Apr 21, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) catches a fly ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (not pictured) to end the fifth inning wth runners in scoring position at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored five runs while the Pittsburgh Pirates scored one run.
Talk about branching paths.
With the Rangers holding a scant 2-1 lead with two outs in the top of the fifth and with two Buccos on the bags for Pittsburgh, Texas hurler Kumar Rocker was nearing that point in the game where he often runs out of bullets. It was at this moment that the fate of tonight’s game was basically decided in an instant.
You’ve heard AJM speak on the most momentum shifting play in baseball, the two-out, three-run home run. Well, Pittsburgh all but enjoyed such an occasion when Oneil Cruz sent one deep to left-center for what looked like his 7th dong of the year, a surely crippling shot.
However, Rangers center fielder Evan Carter sprouted wings and robbed Cruz of providing Pittsburgh with a 4-2 lead as the game was exiting the middle innings.
Who knows what could or would have happened if Carter hadn’t stolen from the Pirates in broad rooflight, right in front of their stunned bullpen.
Would Rocker have been lifted having disappointedly coughed up the lead even though he appeared on his way to a stellar start?
Would an already overworked bullpen be forced to continue eating more innings as this homestand begins?
Would the softer underbelly of the ‘pen be called in, potentially allowing Pittsburgh to blow the game open further?
Would the bats have stayed quiet with all the air squeezed out of the balloon on one swing of Cruz’s bat?
We’ll never have to understand the mysteries of that other universe as Carter showed us the newest most momentum shifting play in baseball.
Buoyed by Carter, the Texas lineup put together a three-run bottom of the inning to turn what could have been a 4-2 deficit into a 5-1 lead that would eventually become the final score. With the win, the Rangers begin their homestand and this series with a victory as they climb back over the .500 hurdle.
Player of the Game: While Carter certainly had the play of the game with his home run thievery, Rocker did collect 17 other outs during his six innings of one run work which deserves a hat tip.
The former Vandy first-rounder was aided by Carter, sure, but he also ultimately allowed just the one run on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in his first Quality Start of the year and first big league start in which he made it beyond five innings since 6.1 innings against the Detroit Tigers in mid-July of last season.
Up Next: More Pirates and Rangers with RHP fellow Vandy Boy Jack Leiter next up for Texas opposite RHP Braxton Ashcraft for Pittsburgh.
The Wednesday evening first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.
LOS ANGELES — When asked pregame about his team's defensive struggles in Game 1 against the Lakers, Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka brought the topic back around to his team's offensive struggles and how that set up the defense for failure. Houston scored just 98 points on 37.6% shooting, falling 0-1 to the Lakers in this first-round series.
Kevin Durant should help with that. He has been cleared to play in Game 2 after missing Game 1 with a knee contusion. He will start, and Udoka said there was no minutes restriction.
All season long, Durant's shooting and his gravity have opened up what can be a clunky Rockets offense at times. Durant averaged 26 points a game this season, shooting 41.3% from 3-point range, plus dishing out 4.3 assists a night. He's a challenge for any defense.
"Well, he's the fifth leading scorer of all time," Lakers coach JJ Redick said of Durant. "He's done it at a high level for so long. He's one of the greatest players ever, he's one of the most gifted scorers you've ever seen, and really just a fantastic basketball player. If he shoots, you feel like it's going every time."
Durant was frustrated to be out for a fluky thing — he bumped knees with a teammate in practice last week — especially coming off a season when he missed just four games, Udoka said. How his knee is feeling and how it impacts his shots and movement remain to be seen, but just having him out there makes the Rockets that much more dangerous in a Game 2 they really need.
Apr 21, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) hi-fives teammates after scoring a run against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers began a three-game series with the Tigers in Detroit on Tuesday night, and things couldn’t have gone much better for the Crew. Even after a few close calls on the pitching side early, the Brewers pulled away late with some insurance in the seventh before a big eighth inning to win 12-4.
With Keider Montero on the mound for Detroit, he started things off with a harmless inning, working around a two-out single from Jake Bauers. Lefty Kyle Harrison, making his first start in 10 days, hit Gleyber Torres with a pitch before a passed ball by William Contreras allowed Torres to move to second. Harrison settled in from there, recording a lineout from rookie Kevin McGonigle before getting Matt Vierling to fly out.
