Aug 14, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Zac Veen (13) leaps to acknowledge the bullpen near first base coach Doug Bernier (50) after hitting a two run home run against San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Long gone are the days in which fans rub their hands together and coo: Oooo the Rockies.
In this hopefully alternate historical timeline these 2026 Giants have dragged us into, there are no gimme games, no such thing as a breezy series. The cheap balm San Francisco has applied to their burns in recent years is the fact they aren’t as bad as Colorado. They were never last in the NL West, never completely decked-out on the damp cellar floor — just a couple steps up the basement stairs where you might get a little bit better air circulation, touched by a bit more light from the crack at the bottom of the door. They’ve generally dominated the bruised, purple-and-black visitors when they’ve come to town — a home series seen as a relished opportunity for the team to feel big and strong for once by beating up on someone worse off.
But that thin and meaningless separation between the two teams is at risk of disappearing completely. They’ve been scratching-and-clawing at each other in a cartoon-y ball of dust and limbs all season. Going into Friday’s match-up, Colorado and San Francisco were 5-5 in head-to-head match-ups, with both teams solidly holding down the fourth and fifth spots in the division, both boasting records within the five worst in all of baseball.
Now, after Friday’s 5-2 loss, the Rockies are now just a game behind the Giants…who are 23.5 games out of first place and 14.5 games behind the third place Diamondbacks.
No one cares. Let’s get into it.
Ostensibly disadvantaged as the visiting team, the timing was just right for the Rockies to roll into town, catching the Giants on one of their worst runs in a terrible year. They’ve dropped four straight series, against the Padres, Rangers, Tigers, and Astros, since September 30th. After Friday’s loss, they’re 4-10, victims of a trio of shutouts as well as winless in four one-run games.
The answer to the how isn’t hard to discern. While the pitching has been suspect at times, the offense has been the main culprit. Obvious personnel departures in Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos before the trade deadline have left holes. Casey Schmitt’s injury on the 28th took another right-handed threat out of the line-up. Replacements have been brought in. Osleives Basabe has shown some pop, Victor Bericoto is back, Drew Gilbert has been relatively solid — but these mild points of praise are barely worth mentioning considering the lack-of-club the club has shown over the past couple weeks.
Some numbers:
Since July 30th, the Giants are slashing .201/ .267/ .324 with a 66 wRC+. Their .264 wOBA is tied for worst in the Majors. Their flyball rate is the second highest in MLB span (49%) but their home-run to flyball ratio is one of the lowest (8.4%). According to Fangraphs’, their 28.5% Hard-%, measuring rates of ideal contact, is the lowest in the National League.
Bryce Eldridge punched another impressive drive over the center field wall to briefly tie the game in the 4th. It was another no-doubter, off lefty Kyle Freeland too, but proved to be an outlier spike in a game of ground balls rolled into the teeth of the defense.
The Rockies turned three double plays (two on the infield). Freeland struck out only two batters but earned 13 groundouts and surrendered just 4 hits. He needed 95 pitches to throw 8 complete. Throwing with the devil’s hand certainly helped facilitate the dominance. Southpaws have bedeviled Giants hitters all year, their 85 wRC+ is third lowest in the Majors.
No complaints about the Eldridge homer — it just would’ve been a whole lot nicer if there was a runner, or two or three, on base when it happened. Damage with ducks on the pond, that’s been a huge ask and huge problem throughout this rough patch. Over these last 14 games, the Giants are 13-for-94 with runners in scoring position. That’s a .138 average with a .191 slugging — which includes Rafael Devers’s excuse-me RBI double in the 9th that found the outfield through the gaping hole between third base and the man charged with protecting it. That non-needle moving extra basehit was their first, and only knock, with a runner in scoring position all night. That lack of production has been the rule over the past 14 games. The Giants have managed just one hit, or have been held hitless with RISP, or did not even earn an opportunity to hit with a RISP in 11 of their past 14 games.
This isn’t on the babes either, those wide-eyed call-ups that populate the bottom of the order. While on paper it appears as though the line-up falls off a cliff after the clean-up spot, that weak and inexperienced half aren’t to blame. They’ve done a nice job of setting the table. Jonah Cox, (who actually hit lead-off yesterday) tripled before Devers punched him in. Again, glad it happened, but cheap penance for previous, and future, sins. The number-2 slugger had an opportunity to uncork an influential swing with runners on the corners in the 3rd, after Christian Koss doubled and the Rockies gifted Cox a base on a missed catch, but rolled into an inning-ending double-play. And immediately after his double in the 9th, which pulled the Giants within three of Colorado’s five runs, Devers ran himself off the bases when he misread center fielder Cole Carrigg’s diving catch. What was inches from another RBI hit, and would’ve brought the tying run to the plate with nobody out, turned into a nice defensive snare and another self-inflicted, bubble-bursting two-fer against the Giants.
Devers is 2-for-11 with RISP since July 30th; Willy Adames is 1-for-14; Eldridge, 1-for-10; Lee, 1-for-9. The ones we want getting opportunities to hit with consequence just aren’t connecting. And when they do…somehow things go horribly wrong.
With another full big league schedule, my MLB player props analysis has found real value on the mound and at the dish.
I'll start things off with AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler, followed by Jacob Misiorowski, who is set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. The red-hot Pete Alonso closes out today's best props.
Cam Schlittler continues to strengthen his AL Cy Young case. The right-hander owns a stellar 1.76 FIP across his last five appearances while allowing just 1.93 BB/9 and 0.64 HR/9.
The New York Yankees right-hander has cashed the Under in earned runs surrendered in three of his last four appearances, limiting the powerful Atlanta Braves to just one earned run in his most recent start.
Jacob Misiorowski has a real task ahead of him tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the ace will be up for the challenge. Misiorowski sports a 1.30 xERA over his last four outings and has struck out a mind-boggling 15.14 hitters per nine innings.
This is a great time for him to face the Dodgers, who carry an 88 wRC+ over their previous seven games into this contest. Misiorowski has also cashed the Under in two of his last four starts, and he has been dominant on the road, compiling a 2.02 FIP.
