Bullpen blows it as Rockies fall to Marlins 10-7

Jun 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) is tagged out by stealing home plate by Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack (80) in the third inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Hunter Goodman hit his 26th homer of the season, setting the new all-time Rockies record for most homers before July 1, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a brutal outing from the Colorado bullpen as the Rockies dropped the first game of the series to the Marlins on Monday night.

Goodman’s solo shot in the seventh increased the catcher’s June total to 12 homers. He will now try to break Todd Helton’s Rockies record of 27 home runs before the All-Star Break. Despite the loss, Goodman continued to prove he should be an All-Star (and participate in the Home Run Derby, too).

“Goody just keeps going. He’s a great player, and he’s having a heck of a first half,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “Twenty-six homers before the All-Star Break is a rare accomplishment … He is a force at the plate.”

Victor Vodnik gave up a three-run homer that squandered the Rockies lead in the fifth inning (two runs were charged to starter Sean Sullivan). Vodnik took the loss, but it was the four runs that Antonio Senzatela allowed in the sixth that doomed the Rockies. It was Senzatela’s worst outing of an otherwise remarkable season where he’s posted an 8-0 record and 3.07 ERA in 44 innings over 25 appearances.

The Rockies tried to mount a ninth-inning rally when Eduardo Julien singled and Jake McCarthy doubled. Mickey Moniak hit a sac grounder to score Julien, but the lone run resulted in Colorado falling short.

Sullivan’s up-and-down start

Sean Sullivan’s fourth MLB start began well with three up and three down in the first, including a strikeout. The Marlins struck back in the second when Heriberto Hernández and Leonardo Jiménez doubled, while Kyle Stowers was hit by a pitch in between, to put Miami up 2-0.

After the Rockies claimed a 3-2 lead, Sullivan overcame a leadoff double in the third and a single in the fourth to maintain Colorado’s lead. Then came the fifth and the downward spiral.

Otto Lopez led off with a homer to trim Colorado’s lead to 5-3. Sullivan sandwiched two outs with a single and a walk to Stowers, which forced Schaeffer to end Sullivan’s night.

Schaeffer said Sullivan had some bright moments in the start, despite not getting ahead in enough counts.

“He got behind some, and when he got behind, he got hurt, but he battled through it. He got into the fifth inning to the third time through the order, and he gave us a chance to win,” Schaeffer said. “The walk to Stowers there was a big one in the fifth inning, but I thought he competed well, even though he wasn’t ahead in a lot of counts.”

He left the game with a young career-high five strikeouts, two walks, one HBP, six hits and three earned runs in 4.2 innings. However, those three runs jumped to five when the two runners he left on base came around to score in the next at-bat.

Bullpen blues

The Marlins attacked Vodnik from the jump as pitch-hitter Griffin Conine crushed his second pitch to the upper deck in right field and quickly flipped a 5-3 Colorado lead to a 6-5 Miami advantage. Vodnik ended the inning and posted a scoreless sixth, but the damage was done.

It got worse when Senzatela entered in the seventh and gave up a single, double and walk before Javier Sanoja hit a base-clearing triple to make it 9-6. Joe Mack followed with an infield single to give Miami double-digit scoring.

Schaeffer blamed one bad changeup that Vodnik left too high and also said Senzatela nearly escaped the jam.

“Senza was one pitch away from putting up a zero there,” he said. “Senza’s throwing the ball fine. He’s just going through a very, very small period here where they are getting some barrels against him. No wavering confidence in Senzatela at all. He’s still one of the best relievers in the league.”

Zach Agnos then came in, getting out of the seventh, and then closed the game with scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth.

On the board early

The Rockies jumped on Sandy Alcantara early, connecting for six hits, including three doubles, in the second and third innings to take a 5-2 lead. The second-inning rally started when TJ Rumfield hit a leadoff, first-pitch single to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

Cole Carrigg followed with a single, and after Troy Johnson flied out, Kyle Karros singled to load the bases. Ezequiel Tovar hit a sac fly to put the Rockies on the board and cut Miami’s lead to 2-1. Julien followed with a walk and McCarthy took advantage with the first double of the night to put the Rockies up 3-2.

The Rockies added some cushion in the third when Goodman led off with a double and Rumfield joined him on base by drawing a walk. Carrigg hit into a fielder’s choice to put runners at the corners with one out, but then the Rockies took a risk that didn’t pay off.

Carrigg got caught between first and second trying to steal, but it also seemed like he slowed down after the ball was thrown. A pickle ensued, and Goodman tried to go home, but got thrown out.

“We were trying to steal a run there on a Cy Young pitcher, trying to extend the lead and it just didn’t go our way,” Schaeffer said.

Instantly, a promising rally seemed in jeopardy with just Carrigg at second with two outs. But the Rockies caught a break when Johnston got a free pass from Alcantara — one of five he issued on the night — and Karros doubled in Carrigg and Johnston to increase the Rockies lead to 5-2.

