LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers runs down court during the first half at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY.
Is LeBron James taking his talents back to South Beach?
What appears to be a mistake by one team might have spoiled the fun — or maybe not.
The Heat’s YouTube page published and then quickly deleted a video titled “LeBron James Introductory press conference” along with the date of July 27, 2026.
However, the Miami Herald reported that the team’s social media department accidentally published the video, which was being prepared in case he did sign with the Heat, not that the team had notice of James’ actual decision.
The 41-year-old’s next move has been speculated on for weeks since it became clear he was not returning to the Lakers, and this inadvertent posting of a video to the web has only added fuel to the fire.
In the summer of 2010, James famously took part in “The Decision” that aired on ESPN, where he announced he would be leaving his hometown Cavaliers for the Heat.
James played four seasons with the Heat, winning two NBA Finals crowns and taking home his third and fourth league MVP awards.
The Miami Heat’s official YouTube channel had LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27
A return to Miami would make a lot of sense, particularly if he wants to win his fifth championship ring. The Heat made the blockbuster move of the offseason when they struck a deal with the Bucks to landed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers runs down court during the first half at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
“He has a choice to make. He has a business choice to make,” Paul said. “We’re not going to sit here and decide or allow someone else to decide when he makes that decision, or choice. It’s a business choice he’s making.”
The Heat, Cavaliers, Warriors and 76ers are among the teams rumored to be in the running for James’ services.
Robert was playing only his second game after his removal from the injured list. He had been sidelined since April 27 with lumbar spinal disc herniation.
“[Monday] and today, those first couple of at-bats I was just trying to get into a rhythm,” Robert said through an interpreter.
Robert’s homer was the fifth longest of his career, according to Statcast. It was the longest of his three homers this season. He started in center field, surrounded by rookies A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge.
“It’s a beautiful thing because none of us have to cover that much ground when we’re all out there,” Robert said. “It’s a lot of fun because any of us can get to those balls at any moment.”
Benge needed nearly a month to get his first season on the right track, but he hasn’t looked back since.
Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing (9), outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) and outfielder Carson Benge (3) celebrate a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The rookie outfielder entered Tuesday with an .809 OPS in July, a continuation of the success he saw over the previous two months. Benge had a .750 OPS in June after posting an .801 mark in May.
Peaks and valleys are common for a rookie, but Benge’s consistency has been refreshing to a team that has received underperformance from several more experienced players. Benge had a .498 OPS on May 2.
New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the eighth inning at American Family Field. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
“It’s just getting adjusted to the league,” Benge said before going 2-for-5 with two RBIs. “After I kind of figured it out the first time, it kind of helped me realize how to get back on track if I’m not doing too well.”
Benge’s steadiness is hardly a surprise to Andy Green, who oversaw the farm system until becoming the team’s interim manager last month.
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“I think he’s wired as a person to handle the ups and downs that come with the big leagues and not make a mountain out of every molehill, because that mountain just gets bigger if you do,” Green said. “He just shows up and plays baseball and does that well.When you put the ball in play at good angles like he does, you tend to get a lot of hits.”
Clay Holmes is expected to pitch in a minor league rehab game later this week, but Green wasn’t certain on which day or for which affiliate. The right-hander, who is rehabbing from a fibula fracture, threw 45 pitches in a simulated game Saturday.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 21, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ST. LOUIS -- Tynan Lawrence made sure to keep an open mind as the days counted down to the moment he'd eventually find out where he'd be selected in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Early prognostications had the 17-year-old as a potential top-10 pick in the first round. But then injury came, two of them as a matter of fact, a broken foot and sprained ankle. There was also a change in venue, too, a move from Muskegon of the United States Hockey League to powerhouse Boston University in an effort to make last season count in limited action.
But in the end, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound center was projected in more than a few mock drafts to go No. 11 to the St. Louis Blues, and that's where he would wind up.
"I didn't know for sure," Lawrence said in his first visit to St. Louis after the draft. "I really didn't know any team for sure, but I kind of knew that was my range and seeing the Blues pick me, I was super thrilled. I knew it was a really exciting team, so I was happy."
The Blues picked what Doug Armstrong and the Blues scouting staff called a "dog on a bone," a 200-foot player that will continue his development with the Terriers after putting up 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 13 games with as captain of the Lumberjacks, before finishing up with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games with BU.
This is the same player that put up 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 56 games for Muskegon the previous season and another 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 14 playoff games. As a 14-year-old with the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary's 14U-AAA team, Lawrence had 93 points (37 goals, 56 assists) in 56 games. But he's added that 200-foot pedigree to his game, and now the work really gets going in backing up the claims by the Blues organization that saw that in him.
"I think that's one of my better strengths is my 200-foot ability, not cheating for offense and not cheating on the defensive side," said Lawrence, who heard from the likes of Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours and Jordan Binnington upon being drafted. "I feel like combining those two and working hard with my speed, I feel like you can help your team out a lot and I feel that's a big thing."
Lawrence isn't on the Blues' radar any time soon, but he will be. That's why this time spent at BU competing for championships will serve his growth exponentially.
"The NCAA hasn't been a 17-year-old league and it's now becoming one, and 17 vs. 25 years old, that's a big difference," Armstrong said. "He went there and we just expect him to continue to grow and get better, but we think he's a 200-foot player that can play in that middle second-third line on our team and in our organization. I actually view the way the team has been built and the way the league has been going. I think we have a primary line right now if coach decides to use it that way with Holloway, Snuggerud, and Robert Thomas, then I think you need six forward who can make the balance of the next two lines. They're pretty interchangeable on where they're going to go. I think that a Lawrence is going to slide in there like all that group of players."
