Heisman Trophy winner walked in Colorado's graduation ceremony May 8 but is scheduled to graduate in December 2025.
South African cricket boss slams Tim Paine for ‘naive’ drug ban criticism
South African cricket boss Andrew Breetzke has defended the process which allowed fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to serve just a one-month ban for a positive drug test allowing him to take on Australia in the World Test Championship final calling critics including Tim Paine “naive”.
Michigan-Ohio State TV channel set for Nov. 29 rivalry game
Michigan-Ohio State TV channel set for Nov. 29 rivalry game.
Knicks defeat Celtics to move within one win of Eastern Conference Finals
Knicks defeat Celtics to move within one win of Eastern Conference Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Jalen Brunson had 39 points and 12 assists, and the New York Knicks moved a win away from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years and pushed the defending champion Boston Celtics to the brink of elimination with a 121-113 victory Monday night in Game 4.
The Celtics will have to make the NBA’s 14th comeback from a 3-1 deficit to extend their title reign and may have to do it without All-Star Jayson Tatum, who was carried off the court with a right leg injury with 2:58 left.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 23 points and OG Anunoby bounced back from two poor performances by scoring 20 for the Knicks, who can win the series Wednesday night at Boston. If not, they would come back to Madison Square Garden to try to do it Friday night.
Tatum scored 42 points, his high in these playoffs, before he was hurt when the Celtics turned the ball over and his leg gave out as he tried to lunge forward toward the loose ball.
The Knicks had taken control just before that in front of a delirious crowd of fans who haven’t seen them play in the conference finals since they lost to Indiana in 2000.
Nobody has come from 3-1 down since Denver did it twice in 2020 at the Walt Disney World resort. It hasn’t happened when a team had to win a true road game since Cleveland rallied past Golden State in the 2016 NBA Finals.
After leading by at least 20 points in the first three games — but blowing the first two of them in Boston — the Celtics had another double-digit lead less than five minutes into this game.
They led 62-51 at halftime, but the Knicks played their starters the entire way in a desperate third quarter in which they outscored the Celtics 37-23 to set up a thrilling final period.
Tatum’s three-point play tied it for the final time at 102-all before Anunoby hit a 3-pointer and the Knicks later put it away for good with an 11-0 burst that made it 116-104.
Derrick White made six 3-pointers and scored 23 points for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown had 20.
“We have to turn that page quickly and do our first job, which is win on Wednesday. That’s the mindset,” Celtics veteran Al Horford said. “As a group, we just have to rally together because obviously we’ve lost our leader, the guy that gets us going.”
Rockets reportedly interested in Antetokounmpo, but not so much trades for Booker, Durant, Zion
It's a big summer in Houston.
This is a 52-win Rockets team that took a big step forward this season behind an entertaining and athletic young core led by Alperen Sengun, Amem Thompson and Jalen Green. Houston had the fourth-ranked defense in the league, but the playoffs highlighted how much this team needs an elite bucket getter to spark their half-court offense. Houston has the picks and young players available to assemble a blockbuster trade to get that player.
Just don't expect it to be the Suns' Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, and the same is true of the Pelicans' Zion Williamson, reports Kelly Iko and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
While Durant is widely seen as the most attainable of that group, and he is known to be very interested in playing in Houston, team sources said the Rockets still have significant reservations about that possible partnership, in large part, because Durant's age (36) would be so out of sync with their younger timeline. It's worth noting that previous talks between the teams about Durant, team sources said, were initiated by the Suns.
The Rockets have previously held serious interest in the Suns' Devin Booker, but team sources said that is no longer the case. Not only do team officials still have faith in Jalen Green, who is five years younger than Booker and $66 million cheaper over the next three seasons, but also Booker's struggles last season shifted the thinking on this front. As for Williamson, who has spent the majority of his first six seasons falling short of expectations while experiencing health issues along the way, team sources said the Rockets see him as too risky.
Durant to Houston is not completely off the table, but it's only happening if the trade is a complete steal for the Rockets, league sources told NBC Sports. As for Booker, the Rockets may have soured on him slightly, but the Suns have also made it clear from the highest levels of the organization that he is not available. That may have something to do with the Rockets' stance.
