Category: Baseball

The Mets ended their four-game losing streak by taking the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 7-3.

Here are the takeaways...

-Facing rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski, who entered the game with a 3-0 record and a 1.13 ERA in his first three MLB starts, it looked like it could be another tough game offensively for New York. But desperate for a spark, the Mets got it in the second inning.

-With two outs and the bottom third of the lineup coming up, back-to-back walks by Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio got the wheels in motion for New York. Backup catcher Hayden Senger, making just his third start since getting called up on June 22, hit a hard chopper back to the pitcher, which deflected off Misiorowski's glove and seemed destined to ricochet right to Brice Turang who was standing on second base ready for the force out.

However, the ball took a funky hop and never reached Turang, which loaded the bases for Brandon Nimmo, who was batting leadoff after manager Carlos Mendoza flip-flopped Nimmo and the struggling Francisco Lindor in the batting order. Handed a fortunate gift, Nimmo crushed the first pitch he saw into the right-field stands for a grand slam -- the Mets' first big hit in what seemed like an eternity.

-In his own right, Lindor, who was named the starting shortstop for the NL All-Stars right before game time, followed suit with a solo shot -- right on cue -- to go back-to-back with Nimmo and give New York a quick 5-0 lead.

-Ironically, after being selected as the starting shortstop in the All-Star Game, Lindor was DHing in the second game of the doubleheader and with his home run, Lindor has now hit eight home runs in 17 career games as the DH. Lindor finished the night 3-for-4, adding an RBI single in the sixth and an RBI double in the eighth.

-Lindor and Nimmo went 5-for-9 and drove in all seven Met runs in their role reversal.

-On the mound, after Huascar Brazoban got through the first inning, Blade Tidwell came in as the bulk reliever and did a great job in just his fourth MLB appearance. The right-hander didn’t allow a hit until two outs in the fourth inning when Rhys Hoskins ripped a double down the left field line, but Tidwell left him stranded to keep the Brewers off the board.

-After handling Milwaukee’s lineup for most of the night, Tidwell’s outing took a turn in the sixth when Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio tagged him for back-to-back solo home runs. Following a strikeout, Hoskins was credited for a single on a sharply hit ball toMauricio, playing shortstop in place of Lindor, who couldn’t secure the hot shot.

-That would be all for Tidwell afterMendoza went to Dedniel Nuñez out of the bullpen to try and get out of the inning. Nuñez allowed a single to Anthony Seigler, his first career hit, and an RBI groundout by Joey Ortiz to cut New York’s lead to 5-3 and put a cap on Tidwell’s night.

It was the longest outing of the 24-year-old’s career as he went 4.1 innings and gave up three earned runs on five hits. He also walked two and struck out three while throwing 80 pitches (51 strikes).

-Nuñez would get the final out of the sixth by striking out Eric Haase.

-Richard Lovelady pitched a scoreless seventh inning and Ryne Stanek got two outs in the eighth but needed Edwin Diaz to get the last out of the frame, which he did by striking out Jake Bauers. Diaz went back out to close the door in the ninth and had a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts for his 17th save of the season.

Game MVP: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo's grand slam in the second inning was as big of a hit for the Mets as they've had this season, coming at just the right time and setting the tone for an inspired win.

Highlights

BRANDON NIMMO GRAND SLAM!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/axZBXhPyMd

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 2, 2025

FRANCISCO LINDOR AND BRANDON NIMMO GO BACK-TO-BACK! pic.twitter.com/9dzXPicITd

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 2, 2025

Brett Baty goes into foul ground to make a beautiful sliding catch! pic.twitter.com/lI0SvUeR8c

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025

Francisco Lindor brings home Ronny Mauricio with an RBI single! pic.twitter.com/yria2ijoGR

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025

Jeff McNeil ranges into the outfield grass and throws out Sal Frelick! pic.twitter.com/QaBZql1szq

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025

STRUCK HIM OUT.

Edwin Díaz gets Jake Bauers to end the 8th! pic.twitter.com/UkxREZ4HTY

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 3, 2025

What's next

The Mets and Brewers conclude their three-game series on Thursday with a 7:10 p.m. start time on SNY.