Lawrence will grow and develop under Jay Pandolfo, who spent 15 seasons as a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins, someone who understands the ins and outs of what it takes to be an NHL player, someone who has graduated players from his alma mater as its head coach the past four seasons, including Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens), Ryan Greene (Chicago Blackhawks) and Shane Lachance (Devils).
"That was kind of my main idea for development," Lawrence said. "I felt like just going to BU, having that half season under my belt, I felt like I was a lot better than at the start and just kind of being able to take that to next year and build on that and kind of teach the young guys. Everyone got a year older. I feel like we're going to have a really special team next year.
"[Pandolfo] kind of knows that I know it's going to take a lot. You can't take anything for granted. You've got to work for it no matter what pick you were, how high or anything like that. Having him there is definitely a lot of fun and also my teammates. A lot of them have been drafted. Some of them played in the NHL last year and connecting with them. Their experiences definitely helped me a lot."
Lawrence is known for his high-end motor, quick in transition and a smooth and explosive skater, something the Blues can definitely use in the organization with the game geared more towards speed and 200-foot ability. It's all up to him to implement those attributes in having a successful 2026-27.
"Personally and team-wise, I feel like we want to get back to where BU is normally the last couple of years other than last year, making the tournament, the Frozen Four, going far like that," Lawrence said. "I feel like that's a big expectation for my team. For myself, I just want to be a big contributor, someone my coach can trust and have a big impact on a team next year."
And continuing to be that dog on a bone.
"Yeah, a little bit," Lawrence said of the description. "That's pretty short and sweet."
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LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Egor Dëmin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on July 14, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation thinks maybe it’s time for an Egor Demin apology form. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic doesn’t go that far … just says Demin was the best second year player in Las Vegas. So does Ben Golliver of ESPN. Demin’s got Zach Lowe “excited” about the Brooklyn Nets!
Time to forget, to excuse all that bad analysis from just after the 2025 NBA Draft when the Brooklyn Nets reached for the 6’9.5” Russian, taking him at No. 8 when most draftniks thought he was late lottery at best. One mock even had him as a second rounder. Those who put that mock together will remain anonymous to protect them.
The analysis wasn’t limited to the media. Jeremy Woo of ESPN polled NBA executives back then and found Demin received the most votes for the biggest reach of the Draft. Demin got seven votes while the Trail Blazers received four votes for taking a Chinese 7-footer who spoke no English, Hansen Yang, at No. 16. Who can forget the laughter among the ESPN crowd on Draft Night?
So, it’s a good day to compile the apologies and analyses considering that Demin was named second team All-Summer League after putting up at least 20 points in each game he played in Las Vegas, just as he did in the California Classic in Sacramento earlier in the month.
He looks improved attacking the basket off the bounce, and he’s showing he can hit the defensive glass, too. The Nets have done a really good job developing Demin’s frame, and it’s paying off on both ends. Demin deserves a lot of credit himself for putting in the work to improve his jumper. I’m happy to be wrong about this one because Demin is a cool player with a fun skill set who should be a nice piece in Brooklyn’s rebuild for a long time.
Golliver in his list of best and worst of the Summer League called Demin the best sophomore. He struck the same tone as O’Donnell, a modified, “who knew?”
Boy, has the switch flipped for Demin, who was a timid and largely ineffective rookie for the rebuilding Nets. The Russian guard failed to make the most of his 6-foot-8 size last season, hanging out behind the 3-point line and rarely scoring at the rim.
Demin, 20, looked like a completely different and much more complete player this summer: He attacked off the dribble with greater regularity, finished in traffic and made good, assertive decisions as a playmaker. The Nets desperately need some of their recent draft picks to emerge as difference-makers, and Demin took a nice step in that direction by averaging 21.0 points and 4.3 assists in three Las Vegas exhibitions.
Also, in the didn’t-see-it-coming category were Vecenie and Bryce Simons, also of the Athletic, on Vecenie’s Game Theory podcast recapping how second year players did in Las Vegas.
NBA media has not had many kind words for the Nets organization in the last year.
Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon were in the “don’t see it” category on Egor Dëmin.
But after summer league, both have good things to say about his upside and feel like the Nets “hit” on the 8th pick. pic.twitter.com/aMa60DSPlW
“Egor was probably the guy who impressed me the most in Summer League among the returners,” Vecenie starts off. “Going from where he was at the end of last year before his injury to where he seemingly his now. Immediately from the first game, he looked way too good for the Summer League.
“The patience, the poise, the confidence displayed on the court was exactly what the Brooklyn Nets probably hoped to envision when they drafted him.”
Simons agreed, noting Demin did what he did without shooting well from three which last season was his calling card.
“To me, he was the most impressive non-rookie or the player that stood out to me the most,” Simons said. “To me, he just looked like an NBA player, the way he moved around the court smoothly and confidently. I had the exact same thought in a couple of games I watched. I thought he was trying to play with more physicality. I thought he did a lot of the things he needs to do to be successful.”
Lowe said simply, “I’m excited for the Nets,” when asked about Demin on The Zach Lowe Show Tuesday. He spoke glowingly about the fit between Demin and rookie Mikel Brown Jr. in the two Summer Leagues.
“The Nets best case scenario is the young guys looking good enough that someone (a free agent) looking around at them. I think they have a chance for the back court of the future – Egor and MBJ. That’s enough excitement for me.” he explained.
Rob Mahoney, also of the Ringer, joined Lowe. He said there’s anticipation about Demin and Brown Jr.
“Egor felt like one of the guys about to do something,” Lowe said. “Him and MBJ was one of my favorite combinations there. Egor may never get to the basket as much as others may like, I don’t know but as long as you put him with a dynamic slasher, I think it can really work – those two guys working together.”
