wells’ leg to graze home plate just in timeto jump-start the week’s second game-ending party in The Bronx.
The Yankees (10-8) have responded to their five-game skid by taking two of three from the Angels and will try to seize the series Thursday afternoon behind Max Fried.
Luis Gil looks to the outfield as Mike Trout rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer during the fifth inning of the Yankees’ comeback win over the Angels. Robert Sabo for NY Post
In the span of 21 pitches from Romano, the feelings around the club were flipped. A few minutes earlier, it had seemed Boone was going to have to answer questions about how this roster had fallen to .500 and why an offense that was baseball’s best last season suddenly could not hit.
“It’s not easy for us necessarily right now,” Boone said, “but just a lot of really gritty plays there at the end.”
The Yankees were strong defensively, including nice diving plays by Caballero (to retire Peraza in the ninth) and Chisholm (spearing a ground ball from Nolan Schanuel with a dive in the third).
Aaron Judge drops his bat after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of the Yankees’ comeback win over the Angels. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Their bullpen — four scoreless innings from Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick and David Bednar — did everything it could to keep the game close. And their offense eventually found the break it needed and the break that did not seem as if it would arrive.
Apart from Monday’s 11-run explosion, the Yankees have scored 19 runs in seven games (six losses) against the A’s, Rays and Angels, whose pitching staffs are, well, mortal.
Wednesday started differently — against righty Jack Kochanowicz, Aaron Judge clobbered his seventh homer of the season and fourth in four games in the first and Grisham came through with a two-out, two-run single in the second — but then felt familiar, the Yankees picking up two more hits through the eighth inning. One, from Wells, was a bunt single.
As the early lead disappeared in the fifth, when Luis Gil (five innings, four runs on five hits and two walks) surrendered his second and third home runs of the night, a one-run deficit felt insurmountable.
But somewhere, Luis Castillo smiled.
“Every win matters,” Wells said. “Doesn’t really matter how you get it done.”
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 15: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after giving up a home run during the second inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 15, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The slumping San Francisco Giants retooled their outfield before Wednesday’s game, sending Harrison Bader and Jared Oliva to the injured list and recalling Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan from Sacramento. Unfortunately, they didn’t retool the way they pitch to Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart.
Stewart gave the Reds a 3-0 lead with a three-run home run in the first inning off Giants starter Tyler Mahle (0-3) then extended the lead to 7-0 with a second three-run bomb one inning later. The rookie now has 12 homers and 25 RBIs in his 36-game big-league career and those numbers have gone way up in this series.
The Giants starter never had a chance and it honestly should have been worse. Eugenio Suarez went deep three pitches after Stewart’s first homer for the 328th home run of his career, tying Shawn Green and Scores Hall of Famer Mo Vaughn. In the second, he walked the first batter on four pitches and was bailed out when TJ Friedl bunted Ke’Bryan Hayes over — only for Mahle to pick him off second.
Mahle followed that up by walking Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz before Stewart’s three-run blast. For the inning, he gave up three walks, two hits and a homer, retiring exactly one hitter who wasn’t making an out on purpose.
Manager Tony Vitello treated Mahle like he’d been caught smoking and his punishment was to smoke the whole pack. There was no action in the Giants bullpen in the second or third inning, with Mahle left to eat innings and think about what he did on the mound where he spent the first six seasons of his career. That’s why he was still in to give up a fourth-inning bomb to De La Cruz that rivaled the flight of the space shuttle Artemis.
De La Cruz’s home run trot took only slightly less time than the entire Artemis mission.
The Giants did match their highest scoring output of their losing streak with three runs, and even got to two runs by the second inning! Matt Chapman singled, Jung Hoo Lee walked and Silver Slugger candidate Daniel Susac knocked in both runners with a double down the left field line.
The offense remains a work in progress. After Susac’s double, Reds starter Rhett Lowder (2-1) retired the next 12 Giants he faced. When Luis Arraez singled to break the streak, Lowder got new No. 3 hitter Casey Schmidt to ground into an inning-ending double play. New outfielders Brennan and Ramos went 0-for-2.
Rafael Devers’ frustration mirrored that of the team and the fanbase after he swung through a Lowder slider to lead off the second inning, snapping his bat in half.