Which leaves Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will sit down with the Milwaukee Bucks front office in the coming weeks and discuss his and the team's future. He reportedly is open to considering a trade, the first time he has been truly serious about that in his 12-year NBA career.
The Rockets are certainly interested, according to the report, but know the price to land the 30-year-old two-time MVP would be high in terms of players and picks (and one of those players likely would be Sengun, who is not a natural fit next to Antetokounmpo). That said, if Antetokounmpo hits the market, the Rockets will jump into the mix and could put together an offer that would be hard for Milwaukee to turn down.
With all those moving parts, the Rockets and Fred VanVleet agreed to push back the date Houston has to decide on his $44.9 million team option to June 29 — after the draft and close enough to the start of free agency that Houston will have a much better read on the Antetokounmpo situation, as well as other free agents. VanVleet has said he wants to return to the Rockets, and they want him back, but at the right price, and he could be the veteran ball handler not brought back (or sent somewhere else) in a massive trade.
While the Rockets will be at the heart of the offseason trade rumors, GM Raphael Stone has made it clear he would be perfectly happy to run it back with the 52-win team from this season and see how big a step forward they take after this year's experiences. Don't be shocked if that is the ultimate outcome.
First Giants win still evades Verlander in loss to D-backs
First Giants win still evades Verlander in loss to D-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Justin Verlander probably is tired of being asked about it. And for good reason.
For the fifth time this season, the 42-year-old pitched well enough to earn his first win in a Giants uniform. And for the fifth time this season, he was denied the decision.
After nine starts, Verlander (262 career wins) still sits 38 wins away from the exclusive 300-win club. Now in his 20th MLB season, the three-time Cy Young Award winner is running out of time to notch Ws, and his team isn’t doing him any favors.
Verlander (L, 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K) once again pitched well in the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday at Oracle Park, and once again, local media found themselves asking San Francisco manager Bob Melvin a similar version of a question he’s been asked a handful of times already this season.
“Again, it’s about losing the game,” Melvin said when asked how frustrating it was not to reward Verlander with a win. “I think it’s just when you keep pitching well, literally it was just two balls off of [Corbin] Carroll’s bat. Other than that, he pitched into the seventh inning, so he’s given us quality starts the last four times or so.”
Verlander did surrender nine hits, so he wasn’t his sharpest, but two of those hits, solo home runs off the bat of Carroll in the third and fifth innings, were enough to earn an “L” next to his name.
That’s typically not the case for a starting pitcher who surrenders two or fewer runs over six innings of work, but for Verlander, that’s how the cookie, or the Giants’ lineup, has crumbled for him.
“It’s one of the tough things about being a starting pitcher, you know? You want to win baseball games,” Verlander said postgame. “You have the exact same outing and you win, you feel really good when you go home, versus this one you don’t feel nearly as good.”
Despite not recording a win himself, Verlander has been able to celebrate team wins (May 6 vs. Chicago, April 9 vs. Cincinnati, April 4 vs. Seattle) after some of his outings. That first winning decision, though, will feel different. Even if his routine afterward remains the same, regardless of a win or a loss.
“Go home, watch a TV show, have a glass of wine,” Verlander said of his post-start routine. “Get ready for tomorrow. Come in early, start getting ready for my next start.”
Pitcher wins, for the majority of fans, and even players, hold very little value in the year 2025. And for good reason. For Verlander, however, that’s not the case.
All he can do moving forward is give his team a chance to win. Which he’s done time and time again this season. Eventually they will reward him.
Former Test opener Marcus Harris cracks third County Championship century
Marcus Harris’ third County Championship century for Lancashire has given Australian selectors plenty to ponder ahead of next month’s World Test Championship final.
Has a city with an NBA and WNBA team won the draft lottery in the same year?
Has a city with an NBA and WNBA team won the draft lottery in the same year? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Dallas basketball has the potential to be set up for the foreseeable future.
The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery delivered a twist, predictable or not, that saw the three worst teams in the league — the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards — not rewarded for their failures.
