TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 25 points, Brandon Ingram finished with 23 and the Toronto Raptors beat Miami 121-95 on Tuesday night, an outcome that locked the Heat into the play-in tournament for a fourth consecutive season.
Jakob Poeltl scored 17 points for the Raptors (44-35), who moved within a game of idle Atlanta for the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Toronto is aiming for its first playoff trip since 2022 and leads Philadelphia (43-36) by one game in the race for the sixth and final guaranteed berth in the East.
RJ Barrett scored 16 and Jamal Shead had 11 assists off the bench for Toronto.
A 19-2 run by the Raptors in the first half turned a two-point deficit into a 13-point lead, and Toronto maintained the double-digit margin virtually the entire rest of the way.
Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points for Miami (41-38), which now likely needs to win its final three games to have any realistic chance of escaping the No. 10 seed going into the play-in tournament for a second consecutive year.
Tyler Herro and Norman Powell each scored 14 for the Heat. Bam Adebayo — who had an 83-point game for Miami last month against Washington — was held to seven points on 2-for-14 shooting, and the Heat lost for the ninth time in their last 12 games.
Toronto improved to 3-0 against the Heat this season. The Raptors have swept Miami in a season series only twice before — going 4-0 against the Heat in 2007-08 and 2018-19 — and will aim to do so again on Thursday when the teams finish a two-game series in Toronto.
The Raptors improved to 13-4 against Southeast Division teams this season.
The Florida Panthers continued their final road trip of the season on Tuesday night when they visited the Montreal Canadiens.
Florida played some solid hockey against the playoff-bound Habs, but couldn’t hold a late lead, ultimately losing 4-3 to Montreal in a shootout.
A strong start by the Panthers was rewarded with the game’s opening goal.
Already outshooting Montreal 6-1, Florida took the lead after Donovan Sebrango carried the puck through the neutral zone and into Montreal’s end before firing a long wrist shot that was stopped by Jakub Dobes.
The rebound went off his right pad and straight to Carter Verhaeghe, who one-timed the puck into the net to put Florida up 1-0 at the 9:23 mark of the opening period.
It was a lead that held until just past the intermission.
With Tobias Bjornfot in the penalty box for slashing, Montreal rookie Ivan Demidov one-timed a pass from Cole Caufield past the blocker of Daniil Tarasov and into the net, knotting the score at one just 54 seconds into the middle frame.
Cole Reinhardt’s fifth tally of the season gave the Cats their lead back late in the period.
Catching up to the puck in Montreal’s zone with nobody between him and the goaltender, Reinhardt held the puck until Dobes committed, then extended his arms and wrapped the puck around the sprawled out goalie and into the net with 6:17 on the clock.
The score remained 2-1 until another Montreal scored on a delayed penalty early in the third period.
With six attackers on the ice, Phillip Danault picked up a loose puck in the slot and wired a wrist shot past Tarasov, knotting the game at two with 13:38 remaining.
This time, the Panthers answered in quick fashion.
Just 87 seconds later, Eetu Luostarinen got his stick on a long shot by Gus Forsling and deflected the puck over Dobes, putting Florida right back in front 3-2.
The Panthers held their lead until the final seconds, when Nick Suzuki caught Tarasov out of position and tied the game with just 20.1 to go.
Overtime solved nothing, so the game went to a shootout.
Goals by Cole Caufield and Alex Texier would be more than enough as Montreal picked up the bonus point.
Photo caption: Apr 7, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers goalie Daniil Tarasov (40) stops Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) and teammate forward Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the second period at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 07: Porter Martone #94 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center on April 07, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
That’ll do it for the 2025-26 New Jersey Devils.
We’ve all known this season has been over for a long time now, but tonight’s 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers sealed the deal. Thanks to this loss plus an Ottawa Senators win out of town, the New Jersey Devils have officially been eliminated from postseason contention this season. It was only a matter of time.
In their first game after general manager Tom Fitzgerald was fired, the Devils had a chance to show some fire and pride. Not just as a show of respect to their former GM, not just as a way to show they feel bad they got someone fired, but also because they had a chance to put a major dent in a hated rival’s playoff hopes. Philadelphia came in having won 14 of their last 20 games, which has vaulted them into playoff position for the first time in a while. Their hold on a postseason spot is very tenuous though, and a loss this evening would’ve caused some damage. Instead, Jacob Markstrom allowed a goal on the second shot he faced, then allowed another one in the blink of an eye, and it was all over from there.