He would get a measure of revenge in the 7th, hitting a single off Lowder before Chapman and Lee lined out. Susac followed with another hit, then Heliot Ramos got a much-needed RBI single, pinch-hitting against left-handed reliever Brock Burke, who has two last names. Jerar Encarnacion loaded the bases with a pinch-hit single of his own, but the inning ended with a Willy Adames strikeout.
In the 8th inning, the team got unlucky. After Arraez walked and Devers beat out an infield hit (4.6 seconds home to first!), Matt Chapman fouled off four pitches before hitting a scorcher straight at third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (son of Charlie!). Hayes doubled Arraez off second as the Giants’ last chance ended.
Encarnacion kept the good feelings going by turning a fly ball he couldn’t reach into a force out at second in the 8th. Ramos did not keep the good vibes going when he struck out in the ninth on a pitch that landed in the left-handed batter’s box.
Apropos of nothing, Bryce Eldridge is slashing 360/.492/.520 for the Sacramento River Cats, with 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances, hitting a three-run homer of his own in the first inning Wednesday night. And as we all know, the river cat is a mythical creature that lives in the American River. If you catch it, it will grant you a wish or bribe a State Senator.
The bullpen mopped up well, with Blade Tidwell and Ryan Borucki pitching perfect innings and JT Brubaker logging two scoreless innings, while also getting into a shouting match with Spencer Steer over…pitching too slow? Hard to say. It was late and both teams were cranky.
Thursday is a day game, where Landon Roupp tries to halt the Giants’ five-game slide against Chase Burns, who judging by his name, leads a group of rich campers in tormenting the nerdier campers across the lake. One tip for Roupp? Don’t give up home runs, which have been the Reds’ entire offense for two games, albeit an extremely effective form of offense.
Also he orders chili in Cincinnati, they’re going to pour it over spaghetti. Yes, there are some things more baffling than the Giants’ inability to score runs.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: A detailed view of the retired jersey number 42 for Jackie Robinson before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers conclude their three-game series against the New York Mets on Jackie Robinson Day, looking to get a sweep and take five of six games on the homestand. Shohei Ohtani makes his third start of the season against right-hander Clay Holmes.
Ohtani will only be on the mound on Wednesday, as Dalton Rushing is penciled in at designated hitter.
The Yankees had a lead early, then the offense went dormant, but Jose Caballero saved the day with a two-run walk-off double to lift New York to a 5-4 win over the Angels on Wednesday night.
The ninth-inning comeback started when Jazz Chisholm Jr. popped up to the left side of the infield with one out, but Oswald Peraza and Zach Neto were confused as to who would take it, and it fell between them. Chisholm stole second and Wells walked to bring up Caballero. The Yankees shortstop lined a hit to left center that pushed across the tying run, and Wells -- who was running on the pitch with Chisholm -- was sent and slid just before the tag to give the Yankees the win.
All of this came against Jordan Romano, the closer who gave up the lead in Monday's win. The Yankees have now won two of the first three games of this series.
Here are the takeaways...
-Luis Gil was on the mound, making his second start of the season and got off to an inauspicious start.Neto hit a leadoff double just fair down the left field line, but was stranded there thanks to Aaron Judge's strong arm in right field, keeping Neto at second. A ground ball and a fly out later, and Gil was out of the inning.
After a clean second inning, Gil would give up his first run of the game. After getting behind Adam Frazier 2-0, Gil threw a 95 mph fastball down the middle and the second baseman muscled it 398 feet over the right center field wall. It wouldn't be the only solo shot Gil would allow. Logan O'Hoppe drove a 95 mph fastball up in the zone over the left center field wall. The blast went 427 feet. Three batters later, Mike Trout launched a two-run shot to give the Angels a 4-3 lead in the fifth. It's Trout's fourth home run of the series.
Gil completed the inning, but that was all for him.
The right-hander tossed 83 pitches (48 strikes), allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. The longball got him and prevented him from going longer in this one.
-Judge doesn't just do it on defense. The Yankees captain got the scoring started with a two-out blast in the first inning, shooting the ball the opposite way for his AL-leading seventh home run of the season. Judge now has three home runs in this series.