Moniak and Tovar combined to go 0-for-8 and never got on base, but each drove in a run. The Rockies only struck out five times, while the Rockies pitching staff combined to strike out six Marlins.

Up Next

The Rockies will host Miami for the second of four games on Tuesday night. RHP Tanner Gordon (0-1, 6.37 ERA), who returns to the roster after being placed on the 15-day IL on June 5 with a right hip impingement, will get the start for the Rockies. Eury Pérez (3-6, 4.41 ERA) will be on the bump for the Marlins.


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Astros Place SS Jeremy Pena on 10-Day IL

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) hits a single during a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers on June 26, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Houston Astros SS Jeremy Pena showed up to Daikin Park today and reported some “left leg discomfort” according to manager Joe Espada. As a result, Pena was kept out of tonight’s 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

After the game, Espada announced Pena would be placed on the 10-day IL with a “mild calf strain”. Espada believes the injury to be minor and that it would only require a “minimum stint”.

Pena is batting .295 this season with 6 HR, 21 RBI, and a .799 OPS. In June, Pena batted .319 with an .865 OPS, hitting 3 HR and driving in 13. He also stole 5 of his 8 bases this season in June.

Nick Allen was activated off the IL today and got the start at SS for Pena.

Twins 5, Astros 4: Twins win despite their best efforts

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 29: Victor Caratini #37 of the Houston Astros reacts after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on June 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Wheewwwww. Everyone relax, have your drink of choice, and take a deep breath. It may not feel like it, but the Twins did, indeed, win that game.

Things were actually going quite well for 90% of this game. Let’s start on the mound where Zebby Matthews delivered another very solid start. I remain a bit skeptical of how long he can keep this up given all the hard contact he allows, but you can do a lot worse for a fourth/fifth starter (see: Simeon Woods Richardson, Matt Shoemaker, Dallas Keuchel, the starter version of Louie Varland, Josh Winder, or any other “remember some guys” guys over the past half decade).

Zebby and the coaching staff came in with a clear plan: let anyone except Yordan Alvarez beat you. And it worked quite well! Alvarez came to the plate with runners on just once all night and Matthews essentially intentionally walked him, with all his pitches staying far clear of the strike zone. The only hit the Twins’ starter allowed through four innings was a bloop single by shortstop Nick Allen. And the only run came on a hanging slider that was, unquestionably, his worst pitch of the night. Cam Smith deposited the ball, if my estimates are correct, about a mile out of the stadium (don’t check Statcast, I’m sure my math is right).

Since being recalled on May 14, Matthews has gone 6+ innings in eight of his nine starts, including his past five straight. The results have been mixed and he’s given up a staggering 11 home runs already, but it’s hard to overstate how helpful a steady arm like Zebby is when you have a bullpen like this. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The offense was equally absent for the Twins in the first third of the game, but things finally started moving in the fourth when Royce Lewis and Victor Caratini popped back-to-back two-out homers to give the Twins a 2-0 lead. Speaking of good signs, that is now Royce’s fifth homer since his infamous “reset” demotion after having just three in the entire first two months of the season, while the spirit of Ryan Jeffers seems to have infected Caratini who sports a robust 182 wRC+ in the month of June. Those two are a big reason the Twins suddenly have the most runs scored in the American League.

Not wanting to miss out on the action, another resurgent June bat got in on the action for the Twins. Josh launched a two-run moonshot in the sixth, while a little small-ball action got the Twins one more in the seventh for a 5-0 lead that they took into the ninth inning. And then things got weird.

Travis Adams came back out for the ninth inning after pitching a clean eighth. Things started off well when he got Alvarez to ground out to open the frame. Adams then walked Isaac Paredes on five pitches, none of which were anywhere close to the strike zone. And as the Metrodome always says: walks will haunt. And in fact, they would have haunted even more if not for a bizarre ABS situation.

With Paredes on base, Astros first baseman Christian Walker came up and home plate umpire Brennan Miller called a first pitch strike that was a solid 3-4 inches outside which Walker did not challenge. Then, seven pitches later with a full count, Miller called Walker out on strikes on a pitch that was a solid 3-4 inches above the zone. Walker tried to challenge this pitch but Miller wouldn’t allow it, claiming Walker had looked into the Astros dugout and either saw a replay or a coach gave a signal to challenge. Everyone from me, to my wife next to me on the couch, to Cory Provus, to Adams and Caratini knew that was ball four but Miller apparently thought Walker was trying to pull a fast one.

And as an avid Twins fan I just have to say…. I really think the Twins got away with one there.