LHP David Peterson (5-4, 3.30 ERA) looks to get back on track and will face off against former Met LHP Jose Quintana (6-2, 3.30 ERA).

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw joins MLB's 3,000-strikeouts club. Here's the full list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Clayton Kershaw’s longevity has seen him reach another milestone.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star threw the 3,000th strikeout of his career against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, joining an exclusive list of MLB pitchers.

The 37-year-old Kershaw entered the game just three strikeouts away from the milestone, and is now the 20th pitcher to reach the mark. He’s also the third active player in that category alongside two other all-time greats.

Here is the full list of MLB pitchers who have thrown 3,000 strikeouts or more:

Who has the most strikeouts in MLB history?

Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts in MLB history with 5,714 tallied across 27 seasons. He played for the New York Mets, Houston Astros, the then-California Angels and Texas Rangers.

Which MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Here’s the list of the pitchers above 3,000 strikeouts in chronological order (year achieved in parentheses):

• Walter Johnson, Washington Senators: 3,508 (1923)
• Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals: 3,117 (1974)
• Gaylord Perry, San Diego Padres: 3,534 (1978)
• Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros: 5,714 (1980)
• Tom Seaver, Cincinnati Reds: 3,640 (1981)
• Steve Carlton, Philadelphia Phillies: 4,136 (1981)
• Ferguson Jenkins, Chicago Cubs: 3,192 (1982)
• Don Sutton, Milwaukee Brewers: 3.574 (1983)
• Phil Niekro, New York Yankees: 3,342 (1984)
• Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins: 3,701 (1986)
• Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays: 4,672 (1998)
• Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks: 4,875 (2000)
• Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs: 3,371 (2005)
• Curt Schilling, Boston Red Sox: 3,116 (2006)
• Pedro Martinez, New York Mets: 3,154 (2007)
• John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves: 3,084 (2008)
• CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (2019)
• Justin Verlander, Houston Astros: 3,471 and counting (2019)
• Max Scherzer, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,419 and counting (2021)
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,000 and counting (2025)

Which active MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Alongside Kershaw, Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants and Max Scherzer of the Blue Jays are the active pitchers in the club.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw joins MLB's 3,000-strikeouts club. Here's the full list originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Clayton Kershaw’s longevity has seen him reach another milestone.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star threw the 3,000th strikeout of his career against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, joining an exclusive list of MLB pitchers.

The 37-year-old Kershaw entered the game just three strikeouts away from the milestone, and is now the 20th pitcher to reach the mark. He’s also the third active player in that category alongside two other all-time greats.

Here is the full list of MLB pitchers who have thrown 3,000 strikeouts or more:

Who has the most strikeouts in MLB history?

Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts in MLB history with 5,714 tallied across 27 seasons. He played for the New York Mets, Houston Astros, the then-California Angels and Texas Rangers.

Which MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Here’s the list of the pitchers above 3,000 strikeouts in chronological order (year achieved in parentheses):

• Walter Johnson, Washington Senators: 3,508 (1923)
• Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals: 3,117 (1974)
• Gaylord Perry, San Diego Padres: 3,534 (1978)
• Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros: 5,714 (1980)
• Tom Seaver, Cincinnati Reds: 3,640 (1981)
• Steve Carlton, Philadelphia Phillies: 4,136 (1981)
• Ferguson Jenkins, Chicago Cubs: 3,192 (1982)
• Don Sutton, Milwaukee Brewers: 3.574 (1983)
• Phil Niekro, New York Yankees: 3,342 (1984)
• Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins: 3,701 (1986)
• Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays: 4,672 (1998)
• Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks: 4,875 (2000)
• Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs: 3,371 (2005)
• Curt Schilling, Boston Red Sox: 3,116 (2006)
• Pedro Martinez, New York Mets: 3,154 (2007)
• John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves: 3,084 (2008)
• CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (2019)
• Justin Verlander, Houston Astros: 3,471 and counting (2019)
• Max Scherzer, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,419 and counting (2021)
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,000 and counting (2025)

Which active MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Alongside Kershaw, Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants and Max Scherzer of the Blue Jays are the active pitchers in the club.