-After the Yankees scored just one run on Tuesday, they didn't let it happen on Wednesday. Trent Grisham hit an opposite-field single to drive inChisholmandCaballero with two outs in the second inning to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
But the Yankees had a hard time pushing across more runs, especially when they were trailing. In the seventh,Wells led off with a bunt single and was at second base with one out. Ryan McMahon struck out before Paul Goldschmidt -- pinch-hitting for Grisham against a left-handed reliever -- lined out sharply to second base to end the threat.
The Yankees were outhit 7-6 and were 2-for-7 with RISP with five left on base. The Angels were worse, however, going 0-for-4 with RISP and leaving four men on base.
-The Yankees bullpen, much-maligned of late, was great on Wednesday. They pitched four scoreless innings after Gil was pulled to give the Yankees a chance.
Tim Hill: 1.0 IP
Fernando Cruz: 1.0 IP, 1 H
Brent Headrick: 1.0 IP, 1 H
David Bednar: 1.0 IP, 1 K
Game MVP: Jose Caballero
Caballero's hit turned around what would have been another dreadful night for the Yankees offense.
Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner (42) reacts with infielder Matt Shaw (42) hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
For the second straight night, the Philadelphia Phillies (8-10) gave up double-digit runs to the visiting Chicago Cubs (9-9) by a score of 11-2 on their way to dropping a third straight series.
Jesus Luzardo’s early season struggles continued, allowing nine of the Cubs’ 11 runs on 12 hits, a walk and a wild pitch. Luzardo, sporting a 7.94 ERA, has surrendered five-plus runs in three out of his four starts to begin the year, equalling his total in 32 starts last season.
This third lost series at home also equals the Phillies’ total from last season. They are 1-5 in series finales.
Trea Turner led off the game with a home run to straightaway center, his second of the season, on the second pitch offered by Cubs’ starter, Shota Imanaga.
Imanaga would allow only two more hits across his six innings of work, a single and a double by Adolis Garcia.
Things seemed to unravel for Luzardo and his backing group in the top of the third inning. After needing only 17 pitches to get through the first and second, Luzardo threw 34 in the third, nine of which went to Matt Shaw who reached on a one-out double. Shaw came home to score on a Nico Hoerner single and then Luzardo walked Alex Bregman. Hoerner and Bregman tried for a double steal and an overthrow by JT Realmuto was dropped by Turner which allowed Hoerner to score and Bregman to reach third. Luzardo’s wild pitch brought Bregman home.
Kyle Backhus allowed one run in 1.2 innings of relief and Dylan Moore took to the mound as the sacrificial lamb for the second time already this year, allowing another run.
Jose Alvarado pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning with one strikeout.
Bryce Harper hammered a garbage-time homer in the bottom of the ninth, his fourth of the year. Edmundo Sosa had the only other hit for the Phillies.
The Phillies have a day off tomorrow before hosting the Atlanta Braves for a weekend series. Taijuan Walker is slated to go up against a TBD Braves’ starter on Friday night.
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 15: Fans in the outfield stand above a plaque honoring Jackie Robinson and another honoring Ken Griffey, Jr. during the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rod Mar/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Well, it turns out the problems with the offense might not be fixed so easily. The Mariners looked more like their early-season selves last night in the series opener against San Diego, eking out just four hits and scoring a lone run on a sac fly. It was a disappointing comedown after the high of the Houston series. The Mariners will look to get back on track tonight against Padres starter Randy Vásquez, but it will be a tough task; as Jake outlines in the series preview, Vásquez will throw not just a kitchen sink but an entire Zillow listing at hitters. Who will emerge triumphant in the battle of the Randys?
Lineups:
Emerson Hancock starts for the Mariners on Jackie Robinson Day. Hancock and Robinson actually share a birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, which is a pretty big coincidence for a town with a population of about 10,000. (Other MLB players born in Cairo, pronounced like the syrup: Willie Harris, Ernest Riles, and one other active player, Hurston Waldrep, currently of the Braves.)
Game information:
Game time: 6:40 PT
TV: Mariners.TV and associated channels with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
As a reminder, we’ll be watching Thursday’s game at the Rebel in Wallingford – come through if you can! 21+, food and drink specials, and prizes.