And it’s a good thing too! Taylor Trammell followed with a two-run bomb to bring the Astros within two runs and force Yoendrys Gomez into the game. Gomez started his outing with an odd situation, where he was charged with a pitch clock violation after forgetting his PitchCom device during a mound visit with Caratini. It took the umps at 10 minutes of deliberating to come to that conclusion. Cam Smith then got his second hanging breaking ball of the night and demolished it into the stands to bring the score to 5-4 and what would have been a tie game if Walker was allowed his challenge. Then, just to make sure we were really sweating, the game ended on a soft grounder that Kody Clemens had to throw with his glove to get the final out.

Somehow, the Twins squeezed out a victory and and have a great chance to take the series tomorrow with Joe Ryan back on the mound.

STUDS

  • Royce Lewis, Victor Caratini, Josh Bell: a dong apiece
  • Zebby Mathews: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR

DUDS

  • Me: “watching baseball” to “wind down” and “relax”
  • JK NO DUDS TWINS WIN!

Joey Ortiz’s late homer powers Brewers to 5-3 comeback win over Reds

Jun 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) cheers a shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) crosses home plate after hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Box Score

For much of the night, the Brewers consistently put runners on base but couldn’t cash them in. Despite going 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners on base, timely home runs from Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz, a solid start from Robert Gasser, and quality relief work from Chad Patrick and Aaron Ashby helped Milwaukee sneak away with a late victory.

Gasser opened tonight’s game by striking out Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart, but Spencer Steer kept the inning alive with a single to right. Gasser then walked cleanup hitter JJ Bleday, putting two runners on with two outs.

The next batter, Dane Myers, lined a double down the left field line, scoring Steer and moving Bleday to third. Thankfully, Gasser limited the damage from there, freezing Noelvi Marte with a called third strike on the bottom edge of the zone to end the inning.

Neither team was able to score until the fifth inning, when Cincinnati added to its lead after De La Cruz turned on a 90 mph fastball up and in, sending it over the fence in left-center for his thirteenth home run of the season.

While the Brewers managed just one hit — a Sal Frelick double — through the first five innings, Nick Lodolo wasn’t quite as sharp as he had been in his outing last week. Despite recording just the lone hit, the Crew were able to consistently put pressure on Lodolo — putting at least one runner on base in every inning except the fifth.

Lodolo walked four batters and hit William Contreras over five innings, but the Brewers couldn’t capitalize, going just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position through the first seven innings. Their lone hit with RISP through seven innings finally came in the sixth against reliever Chase Petty. After Andrew Vaughn doubled and Christian Yelich walked, Jake Bauers lined an RBI single into right to score Vaughn with Milwaukee’s first run of the night.

Frelick then worked a walk on a pitch that would have hit him had he not jumped out of the way. The ball skipped past catcher Tyler Stephenson for a wild pitch, allowing Yelich to score from third and trim Cincinnati’s lead to 3-2. David Hamilton, pinch-hitting for Cooper Pratt, and Joey Ortiz were both retired to end the inning, but the Brewers had suddenly pulled within a run.

In the seventh inning, Patrick — who came in to relieve Gasser with two outs in the sixth — worked around a couple of baserunners to keep the Reds scoreless. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Brice Turang came up and hit a monster home run to center field to bring the score to three runs apiece.

With the game tied, Aaron “The Vulture 2.0” Ashby came in and pitched a scoreless eighth, working around an infield single by Marte and a throwing error by Ortiz that advanced him to second.

Bauers flew out to start the bottom of the eighth against Sam Moll, who came in to get the last out of the seventh. Frelick singled into left field to give the Brewers a baserunner, and Hamilton bunted him over to second to put yet another runner in scoring position for who else but Joey Ortiz.

Reds manager Terry Francona played the matchup, pulling the left-handed Moll in favor of right-hander Tejay Antone. Ortiz, who had struck out with runners on the corners to end the sixth inning, watched a strike and a ball before Antone threw a sweeper down in the zone. Ortiz didn’t miss it, launching the pitch 412 feet over the center-field wall for a go-ahead two-run homer, his second of the season. Chills.

Trevor Megill slammed the door in the ninth, retiring the Reds in order and punctuating his save with a swinging strikeout of Elly De La Cruz. Ashby picked up his 11th win of the season as the Brewers moved back to 20 games over .500.

While the Brewers’ struggles with runners in scoring position made for a frustrating afternoon, the offense came through when it mattered most. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but this Brewers team has shown time and again that it doesn’t go away quietly. Even when things look kind of bleak, Milwaukee finds a way to keep itself in games. More often than not, they find a way to win them.

After winning the first game of this week’s four-game series against the Reds, the Brewers will get a chance to make it two straight tomorrow at 6:40 p.m. Brandon Sproat will get the ball opposite Rhett Lowder (3-5, 4.81 ERA).

REPORT: Knicks do not extend offer to Ariel Hukporti, making him an unrestricted free agent

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Ariel Hukporti #55 of the New York Knicks blocks the shot of Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks are allowing one of their young developmental projects to test unrestricted free agency, while potentially leaving themselves thinner at center.