To the Devils’ credit, after they went down 2-0 in the opening minutes, they really turned it on and smothered the Flyers through the rest of the first period. They pulled to within 2-1 thanks to a Cody Glass deflection goal off a Jonas Siegenthaler shot. But that was as close as they would get. New Jersey went to the man-advantage early in the second period, couldn’t score, then managed to get Jesper Bratt on a breakaway on which he missed the net, and the Flyers followed all that very shortly after with two quick goals. It was the perfect microcosm of this game and this season. The rest of the game was muddy and messy and uneventful, just like the Flyers wanted it. An empty-netter in the dying minutes was the final dagger.
If there’s one bit of cope I can offer, it’s that Philadelphia might learn all the wrong lessons from this run that they’ve found themselves on since the Olympic break. Despite the fact that they may play postseason hockey this year, this is still not a particularly good team. They have some young talent for sure, but aside from maybe Matvei Michkov, no one that I think is truly elite. Meanwhile their coach, Rick Tocchet, is a pretty bad head coach. The only reason they are in this position is because journeyman Dan Vladar has put up a wildly fluky .908 save percentage since the break. Does anyone truly believe that Dan Vladar is that good? So instead of continuing their rebuild – which I admit is starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel – they might let a random hot stretch from a career backup goalie influence them to cut corners and accelerate their rebuild to the detriment of their long-term ceiling.
But that’s about all I can offer you tonight, and really, how sad is that? The Devils started this season so well, then spent months stuck in a slow-motion car crash, then frantically tried to climb back into the playoff race after the Olympics, only to fall short when it mattered most.
On a night where this team was playing its first game after their general manager got fired, there was a chance to show some professional pride. Sadly, that didn’t happen. The Devils are in a transitional period at the moment, the liminal space between one general manager’s vision and another’s. In between, in this one-game sample size, we have been treated to some thoroughly uninspired hockey. It’s what we’ve become accustomed to this season.
We can only hope that next year will be different.
Thanks to the loss tonight, the Devils have officially been swept in the season series by the Flyers. If you just read that and thought to yourself “Huh, that seems rare. I wonder when the last time that happened was”, then I can tell you you’re not alone. I thought the same thing. So I did a little digging, and based on my amateur research, I found that the New Jersey Devils have not been swept in the season series by the Philadelphia Flyers since…
…1983-84.
Anyone is welcome to fact-check me on this, but I believe this to be correct after going through the historical stats on Hockey Reference. Granted, this season’s sweep comes with a bit of an asterisk because they only played three games against one another. In many, many seasons, the Devils and Flyers would play upwards of five times per season. In that 1983-84 campaign, they matched up seven times. Going 0-for-7 is true ineptitude.
But so is this. Even in the worst of years, the Devils could always count on getting at least a win against the Flyers. Not this time. Better luck next year.
Backbreaking
I can’t imagine how mentally taxing it must be to play in front of Jacob Markstrom. He has an uncanny ability to put his team behind the eight ball as fast as humanly possible. Since he came to the Devils, Markstrom has allowed a goal on the first shot he’s faced a truly unnerving amount of times. Tonight he allowed a goal on the second shot he faced, which is morbidly hilarious progress I suppose. Granted, the goal he allowed on that second shot tonight was way more on Jonas Siegenthaler than Markstrom, but he still failed to rise to the occasion and make a big save when his team needed it.
In addition to his penchant for handing opposing teams an early lead, his style of play is just so chaotic as well. He flops himself out of position so frequently that I’m beginning to suspect he has a phobia of blue paint. It’s tough to play in front of a goalie when you have no idea where he might be at any given second.
To me, it’s so reminiscent of Mackenzie Blackwood. I know it’s popular to look at his success in Colorado and conclude that New Jersey gave up on him too quickly. I disagree, though I might agree with the argument that New Jersey’s goalie coaching and organizational development ruined him to a certain extent. But while Blackwood was in New Jersey, he had a knack for allowing the softest goals you’ll ever see. It was a common joke that New Jersey would outshoot a team something like 40-18 but lose the game 4-3 when Blackwood was minding the net. He might not be a perfect stylistic match for Markstrom, but their abilities to put their teams in bad positions is almost one-to-one.
I would not be surprised if the skaters in front of Markstrom feel an extra mental burden playing with him. Squeezing the stick, walking on egg shells, sitting on pins and needles…whatever your idiom of choice, it probably applies. The feeling of dread and emotional defeat that sets in when they see Markstrom allow another soft, early goal must be overwhelming.