Apr 15, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone gets tagged out at home plate by Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Royals did it again. They lost 2-1. The offense has now scored 2 or fewer runs in 11 of their first 18 games and in 7 of their last 8. The offense was miserable and missed the few opportunities they had to do something, per usual. The pitching was awesome again, unfortunately perfection has been required lately.
There was a couple of bright spots. Jac Caglianone was on base all four times, including three hits and a walk. He hit his second career triple as well. His leadoff triple in the 3rd was followed up by a Lane Thomas pop out to center and a Kyle Isbel ground out to second, where Cags was thrown out at the plate on the contact play.
Caglianone also got an outfield assist in the bottom half of the inning, cutting down a Tigers run, and he almost did it on the next play as well, but Javier Baez got by Salvador Perez just in time.
Seth Lugo was awesome again, all four of his starts have been after two straight Royals losses. Lugo went 6.2 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run and struck out 7.
Kyle Isbel drove in the Royals only run with a two out single to right field in the 5th.
Daniel Lynch IV got the final out of the 7th on just four pitches. After throwing just 12 pitches in the last five days, he needed to be replaced. Eli Morgan, who has looked good with the Royals so far, unfortunately, gave up a first batter home run to Wenceel Pérez in the bottom of the 8th. Perez was 0-10 on the season coming into the at bat.
After a two out Cags single in the 9th, Tyler Tolbert came in to pinch run and got all the way to third, but Lane Thomas hit a measly fly ball to left to end the game.
The Royals drop to 7-11 on the season, they have lost three in a row. They have won just one series this season, split one and have lost every other series. They will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 12:10 p.m. CT. The game can be streamed on Royals.TV.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets (wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson) looks on prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Luis Robert – CF
Brett Baty – 1B
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Carson Benge – RF
Marcus Semien – 2B
MJ Melendez – DH
Tommy Pham – LF
SP: Clay Holmes – RHP
Dodgers lineup
Kyle Tucker – RF
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Will Smith – C
Teoscar Hernandez – LF
Max Muncy – 3B
Andy Pages – CF
Dalton Rushing – DH
Hyeseong Kim – SS
Alex Freeland – 2B
SP: Shohei Ohtani – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 10:10 PM ET TV: ESPN Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 15: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers scores a run against Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals during the bottom of the third inning at Comerica Park on April 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Jackie Robinson Day, everyone! The Tigers and Royals were sporting their number 42s in Detroit, and hoping for a repeat of the previous night’s victory, perhaps with a few more runs. To get there, the Tigers would need to get through Seth Lugo on the mound for the Royals, while the Tigers themselves turned to Jack Flaherty to get the job done.
The first inning got started nicely as Flaherty got through the Royals in order. The first out of the game was even on a strikeout, something Tuesday’s outing was relatively short on. In the bottom of the inning, Gleyber Torres hit a one-out single, but Colt Keith grounded into a double play to eliminate the baserunner and end the inning.
Three straight strikeouts took the Royals out in order in the second. I promise this is the last time I’ll mention the strikeouts. I mean, unless they’re relevant. The Tigers likewise went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Jac Caglianone hit a triple to start the third. Zack McKinstry appeared to have been hit when Caglianone headed into third, but stayed in the game, so hopefully it wasn’t serious, though he was wincing. With one out, Kyle Isbel reached on a fielder’s choice as the Tigers got Caglianone out at home, avoiding the run. A wild pitch helped advance Isbel to second, but the Royals weren’t able to convert the runner. In the home half, McKinstry started things off with a leadoff single, and Javier Baez hit a line drive to right, bringing McKinstry home. Salvador Perez immediately called for a review, and it very quickly showed that McKinstry was tagged out before touching the plate. The safe call at home was overturned. Jake Rogers then flied into a double play, one of those being Baez at home, and while he was ruled out, he immediately called for a review, and dang it was one of the most insane plays I think I’ve ever seen in slow motion. On review, he was ruled safe, just an absolutely bonkers tag evasion.
Kevin McGonigle got his first single of the extension era, followed by a single from Gleyber Torres. Keith struck out to end the inning, but the Tigers still got on the board first.
Flaherty worked through the side in order in the top of the fourth. The Tigers likewise went 1-2-3 in the home half.