Instead, the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks surpassed them to form the top three. In the end, Dallas landed the first pick and the chance to take Duke star prospect Cooper Flagg, a versatile forward who can change any team for the better.
The Mavericks’ luck — conspiracy theories and all — timed well with its WNBA counterpart. The Dallas Wings had also won the draft lottery earlier in the year, putting them in pole position to take UConn star Paige Bueckers, which they did.
Following the NBA and WNBA lotteries, Dallas is set to be the second city to draft first overall in the same year. Of course, the Mavericks could still trade the pick, but that won’t be known until late June when the draft is held.
In 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Rockers became the first. The Cavs infamously took LeBron James, while the Rockers selected LaToya Thomas before folding operations the season after due to ownership issues.
The Mavericks endured a turbulent year full of injuries, but the main story involved Luka Doncic. Before the February trade deadline, Doncic was stunningly dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
Dallas fans understandably had all sorts of feelings — sadness, anger, anguish and insert any other emotion here. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison held multiple press conferences — publicly and privately — to attempt to justify his decision.
Mavericks fans rightfully didn’t want to hear it after losing a drafted star they fell in love with, off the heels of an NBA Finals run, among other memories.
But Harrison now has the opportunity to take Flagg and form an intriguing trio with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and more if the rest of the roster is filled out properly and health isn’t as unfavorable.
Whether Harrison is ever vindicated for the trade is unknown. Perhaps it could be if he’s still in the front office and Flagg helps deliver a championship.
Bueckers has the same opportunity on the women’s side, as the Wings are seeking a fourth championship having been on a drought since 2008. Their other two wins include 2003 and 2006.
Not many cities have the luxury of a young men’s and women’s basketball star embarking on parallel journeys. But after the seasons both the Wings and Mavericks had, at least the future is bright.
Has a city with an NBA and WNBA team won the draft lottery in the same year?
Has a city with an NBA and WNBA team won the draft lottery in the same year? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Dallas basketball has the potential to be set up for the foreseeable future.
The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery delivered a twist, predictable or not, that saw the three worst teams in the league — the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards — not rewarded for their failures.
Instead, the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks surpassed them to form the top three. In the end, Dallas landed the first pick and the chance to take Duke star prospect Cooper Flagg, a versatile forward who can change any team for the better.
The Mavericks’ luck — conspiracy theories and all — timed well with its WNBA counterpart. The Dallas Wings had also won the draft lottery earlier in the year, putting them in pole position to take UConn star Paige Bueckers, which they did.
Following the NBA and WNBA lotteries, Dallas is set to be the second city to draft first overall in the same year. Of course, the Mavericks could still trade the pick, but that won’t be known until late June when the draft is held.
In 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Rockers became the first. The Cavs infamously took LeBron James, while the Rockers selected LaToya Thomas before folding operations the season after due to ownership issues.
The Mavericks endured a turbulent year full of injuries, but the main story involved Luka Doncic. Before the February trade deadline, Doncic was stunningly dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
Dallas fans understandably had all sorts of feelings — sadness, anger, anguish and insert any other emotion here. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison held multiple press conferences — publicly and privately — to attempt to justify his decision.
Mavericks fans rightfully didn’t want to hear it after losing a drafted star they fell in love with, off the heels of an NBA Finals run, among other memories.
But Harrison now has the opportunity to take Flagg and form an intriguing trio with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and more if the rest of the roster is filled out properly and health isn’t as unfavorable.
Whether Harrison is ever vindicated for the trade is unknown. Perhaps it could be if he’s still in the front office and Flagg helps deliver a championship.
Bueckers has the same opportunity on the women’s side, as the Wings are seeking a fourth championship having been on a drought since 2008. Their other two wins include 2003 and 2006.
Not many cities have the luxury of a young men’s and women’s basketball star embarking on parallel journeys. But after the seasons both the Wings and Mavericks had, at least the future is bright.
What we learned as Jimmy Butler a non-factor in Warriors' Game 4 loss to Wolves
What we learned as Jimmy Butler a non-factor in Warriors' Game 4 loss to Wolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – With an injured Steph Curry watching from the sidelines, the Warriors now are one loss away from their season coming to a close after a 117-110 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night at Chase Center.