Poised to set a record for player popularity and elite production, the Dodgers had eight finalists for the National League starting lineup in the 2025 All-Star Game as voted by fans.

Voters had 48 hours to choose between the two players at each position who had accumulated the most votes over the last month in what MLB called Phase 1. Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani already was in the starting lineup because he led NL players in Phase 1 votes.

Who in Blue would join him after Phase 2?

MLB announced the winners Wednesday afternoon, and Dodgers catcher Will Smith and first baseman Freddie Freeman will start along with Ohtani. The other five Dodgers finalists — second baseman Tommy Edman, shortstop Mookie Betts, third baseman Max Muncy and outfielders Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages — were outvoted and won't start.

The record of five starting players held by the 1976 Cincinnati Reds, the 1956 and 1957 Cincinnati Redlegs, and the 1939 New York Yankees still stands. The Dodgers fell short, despite the bevy of finalists.

It is the ninth All-Star berth for Freeman, who is batting .308 with 21 doubles, and the third for Smith, who leads the NL with a .320 batting average and .419 on-base percentage. Both players have 10 home runs.

Read more:Hernández: The Dodgers have the best record in baseball. Why they still have room to improve

Eleven-time All-Star Mike Trout was the only Angels player among the American League finalists, and he did not finish among the top three outfielders in Phase 2. Thousand Oaks High product and Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson was voted the AL starter at shortstop, beating out Bobby Witt Jr.

Finalists not voted as starters have no guarantee of making the All-Star Game as a reserve. Pitchers and reserves for the 32-man rosters will be determined by a vote of MLB players and the commissioner’s office.

Complete rosters of 20 position players and 12 pitchers will be announced at 2 p.m. PDT Sunday on ESPN. The All-Star Game will take place July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. Managers Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Aaron Boone of the Yankees have no say in the selections.

Before the Dodgers faced the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, Roberts did say he hoped the number of All-Stars from his team would increase.

"I think they've all had great first halves, and it's great to know that three guys are starting," he said. "And so hopefully we get a couple, two or three more. Really, good, really good."

The teams that boasted a record five starters included Hall of Famers and also lesser-known players.

The '39 Yankees had All-Star starters Joe DiMaggio, George Selkirk, Bill Dickey, Red Rolfe and Joe Gordon. Red Ruffing was named the starting pitcher by manager Joe McCarthy, making the '39 Yankees the only team with six starting players.

The most recent team to land five All-Star starters was the '76 Cincinnati Reds, known as the Big Red Machine, led by future Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan. Pete Rose, Dave Concepción and George Foster also started.

Read more:Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson reinstated by Major League Baseball, making Hall of Fame election possible

The Reds were called the Redlegs from 1953 to 1959 because of a period of intense anti-communism in the U.S. To distance themselves from the Red Scare, the Reds temporarily changed their name.

Cincinnati fans loved their team by any name, casting a deluge of last-minute votes two years in a row that eventually required intervention from MLB commissioner Ford Frick and caused MLB to eliminate fan voting for more than a decade.

Frick stood by the voting in '56 despite complaints that five Redlegs were voted in, saying, "Everybody had a chance to vote, so there should be no squawks.”

A year later he changed his tune when last-minute voting — remember, all votes were handwritten and manually tabulated — resulted in an all-Redlegs lineup. Frick swiftly stepped in and replaced three Redlegs with future Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron.

Read more:Clayton Kershaw moves three strikeouts away from 3,000 as Dodgers finish sweep of Rockies

Redlegs fans were incensed, some making an effigy of the commissioner and driving it through Cincinnati tied to a truck. The reaction from players was more muted, with Redlegs center fielder Gus Bell saying, "I’m not exactly burned up about being replaced by Willie."

Dodgers who finished second likely will have little quarrel with the results. Players who edged them out in voting are having excellent seasons: third baseman Manny Machado, shortstop Francisco Lindor, second baseman Ketel Marte and outfielders Ronald Acuña Jr., Kyle Tucker and Harvard-Westlake High product Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-6, 2.51 earned-run average) of the Dodgers is a strong candidate to make the NL pitching staff. At least one Angels player must be chosen as a reserve or pitcher, and the nod could go to Trout, who has 13 home runs but is batting .230.

