Player Grades: Cavs vs Pistons Game 2 – Donovan Mitchell finds his spark in loss

DETROIT, MI - MAY 7: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers fell apart again in crunch time. They’ll head back to Cleveland trailing the Detroit Pistons 0-2.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

31 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers

Well, we’ve been waiting for this.

Mitchell had his best game in weeks, jolting the Cavaliers back to life in the second half. Detroit had Harden in a locker, so the Cavs allowed Mitchell to effectively play point guard during the third quarter. This led to the most engaged version of Don we’ve seen since Game 2 versus Toronto. He repeatedly attacked the basket for floaters and used his gravity to create opportunities for his teammates.

Late-game execution was the problem. Mitchell suddenly stopped getting to the basket. And once again, Spida became a stationary sidekick as Harden dribbled the ball into oblivion.

Grade: B

James Harden

10 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers

This was a total train wreck.

Harden has raised the Cavaliers’ floor this postseason simply by being more available than Darius Garland ever was. And at times, he’s even raised their ceiling by showing glimpses of the player that will one day be in the HOF.

But that light is dwindling, and the last few games have been antithetical to everything that this team built its success on in the past.

Over-dribbling, isolation-heavy basketball has never led to the best version of the Cavs. Yet it’s the only style that Harden plays. He isn’t adapting to playing without the ball in year 17. You win or lose on his terms. The 0-2 deficit speaks for itself.

Grade: F

Evan Mobley

9 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 2 turnovers

Mobley wasn’t involved enough on offense tonight. Part of that is the Pistons shrinking the floor and taking away the roll. Another part was Jarrett Allen had it going — so naturally, more touches went his way.

But Mobley did a fine job of reading the floor in this one. He punished the help defense with his playmaking, dishing 4 assists and narrowly missing on a few other potential assists that didn’t drop.

More so, Mobley was phenomenal on defense. His rim protection and efforts against Jalen Duren are some of the only reasons this game was close in the fourth quarter. We’d like to see him grab more rebounds, but he did spend chunks of time switched onto the perimeter.

Grade: C

Jarrett Allen

22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Allen gave you everything you need to win this one. An efficient 22 points on 9 shot attempts. Competent defense at the point of attack whenever he had to switch. And, a respectable effort on the glass that was only tested when he was left alone to box out multiple players. He’s not going to do much more than this.

Grade: A-

Dean Wade

8 points, 5 rebounds

It’s the same old story. Wade’s defense makes him valuable. But his lack of offensive creation tests how valuable that defense actually is. The Pistons, like the Raptors, have successfully shrunk the floor by ignoring Wade in the corner.

Grade: C

Max Strus

3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Strus was on fire in Game 1. Not so much in Game 2, shooting just 1-6 from the floor.

This is more or less what you expect from a streaky role player. He gave you a performance worthy of winning. Now you live with the opposite result. The Cavs missed their chance in Game 1.

Grade: D+

Jaylon Tyson

7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist

It feels like Tyson is going to be the X-Factor in this series. The Cavs desperately need someone who can create off the dribble and space the floor next to the core four. Tyson hasn’t gotten a full crack at that yet. But if he does, it could be the thing that finally unlocks Cleveland’s offense.

Grade: B

Keon Ellis

3 points, 6 minutes

Ellis is going to get opportunities with Merrill out due to a hamstring injury. So far, those minutes haven’t gone well. He’s a defender who loves to gamble, and he isn’t doing enough on offense to replace Merrill’s production.

Grade: D

Dennis Schroder

4 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 turnovers

I don’t know if the Cavs planned on playing Schroder this often in the playoffs. But he’s become a mainstay in the rotation, largely because of how inconsistent the starting backcourt has been. The Cavs have needed an additional ball handler to relieve pressure, and I think Schroder did a fine job of that tonight despite his usual limitations.

Grade: C+

Struggling Trent Grisham kickstarts Yankees’ six-run rally with ‘at-bat of the game’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees player Trent Grisham swings at a baseball during a game, Image 2 shows New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham stands on base after a 3-run RBI double
Trent Grisham kickstarted the Yankees' big sixth inning with a double during their win Thursday.

Trent Grisham opened the floodgates.

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The Yankees were hitless in their previous seven at-bats with runners in scoring position Thursday when the center fielder stepped up in the bottom of the sixth against the Rangers.

He didn’t just clear the bases in slapping an RBI double to the wall in left center, he kicked off a contagious six-run rally that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 7-2 lead.

“I think that Grish at-bat’s the at-bat of the game,” Aaron Boone said following the 9-2 win in The Bronx. “And [then] we’re able to tack on a little bit from there.”

Following his clutch hit, Grisham reached home via a J.C. Escarra single, while Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger soon chipped in with RBIs as well, opening a five-run lead.

