Adam Proteau recently ranked the top 10 pending restricted free agents in the NHL for the 2026 NHL Off-Season. Philadelphia Flyers star forward Trevor Zegras made the cut, as he was given the No. 7 spot by Proteau.
When looking at the season Zegras just put together for the Flyers, it is certainly fair that he has been named one of the top pending RFAs by The Hockey News. The 25-year-old not only bounced back during his first season as a Flyer but together the best campaign of his career so far. In 81 games this season with the Flyers, he set career highs with 26 goals and 67 points.
With how well Zegras played this season for the Flyers, there is no question that he has set himself up for a nice raise for his next contract. Given how perfectly he has fit into the Flyers' system, he is a player that Philadelphia should be looking to lock up on a long-term deal as well.
It is going to be interesting to see what kind of contract Zegras gets from the Flyers. Getting him re-signed is easily one of the Flyers' most important tasks of the off-season.
Nelly Korda won the US Women’s Open on Sunday for her second consecutive major victory, holding off Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez by one shot when her final putt curled perilously around the cup and dropped in.
Korda’s first US Open win is the fourth major victory of her career, and she claimed it with a steady two-under 69 in the final round – but only after her second putt on the 18th green – from a little over 2ft – caught the edge and toured half the circumference of the hole before falling.
It takes 12 players, multiple coaches, a medical staff, front office and much more to win a championship, but to the general public, most of the credit falls on the big stars. For the Knicks, now two wins away from their first chip in over half a century, that’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but their roster of unsung heroes runs much longer.
One player who can’t be ignored is Landry Shamet -- now on his second consecutive veteran's minimum deal, Shamet's been a major part of their run to the championship, despite the bumps and bruises on the way.
Last year, he suffered a shoulder injury in preseason and agreed to rehab in the G-League before rejoining the team midseason. While he returned to action, he fell out of the rotation when the playoffs rolled around, until the Knicks desperately turned to him facing elimination in the Conference Finals.
He provided a nice spark, but New York had limited roster spots going into 2025-26, and he had to compete for another minimum deal. Shamet made the cut, but this year began to look like Déjà vu.
Shamet suffered another shoulder injury early this season, sidelining him for a third of it. He’d come back again, but wasn’t a major rotation piece early in the postseason.
Things turned around in New York’s second round, when Shamet popped for 15 and 12 points in Games 3 and 4 on the road in Philadelphia. His performance helped close out the Sixers, as he shot 6-of-9 from three in the two contests.
But the real magic came in Game 1 of the Conference Finals. With Josh Hart struggling down 22 and just seven minutes to play, head coach Mike Brown subbed in Shamet with the starters for spacing, and the Knicks rolled.
Shamet hit some of the biggest threes of the season: one to cut the lead to 17, another that bounced in with under a minute to play that tied the game, and finally the clincher in overtime. He finished with just these nine points, but they were crucial to one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Playoffs history.
He followed up with another pair of big road games, scoring 14 in Game 3 and 16 in Game 4, contributing to another dominant sweep. He finished the Conference Finals shooting a stellar 11-of-12 from downtown.
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena / David Richard - Imagn Images
If these performances weren’t enough to cement his legacy in this playoff run, his early start to the Finals might put #44 in the rafters. Shamet’s been a big boost off the bench in a series Brunson’s struggled and the Knicks haven’t played to their best offensively as a team.
Shamet scored 13 in Game 1 on 3-of-6 shooting from three, and another 13 on 3-of-7 three-point attempts in Game 2, as the Knicks won two tough road games to take control of the championship round.
Throughout his appearances, he’s defended hard and attacked the mid-range and paint to keep defenses honest.
It’s no exaggeration that the Knicks wouldn’t be in this spot without Shamet’s contributions. Miles McBride is averaging under seven points this postseason and Jordan Clarkson slowly fell out of the rotation as the competition stiffened.
With limited offensive help from the pine, Shamet’s been a major lift, providing double-digit scoring in single-digit victories. All on a prove-it contract that’s likely to now be aggressively outbid in the summer.
The Knicks are still two wins away from their ultimate goal, and Shamet will need to continue his pace to secure them. If that happens, he goes from heartwarming story to local legend, and no matter where he ends up, New York fans will be eternally, deservingly grateful.