Don’t Get So Defensive
Since the heights of the 2022-23 season, the Devils reworked their blue line in a big way. Former general manager Tom Fitzgerald made a concerted effort to move away from speedy puck movers like Damon Severson and John Marino and move toward hulking stay-at-home defensemen like Johnny Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon. Jonas Siegenthaler belongs in that latter camp too, but his acquisition came long before this shift so I can’t get on Fitzgerald too much for that.
Still, the difference is clear, and it’s cost New Jersey a ton of offense over the years. This wouldn’t be a huge problem if all these defensive defensemen were, you know, good at defending. But the truth is, they haven’t been able to defend anywhere close to good enough. Siegenthaler embarrassed himself on the first goal tonight. Kovacevic was torched on the fourth goal. Dillon was reasonable tonight, and he’s probably been the best of the three, but locker room leadership aside, Dillon just doesn’t provide much value at this point in his career.
In today’s NHL, it’s very hard for a defenseman to provide value as solely a defensive stopper. It’s even harder to do that if you’re a defensive ace in name and reputation only. Whoever the next GM of the Devils is, they need to find a way to jettison the offensive anchors on the blue line. Tonight was example number one billion of why they need to go.
That’s Baseball Hockey, Suzyn
One random thought that occurs to me after tonight’s mess:
The Devils currently have 40 wins. They have four games remaining. As poorly as they played tonight and as disappointing as this season has been, I think there’s a reasonable chance they win two of their last four to get to 42 wins on the season…the exact same amount as the playoff-bound 2024-25 New Jersey Devils.
Last year’s team finished with 91 points and secured third place in the Metropolitan Division. This year’s team can max out at 91 if they run the table, and even if they do, they will still finish way out of the postseason picture. Funny(?) how things work sometimes.
Next Time Out
The Devils are back at it on Thursday when they play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be the final division game of the year. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Your Take
You know what to do. Leave your comments below. As always, thanks for reading.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 5: Elly de la Cruz #44 and teammate Matt McLain #9 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate the team's win following the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 5, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sandy Alcantara was the runaway winner of the National League Cy Young Award back in 2022 and, when right, remains one of the elite pitchers in all of Major League Baseball.
Since then, though, he’s had his share of hurdles. Tommy John surgery cost him all of the 2024 season, and his 2025 season – while thorough with 174.2 IP – featured a shell of his former self as command issues left him pitching from behind in counts like never before.
On Tuesday night vs. the Cincinnati Reds, though, Sandy looked every bit the part of his former self. For eight innings, he held Cincinnati scoreless, and did so in efficient enough fashion that he was brought back out for the Top of the 9th having allowed just a pair of hits all night. That changed immediately with a Matt McLain double with 1-out, and after Alcantara walked Elly De La Cruz the Marlins manager opted to turn to his bullpen with his ace at 95 pitches and the Marlins holding a perilous 2-0 lead.
The Reds proceeded to feast.
A double steal, a Sal Stewart sac fly, and a wild pitch by reliever Anthony Bender later and the game was tied a 2-2. And after Emilio Pagán flirted with (and avoided) disaster in the Bottom of the 9th, Cincinnati exploded for four runs in the Top of the 10th to seize a commanding lead.
Graham Ashcraft allowed the Manfred Man to score in the Bottom of the 10th, but no more, and Cincinnati walked away with a 6-3 victory after spending most of the day under the thumb of one of the best arms in the sport.
Other Notes
Despite his white-hot spring, McLain entered play on Tuesday with just a lone extra-base hit to his name during the 2026 season. He doubled twice in this one, though, driving in a pair of runs and scoring once to take home the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award for the evening. One double came in the 9th, the other with runners on in the 10th…that’s #clutch!
Andrew Abbott was mostly solid in his start He fired 5.1 IP and scattered 6 hits and a pair of walks, yielding a pair of runs while striking out two on 91 pitches.
Jose Franco, meanwhile, was nails out of the bullpen. He tossed a pair of hitless, scoreless frames.
Nate Lowe got a crucial hit in the Top of the 10th to give the Reds a 3-2 lead after coming in off the bench earlier in the game. He effectively replaced Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup (with Sal Stewart sliding over to 3B) in a prime example of just how deep this Reds bench truly is right now.