Trent Grisham connects on a double during the Yankees’ May 7, 2026 win. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post

Every Yankees starter (other than the injured Jasson Domínguez) ended the game with a hit, and Grisham scored again in the seventh off a Max Schuemann double — the first hit of the recent call-up’s Yankees career.

Texas starter MacKenzie Gore allowed just four hits prior to the Yankees outburst, one being a first-inning RBI triple from Bellinger.

Still, Boone was pleased with the quality of the team’s at-bats after the game and singled out his lefty hitters for praise.



Grisham, who is one of those lefties, has struggled at the plate this year as his average dipped to .151 in late April.

Trent Grisham reacts after hitting a double during the Yankees’ May 7 win. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

But he was the protagonist of this Yankees comeback and the game’s co-leader in hits (three), alongside fellow lefty Bellinger.

“He has been incredibly unlucky because I feel like he’s hit the ball off the barrel a couple times a game and not being rewarded,” Boone said of Grisham.

That luck shifted in the fourth inning for the 29-year-old when he saw a soft pop-up land off his bat in front of catcher Danny Jansen.

From there, he eventually kicked the Yankees’ turnaround into gear in what turned out to be a collective effort.

“Everybody feels pretty close. It’s a tight-knit group, so I feel like everybody’s fighting for each other up there,” Schuemann said. “It’s not necessarily selfish in any way. I haven’t gotten that vibe since being here.”

The Yankees will look to carry that positivity into their Milwaukee road trip.

Pistons vs. Cavs final score: Detroit protects homecourt, takes 2-0 series lead

May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) dribbles defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (5) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons used another well-rounded effort, with contributions up and down the roster, to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97 and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinal series. It was a tougher game as Cleveland cleaned up its turnovers and got a much friendlier whistle than in Game 1, but every time the Cavs punched Detroit in the mouth, the Pistons found a way to punch back.

The Pistons were led by Cade Cunningham with 25 points and 10 assists, and just like in Game 1, Cunningham saved his best for late in the game. Cade scored 12 points in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter and played excellent defense to help stave off a late Cleveland surge.

Detroit was up comfortably throughout the first half, but a stagnant third quarter on offense and a subpar defensive effort, combined with an unfriendly whistle, allowed the Cavs to cut Detroit’s lead to four entering the final quarter. Cleveland then scored the first three baskets of the fourth, including an emphatic Evan Mobley dunk, to take their first lead of the game since early in the first.

Detroit then turned into their two most reliable players in game one — Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson. Harris settled things down with a steady turnaround jumper from 11 feet, and Robinson hit a three. When the Cavs cut it to a one-possession game again, Tobias hit a floater, and Duncan hit a three. Of course. That was all Detroit needed to get into Cade time.

He hit a pull-up three at the top of the key, a baseline fadeaway, got to the free-throw line, and effectively put the game away with a stepback three with just over two minutes left.

Plenty of Pistons played well, and it was all needed because nearly as many players were battling foul trouble. A game after Cleveland complained about the poor whistle they received, the script completely flipped in game 2 (interesting how that works).

Ausar Thompson got his fourth foul early in the third quarter, and his absence was a big contributor to Cleveland’s third-quarter run. James Harden seemed to be trying to bait foul calls as his entire role in the offensive game plan. Or, it was the only thing Harden did well, anyway.

The Beard was just 3-of-13 from the floor and had four turnovers, including a critical one late in the fourth when he pounded the air out of the ball and then got his pocket picked by Thompson. He wasn’t the only Cavs player who struggled. Evan Mobley was limited to just nine points and one rebound. Dean Wade, who is mostly in the lineup for defense, scored just eight points.

Donovan Mitchell almost won the game for the Cavs by himself. He was brilliant throughout the night. He had his swim move and floater game working hard, and he hit some tough perimeter shots to try to keep his team in the game. He led all scorers with 31 points. Jarrett Allen chipped in 22 points.

The Pistons got contributions up and down the roster. Ausar Thompson scored 10 points and added seven rebounds. Tobias Harris scored 21 points, stretching his 20-plus game streak to seven. Duncan Robinson scored 17 and hit five three-pointers. Daniss Jenkins scored 14 points and added six rebounds and four assists. He was absolutely critical to keeping Detroit in it when Cunningham was mostly quiet.

In the end, Detroit did exactly what it had to do. It protected its home-court advantage, established how they can best the Cavs on both ends of the floor, and now they will look to head to Cleveland to really put a stranglehold on this series.

Guardians Spoil Another Series for the Royals

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 3: Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians smiles as he throws the ball after a play against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on May 3, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Kelley L Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If I were a Royals’ fan, I’d hate the Guardians.

There was all the reason in the world to think the Royals would win this series today. Seth Lugo had the best numbers of any pitcher on Kansas City’s roster so far this year, and Slade Cecconi has been the worst pitcher on the Guardians’ roster. Lugo has also mostly owned the Guardians. But, that’s why they play the games, folks. Somehow, the Guardians won 8-5 today and have a 4-3 lead on the Royals in their season series, needing to win only three more games to clinch the season series (which could be significant).