Demin was of course one of the highest rookies from 2025 in Las Vegas. Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe, among others, were not on hand, but that said, what we saw from the No. 8 pick more than justified the Nets confidence in him early … and now pundits as well.
Jul 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
How would the St. Louis Cardinals respond to two of the most disappointing games of the year? Tuesday night in Anaheim, it was Matthew Liberatore on the mound for the Cardinals and the game started like the Angels were reading his mind.
To say that the game started off poorly for St. Louis would be a massive understatement. Problem number one was the Cardinals top of the 1st when Iván Herrera and Alec Burleson reached base with one-out singles only to be stranded when Jordan Walker flew out to right and Lars Nootbaar struck out. Bummer part one.
The bottom of the 1st inning would see the LA Angels jump all over Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore as if they had foreknowledge of every pitch he was throwing. Neto led off with a single followed by Mike Trout who did the same. Matthew then helped the Angels by walking Schanuel to load the bases. Jorge Soler doubled to left scoring Neto and Trout giving the Angels an immediate 2-0 lead. They were just getting started. Grissom then singled to right scoring Schanuel making it 3-0 Los Angeles. Jo Adell then punished a 79 mph Liberatore curveball launching it 405 feet giving the Angels a 1st inning 5-0 lead.
If you didn’t see the game broadcast, let me catch you up. The St. Louis Cardinals TV team muted the start of the bottom of the 3rd inning to show Jordan Walker reacting to his historic Home Run Derby performance last week. I’m very proud of what Jordan achieved and he needs to be celebrated, but it was a surreal moment having a baseball game play-by-play muted for something that happened 8 days ago. Some theorized that the audience would prefer to watch Walker’s home run heroics instead of what was happening in Angel Stadium and that might be accurate.
To Matthew Liberatore’s credit, he pulled it together after the shelling the Angels gave him in the bottom of the 1st inning. He limited the damage by keeping the Angels from adding to their lead through the middle innings. The problem is the St. Louis Cardinals offense was relatively silent until the top of the 5th inning. After Nathan Church flied out to lead off the Cardinals 5th, Blaze Jordan reached on an infield single and then advanced to third on a single by Bryan Torres. JJ Wetherholt grounded into a fielder’s choice, but Jordan scored on the play as JJ beat the throw to first giving St. Louis a badly-needed run cutting the Angels lead to 5-1.
To give you an idea of how bizarre the current stretch is for the Cardinals, Iván Herrera waved off the first pitch from Matthew Liberatore in the bottom of the 6th inning when he saw the scoreboard in right field make sudden changes which were distracting so he and manager Oli Marmol appealed to the umpires to not count the first ball that Matthew tossed and they agreed. Liberatore was removed from the game with one out in the bottom of the 6th after throwing 95 pitches. This will not be referred to as a good outing, but Matthew was able to eat some innings after the first 6 batters he face got hits off of him. Matt Svanson came in to try and keep the Angels where they were and he was successful for his part of the bottom of the 6th inning. Scott Blewett was the Cardinals solution for the bottom of the 7th and 8th innings. He also kept the Angels from adding to their lead.
Would the Cardinals find a way to light a fire and rally from 4 runs down in the final 3 innings? Well, José Fermínalmost hit a home run before grounding out in the top of the 7th inning and JJ Wetherholt nearly had a single leading off the top of the 8th inning and that’s about it. I almost forgot that Jordan Walker kept his 12-game hitting streak alive when his ground ball hit third base and shot straight up in the air in the top of the 9th inning. Oh, and Chip Caray managed to share the entire biography of Adele in the late innings because we Cardinals fans haven’t suffered enough the past 3 days.
The St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up what has been a massively disappointing road trip as they take on the lowly Angels (who have won the first 2 games) in a Wednesday afternoon contest. The Cardinals will send Hunter Dobbins to the mound while the Angels are giving Reid Detmers the start. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07pm central time in Angel Stadium. TV broadcast will be available thru Cardinals.tv.
Luisangel Acuña tossed a no-hit eighth innings while also accounting for one of three hits for the Sox. | (Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images)
When all was said and done, it was simply not the South Siders’ night. The Rangers’ (51-50) offense blasted 18 hits to shut out the White Sox (53-47), 10-0. Their bats were seemingly in hibernation while the pitchers were dishing out hits and runs left and right like it was an Oprah episode. Before Tuesday’s game, Chicago ranked second in the AL in run differential behind only the Yankees at +52. The 10-run loss erased Monday’s seven-run gain, dropping the White Sox to +42. Really, the most entertaining and impressive performance from the White Sox was Dan Plesac and John Schriffen’s journey through the massive “Boomstick” hot dog and Nacho Sombrero at Globe Life Field. Dan ate roughly 90% of that two-foot-long hot dog, which is remarkable, whereas losing 10-0 is not.
Please excuse me and John tonight we occasionally burp or belch during tonight’s broadcast… “The Rally Sombrero” … and the “Boomstick” … 7:05pm 1st pitch ONLY on @CHSN__ … it’s the @whitesox – @Rangers from TX. I’ll be lowering the “BOOM” on the “Boomstick” who’s with me ?? pic.twitter.com/aQlasMK9ML
Right off the bat, Noah Schultz ran into trouble, and he ended up getting knocked around for all 3 2/3 innings of his outing. The lefty surrendered five runs on 11 hits while striking out two, including a two-run homer from Brandon Nimmo in the bottom of the first to give Texas an early two-run lead. Though he didn’t walk anyone and was more controlled in the strike zone, he was hanging a ton of hittable pitches, but luckily, only one of those 11 hits sailed over the wall. Unfortunately, home runs have become a trend in Noah’s outings, as tonight’s was the seventh dinger allowed in his last six starts while holding a 7.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in his last seven games.