Other possibilities for the resurgent Angels are catcher Logan O'Hoppe (17 home runs), shortstop Zach Neto (12 home runs, team-high 2.7 WAR), outfielder Jo Adell (18 homers, 44 runs batted in) and starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (2.79 ERA in 96.2 innings).

MLB All-Star Starting Lineups

National League
C: Will Smith, Dodgers
1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
SS: Francisco Lindor, Mets
3B: Manny Machado, Padres
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
OF: Kyle Tucker, Cubs
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

American League
C: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
2B: Gleyber Torres, Tigers
SS: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
3B: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
OF: Riley Greene, Tigers
OF: Javier Baez, Tigers
DH: Ryan O'Hearn, Orioles

Times staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this story.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is going to Atlanta. No, not to take on the Braves but to participate in the All-Star Game.

Lindor was named the starting shortstop for the National League All-Star team on Wednesday, an honor determined by fan voting. This is the fifth time Lindor has been named to the Midsummer Classic, but it's the first as a starter and as a member of the Mets.

The Mets shortstop has had a solid year. He entered the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader slashing .255/.324/.442 with an OPS of .766 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI as the team's leadoff man. Lindor beat out Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts for the honor.

Wednesday's announcement feels like a long time coming for Lindor. In 2023, he infamously missed out on being a reserve when his peers selected the Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo for that spot. Last season, Trea Turner won the starting gig with CJ Abrams, Elly De La Cruz and Betts being named reserves. Lindor went on to be named runner-up for the NL MVP award that year.

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was a finalist this year but was beat out by the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman.

It came a day later than scheduled, butSean Manaea was back on the mound in another rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday.

The Mets' southpaw tossed three-plus innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, one walk and striking out three batters. Manaea allowed a run in the first off a Kyle Karros single, then a Nic Kent single in the second inning that was aided by a throwing error by Jett Williams. The third run came in the third after a leadoff triple was brought in on a one-out single by Charlie Condon.

Manaea came out to start the fourth inning but walked the leadoff man on seven pitches before he was pulled.

Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza said that they expected Manaea to throw 45-50 pitches and the left-hander eclipsed that, tossing 60 pitches (39 strikes) against the Hartford Yard Goats. The extra length is likely due to Manaea's originally scheduled Tuesday start being postponed due to weather.

Mendoza confirmed that Manaea's next rehab start will be next Tuesday, in what is likely to be his final outing in the minors before being called up to join the Mets rotation.

Although Manaea's start on Wednesday wasn't perfect, it's encouraging to see him on the mound. This was his first rehab start since an elbow issue forced the pitcher to receive a cortisone shot.

Sean Manaea went three-plus innings and threw 60 pitches in a rehab outing for Double-A Binghamton today.

His final line: 3+ IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K pic.twitter.com/sgj3RhX4Tc

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 2, 2025

What we learned as Jung Hoo Lee bounces back in Giants' extra-inning win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

PHOENIX — As Wednesday’s game got into extra innings, Bob Melvin started managing as if it was a playoff game. Given how the last week has gone, it might as well have been. 

Camilo Doval pitched two innings for the first time in three years, closing out a 6-5 win in the 10th a few minutes after he blew the save in the ninth. It was a marathon outing from Doval, but the Giants didn’t have many options left and desperately needed to snap their four-game losing streak.

With the tying run on third in the bottom of the 10th, Doval struck out Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas. The usually calm closer screamed as he hopped off the mound. 

The Giants jumped ahead early on Tuesday and then shut it down. On Wednesday, they again looked energetic early. Mike Yastrzemski hit a leadoff homer, giving him three in the last nine games, and Jung Hoo Lee added an RBI triple in the first. Rafael Devers made it 3-0 with a hard single in the top of the fifth. 