The back of Hayes’ baseball card shows him hitting .107/.167/.107 with zero extra-base hits so far this season.
The Reds are 8-3 on the season and almost, almost have a net zero run differential. If the pesky Pirates would just stop winning, they’d have the NL Central lead outright!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 5: Elly de la Cruz #44 and teammate Matt McLain #9 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate the team's win following the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 5, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sandy Alcantara was the runaway winner of the National League Cy Young Award back in 2022 and, when right, remains one of the elite pitchers in all of Major League Baseball.
Since then, though, he’s had his share of hurdles. Tommy John surgery cost him all of the 2024 season, and his 2025 season – while thorough with 174.2 IP – featured a shell of his former self as command issues left him pitching from behind in counts like never before.
On Tuesday night vs. the Cincinnati Reds, though, Sandy looked every bit the part of his former self. For eight innings, he held Cincinnati scoreless, and did so in efficient enough fashion that he was brought back out for the Top of the 9th having allowed just a pair of hits all night. That changed immediately with a Matt McLain double with 1-out, and after Alcantara walked Elly De La Cruz the Marlins manager opted to turn to his bullpen with his ace at 95 pitches and the Marlins holding a perilous 2-0 lead.
The Reds proceeded to feast.
A double steal, a Sal Stewart sac fly, and a wild pitch by reliever Anthony Bender later and the game was tied a 2-2. And after Emilio Pagán flirted with (and avoided) disaster in the Bottom of the 9th, Cincinnati exploded for four runs in the Top of the 10th to seize a commanding lead.
Graham Ashcraft allowed the Manfred Man to score in the Bottom of the 10th, but no more, and Cincinnati walked away with a 6-3 victory after spending most of the day under the thumb of one of the best arms in the sport.
Other Notes
Despite his white-hot spring, McLain entered play on Tuesday with just a lone extra-base hit to his name during the 2026 season. He doubled twice in this one, though, driving in a pair of runs and scoring once to take home the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award for the evening. One double came in the 9th, the other with runners on in the 10th…that’s #clutch!
Andrew Abbott was mostly solid in his start He fired 5.1 IP and scattered 6 hits and a pair of walks, yielding a pair of runs while striking out two on 91 pitches.
Jose Franco, meanwhile, was nails out of the bullpen. He tossed a pair of hitless, scoreless frames.
Nate Lowe got a crucial hit in the Top of the 10th to give the Reds a 3-2 lead after coming in off the bench earlier in the game. He effectively replaced Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup (with Sal Stewart sliding over to 3B) in a prime example of just how deep this Reds bench truly is right now.
The back of Hayes’ baseball card shows him hitting .107/.167/.107 with zero extra-base hits so far this season.
The Reds are 8-3 on the season and almost, almost have a net zero run differential. If the pesky Pirates would just stop winning, they’d have the NL Central lead outright!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 5: Elly de la Cruz #44 and teammate Matt McLain #9 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate the team's win following the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 5, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sandy Alcantara was the runaway winner of the National League Cy Young Award back in 2022 and, when right, remains one of the elite pitchers in all of Major League Baseball.
Since then, though, he’s had his share of hurdles. Tommy John surgery cost him all of the 2024 season, and his 2025 season – while thorough with 174.2 IP – featured a shell of his former self as command issues left him pitching from behind in counts like never before.
On Tuesday night vs. the Cincinnati Reds, though, Sandy looked every bit the part of his former self. For eight innings, he held Cincinnati scoreless, and did so in efficient enough fashion that he was brought back out for the Top of the 9th having allowed just a pair of hits all night. That changed immediately with a Matt McLain double with 1-out, and after Alcantara walked Elly De La Cruz the Marlins manager opted to turn to his bullpen with his ace at 95 pitches and the Marlins holding a perilous 2-0 lead.
The Reds proceeded to feast.
A double steal, a Sal Stewart sac fly, and a wild pitch by reliever Anthony Bender later and the game was tied a 2-2. And after Emilio Pagán flirted with (and avoided) disaster in the Bottom of the 9th, Cincinnati exploded for four runs in the Top of the 10th to seize a commanding lead.
Graham Ashcraft allowed the Manfred Man to score in the Bottom of the 10th, but no more, and Cincinnati walked away with a 6-3 victory after spending most of the day under the thumb of one of the best arms in the sport.
