CLEVELAND (AP) Trevor Larnach had a two-run in a four-run first inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis also drove in runs in the first against Joey Cantillo (2-2), who struck out a season-high nine over 5 2/3 innings. Kody Clemens’ bunt single in the eighth plated DaShawn Keirsey Jr. with an insurance run.
The Guardians trailed 5-2 going into the ninth, but Brayan Rocchio’s pinch-hit single off Michael Tonkin scored Nolan Jones and C.J. Kayfus. Erasmo Ramírez entered and retired Daniel Schneemann and José Ramírez in order to close out the win.
Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak. Kody Funderburk (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief, and Ramírez earned the save in his first big-league appearance since Aug. 30, 2024, with Tampa Bay.
José Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the first and Schneemann had three hits for the second day in a row for Cleveland, which had won four straight. Kayfus doubled for his first hit in the majors, one day after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
José Ureña, pitching for his sixth team in three years, started and gave up two runs in four innings for the Twins. Wallner and Clemens had two hits apiece.
Cantillo gave up four straight hits to Austin Martin, Ryan Jeffers, Wallner and Lewis to begin the game. The left-hander had only given up three total hits in the first inning of his other five starts this season.
Ureña became the first player this season to appear in games with four teams, previously pitching for the Mets, Blue Jays and Dodgers.
Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli has not determined who will start Monday in a bullpen game at Detroit.
Guardians: RHP Slade Cecconi (5-7, 3.77 ERA) opens a three-game series Monday at the New York Mets.
MIAMI (AP) Kyle Stowers hit a three-run homer and the Miami Marlins completed the first sweep of the New York Yankees in franchise history a 7-3 victory on Sunday.
The Marlins (55-55) won all three games against the Yankees (60-52) to reach .500 for the first time since April 15. They became the first major league team to go from 16 or more games under .500 to a .500 record since the Rays in 2014.
Stowers made it 6-1 when he connected on an 0-2 fastball from Brent Headrick, who entered in the fourth with two on after starter Luis Gil (0-1) was lifted 3 1/3 innings into his season debut.
Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, struck out three and surrendered five runs and five hits while issuing four walks in his return from a high-grade lat strain. He threw 77 pitches.
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera (5-5) pitched six innings of two-hit ball with seven strikeouts and one walk. His only blemish came against the first batter he faced. Trent Grisham drove Cabrera's 98.1 mph four-seam fastball to right-center.
Miami rookie Jakob Marsee, who made his major league debut on Friday, was 2-for-4 and finished a single short of the cycle.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a two-run homer off Josh Simpson that pulled New York within 6-3 in the seventh, as “Let's go Yankees!” chants erupted at loanDepot Park. Marsee then ripped an RBI triple to center in the bottom half that stretched the lead to four.
Xavier Edwards had two hits, including an RBI single. Troy Johnston had a run-scoring double.
The Marlins honored former manager Jack McKeon before the game. McKeon, 94, guided Miami to its 2003 World Series win over the Yankees.
Miami is 24-24 against the Yankees, including the postseason, becoming the only franchise the Yankees don’t have a winning record against.
Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (6-9, 6.36) pitches the opener of a three-game series against the Houston Astros.
Yankees LHP Max Fried (12-4, 2.62) starts the opener of a three-game series at the Texas Rangers.
The Chicago Blackhawks have several exciting young players in their system. One of them is undoubtedly Frank Nazar, as the 2022 first-round pick has the tools to emerge as a legitimate top-six forward as he continues to gain more experience at the NHL level.
Nazar certainly showed plenty of promise this past season, as he had success at both the NHL and AHL levels. In 53 games with the Blackhawks on the year, the 21-year-old forward recorded 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points. He also thrived while with the Rockford IceHogs, posting 11 goals, 13 assists, and 24 points in 21 games.
Nazar only got better with the Blackhawks as the campaign rolled on, too, as he tapped into his offensive potential in a noticeable way. In his final eight appearances of the season with the Blackhawks, he recorded five goals and nine points. This included ending the year on a three-game goal streak, so he undoubtedly impressed.