The youngster will keep the Dodgers lineup under wraps.
Play this pick up to -130.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FOX
Pete Alonso Over 1.5 total bases (+131)
Pete Alonso is arguably the hottest hitter in the sport right now. The Baltimore Orioles slugger has a .522 average and .435 ISO over his last six games, also going deep three times during that span. Alonso has posted a ridiculous 73.7% hard-hit rate and 26.3% barrel rate.
He's cashed the Over in total bases in three straight games, finishing with two hits apiece in back-to-back contests. Tonight's matchup is favorable, too. Alonso faces Tampa Bay Rays starter Ian Seymour, who has allowed a 45.5% hard-hit rate over the last month.
The Rays' bullpen is also vulnerable, posting a 5.53 FIP over the last week while giving up a 42% hard-hit rate. Alonso will keep it rolling.
Play this pick down to +100.
Time: 6:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rays.TV, MASN
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 6-3, +2.83
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 11: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country.
The question of whether Gunnar Henderson will ever be good for the Orioles again is a subject of near-daily debate in Birdland. Each poor at-bat or misfire in the field is fresh fodder for contemplation about how bad things have gone for the previously-superstar player. Many minds have already been made up.
In this week’s poll, I asked our readers whether you think Gunnar will manage to be a good player for the team again or not. We had a total of 271 votes come in and these were the results:
That’s not an exact 50/50 split, but it’s probably as close to even as any question I might have come up with. A slight majority are feeling glum about Henderson ever getting back to something they could call good. It’s tough to look at his season this year and feel positive.
There are those who think he just won’t manage to be good at all. Others think he’s sunk into some kind of situation where he needs a change of scenery. There are a number of ways it could never work out. Or, he could just go back to being the guy we saw two years ago.
The Orioles themselves sure seem to be hoping for the “sudden improvement” outcome. Their treatment of Henderson this year has something similar with the common conception of an ostrich burying its head in the sand. They don’t have much choice other than to wait for him to be good.
The wait stretches on uncomfortably. Henderson hasn’t had a really good month at the plate since last July. Close to half of Orioles fans still want to believe. As pessimistic as I generally am about the Orioles, I remain a believer in Henderson. Perhaps, like the Orioles, I don’t have any choice either. Maybe he’ll give more people a reason to believe between now and season’s end.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale(51) in the second inning of the MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves suffered a shutout during Friday’s series opener, dropping game one with the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0. It’s a tale as old as time; Chris Sale turns in a terrific start, yet the offense is unable to provide run support. Sale went six innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He recorded nine strikeouts.
Unfortunately, the Braves’ bats were extremely quiet and the team tallied just three hits on the night. The Braves fell to 73-49 but aim to get back in the win column this evening.
More Braves News:
Alumni Weekend is taking place at Truist Park, and several Braves legends were in attendance for Friday’s pregame ceremony.
Davis Polo had a seven strikeout night for the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday. More in the minor league recap.
Athletics reliever Justin Sterner underwent season-ending knee surgery. He is already on the 15-day IL and will be transferred to the 60-day when the A’s need a roster spot.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 24: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the bullpen prior to the game against the Minnesota Twins on June 24, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani has increased his throwing progression over the last week, and on Friday threw a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium three or so hours ahead of the team’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ohtani last pitched in a game on July 3 in San Diego, and has been sidelined since with left knee inflammation. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic has more on the bullpen session:
The Dodgers have not put a firm timeline on Ohtani’s return, which is complicated somewhat by his continued presence as the team’s designated hitter. But Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said he still believes Ohtani could return and pitch in a big-league game before the end of the regular season.
“A lot of it, we just need to take our time and see if he comes in feeling good tomorrow, and then OK, what’s the next step?” Gomes told The Athletic following Ohtani’s bullpen session. “A lot of it is just how he’s bouncing back, and do we think it’s prudent to keep progressing?”
After Friday night’s game, manager Dave Roberts said he was pleased with Ohtani’s 35-pitch bullpen session, and laid out a timeline for a possible return to pitching. Ohtani will need to throw at least one more bullpen session, maybe two, then face hitters in a simulated game at least twice before he would return to the Dodgers.
Roberts said the team is willing to have Ohtani start even if he’s only able to pitch an inning at first, much like his gradual ramp up in his return last June.
“You start to think about who the guys that he essentially would open for, and that sort of shortens the list,” Roberts said of Ohtani. “For Shohei, knowing that any inning is additive is important, and it was a formula that worked.”
Because Ohtani is a two-way player he doesn’t count against the active roster limit of 13 pitchers, so any outs he secures on the mound are outs the bullpen wouldn’t have to cover, which lessens their workload at no extra roster cost. The Dodgers have sorely missed those Ohtani innings since he last pitched, on July 3, and the bullpen’s performance has worsened.
“We’ve missed [Ohtani], but also he was built up to six, seven innings, so you have a guy that’s additive innings and you’re getting zero, and have gotten for the last six, seven weeks,” Roberts said. “Then you have the guys we feel we have to give them their rest, to do what they’re used to doing. You know, there’s a cost to doing business sometimes.”
Definition: two things are totally opposite or completely different from each other.
That’s what baseball fans witnessed in Washington, D.C. over a 24-hour period.
The time period ended Thursday afternoon. Kevin Gausman struck out seven in his 4.2 IP, but surrendered six runs on seven hits and a walk. Gausman matched Nationals starter Cade Cavalli over three innings before an RBI-double by the Nats in the fourth began the scoring. The Nationals blasted open the door with a five-run fifth, knocked Gausman off the mound and, along with the Cubs, out of the game. Cavalli just rolled through the line-up, with Dansby Swanson ending the perfect game on a walk in the sixth. Michael Busch broke-up the no-hitter with a soft single to left with two out in the seventh — thus ending any residual drama.
BUT! We’re here to talk about the game 24 hours earlier. You know, the one on Wednesday where Alex Bregman hit three home runs and drove in seven runs in a 12-6 Cub win? Or what Jim Deshaies is calling, “Breggy-mania”? The one that guaranteed the Cubs their ninth road series win of the season?