According to ESPN’s Vince Goodwill, New York will not extend a qualifying offer to center Ariel Hukporti, making the 7-footer an unrestricted free agent when free agency opens. The 24-year-old German appeared in 79 games across two seasons with the Knicks after arriving as the 58th pick in the 2024 Draft.  

The decision might make you scratch your head, given the rumors swirling around Mitchell Robinson and how the Knicks handled Hukporti a year ago. After converting him from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal during his rookie season, the club exercised its team option and appeared committed to his long-term development. As a third-stringer, his salary for the 2025-26 campaign was $1,955,377.

Instead, New York has elected not to retain matching rights. By declining the qualifying offer, the Knicks surrendered the ability to match outside offers, allowing Hukporti to sign with any team without restriction. For a front office that has typically valued inexpensive depth, it seems to be another indication that roster flexibility is taking priority entering free agency.  

Hukporti flashed intriguing potential in limited opportunities. The athletic rim protector earned starts when injuries ravaged New York’s frontcourt and showed enough mobility, length, and shot-blocking ability to make us wonder if he could eventually develop into a reliable backup center. His progress, however, was interrupted by injuries, including the torn meniscus he suffered in February of 2025 (in his first NBA start, no less).  

With Robinson’s future still unresolved and the team expected to continue exploring veteran frontcourt options, center depth remains one of the biggest questions on the roster heading into free agency. 

Ariel Hukporti’s most memorable contribution came during the 2026 NBA Finals, when foul trouble forced him into brief but meaningful minutes against the Spurs. He first made an impact in Game Four, helping stabilize the defense after Karl-Anthony Towns picked up early fouls and blocking a Dylan Harper layup during New York’s historic 29-point comeback. He followed that with a highlight in the championship-clinching Game Five, sprinting to emphatically reject a Luke Kornet alley-oop attempt at the rim.

Whether this marks the end of Hukporti’s Knicks tenure remains to be seen. Because he is now unrestricted, New York could still bring him back on a new contract if mutual interest remains. But by declining the qualifying offer, the front office has made it clear it is unwilling to tie up cap flexibility or matching rights to do so.

Go Knicks.

Guardians Lose to Old Nemesis Chris Paddack

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 24: Kahlil Watson #31 of the Cleveland Guardians hits an RBI during the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In six career appearances against Cleveland, Chris Paddack has a 3.14 ERA. In 114 appearances against every other team in MLB, Chris Paddack has a 4.95 ERA. He led the Rangers to a 6-3 win over the Guardians tonight.

After the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Paddack’s changeup and cutter give their lefties trouble. Join the club, Chris. Every pitcher gives this team trouble.

Oh yeah, the game. Parker Messick competed his butt off tonight but there was zero room for error as always. Texas decided to start slapping balls to the opposite field after making an in-game adjustment. Has anyone on the Guardians ever tried to do either of those things, or to coach anyone to be able to do either of those things?

Maybe, maybe not, but we do know they have been coaching Guardians hitters not to forget the power of a good sacrifice bunt. With two on and nobody out against Chris Paddack in the fourth inning, David Fry popped out on a bunt attempt. Hitting behind Fry was Steven Kwan with his OPS nearing .600 and Austin Hedges, mind you. I heard Stephen Vogt reply to Zack Meisel asking about these insane bunts saying that it was intended to be a sac bunt, but I will have to re-listen to the postgame to see if Vogt says it was the dugout’s call to see if I need to set myself on fire outside his office in protest.

Kwan ALSO popped out a bunt attempt in the eighth. I heard Vogt looked mad about that to which I would only say “Stevie, baby, you need to be mad at yourself. You simply need to tell your guys not to bunt unless you put the bunt sign on… then never put the bunt sign on.” STOP GIVING THE OTHER TEAM OUTS! ARE WE NOT DOING THAT ENOUGH ALREADY??!! PLEASE, SPARE MY LAST REMAINING SHREDS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND STOP BUNTING.

Oh, also, our Sabrowski is broken. He doesn’t look right. Sigh.

Ok, Kahlil Watson had a big hit, again, as did Chase DeLauter. And Gabriel Arias crushed a homer just as I was ready to assume our hitters wouls never homer again. Thank you, Gabby!

Back at it tomorrow. I’m sure Jacob deGrom will be so much easier to hit.

33-52 Chart

Jun 29, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Marlins pinch hitter Griffin Conine (18) celebrates his three-run home run with first baseman Kyle Stowers (28) and second baseman Xavier Edwards (9) in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Marlins 10, Rockies 7

Leverage index & box score

Leverage Index Marlins @ Rockies (6.29.26)Box Score Marlins @ Rockies (6.29.26)

Graphics via FanGraphs.