The Brewers put together some offense in the second, as Garrett Mitchell reached on an infield single (he was initially called out, but the call was overturned upon review), Luis Rengifo walked, and Sal Frelick singled to bring Mitchell in. David Hamilton followed with a bunt single to load the bases. After Blake Perkins struck out, Brice Turang singled home two more.
Turang found himself caught in a rundown between first and second, and Hamilton was thrown out trying to score as Turang tried to get out of the pickle. Contreras flew out to end the inning, but Milwaukee was out to a 3-0 lead.
Harrison allowed a pair of singles in the second but got out of the jam with a strikeout and flyout before Montero bounced back for a 1-2-3 inning in the third.
Harrison once again dealt with traffic in the third. After Perkins very casually robbed what would have been a homer by Jahmai Jones, Harrison allowed a two-out double to McGonigle before walking Matt Vierling. With Dillon Dingler — Detroit’s home run leader — representing the tying run, Harrison set him down with a strikeout to hold the 3-0 lead.
For the fourth consecutive inning to begin the evening, Harrison dealt with traffic as he loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single. That marked the end of the night for him, as he lasted just three-plus frames on 72 pitches, allowing four hits and three walks, striking out three. Grant Anderson took over from there and immediately got Javier Báez to roll over into a 6-4-3 double play, allowing a run to score but putting the Crew in a good position to escape with minimal damage. Kerry Carpenter pinch-hit for Jones and proceeded to strike out, as Anderson walked the tightrope to keep the lead at 3-1 through four.
Anderson also got the fifth inning, working around a single and recording another double play. Trevor Megill took over in the sixth and recorded a quick 1-2-3 inning as he’s looked much better in his last few outings after being demoted from the closer role last week.
You may have noticed I haven’t mentioned Milwaukee’s offense in a minute. That’s because while all of this was happening, they had four consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. That would continue with two outs — both hard-hit flyouts to the warning track — to begin the seventh as they stretched to 15 consecutive at-bats without reaching base, but Hamilton brought the streak to an end with a single.
Perkins followed with a walk, and after an E1 by reliever Enmanuel De Jesus on a pickoff attempt at second, Turang made him pay and singled Hamilton in to extend the lead to 4-1. Contreras then hit another run-scoring single to make it 5-1 before the inning came to an end on a Bauers groundout.
Aaron Ashby took over for Megill in the bottom of the inning and worked around a pair of walks while recording two strikeouts.
Then things unraveled for Detroit.
Gary Sánchez started the eighth with a triple(!), just the fourth of his career and his first since 2024 (also with the Brewers). Not to be outdone, the rest of the inning went as follows:
With a 12-1 lead, Jake Woodford took over for Ashby to close things out. Joey Ortiz, in as a defensive replacement, had an error, but Woodford worked around it for a scoreless eighth.
Detroit’s backup catcher, Jake Rogers, took over on the mound in the ninth and — after striking out Rengifo on a 61.5-mph eephus — worked around two singles for a scoreless inning.
The Tigers finally found some life in the bottom of the ninth, but it was a case of too little, too late. With two outs and a runner on, Wenceel Pérez and McGonigle both singled, and Vierling doubled to cut the score to 12-4 before Dingler flew out to end the game.
It was a strange night for the Brewer offense, as they recorded 16 hits (no homers, just three extra-base hits) and three walks wrapped around 15 consecutive outs in the middle of the game. Hamilton had his best game as a Brewer, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Turang went 2-for-5 with a team-high four RBIs, and Contreras, Bauers, and Mitchell each had a pair of hits.
On the mound, Anderson picked up the win as he went two scoreless innings, allowing just one of three inherited runners to score. Megill and Ashby each had a scoreless inning in relief, while Woodford had a scoreless eighth before slipping up a bit in the ninth, allowing three runs on four hits.
The Brewers are back at it tomorrow as they’ll look to secure another series win. Chad Patrick gets the start, with former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize starting for Detroit. First pitch is at 5:40 p.m. CT.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins is congratulated by teammate Royce Lewis #23 after Buxton hit a two run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 21, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Twins trying to avoid extending their losing streak to 5, Simeon Woods Richardson was tasked with out-dueling the Mets Nolan McLean. The assignment proved to be difficult, as McLean would take a perfect game into the 6th inning. Meanwhile, old nemesis Francisco Lindor smashed a 3-run homer in the third off of SWR, in what looked like, at the time, a killing blow. The next two innings for Simeon went by scoreless, but as McLean continued to deal, it was looking like it would be the Mets that would end their 11 game losing streak.