The pitching woes didn’t end with Schultz. Both Trevor Richards and Tyler Schweitzer also floundered for five more runs in relief, including the second two-run shot of the game, this time from Wyatt Langford off Schweitzer in the bottom of the fifth. The Rangers scored in five of their eight trips to the plate, putting a 10-run beatdown on the Good Guys after six while the bats remained dormant. Waving the white flag in the eighth, this one culminated in a position player pitching, as Luisangel Acuña entered the game and unironically recorded the best relief performance of the contest with two ground outs and a line out.
While the Rangers were teeing off against Chicago’s pitchers, the Sox couldn’t buy a hit to save their lives. Righthander Kumar Rocker worked through the South Side bats with ease, tossing a one-hit, six-inning shutout with six strikeouts and two walks while recording his third win of the season. The Good Guys mustered just one baserunner the first time through the order as Munetaka Murakami walked in the first, and was the hero in the fourth with a leadoff base hit to ensure they weren’t getting no-hit today.
There weren’t many opportunities for the White Sox to score runs in the first place, but they went 0-for-3 in the chances they did get, and left all seven of their runners on base. Acuña finally got a second hit for the South Siders in the eighth, and Miguel Vargas ended up with a ground-rule double in the ninth, but couldn’t cash in either opportunity. Putting Chicago to shame, the Rangers were a nuisance at the plate all night and went 7-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left another nine on base.
In my Game Thread earlier this evening, I noted how anytime the White Sox score a bunch of runs — especially double digits — they tend to score little to no runs and typically can’t get any hits in the next game. Sadly, they didn’t score any runs, and the pitching wasn’t good, but I was pretty spot-on with the hits — womp womp.
The series is still up for grabs, so hopefully some rest and a reset can help the Good Guys bounce back on Wednesday before heading back home to face the Houston Astros. Since the Cleveland Guardians were able to defeat the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland was able to pick up a game on us, so as of Tuesday night, the White Sox are once again tied in the division race.
We’ll be back tomorrow with coverage of the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT, with Anthony Kay taking the mound for Chicago.
MVP Luisangel Acuña: 1-for-3, K / 1 IP, 0 H
Runners-Up Munetaka Murakami: 1-for-3, BB Miguel Vargas: 1-for-4, 2B, K
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 21: Mickey Moniak #22 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the purple home run jacket in the dugout after his sixth inning solo home run against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on July 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a hot night at Coors Field with a hard-hitting Washington Nationals team ready to pick up where they left off on Monday night.
But it was not to be as the Colorado Rockies offense came to play tonight.
Despite a less-than-stellar performance from Michael Lorenzen, the Rockies were able to keep up with a hot Nationals team and tally the win, 8-7.
Taco’s for everyone!
There was a whole lotta offense — on both sides
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Rockies were behind before even taking an at-bat.
Lorenzen retired the first two batters he faced before allowing a José Tena single followed by a CJ Abrams homer, his third in three games.
There was no more action from the Nationals in the top of the first, but the Rockies headed to the plate down 2-0.
Cole Carrigg managed to break the seal for the Rockies in the first, but he was unable to score.
Nationals opener (and former Rockie) Carson Palmquist moved efficiently through the first inning, but struggled in the second — and the Rockies were eager to pounce.
First, he walked leadoff batter TJ Rumfield before hitting Kyle Karros with a pitch. Mickey Moniak stepped up to the plate with an RBI single that scored Rumfield and cut the Nationals lead, 2-1.
Not to be left out, Carrigg knocked a single to score McCarthy. The score was 4-2 Rockies, and the move knocked Palmquist out of the game with bulk reliever Miles Mikolas entering to finish the second.
Palmquist’s final line was 1.2 IP allowing four runs (earned) on four hits. He walked one and struck out two. His current ERA is 8.74.
The Rockies lead did not last long, as Abrams hit his second home of the game and tied the score.
It was a night for scoring, though, and in the Rockies half of the third, Willi Castro led off with a double that Karros was able to score. By the end of the inning, the Rockies had a 5-4 lead.
It would be short-lived.
In the fourth inning, Lorenzen issued a walk and a single with two outs before James Wood hit a double to give the Nationals a 6-5 lead. Manager Warren Schaeffer went to LHP Brendan Bernardino to end the inning.
The Rockies threatened in the fifth when Hunter Goodman hit a one-out double. With two outs, Rumfield hit an RBI single to tie the game.
Only one thing was certain at this point: If the Rockies were to win, the fans would get taco’s.
Things looked like they might be dire in the sixth when Victor Vodnik issued a leadoff single to Daylen Lile, who was able to progress to third on a Keibert Ruiz groundout. But Nasim Nuñez hit a high chopper to Ezequiel Tovar, who threw to home where Goodman tagged out Lile before shooting the ball to first, catching Nuñez in a rundown.
Johnston grounded out, but then the Rockies loaded the bases after an error to put Tovar on base followed by two singled from McCarthy and Carrigg.
As Goodman headed out to the plate, the Nationals pulled Mikolas and went to RHP Orlando Ribalta.
The strategy worked as he struck out Goodman and Castro. Still, the Rockies finished the sixth with the lead.
As for Mikolas, his final line was 3.2 IP allowing three runs (earned) on six hits. He struck out one and did not issue any walks.
Surprising absolutely no one, the Nationals rallied back in the seventh with Jimmy Herget pitching in relief. After Herget got the first out, Wood followed that with a double and the Luis García Jr hit a double. Jorbit Vivas, after a nine-pitch at-bat, hit a sacrifice fly to score Wood, and the game was (again) tied.
The Rockies had traffic in the seventh when Karros walked followed by a Johnston single, but Tovar struck out to end the threat.