How did the Guardians’ do it?

Well, maybe it was because I wore my Red Diamond C hat today. Or, perhaps because I wrote an unpublished article about how Slade Cecconi should go to the bullpen, hoping to jinx him into a decent start today. Or, perhaps it was because YOU wore your underwear inside out (thank you for your service). More likely, however, it was because the Guardians finally remembered how to hit.

I wasn’t the only one with my doubts:

When the Royals posted their lineup today, Royals’ fan Carson Hudkins on Twitter said, simply: “We win this one”

But, it turns out, the Guardians are capable of hitting Seth Lugo.

Then Bo Naylor finally got one off the Kansas City pen:

Kwan had a hit and a walk, DeLauter had a hit and a walk, Jose had a hit and 2 walks, Kyle Manzardo had a huge double and almost hit another one out, Schneemann had a hit and a walk, Bazzana had a hit and a walk, Rocchio had two hits and a walk, Naylor had two hits and Halpin had a hit and a walk. See, now, Guardians? Wasn’t that easy? Do that every night.

Slade Cecconi was better! Still gave up six hits and three walks and should be lifted after five. But, he bought himself more time, especially since Logan Allen isn’t doing much. Connor Brogdon is bad and needs to be replaced by Franco Aleman, Hunter Gaddis struggled AGAIN and had to be rescued by Erik Sabrowski overpowering Vinnie Pasquantino. And Cade Smith looks back to his old self, thank heavens, striking out two.

Oh, also, Travis Bazzana made a heads up play and a great throw to nail Maikel Garcia trying to go to third:

Greg on Twitter said today: “Mlb so scripted man. As soon as a pitcher has a 6 era they turn into Randy Johnson when you put money against them. 2 days in a row now getting burned by pitchers with horrible ERAs throwing perfect games 💀”

Greg, let this be a lesson to you and Emmanuel Clase: Don’t bet on baseball. It’s dumb.

Michael McGee on Twitter said: “Yea it’s official! Lugo needs to hang it up. He wasn’t ever that good to begin with, no reason to think he’ll be worth anything approaching 40 years old.

Michael, Lugo has had a couple bad games. But, hey, if you want to cut him, I’m interested.

JMP77 said: “Thurs game is SO IMPORTANT. Forget Standings. I mean for the mentality of the team. We got 1 hit….after Ragans left. Must WIN Thurs imo.…..”

Ooops.

Our friends at RoyalsReview tweeted: “Wow, it is possible for the Royals to get Kyle Manzardo out.”

Yes, it is. But, we do hope he has found some things this week he can carry with him as the boys head back to Cleveland.

The Royals seem like a good fanbase. I almost feel badly about how the Guardians have treated their team over the past decade.

Almost.

SEE IT: Mets prospect A.J. Ewing hits walk-off single for Triple-A Syracuse

Mets prospect A.J. Ewingadded another highlight to his already impressive 2026 season on Thursday night.

Playing in just his ninth game at the Triple-A level, Ewing came through with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Syracuse over the Rochester Red Wings, 3-2. He ripped a line drive to right field off LHP Zach Penrod, scoring Kevin Villavicencio from third base.

The 21-year-old was having a rare tough night at the plate prior to his game-winning hit, finishing the night 1-for-5 with the RBI.

He's now hitting .364 with a double and three RBI over 33 at-bats in Triple-A since being promoted on April 27.

Ewing, who is SNY's No. 3 Mets prospect, was also recently ranked No. 37 overall in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list and talked about his big rise over the past year, crediting his self-confidence for his improvements on the field.

 

Tampa Bay Better Than the Back Bay: Rays 8 Red Sox 4

This game had a little bit of everything, both good and bad. The second inning was the story early on as the Rays showed to a national audience how they had won 12 of their last 13, before then reminding those same viewers how they got off to a 2-5 start this season with defensive issues and pitching command problems. A month ago, this would have been one of those game that went from bad to worse (see series vs Cubs), but this red hot team showed its character by putting the second inning behind them and sticking with the flat swings and soft contact to come back in the mid stanza before bringing out the late inning thunder against the Boston bullpen to put the bow on a 8 to 4 victory over the Red Sox.