Now, after having such a strong finish to his solid rookie season with the Blackhawks, there is no question that Nazar is a big-time breakout candidate heading into 2025-26. The potential for him to emerge as a significant part of the Blackhawks' roster is there, and it would not be shocking in the slightest if we see his offensive production skyrocket next season. It will be fascinating to see what kind of year he has with the Blackhawks from here.
TORONTO (AP) Kyle Isbel hit an RBI double in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 on Sunday.
Vinnie Pasquantino hit a tying single with two out in the eighth, and Kansas City scored five in the 10th while taking two of three from the AL East-leading Blue Jays.
The Royals are 24-12 in series finales, winning their past nine.
Hunter Harvey (1-0) pitched one inning for the win as Kansas City returned to .500 at 56-56.
Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger cut into Kansas City's lead with RBI singles in the bottom of the 10th, but Toronto (65-48) lost a home series for the first time since losing two of three to the White Sox from June 20-22.
Isbel drove in the winning run with a double down the line against Seranthony Domínguez (2-4).
Jonathan India walked and Bobby Witt Jr. was hit by a pitch before Tyler Tolbert added a two-run single.
Witt scored on a throwing error by catcher Alejandro Kirk, and Maikel Garcia capped the rally with a sacrifice fly.
Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido had two hits, including an RBI single in the fifth.
Isbel’s tiebreaking hit came on the first pitch he saw from Domínguez, a 96 mph fastball.
The Royals are 9-7 in series-deciding games.
Royals: LHP Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.73 ERA) is scheduled to start against Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (7-5, 3.19 ERA) on Monday.
Blue Jays: LHP Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA) is expected to face Colorado RHP Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85 ERA) on Monday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Devers snapped out of a slump with a homer and four RBIs in the San Francisco Giants’ 12-4 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.
Rookie Carson Whisenhunt (1-0) threw 5 1/3 innings for his first win in the majors to help the Giants take two of three from the Mets following a six-game losing streak.
The Mets, who began the day a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, have lost five of six.
Making his second career start, Whisenhunt allowed two runs — one earned — on three hits, including Francisco Lindor’s first-inning homer.
Devers’ three-run homer capped a four-run third against Frankie Montas (3-2). The 403-foot blast to right was just the fifth homer for Devers since he was acquired from Boston on June 15. Devers closed out a three-run fourth with a run-scoring single.
The Giants piled on in the ninth. Dominic Smith had a two-run single, and Casey Schmitt hit a three-run homer off Ryne Stanek. Backup catcher Luis Torrens got the final out.
Key moment
Devers’ homer was his first since July 23, when he went deep twice against Atlanta. He was 3 of 29 in between round-trippers.
Key stat
Smith, who played for the Mets from 2017 through 2022, had five RBIs in the three-game series. He had five RBIs in his previous 25 games.
Up next
The Mets continue a six-game homestand Monday night, with LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 2.08 ERA) set to start against Cleveland RHP Slade Cecconi (5-7, 3.77). Giants RHP Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.53) opens a three-game series at Pittsburgh.
Frankie Montas allowed seven runs over four-plus innings and the Mets dropped the rubber match to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, 12-4.
It's the most runs New York has allowed in a game this season.
Here are some takeaways...
-- Staying hot after his four-RBI Saturday, Francisco Lindor hit a solo home run off LHP Carson Whisenhunt with one out in the bottom of the first inning to put the Mets up 1-0. But then the offense went ice cold.
-- Montas retired the first six Giants he faced, but things fell apart in the third inning. He gave up a leadoff single to Jung Hoo Lee, who stole second and advanced to third on an error (later switched from Francisco Alvarez toLindor). Montas then let up an RBI single to Patrick Bailey, and after a strikeout and walk, allowed a three-run homer to Rafael Devers as the Giants took a 4-1 lead. The right-hander got the next two outs to escape the frame, but was already at 60 pitches through three innings.