Francisco Alvarez was back behind the plate as he continued his minor league rehab assignment on Sunday afternoon with Triple-A Syracuse.
The 24-year-old backstop enjoyed himself a much-needed strong day with the bat after going hitless in each of his last two appearances with the team.
Alvarez was retired his first two times up, but then drew walk before being stranded in scoring position.
He then ripped a third-pitch fastball right back up the middle in the top of the eighth, and came in to score a few batters later on a Matt Rudick homer.
Before that, Syracuse regained the lead on a Ryan Clifford RBI sacrifice bunt.
Alvarez finished 1-for-3 with a walk, and caught a runner too far off first on a back-pick.
The Mets don’t have an exact day for his return, but as long as things continue progressing as planned, he could be back in the lineup at some point during the upcoming six-game homestand.
On the mound for Syracuse, prospect Zach Thornton delivered a bounceback performance, allowing just two walks and walk hits while striking out five over five scoreless innings.
Tobias Myers followed that by only giving up an unearned run while striking out one over two innings of work in his second appearance following his demotion from the Mets.
Dylan Ross was called upon to get the final out after Syracuse ran into trouble in the ninth, and he allowed an RBI double and two walks before striking out George Lombard Jr. to end the game.
Ross took home his first save, but he’s now issued 16 walks over 18 outings this season.
Former NBA guard Jameer Nelson is taking on a significantly larger role within the 76ers organization following a dramatic front-office shakeup.
With Daryl Morey no longer the team president, the 76ers have also removed Elton Brand from his role as general manager — a position he held since September 2018.
Taking his place will be Nelson, the Philadelphia native and former NBA All-Star who has been the team’s assistant general manager since May 2025 and has been in the team’s front office since 2020.
Elton Brand, Daryl Morey, and Nick Nurse pose for a photo during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, at McCormick Convention Center. NBAE via Getty Images
The changes for Philadelphia follow yet another disappointing postseason exit, as Philadelphia’s hopes of a deep run ended, once again, in the second round of the playoffs.
Coming off the high of a seven-game series win against the Celtics, which included three straight victories to end the first round, the 76ers were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nelson has steadily climbed the organizational ladder since transitioning from his playing career.
The former Magic star has worked in player development, scouting and executive roles, leading to his promotion to the general manager seat.
His promotion signals a new direction for a team attempting to regroup after another second-round exit.
The 76ers haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years, and since becoming a perennial playoff team again, they’ve been eliminated in the second round in six of their last nine seasons.
Jameer Nelson and VJ Edgecombe talk during Round 2, Game 2 on May 6, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia enters the offseason with major roster questions, too.
Joel Embiid, 32, is going to make a combined $120 million for the next two seasons, with a $67 million player option in 2028-29.
Paul George, 36, will enter the third year of a four-year deal, earning $54 million next season with a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28.
Tyrese Maxey, 25, has three years remaining and will make over $40 million next season.
Jameer Nelson starred on the Magic alongside Dwight Howard. NBAE via Getty Images
The 76ers, who own the No. 22 pick in the draft, will also have free agency decisions to make on Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre.
With this hiring, Nelson now becomes one of the most influential figures in shaping Philadelphia’s future.
Before enjoying a successful NBA playing career, Nelson starred at Saint Joseph’s University, where he became one of the most accomplished players in program history.
After being the No. 20 pick in the 2004 draft, Nelson played with the Magic for 10 seasons, and starred on the 2008-09 team, which reached the NBA Finals and lost to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant’s first ring post Shaquille O’Neal.
Nelson, an All-Star that season, averaged 16.7 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, 45 percent from three and 89 percent on free throws.
He retired following the 2018 season after stints with the Nuggets, Pelicans, Celtics, Pistons and Mavericks.
Carson Benge just continues to progress at the big-league level.
The youngster has settled in nicely after a bit of a slow start to his career, and Sunday was easily one of his most impressive showings to this point.
Benge led the way for the Mets’ offense, becoming the third-youngster player in franchise history to enjoy a 5-for-5 day in a series-finale win over the Padres.
He’s also the first Mets rookie to reach that mark since Pete Alonso in 2019.
“Pretty impressive, it was really cool to see,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Rockets pretty much everywhere, using the middle of the field, staying short and on top of the ball -- he set the tone for us and it was a good team win.”