Griffin Jax continued his evolution into a starter facing 17 batters and throwing 59 pitches, 38 for strikes. One could argue the results would have been better with even normal defensive execution by the infield, but instead decided to revisit some of the defensive lapses which plagued the club in the early part of the season. Jax threw six different pitch types on the evening, using the full arsenal to both righties and lefties. He got off to an efficient 10-pitch first inning, but the second inning saw him and the club give it all back with some poor pitch and defensive execution. The inning led off with one-hopper rocket down the line to a diving Junior Caminero, who popped up and threw a seed across the infield that pulled Jonathan Aranda slightly off the bag, which was not caught live but replay quickly overturned:

Story quickly, and easily, swiped second base to erase a potential double play and that was followed up by a five-pitch walk to Masataka Yoshida which involved four pitches well out of the strike zone. Cedanne Rafaela then drove in Story with another hard hit ball to Caminero that rebounded off him and Taylor Walls allowing Story to score from second on a ball which barely reached the outfield grass:

Jax came back to retire Rafaela on a forceout on a grounder to Ben Williamson setting up a potential double play with Connor Wong at the plate. Jax did his part in that equation, but Walls did not, and it was u-g-l-y without an alibi. Needless to say, this play will likely not come up on the next Waechter Wednesday interview. I would embed the video, but the play was not recorded. It was a textbook groundball for a 6-4-3 which was first booted and then scooped over Williamson’s head into shallow right field allowing Yoshida to score and Mayer to advance to third. Mayer was then driven on on a single through the infield with Aranda close to the bag holding on Wong. The double play that should have come earlier in the inning finally did happen as Jax induced the required grounder from Jarren Duran to bring the sloppy inning to a merciful end.

That long inning allowed Jake Bennett to reset himself after a rough first two innings which required him to throw nearly 50 pitches to get the first six out of the game. The Rays plated three runs in the second inning after Jonny DeLuca converted a one-out walk into a steal of second base and scored on a Ben Williamson single through the right side. Nick Fortes singled to left which was followed by a Cedric Mullins bunt single and a steal of second base. The final run scored that frame was on a ball Yandy Diaz backspun to the warning track near the Devils Triangle part of the yard. Bennett pitched the rest of the game from a rocking chair retiring seven of the next eight Rays around a Yandy Diaz single. Bennett then was bodied by a batted ball by Caminero for an infield single before striking out Aranda on an ABS overturn to end Bennett’s night on the mound.

This was the first of four lefties the Rays will face in this series, so it was nice to see them plate three runs off Bennett even if they all came off singles, walks, and steals. Keep in mind, most of this was done without Chandler Simpson as he was not in the starting lineup tonight but made his presence felt later with a two-run single, a triple, and a strong throw from left field to home as part of a 7-2-4 put out of Willson Contreras trying to advance to second as the trail runner on a play home. Mike Petriello made a point on the broadcast that Simpson has gone from a 0 measure on his first pitch reads in the outfield to a lead-leading 5.7 so far in 2026. Simpson did not make any notable defesnisve impact in this game, but his two-run bases-loaded single in the 6th inning gave the lead back to the Rays and a later triple to drive in a run in the 8th. His half-day off was been earned as has the love the national broadcast gave him in the bottom of the sixth inning for his improvements.

The streak of 13 consecutive games of allowing three runs or fewer came to an end because Cedric Mullins failed to take charge on a can of corn between him and DeLuca which allowed Jarren Duran to turn a routine out into a double. He came around to score on a sac fly, but Caminero put some more distance between the two clubs with this absolute laser into the center field bleachers that might have mortally wounded someone:

That homer brought home Yandy Diaz, who made some history with his leadoff double becoming the 20th Cuban-born player to reach 1,000 career hits and kudos to the broadcast for calling that out:

Some final takeaways:

  • 7th straight win and 13 of the last 14 with that very winnable game against Cleveland the only blemish of late. It still feels surreal given just how poorly the team stumbled out of the gate in many aspects of the game.
  • 2026 Cedric Mullins feels more like 2012 Hideki Matsui every day. A roster move has to be made this weekend to bring Gavin Lux on the roster, and while Richie Palacios has an option and is the cleanest move, it just feels like it is time to move on from Mullins.
  • Jesse Scholtens will have to do some work tomorrow a the bullpen has seen four guys used in each of the past two games. Mason Englert will likely work multiple innings in front of or behind Scholtens.
  • Connelly Early, who gave the Rays fits last season, pitches tomorrow. We could see an outfield of Simpson/DeLuca/Vilade tomorrow. Hunter Feduccia will have to catch one of these four games and start against a lefty, so having both him and Mullins in the bottom of the lineup would be sub-optimal.

James Harden disappears in Game 2, and Cavaliers pay the price

The Detroit Pistons have taken a 2-0 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals with their 107-97 victory Thursday, May 7. This comes two days after the Pistons beat the Cavaliers 111-101 in Game 1.

And while both contests were played on the Pistons' home court, Little Caesars Arena – so not entirely unexpected outcomes – Cleveland had chances in both games to steal a win on the road. But for the second game in a row, Cavaliers star James Harden struggled – especially in the first half.

The Cavaliers acquired Harden, a three-time scoring champ and 11-time All-Star at this year's trade deadline, in part to help them make a deeper run in the playoffs than last year, when, as the top seed in the East, they were upset by the Indiana Pacers 4-1 in the conference semifinals.