He's allowed four earned runs or more in four of his seven starts this season.
-- Montas' struggles continued in the fourth, finding himself with runners on the corners and one out. Bailey reached first on a fielder's choice as Pete Alonso's throw home wasn't in time, allowing the run to score. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third, and then Heliot Ramos drove in another run on an infield single to make it 6-1. Montas was unable to stop the bleeding as Devers' single to right field put San Fran up 7-1.
The right-hander walked the leadoff man in the fifth inning and was then pulled from the game. Overall, Montas threw 92 pitches over four-plus innings, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. His season ERA is up to 6.68.
-- New York didn't get their second hit until Jeff McNeil smacked a leadoff single in the fifth inning. It looked like he'd be stranded, but Alvarez came through with a double to the wall in right field and Grant McCay's throw was misplayed by the infielders, allowing McNeil to keep running home and score. Brandon Nimmo grounded out to second as the Mets trailed, 7-2.
Lindor walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, but former Met and new Giant José Buttó came in with one out and got Alonso to ground into the inning-ending double play on his first pitch. Buttó recorded three strikeouts in the seventh inning, allowing just a single to McNeil.
-- In the top of the seventh, Nimmo made a great throw off the wall in left field to get Devers out at second trying for a double. It's his fourth outfield assist of the year.
-- Austin Warren stepped up and tossed four scoreless innings of relief through the eighth inning, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts. Ryne Stanek allowed a two-run single to Dom Smith and a three-run homer to Casey Schmitt, making it a 12-2 game. Luis Torrens came in to pitch and got the third out of the inning after allowing a double to Lee.
-- Mark Vientos extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games with a double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Alvarez drove in two more runs with a single, making it a 12-4 game.
Game MVP: Jung Hoo Lee
The center fielder went 4-for-4 with a double and a walk in the win. It's his second three-hit game against the Mets this season (July 26) as he has a total of 12 hits against the club (12-for-23) on the year.
The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the best deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games.
40. Linus Sjodin – Center (Rogle BK – SHL)
Sjodin was the last of Buffalo’s 11 selections at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, drafted in the seventh round (211th overall) out of the Rogle BK system in the SHL. The 6’0”, 167 lb. forward was eligible to be drafted in 2021, but went undrafted and was picked by Buffalo as a 19-year-old after splitting time between the junior level andthe parent SHL club for the two years before being chosen. and played full time the last two seasons.
The Angelholm, SWE native played for his country at the 2022 World Juniors, but in four full SHL seasons has not been a big offensive producer, with 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 204 games. Sjodin had two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 15 playoff games, as Rogle went to the final before losing to Skelleftea in five games in 2024.
Sjödin’s “playmaking abilities are considered one of his absolute strengths, but his struggles of driving the play were due mainly to his average speed.” The Hockey Prospect Black Book said in 2021. He has high-level hockey IQ, but "his lack of speed and quickness are what holds him back from being a high-profile prospect.”
Barring a remarkable turnaround, the Sabres are likely to allow Sjodin’s rights to expire next June, as they did with a pair of their 2021 draft picks earlier this summer.
Shortly after the Abbotsford
Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the
players got to work. Their goalie was busy doing interviews – because he
was the biggest reason they won the thing – so he didn’t see his
teammates surreptitiously cutting the netting off the Canucks’ goal at
Bojangles Coliseum. (Greatest arena name ever, by the way.)
By the
time Arturs Silovs was finishing up his on-ice interview, his teammates
had managed to remove the mesh from the iron and draped it over his
shoulders. It was symbolic in a couple of ways. First, it reminded all
who watched the Canucks’ playoff run that Silovs was so simpatico with
his net that almost nothing got by him. Second, it was the affirmation
that, as the Canucks knew all along, the net indisputably belonged to
their 24-year-old Latvian goalie, who seems to have a penchant for
playing out of his mind in big games.