In the fifth, Flaherty started to show some issues with his command. With one out, he gave up back-to-back walks to Michael Massey and Jac Caglianone. Those two walks certainly came back to haunt. With two outs, Isbel singled, scoring Massey to tie the game. Flaherty was able to end the inning on the next out, but the game was now tied. The Tigers didn’t make much of an effort to break that tie in the bottom of the fifth, going in order back to the dugout.
Things evened out a bit in the sixth, as Vinnie Pasquantino got a one-out walk, but then Salvador Perez hit into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers again went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
Jack Flaherty’s night was done after six with a final line of 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, on 97 pitches. Tyler Holton came out of the pen to replace him. With two outs, Caglianone singled, then Lane Thomas singled right behind him. The Royals went to their bench for Starling Marte, and that was when the Tigers stepped in to go back to the bullpen for Kyle Finnegan. Lifting Kyle Isbel for Marte denied me a golden opportunity to write about a Kyle on Kyle matchup, and I’m a bit miffed about that.
Finnegan induced a groundout to end the inning though it was due to Caglianone obstructing McKinstry on the play, with a collision that sent McKinstry sprawling to the turf. He looked okay coming off the field, but headed down into the clubhouse with a trainer. Báez moved to shortstop, with McGonigle sliding over to third base. Wenceel Pérez took over in center field, and that would prove fortunate later on.
In the home half, with two outs, Seth Lugo’s day was done, and he was replaced by Daniel Lynch IV, who got the final out of the inning.
McKinstry was out of the game following a second collision, rough night for Zach, hopefully he’s okay. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning Vinnie Pasquantino hit a triple, and I’m going to need the Royals to have shorter last names, please. The Royals left him stranded, though. Eli Morgan came in next for the Royals and Wenceel Perez, who replaced McKinstry, got his first hit of the season in style with a solo home run to right field.
With two outs, McGonigle walked, followed by a Torres single, but again it was Keith who ended the inning. C’mon Colt, you were our clutch guy for like two whole weeks!
Kenley Jansen was once again the Tigers’ man for the ninth, looking to add to his saves total. With two outs, Caglianone hit a line drive into left, and was replaced by pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert. And in an unreal moment, Jansen threw a pick-off toss over to first and it was ruled an out, but the Royals challenged and it really did look like Tolbert made it back safely, Torkelson’s hand seemed to swing right over his helmet instead of tagging him, though the fault was Jansen’s for throwing to the home plate side of first base, forcing Torkelson to catch it and attempt a backhand tag. The call was rightly overturned, but it sure would have been a fun ending to the game.
A passed ball allowed Tolbert to advance to second, then a balk advanced him to third, and things were feeling sketchy despite Jansen sustaining that better velocity for the second straight night, but the final out of the inning came on the next batter, Lane Thomas, who flew out to left. Jansen got the save and Finnegan and the Tigers the win. The Tigers are finally back at .500 as well on this five game winning streak.
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani was visibly caught off guard when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed him that he would not be the designated hitter in the series finale against the New York Mets on Wednesday, April 15.
So much so, that Roberts recreated his expression for reporters when he explained that the two-way superstar's responsibilities would strictly be on the mound as the Dodgers concluded their six-game homestand.
"(He was) maybe surprised, but fine with it, because I've never asked him to pitch and not hit," Roberts said pregame. "Explaining to him why, I think it makes complete sense."
The why was straightforward enough: Ohtani took a sinker from Mets pitcher David Peterson to the back of his throwing shoulder to lead off Monday's 4-0 win and was still dealing with soreness. He was also having issues getting loose to hit after his afternoon throwing sessions, though Roberts said Ohtani is feeling "much better than he did two days ago, and better than he did yesterday."
Shohei Ohtani gets hit up and high in his first at bat by David Peterson
This breaks up his lead off home run streak. Today, he was looking for 3 in a row to leadoff the game. pic.twitter.com/V5Hnw2jxwu
In Roberts' eyes, the move lets Ohtani focus on one thing and is what he feels is the best way to keep him loose throughout his outing.
"We felt — training staff, pitching coaches and myself — we just thought it was the best thing for him," Roberts said. "So once I told him, he completely understood."
Roberts expects Ohtani to be DHing again and pitching in his next start but didn't close the door on possibly dropping him down from the leadoff spot — or even sit him out of the lineup entirely — on some of his pitching days at some point down the road, if the situation calls for it.