The 23-year-old certainly set the tone, lining the fourth pitch of the game right back up the middle before coming in with the opening run just two batters later.
Benge also singled leading off the top of the third, then again to open the fifth, with the second sparking another rally which chased Vásquez from the ballgame.
The damage wasn’t done there, as Benge lifted a homer in a left-on-left matchup in the sixth then ripped an RBI triple down the right-field line with two outs in the top of the eighth.
Benge scored three runs, drove in two, and finished just a double shy of the cycle.
“Today was definitely nice,” the slugger said. “It’s always nice to get two hits let-alone five, so being able to do that today was definitely pretty special.”
With the Mets’ offense extremely shorthanded Benge has slid seamlessly into the leadoff spot, hitting an impressive .316 with five homers and 20 RBI since the beginning of May.
“I’m not surprised,” Mendoza said. “We’ve seen the type of player and the talent and just the things he can do on a baseball field -- he’s settling in, is comfortable, and is just going out and playing his game.
“We’re going to see a lot of games like that moving forward where he’s just totally locked in and he's doing a lot of things to help us win baseball games -- he’s just a special player.”
Through two games, the New York Knicks have been clearly the better team in the NBA Finals. They have the best player in the series so far in Karl-Anthony Towns, the most clutch player in Jalen Brunson, and they have been the better defensive team.
Now those Knicks — winners of 13 playoff games in a row — head home to what will be a frenzied Madison Square Garden and home fans desperate for the team's first title in 53 years — even President Donald Trump will be in attendance.
"The Garden is going to be rocking," Josh Hart said of the atmosphere. "Obviously, in this city, we love our Knicks. So we're going to come out, show love, support. The energy is going to be electric."
What do the Spurs need to do to turn this series around and stop it from becoming a Knicks coronation?
"Resilience," De'Aaron Fox said. "Obviously, losing two games at home is never ideal, but we have to be able to let those two games go and look forward, look ahead toward the game that's in front of us."
The Spurs need a few other things, too.
More De’Aaron Fox
While the Knicks have knocked the entire Spurs offense off balance, San Antonio has looked better with Fox running the show and less Stephon Castle. While Castle is an impressive young player, he has struggled in the Finals to finish at the rim or in the paint and has committed some sloppy turnovers. Take a look at his shot chart.
Courtesy NBA.com
Fox isn't exactly lighting the world on fire — 44% shooting overall and 33% from 3-point range the past two games — but the Spurs are +2 in his minutes through two games and -15 in Castle's minutes. Coach Mitch Johnson needs to lean more on the Fox-Dylan Harper backcourt.
Finish possessions
San Antonio's defense has done its job and held the Knicks in check — New York has a 106.6 offensive rating through two games, which is almost 10 below their regular season average and more than 20 below their playoff average coming into this series. Or, look at it this way, 106.6 would have been the worst offense in the league during the regular season by more than two points per 100 possessions.
However, the Spurs are even worse with a 101 offensive rating. What has happened to San Antonio's offense in this series?
"I think that's probably been, if there's a thematic thing, the biggest thing is we've put in some good, hard work at times, and have not taken advantage of that hard work," Johnson said. "That's been partially some undisciplined things of us, partially also New York has stepped up and made some plays at the end of the clock and finished out possessions."
Victor Wembanyama echoed that point.
"We need to capitalize, actually use all the efforts we did," Wembanyama said. "It felt like we did a lot, we did a lot of things wrong, but we also were relentless and kept pushing, but kind of like wasted that effort. Even though I know it's not wasted because our lessons are learned, I know we're not going to make the mistakes of the past again, but in a moment like this we need to make these things matter."
Jalen Brunson in the clutch
While the Spurs have struggled at the end of games and possessions, that's where the Knicks have thrived, with a composure they have earned the past couple of seasons.
"Us staying composed helped us win that game," Jalen Brunson said about Game 2. "We do need to be able to finish the game better. Unacceptable the way we just obviously just let that 14-point lead go the way we did."
One of the things San Antonio has done well in these Finals is make things difficult for Brunson, who is shooting just 33.9% through two games. But while Brunson has struggled overall in the Finals against the Spurs' defense, when it's gotten into crunch time, he has finished plays.