If Cleveland wants to go deeper this year, they will need Harden to knock down more shots, be much more accurate on his 3-point shooting, increase his assists and tone down his turnovers.

He finished the night with just 10 points, while shooting 3-for-13 from the field and committed a crucial turnover with 30 seconds remaining in Game 2 with Cleveland down six points and trying to rally.

"We won the possession game, we just didn't make shots. We had plenty of chances," Harden said after Game 2 on Thursday night.

He was circumspect about his struggles, saying he needed to pick and choose his spots better, and "figuring out what works and doesn't work for the betterment of the team ... trying to find a combination of when to be aggressive and when to get the team shots."

According to ESPN Insights, this was Harden's 20th playoff game in which he shot 25% or less (minimum 10 field goal attempts), breaking a tie with Bob Cousy for the most such playoff games in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).

In Game 1 against the Pistons on Tuesday, May 5, Harden scored 22 points but shot just 40% (6-for-15) from the field and made only 1-of-7 3-pointers (14.2%). And while he dished out seven assists, he also turned the ball over seven times. His struggles were evident in the first half when he shot just 2-of-7 from the floor, recording nine points with four coming from the charity stripe.

Harden and the Cavaliers have a chance to right the ship Saturday, May 9 when they host Detroit in Game 3 at 3 p.m. ET (NBC), but they need to reset quickly.

Here are Harden's stats from Game 2 for the first half and the game:

James Harden's final Game 2 stats vs. Pistons

  • Points: 10
  • Field goals: 3-for-13
  • 3-pointers: 0-for-4
  • Free-throws: 4-for-4
  • Rebounds: 6
  • Assists: 3
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 4
  • Minutes: 36:52

James Harden's first-half Game 2 stats vs. Pistons

  • Points: 8
  • Field goals: 2-for-10
  • 3-pointers: 0-for-3
  • Free-throws: 4-for-4
  • Rebounds: 4
  • Assists: 1
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 3
  • Minutes: 18:20

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cavaliers' James Harden struggles vs Pistons in Game 2, dooming Cavs

James Harden turns in a disaster, Cavs fall 0-2 to Pistons

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost 107-97 in Game 2 to the Detroit Pistons. Their season now comes down to defending a home stand.

The Cavs once again started this game down by double digits. Careless turnovers and poor three-point shooting add up quickly in the NBA Playoffs. Even more so when you’re playing against a 60-win team that has the capacity to burn you.

This game started with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen practically handing the ball straight to Duncan Robinson on separate plays. James Harden and Donovan Mitchell would join them, coughing it up throughout the first half for five combined turnovers. The Cavs had nine turnovers overall by halftime.

Harden was especially bad in the opening half. He started the night shooting 1-9 from the floor with 3 turnovers to just 1 assist. Some of his decision-making was as puzzling as it gets. He now has 30 career playoff games with more turnovers than made field goals.

The margin for error in the playoffs is remarkably small, and it continues to shrink the further you go. For all the credit that Detroit deserves, the Cavs are not giving themselves a chance with the way they are turning it over.

Cleveland’s saving grace was getting to the free-throw line. They attempted 12 free throws in the first half. That helped them make up for a 3-14 start from downtown and kept the Pistons from totally running away with this one.

This put the Cavs in a position to rally in the second half.

The Cavs flipped the script, only turning it over once until the final minutes of the fourth quarter (when Harden dribbled his way into a trap).

Mitchell came alive for the first time in this series, scoring 31 points. He still settled for a few difficult jumpers that he shouldn’t have, but overall, Mitchell attacked the basket with more intention than he has in weeks.

This spark from Mitchell helped the Cavs pull back into the game and even take a momentary lead in the fourth quarter. That would quickly evaporate, as Tobias Harris (21 points) and Duncan Robinson (17 points) hit timely shots to close the door.

Cade Cunningham poured in 25 points and 10 assists for the Pistons.

Cleveland goes back home feeling like they could have won either of the first two games, but stay in a 0-2 hole regardless.

Marlins walk off Orioles on 9th-inning error in 4-3 loss

May 7, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack (80) scores the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) walks away at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

A series of missed opportunities and a Coby Mayo 9th-inning error sunk the Orioles Thursday, as the Marlins walked off the O’s for a 4-3 loss.

After the O’s tied the game in the 8th but couldn’t score in the top of the 9th, Andrew Kittredge entered to try and force extras. The start of the inning couldn’t have gone better for Kittredge, who got pinch-hitter Kyle Stowers to pop out to first before striking out Jakob Marsee with a slider in the dirt.

The inning unraveled with two outs, though. Rookie Joe Mack came off the bench trying to extend the inning, and succeeded with a double into the right-field corner. That brought No. 9 hitter Javier Sanoja to the plate. On a 0-1 slider, it looked like Kittredge got out of the jam, as Sanoja rolled over the ball to third. However, the ball kicked off the heel of Mayo’s glove, and although he recovered to snag the ricochet, his rushed throw to first skipped past Pete Alonso and allowed Mack to score the winning run.