I’m not saying that I did anything special. But I’m sure you’ve watched a guy hit back-to-back homers, and the next time up it floats through your mind that he could make it three in a row. And when it happens, it’s almost a surprise he actually did it.
I’d like to think that what went through my mind went through some of yours as well: The way Bregman walked to the plate in the eighth inning, I said out loud (and scared my wife), “This is going out, too.” In setting up for the 2-2 pitch, and the catcher set up belt-high over the outside-half of the plate, I said, “Don’t throw it there.” And the ball would have hit the center of the catcher’s glove — if it hadn’t landed in the left-field seats.
So many good tidbits in the game stories below about Bregman, I’ll let you peruse while I’ll expand on the other players.
The Cubs’ top three hitters each went 2-for-4 with a walk. Swanson added a solo home run, three runs scored, a double and two RBI. Seiya Suzuki added two runs scored and two RBI. And Ramirez had a double, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Four other Cubs had a hit as the team gathered 13 hits and four walks in the game.
David Peterson had a rocky start, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and three walks while having managed six strikeouts over five innings. And while Javier Assad allowed two hits — both solo home runs — and a walk, his four innings of work earned himself his second save of the season.
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Thursday’s Game Stories:
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Gausman stumbles in 5th while Cavalli shuts down Cubs’ offense. “As Michael Busch slowed down at first base in the seventh inning on Thursday, cheers began to fill Nationals Park. They were both out of respect for Nationals righty Cade Cavalli’s bid at history, but also mixed with the Cubs fans on hand who were happy to see it end.”
The Cubs are the 3rd team since RBI became official in 1920 to have two players with a 3-HR, 7-RBI game in a season (Paul O'Neill/Mike Stanley for 1995 Yankees, Aaron Judge/Jasson Domínguez for 2025 Yankees and Bregman/Swanson this year). https://t.co/qBTp2KhXYx
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): How Jacob Webb found another level ‘real quick’ with Cubs. “There were discussions and work done in Spring Training to bring back a curveball the righty used in college, through the Minors and briefly in the big leagues. And then when April went awry for Webb, he told Chicago’s pitching group that it was time to finally ditch the sweeper.”
Alexander Rosquez (Last Word On Sports): Cubs Could Confidently Rely on Jacob Webb. “The Chicago Cubs didn’t enter the season expecting Jacob Webb to become their primary option at the back of the bullpen.”
Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Edward Cabrera Is Coming Back! “The Chicago Cubs have made their decision on Edward Cabrera’s rehab assignment: it’s over.”
Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Can the Cubs Piggyback Their Way to Glory? “If ever piggybacking were going to truly take root in the major leagues, it might as well happen in the city of big shoulders—hog butcher to the world.”
Jordan Bastian and Jim Callis (MLB.com): Hartshorn, Ayers headline Cubs’ updated Top 30 Prospects list. “Both Josiah Hartshorn and Owen Ayers made strong impressions in their limited exposure to the Cubs’ big league team during Spring Training games. When the Minor League season arrived, the pair of prospects developed into two of the system’s breakout stars.”
Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): First Impressions From Ethan Conrad’s First 30 Pro Games With Cubs. “Ethan Conrad’s long-awaited pro debut has happened, and the 2025 first-rounder is starting to live up to the expectations the Cubs set for him over one year ago.”
Elmore James was born on January 27, 1918 in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi. At the age of 12, he started making music using one-string instruments like the diddley-bow, which was strung on a shack wall. Eventually as time passed, Elmore developed into a solid musician by the time he was 18. It was during this period that he met a certain musician who went onto became one of his strongest influences. This was none other than the legendary Robert Johnson.
This meeting took place in Belzoni, Mississippi, where he was meeting one of his good friends, Sonny Boy Williamson II. Before this meeting, Elmore’s style of playing the guitar was less of a slide guitarist. However, it was Robert Johnson who showed him how to play the guitar using a metal sleeve on your finger that soon became the slide. He also began covering songs by Chicago Blues musician Tampa Red, who was another influence on Elmore in developing his distinctive Slide guitar sound.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 11: Connor Norby #35 of the Colorado Rockies throws over Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks to complete a double play during the sixth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Connor Norby has already packed quite a bit into a major-league career that is barely two years old.
He debuted with the Baltimore Orioles in June 2024, was traded to the Miami Marlins at that year’s deadline, spent much of 2025 working around injuries and returned to Triple-A this summer after his offense backed up. Then came another trade, this time to the Colorado Rockies as part of the return for Victor Vodnik.
Eight days later, Norby was back in the majors.
At 26, he is no longer a prospect waiting for his first opportunity. He has more than 700 major-league plate appearances and a fairly clear set of strengths and weaknesses.
There is also a version of Norby that has never quite disappeared.
He never became a consensus Top 100 prospect, but consistently ranked among the better second-base prospects in the game, placing 10th at the position entering 2022, sixth in 2023 and seventh in 2024. Second base was his primary defensive home through much of the minors, while his bat was built around patience and above-average power.
The production backed that up. Norby hit .279/.360/.526 with 29 home runs in 2022, then .290/.359/.483 with 21 homers and 40 doubles at Triple-A in 2023. His strikeout rate generally sat in the low 20s, manageable for the amount of damage he produced.
His platoon splits also gave little reason to view him as a right-handed specialist. In 2023, for example, he hit .292/.360/.473 against right-handers and .285/.356/.510 against lefties.
That profile reappeared this summer. In 121 Triple-A plate appearances, Norby hit .291/.397/.544 with eight doubles, six home runs, 17 walks and 23 strikeouts.
Level
AVG
OBP
SLG
BB%
K%
MLB Career
.234
.302
.383
7.5%
29.3%
MiLB Career
.286
.367
.496
10.6%
23.0%
2026 MiLB
.291
.397
.544
14.0%
19.0%
The harder part has been getting those skills to coexist against major-league pitching.
The problem is contact
In 2024, Norby struck out in 33.0% of his plate appearances but produced a 14.8% barrel rate, a .202 ISO and a .448 xSLG. The strikeouts were ugly. The damage gave them somewhere to hide.