"I mean, you watch him, he has some of the best footwork in the game. Obviously, he's a tough shot-maker. He can really shoot the ball. He's strong," Fox said of Brunson. "Talk about his size, yeah, he's not tall, but he's strong and he knows how to get to his spots. He plays angles well.
"But we've done, I think, a good job on him through the course of the game, but he's made big shots. He's been a Clutch Player of the Year, obviously. Probably the biggest reason why they're here. But we have to continue to try to make it tough on him, and I think we're doing a pretty good job at that. He's played well despite that."
If the Spurs are going to give themselves a chance in this series, they need to be the clutch team — and find a way to limit Brunson in those moments.
That's a big ask for a game in Madison Square Garden.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 02: Trevor McDonald #72 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on June 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s series finale time, and it’s getaway day … in the evening? Odd. Yes, the scheduling deities have blessed the San Francisco Giants by placing their 10th of 13 straight games in the evening, ahead of a flight back to the Bay Area. So it goes.
Taking the mound for the Giants is right-hander Trevor McDonald, who makes his seventh start of the season. The 25-year old is 2-3 on the year, with a 4.50 ERA, a 3.66 FIP, and 31 strikeouts to nine walks in 34 innings. In his last start, McDonald, who is trying to hang onto a rotation spot that he’s halfway through stealing from Tyler Mahle, gave up three runs in five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pitching for the Chicago Cubs is veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon. The 34-year old, who is in his fourth season with the Cubs, has made 12 starts this year, and is 2-5 with a 5.13 ERA, a 6.33 FIP, and 57 strikeouts to 21 walks in 66.2 innings. He’s also allowed an MLB-worst 20 home runs, which opens the door for a Giants team that has been putting the ball over the fence a lot lately. In Taillon’s last start, he gave up two runs in 6.1 innings against the Athletics.
Emmet Sheehan’s failure to complete the second inning Sunday resulted in an unexpected bullpen game for the Dodgers, who were forced to use six relievers in a 13-5 loss to the Angels.
Talk about an unpleasant surprise.
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan didn’t last two innings Sunday against the visiting Angels. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
Outside of a game last season in which he was used as an opener, the start was the shortest in the career of the 26-year-old Sheehan.
Pitching against the worst team in baseball, Sheehan lasted only 1 ⅓ innings.
Sheehan’s implosion came after spectacular performances by Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first two games of the series.
With one out in the second inning, he gave up a single to Jo Adell, which was followed by walks to Nick Madrigal and Jose Siri. A two-run single by Sebastian Rivero resulted in Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removing Sheehan, who had thrown 36 pitches in the inning, including 15 to Madrigal.
Blake Treinen gave up two runs in the fourth inning, and Alex Vesia was charged with two in the fifth to put the Dodgers at a 6-1 deficit.
But for however briefly, the Dodgers made a game of it, as back-to-back homers by Dalton Rushing and Ryan Ward in the bottom of the sixth reduced the deficit to 6-5.
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-5 Sunday in the loss. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
The Angels blew open the game in the next inning.
Jonathan Hernandez had a nightmare of a seventh inning, giving up six runs on a walk and five hits, including home runs by Adell and Zach Neto.
What it means
The Dodgers have won six of their last seven series, and they split the other. They are 16-6 over that span.
On May 13, they trailed the Padres by a half-game, but they now have a commanding lead over the Padres and Diamondbacks in the National League West.
Who’s hot
Rushing matched his career high in hits with a 4-for-4 performance that included a three-run home run and double.
Rushing is now 7-for-14 in his last four games.
Freddie Freeman also maintained his steady form.
In the three games against the Angels, Freeman was 5-for-10, including 2-for-5 in the series finale.
Freeman’s third-inning single contributed to the Dodgers’ first run, as it advanced Shohei Ohtani to third base and positioned the two-way player to score on a dribbler by Kyle Tucker.
Freeman has hit well over the last couple of weeks, batting .362 over his last 12 games.
Who’s not
Will Smith didn’t make his anticipated return to the lineup after being held out Saturday night with a stiff neck. Rushing started at catcher for the second consecutive game.
Up next
The Dodgers have a day off Monday. They resume play Tuesday in Pittsburgh, where left-hander Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.74 ERA) will make his third start for LA against Paul Skenes (6-5, 3.09) of the Pirates.
Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan delivers during the first inning of a 13-5 loss to the Angels at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The Angels flipped the script on the Dodgers, preventing a Freeway Series season sweep with a 13-5 win Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Emmet Sheehan’s start only lasted 1 ⅓ innings, as he struggled to keep his pitch count low. He threw 35 of his 49 pitches in the second inning alone. Many of those went to Nick Madrigal, who battled Sheehan in a 14-pitch at-bat in which Madrigal won two ABS challenges.
“I thought the stuff was good coming in,” said manager Dave Roberts about Sheehan. “After the first inning, I just didn’t feel comfortable getting him past the 40-pitch mark in one inning. I’m not going to put this guy in harm’s way.”
The Angels third baseman drew a walk, marking the beginning of the end for Sheehan, who already allowed a single. The 26-year-old pitcher loaded the bases with another walk. Angels catcher Sebastián Rivero drove in two runs with a center-field single.
“Frustrating,” Sheehan called his outing. “Couldn’t put guys away, not efficient.”
The game shifted into an unexpected bullpen game, and the Dodgers shuffled through seven pitchers. Edgardo Henriquez retired five consecutive batters. But the Dodgers’ spiral continued. Jo Adell reached first after a ball deflected off the glove of Miguel Rojas. Adell then moved to second on a passed ball by catcher Dalton Rushing. Reliever Blake Treinen then gave up a walk and before Rivero hit another two-run single.
Madrigal beat the Dodgers (42-24) in another double-digit pitch plate appearance in the fifth. Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head. After an ABS review, the pitch was determined to be a ball. Rushing, seemingly not pleased with a borderline check-swing call, argued with Iassogna. In the end, a 12-pitch at-bat resulted in another walk.
Coupled with a missed call for a walk on a foul-tip earlier in the game, the check-swing call added to a frustrating afternoon for the Dodgers.
“It should be reviewable,” Roberts said of the foul tip. “That changed the game, and obviously the Madrigal check-swing. I felt that he went. That did impact the game.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walks on the field during the seventh inning Sunday against the Angels. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Roberts replaced Alex Vesia with Jonathan Hernández, who gave up a two-run single to Jose Siri. Miguel Rojas threw out Madrigal at home on the hit to limit the damage.
In the third inning, Kyle Tucker drove in a run on a groundout that landed a foot away from home plate, but it gave Shohei Ohtani just enough time to sprint home after Rivero threw to first.
Still, the Dodgers, who had outscored the Angels 41-5 in games this season before Sunday, struggled. Twice, Rushing hit singles. Twice, Ryan Ward, the next batter, grounded into a double play, dashing any momentum. Rushing and Ward hit back-to-back home runs to right field in the sixth, but the Dodgers couldn’t capitalize on the momentum.
Rushing received more playing time than predicted this series, but he said he embraced the opportunity. He matched his career-high with four hits on Sunday. His home run was his first since April 20.
“This year, my whole goal was make sure if there’s an opportunity that I can pick a day that Will [Smith] needs rest, make sure that I can provide just as much as he does with the bat as well as behind the plate,” Rushing said Saturday. “He knows I’ll catch every game if he can’t go back there.”
Catcher Will Smith did not play Sunday because of neck stiffness, despite Roberts predicting the catcher would return for the series finale. Imaging on Smith’s neck came back negative, though it’s unclear if he’ll play Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
“It’s not anything serious, but it’s something that is preventing him from playing,” Roberts said. “It’s kind of a day-to-day thing.”
Rushing’s and Ward’s home runs were quickly negated when Adell hit a two-run homer to left-center field. Zach Neto also hammered a seventh-inning, three-run home run. By the time the game concluded, the bottom of the Angels lineup batted 13 for 15, walking four times. The Angels (25-41) could’ve scored more if not for Neto and Mike Trout, who hit a combined one for 12.
“The bottom half of the order, they were fouling off a lot of balls, we couldn’t put those guys out,” Roberts said. “But, yeah, the Madrigal at-bat really was a difference today.”
Glasnow talks about his injury
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (back spasms), who was put on the 60-day injured list Saturday, attributed his slow recovery to trying to come back too soon. He plans to rest a few days before building back up.