Silovs
started each of the Canucks’ 24 games during the 2025 Calder Cup
playoffs, winning 16 while putting up a .931 save percentage and 2.01
goals-against average. He was also named playoff MVP. But that’s not the
half of it. In the final series, the Canucks were outshot 229 to 147 by
the Charlotte Checkers, an average of 13.7 shots per game over the six
games. In Game 1 of the series, Silovs faced 54 shots. That’s not
including the one that went past him when teammate Ty Mueller won a
defensive-zone draw in overtime and pulled it directly into the
Abbotsford net while Silovs was turning around after taking a drink of
water. It was later ruled that Silovs was not set for the play, and the
goal was called back before Danila Klimovich scored on the power play in
double overtime.
More symbolism. It seemed the only time
opponents could figure Silovs out was when he wasn’t ready. But when he
was, his play was remarkable. Silovs posted a .934 SP in the final
series. One of the key reasons the Canucks won the Calder Cup was that
they never lost two straight games. They lost eight times in the
playoffs, and in the games after a loss, Silovs went 8-0, tossed up two
shutouts and recorded a .948 SP. “Arty’s play in those games was
unbelievable,” said Canucks rookie coach Manny Malhotra.
And
because of that, Silovs found himself at the top of the mountain, just
months after struggling through a disastrous start to the NHL season. He
entered the year having created high expectations for himself after
getting the Vancouver Canucks to Game 7 of the second round of the
playoffs in 2024. In 2023, all he did was lead Latvia, the little engine
that could, to a bronze medal at the World Championship. For his
efforts, Silovs was named the top goalie and MVP of the tournament. And
when he was asked what the Calder Cup win means to him, he spoke like
someone who doesn’t expect to be competing for it ever again. “You’re
finishing a part of your career with a milestone,” Silovs said. “Not
everyone can say they won a Calder Cup, right? I think it’s really
special…and I think it’s going to help a lot in the future.”
Yeah,
about that. Things are going to get interesting in Vancouver’s crease.
The brilliant-but-injury-riddled Thatcher Demko has one year left on his
current deal at $5 million, but while trade rumors were swirling, it
appeared a contract extension was in the works. The Canucks signed
30-year-old Kevin Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5-million extension that
kicks in next season. You’d have to wonder whether they would have done
that if they’d known what Silovs was going to accomplish in Abbotsford.
For his part, Silovs has one year left on a deal that will pay him
$800,000 – whether he plays in the NHL or the minors – before he becomes
an RFA with arbitration rights. But what makes all of this so
intriguing is that in order to be sent to the minors in 2025-26, Silovs
would have to go on waivers. That means the Canucks, if they stay status
quo in net, would either have to go with a cumbersome three-goalie
setup or risk losing Silovs for nothing. Hence, the Demko rumors that
began circulating during the off-season.
This was no ordinary Stanley Cup run, this was a Rat Race! 🐀
Introducing the brand new 2025 CHAMPIONS Issue @FlaPanthers
We do know that Silovs
can play. His body of work in the AHL, internationally and, at times, in
the NHL has proven he’s ready to be a full-time NHL goalie. The fact
that Latvia chose to name him among the first six players for their 2026
Olympic team is a testament to the faith they have in him to deliver on
the world stage. And while he has had his peaks and valleys, he’s not
unlike a lot of young goalies who take a few years – and in many cases, a
few organizations – to find their places in the hockey world. Silovs is
young for a goalie, but he’s also got a cross-section of experience and
success that suggests he deserves a sustained shot at proving he can
stay in the NHL.
Silovs
was brilliant at times for the big club during the 2024 post-season.
But when the NHL crease was his to start the regular season, he
struggled – and he struggled mightily. He gave up five or more goals in
three of his nine starts, and his only two wins of the season came
against the Chicago Blackhawks, and we’re not even sure if those even
count these days.
Brighter days are ahead, one would presume, for
both Silovs and other Canucks prospects who made a push in the playoffs.