The Warriors now are in a three-games-to-one series deficit, and have lost three straight playoff games for the second time under Steve Kerr, and the first since blowing a 3-1 series lead in the 2016 NBA Finals
The score didn’t tell the real story, especially with how bad the third quarter was for the Warriors, who had a two-point lead at halftime, and then trailed by 20 points at the end of the third quarter.
Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards (30 points) and Julius Randle (31 points) were too much to handle. The duo combined to score 61 points on 22-of-42 shooting and were 10 of 19 on 3-pointers. Pure dominance.
It was unfair to expect Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga to repeat their performances from Game 3 when they combined to score 63 points, which amounted to 65 percent of the Warriors’ overall points. Kuminga scored a team-high 23 points on 6-of-13 shooting in Game 4, but Butler only had 14 points and was a game-worst minus-30.
The two didn’t receive much help from their teammates elsewhere.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ Game 4
Butler Goes Quiet
The 33 points Butler scored in Game 3 were his most in a playoff game since dropping 35 on the Boston Celtics to open the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. He played 43 minutes, and Butler looked gassed down the stretch. The Warriors’ offense crumbled, and Butler was just 1 of 7 in the fourth quarter.
Jaden McDaniels made sure Butler didn’t get comfortable early, and the Warriors’ star never got going. Butler took one shot in the first quarter and had one point. At halftime, he had seven points on five shots. Yet the Warriors still led by two points, 60-58.
Then the third quarter happened. Butler couldn’t find any extra juice, and McDaniels only made his life worse. The long and rangy but still twitchy all-world defender stuck to Butler’s every move. He manipulated screens and made the game as difficult as possible for Butler.
As the Warriors were outscored 39-17 in the third quarter, Butler played all but eight seconds. Somehow, he was their leading scorer for the quarter with eight points. It was that bad.
Butler only took nine shots all game, 17 fewer than Game 3.
Can’t Stop Kuminga
Even with several top defenders, the Timberwolves don’t have an answer for Kuminga. He isn’t aimlessly putting his head down and attacking the basket. Kuminga is assessing, and in a blink, he finds another gear that the Timberwolves can’t match.
Kuminga shook the Timberwolves’ defense in each of his two first-half stints. Through 13 minutes, Kuminga already was up to 16 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting and made all eight of his free throws. The only player on his level going into halftime was Julius Randle, who already had 19 points and five rebounds for the Timberwolves.
His eight free throws in the first half were Kuminga’s most for an entire game since Dec. 30, 2024, when he made 10.
Kuminga got to 20 points entering the fourth quarter, but the Warriors were trailing by 20 points. The 11 free throws he made, missing just once, tied a career high.
Trouble From Downtown
The 3-point line always looks a little different when Curry isn’t on the court. Once again, it became a major problem for the Warriors.
A game after going 0 of 5 in the first half but finishing 10 of 23 on threes, the Warriors looked like the three-ball could be a strength. Draymond Green made his first two attempts, and the Warriors in these playoffs were 3-1 when he made multiple threes. They’re now 3-2, as Green missed his final four threes.
Buddy Hield, who scored just 13 points in 35 minutes, was the only other Warrior to make multiple threes. He was 2 of 6 from 3-point range and 4-of-11 shooting overall.
Brandin Podziemski took four threes and missed all four. He’s now 3 of 17 on threes this series. Butler missed his lone attempt, and Kuminga missed both of his two tries. At least Moses Moody and Quinten Post, two players now out of the rotation, made threes in garbage time.
The Warriors as a team were outscored by 24 points behind the 3-point line. The Timberwolves had four players make multiple threes and went 16 of 34 (47.1 percent), a stark contrast to the Warriors’ 8 of 27 (29.6 percent). While the Warriors couldn’t make shots, they often didn’t seem to want to take shots either.