In the eighth inning with two outs, Hunter Goodman entered the chat and blasted his 31st home run.
And with that, Goodman tied his 2025 total of 31 homers.
”I finally got a somewhat hittable one,“ Goodman said, ”and it was good.“
The ninth inning went to Jordan Romano.
He moved through the Nationals efficiently: Jacob Young filed out to right; Wood struck out; and García Jr struck out swinging.
Game over.
In what was an offensive smorgasbord on both sides, the Rockies finished the evening with eight runs (all earned) on 12 hits, including two home runs. They walked twice and struck out six times.
While commending his team’s overall effort, and pointing to Goodman’s homer, Schaeffer said, “The defense was huge.”
Michael Lorenzen struggled through it
It was not Lorenzen’s best outing, who did not manage a clear inning in the 3.2 he pitched. Moreover, all of the runs he allowed were scored with two outs.
Much of the damage came from Abrams’ two homers, and it’s worth noting that 12 of the 16 home runs Lorenzen has allowed have come from lefties.
His final line was six runs (all earned) on seven hits across 3.2 IP and 80 pitches. He walked one and struck out five.
Lorenzen’s current ERA is 6.53.
The bullpen gets the job done
Brennan Bernardino continues to impress. He finished off the fourth inning for a struggling Lorenzen and then retired the side in the fifth. He went 1.1 IP, allowing no hits or walks. He struck out one batter.
Schaeffer turned to Vodnik for the sixth, and the righty benefited from a fielder’s choice double play. He allowed one hit but no runs on six pitches.
Herget had the seventh and, after some traffic, allowed one run. His final line was 1.0 IP, allowing one run (earned) on two hits. He walked one (Abrams, which was just sensible) and struck out one.
The eighth inning went to Juan Mejia, who was in top form. Mejia faced the minimum, giving up no hits and strike out one.
Although the Rockies do not officially have a closer, that duty often now falls to an increasingly confident Jordan Romano. Tonight he did not disappoint, facing three batters and talking two strikeouts.
“It’s a really difficult lineup to get through,” Schaeffer said, commending his bullpen.
“They pounded the strike zone,” he added. “Efficient and confident.”
Up next
Join us tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 for Game 3 as the Rockies will look to take the series.
RHP Cade Cavalli will face RHP Gabriel Hughes in what should be a fun game.
LeBron James is going back to the Miami Heat ― at least that's what many are speculating after the organization's latest slip up.
The Miami Heat's official YouTube page briefly leaked a live video stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" that was set for July 27, 2026.
It has since been unlisted and made private. It seems that the video has been momentarily taken down, but not fast enough for internet scourers to collect their screenshots, screen-records and begin running with the narrative that James is headed back to the 305.
The Miami Heat YouTube channel just accidentally LEAKED the LeBron signing 😱😳🚨 pic.twitter.com/qqKjC5b70m
If it's true, then at least we know that there will be an announcement within the next six days.
However, it seems that it was a mistake on the Heat's social media department, according to Miami Herald reporter Anthony Chiang, who covers the Heat.
"It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now," Chiang wrote on social media.
An explanation on the "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" video that has taken over X ...
It was a mistake by the Heat's social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now.
He has since took NBA media, fans and the overall basketball world on a circus trip trying to be the first to guess where he'll go play his record-setting 24th NBA season.
However, the latter have not been spoke of lately. To add to that, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is already out on making a pitch because he knows that Minnesota wasn't in James' top three picks.
Hope still remains for Cleveland, Philadelphia and Bay Area fan bases, but if there's any truth to this leak, get ready for fans to bring out those No. 6 jerseys in South Beach again.
James would be returning to a city and franchise that he first joined 16 years ago at age 25. He helped lead the Heat to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, being named Finals MVP each year. He won two league MVPs in Miami, the same years he won titles.
In four seasons with the Heat, James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists on 54.3% field goal shooting.
Former Yankees pitcher and Hall of Famer CC Sabathia celebrated his 46th birthday the way every parent dreams of: seeing their child live out a dream.
Sabathia watched as his son, Carsten Sabathia III, signed his first professional baseball contract with the Brewers on Tuesday after the club drafted him in the 20th round of this year’s draft.
“Best Birthday ever. My son Carsten is officially a Brewer!!!” the former hurler wrote in the post, along with a photo of him with his son and wife, Amber.
Carsten Sabathia III of the Trenton Thunder hits the ball during an MLB Draft League baseball game at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, United States, on June 14, 2026. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Carsten wore a Brewers jersey in the photo and had a team hat on the desk where he signed his contract.
Carsten played infield during his time at the University of Houston, hitting .283/.374/.511 with six home runs during his senior season.
Former New York Yankee CC Sabathia throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2025. Getty Images
The elder Sabathia played for a trio of teams during the course of his major league career, including a stop in Milwaukee during the 2008 season.
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He was acquired at the trade deadline that year from Cleveland and posted an 11-2 record with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts for a team that reached the playoffs for the first time since 1982 that season. Even with just half of a season with the Brewers, he was inducted into the franchise’s Wall of Honor in May.
All of that is to say, the fact that his son will now play for a team he was once part of must mean a lot to Sabathia.
From October to April, the Pittsburgh Penguins teased the rest of the NHL, staggering through long periods when they looked like anything but the defending Stanley Cup champions.
But when the NHL’s longest and most tumulnous season finally concluded on the first night of June at Chicago Stadium, it was again Mario Lemieux and the Penguins who hoisted the Stanley Cup.
The final game was a fitting end to the Penguins’ journey. Throughout the game, they teased the Blackhawks, taking four one-goal leads and entering the final period in a 4-4 tie before snuffing out the Hawks 6-5.