But that's something that Roberts said he won't be necessarily proactive about. After all, anytime you don't have your best hitter in the lineup, it has to be a move that makes sense.
And for Roberts, taking the bat out of Ohtani's hands makes the most sense on Wednesday.
"Specific to today, I think this is the right decision," he said. "This is the best decision, for him not to hit today. Then the question is, when does he hit on days that he pitches? Where does he hit in the order? I think there's fair arguments to both — to moving him down a little bit, to give him a breather, to let him get into the game — I'm not prepared to make that decision quite yet, but it is something that I'm mindful of.
"You can tell (Mets manager) Carlos Mendoza he's an option, though."
"He ran again today," Mendoza said of Soto. "He took live at-bats at Citi Field. We brought some pitchers from Brooklyn. He came out well."
Mendoza was asked if Soto will rejoin the team in Chicago, but the manager quickly said he wouldn't. However, the goal is to have Soto be with the team when the Mets return to Queens.
"Not sure when, but at some point in the next homestand, we’ll get him back," Mendoza said.
After the Mets' three-game weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago, they have an off day on Monday before hosting the Twins for a three-game set on Tuesday.
Soto has missed significant time since injuring his calf back on April 3. Mendoza said that the team will continue to monitor Soto's progress before he undergoes more imaging to make sure everything is healed. The Mets skipper added that the next step for Soto is to increase the intensity of his running, in particular, going side to side, and starting and stopping.
Before his injury, Soto was having a strong start to the 2026 season. He was 11-for-31 with one home run, two doubles and five RBI across his first eight games.
Carlos Mendoza says that the goal is for Juan Soto to return at some point on the next homestand pic.twitter.com/eAcTayphaw
Polanco is dealing with Achilles bursitis and he has his good and bad days. After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts yesterday, Polanco is not in the starting lineup.
"Just one of those days where yesterday he felt it a lot more," Mendoza explained. "Trying to take advantage of tomorrow’s off day. We’ll go from there. Have to check back on him to see if there’s any type of availability for today’s game."
Polanco has been in and out of the lineup for weeks now, and has been used strictly as a DH. Mendoza was asked whether they will consider placing the veteran on the IL and he revealed a decision is likely coming soon.
"Still on the table. Not going to lie," Mendoza said. "We’ll see where we’re at after today, after tomorrow’s off day. By the time we get to Chicago, if we decide to go that route, pretty sure we will."
Polanco has played in 14 games, and is 10-for-56 with one home run, three doubles and two RBI.
Decision to call up Melendez
The Mets placed Jared Young on the IL on Wednesday and called up outfielder MJ Melendez.
Melendez is in Wednesday's lineup and Mendoza was asked why they chose to bring Melendez up from the minors instead of Ronny Mauricio.
"The versatility piece. Lefty bat," Mendoza explained. "Talking about with Mauricio, we want him to play. I’m pretty sure it’ll continue to be fluid, but right now, we felt Melendez was the right way to go."
The Mets will look at the other depth pieces to step up in the absence of Young, who has provided a strong left-handed presence off the bench -- and would sometimes start.
Mendoza also admitted that Brett Baty will see more time with Young on the IL.
"Especially when we’re facing righties. We’ll stock up on as many lefties as possible," Mendoza said. "We’ll go from there. We’re going to need all of these guys."
Baty is 12-for-55 with seven RBI in 15 games, while playing all over the diamond, including outfield.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 14: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re about one hour away from gametime here tonight in Sacramento as the Athletics gear up for the third game of this four-game set against their division-rival Texas Rangers. Both teams are tied atop the AL West so whoever wins tonight’s contest can lay claim to sole possession of first place. Big stakes even if it’s only April, especially these divisional games. And it’s a big day for another reason as baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, the day the legend broke the color barrier and made his MLB debut. So many greats in the game wouldn’t have had the chance to make their mark on the sport we love and we all love Jackie for the sacrifices he made in his time.