He cut the strikeout rate to 26.7% in 2025, but his barrel rate fell to 9.4% and his xSLG to .417. Even so, the overall profile stayed roughly above water: 0.3 bWAR in 194 plate appearances as a rookie and 0.8 bWAR in 337 plate appearances last season, with 162WL% marks of .499 and .498.
This year, the balance broke.
Norby hit .205/.313/.325 in 233 plate appearances with Miami before being optioned in late June. His strikeout rate returned to 30.0% while the barrel rate slipped again to 7.5%.
His swing decisions, however, have improved.
Norby has chased only 26.9% of pitches this season and walked in 10.8% of his plate appearances. The contact numbers are much less encouraging: a 77.0% zone-contact rate and 32.3% overall whiff rate.
The problem runs across the pitch mix, but breaking and off-speed pitches have punished him most severely. Norby has whiffed on 47.8% of his swings against sliders, 44.4% against changeups, 40.0% against sweepers, and 66.7% against curveballs. His four-seam whiff rate is also elevated at 33.1%.
This looks much more like a bat-to-ball problem than a swing-decision problem. Norby knows the zone reasonably well; making enough contact when he attacks has been the harder part.
The contrast between his swing decisions and his ability to make contact shows up in these two pitches:
Whether timing, swing path, contact point, or sequencing is driving that is harder to say.
The quality of the contact he does make has slipped, too.
Norby’s fly-ball rate remains high at 37.3%, but his sweet-spot rate has fallen from 47.0% in 2024 to 42.0% last season and 29.9% this year. His under rate is up to 32.1%, while his barrel rate has dropped from 14.8% to 9.4% to 7.5%.
The power still shows up when he gets the barrel there.
But that’s not often enough. More of Norby’s air contact is coming from underneath the baseball instead of becoming line drives and barrels.
His average exit velocity sits at 87.1 mph, only modestly below league average, while his bat speed has been fairly steady. So the problem does not appear to be a simple loss of bat speed.
That contact shape still makes Coors Field interesting. Norby already gets the ball in the air and has enough power and speed to benefit from the outfield when he squares one.
Coors can reward his contact. It cannot create the contact for him.
Where the glove fits
How much offense Norby needs depends on where he plays.
His +5 Outs Above Average this season is driven mostly by first base, where he has been +3 over 100 attempts. There is some major-league history at second: Norby handled 28 Statcast attempts there in 2024 and finished at 0 OAA. But that opportunity is now fairly distant, and his current sample with Colorado is only beginning to build.
Third is less encouraging. Norby is +1 there in 20 attempts this season after finishing at -4 OAA in 2025 and -5 in 2024. His arm has never been an above-average part of the profile, either.
First looks playable, while third has produced the most negative evidence. Second remains the more immediate question.
The position itself is familiar. Second base was Norby’s primary defensive home through much of the minors, and the early eye test with Colorado has been encouraging. He has not made spectacular plays, but he has looked competent and comfortable, handling routine ground balls, feeds and double-play pivots without much trouble.
Norby does not need to become a standout defender there. If he can simply provide adequate defense with some regularity, the offensive standard becomes considerably easier to clear than it would be at first base or DH.
Norby is still looking for his first hit as a Rockie, but Friday night was the kind of ballplayer’s game that shows why his value does not have to begin and end with the bat. He went 0-for-2, walked twice, stole a base, scored a run and handled a busy night at second base without looking out of place.
The hit column was empty. His impact was not.
The comparison with Edouard Julien is difficult to avoid because the profiles are not dramatically different.
Both came to Colorado around the same age with offensive skills worth testing and questions about whether those skills could combine into enough major-league production.
Same bet, different ante.
Julien hit the ball hard and controlled the strike zone, but too much of that contact stayed on the ground. Once the bat failed to produce enough, there was little defensive or baserunning value underneath it. He departed with a 65 wRC+ and -7 DRS at second base.
Norby is not an established offensive upgrade. His major-league bat needs recovering, too.
But he is right-handed, runs better, gets the ball in the air and offers more defensive possibilities. His overall game had already produced some major-league value before this season, and his first few games with Colorado have already shown how some of that secondary value can surface even before the hits do.
The right-handed bat also helped the rest of the roster make more sense. Tyler Freeman’s trip to the injured list had removed a right-handed bat from the mix, even if much of his recent work had come in right field. Norby gave Colorado a right-handed hitter who could also handle the infield, restoring some of that balance without simply duplicating Freeman’s role.
That mattered when the Rockies moved on from Julien and recalled Zac Veen. The transactions were not one-for-one replacements: Norby had already arrived for Freeman, while Veen took Julien’s roster spot. But the resulting roster kept a right-handed infield option in Norby while replacing Julien’s left-handed bat with Veen.
That is roster balance with actual utility.
Making the competition mean something
Second base has been a below-average offensive position for Colorado this season. Rockies second basemen rank 24th in batting average, 21st in slugging and 18th in OPS. They have drawn the fifth-most walks at the position, but also have the fourth-most strikeouts while ranking only 16th in home runs.
There has been some on-base value, but too many strikeouts and not enough damage around it to produce a complete offensive profile.
Norby does not have to fix all of that himself.
He just has to raise the standard of the competition.
The Rockies no longer need another player who can merely play second base. They need players good enough to make the competition at second base meaningful.
Norby has a legitimate path to a majority of the playing time himself. If enough of his minor-league offensive profile translates and he proves adequate defensively, a second baseman who walks, gets the ball in the air, produces 20-plus-homer power and can stay in the lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching has plenty of value.
If not, there is still a potential role as a right-handed, multi-position bat with some pop.
Either way, Colorado does not need to clear the position around him.
Adael Amador can compete for it. Ryan Ritter can force the issue from Triple-A. Roc Riggio provides another possibility farther down the line.
None of them has to be evaluated in a vacuum. Even with an unsettled offensive profile, Norby has already shown he can hover around neutral major-league value.
He gives them an actual major-league baseline to beat.