While Mayo’s error was the game-losing play, the Orioles’ inability to come up with clutch hits was the biggest reason for the loss. Down 3-2 entering the top of the 8th, Alonso delivered the O’s only clutch hit of the evening. Taylor Ward started the rally on a leadoff walk and moved to second on a soft single to right from Dylan Beavers. Alonso then broke his bat on a Josh Ekness sweeper, but was able to muscle a single into shallow center, driving home Ward to tie the game at three. Samuel Basallo couldn’t keep the hit parade going, grounding into a double play on a 109mph grounder. Tyler O’Neill then left Beavers stranded at third on a towering flyout to left.

After falling behind early, the O’s had plenty of other chances to tie the game or take a lead but consistently failed to capitalize. Trailing 2-0 in the 3rd, Mayo kicked off a rally by reaching on an infield single hit 101mph to short. Jeremiah Jackson then worked a five-pitch walk to move Mayo into scoring position, setting up Gunnar Henderson for an RBI single up the middle to bring home Mayo. With two outs, Beavers worked a walk to load the bases, but Alonso couldn’t come through, striking out to strand all runners.

Baltimore failed to capitalize on another promising opportunity in the 4th. Now down 3-1, Basallo led off the inning with a beautiful piece of hitting, taking a backdoor breaking ball and lining it into the left-center gap for a double. O’Neill then followed it up with a single the other way to score Basallo and bring the O’s back within one. However, the rally died there as Colton Cowser lined into an unassisted double play and the inning ended on a Jackson strikeout after a Mayo single.

In the 5th, Beavers once again put the tying run on base with a two-out double down the left field line. Alonso just missed a two-run home run that would’ve given Baltimore the lead, sending a 104mph, 384-foot fly ball to the warning track to end the threat. The Marlins would rob Basallo of a similarly loud fly ball in the 6th, with Marsee making a leaping catch on a ball 103mph and 396 feet to dead center.

The heartbreaking nature of the loss distracted from the loss of left-hander Cade Povich, who was forced to leave early with what the Orioles called “left forearm discomfort.” The outing got off to an inauspicious start in the 1st when he issued a four-pitch walk to former Orioles Connor Norby. Two pitches later, Povich hung a slider over the plate to Marlins’ No. 3 hitter Liam Hicks, who launched it over the right field fence to give Miami a 2-0 lead.

After allowing yet another early long ball, Povich rebounded with a much calmer 2nd. He began the inning by winning a 10-pitch battle with Esteury Ruiz, getting the speedy outfielder to fly out harmlessly to right. The Orioles’ southpaw would then put Jakob Marsee on base via HBP, as a first-pitch fastball just grazed the front of Marsee’s jersey. Povich would immediately erase the base runner, however, getting Leo Jiménez to ground into an inning-ending 4-3 double play.

Trouble would find the Orioles’ starter again in the 3rd. Miami’s No. 9 hitter Javier Sanoja led off the inning with a walk, before Povich left a fastball over the plate to Otto Lopez. The shortstop’s deep fly ball to right just missed leaving the yard, but Sanoja clearly thought the ball left the yard, as he jogged around second. When Tyler O’Neill’s throw reached relay man Jeremiah Jackson, both runners were halfway between a base—but the O’s defense failed to convert the base-running error into an out. With runners now at first and third, Baltimore pulled the infield in, only for Norby to rocket a single past Gunnar Henderson to give Miami a 3-1 lead.

Povich hung tough to limit any further damage. He got the first out of the inning by getting Hicks to fly out to shallow center, before getting Christopher Morel to pop up to Alonso on his best curveball of the evening. Heriberto Hernández looked like he had a two-out RBI single, only for Povich to snag the comebacker and flip it to Alonso for the final out. There were no signs that it’d be the lefty’s final batter of the game, but he’d exit after three with a final line of 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB and 1 K. Should Povich land on the IL, he’d be the Orioles fourth starter to go down injured, joining Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer and Trevor Rogers.

The bullpen kept the O’s in the game, despite being called into action way earlier than expected. Yennier Cano entered in the 4th, and set down six straight batters to keep the Baltimore deficit at one. Deitrich Enns then breezed through the 6th on five pitches for the Orioles’ third-straight scoreless frame. Jiménez broke a streak of 14 straight Marlins retired when he worked a two-out walk in the 7th. One pitch later, Enns got Sanoja to fly out on a running catch by Colton Cowser in center, as the bullpen set the stage for the comeback.

Keegan Akin then performed a Houdini act in the 8th. The lefty started the inning by giving up a single to Lopez, before Xavier Edwards laid down a perfect bunt single to give the Marlins two on with no out. Akin then punched out Hicks looking with a 3-2 fastball at the knees. Morel then flew out to center to move both runners into scoring position, before the Orioles’ reliever got Hernández to pop up to short to keep the game tied, 3-3.