Grinnin’ Griffin: Griffin Conine, +0.30 WPA

Not Senzational: Antonio Senzatela, -0.28 WPA

Game discussion comment of the day

Comment of the Game (6.29.26) From TriopicalChrome: You know I kind of like that these guys don’t just roll over and die if they’re not ever not in th lead. It’s going to take some getting used to. You, that hope all the way through the end of the game thing.

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Mets’ defensive woes hit another low with George Springer’s Little League home run

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Juan Soto misplays a ball during the Mets' June 29 loss, Image 2 shows Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer running to score a run
The Mets had another brutal defensive miscue during their loss to the Blue Jays on Monday.

As if things couldn’t get any worse for the Mets, who committed six errors in a game and fired their manager across two different days last week they seem to find new ways to embarrass themselves. 

Facing his first batter of the game, Mets starter Sean Manaea gave up what should have been a routine single to George Springer, only to watch Juan Soto misplay the ball and then A.J. Ewing fumble it — allowing him to score on a Little League home run on Monday.

Springer’s bloop single bounced into left field, and Soto stretched out his glove to grab the ball, only to misjudge it and allow the ball to go past the Mets outfielder and toward the wall. 

Juan Soto misplays a ball during the Mets’ June 29 loss. Screengrab via X/@Sportsnet

Ewing then raced in to try and make a play after it bounced off the wall, but the scoop went horribly wrong and when he went to transition the ball from his glove to his hand, the ball came flying out.

Soto sprinted toward the loose ball, but before he could get a throw off, it became apparent that Springer was nearly home as the crowd at Rogers Center erupted over what they had just witnessed. 

The scorer ruled the play a triple and an error on Ewing, which prevented Springer from being awarded a home run. 

If it had been ruled a leadoff home run, it would have given Springer his 66th and put him just 15 off tying Ricky Henderson’s 81. 

The moment did little to make already-ailing Mets fans feel any better, many of whom took to social media to voice their frustration. 

“Every day I wake up I hate myself for being a Mets fan,” one person wrote.

George Springer runs the bases during the Mets’ June 29 loss to the Blue Jays. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Was that the Soto shuffle everyone talks about?” another person mockingly asked

“Brought to you by Juan Soto and the New York Mess,” a third fan added. 

The Mets ended up losing 2-1 to the Blue Jays and dropping their ninth game over their last 10.

Mets' Juan Soto discusses 'weird hop' during first-inning misplay in outfield against Blue Jays

Juan Soto had a busy first inning in the Mets’ series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night.

After ripping a double in his first at-bat in the top of the first and getting stranded at third base, Soto was immediately put to the test in the bottom half of the inning when George Springer lined one to left field.

Playing aggressive on the artificial turf that can sometimes be tricky at Rogers Centre, Soto charged in on the ball thinking he had a chance to catch it. After realizing the ball was going to drop, Soto pulled back and was ready to play it on a hop, except the ball bounced over his glove and trickled towards the left-field wall.

“I was actually trying to think right before that [play] to come through the ball because weird hops and everything,” Soto said. “Just took a weird hop on me and bounced a little differently.”

To make matters worse, A.J. Ewing, who was backing up on the play, got to the ball in a hurry but had it pop out of his glove on the exchange which allowed Springer to run around the bases and score the game’s first run.

And while only Ewing was charged with an error, the play began with Soto who spoke about what went wrong on the play and his thought process after the game.

“When you have an outfield like that [where the ball] bounces a lot, you have to be aware because you can give up extra-base hits really easily,” he said. “You just gotta be aggressive, that was my mindset. Just be aggressive, come through the ball instead of trying to play back and maybe bounce over my head, but I actually just stopped.”

Despite the misplay, interim manager Andy Green came to the defense of Soto who made some nice plays in the outfield after the first inning blunder.

Just like Soto said, Green saw his outfielder trying to be ultra aggressive on the play and mentioned it’s actually a common occurrence at this stadium.

“I think he’s playing it aggressively on the outset hoping to get to it because he made a lot of really good catches out there today,” Green said. “... I think he’s playing it aggressively hoping to get to it and sometimes on turf if you get caught in between -- I think every single time I’ve come to Toronto I’ve seen that particular play, not necessarily the finish of that play, A.J. usually makes that transfer fine, but that play happens frequently here and it got us in the first.”

The comedy of errors made it a 1-0 game in the first inning and Sean Manaea did a good job of keeping it there until he allowed a second run in the fifth. Unfortunately for the left-hander, other than a Francisco Lindor solo shot in the seventh, the Mets’ offense couldn’t get much going all night and lost 2-1, making the run scored in the first inning the difference in the game.

“I thought I had a chance and then it just kept dying,” Soto said. “Definitely thought [I had] a good first step, but the ball just kept dying.”