The Albuquerque Isotopes (61-57) beat the Oklahoma City Comets (65-51) 4-2, using a three-run fifth inning to erase an early deficit before adding an insurance run late.
Newly acquired Mason Adams started for Albuquerque and allowed two runs on three hits over four innings, walking two and striking out four. Mason Green followed with two scoreless innings to earn the win, lowering his ERA to 5.71, and Jaden Hill worked a clean seventh with one strikeout to pick up his first hold. TJ Shook recorded the final out in the ninth for his 11th save, after taking over for Evan Shawver with two outs.
The Isotopes trailed 2-0 before breaking through in the fifth. Jose Cordova singled, Drew Avans reached on an error, Ryan Ritter singled to load the bases, and Roc Riggio walked in Albuquerque’s first run. Braxton Fulford then delivered the big swing with a two-run single to put the Isotopes ahead.
Fulford finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and now has a .910 OPS, while Ritter went 2-for-5 and is hitting .325 with an .881 OPS. Cordova added two hits and is now batting .299 with a .731 OPS. Charlie Condon went 0-for-3 but drew a walk and added a sacrifice fly in the seventh, giving him 74 RBI with a .919 OPS.
The Hartford Yard Goats (55-56) dropped a tight 2-1 game to the Erie SeaWolves (65-46), with all three runs coming in the fifth inning.
Bryson Hammer started for Hartford and took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits over 4.1 innings while walking one and striking out four. The damage came in the fifth, when Erie used a walk, a double, a bases-loaded walk, and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead. Hammer is now 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
GJ Hill accounted for Hartford’s only run, going 3-for-4 with his 14th home run of the season. Hill’s solo shot came in the bottom of the fifth and cut the deficit to one, but the Yard Goats could not push across another run.
Dyan Jorge added his 14th double of the season, drew a walk, and stole his 44th base. Andy Perez, Cole Messina, and Skyler Messinger each added a hit, but Hartford went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.
The Spokane Indians (50-61) were walked off in a 3-2 loss to the Everett AquaSox (58-54), with Carter Dorighi’s ninth-inning single ending a tight game.
Newly acquired Aiden May started for Spokane and allowed two runs on six hits over five innings without a walk, striking out one. He owns a 2.79 ERA on the season.
Kelvin Hidalgo led the offense with three hits and stole his 19th base of the season. Roldy Brito and Tanner Thach added two hits apiece, with Brito stealing two bases to give him 17 on the year and Thach adding his second steal.
Spokane trailed 2-0 after the second but chipped back. Cameron Nelson doubled home Clayton Gray in the third, and Thach scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to tie the game. Seth Clausen took the loss after allowing a leadoff double in the ninth, followed by Dorighi’s walk-off single.
The Fresno Grizzlies (61-51) gave up three runs in the eighth inning in a 6-4 loss to the San Jose Giants (62-50), another late lead slipping away for a Rockies affiliate.
Fresno fell behind in the first but answered in the third, when Cristian Arguelles drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. The Grizzlies took the lead in the fourth after Jack Natili was hit by a pitch, Ryan Niedzwiedz doubled, and Juan Martinez reached on an error that brought both runners home.
Natili added his first home run of the season in the sixth, giving Fresno a 4-1 lead. Arguelles, Daniel Jackson, Natili, Niedzwiedz, and Aidan Redahan each had one hit, but the Grizzlies finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and were held hitless over the final three innings.
Luichi Casilla allowed one run over four innings, but the bullpen could not hold the lead. San Jose scored three times in the eighth, with Luke Hansel taking the loss.
Hunter Goodman was held out of Friday’s lineup with left shoulder inflammation that dates back to a swing Wednesday in Arizona. Manager Warren Schaeffer said Goodman is day-to-day as the Rockies give him treatment and see how the shoulder responds. His absence is significant: Goodman leads Colorado in OPS, RBIs and runs while ranking fifth in the majors with 34 home runs entering Friday.
Roc Riggio’s latest promotion adds another name to the Rockies’ increasingly crowded middle-infield pipeline. The piece looks at where Riggio now fits among Colorado’s second-base options and what his rise means for the organization’s depth at the position.
Nick Frasso’s path to the majors changed quickly after the Rockies acquired him from the Dodgers at the trade deadline. His debut came in the 11th inning at Coors Field, and Frasso reflected on the experience, what he learned from it and how he is beginning to settle into Colorado’s bullpen.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants throws Powerade on Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants after a win at Oracle Park on August 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have 40 games remaining. In all likelihood, they’re going to lose most of those games. They’ve been a bad team all year, and then they went and traded a significant chunk of their talent at the deadline (as they should have, I might add). As such, the Giants have gone a meek 3-7 since trading Luis Arráez, Robbie Ray, Heliot Ramos, Tyler Mahle, Erik Miller, and Caleb Kilian, despite seven of those games being at home.
That ain’t gonna change.
Over the next 40 games, the Giants are likely to pitch poorly, hit poorly, and defend poorly. They might even find a few more ways to embarrass themselves beyond the standard being bad at baseball stuff.
Yet during Friday’s feckless loss to the equally miserable Colorado Rockies, there was a moment that got me thinking. It came a few seconds after Bryce Eldridge absolutely annihilated a baseball — off a lefty, no less — for one of the most mesmerizing home runs of the season. Here, let’s watch it together.
After that home run, I checked in on the Giants chatter on Bluesky, and I saw a common refrain. Different users were posting different iterations of the same thought: this is why I’ll keep watching the Giants this year.
Eldridge mashing dingers and (hopefully) further developing into a face of the franchise is one of the main reasons to watch the Giants, but it’s not the only one.
There will be milestones, such as on Friday, when Trent Harris recorded his first career strikeout; likely later today we’ll see Turner Hill make his MLB debut. It will be the 10th MLB debut this season for a Giants player, and almost surely not the last.