The loss denied the Orioles their second sweep of the season and dropped their record to 17-21 as they head back to Baltimore. The O’s open a new series tomorrow against the A’s, with Kyle Bradish getting the ball, looking to start a new win streak.

St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Game Discussion Thursday Night

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 19: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the fourth inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals begin a brief west coast trip in San Diego as Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 4.50 ERA, 23 SO) will get the first start versus the Padres who will put Michael King (3-2, 2.95 ERA, 39 SO) on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10pm central time. TV broadcast will be on ESPN late Thursday night.

Here’s the Cardinals lineup tonight:

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A’s demolish Phillies behind big bats and Ginn’s arm, 12-1!

Athletics catcher Shea Langelierscelebrates with Nick Kurtz after his homer put the A’s on top in the first inning. Tonight was She’s first game back from Paternity Leave and he went 2-5. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Athletics finished off the three game series in a big way with the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon before packing up to head to Baltimore to finish up this road trip.

Now that’s the kind of first inning we were hoping for. A walk, a bomb, a walk, another bomb and before the Philly fans could wipe the cheese whiz off their chins their hometown boys were down 4-0. Welcome back to the squad Shea Langeliers with his MLB leading 46th hit which just so happened to leave the ballpark for his eleventh long ball of the season.

After a Tyler Soderstrom walk, Brent Rooker launched his fourth homer of the season.  In the meantime, J.T. Ginn worked two effective and efficient innings to get his defense back into the dugout.

After skipping a second inning scoring outburst, the A’s got back to business in the third with a leadoff walk by Tyler Soderstrom who advanced to second on a long fly out to deep center field. Advancing on that out allowed him to score rather easily on a Carlos Cortes base hit. Jacob Wilson made scoring super-easy for Cortes from first on a long home run to left field. That was Wilson’s third homer and eighteenth RBI of the season.

With two outs in the fourth inning, and Shea Langeliers on first, Don Mattingly pulled Painter and replaced him with lefty Tanner Banks. Soderstrom said “welcome” with a single into right field allowing Langeliers to cruise into third with two outs. Rooker fought off an inside slider to poke it into right field for an RBI on his 500th career hit. Soderstrom moved to third on the knock. That gave the A’s an 8-0 lead going to the bottom of the fourth.

Kyle Schwarber got the Phillies on the board with his 12th homer of the season. The line-drive shot exited the building quickly. But the A’s got that run right back with a walk to Lawrence Butler and a triple totally lost in the sky to center field by Zack Gelof. Gelof scored on a base hit by Nick Kurtz.

Ginn continued to cruise, finishing the sixth inning with only seventy pitches allowing only two hits and one earned run! Lawrence Butler doubled to lead off the seventh for the A’s. The homer parade continued on a nine-pitch AB, with Zack Gelof’s third homer of the season, scoring Butler.

Ginn finished off the eighth inning, already surpassing the longest outing for an A’s starter in 2026. That would be all for him this Spring evening in Philly. He exited with 8.0 innings, one earned run on four hits and one walk. Hs struck out eight. Brooks Kriske entered the game to handle the ninth. He gave up two hits but no runs and ended the game with a 12-1 victory over the Phillies.

Red Sox put Roman Anthony on injured list in latest crusher

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Roman Anthony (19) warming up before batting against the Houston Astros.
Roman Anthony (19) warms-up before batting against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox will be without one of their young stars for the near future as their season continues to spiral.

Boston placed outfielder Roman Anthony on the 10-day injured list for a sprained right wrist, the team announced Thursday.

The 21-year-old injured his wrist in his first at-bat of the Red Sox’s 5-4 win over the Tigers on Monday before flying back to Boston to see the team’s hand specialist.

Roman Anthony (19) warms-up before batting against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said an IL stint was required for Anthony, adding that there was not enough progression over the past few days.

“Still sore,” Tracy told reporters, according to the Associated Press. “I think it’s more of a case of, ‘How are we willing to play short-handed?’ We’ve already done it for two days.”

Anthony said he has not picked up a bat since Monday.

He was seen sporting a brace on his right hand.

“Obviously not where I want to be, but just got to keep getting better every day,” Anthony told reporters. “The hand is tricky, and I’ve never dealt with a hand issue before. Getting the news that it’s nothing serious is the best news we’ve could have gotten.

“When the IL stint is over, I plan to be in that game the next day and off the IL.”

Anthony has experienced a slow start to his second MLB season, batting .229 with only one home run through 30 games.

Boston Red Sox’s Roman Anthony (19) has his hand looked at by trainer Brandon Henry as interim manager Chad Tracy (17) looks on against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 4, 2026, in Detroit. AP

“Just got to get better as fast as I can,” Anthony said.

The Red Sox signed Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract midway through his impressive rookie campaign last season, where the former second-round pick posted a slash line of .292/.396/.463 with 18 doubles across 71 games played.