However, Matt Wallner broke up the perfect game and no-hitter with a single to left leading off the 6th inning. Then, two outs later, Byron Buxton blasted his 4th home run of the year to get the Twins within 1. In the 7th, a Kody Clemens double followed by a Luke Keaschall single tied the game.
The game remained tied until the top of the 9th, with Anthony Banda, Justin Topa, and Cole Sands tossing scoreless innings after SWR exited. Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers led off with walks. Then Clemens laid down a sacrifice bunt up the first baseline and Vientos tried to get the out at 3rd but failed, loading the bases. Keaschall hit a single past the drawn-in infield for an RBI, then Wallner walked to force in another run to make it 5-3, Twins.
Austin Warren relieved Devin Williams, striking out the next three Twins, but the damage was done. Cole Sands pitched a shutout 9th to end the 4-game losing streak, and extend the Mets losing streak to 12.
Birmingham never wins the West Valley League baseball championship. But the Patriots are certainly putting themselves within striking distance of first-place El Camino Real.
They remained one game behind El Camino Real after an 8-0 win over Granada Hills on Tuesday in which Carlos Acuna gave up one hit in six innings and struck out 11. He also had two hits. Sebastian Valadez and Toni Mendoza each had two hits and two RBIs.
El Camino Real and Birmingham play a two-game series beginning April 29.
Harvard-Westlake 2, St. Francis 0: Junior Justin Kirchner threw six scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts and Ira Rootman had a home run and two RBIs.
Loyola 9, Bishop Alemany 3: Sophomore Austin Junk had a three-run home run and double and Luca Marucci also homered in the Cubs' Mission League win. Mikey Martinez homered for Alemany.
Chaminade 12, Crespi 5: Bronson Jackson, Isaiah Hearn and Robby Morgan each hit home runs in the Mission League win. Kystan Bell had three hits for Crespi.
St. John Bosco 6, Servite 0: Julian Garcia showed off overpowering stuff, striking out 12 with no walks while giving up two hits to help the Braves (17-5, 9-1) remain in first place in the Trinity League. Jaden Jackson had two hits and two RBIs.
Orange Lutheran 6, Santa Margarita 3: The top-ranked Lancers scored four runs in the seventh to overcome a 3-2 deficit. Hamilton Friedberg had three hits and three RBIs and CJ Weinstein added three hits.
Mater Dei 6, JSerra 5: Logan Miller had two hits and two RBIs for the Monarchs. Blake Bowen, Brise Boop and Owen Mescall hit home runs for JSerra.
Newbury Park 6, Calabasas 5: Jack Laubacher had two hits and three RBIs in the Panthers' eight-inning win.
Westlake 5, Thousand Oaks 3: The Warriors stayed in first place in the Marmonte League. Jaxson Necklen hit two home runs and Blake Miller added a home run, double, single and two RBIs.
Newport Harbor 8, Fountain Valley 1: Gavin Guy threw six innings in the Sunset League win.
Huntington Beach 6, Los Alamitos 3: Jared Grindlinger hit two doubles to keep Huntington Beach unbeaten in the Sunset League.
Gahr 2, Warren 1: Andres Gonzalez hit a two-run home run in the first inning for Gahr.
La Mirada 6, Downey 1: Michael Burgueno went four for four and Jacob Oropeza contributed two doubles.
San Clemente 4, Aliso Niguel 1: Bob Erspamer gave up two hits with six strikeouts in a complete game.
Villa Park 5, Anaheim Canyon 2: Jack McGuire struck out 10. Aidan Young had two hits and two RBIs.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Atlanta Braves is pulled by manager Walt Weiss #22 in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 121, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On April 21, 2024, the Braves began the day with a six-game winning streak. It ended in fairly routine fashion: the Braves took an early 3-0 lead over the Rangers, but Darius Vines couldn’t prop it up, and they lost, 6-4. That was the last time (before now) the Braves had a winning streak of six games or more when the wins actually mattered. On April 21, 2026, the Braves also began the day with a six-game winning streak. This one ended in far more ignominious fashion, as the pitching (and defense) had a horrific day en route to an 11-4 walloping at the hands of the Washington Nationals.