There will be battles for future roles. Can Hill, Jonah Cox, or Drew Gilbert make a clear case to be the starting center fielder next year? Can Victor Bericoto (or perhaps Parks Harber, Bo Davidson, or Scott Bandura) emerge as the everyday left fielder? Will Blade Tidwell or Carson Whisenhunt, who have cemented their spots as starters in 2026, cement those same roles for 2027? Can anyone pitch in relief?
There will be fun moments and highlight plays and, above all else, some final games for Mike Krukow to broadcast.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Colton Cowser #17 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on August 14, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
That win felt pretty good! The 6-5 victory over the division-leading Rays, paired with losses by the Tigers, Twins, and Rangers moved the O’s to within just one game of the final wild card spot in the American League.
Craig Albernaz deployed a new-look lineup that included Pete Alonso in the lead-off spot, followed by Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo, while Gunnar Henderson was pushed down to the five hole. It was unconventional, but it’s hard to argue with the results. Alonso had two hits, Tyler O’Neill reached based three times as the clean-up hitter, and Henderson led the offense with a 4-for-4 game that included a double, a home run, and two runs scored. His OPS is now .705, the highest it has been since July 4th.
The other headline from this game was the return of Chris Bassitt from the IL. The veteran looked pretty good, battling through 5.1 innings while giving up two runs on five hits, three walks, and three strikeouts. That’s the sort of performance the O’s need out of the fifth spot in the rotation, and it’s what they weren’t getting from Dean Kremer prior to his trade to the Twins.
The only real negative from the game was the ninth inning. That’s when Yennier Cano got knocked around and was unable to even finish the frame. He entered with a four-run lead and left after allowing three runs and putting the tying run on second base. Cam Sanders came on to save the day, and he did so with one pitch that Ryan Vilade hit to left field for the final out of the game.
Against all odds, the Orioles find themselves within reach of a wild card spot heading into the final 40 games of the season. Given how poor this team has played at times, that is a minor miracle. It’s also a reflection of just how bad the AL is this season.
A win today, along with some helpful results elsewhere, would mean the O’s are tied for that final wild card spot by day’s end. Kyle Bradish will be on the mound, and we should probably expect a repeat (or similar) of the lineup that Albernaz used on Friday to face the left-handed Ian Seymour. First pitch is 6:10.
Links
Welcome to the Tampa Bay Orioles: ‘We just got Orioles 2.0 over here’ | The Baltimore Banner Many of the Rays absolute best players are home grown, but they have certainly done a nice job of filling in some of their key roles on their roster with a few faces that are familiar to the Camden Yards faithful. That feels like something the front office in Baltimore should think about for a while.
The new ‘right-handed Schwarber’? Alonso hits leadoff for 1st time | Orioles.com The Orioles lineup has been stagnant for far too long. They were well past due on a shake up. Is batting Pete Alonso at lead off weird? Absolutely. It’s also worth trying to see if it’s any better than what they have been running out there for most of the season.
This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko Plenty of notes about tonight’s Rays starter, Seymour, as well as some quote from Albernaz about the lineup construction.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Jacob Webb turns 33 today. He was a solid reliever for the Orioles between the 2023 and ‘24 seasons, compiling a 3.09 ERA over 85 total games in those two seasons. The righty has continued to pitch well since departing, first for the Rangers in 2025 and for the Cubs this season.
Chris Singleton is 54 years old. The outfielder spent the 2002 season in Baltimore, when he was worth 1.8 bWAR with a 90 OPS+.
Jeff Huson turns 62. He was a utility option for the Birds during the 1995 and ‘96 seasons as part of a 12-season MLB career that saw him suit up for seven different clubs.
Tom Dodd is 68 years old. He played in eight MLB games, all of which came with the 1986 Orioles.
This day in O’s history
1979 – Eddie Murray, normally known for his power rather than speed, steals home in the 12th inning to give the O’s and pitcher Mike Flanagan a 2-1 win over the White Sox.
1993 – The Orioles acquired third baseman Mike Pagliarulo from the Twins in exchange for pitcher Erik Schullstrom.
1996 – On their way to an 18-5 win over the Athletics, the Orioles smack five home runs and score 15 times in the final three innings of a game. Chris Hoiles leads the way with two homers while Bobby Bonilla drives in five runs.
2007 – The Orioles cough up a game-tying three-run homer to Shelley Duncan in the bottom of the ninth inning, but rebound in the 10th to score three times against Mariano Rivera for a 6-3 win.
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 9: Butch Huskey of the New York Mets looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on May 9, 1997 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Mets beat the Cardinals 10-3. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Robert Stock and the Mets fell behind 1-0 in the third inning in last night’s series opener against the Nationals. But that would prove to be the only run the pitching staff would surrender on the night, and a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh innings—including solo homers from Francisco Lindor and Jared Young—were enough to propel the Mets to victory.
Following Thursday’s Field of Dreams game between the Phillies and Twins, the league has announced that next year’s game at the famous location in Iowa will be between the Royals and Red Sox.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 14: Eli White #38 of the Boston Red Sox looks at his bat after striking out in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees traveled north of the border on Friday, as they opened up a series against the Blue Jays. However, they left their bats — or whatever is left of them — back in the states. The lineup mustered just one run as they dropped the opener 3-1 to Toronto.
While the Yankees stunk up the joint yesterday, did anyone give them a helping hand in the various playoff races. Let’s check in today’s edition of the Rivalry Roundup.
Baltimore Orioles (59-63) 6, Tampa Bay Rays (74-47) 5
The Rays very nearly climbed all the way out of a four-run hole in the ninth inning, but they fell one short, stranding the potential game-tying run at second as the Orioles finished things off behind Cam Sanders, snapping Tampa Bay’s nine-game winning streak.
The two teams traded off runs in the second and third innings, with the O’s taking 1-0 and 2-1 leads, only for the game to be tied by Tampa Bay shortly after. The game stayed tied for a while after that, as Chris Bassitt put in a solid effort for Baltimore fresh off the 60-day IL, matched by a combined effort by the Rays’ bullpen.
The deadlock was broken when Dylan Beavers drove home two runs on a single in the seventh inning. Amid a deeply disappointing season, Gunnar Henderson then gave Baltimore some breathing room when he hit a two-run homer in the eighth. That seemed like it would be plenty enough, but it very nearly wasn’t.