“It’s uncomfortable,” Glasnow said. “When I get into my load, something feels weird. The more I go, the more it starts to aggravate it. Generally, before I start to throw, as long as it’s completely gone, it gets over the hump, it’s gone, and then I can get back to full speed. I just feel like I haven’t gotten there yet.”
Knoxville Smokies infielder Jefferson Rojas (2) scores a run during a Minor League baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 2, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Starter Brooks Caple took home the win after he went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits. All three runs came in the third inning and two of them came on a home run. Caple struck out seven and walked no one.
Vince Reilly didn’t allow a run over the final two innings for the save. Reilly surrendered just one single in the eighth (erased in a double play) and walked one batter in the ninth. Reilly struck out one.
The Smokies took the lead for good when third baseman Jefferson Rojas connected on a two-run home run. It was Rojas’ ninth home run and third in two days. Rojas went 2 for 4 with a triple and the home run. He scored twice.
DH Owen Ayers was 2 for 4 and he singled home Rojas after he tripled in the seventh inning.
Rojas’ home run.
Jefferson Rojas gives the Smokies the lead with his third home run in the last two games 💣 pic.twitter.com/Eu4esCv87z
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) June 7, 2026
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) June 7, 2026
South Bend Cubs
Rained out. The game will also not be made up.
Wisconsin was also rained out, which means that the two rainouts are going to move the Cubs’ magic number for clinching the second half down. South Bend has a five-game lead on Wisconsin with nine games left in the first half.
The Pelicans wasted a dominating start by Pierce Coppola. Coppola pitched five innings and allowed no runs and just one hit and one walk. One more runner reached on an error. Coppola struck out five.
Riely Hunsaker pitched the seventh and eighth innings, gave up three runs and took the loss. The final line on Hunsaker was three runs, one earned, on five hits over two innings. He struck out one and walked no one.
First baseman Michael Carico reached base five times, going 2 for 2 with three walks. He scored once.
Catcher Jairo Diaz tied the game 4-4 with an RBI double in the top of the eighth. Diaz was 2 for 4.
Right fielder Eli Lovich hit a two-run double in the seventh. Lovich was 1 for 4 with a walk.
Jun 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Sebastián Rivero (38) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images
Needing one win to secure the sweep, the Dodgers had to use their bullpen much earlier than expected and were outclassed offensively in a 13-5 loss to the Angels.
After a 14-pitch first inning, Emmet Sheehan started the top of the second with a strikeout of Nolan Schanuel, but the Angels strung across a one-out rally beginning with a Jo Adell single. Sheehan lost a 14-pitch battle to Nick Madrigal for a walk before walking José Siri, with Dalton Rushing pleading that Siri fouled tipped the 3-2 pitch. Sebastián Rivero, who had just two RBI on the year entering Sunday, gave the Angels a two-run lead with a single up the middle, knocking out Sheehan after tossing 49 pitches over 1 1/3 innings.
What had been a dominant stretch for Dodgers starting pitching this week came to a screeching halt, as Sheehan was the first starter to not even complete two innings all season long after each starter tossed quality starts since Wednesday’s win over Arizona.
Edgardo Henriquez came in to get out of the jam, which he did by striking out Zach Neto and getting Mike Trout to ground out with two men on base. The Dodgers responded offensively in the bottom of the second with a pair of leadoff singles against José Soriano, only for a double play and a groundout to keep them scoreless. The Dodgers once again had two men on with less than two outs in the bottom of the third, and this time Kyle Tucker brought home a run on a groundout.
With Blake Treinen on the mound, both Adell and Madrigal repeated with a single and a walk respectively, with a sacrifice bunt from Siri moving them into scoring position. Rivero reached out on a 1-2 sweeper and dunked it just over the head of Alex Freeland to give him a career-high four RBI on the game, making it a three-run Angel lead. The Dodgers responded with a one-out single from Dalton Rushing, only for Ryan Ward to hit into his second double play turned by the Angels.
The Angels were able to load the bases with two outs, including Jo Adell slapping his third hit of the game and Madrigal winning a 12-pitch battle against Alex Vesia for his third walk of the game, chasing the left-hander out of the game. Jonathan Hernández came in as the fourth reliever before the end of the fifth, but Siri capitalized for a two-run single to make it a five-run lead. Madrigal tried to help Siri clear the bases, but he was thrown out at home to end the rally.