Bucks add former player T.J. Ford to coaching staff

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 2: T.J. Ford #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 2, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Per Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko, the Bucks are adding T.J. Ford to Taylor Jenkins’ coaching staff. Of course, Ford was drafted eighth overall by the Bucks and played for the franchise from 2003 to 2007. In the three seasons that he was on the court in Milwaukee (he missed his second year due to injury), Ford averaged 11.5 PPG, 7.0 APG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.3 steals. Following stops in Toronto, Indiana, and San Antonio, he retired from the NBA in 2012 due to a back injury.

As far as NBA coaching experience goes, Ford has none; as far as I can gather, this will be his first NBA gig. He has, however, spent a long time coaching youth, AAU, and high school hoops. I’ll hazard a guess that Ford will specialise in player development with the Bucks—which the org at large will be placing a massive emphasis on, given their new outlook—because this seems to have been his MO at prior stops.

Welcome back, T.J. Ford!

Winners, losers from Ja Morant trade to Portland Trail Blazers

The Memphis Grizzlies had been looking to move on from Ja Morant for the better part of a year. They had already traded away Desmond Bane (to Orlando) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (to Utah), but the market for Morant — the guy who would have brought in a massive haul just a handful of years before — was virtually nonexistent.

Memphis eventually found the best offer it could and made a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, sending Morant to the Pacific Northwest. Who were the winners and losers in this deal? Let's break it down, but first, a reminder of who is in the trade:

Portland receives: Ja Morant
Memphis receives: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray

Winner: Ja Morant

Morant needs a fresh start, a second chance. The opportunity to rehab his image, to go somewhere with a blank slate and write his own story. Again.

He gets that with this trade — and is outside the brightest of NBA media spotlights. Morant will get some space to breathe. He gets to be in a locker room with two of the best leaders in the sport, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. He will get the ball in his hands and an opportunity.

Morant could not have asked for more. Now it's up to him. What does he do with it?

Winner: Trail Blazers fans

New owner Tom Durdon has come down with a serious case of New Owner Syndrome — he is sure he knows best and wants to put his mark on everything — but despite all his PR mistakes, he has given Trail Blazers fans a team they can really rally behind.

It's unclear — and maybe unlikely — that Ja Morant can ever return to his peak All-Star form. Scouts speaking to NBC Sports have said he looks like he lost a little of his burst. Even if that is true, he walks in the door as the best passer on the roster, and he knows how to get downhill and make plays.

It's a huge, home run swing by the Trail Blazers — but those are fun to watch. Trail Blazers fans will go to games, tune into broadcasts and know they will be entertained. Maybe key guys stay healthy, new coach Micah Nori pushes all the right buttons — there is a good chance of that, he's a great hire, even if he had to take an owner-friendly contract — and Portland is better than the 42-win team from a season ago. A starting/closing five of Morant, Lillard, Holiday, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan is a group I will tune in to watch.

This trade is a win for Portland fans. Whether it's a win for the Trail Blazers' organization is TBD, but the fans get the W.

Loser: Scoot Henderson

Notice when I listed all the guards the Trail Blazers had above, Scoot Henderson was not on the list. The fact that Portland made a trade for Morant essentially tells you what you need to know about how they view Henderson long term.

Portland will deny that and say all the right things about loving Henderson, and this was just too good an opportunity to pass up, but actions matter, not words. Henderson did take a step forward last season when healthy and averaged 14.2 points a game (that's across the 30 games he played, he missed the start of the season with a left hamstring injury).

You can be sure other teams are calling Portland right now to check on Henderson's availability, thinking they can give him a chance and minutes he won't get in Portland this season. We'll see if anything comes of it, but this was not a trade that signaled confidence in Henderson.

Beige flag: Memphis

This was not a good trade for Memphis. The Grizzlies traded a popular player and two-time All-Star for a player in Grant they don't need — the Memphis front court is already stacked — and it's just pennies on the dollar of return. A few years ago, Morant would have brought in a massive haul of picks and players, now it's basically just matching salary.

This isn't a bad trade, either. For Memphis, this trade is about moving on. The Grizzlies have now fully pivoted away from the Morant, Jackson Jr. and Bane as the big three plan. They have Cameron Boozer and the chance to start fresh. It was a trade Memphis had to make even if the return wasn't what they hoped.

Not good, not bad, but a clean slate for the Grizzlies as they head into next season. That's about as good as they were going to do.

Mikel Brown Jr. carries a great burden, but even more confidence

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Earlier this week, Net Income defined Brooklyn’s decision to select Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6 overall as the franchise’s “biggest decision since John Calipari muffed 1996 Draft and wimped out by deciding against taking Kobe Bryant.”

Debate the particulars if you want, but the point is clear: Mikel Brown Jr. has the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. Egor Dëmin had a promising rookie season, particularly shooting the ball, and profiles (potentially) as a nice contributor to winning teams for seasons to come. If that turns out to be the case, that’s a successful pick at #8 overall.