Tampa Bay started the bottom of the ninth with two singles and a wild pitch moving two runners into scoring position. Jonathan Aranda cashed in on that opportunity, driving home two runs with a single. A walk and a pair of stolen bases then put the tying run in scoring position, but Junior Caminero managed just a run-scoring ground out. Baltimore opted to issue an intentional walk Liam Hicks, which did put the winning run on base, but the gambit worked and the O’s escaped and eked out the win. The Rays remain 6.5 games ahead of the Yankees and the O’s got to within a game of the Tigers and Rangers for the last Wild Card spot — though the Twins and Blue Jays also sit between them.
Other Games
Pittsburgh Pirates (60-64) 8, Boston Red Sox (65-57) 4: The Pirates got to Red Sox pitching to the tune of two home runs and eight runs in total, keeping Boston from gaining ground on the Yankees. Former Yankee prospect Rafael Flores Jr. got Pittsburgh on the board in the second, and the Bucs then scored a combined six runs over the fourth and fifth to fully take control of the game. In terms of pure numbers, the Red Sox actually recorded the same number of hits as Pittsburgh with nine, but the Pirates just did far more damage with their chances.
Chicago White Sox (63-58) 9, Detroit Tigers (60-62) 5: Miguel Vargas went 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI to lead the White Sox past the Tigers. Chicago took control of this game with a five-run fourth inning, which included a Munetaka Murakami homer and a two-run Braden Montgomery triple. The White Sox didn’t have a particularly sterling pitching day, they just never remotely needed one; now, they’re 3.5 games ahead of Detroit in the AL Central.
Houston Astros (63-60) 10, Seattle Mariners (57-66) 7 – 10 innings: An absolutely wild 10th inning saw the Astros give up two runs in the top of the frame before scoring five in the bottom of it to walk off with the win. Houston led for most of the game before the M’s scored two in the eighth to tie things up and eventually send it to extras. Seattle then seemingly took control in the 10th, with a Victor Robles’ triple leading the way to them putting up two runs. However, they couldn’t hold that edge, and Christian Walker eventually sent everyone home with a three-run homer. Houston is 2.5 games ahead of Texas in the AL West, while the M’s continue to fade (six back of Houston and 3.5 behind the Wild Card).
It's become a bucket-list destination for baseball fans — especially since the opening of Volunteer Stadium in 2001, when the tournament expanded — offering a chance to watch 11- and 12-year-olds from around the world become the biggest stars in town, drawing crowds that fill up stands and the berm.
But for those who can't make the trek to the small Western Pennsylvania town, the voices behind ESPN's broadcast of the tournament become synonymous with the experience each August. For the last two decades, that has been Karl Ravech.
Ravech, an ESPN mainstay since 1993 and the longtime lead play-by-play voice of the network's baseball coverage, was among the latest round of layoffs at The Worldwide Leader in Sports. So, with that said, will Ravech still be behind the microphone when this year's tournament picks up on Wednesday and Thursday?
Here's what to know:
Is Karl Ravech calling Little League World Series games despite ESPN layoff?
Yes, Ravech will be in the booth in Williamsport calling the Little League World Series over the next few weeks. Despite being laid off by ESPN, Ravech was given the option to call the Little League World Series — and a select number of MLB games — a person with knowledge of his status with the network told USA TODAY Sports. That person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details of his contract publicly.
Ravech himself posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Aug. 7 about ESPN's coverage of the LLWS.
"It is my favorite time of the year. @LittleLeague baseball is back and all over the ESPN app. Check out the amazing, fun action as we work toward Williamsport and the Little League World Series beginning Wednesday, August 19th," Ravech wrote.
It is my favorite time of the year. @LittleLeague baseball is back and all over the ESPN app. Check out the amazing, fun action as we work toward Williamsport and the Little League World Series beginning Wednesday August 19th.
How many Little League World Series has Karl Ravech called on ESPN?
According to his ESPN profile page, Ravech has called Little League World Series games since 2006. He expanded his Williamsport responsibilities in 2011 by adding the Little League World Series championship games, and he has even hosted ESPN’s Baseball Tonight from the event.
In recent years, Ravech has called the entirety of pool play in the United States bracket, as Mike Monaco has served as the play-by-play announcer for the International bracket.
"And then later that night we ended up going on the ESPN Baseball Tonight set and had a microphone on my face. The whole thing was just wild."
Was Karl Ravech laid off at ESPN?
Yes, Ravech was let go by ESPN on Tuesday, July 21, as part of the network's round of layoffs, two people close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on personnel decisions.
There’s not a more beautiful view in baseball than PNC Park in Pittsburgh, no better garlic fries than those at Oracle Park in San Francisco, or beer choices than T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
The most dedicated and diehard fans can be found at Busch Stadium in St. Louis or Fenway Park in Boston.
And if you want to harass the opposition, or even boo the hometown team, you hit Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
We’re here to provide you with the top 10 ballparks in Major League Baseball:
1. Fenway Park, Boston
No ballpark in America has the romantic feel or the unique quirks of Fenway Park, from the Green Monster to to Pesky's Pole. It’s not a baseball game, but a religious experience watching games at Fenway.
2. Wrigley Field, Chicago
There’s not a more beautiful sight than walking into the ballpark and taking your first look at that beautiful green grass, the ivy on the walls and the iconic scoreboard in center field. Taking in a Friday afternoon game, hitting Murphy Bleachers afterwards, and enjoying the Chicago nightlife is utopia for any baseball fan.
3. PNC Park, Pittsburgh
The most gorgeous ballpark in America. Forget the game on the field. You want to be sitting in the upper deck taking in the view of the Clemente Bridge, the Pittsburgh skyline and the Allegheny River. It’s magnificent.
4. Target Field, Minneapolis
This may be the most impressive urban design in baseball on its downtown eight-acre site with freeways and trains outside the park, and warehouses to the left. It also has an ultra-modern look inside, with a 360-degree open concourse, that celebrates the club's glorious history. Its nod to the retro look is the iconic neon Minnie and Paul home-run sign featuring two ballplayers shaking hands over the Mississippi River representing the Twin Cities.