For the short term, Silovs was intent on living in the moment and
enjoying the accomplishment. “It’s so special,” he said. “Basically, I
grew up with this team. We started with nearly everyone at the same
time. We had some ups and downs, and to manage to win with the same guys
is unbelievable.”
This article
appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on
the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite
play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the
Cup final. We
also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman
Ryker Evans. In
addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL
season.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
The Yankees fell to the Miami Marlins by a score of 7-3 on Sunday afternoon, with Miami sweeping the three-game series.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie the Year winner, made his long-awaited season debut, but it did not go to plan. Gil looked rusty from the jump, constantly falling behind hitters and working with traffic on the bases. He allowed three runs in the second, thanks in part to a pair of walks, and then left the game in the fourth with a couple of runners on, both of whom would come around to score on a Kyle Stowers three-run homer off Brent Headrick that broke the game open at 6-1.
Gil was charged with five earned runs on five hits, walking four and striking out three over his 3.1 innings of work. Gil threw 77 pitches, with 44 of them good for strikes.
-- Trent Grisham gave the Yankees a quick, early lead, pummeling an Edward Cabrera pitch for a leadoff home run. Grisham, who hit just .190 with nine home runs last season, has provided some much-needed offense for the Yankees this season.
-- Jazz Chisholm Jr. was a huge topic of conversation after Saturday’s 2-0 loss after inexplicably getting doubled off first base on a pop-up to the second baseman. On Sunday, Chisholm let his bat do the talking, launching a two-run homer to left-center in the seventh inning.
Chisholm’s 19th home run of the season got the Yankees back into it at 6-3.
-- Cabrera was fantastic on the mound for the Marlins. After allowing Grisham's leadoff homer and then walking Grisham in the third, the only other base-runner allowed by Cabrera came on a Jasson Dominguez single in the fifth. Cabrera, a key name who ultimately didn't change teams ahead of the trade deadline, went 6.0 innings allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out seven and walking one.
-- The heart of the order continues to struggle without Aaron Judge. The Yankee’s two-through-four hitters on Sunday – Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton – went a combined 1-for-11, with the only hit being a slow-dribbler single from Stanton that hit the third base bag.
Game MVP
Stowers, whose three-run homer changed the tenor of the game in the top for the fourth inning.
On Jul. 31, Pittsburgh Penguins' veteran forward Evgeni Malkin turned the ripe age of 39.
Entering his 20th NHL season, Malkin has proven to be one of the NHL's all-time greats. The future Hall-of-Famer has registered 514 goals and 1,346 in 1,213 career NHL games, and he has graced Pittsburgh and the league with unforgettable moments and dominance over the years.
There's no doubt that Malkin is not only one of the greatest NHLers of all time, but also one of the very best Russian-born players of all-time. There is a lot of conjecture concerning where exactly Malkin falls within those ranks, as there are many other names who occupy that space as well - including the guy who just broke Wayne Gretzky's goal record this season.
So where does Malkin fall within the all-time great Russian-born player ranks?
It's hard to argue who's at the top
I mean, look: When you're digging into the point-per-game numbers and into all-around play, Malkin might have a case here.
But it's hard to argue against having the NHL's greatest goal-scorer of all time at the top of the list.
Alexander Ovechkin was drafted first overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft - one spot ahead of Malkin, who was selected next by the Penguins - and without the lockout in 2004-05, we might be talking more about Ovechkin's and Malkin's careers mirroring each other than about Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby being the biggest marquee matchup in the league for almost two decades. Because of the lockout, Ovechkin and Crosby ended up debuting in the same season in 2005-06, while Malkin debuted one season later.
In any case, Ovechkin - like Crosby and Malkin - has far exceeded the expectations bestowed upon him at the start of his NHL career. He has scored an all-time best 897 goals while racking up 1,623 points in 1,491 games, and - astoundingly - put up 44 goals in just 65 games last season at age 39.
Malkin may not quite measure up to Ovechkin on the all-time great Russian-born players list, even if 500-plus goals is an impressive accomplishment itself. However, he makes a very compelling case for second on the list.