Yaz starts the game off in style 😎 pic.twitter.com/Bf85dCpxcO

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 3, 2025

Jung Hoo Lee knocks in another early run 💨 pic.twitter.com/ZazsE0tN8c

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 3, 2025

The Diamondbacks cut the deficit to one, but Patrick Bailey and Brett Wisely brought insurance runs home in the top of the eighth. That would be crucial, as an error led to a third Diamondbacks run in the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, the comeback was completed. 

Geraldo Perdomo led off with a single and Ketel Marte — who was named an All-Star starter earlier in the day — smoked a hanging slider from Doval into the seats in right, tying the game. 

Bailey’s sac fly put the Giants back on top in the 10th. Having already used all of his trusted high-leverage arms, Melvin sent Doval back out for a second inning. 

Back In Black

The Giants have started to wear their black road jerseys on occasion. Lee might ask that they do it the rest of this trip, even in the Sacramento heat this weekend. 

He followed the triple with a double his next time up, giving him his first multi-hit game since June 4. When he later got an infield single, he had his first three-hit game since May 6. 

Lee had been hitless on the road trip (0-for-14), but hitting coach Pat Burrell was encouraged by his swings in recent days and felt better days were coming. He came up a cycle shy of the cycle, hitting a deep fly ball in his final at-bat. 

Lee’s prolonged slump might be the biggest reason for the team’s overall offensive dip. The Giants want him at the top of the order, but he hit just .143 in June. 

Back Where It Started

Landen Roupp won a big league job in Arizona last spring, and during his two months in the desert this spring, he won a rotation spot. He hasn’t given it up, and he’ll take a 3.48 ERA into the final week of the first half. 

Wednesday’s outing was a mixed bag. Roupp was sharp early, but he gave up a solo shot to Thomas in the fifth and then walked a pair. He left with the bases loaded, but Erik Miller got him out of the jam, leaving Roupp with just two runs on his line. He walked four, struck out four and allowed five hits. 

Bounceback 

Miller’s last outing helped lead to a no-decision for Justin Verlander, but he came up huge in a tight spot Wednesday. He entered with the bags full, no outs and the heart of the lineup coming up, but the Diamondbacks sent rookie Tim Tawa up for the left-handed Pavin Smith and Miller struck him out. Josh Naylor hit a sacrifice fly, but Miller struck out the dangerous Eugenio Suarez to limit the damage. 

Some of Miller’s peripheral numbers are concerning, and given his walk rate, the dugout couldn’t have felt comfortable when he went 2-0 on Tawa to start his night. But he continues to get results, and that’s all that matters. He has a 1.50 ERA through 36 appearances.

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With the Mets clinging to a one-run lead in the top of the sixth inning, manager Carlos Mendoza decided to pull starter Clay Holmes after 5.1 innings to go to his bullpen.

That decision ultimately decided the game as Reed Garrett entered and immediately allowed a game-tying double before the roof caved in on the reliever following a grand slam that broke the game wide open.

Holmes was taken out after 90 pitches and holding the Brewers to just one run -- a Sal Frelick solo shot to start the game. The right-hander did issue four walks, a trend lately, including three in a row in the fourth to three straight lefties.

After escaping that bases-loaded jam with a huge double play, Holmes began the sixth by walking another lefty in Christian Yelich. He retired Jackson Chourio, but that was it for the 32-year-old with Milwaukee due up three more lefties.

"I thought the lefties were giving him a little bit of a tough time, especially after watching that fourth inning and you watch that Yelich leadoff walk with three lefties coming up and at 90 pitches there, I thought he did his part there," Mendoza said after the loss.

Over his last three starts, Holmes has walked 14 batters in 15 innings. It hasn't necessarily caught up to him as he's allowed just six earned runs during that time, however it hasn't allowed him to pitch deeper into games.

With New York in desperate need of length out of its starters -- Wednesday's Game 1 of the doubleheader was the first time a Met starter pitched into the sixth inning in 17 days -- the walks (not just from Holmes) need to be fixed.