The Dodgers once again put two men on with less than two outs, as Tucker led off the inning with a walk before Alex Call reached on a throwing error by Neto. Dalton Rushing notched his third hit of the game, this one leaving the yard to bring the deficit to two runs. It was Rushing’s first home run since April 20 against the Colorado Rockies and it was the Dodgers’ first hit with runners in scoring position against Soriano.
The Angels almost immediately got two of those runs back as Jo Adell smashed one 433 feet deep into the left field pavilion to give him a four-hit game and once again make it a three-run lead. Madrigal only needed three pitches to reach on a single up the middle as he reached base for the fourth time. Siri followed with a single to left while Rivero dunked in his fourth hit of the game, knocking in his fifth run to make it a four-run lead. Zach Neto put the game completely out of reach with a three-run shot to center, giving the Angels a commanding 12-5 lead.
Rivero would add the cherry on top of his game with his fifth hit of the afternoon in the ninth inning, driving home Siri for his sixth RBI to bring the lead to eight runs. 13 runs are the most that the Dodgers have allowed in any game this season.
While Sunday was a game to certainly leave in the past, there were some key individual performances from the Dodgers lineup. Dalton Rushing added a double in the eighth to give him a four-hit game, while Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani both had a pair of hits.
Last season the Angels took every game from the Dodgers in the regular season. The Dodgers nearly returned the favor this year, but will settle for a 5-1 season record having outscored the Angels 46-18 in the six games. The Dodgers division lead now sits at 7 1/2 games over the second place Arizona Diamondbacks.
Game particulars
Home runs— Dalton Rushing (8), Ryan Ward (2); Jo Adell (10), Zach Neto (12)
The Dodgers are off on Monday as they fly out to Pittsburgh for a three-game set with the Pirates beginning Tuesday (3:40 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Eric Lauer faces the reigning NL Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes.
Defense, baserunning and hitting are all components of Benge’s toolbox that have fast transformed the outfielder into a National League Rookie of the Year candidate.
On Sunday he was the biggest factor in the Mets salvaging a .500 road trip. Benge’s 5-for-5 afternoon led to a 7-3 victory over the Padres, giving the Mets their first road series victory since May 7.
“Today was nice,” Benge said. “It’s tough enough to get two hits, let alone five, so doing that was pretty special.”
The Mets had a third solid offensive showing in four days, totaling 13 hits and giving bulk reliever Sean Manaea and the bullpen a cushion.
Carson Benge reacts after hitting a home run during the Mets’ June 7 win against the Padres. Getty Images
Benge’s road trip included a steal of home Wednesday in Seattle. He and A.J. Ewing have energized the Mets defensively with their fearless outfield play.
Benge’s fourth hit of the day was a solo homer in the sixth against lefty Yuki Matsui that increased the Mets’ lead to 6-2. In his next at-bat, he stroked an RBI triple.
“Rockets pretty much everywhere,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Using the middle of the field, staying short, on top of the baseball and the left-on-left homer, it was just pretty incredible.”
Benge, who became the first Mets rookie with five hits in a game since Pete Alonso in 2019, singled in each of his plate appearances before the homer. Since the start of May, he owns an .873 OPS and has stabilized the leadoff spot with Francisco Lindor on the injured list.
Carson Benge slides into third base during the Mets’ June 7 win over the Padres. Imagn ImagesSean Manaea throws a pitch during the Mets’ June 7 win over the Padres. Getty Images
“We’re going to see a lot of games like this, where he’s locked in and doing a lot of things to help us win baseball games,” Mendoza said.
Manaea allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk over four innings. Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter and Luke Weaver combined to pitch three scoreless innings before Devin Williams surrendered a run in the ninth.
Huascar Brazobán served as the opener ahead of Manaea and navigated a scoreless first inning after walking Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill in succession to start his afternoon.
Luis Torrens (l.) and Carson Benge celebrate after the Mets defeated the Padres on June 7. AP Photo
Juan Soto’s RBI groundout in the first inning gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Benge singled leading off the game and Bo Bichette doubled him to third. Soto’s RBI was his 30th of the season.
Marcus Semien extended the lead to 2-0 with a homer leading off the second. It was the second straight game with a homer for Semien, whose shot in the seventh inning Saturday night put the Mets ahead before Austin Warren surrendered a go-ahead blast in the bottom of the inning.