Other Notes
Despite his white-hot spring, McLain entered play on Tuesday with just a lone extra-base hit to his name during the 2026 season. He doubled twice in this one, though, driving in a pair of runs and scoring once to take home the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award for the evening. One double came in the 9th, the other with runners on in the 10th…that’s #clutch!
Andrew Abbott was mostly solid in his start He fired 5.1 IP and scattered 6 hits and a pair of walks, yielding a pair of runs while striking out two on 91 pitches.
Jose Franco, meanwhile, was nails out of the bullpen. He tossed a pair of hitless, scoreless frames.
Nate Lowe got a crucial hit in the Top of the 10th to give the Reds a 3-2 lead after coming in off the bench earlier in the game. He effectively replaced Ke’Bryan Hayes in the lineup (with Sal Stewart sliding over to 3B) in a prime example of just how deep this Reds bench truly is right now.
The back of Hayes’ baseball card shows him hitting .107/.167/.107 with zero extra-base hits so far this season.
The Reds are 8-3 on the season and almost, almost have a net zero run differential. If the pesky Pirates would just stop winning, they’d have the NL Central lead outright!
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he just wants to move on after the Dallas Mavericks contradicted his contention that their medical staff incorrectly conducted an MRI on Austin Reaves last weekend.
Reaves is out for the rest of the regular season after straining his oblique during the Lakers' blowout loss at Oklahoma City last Thursday. He was examined in Dallas, where the Lakers had subsequently traveled for their next game, by the Mavericks' medical team in a courtesy typically extended by home NBA teams to their visitors.
At the Lakers' practice in Dallas on Saturday, Redick claimed the Mavs' medical team “scanned the wrong area” and had to do two MRIs to identify Reaves' Grade 2 left oblique strain.
The Mavericks issued a statement to DLLS Sports on Tuesday saying their “medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time. There was no error in the scan performed.”
When Redick was asked why he claimed otherwise before the Lakers hosted the Thunder on Tuesday, he was brief.
“Look, I think in the end, we got the image we needed,” Redick said. “Obviously very appreciative, because it’s happened throughout the season, whenever the home team is accommodating to us, just like we would be for them. And we’re going to move on.”
The Lakers also lost Luka Doncic for the rest of the regular season during that loss in Oklahoma City. The NBA's top scorer has a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket as teammate Julian Reese #15 sets a pick against Tre Jones #30 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 7, 2026 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards lost to the Chicago Bulls, 129-98 on Tuesday night at home.
With the exception of a small Wizards lead toward the beginning of the game, Chicago ultimately shot 54 percent from the field in the first quarter and had a 38-18 lead. From there, the Bulls never looked back. This game was just a simple textbook blowout with the Wizards eyeing the 2026 NBA Draft.
For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly led with 19 points while Juju Reese added 17 points and 11 rebounds. For the Bulls, Rob Dillingham scored 26 points.
Sure, this loss was not fun to watch, but there was a minor win on the draft front. The Wizards will keep their protected first round draft pick!
The Wizards still play the Bulls at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Tip off is still at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 14: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a no call during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. will undergo his second knee surgery of the season, effectively ending his 2025–26 season, the team announced. Porter had missed the last ten games with synovitis, or severe knee inflammation. The team has not yet determined a timetable for his injury.
Porter will end his season with a murmur instead of a bang. He averaged career-highs in assists (7.4 per game), steals (2.2 per), and field goal percentage (.465), but only appeared in 38 games. Porter missed 19 contests after spraining his ankle nine minutes into Milwaukee’s season opener and struggled with various injuries, including a torn meniscus and a strained oblique.
The injuries turned what was a remarkable season for Porter, who took leaps and bounds in playmaking, efficiency, and scoring, into a what-if scenario. With Porter’s presence in the Bucks’ rotation not guaranteed—he holds a $5.3 million player option—his knee surgery plunges his future into doubt. It’s hard not to imagine Milwaukee closer to a playoff push with a healthy Porter.
In a press conference, coach Doc Rivers reported that Porter told him on Sunday, “Man, I didn’t come through for you.”
“And I said, ‘No, you’re fine,” Rivers continued. “You just got injured. It’s part of the game, and it happens.”
Although Porter could be healthy by next season, it will be interesting to see how his surgery and injury battles impact his attractiveness in free agency. It’s unclear whether Porter will take the guaranteed raise with his player option with the Bucks or decline it and become a free agent.
Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) relieves starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) of the ball during sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
In what was lined up as a battle of aces, the game delivered for the first 5 1/2 innings. However, it was Garrett Crochet who came out on top over Jacob Misiorowski, and the Brewers dropped their second game in Boston, 3-2.