"That’s part of the decision," Mendoza said regarding Holmes' increased walk total factoring in his choice to pull the right-hander. "... I just felt like, especially today, he was trying to use the secondary [pitches], the slider, sweeper as backdoor pitches as opposed to land[ing] it below the strike zone and get chases there. He was trying to be maybe a little bit too fine there and that’s when he started losing it and walk some of the lefties."

The skipper also mentioned that he didn't think Holmes' changeup was "in play today against the lefties" and that it's an important pitch that he'll need this season.

Holmes was asked about that changeup and agreed with his manager that he "didn't really have it today" and saying it's been "hit or miss" for him lately.

"I think early on I was getting a lot of swing and miss out of the strike zone," he said. "The profile has kinda been a little bit inconsistent, the feel’s been a little bit inconsistent so I think it’s one thing that I definitely need to work on and need to find that pitch so I can go in the zone and still get the chase with it when I need to as well.

"It’s definitely a pitch that was very useful early on and it’s kinda been hit or miss here lately so it’d be nice to have it back."

And although Holmes said he never wants to get pulled, he said the decision is out of his control. He also mentioned that it was "definitely a hot day" and that he felt like he was tiring towards the end.

Mendoza was asked if the Mets went into the game with a pitch count on Holmes (who was supposed to pitch in Tuesday's rain out) for whatever reason like they've had on him in the past, particularly after his start in Colorado where he threw just 79 pitches over 5.0 innings, and he said "not necessarily" but pointed to the game and how he looked for the reasoning.

"When you got a guy that’s at 90 pitches in 5.1 [innings], you know, like, you’re asking what? 100 [pitches]? 10 more pitches? That wasn’t gonna be the case," Mendoza said. "We got some other guys that can cover 18 innings."

Sánchez deals against Padres as Phillies collect another series win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The fireworks celebration the Phillies wonderfully put on at this time every year were almost threatened to be delayed Wednesday night in Game 2 of a doubleheader with the San Diego Padres.

Surprisingly, not because of rain or even the threat of it. No, it was all Christopher Sánchez’ fault. The left-hander mowed through the Padres lineup time and time again with such quick efficiency that it was feared the game would be completed well before darkness set upon Citizens Bank Park.

The threat of a delay was put to rest, really in one at-bat by the Padres, and while it differed from the efficiency of Sánchez, it featured his resilience.

With Gavin Sheets on first and two outs, Sánchez and Padres third baseman Jose Iglesias had an epic 10-pitch battle that had Iglesias foul off six pitches. With the count 2-2, Sánchez froze Iglesias with a 96-mile-an-hour sinker for the final out of the inning. He threw 7.0 innings on an 85-pitch gem.

He allowed just five hits, one earned run, struck out five and didn’t allow a walk in the Phillies 5-1 win. Sánchez improved to 7-2 on the season and the Phillies to 51-36 after the day/night split.

“He’s been, just like the rest of them, just wonderful,” said manager Rob Thomson of Sánchez’ night. “The changeup is swing and miss and the sinker… He had some balls hit hard off him but so much soft contact. He’s just attacking. Attacking the zone, trusting his stuff.” 

Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm each pitched a scoreless inning as the Phils took two of three from the Padres.

First baseman Bryce Harper was not in the lineup for Game 2, as he continues to ease back from the wrist injury that kept him sidelined for 22 games. So far in his two starts since his return on Monday, Harper is 1-for-6 with a couple of strikeouts, a walk and was hit by a pitch. More importantly, he has taken hard cuts at the plate and has shown no hesitation in doing so. There has been no apparent flinching after a swing, no matter the result.

“I didn’t want to risk it,” Thomson explained. “He was available to pinch-hit. He felt fine. I just didn’t want to get him heated up again. Now if the game’s on the line, we’d go. That was the only reason, just precaution.”

Otto Kemp took over first base in the nightcap and provided a couple of singles, a walk, and some nice fielding plays.

Sánchez, like others on the starting staff, had a phenomenal month of June. In his five starts totaling 34 innings, he allowed just 25 hits and seven earned runs (1.85 ERA), while he struck out 33 and walked just six.