Despite the nip-and-tuck nature of the last game, in the end the Penguins were simply too much for Chicago. The four-game sweep was the first since the Edmonton Oilers beat the Boston Bruins in 1988.
And there can be no doubt that once again the Penguins are the class of the NHL.
Pittsburgh finished the playoffs on an 11-time winning streak. Ironically, the Blackhawks entered the final series with a similar 11-game streak only to be buried by the Penguins’ combination of defense, headlined by the goaltending of Tom Barrasso, and offense, headlined by Lemieux.
“I think you can win one Stanley Cup and people might say you got the breaks,” Barrasso said. “But two in a row, that really says something. It says something about your character.”
Those who wish to rush to judgment and fit the Penguins into a niche among the NHL’s championship teams would do well to compare this group to Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers. Much like those Edmonton teams, which featured Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Mark Messier, this Penguins’ team has ample offense with Lemieux, emerging star Jaromir Jagr and Kevin Stevens.
The comparison becomes even stronger when you consider, like those Edmonton teams, the Penguins have learned that when the playoffs arrive, they must sacrifice some of their freewheeling offense for defensive grit.
They learned that lesson well under coach Bob Johnson last season and used that memory reflex this spring to limit their opponents to just 36 goals in their final 14 games.
“We can play it any way they want,” Stevens said. “If they want to open it up against us, that’s fine. We’re confident we can play that way and nobody can stay with us. And if they want to play the other way, well, that’s fine, too.”
When you look back at Pittsburgh’s championship odyssey, you will see a team that was driven by the challenge of big games. Jarred by the death of Johnson early in the season, they chafed under the cactus style of coach Scott Bowman. The complaining came to a head during a team meeting in February but they never let off-ice problems blot out their final goal.
“We never lost our focus,” Barrasso said. “We always stuck together and we went through a lot with the death of our coach. It was a tough season for Scotty Bowman. A lot of people, I think, looked at it as if he would be a failure if we did not win the Cup. That’s a lot of pressure.”
The Penguins’ playoff road began with a scary seven-game series against the Washington Capitals, a series in which they were forced to the wall for the only time in the playoffs, trailing 3-1 in the series before mounting a comeback.
"We learned our lessons in that series,” left winger Troy Loney said. “We stopped taking penalties. There is no better feeling than having a cut on your face at the end of the series but shaking hands in the winning line.”
Pittsburgh wobbled through the regular season. There was actually some question about whether the Penguins would qualify for the playoffs in the competitive Patrick Division. But when the Penguins could see April, they drove up the tempo.
Following a similar plan as last season, general manager Craig Patrick made a major move in February, sending 100-point scorer Mark Recchi to the Philadelphia Flyers and superstar defenseman Paul Coffey to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that brought rugged forward Rick Tocchet and defenseman Kjell Samuelsson to Pittsburgh.
It was a move similar to the acquisition of Ulf Samuelsson and Ron Francis from the Hartford Whalers last spring and the results were just as impressive.
With Lemieux, Jagr, and Stevens filling the sails with wind, guys such as Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson, and the rest of an underrated defensive corps helped batten down the hatches.
Having escaped the Washington series, the Penguins faced what many felt would be their most severe test in a second-round match with the New York Rangers. The Penguins watched as Lemieux and Joe Mullen were wiped out with injuries at Madison Square Garden. But even with those two gone, the Penguins took the series against a team with the best record in the NHL.
“I think that series was the toughest,” Barrasso said. “With Mario and Joe Mullen gone, a lot of guys had to come to the front.”
Lemieux, who came back for the second game of a four-game sweep over the Boston Bruins in the semifinals, played brilliantly despite a damaged hand.
Before the final series, Chicago coach Mike Keenan warned his Blackhawks might try to “lean on” Lemieux. He had it wrong. The only people who lean on Mario Lemieux are the Pittsburgh Penguins, and once again he held them up.
“He’s the greatest player in the world,” Keenan said after the final game. And again, the leader of the Stanley Cup champions
The Mets feel really good about Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as arms of the future, but Zac Thornton is quickly emerging as an intriguing name in that mix, as well.
Thornton was spectacular again against one of baseball’s best on Tuesday night, shutting out the Brewers across six strong innings to take home his first career victory.
“It’s sort of a lift off the shoulders,” he told SNY’s Steve Gelbs postgame. “I’ve always wanted to help this team contribute to winning, and now I’ve made my mark.”
The lefty was in control for the majority of the night, leaning on his full arsenal and consistently pounding the zone.
He did face some trouble after an infield single and a walk in the bottom of the first, but immediately turned a comebacker into an inning-ending double play.
Thornton would face the minimum from there, retiring the next 13 batters he faced in order before the Brewers were able to generate some traffic again in the sixth.
Back-to-back singles brought that stretch to an end and put two men on with no outs, but the 23-year-old quickly bared back down and picked up a huge strikeout.
He was then helped out by a Milwaukee baserunner blunder and A.J. Ewing’s second spectacular catch of the night in left to end his outing with another zero on the board.
Thornton allowed just a walk and three singles on the night.
“He’s just the same guy,” interim manager Andy Green said. “Unafraid, attacks, went after every hitter -- it’s a good mix with aggression and there was some good defense behind him, a ton of good plays all over, it was fun to see.”
The southpaw has now pitched to a 1.93 ERA through four big league starts.
He’s also gone 18 consecutive innings without allowing a run, which is the longest streak by a Mets rookie since fellow lefty Steven Matz in 2016.
With each passing inning, Thornton’s already sky-high confidence only continues to grow.
Following the Mets' 4-0 win over the Brewers on Tuesday night, interim manager Andy Green and others talked about the game...