Crochet started with a 1-2-3 inning, aided by a diving catch from Isiah Kiner-Falefa that took a double away from Luis Rengifo. Meanwhile, Misiorowski needed just 15 pitches to strike out the side in the bottom of the inning.
Gary Sánchez recorded the first hit in the second with a single to left-center, and a slow ground ball from Joey Ortiz moved him to second. That was it as Crochet struck out Luis Matos, and Sal Frelick grounded out to end the inning. As for Misiorowski, he didn’t strike out the side again in the bottom of the second, but started with two more strikeouts before a groundout ended the inning.
The Brewers kept up the pressure in the third with a line drive to center from Blake Perkins that just got over the head of Marcelo Meyer. David Hamilton moved Perkins into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Crochet recovered by striking out Brandon Lockridge, but a wild pitch in the next at-bat allowed Perkins to reach third. He would be stranded there as Crochet struck out William Contreras to end the inning.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox got their first baserunner from a Ceddanne Rafaela walk. Misiorowski recovered quickly with a strikeout of Connor Wong. Kiner-Falefa hit a hard-hit ground ball right by Misiorowski, but Hamilton grabbed it, tagged Rafaela, then threw to first to get Kiner-Falefa for the double play, ending the inning.
In the fourth, Sánchez drew a one-out walk to give the Brewers another baserunner. Ortiz hit a ground ball to shortstop Trevor Story, who threw to Meyer at second for the first out, but Ortiz beat the throw to first (which was off target anyway). However, the Brewers challenged, and on replay it showed that Story’s throw took Meyer off the base. Both runners were safe for Matos, but another ground ball to Story turned into an actual double play, ending the inning.
Misiorowski kept going in the fourth with some help from the defense. Roman Anthony hit a ground ball hard between first and second, but Hamilton made a diving grab, and a great catch from Sánchez beat Anthony to first.
Jarren Duran struck out for the second out, but Willson Contreras got the first hit for the Red Sox by singling to right. He would be stranded there as Misiorowski hit the outside corner against Wilyer Abreu for his eighth strikeout of the night, ending the inning.
Both pitchers kept dealing through the fifth. The bottom of the Brewers’ batting order went down in order against Crochet. As for Misiorowski, he started the fifth with a Story groundout and Meyer strikeout. The Red Sox did have a scoring chance thanks to a Rafaela single and a Wong hit-by-pitch, but Kiner-Falefa grounded out softly to end the inning. Through five innings, both pitchers had allowed just two hits and walked one. Crochet had five strikeouts and Misiorowki nine.
In the sixth, Crochet worked around a one-out single by Wm. Contreras for a scoreless inning, adding on two more strikeouts (the second confirmed on replay). Misiorowski started the inning strong with his 10th strikeout of the night. However, his mechanics fell apart after that. He walked the next three batters (Duran, Wn. Contreras, Abreu) badly, throwing 11 straight balls and 12 in 13 pitches. That ended his night as manager Pat Murphy went to DL Hall, who had not been warming up for long.
Hall started well with two strikes to Story. Unfortunately, his third pitch was a hanging changeup that Story hit down the left field line, scoring two. Pinch-hitter Caleb Durbin hit a ground ball off the first-base side of the mound, and the bounce meant Hamilton had no chance at getting the runner at home, so Hamilton took the out at first. A ground ball to Ortiz from Rafaela ended the inning, but the damage was done. Misiorowski was charged with three runs, and the Red Sox had a 3-0 lead.
While some may question why Misiorowski was left in for so long, the Red Sox made a similar decision with Crochet, and it had similar results. Ortiz led off the seventh with a single. Crochet responded with a strikeout of Matos, but a single from Frelick and a walk to Perkins loaded the bases. Then, with David Hamilton up, Crochet hit him with the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring Ortiz to put the Brewers on the board. That ended Crochet’s day, as Zack Kelly entered with the bases loaded and one out.
The Brewers called on Christian Yelich to counter Kelly. After working to a 2-2 count, Yelich hit a hard ground ball between second and third. Durbin just managed to knock it down and get Hamilton at second, but Frelick scored to make it a 3-2 game. Yelich then stole second to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Unfortunately, Wm. Contreras couldn’t cash them in, with a ground ball to Story ending the inning.