But Brown Jr. is really who Brooklyn’s rebuild rests upon. There are other avenues to improvement; Brian Lewis of New York Post reported on Monday evening that the Nets have shown interest in Trey Murphy II and Cason Wallace in the trade market. Mitchell Robinson, Keon Ellis, and Rui Hachimura are free agents that have been linked to Brooklyn (perhaps simply because the Nets have cap space), but general consensus around the league is that the Nets are more active on the trade block.

Regardless, Brooklyn is not locked into this roster, but they are locked into Mikel Brown Jr.. He is either the 20-year-old star guard of the future or the representative of an outright tank failure (or, more likely, somewhere in the middle). And he is one heck of a fascinating prospect to tote such responsibility.

Obviously, there’s the pure talent gleaming off him, the logo-threes, the handles, the dunks … we’re all familiar by now. And he is now officially a Brooklyn Net; the team introduced him at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center on Monday afternoon, along with fellow draft picks Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau…

Brown Jr. touts many qualities other recent Nets’ picks have. He is incredibly polite, a bit soft-spoken, eager to talk about the good of the team rather than his own career. The 6’4″ guard is also undeniably, overwhelmingly confident in his abilities.

Given that he met with the Nets three times before the draft, I asked Brown Jr. how deep certain X’s and O’s conversations went; he did not hesitate to call himself a “savant” in his answer: “They were pretty deep, but it’s nothing that I haven’t already learned and understood. That kind of made it, also, easier on them. You know, their player development could be more advanced, because I’m already a student of the game, I’m a savant when it comes to this stuff. So every type of action or terminology that they throw on me, I kind of already know. Just how they say it — you might call one action something else, but I’ve been known to call it something else, but we’re talking about the same thing. So it’s very easy. That was very easy.”

The Louisville product also shared his confidence level with the 85 children that attended his introduction. Before leading them through drills, he let the crowd know he had spoken with Julius Randle (though not officially a Net just yet), and that the conversation was simple: “We’re gonna shock the world.”

Sean Marks also spoke on Monday afternoon: “I don’t think anybody’s ever questioned the confidence that [Brown] has had, right? And these guys, they’ve got to this level by — as you heard them before — not believing in the doubters. And I think they’ve got something to prove, they’ve all got a chip on their shoulder, which I think you hear us talk about a lot with wanting guys that are self-motivated.”

That piece of it is not new for the Brooklyn Nets. Over the past few seasons, we’ve heard players yearn for “second-chances” or simply an opportunity to prove themselves, whether that be Keon Johnson or Josh Minott or Ziaire Williams or Dennis Schröder. This is not Mikel Brown Jr. who (understandably, justifiably) thinks, or rather knows he is that guy. He is the man.

“When we interviewed him at the combine in Chicago, you know, he spent a lot of time interviewing us, which I love,” said Marks. “I love the interaction. Going back and forth, how would he fit in Brooklyn, how we see him and so forth, it was — it was great banter, going back and forth with him.”

Brown Jr., as he will tell you, is a coach’s son. You can tell. He speaks with great reverence of a point guard’s duty, and said he’s been studying game tape of Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau to see how they can fit together once Summer League rolls around.

Both he and Joshua Jefferson smiled when talking about recent practice days at HSS Training Facility, admitting that they are both real happy to get back in the gym after a tiring draft process.

Jefferson, the #28 pick, says that working on his outside shooting is his main focus right now but that he is indeed as versatile as they come, adding: “I think my defensive ability at the high level can be undersold a little bit. I think I can move my feet pretty well, guard one-through-five, so that’s what I’m going to try to prove on day one.”

Jefferson was not listed on Brooklyn’s initial Summer League squad…

…but only because the Minnesota-Brooklyn trade cannot be finalized until July 6th at the earliest. Therefore, Jefferson will not be able to play in the California Classic, which ends on the 6th. He is expected to play in Las Vegas Summer League though. However, Nolan Traore and Grant Nelson are not. Both players are rehabbing injury.

Marks did clarify that Nolan is “expected to be full return for training camp in early September, so he won’t miss much time,” after a scope on his right knee. He also clarified that the issue cropped up during the season. Nelson had a leg procedure after the season.

Other than Traore, the Nets other four first rounders last year will be on the court, with each of them having put on ten to 15 pounds and at least one, Drake Powell, adding an inch to his height, jumping from 6’5″ to 6’6″ in barefeet. While some have speculated that Demin too has added height, the Nets said he’s been measured recently is just where he was last season: 6’8.5″ in barefeet.

More news

Following Brooklyn’s presser, Mike Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson were not tendered qualifying offers, making them unrestricted free agents…

However, the Nets did exercise their team option on Malachi Smith, though it is a non-guaranteed contract…

It is unlikely Smith makes the team out of training camp, but you never know. Though not official yet, it seems likely that Brooklyn’s two-way contracts will belong to Tyler Bilodeau, Chaney Johnson, and Grant Nelson, with the latter once again joining the Nets for Summer League ball.