ROBERT STILL LOOKING FOR RHYTHM
Tuesday was Luis Robert Jr.'s second game back from an injury that kept him sidelined since April, so it was going to take some time for the first-year Mets outfielder to shake the cobwebs out at the plate.
After going hitless in four at-bats, with three strikeouts, in Monday's series opener with the Brewers in Milwaukee, Robert showed the power that made him coveted by the Mets this past offseason.
With the Mets up 3-0 in the eighth, Robert slammed an 87 mph cutter from Brewers reliever Bryse Wilson over the left-center field wall for his third home run of the season. The blast left Robert's bat at 112.2 mph and went 451 feet over the bullpen and into the concourse at American Family Field.
Robert was asked how many times in his career he's hit a ball that well and far before. The 28-year-old, who has hit 105 long balls in his seven-year career, said he's hit plenty like it, but acknowledged he's still trying to find his rhythm at the plate after missing nearly three months.
"Yesterday and today, the first couple of at-bats I was just trying to get that rhythm," Robert said after the game through an interpreter. "I was able to connect today with that homer, but at the same time, just continue to go out there, work and try to fall into that rhythm."
Following Tuesday's game, Robert is slashing .213/.308/.340 with an OPS of .648 through 26 games. Robert has started in center field since he's returned as the Mets showcase the outfielder for a potential trade before the Aug. 3 deadline.
ELITE OUTFIELD DEFENSE
In the Mets' 4-0 win over the Brewers, the defense was superb.
The combination of Robert in center, Carson Benge in right and A.J. Ewing in left -- his first start there in his MLB career -- meant no ball hit out there would hit the grass.
"A.J. is going to defend wherever you stick him in the outfield. Feels like when those three guys are out there together, you have three centerfielders," Green said. There’s a ton of extra value of having guys that can make those types of plays in the corner outfielders.
"[The Brewers] hit some balls hard and they found the gloves of good defenders today."
"It’s great, it’s a beautiful thing because none of us have to cover that much ground when we’re all out there," Robert said of the outfield through an interpreter. "It’s a lot of fun because any of us can get to those balls at any moment."
While young starter Zac Thornton was dealing, a lot of the zeroes he put up was thanks to the defense behind him. Of the 18 batters Thornton retired, nine were retired by the three outfielders. None bigger than in the sixth inning.
With two outs and two runners on, Brice Turang hit a fly ball to left field. Ewing was turned around, but adjusted fast enough to make a sprawling catch to end the inning.
"I yelled and said, ’Let’s go," Thornton said of the Ewing play. "He made two great plays out there."
"With the speed that's out there, it gives you confidence to attack the zone and have the guys play defense behind you," Devin Williams, who pitched a clean ninth, said of his defense.
DEVIN RETURNS TO MILWAUKEE
Williams allowed a hit, but otherwise put the bow on the Mets' win on Tuesday night. What was significant about the appearance for the closer is that he made his first appearance in Milwaukee as an opposing player.
The last time Williams pitched in Milwaukee was when he allowed the go-ahead homer to Pete Alonso during the 2024 Wild Card series. Williams was traded to the Yankees that offseason but never pitched in the city of the organization that drafted him until Tuesday.
"Kind of a weird feeling, sitting in the opposing bullpen having been there since 2020," Williams said of the experience. "It was good. Put up a zero and helped us get a win.
"I had a little bit more adrenaline, I would say. But nothing crazy," Williams later said.
In six seasons with the Brewers, Williams pitched to a 1.83 ERA and saved 68 games across 241 appearances.
Former Senators forward Andrew Agozzino has announced his retirement from pro hockey.
Agozzino played 847 AHL regular-season games over his 14-year pro career. The 35-year-old also played 53 NHL games with stops in Colorado, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, San Jose and, finally, this past season in Utah. He announced his retirement on Instagram with some of his favourite hockey photos from his career.
It was almost five years ago to the day that Agozzino signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $800,000 with the Senators. He was used almost exclusively in Belleville that year, where he finished third in club scoring with 43 points in 66 games.
But he did get called up for one game in the 2021-22 season, making him a member of the Senators' one-and-done club.
Agozzino is one of just 18 players to appear in exactly one regular-season game for the Senators. Every one of them hoped there would be a second, but it never came.
Here's the full list:
Martin St. Amour — Left Wing (LW) — 1992-93*
Kevin MacDonald — Defenceman (D) — 1993-94*
Bobby Dollas — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000
Erich Goldmann — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000*
David Van Drunen — Defenceman (D) — 1999-2000*
Simon Lajeunesse — Goaltender (G) — 2001-02*
Brooks Laich — Centre (C) — 2003-04
Julien Vauclair — Defenceman (D) — 2003-04*
Danny Bois — Right Wing (RW) — 2006-07*
Andre Petersson — Right Wing (RW) — 2011-12*
Nathan Lawson — Goaltender (G) — 2013-14
Matt O'Connor — Goaltender (G) — 2015-16*
Patrick Sieloff — Defenceman (D) — 2017-18
Daniel Taylor — Goaltender (G) — 2017-18
Andrew Agozzino — Left Wing (LW) — 2021-22
Viktor Lodin — Centre (C) — 2021-22*
Magnus Hellberg — Goaltender (G) — 2022-23
Hunter Shepard — Goaltender (G) — 2025-26
The only man in the one-and-done club to record a point in their game with the club was Sieloff, who scored a goal in a 7-2 loss to Florida in 2018.
Remarkably, Sieloff played only one other NHL game in his career (with Calgary), and he scored in that game, too.
For 10 players on the list, marked by an asterisk, their lone appearance with the Senators also proved to be the only NHL game of their careers.