Malkin is probably no. 2... at least, for now
There is quite the crowded field of players behind Ovechkin at the no. 1 spot along with Malkin, including household names such as Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, Alexander Mogilny, Pavel Bure, Alexei Kovalev, and Ilya Kovalchuk. Each respective player is an all-time great in their own right to some extent, and they were all very productive NHL players.
However - like Ovechkin at no. 1 - it's difficult to put anyone else but Malkin in the no. 2 spot. Not only is the three-time Stanley Cup champion second all-time in points by a Russian-born player behind only Ovechkin, he's also staged to enter the top-25 all-time in scoring by the end of next season, assuming he's healthy. Injuries have riddled Malkin's career as much as they have Crosby's, and the fact that the league is faster than ever - and Malkin's footspeed is noticeably slow nowadays - probably lend to the argument that he doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank beyond his current contract, which is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
In any case - whether this is, indeed, Malkin's last NHL season or not - Malkin pretty safely holds that no. 2 position. That is, for now.
There is one current player who may just surpass Malkin on the list by the time he calls it a career, and that is Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov, 32, currently has 357 goals and 994 points in 803 games, and he has five seasons of 100 or more points - including successive seasons of 113, 144, and 121 points in the last three seasons. He also has two Stanley Cup championships under his belt, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down in terms of production.
Of course, it will be interesting to see how Kucherov ages out. Malkin's numbers began to dip after the 2022-23 season, when he registered his most recent point-per-game season with 83 points. Kucherov's style tends to lend itself to longevity a bit more than Malkin's, but things can become unpredictable as players age.
As of now, though, there's Ovi, and then there's Geno. And that doesn't figure to change for at least another handful of years, if ever.
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) Eli White hit a three-run homer and a solo shot, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 on Sunday in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.
White's first homer of the afternoon gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead in the second inning at the historic racetrack. The ball hit the safer barrier after clearing the outfield wall and the track itself.
He added his sixth homer of the season on a leadoff shot in the seventh.
Cincinnati went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base. Brent Suter (1-2) got the loss.
Atlanta came in having clinched the season series, winning four of the first six games. The teams split the first two in Cincinnati before coming to Bristol.
The game was scheduled for Saturday, but it was suspended in the first inning because of persistent rain.
Hurston Waldrep (1-0) was on the mound for Atlanta when play resumed. The right-hander was brought up from Triple-A Gwinnett and traveled about 250 miles to Bristol Motor Speedway early Sunday morning. He pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball for his first career win.
The Reds loaded the bases with two out in the eighth after a balk by Tyler Kinley and a walk by Tyler Stephenson. Ke’Bryan Hayes then hit a hard grounder to third, but Luke Williams made a diving stop and threw to second for the forceout.
This was the first time in six games between these teams that it was decided by more than a single run.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Freddie Freeman scored one run and drove in another to snap Los Angeles' 18-inning scoreless drought and lead the Dodgers over the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 on Sunday.
Andy Pages singled off Mason Englert (0-1) in the sixth to drive in Freddie Freeman, who extended his on-base streak to 18 games with a first-inning single and added another RBI single in the seventh to make it 2-0. He had three hits on the day and seven RBIs in the series, which the Dodgers won two games to one.
Shohei Ohtani doubled and scored on Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (10-7) held the Rays scoreless over 5 2/3 innings, scattering five hits and striking out six. Ben Casparius earned his second big-league save, coming in with the bases loaded in the ninth to get Yandy Diaz out.
Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman left the game in the fifth with a right ankle sprain.
Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle held the Dodgers scoreless for five innings, working around three hits and two walks. He struck out two.
Ohtani beat out a chopper for a single in the seventh and then stole second and third to be in position to score on Freeman’s RBI single.
0-for-16. Mookie Betts went hitless in the series and is now hitless in four straight games. He was dropped out of the leadoff spot.
Monday night in Los Angeles, the Dodgers send Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.98 ERA) to the mound against the Cardinals. The Rays will debut Adrian Houser (6-2, 2.10) against the Angels.