Normalcy returned to the Phillies starting rotation in the form of Cristopher Sánchez after a shaky start from Mick Abel in Game 1. Abel allowed five earned runs after getting just five outs in the 6-4 loss, while seven of the first nine batters Sánchez faced were retired on ground balls. 

Sánchez breezed through the Padres lineup to start the game on just 23 pitches. He then gave up a run in the fourth, though through no fault of his, really.

Fernando Tatis, Jr. led off the inning by beating out a dribbler to third. Sánchez then had him picked, but Otto Kemp’s throw to Trea Turner at second was awry and wound up in center field. Tatis went to third then scored when Jackson Merrill squeezed a single through the right side on a drawn-in infield for a 1-0 Padres lead. 

“I always go out and compete and do the best that I can and I always aim to not walk anyone,” said Sánchez through the team interpreter. “The important part is that we (starting pitchers) all act the same when we’re doing well and when we’re not. We’re just out here to support our team and to be the best of ourselves and go out and compete.”

The Phillies responded to the Padres’ go-ahead run immediately, as Alec Bohm led off the bottom of the inning with a single, moved to second on a groundout by Nick Castellanos and scored. Then came Max Kepler, who launched a bomb into the seats in right for a 2-1 lead. Kepler perfectly back-footed a 2-2, 90-mile-an-hour slider 379 feet off starter Dylan Cease for his 10th home run of the season. 

After Sánchez worked his way out of a two on, one out jam with consecutive strikeouts to end the fifth, Brandon Marsh led off the bottom of the fifth with a bomb to dead center for a 3-1 lead. Trea Turner reached on an infield single. He moved to second on a foul out by Bohm on a wonderful, sliding snare by third baseman Iglesias near the tarp. Turner scored on a Nick Castellanos single for a seemingly commanding 4-1 lead, considering the way Sanchez was waltzing through the San Diego lineup. 

“I like the way that I’m attacking,” said Marsh of his at-bats. I can definitely  improve a lot more on a lot of things. But, for what it’s worth, I like where I’m at personally and just have to continue to take it day-by-day and at-bat by at-bat.”

The Phillies added another in the seventh when Kyle Schwarber worked a two-out walk. Pinch-runner Johan Rojas stole second then crossed home on a triple to right by Bohm. 

The Phillies secured a 5-1 victory over the Padres, closing out Wednesday’s doubleheader and another series win.

They have Thursday off before welcoming the Cincinnati Reds in for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 1:05 p.m.

Emmanuel Fernandez admits he "was shocked" that a club as "huge" as Rangers were interested in his services before signing a four-year contract and exiting Peterborough United.

The 23-year-old centre-half was in a side that finished 18th in League One last season but now has the prospect of playing in the Champions League.

"I am honoured," he told Rangers' website. "It is a huge club with a great fanbase and I think I can kickstart my career and have a good journey here.

"I was shocked when I heard about Rangers, because it is such a big club, but it was the place I wanted to be.

"I haven't played at this level, there will be a lot of life changes for me, but it is something I want to be part of and I can't wait to get started."

Starting as a youth with Brentford, Fernandez signed senior terms with Gillingham but was released after loan spells with Sheppey United and Margate.

He then spent a year with Ramsgate before joining Peterborough in 2021, but it was not until after further loans to Spalding United and Barnet that he became a first-team regular, making 42 appearances last season.

Rangers head coach Russell Martin believes Fernandez has "a huge amount of potential".

He said: "He has a strong physical presence, is a commanding defender and I believe, in this environment, we can help him develop and provide him with the opportunities to take his game to the next level."

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added that Rangers "have been impressed with his development and journey from non-league football to League One".

Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández was not born and raised in Los Angeles.

A North Hollywood mural seemingly inspired by the San Juan, Puerto Rico, native's stance on immigration sweeps shows that doesn't matter.

Hernández began a June 14 Instagram post by stating, "I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own."

Local artist Louie Palsino has cemented the second part of that statement in a new mural on the side of the Noho Tires & Wheels building on the 5600 block of Lankershim Boulevard. It features Hernández's image surrounded by the words "Born X Raised" and "Los Angeles."