MJ Melendez provided a defensive boost in the bottom of the frame with a full-extension diving catch in left to rob Miguel Andujar of a hit following Xander Bogaerts’ leadoff single.
Jared Young’s RBI single in the fifth widened the Mets advantage, and Ewing’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded increased the lead to 4-0, but Soto was thrown out at third by Jase Bowen after tagging up at second.
Manaea surrendered a two-run homer to Freddy Fermin in the fifth that brought the Padres to within 4-2. It was the second straight game with a jolt by Fermin, whose homer in the seventh inning Saturday sank the Mets.
Tatis’ boneheaded decision to attempt to steal third base with two outs, after stroking a double, backfired as he was thrown out by Luis Torrens.
Melendez homered in the sixth to give the Mets a 5-2 lead.
The homer was Melendez’s fourth of the season. Benge’s blast later in the inning widened the gap to 6-2. His triple in the eighth gave the Mets their final run.
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Benge said he recovered the ball from his fifth hit and gave it to his father.
“It’s pretty tough to win a series, especially on the road,” Benge said. “But I like the traveling. It brings us all closer.”
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 07: Terry Francona ( center), the new Manager of the Cincinnati Reds talks to the media at Great American Ball Park on October 07, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nick Krall ,President of Baseball Operations sits to his left and Brad Meador , Senior Vice President & General Manager sits to his right. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds lost to the St. Louis Cardinals again on Sunday. Much like Saturday’s loss, the team scraped and clawed their way to the game still being tight late, only for the bullpen to fork over the game in the 8th inning.
The bullpen is a problem, yes. There are simply too few arms down there that can be turned to in any situation, let alone late and close, and their inability to find the plate is a problem with no clear fix.
Not to be outdone, their starting pitching still struggles mightily on pretty much every day in which Chase Burns is not the starter, and we all know how quickly he is sprinting towards hitting his innings cap for the season. Reds starters owned a collective 5.07 FIP on the season entering Sunday’s start by Rhett Lowder, one in which he danced around 5 walks and just 4 strikeouts in his 70-pitch trio of innings. The only clubs with worse marks so far this year are the perpetually rebuilding A’s and Colorado Rockies.
Cincinnati is now riding a four-game losing streak after being swept by St. Louis, and have lost five of their last six. They’ve won just two of their last ten games, and it’s startling just how off their offense has looked in that time (which overlaps completely the days since Elly De La Cruz hit the shelf with his hamstring problem). In those last ten games, they’ve scored two, three, two, six, two, four, two, three, five, and three runs, it being simply impossible for any of their biggest bats to get hot at the same time in the absence of their star.
At 31-33 through 64 games, it also seems as if they’ve already played most of their cards. They’ve rifled through all of their AAA bullpen options in attempts to patch that battered unit, have watched it still not work, and lost a couple guys to free agency through being DFA’d in the process. They’ve called up Rece Hinds, JJ Bleday, Noelvi Marte, and Edwin Arroyo to give them their shots, and only Bleday – who’s cooled over the last week – has hit the ground running. There is no obvious bat to call up to fix those woes.
Chase Petty got a cup of coffee and showed improvement, but not nearly enough to, say, cut Brady Singer and let Petty do heavy lifting for the rest of the year. If anything, keeping Singer – one of the four worst pitchers in the sport who’ve thrown at least 50 IP this year – to mop things up and keep innings off other, more controllable arms has to be in the discussion. Even the idea of rushing Hunter Greene back to ride to the rotation’s rescue at the moment seems like Pickett’s Charge in its feasibility.
The Cincinnati Reds are in a terrible rut, and they need a spark in the worst of ways. It’s just getting increasingly hard to find where that will come from, or if it’s at all possible for it to happen in a way that can help salvage this once promising season.
The reality is that it’d be completely easy to simply write about how this team’s ownership and front office have failed to get the job done, but since there’s been so much continuity there through the mediocre, at best, last few decades, that’s the short way to cover this story. So, in the meantime, we get to be critical of the pieces put in play on the field and in the dugout since it seems foolish to believe there would ever be greater change higher up. And, once again, the product on the field simply looks lackluster when compared to most teams – in particular, this weekend, their once-heated rivals in St. Louis