Though many Braves arms struggled in this one, Reynaldo Lopez set the tone, or whatever the correct idiom is for being horrendous out of the gate. When Bryce Elder struggled early in the series opener on Monday night, it was attributed to a mechanics deficiency associated with the cold weather, and, perhaps, the dreaded “road pitcher first inning penalty” associated with a starter warming up and then having to sit before going back out and pitching. I don’t know if either of those two reasons applied to Lopez tonight, but either way, it was just terrible.
Lopez’ first pitch of the night was a sub-89 mph “fastball,” and that was only the beginning of his issues. For the entirety of that inning, his pitches were either nowhere near the zone, or basically right down the middle. Walk-single-single plated the first run, then there was another walk, then a run-scoring walk on five pitches that all missed the zone, and then a bloop hit to make it 3-0. Lopez managed to get out of the inning with some pitches that were in the middle of the zone but taken or mishit, but it wasn’t a very good start.
And then got it far worse, when he once again could barely flirt with the strike zone against James Wood to start the second, only to throw a 93 mph fastball on a full count that caught enough of the zone to be absolutely obliterated into left field. I’ve seen fielders stop and watch (or not watch) on pulled homers before, but on an opposite field shot on a cold day? Yowza. A single by the next batter chased Lopez, who had one of the worst outings of his career in this one — a 1/3 K/BB ratio and a homer allowed while getting just three outs.
The procession of Braves’ pitchers that followed Lopez wasn’t much better. Jose Suarez actually pitched three scoreless frames with four strikeouts… but he also walked four, including three in his final inning of work before escaping with a weak flyout. Dylan Dodd got two strikeouts and a pop out (great), but was victimized by a couple of bloops that led to the fifth Washington run. After Aaron Bummer mercifully worked a 1-2-3 frame with a strikeout, the Braves gave Ian Hamilton a shot to do something… and it went terribly. A couple of walks and a single loaded the bases, and then Luis Garcia Jr. hit a mediocre line drive into the right-center gap that should’ve been caught, except Ronald Acuña Jr. basically flubbed the catch, leading to two more runs. A groundout scored another. So, then, the Braves went with Joel Payamps, who issued two walks ahead of a three-run homer by Curtis Mead, who entered the game in the middle innings as a pinch-hitter.
Basically, in this game, the Braves’ arms walked twelve Nats, only struck out ten, and gave up two homers. Gross. Both Lopez and Grant Holmes feel like they’re going to be bullpen-bound eventually. Before the season, I surmised that they’d be deficient in availability and not performance, but instead, it’s been the opposite: no injury troubles yet, but other than whatever results they’re scrounging up from pitching in front of a defense that’s played well, they’ve been disappointing.
Offensively, the Braves did some stuff, but they couldn’t really keep up with the 11-run drubbing that their soft underbelly arms (and Lopez) handed to the Nationals on a gilded platter. The first inning had a bizarre sequence where, with Laz Diaz behind the plate, both Acuña and Nationals catcher Drew Millas challenged consecutive pitches, with neither challenge succeeding and Acuña striking out. Back-to-back doubles by Mauricio Dubon and Michael Harris II plated a run against Foster Griffin in the second, and Drake Baldwin took him deep in the third. Eli White then collected his first homer on the year with a hard shot into the right-field corner, which pulled the Braves within one, until the Other Relievers gave it all back and then some. The Braves scored their fourth and final run on a bizarre play that went 3-6-3 but wasn’t a double play, as the throw from the first baseman was not anywhere near the second base bag but ended up being corralled and returned to first for an out anyway. Braves batters ran a fine 6/3 K/BB ratio and hit two bombs to go with three doubles. The problem was that a bunch of their grounders didn’t get through (seven different grounders off Braves’ bats went 100+ mph but turned into outs)… and also that the pitching was really bad.
Well, tomorrow is a new day and a chance to start another, and hopefully longer, streak. Thankfully, whatever the Mets are doing right now is not baseball but rather some kind of abstract performance art trying to communicate the flavor of despair, and the Phillies currently resemble the zombies in a cerca-1988 straight-to-TV zombie movie, so the Braves can afford a pitching stinker like this one. But it’s more fun when they don’t do that and just hit a bunch of dingers and win.