Hall remained out for the bottom of the seventh inning, retiring the side in order to keep it a one-run game. Meanwhile, the Red Sox went to Garrett Whitlock, their set-up man, for the eighth inning. After a rough outing on Monday, Whitlock rebounded against the Brewers with a clean inning of work. Hall continued into the bottom of the eighth, and walked Wn. Contreras around a flyout and groundout. Jake Woodford finished up the inning, getting Story to fly out and keeping it a one-run game.
The Brewers had one final chance against closer Aroldis Chapman. It started with a first-pitch flyout from Matos. Frelick then worked a four-pitch walk as Chapman was missing the strike zone badly. Unfortunately, Perkins didn’t take advantage and hit the first pitch to short, setting up an easy double play that ended the game.
Opportunities to score were limited in this one. The Brewers managed just five hits, three walks, and a hit-by-pitch on offense. Sánchez, Frelick, and Perkins were each on base twice with a hit and a walk. Hamilton and Yelich each had an RBI.
Meanwhile, Misiorowski was brilliant for 5 1/3 innings for the Brewers, but his line will be marred by those late three walks and the three inherited runners that Hall allowed to score. Hall saved most of the bullpen with 2 1/3 innings of work, but his scoreless appearance is marred by those runs. Woodford retired the only batter he saw to finish up the pitching staff’s day.
For the third straight series, the Brewers will head into a rubber match to try to win the series. The Red Sox will send out Sonny Gray for the afternoon game. Meanwhile, the Brewers have pulled back from Chad Patrick (who would have been starting on short rest) as their probable and have not announced a new one. They will either make a roster move before tomorrow’s game or roll with Shane Drohan in his MLB debut. First pitch is set for 12:45 p.m. on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 16: Sean Murphy #12 and Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves talk on the mound during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in TorontoOntario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
For once, we have some good injury news to report here in Braves Country. Earlier today, Walt Weiss provided some new information on both injured pitcher Spencer Strider and injured catcher Sean Murphy. While Strider still seems to be working his way towards health, the return of Murphy appears to be relatively imminent. Walt Weiss informed the media that Sean Murphy will be beginning a rehab assignment on Friday.
Needless to say, this is a very positive development on both fronts. Assuming Spencer Strider’s live BP goes well, that could be the prelude to a rehab assignment for him that should get him back on the field shortly. As far as Murphy goes, he was seen taking BP during Atlanta’s last homestand so this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise since it was apparent that he was ramping up baseball activities in recent times.
The obvious hope is that we don’t hear about any setbacks for either Murphy or Strider — oblique injuries are tricky to deal with in Strider’s case and hopefully Murphy will be pain-free for the first time in a handful of years. It’s still genuinely shocking to know that Murphy had been playing with a bad hip for as long as he did but as long as it’s taken care of and he can return to the lineup and be productive, then that’ll simply be water under the bridge.
So again, it’s lovely to be able to talk about some good injury news around here for once. We’ll keep you posted on any further developments concerning injury updates but for now, we’re getting closer and closer to the Braves getting their intended band back together at some point in the near future.
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 16: Sean Murphy #12 and Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves talk on the mound during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in TorontoOntario, Canada. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
For once, we have some good injury news to report here in Braves Country. Earlier today, Walt Weiss provided some new information on both injured pitcher Spencer Strider and injured catcher Sean Murphy. While Strider still seems to be working his way towards health, the return of Murphy appears to be relatively imminent. Walt Weiss informed the media that Sean Murphy will be beginning a rehab assignment on Friday.
Needless to say, this is a very positive development on both fronts. Assuming Spencer Strider’s live BP goes well, that could be the prelude to a rehab assignment for him that should get him back on the field shortly. As far as Murphy goes, he was seen taking BP during Atlanta’s last homestand so this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise since it was apparent that he was ramping up baseball activities in recent times.
The obvious hope is that we don’t hear about any setbacks for either Murphy or Strider — oblique injuries are tricky to deal with in Strider’s case and hopefully Murphy will be pain-free for the first time in a handful of years. It’s still genuinely shocking to know that Murphy had been playing with a bad hip for as long as he did but as long as it’s taken care of and he can return to the lineup and be productive, then that’ll simply be water under the bridge.
So again, it’s lovely to be able to talk about some good injury news around here for once. We’ll keep you posted on any further developments concerning injury updates but for now, we’re getting closer and closer to the Braves getting their intended band back together at some point in the near future.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rob Dillingham scored a career-high 26 points and the Chicago Bulls ended a seven-game skid, pounding the NBA-worst Washington Wizards 129-98 on Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game set.