5. Petco Park, San Diego
This gorgeous park doesn’t quite have the stunning views as Pittsburgh or San Francisco, but it’s pretty darn close. The architecture is beautiful and the old Western Metal Company warehouse in left-field gives it a retro look. It also happens to be located in the heart of the lively Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.
6. Oracle Park, San Francisco
This ballpark has the second-best view in baseball behind PNC Park with its bay backdrop and splash-down hits in McCovey Cove, but only if you happen to sit in the upper deck. The park is already showing its age and its concourses are narrow and cramped, making it difficult to move around, with the Giants already out-growing the place and badly needing more space.
7. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
This is the most serene setting in baseball, nestled into the hillside of Chavez Ravine. It has a view of the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the outfield, and downtown Los Angeles behind home plate. It’s hard to believe it was built in 1962 and even though it holds 56,000 fans, it still feels intimate.
8. Coors Field, Denver
The team may stink but the ballpark is so beautiful and the vibe is so cool that it’s become a destination on its own. There’s a purple row of seats signifying the mile-high altitude, and the bullpen could be mistaken for a forest with its trees and running stream. The right-field upper-deck is the hottest bar in Denver.
9. Camden Yards, Baltimore
Meet the godfather, with its famous B&O Warehouse. This is the original retro-classic ballpark that not only dramatically influenced the look of new stadiums, but changed the fabric of some major cities. Denver, Cleveland, San Francisco and San Diego followed its lead and built downtown ballparks that completely invigorated growth.
10. T-Mobile Park, Seattle
This ballpark fits perfectly in the Northwest with the nearby mountains, skyline and water. It features an “umbrella-style" retractable roof that doesn’t enclose the park, only stopping the rain, while enabling fans to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Nick Morabito of the Syracuse Mets is at bat during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on June 28, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
New Mets Émilien Pitre and Billy Amick each had two hits, and so did Chris Suero. That wasn’t near enough to top Portland, however, as the pitching got shellacked.
Luke Gabrysh looked like an actual dude in this one, striking out six over four scoreless innings and allowing only one hit. His stuff has real in-zone-whiff upside, and if he can curtail the walks there’s a legitimate starting pitching prospect here. Unfortunately, the Cyclones offense and defense let him down, making as many errors (2) as they had hits (2) in a one-run loss.
If you’re not paying attention to John Smith III yet, you should be. No, he didn’t do much in this game, and he’s a 19th round senior out of Central Florida. He is also hitting the ball quite hard and had only his second whiff in the zone (on a foul tip) in 40 professional PA in yesterday’s games. The biggest knock against him to this point is that he’s been overly passive, something to keep an eye on going forward if he’s to blossom into a true diamond in the rough or remain a cheeseball.
Anyway, St. Lucie didn’t do much and lost a one-run game.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:L, 13-1 at Lehigh Valley IronPigs
2B Anthony Volpe 1-4, HR, RBI, 2 K — second homer back in Scranton CF Jasson Domínguez 1-4 LF Max Schuemann 1-4 DH J.C. Escarra 0-4 SS Oswaldo Cabrera 1-4, K RF Yanquiel Fernández 1-4, K C Mitch Garver 1-3, 2B, BB, K — double for the 10-year veteran in his first Scranton game 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 2-4 3B Tyler Hardman 0-3, 2 K
Adam Kloffenstein 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (loss) Eric Reyzelman 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR Brian Hendry 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR Will Brian 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K Christian Bethancourt 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Double-A Somerset Patriots: W, 5-4 vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats
DH Jace Avina 0-4 SS Core Jackson 0-3, BB, K 3B Roderick Arias 0-3, BB, 2 K — made a sensational play at the hot corner C Omar Alfonzo 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K LF Jackson Castillo 0-2, BB RF DJ Gladney 0-3, 2 K 2B Connor McGinnis 0-2, BB 1B Josh Moylan 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, BB — 21st long ball in what’s been a fine season CF Luis Durango 1-3
Don Hamel 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K Luis Velasquez 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K Matt Keating 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K Kelly Austin 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (win) — hell of an outing in relief
Omar Alfonzo WALKS IT OFF with his first HOMER in the @Yankees organization! 🤩
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades:L, 5-2 vs. Wilmington BlueRocks
C Eric Genther 1-4, HR, RBI, K SS Jackson Lovich 1-3, BB, K, SB 1B Kyle West 0-3, BB, 2 K CF Maika Niu 0-3, BB 3B Hans Montero 1-4, 2 K DH Dean Toigo 1-4, RBI, 2 K 2B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 1-4, 2 K, SB LF Robbie Burnett 0-3, BB, 2 K RF Camden Troyer 0-3, K
Luis Gil 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, K — looked solid as he continues to rehab Pico Kohn 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K Jose M. Rodriguez (loss, blown save) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR Jack Sokol 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K Hansel Rincon 1 IP,2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
SS Dax Kilby 1-4, BB DH Wilberson De Pena 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K — third Low-A homer RF Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II 1-2, 2 BB, K, 2 SB, CS 1B Luis Puello 2-5, SB CF Diego Castellanos 0-4, BB, 2 K LF Brando Mayea 1-4, RBI, CS 2B Blake Cyr 1-2, RBI, K, SF C Ediel Rivera 0-3, BB, 2 K 3B Bayram Hot 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB
Yerry Rodríguez 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K Richard Mena 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (win) Jordarlin Mendoza 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K (hold) Matthew Tippie 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K (hold) Joshua Tiedemann 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (save)
#Tarpons OF @WilbersonDePena (1-for-4, HR, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R) reached base twice, including his 19th HR (3rd w/ Tampa) hit 105.6 mph off the bat. Has hits in 3-straight games, batting .333 (4-for-12) w/ 4 RBI, 3 R in that span. #Yankeespic.twitter.com/v6sJv80RVJ
Cam Schlittler 
Jacob Misiorowski 
Pete Alonso 