The Los Angeles Kings recently re-signed pending RFA forward Alex Laferriere to a new three-year contract worth $4.1 million annually. After a strong 2024-25 campaign, this new deal looks to be a steal, and the Kings still have some money left over heading into next season.
Last season, he scored 19 goals and added 23 assists for 42 points through 77 games, which comes out to a 0.55 points-per-game average. In six playoff games as well, he had three assists.
At 23 years old, there is still a ton of potential for Laferriere to grow and continue to increase his offensive production. His defensive game is decent, but he could use some work finishing. However, there is a ton of room for growth, making this a steal for the Kings.
He has a shot-first mentality and plays well in his middle-six role with the Kings, and if he continues to find a way to improve the little parts of his game, this deal could be one of the best-looking contracts for the Kings.
He has all the tools to become a star in the NHL, but time will tell if he's able to improve the small parts of his game and find a way to reach his potential.
There is some risk associated with a bridge deal like this, for sure, but being able to keep him around at a great price as they continue to try and remain in championship contention, they can revisit a potential long-term deal when the current deal runs out.
Laferriere could be given a larger role next season, and if that's the case, he could become a top-six forward with the Kings and find a way to get to the 65-point plateau, if not more.
It’s always a good thing to get players back from injury — especially this deep into a season. In that regard, the Phillies have to consider themselves pretty lucky.
Hours before the first pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park, third baseman Alec Bohm was seen running the bases as he makes his way back from a fractured rib.
Aaron Nola was walking around the field after he threw three innings at Lehigh Valley Friday and allowed three hits, no runs and struck out three.
Tuesday, suspended reliever Jose Alvarado will be back at the ballpark. He’s eligible to pitch in a couple of weeks.
Also, newly signed reliever David Robertson pitched both Friday and Sunday in Lehigh Valley. While he pitched one inning in both games and gave up three hits in each, including a three-run homer on Sunday, there were some encouraging signs according to manager Rob Thomson.
“I didn’t watch it but he touched 94 today,” Thomson said. “He got the velocity up. He gave up a three-run home run with a slider he left in the middle of the plate. I talked to him this morning and the only thing I’m worried about right now, not worried about but I’m interested in, is how he is recovering and he said he feels really good. He threw the 30 pitches the other night and said that although it wasn’t very good, he was happy to throw that many pitches to see how he recovered. And he recovered well so that’s a good sign.”
Thomson said the next progression for Robertson would be to throw “probably another inning in a couple days.”
Bohm last played July 18 after getting hit with a pitch from Yu Darvish of the Padres that was ultimately revealed to have fractured a rib.
“He’s hitting in the cage. I’m sure in the next couple of days he’ll be outside hitting, do some machine work,” said Thomson. “He’s getting close, now. He feels good. Ran the bases today, he’ll run the bases again before he goes out.”
Thomson said he expects Bohm to do a rehab assignment at some point before being activated.
As for Alvarado, who was given the 80-game suspension back in May and will not be eligible for the postseason, has been in Venezuela throwing and keeping in touch with the organization.
“He’s going to be in Philly tomorrow,” Thomson said. “He won’t be at the ballpark but he’ll come to the ballpark on Tuesday.”
Six better than five?
The anticipation is that once Nola is ready to start a game with the big club, Taijuan Walker will move back to the bullpen. Again. But is there any thought the manager may want to save some starts for his starters in the near future and go with a six-man rotation?
“Not at this point,” he said. “But we’re going on a long stretch here coming up so we could get into some of that conversation.”
That’s a bit of an understatement. Counting this series against the Tigers, the Phillies will play 29 times in the month of August with the only off days being August 7 and 21 and then will play 16 of the first 17 days of September.
49 debuts
Before the game Thomson was sporting a No. 49 practice shirt, a change from his No. 59 that he gave to new closer Jhoan Duran when he came over from the Minnesota Twins during last week’s trade deadline. It wasn’t the team jersey, as Thomson said he saves that for special occasions. “Sometimes I’ll wear it, opening day and playoff games and stuff like that. Not too often.”