In the first game since they fired their top two basketball executives, the Bulls were in firm control by the end of the first quarter, leading 38-18 against a Washington team that's seeking to maximize its odds of landing a top draft pick.
Chicago extended its lead to 66-37 by halftime and 100-63 by the end of the third against a Wizards team that appeared disinterested on defense. Patrick Williams added a season-high 20 points and Tre Jones had 20 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who play at Washington again on Thursday night.
The Bulls were 23-22 on Jan. 24 but have collapsed since, losing 27 of 34. Chicago made the playoffs just once in six seasons under executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, both of whom were fired Monday. On Tuesday, CEO Michael Reinsdorf said he wanted coach Billy Donovan to return next season.
Bilal Coulibaly scored 19 points for the Wizards, who have lost seven straight and 23 of 24. Washington started two players on two-way contracts, Juju Reese and Leaky Black, along with veteran Anthony Gill, who has long been one of the last options off the Wizards’ bench but has seen regular playing time lately with the roster depleted by injuries.
Reese had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Sharife Cooper also scored 17.
Up next
The Bulls go for a sweep of their three games against the Wizards this season.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 21: The sneakers worn by Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the LA Clippers on March 21, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (25-53) head back out on the road for their final trip of the season. The first game is Tuesday night, late, against the Los Angeles Clippers (40-38). The Mavericks are coming off a fun, but lottery impactful win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening. The Clippers last beat the Kings on Sunday and need this one as they’re trying to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers
WHAT: Final road trip of the season starts here
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
WHEN: 9:30 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
The injuyr report for the Dallas Mavericks is complicated. Let’s start with who is probable to play: Marvin Bagley despite a shoulder issue, John Poulakidas, and Tyler Smith are each playing despite being Two-Way players. Then on the questionable front: only Moussa Cisse, who an’t have too much eligbility left. Then we have the doubtful bunch: Daniel Gafford, who may not have an arm anymore, PJ Washington, labeled with the dreaded “soreness” of a body party, and lastly, Brandon Williams, doubful due to illness (he was too sick against the Lakers and helped them win).
The Clippers seem to be almost entirely healthy, minus a broken Bradley Beal but what else is new there.
The Clippers can’t afford to lose this one. Dallas, if we’re being honest about how tanking works, can’t afford to win this one. SO, we’ll see what happens next.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
A fired-up John Schneider — who literally turned red in the face — got ejected on Tuesday night after arguing what he thought was an improper balk call against his starting pitcher.
In the top of the fifth inning with the Blue Jays trailing 2-0 to the Dodgers, starter Kevin Gausman was called for a balk, allowing Hyeseong Kim to advance from first base to second.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider was LIVID and got ejected after a called balk pic.twitter.com/0e9lec93zl
Schneider was immediately incensed and got in the face of home plate umpire Dan Merzel, who called the balk. Merzel promptly gave the Toronto skipper the heave-ho.
But that didn’t mean Schneider didn’t get his money’s worth, as he got right in the face of the ump for over 30 seconds of an impassioned argument.
In the short term, though, the ejection proved unfruitful; Los Angeles’ Alex Freeland brought in Kim with an RBI single during the very same at-bat.
It’s been a slow start to the year for the American League champions, who were 4-6 entering Tuesday night’s showdown, a 2025 World Series rematch.
John Schneider got in the face of a home plate umpire on Tuesday night. TNTJohn Schneider was ejected for his tirade. TNT
Toronto started the new season with a series-opening sweep of the A’s but lost back-to-back series to the Rockies and White Sox, the latter a sweep on the South Side of Chicago.
Monday night proved to be another brutal day for the Blue Jays in a 14-2 loss to the Dodgers that saw World Series hero Miguel Vargas pitch the final inning. On top of the loss, starter Max Scherzer left his outing with a forearm issue. And, before Tuesday’s game, the Blue Jays announced starter Cody Ponce is likely out for the year after undergoing ACL surgery.
“I don’t want the woe is me, you know what I mean? It’s what can we do now?” Schneider told reporters Monday night. “Right now, not just our depth is being tested, our creativity is being tested as a group, like, how are we going to cover this, what are we going to do? It’s not always perfect, but we take a lot of pride in that and players do, too. The last five games have been really tough. But they’re in a good frame of mind.”