Latest on Tatum's scary leg injury late in Celtics' Game 4 loss to Knicks
Latest on Tatum's scary leg injury late in Celtics' Game 4 loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Jayson Tatum’s brilliant performance at Madison Square Garden on Monday had a nightmare ending for the Boston Celtics.
Tatum suffered a painful right lower leg injury with 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of Boston’s Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. The injury was non-contact, as Tatum went down on his own while diving for a loose ball.
The Celtics star appeared to be in significant pain and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the floor. ESPN’s cameras showed Tatum being transported through the MSG tunnel in a wheelchair.
Tatum will get an MRI on his right leg Tuesday, according to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who called Tatum’s ailment a “lower body injury” after the game.
“Obviously you’re always worried about someone’s health, so the fact that he had to be carried off — he’s the type of guy that gets right up,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He didn’t, and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is, but it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried off like that.”
The injury put a damper on a terrific night for Tatum, who contributed 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in nearly 40 minutes of play.
In the short term, the Celtics face a 3-1 series deficit and will have to win Game 5 at TD Garden on Wednesday without their best player to keep their season alive. But Tatum’s injury, if it’s as severe as it looked, could have significant long-term ramifications for a Celtics team that’s already deep in the luxury tax.
Wednesday’s Game 5 is set for 7 p.m. ET, and in the meantime, all eyes will be on Tatum as the team awaits the results of his MRI on Tuesday.
Latest on Tatum's scary leg injury late in Celtics' Game 4 loss to Knicks
Latest on Tatum's scary leg injury late in Celtics' Game 4 loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Jayson Tatum’s brilliant performance at Madison Square Garden on Monday had a nightmare ending for the Boston Celtics.
Tatum suffered a painful right lower leg injury with 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of Boston’s Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks. The injury was non-contact, as Tatum went down on his own while diving for a loose ball.
The Celtics star appeared to be in significant pain and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the floor. ESPN’s cameras showed Tatum being transported through the MSG tunnel in a wheelchair.
Tatum will get an MRI on his right leg Tuesday, according to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who called Tatum’s ailment a “lower body injury” after the game.
“Obviously you’re always worried about someone’s health, so the fact that he had to be carried off — he’s the type of guy that gets right up,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He didn’t, and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is, but it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried off like that.”
The injury put a damper on a terrific night for Tatum, who contributed 42 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in nearly 40 minutes of play.
In the short term, the Celtics face a 3-1 series deficit and will have to win Game 5 at TD Garden on Wednesday without their best player to keep their season alive. But Tatum’s injury, if it’s as severe as it looked, could have significant long-term ramifications for a Celtics team that’s already deep in the luxury tax.
Wednesday’s Game 5 is set for 7 p.m. ET, and in the meantime, all eyes will be on Tatum as the team awaits the results of his MRI on Tuesday.
Diamondbacks promote top prospect Jordan Lawlar after hot start in Triple-A
SAN FRANCISCO — The Arizona Diamondbacks called up top prospect Jordan Lawlar on Monday as they fight for position in the National League West division.
The D-backs also reinstated reliever Kendall Graveman to the active roster. The veteran right-hander hasn’t pitched this season because of a strained right lumbar.
The 22-year-old Lawlar likely will play a variety of positions for Arizona, including second base, shortstop and third. He was hitting .336 with six homers, 31 RBIs and 13 stolen bases at Triple-A Reno.
The Diamondbacks had a 21-20 record entering Monday’s game in San Francisco, which was fourth in NL West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Giants.
Lawlar played in the big leagues briefly in 2023, helping the Diamondbacks in a limited role during their surprise run to the World Series. He hit .129 in 31 at-bats.
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft missed much of last season with injuries.
To make room on the roster, the D-backs designated infielder Garrett Hampson and reliever José Castillo for assignment.
Florida Panthers Provide New Update On Important Forward
During the Florida Panthers' Game 4 matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, forward Evan Rodrigues exited in the third period with an undisclosed injury. This was after former teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson hit Rodrigues when he did not have the puck. Following the game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice shared that Rodrigues would need to undergo further evaluation.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is handed a 2 minute minor for interference on Evan Rodrigues 🫣 pic.twitter.com/U7Xa9Ux8IH
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 12, 2025
While speaking to reporters on May 12, including NHL.com's Jameson Olive, Maurice provided the latest on Rodrigues.