The New York Mets' losing streak has reached 12 games.
The Mets blew a 3-0 lead in a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, April 21. Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams allowed two runs without getting an out in the top of the ninth as Minnesota pulled away for the victory.
The Mets (7-16) have been one of the biggest disappointments to start the 2026 MLB season. Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is slugging just .341 with two home runs so far this season. The Mets' big offseason acquisition in Bo Bichette is doing even worse. However, the biggest disappointment is their record.
The 12-game skid makes the Mets the first team to lose that many games consecutively since the 2022 Los Angeles Angels lost 14 consecutive games. You heard that right. Even the historically bad 2024 Chicago White Sox and 2025 Colorado Rockies never experienced losing streaks of this magnitude.
What are the longest losing streaks in Mets history?
The longest losing streak in franchise history came during the team's inaugural 1962 season, when they lost 17 consecutive tilts. Funny enough, that same 1962 team also experienced losing streaks of 13 games and 11 games throughout that season. They finished the year with a 40-120-1 record.
Coming into Tuesday night's game, the Mets ranked dead last in team OPS at .624. They ranked 27th in home runs with 16 and 28th in walks with 64.
On the pitching side, they rank middle of the pack in team ERA at 4.06 — 16th in MLB. They also rank 16th in strikeouts (160) and eighth in walks (75).
BOSTON — V.J. Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-97 on Tuesday night to tie their playoff series at one game apiece.
Edgecombe connected on six of the 76ers’ 19 3-pointers. Maxey also had nine assists as Philadelphia bounced back after getting blown out 123-91 in Game 1.
The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.
The Celtics cut a seven-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 91-89 before an 11-0 run put the 76ers back in front 102-89 with just over four minutes to play. The Celtics pulled their starters with a little more than a minute remaining.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36 points. Jayson Tatum added 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
After struggling from the field in Game 1, the 76ers needed much more from Maxey and Edgecombe. They got it, with the pair carrying the load for a team that shot 47.8% from the field, including 19 of 39 from the 3-point line.
Boston was only 13 of 47 from the 3-point line and shot 39.3% from the field overall, while committing 13 turnovers leading to 16 points by the 76ers.
Philadelphia, which was again without center Joel Embiid for Game 2 as he continues to go through a strength and conditioning program following an appendectomy on April 9, was twice without Edgecombe for brief stretches Tuesday.
Edgecombe limped off in noticeable pain and went straight to the locker room for treatment in both the first and third quarters.
He returned each time and kept scoring to help the 76ers build as much as a 13-point lead in the third.
The intensity was high throughout the game.
It hit a high point in the opening minutes when Brown was assessed a technical foul after his emphatic one-handed dunk over Adem Bona that sent the 76ers big man to the floor.
Replays appeared to show that Brown’s momentum after the jam carried him into contact with Bona, who fell to the floor and left Brown in a hovering position over him.
But referee Marc Davis didn’t see it that way and called Brown for the tech.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Elly de la Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 20, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds mashed their way past the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at the Trop, hitting five home runs along the way. At one point, they held a 12-2 lead – that came as they entered the Bottom of the 9th inning – before things went a little sideways for reliever Kyle Nicolas as he tried to finish off the win (1.0 IP, H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K on 42 pitches).
Let’s focus on the positives here, though, as there were many.
For one, we watched as Elly De La Cruz destroyed a pair of homers as part of a larger 3 for 6, 3 R, 5 RBI game that featured a pair of homers – both from the right side of the plate. His second homer of the night did come against Rays position player Ben Williamson pitching in a mop-up role, but Elly opted to hit righty off the righty Williamson and still managed to sock a homer.
That’s good enough stuff to take home tonight’s Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game.
Homers also came off the bats of Ke’Bryan Hayes and Dane Myers, theirs coming back to back off Rays starter Steven Matz in the Top of the 2nd. Hayes finished with a 1 for 3 night that included a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored in easily his best offensive outing of the season. Spencer Steer also homered (and walked twice), while Sal Stewart merely chipped in with a 2 for 4 night that included a trio of ribbies and another stolen base.
Despite the struggles from Nicolas late, Chase Burns (5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K on 97 pitches) was dominant for most all of his outing to lead the pitching line. He entered the Bottom of the 6th having allowed nary a run before a 2-run blast in an already-decided game ended up sending him to the showers. He pummeled the zone throughout the early goings of this one and once again looked every bit the part of a legitimate ace in the making.