The Dodgers' Freddie Freeman doubles during the first inning of a win over the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday in Tampa, Fla. (Jason Behnken / Associated Press)
Scoring runs at Steinbrenner Field should not be as hard as the Dodgers made it look this weekend.
The spring training ballpark, which is doubling as the Tampa Bay Rays’ temporary home this season after Tropicana Field was shredded in an offseason hurricane, has small Yankee Stadium-inspired dimensions that played even shorter in this weekend’s sweltering Florida summer heat.
Yet, for 18 innings from late Friday night to midway through Sunday afternoon, the Dodgers put nothing but zeros on the scoreboard.
They couldn’t capitalize on the short porch in right field. They didn’t run into any cheap home runs amid conditions that should have helped the ball fly.
During a 3-0 win over the Rays on Sunday, the Dodgers manufactured offense in different kinds of ways.
In the top of the sixth, third base coach Dino Ebel decided to wave his arm on an aggressive send of Freddie Freeman, who went chugging around third base to score just ahead of a tag at home on Andy Pages’ RBI single to left.
In the seventh, they needed a swinging-bunt single from Shohei Ohtani, a one-out walk from Mookie Betts and a double-steal from both players to set up Freeman for another RBI single.
And in the ninth, they extended their lead with a sacrifice fly from Betts at the end of a 10-pitch battle for a key insurance run.
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws during the first inning of a win over the Rays in Tampa, Fla. (Jason Behnken / Associated Press)
Such results will do little to quell the concerns about the Dodgers’ slumping lineup, which has seen a brutal performance in July (when they scored the third-fewest runs in the majors) continue into the early days of August.
But on a day Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered 5 ⅔ scoreless innings and the Dodgers' bullpen completed a second shutout of the Rays in this weekend’s series victory — despite a bases-loaded scare in the bottom of the ninth — it was nonetheless enough to ensure the team returned home from this nine-game road trip with a winning 5-4 record.
The Dodgers’ ongoing search for offense included another twist on Sunday morning. Two weeks after flipping Ohtani and Betts at the top of the batting order, manager Dave Roberts reversed course by returning Ohtani to the top spot and dropping Betts — who has remained mired in his season-long slump — into the two-hole.
Betts grounded into a double-play in the first inning, immediately after Ohtani had led off with a walk.
In the fifth, the Rays intentionally walked Ohtani to put two aboard in front of Betts. But he flied out to center to end the inning, extending his recent hitless streak to 16 at-bats.
“It's kind of just trying to figure out what's best short term,” Roberts said of the lineup adjustment, while remaining undecided on how the batting order will look in the coming days. “With [Teoscar Hernández, who got an off day] not being in there, this was the best lineup for today.”
Roberts hinted that more tinkering could happen once Max Muncy returns from the injured list, which could happen as soon as Monday — especially after infielder Tommy Edman left Sunday’s game early with a sprained right ankle, aggravating his lingering ankle injury while rounding first base on a single in the fifth.
Roberts also left open the possibility of Betts, who saw his season batting average dip to .233 despite his seventh-inning walk and ninth-inning sacrifice fly, dropping further down the batting order at some point, as he continues to search for answers to his faltering swing.
"I’ve thought about it,” Roberts said. “I think it's a totally fair question. I'm just trying to figure out what would be best for him, for the team. But yeah, I’ve thought about it.”
For now, however, the Dodgers are clinging to what positives they can.
Ohtani entered Sunday in a recent skid that included 20 strikeouts in his last 10 games, but managed to reach base four total times to go along with two steals. Freeman stayed hot with his second three-hit performance of the trip, raising his batting average (which had slipped to .292 just a week ago) up to .306. And by the end of the day, even Betts had pitched in, following up his seventh-inning walk by staying alive against reliever Griffin Jax for his sacrifice fly in the ninth.