Brooklyn tips off Summer League play at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4th, playing against the Sacramento Kings in SacTown. That’s right. Darius Acuff Jr. vs. Mikel Brown Jr.

    Baseball: Texas C Andrew Ermis commits to TCU

    AUSTIN, TX - MAY 14: Catcher Andrew Ermis #7 of the Texas Longhorns on the field before the SEC college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Missouri Tigers on May14, 2026, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    Texas catcher Andrew Ermis, a junior who recorded a .353 batting average and a .571 on-base percentage over 14 games with the Longhorns this season, will be coming to Fort Worth. Zachary Symm of Orange Bloods reported that Ermis will be transferring to the TCU Horned Frogs for his senior season. Ermis, who started seven games during the 2026 campaign, posted six hits and five RBIs over his 17 at-bats with the Longhorns. Prior to Texas, Ermis spent two seasons at Temple College, where he led the Leopards in batting average (.338), home runs (10), RBIs (41), on-base percentage (.479) and slugging percentage (.588) as a sophomore in 2025.

    Ermis played in 98 games with 91 starts at Temple College before signing with the Longhorns. His commitment continues a scorching hot recruiting run for the Horned Frogs, who’ve added several talented position players including Saint Mary’s outfielder Tanner Griffith, UW-Milwaukee catcher/outfielder Dominic Kibler, Midland College infielder Bammer Maes and catcher Caleb Eagar, Coastal Carolina infielder Trace Mazon, Mississippi State outfielder James Nunnallee and Flagler College outfielder/infielder George Gilson.

    Astros 9th Inning Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to Twins

    DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Taylor Trammell #26 of the Houston Astros catches a fly ball that was hit by Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    The Twins came into Monday Night leading the American League in runs scored for the month of June.  Unfortunately for the Astros, they kept the hot bats going, launching multiple homeruns in a 5-4 win before an announced crowd of 22,969.  

    Royce Lewis and Victor Caratini would go back-to-back with solo blasts in the 4th inning, providing the initial run support for Zebby Matthews.   They would represent the first two hits of the night.   Matthews would go 7 innings, striking out 7 with only 1 run allowed.    

    Peter Lambert, in his first career outing against Minnesota, would go 5 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs with three walks.  He would strike out four on the night, two of which came in the first inning.    

    Cam Smith finally put Houston on the board with his blast in the 5th.  That would be Cam’s fifth homer for the month of June, and his 10th for the season, cutting the deficit in half.    

    However, in the sixth, Josh Bell would get in on the long ball party, launching his 10th homer of the season, which brought home Brooks Lee, making it 4-1.   Lee began the frame with a single.   For Bell, he continues to feast on Astros pitching, it’s his 7th career homer against Houston.   Isaac Paredes would have a chance in the bottom of that inning to cut into the lead with Alvarez and Altuve on base, but he grounded out.      

    In the seventh the Twins would add to their lead when Kody Clemens brought in Luke Keaschall who led off things with a walk off of Nate Pearson.   Pearson made his 12th relief appearance for the year.  

    Despite being down 5-1, the Astros would not quit.  

    Taylor Trammell blasted a 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th of Travis Adams, chasing him from the game.

    Yoendrys Gomez then entered the game to get the final out for Minnesota against Cam Smith, but Cam blasted his 2nd HR of the game (11th of season), a solo shot to make it 5-4. However, that would be as close as they would get as Joey Loperfido would ground out meekly to end the rally and the game.

    Odds & Ends:

    Jeremy Pena was held out of Monday’s game with discomfort in his left leg.

    After going hitless in Detroit, Yordan Alvarez continued his mini funk, reaching only on a walk.   

    Miguel Ullola would make his Astros debut.  He’d provide some much-needed “juice” striking out a pair of batters in his first inning pitched.   Royce Lewis and Ryan Kreidler would be on the receiving end.   He’d add two more K’s in the 9th, for a total of 4 in his 2 innings.  

    With the defeat, Houston and Minnesota each have 45 losses.   

    On Tuesday Night, Houston will send Mike Burrows to the hill in search of his fourth win.    He’ll be opposed by Joe Ryan.  Ryan has registered 108 k’s this season.   

    Colorado Rockies vs. Miami Marlins OVERFLOW THREAD

    DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 29: Sean Sullivan #45 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on June 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

    While there hasn’t been a ton of action in the later innings of this Rockies-Marlins game, there’s been so much action in the comments that we decided it warranted an overflow thread for the final three innings!

    In case you forgot, here are the lineups:

    Continue to keep it civil, friends, and please remember the Purple Row Community Guidelines as you’re commenting!


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