"He's not ruled out [for Game 5], but not cleared to play," Maurice said about Rodrigues. "He's still being looked at."
The Panthers will certainly be hoping that Rodrigues is given the green light to play in Game 5, as he is a very important part of their forward group. This is also a crucial game for the Cats, as a win would give them a 3-2 series lead over the Maple Leafs.
Rodrigues, 31, has played in nine post-season games this spring for the Panthers, where he has three assists and a minus-2 rating. In 82 games this regular-season for the Atlantic Division club, he posted 15 goals, 32 points, and a career-high 128 hits.
Recent Panthers News
Max Domi fined maximum allowable by NHL for boarding Sasha Barkov at end of Game 4The physicality and nastiness of the second-round series between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs has been steadily increasing.
Panthers' Paul Maurice Responds To Max Domi's Dirty HitThe Florida Panthers secured a massive 2-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4. With this, the Panthers have now tied the series back up at 2-2 after losing each of the first two games.
Sam Bennett Makes Perfect Comment After Panthers' Game 4 WinGame 4 was a massive matchup for the Florida Panthers, and they stepped up big time. The Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 2-0 final score in the contest and have now tied the series back up at 2-2 after losing both Games 1 and 2.
Three takeaways: Panthers back to playing their kind of hockey, second line looking familiar in best of waysIt’s amazing how much a playoff series can change in just a few days.
What we learned as Justin Verlander solid again in Giants' tough loss to D-backs
What we learned as Justin Verlander solid again in Giants' tough loss to D-backs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — The only thing colder than a summer night at Oracle Park is the Giants’ offense right now.
Manager Bob Melvin made some noticeable adjustments to his starting lineup on Tuesday in an effort to jumpstart San Francisco’s struggling offense, but the result was more of the same, as the Giants lost 2-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Giants sent Justin Verlander to the mound against Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly (W, 7 IP, 8 H, ER, 0 BB, 8 K) as they looked to snap a three-game losing streak. Spoiler alert: They did not.
Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ fourth consecutive loss that drops them to 24-18:
Doing Everything He Can
Verlander (L, 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 K), who continues on his unlikely journey to 300 career wins, has pitched well enough to earn at least three wins so far this season, but the Giants have continued to find creative ways to spoil each one.
He toed the rubber against a Diamondbacks team that he historically has pitched well against throughout his career.
Verlander was 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA with 58 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP in 48 2/3 career innings pitched against Arizona, and that trend continued on Monday.
Outside of two solo home runs off the bat of Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll in the third and fifth innings, Verlander, as he has been over his last five starts, was excellent.
Different City, Different Team, Same Ramos
Heliot Ramos has been just about the only bright spot on offense for the Giants lately. He has been on fire since April 26, batting .419 with 11 runs, three doubles, four homers, nine RBI, five walks and a 1.267 OPS over his last 13 games.
He showed no signs of slowing down in the series opener on Monday, recording three hits in his first three at-bats against Kelly. He very easily could have had four hits in the game if not for an absurdly acrobatic catch by Arizona left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the bottom of the eighth.
Not only has he been on fire offensively, but Ramos has been excellent defensively after making minor adjustments to his approach in left field. After making two impressive diving catches in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins, Ramos made perhaps his best catch of the season in the top of the eighth.
Unfortunately for the Giants, one player only can do so much.
They Tried, It Didn’t Work
Melvin strayed from his and the team’s consistently harped-on theme of roster continuity this season.
Matt Chapman, who primarily has hit fourth, moved up into the second spot in the lineup, previously held by Willy Adames, who moved down to the six hole. Ramos, usually in the fifth or sixth spot, moved up to third in the order, while Jung Hoo Lee, usually third in the lineup, moved down to cleanup.
Meanwhile, utility man Wilmer Flores started at first base in place of the struggling LaMonte Wade Jr., who, according to Melvin, just received a day off.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying, but Melvin’s adjustments didn’t result in much offense.