Taking the ball looking to make it two in a row for the good guys will be J.T. Ginn. The right-hander earned his first start of the season last week and did not disappoint, tossing four innings of one-hit ball against the team that drafted then traded him to us, the New York Mets. That must have felt good for the 26-year-old but now he’ll be tasked with taking on a division opponent in Texas. Last year Ginn made three starts against the Rangers, sandwiching a quality outing between a couple of duds. He’ll be looking for better results tonight and if he comes out looking like he did against New York we could see him in the game for a decent chunk tonight. There’s also a chance we see fellow right-hander Jack Perkins make an appearance tonight but that’ll largely depend on how Ginn is doing in the early frames.
The big 1-2 punch atop the lineup is back as Nick Kurtz reclaims the leadoff spot with Shea Langeliers right behind him. We do have a bit of a surprise in the #3 hole as backup outfielder Carlos Cortes will bat behind Langeliers. A curious move considering he’s just 7-for-24 with one home run so far. Not terrible numbers and I guess someone has to hit in that spot, but still feels like a curious choice. We’ll see if Mark Kotsay’s smarter than the rest of us. He’ll be the DH tonight.
The rest of the lineup is filled with the starters at all their primary positions. Soderstrom and Wilson will hit back-to-back in the middle of the order and Denzel Clarke will bring up the rear in the batting order.
On the mound for Texas tonight is former top prospect Kumar Rocker. The right-hander is considered one of the better younger pitchers in the Rangers’ organization and he’s looking like he’s taking a step so far in what will be his second full season in the big leagues. In two starts so far he’s pitched 10 innings (5 in each game) and allowed five total runs against the Reds and Dodgers. Not a bad start to his season but the A’s can pounce on the young arm if they can work his pitch count early. Last season the Athletics roughed him up for five runs in less than two innings of work so history is on the home team’s side in that regard tonight.
Ginn will have to work around the big bats in the middle of the order, especially the left-handed ones in Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager at the very top of the order. Texas’ offense hasn’t quite hit their stride yet but they have the ability to put up a crooked number any time.
Let’s get back to first place with a win tonight, fellas. Let’s go A’s!
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Texas Rangers pitcher Gavin Collyer (77) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during a Spring Breakout game on March 20, 2026, at Surprise Stadium at Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed reliever Chris Martin on the 15 day injured list with a shoulder impingement and reliever Luis Curvelo on the injured list with a biceps strain. To replace the pair, the Rangers have purchased the contracts of righthanded pitchers Gavin Collyer and Cal Quantrill. To make room on the 40 man roster for the new additions, the Rangers have moved Cody Bradford from the 15 day injured list to the 60 day injured list and have designated reliever Marc Church for assignment.
Martin and Curvelo each left yesterday’s game due to their injuries, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether either of them would have to go on the i.l. Martin had injury issues last year, and so playing it safe with him makes sense, and Curvelo is just a guy, so there’s no real need to wait and see on him.
Collyer, 24, will be making his major league debut when he first steps on the mound. Picked in the 12th round by the Rangers in 2019, and signed to a $585,000 bonus, Collyer had mixed results for much of his minor league career and had just one inning above A ball prior to 2025. He showed progress in 2025, however, splitting the season between AA and AAA, and though he became a minor league free agent after the season, the Rangers were able to re-sign him.
Collyer had an impressive camp, showing much improved command compared to prior years, and was reportedly being considered for a spot on the Opening Day roster. In 6.2 innings at Round Rock over 6 games, he allowed two runs, struck out 11 of 27 batters faced, and walked two. He has the stuff to be a potential late inning arm, and given the state of the pen, will likely get some late inning opportunities.
We wrote about Quantrill earlier this week when he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week award. He will presumably fill the long man/mop up role for the time being.
The initial hope was that Bradford would be back in the majors in May, but after having soreness after his rehab start on April 8, he’s on pause, and so the Rangers have apparently determined he’s not going to be an option before Memorial Day.
The surprising news is the decision to designate Marc Church for assignment. Church, taken five rounds after Collyer in 2019, established himself as a relief prospect, and made his major league debut at the end of the 2024 season. Church started the 2025 season in the majors, but was sent down after five appearances, and wasn’t healthy for most of the remainder of the season. He struggled with his command this spring, and has allowed four runs in 4.2 innings over five appearances at AAA this year.
The Rangers will now have seven days to waive, trade or release Church. If he clears waivers, he can be outrighted.