Anthony’s injury comes shortly after the Red Sox axed manager Alex Cora and four members of his coaching staff following a disappointing 10-17 start.

The move, which happened following Boston’s 17-1 win over the Orioles on Saturday, has seemingly not sat well with the players.

Shortstop Trevor Story told reporters that management’s explanation for Cora’s firing was not sufficient.

“Some of the best coaches in the world didn’t get a fair shot,” he said.

Pitcher Garrett Whitlock added: “They made it very clear that we get paid to play baseball, and we need to just focus on playing baseball.”

The Red Sox sit alongside the Blue Jays at the bottom of the AL East, with 16-21 records.

Andrew Painter’s Four Seam Fastball: Athletics 12 Phillies 1

May 7, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (24) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

It’s one start, only one start. Andrew Painter will make many more this season and over his big league career and hopefully, most of them end better than this. This start is probably an outlier in the grand scheme of things for a young pitcher who has to learn the sport.

However, there was a trend that was bubbling and this start saw it burst like it was the housing crisis in 2008. Going into this start, Painter had thrown 63 total four-seam fastballs to right handed hitters and it was getting crushed. Those right-handed hitters that saw it hit .364 with a 92.5 mph average exit velocity.

In the 34 pitches Painter threw to right-handed hitters in Thursday night’s powder blue outing against the Sacramento Oakland Athletics of Las Vegas, only six of them were four-seam fastballs. Two of them landed in the seats that made it 4-0 early.

His sinker joined in on the fun of getting demolished by Jacob Wilson and there was another run allowed in the middle of that because Carlos Cortes is the best left-handed hitter the Bay Area has ever seen.

Painter allowed eight earned runs through less than four innings of work, Tanner Banks allowed two more right after, and Chase Shugart looked mortal in low-leverage time. Kyle Schwarber had two of their four total hits through the first eight innings of work against Athletics right-hander JT Ginn. The Schwarbinator socked a middle-middle sinker for a solo home run but the offense didn’t generate much otherwise.

Garrett Stubbs eventually played third base and then came into the game to pitch the ninth inning. He has now played catcher, left field, third base, and pitched for them this season. It’s easy to wonder if Stubbs should be considered a utility player. What’s the definition of a utility player? Usually, those guys don’t catch. Did Danny Santana or Marwin Gonzalez ever get behind the dish?

Neither have but Gonzalez did pitch so you be the judge.

Just so this game recap is not just about Andrew Painter’s fastball or if Garrett Stubbs should be considered a utility player, here are some other notable lowlights:

Felix Reyes came into the game to play first base for Bryce Harper to start the sixth inning and he got two at bats. JT Ginn struck him out on a sinker that landed in the dirt, and he hit a single off former New York Yankee Brooks Kriske. Rafael Marchán caught this game and went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. He is hitting .074 with a .253 OPS.

Lee Goldsmith recommended that I write this recap like a Jerry Seinfeld stand up routine. Here you go:

Jerry Seinfeld voice GARRETT STUBBS! IS HE A UTILITY PLAYER? WHAT IS A UTILITY PLAYER?

Despite what tonight is going to do to their run differential, they are 8-2 in the Don Mattingly era and play the Colorado Rockies next. It could be worse.

Game 37: St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres hits a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at Oracle Park on May 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

St. Louis Cardinals (21-15) at San Diego Padres (22-14), May 7, 2026, 7:10 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



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Yankees option RHP Brendan Beck following MLB debut against Rangers; to call up Kervin Castro

The New York Yankees are making a change in the bullpen.

The Yankees are optioning Brendan Beck and, according to the NY Daily News' Gary Phillips, are set to call up Kervin Castro ahead of the team's road trip, which begins Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Beck entered the game in relief of opener Paul Blackburn and pitched three full innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, walking three batters and striking out one. He threw 52 pitches, 28 of them strikes.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone brought in trusty southpaw Tim Hill to replace Beck with the team trailing 2-1. A sixth-inning explosion of offense would turn the tide for the Bronx Bombers, and they would eventually cruise to a 9-2 win, the team's sixth straight series win.

Beck will return to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and in his stead, Castro will join the Yankees bullpen.

The Yankees chose Beck in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Stanford University. Beck's young career has been hampered by injury, and he did not pitch for the organization in both 2022 and 2024.

In spite of this, Beck has gradually climbed the ladder of the team's farm system, and made his MLB debut during Thursday afternoon's series-clinching home victory against the Texas Rangers.

Castro has not pitched in the MLB since 2022, when he appeared in 10 total games for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

Since joining the organization in November of 2023, Castro has rebounded from UCL reconstruction surgery to impress mightily at the Triple-A level with the RailRiders.

The 27-year-old Castro has thoroughly earned the opportunity to stake his claim for a spot in a Yankees bullpen which -- at least on paper -- looks like one of the team's few weaknesses.