Read more:Dodgers Dugout: It's time for Kiké Hernández to retire ... as a pitcher

Hernández said plenty more in the post, which seems to have inspired Palsino. The two-time World Series champion expressed support for his adopted city's immigrants and dismay at how many of them were being treated in a series of sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The sweeps in Los Angeles have sparked protests locally and elsewhere in the country.

"I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city," Hernández wrote. "Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights."

Under the name Sloe Motions, Palsino has painted a number of high-profile murals, including one in the Fashion District of Kobe and Gianna Bryant that was vandalized, restored, then vandalized again all within the last few months.

Read more:He created the beloved Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural. L.A. taggers keep defacing it. 'It hurts me'

He declined to discuss the Hernández mural for this story, instead directing The Times to a statement he posted about it on Instagram last week.

"Thank you @kikehndez for standing up for what is right and for Los Angeles," Palsino wrote. "this ain’t a political post or anything to stir up any government agenda to divide us. this is just paying homage to standing up for what is right and a real one.god over government."

Palsino painted the Hernández mural on a building that already featured two of his other Dodgers-themed pieces — one of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully on an adjoining wall and one of iconic Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela on the gate in front of the garage's driveway

When the gate is pulled open, a split image of Valenzuela and Hernandez is created.

Hernández has been a Dodgers fan favorite since his first stint with the team in 2015-20. In 2017, he hit three home runs, including a grand slam, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs to help send the Dodgers to the World Series.

Read more:Here are 11 Fernando Valenzuela murals to visit in L.A.: 'He did so much for the Mexican community'

He signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent after the Dodgers' 2020 World Series championship, but returned to L.A. in a July 2023 trade. Hernández hit .262 in 54 games with the Dodgers that season, helping him earn a one-year, $4-million contract for 2024.

Last postseason, Hernández was a key member of another Dodgers championship team. He hit one of the Dodgers' two solo home runs in a 2-0 win against the San Diego Padres in the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series. He then contributed seven hits and four RBIs in the NLCS against the New York Mets and five hits against the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw joins MLB's 3,000-strikeouts club. Here's the full list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Clayton Kershaw’s longevity has seen him reach another milestone.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star threw the 3,000th strikeout of his career against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, joining an exclusive list of MLB pitchers.

The 37-year-old Kershaw entered the game just three strikeouts away from the milestone, and is now the 20th pitcher to reach the mark. He’s also the third active player in that category alongside two other all-time greats.

Here is the full list of MLB pitchers who have thrown 3,000 strikeouts or more:

Who has the most strikeouts in MLB history?

Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts in MLB history with 5,714 tallied across 27 seasons. He played for the New York Mets, Houston Astros, the then-California Angels and Texas Rangers.

Which MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Here’s the list of the pitchers above 3,000 strikeouts in chronological order (year achieved in parentheses):

• Walter Johnson, Washington Senators: 3,508 (1923)
• Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals: 3,117 (1974)
• Gaylord Perry, San Diego Padres: 3,534 (1978)
• Nolan Ryan, Houston Astros: 5,714 (1980)
• Tom Seaver, Cincinnati Reds: 3,640 (1981)
• Steve Carlton, Philadelphia Phillies: 4,136 (1981)
• Ferguson Jenkins, Chicago Cubs: 3,192 (1982)
• Don Sutton, Milwaukee Brewers: 3.574 (1983)
• Phil Niekro, New York Yankees: 3,342 (1984)
• Bert Blyleven, Minnesota Twins: 3,701 (1986)
• Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays: 4,672 (1998)
• Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks: 4,875 (2000)
• Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs: 3,371 (2005)
• Curt Schilling, Boston Red Sox: 3,116 (2006)
• Pedro Martinez, New York Mets: 3,154 (2007)
• John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves: 3,084 (2008)
• CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (2019)
• Justin Verlander, Houston Astros: 3,471 and counting (2019)
• Max Scherzer, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,419 and counting (2021)
• Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3,000 and counting (2025)

Which active MLB pitchers are in the 3,000-strikeouts club?

Alongside Kershaw, Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants and Max Scherzer of the Blue Jays are the active pitchers in the club.