At first glance, that might seem a little sad. But ask almost any retired minor pro player, and they'd tell you they would have given just about anything for even one night in the NHL.
A small taste of the dream is way better than none at all.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the Sens headlines below:
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 21: Jesus Rodriguez #79 of the San Francisco Giants slides into home to score a run during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 21, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Baseball games, even walk-offs, are not decided by one play. And, more pertinent to the sweeping point that I will eventually make at some point in this story, baseball games certainly are not decided by one lack of a play, even though our minds often wander the “what if” caves all night. There’s some damn good spelunking in those caves. Far better than anything the San Francisco Giants are doing. Allocate your time accordingly.
All of this is to say that there are a lot of reasons, people, and moments behind the Giants’ 3-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Tyler Mahle allowed a pair of runners to reach base without recording an out to start the sixth inning — that’s bad. Sam Hentges entered and allowed an inherited run to score, while loading the bases — that’s bad. Keaton Winn replaced him and gave up a go-ahead RBI single that would have been a tailor-made double play if it were a few feet in either direction — that’s unlucky. The front five in the lineup (Heliot Ramos, Bryce Eldridge, Casey Schmitt, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames) combined to hit 1-18 with six strikeouts — that’s atrocious. They had six balls all day hit harder than 91 mph — that’s awful. Luinder Avila had far and away the best start of his career — that’s either bad or unlucky, depending on your point of view.
And so on and so forth. You know the drill. You’ve followed 59 of these losses now.
But. You know there’s a but. All those literary tropes in the first paragraph were leading to that but.
While a loss is always a collection of poor moments weaved together to build an unsightly quilt, there are, in some cases, A Moment. Usually it stands out in the box score. A big home run. A walk-off hit, which the Giants had experienced in two of the prior three nights.
But sometimes, especially for teams with a narrative, that moment is a little more hidden. Because it’s less how the moment impacted the game, and more what it represents. A Moment that stands as a surrogate for A Season, and my goodness are the Giants in the midst of A Season.
Tuesday’s loss had such a moment. It occurred in the top of the seventh inning. The Giants had ceded a pair of runs in the prior inning, seeing their 2-1 lead get flipped into a 3-2 deficit. They needed one lowly run, and they had three innings to accomplish it.
Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a single, setting a potential rally in motion. Jesús Rodríguez, who had doubled earlier in the game and scored on an incredibly artful dive, laid down a lovely bunt to advance Lee into scoring position. With that, Avila, who had stymied the Giants all game long, was done. He exited the front of the stage, while Matt Strahm entered from the back.
And suddenly, all was set for A Moment. The Moment. Which was, arguably, less a moment and more an absence of one.
The tying run was at second base, with just one out. The pitcher, while once an All-Star, was a player laboring through the type of season that ends careers — Strahm entered the game with a 7.24 ERA, and having allowed 10 home runs in just 32.1 innings.
It’s at the point in the tale where I need to point out one critical detail: Strahm is left-handed. He presumably writes left-handed, and I suppose he likely eats left-handed, but, more pertinently, he throws a baseball left-handed.
And it was Drew Gilbert’s turn to bat.
Gilbert, as you’re likely aware, simply cannot hit left-handed pitchers. Not yet, at least. Probably not anytime soon, if ever. Just can’t stand them, really.
He entered the game having hit 1-28 against southpaws on the season, with one walk and 10 strikeouts. He had ground into as many double plays against lefties as he had hits and walks, combined, against them. Throw in last year’s starts and he’s a career .065/.104/.087 hitter against left-handed pitchers.
Here’s some context that you really, really weren’t asking for: for his career, Tim Lincecum hit .112/.171/.129.
So in the one corner the Giants had Tim Lincecum in the midst of a hitting slump. And in the other corner they had something about as visible in Giants land as Lincecum these days: a bench.
With Harrison Bader and Jonah Cox injured, the Giants didn’t have a right-handed center fielder they could turn to, but they had Grant McCray, a fellow lefty who could serve as a defensive replacement if Gilbert were pinch-hit for.
And on the bench they had Daniel Susac, a right-handed hitter who had a delightful game at the plate on Monday. Sitting next to him was Luis Arráez, who received a rare day off but was available to pinch-hit. You might be familiar with Arráez: he’s hitting .316 against left-handed pitchers this year.
The only question should be whether they opted for Susac or Arráez. But since this is A Moment we’re talking about, you know what they actually did: let Lincecum Gilbert have his at-bat.
These are the moments that define a game, sometimes for surprising good and other times for predictable bad. Since I’ve already revealed numerous times that the Giants lost, you probably can surmise as to which category this moment fell into.
Gilbert took a first-pitch strike in the heart of the plate, then fouled off a second-pitch strike in the heart of the plate, then swung wildly at a third-pitch fastball a foot above the zone. And just like that, he was gone. And so, too, was the rally, try as Christian Koss did to prolong it.
Tony Vitello would finally pull that bench off the shelf in the ninth inning. After Lee drew a mighty impressive one-out walk, McCray pinch-ran for him. But alas, McCray never attempted to steal second, despite reliever Alex Lange using both of his step-offs.
And when the game ended — fittingly, on a Gilbert fly ball (this time against a righty) — Arráez was standing in the on-deck circle, awaiting an opportunity two innings late, and which ultimately never came.
Had Vitello handled the seventh inning more sensibly, what would have happened? The Giants lose, probably. Because that’s the team they are. But the inevitability of defeat does not forgive a baseless process. If anything, it only makes the inexcusable that much harder to justify.
It’s times like these that make you wonder whether the Giants are 17 games below .500 because of talent, luck, or simply because, top to bottom, it doesn’t seem like anyone has any idea what they’re doing. The evidence is certainly mounting in favor of one of those options.