The win clinches the series win for the Reds and marks their 5th straight win on this road trip. They also now sit 16-8 on the season and have opened up a 2-game lead on the rest of the National League Central Division.
The Mets returned home to a frigid Citi Field on Tuesday night and fell to the Twins, 5-3, extending their losing streak to 12 games.
Here are the takeaways...
- Devin Williams entered a 3-3 game in the ninth inning and couldn't find the plate, issuing back-to-back walks before Mark Vientos made a questionable decision to try to nab the lead runner at third on a sacrifice attempt, leading to a bases loaded, none out jam. Williams then allowed a base hit through the drawn in infield as the Twins took a 4-3 lead. He followed by issuing a bases loaded walk to make it 5-3, Twins. As boos rained down, Carlos Mendoza came out to get him.
Austin Warren replaced Williams and struck out all three batters he faced, leading the agitated, freezing fans to shout mock "MVP" chants at him.
-The final 14 Mets to come to the plate were retired in order.
-Throwing a fastball that was up to 98 mph, his dastardly two-seamer, and a host of his filthy secondary offerings, Nolan McLean got off to a perfect start, retiring the first 15 batters he faced, including eight strikeouts -- fanning five batters in a row spanning the second and third innings.
McLean's perfect game bid ended in the sixth inning, when Matt Wallner led off and lined a clean single to left on a 1-0 two-seamer. After a standing ovation from the crowd, McLean quickly turned the page, getting Royce Lewis to fly out to right field and Brooks Lee swinging on a bugs bunny curve. But with a chance to escape the inning, McLean served up a two-run homer to Byron Buxton that sliced the Mets' lead to 3-2.
After notching his 10th strikeout to get the first out of the seventh inning, McLean faltered, serving up a double to Kody Clemons and run-scoring single to Luke Keaschall as Minnesota knotted the game, 3-3. McLean got the second out as Lindor made a stellar play on a grounder, ranging behind the second base bag before nabbing Matt Wallner at first base. But that's where McLean's night would end.
Brazoban relieved McLean and extinguished the threat, needing just one pitch to get Lewis to fly out to left field.
McLean's final line: three runs on five hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The 10 strikeouts were one short of McLean's career high.
- With Juan Sotoexpected to be activated off the IL ahead of Wednesday's game, the Mets on Tuesday trotted out another iteration of the lineup -- with Marcus Semien leading off, Bo Bichette batting cleanup, and Carson Benge ninth.
The new lineup started off slow against former Mets prospect Simeon Woods Richardson, who entered the game with a 6.10 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 20.2 innings over his first four starts of the season. The only Met to reach base over the first two innings was Bichette, who looped a single to right field.
Things changed for the Mets in the third inning against Woods Richardson. Mark Vientos lined a sharp single to left field leading off the frame, and was erased on Benge's ground out -- with Benge swiftly stealing second base. After Semien drew a walk, Francisco Lindorcame up and ran the count full before blasting a three-run homer into the second deck in right field to give New York a 3-0 advantage -- their first lead of two or more runs since April 7.
New York's hitters did a good job of making Woods Richardson work in the third and fourth inning, getting his pitch count up to 80.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Nathan Church #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Lucas Casel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A fiery Dustin May had a solid start and JJ Wetherholt continued his on-base assault while Nathan Church flexed unexpected power as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins Tuesday night.
It only took 4 pitches before JJ Wetherholt was on base as he ripped a 1st inning double to start the game. After Ivan Herrera struck out, Alec Burleson picked him up with a single to center that scored Wetherholt making i 1-0 Cardinals.
The Miami Marlins responded in the bottom of the 1st inning when Jakob Marsee hit a home run that hit the foam padding above the right field wall which was ruled a home run after an umpires review. Honorable mention goes to Jordan Walker, though, as he rifled the ball in from right field that would have nailed Marsee at third base if the umps hadn’t ruled the ball a home run.
The Cardinals would score again in the top of the 3rd inning when JJ Wetherholt walked and then advanced to third on a hit-and-run from Ivan Herrera. He would then score as his speed forced an errant throw by Connor Narby which sailed above the catcher making it 2-1 Cardinals.
St. Louis would extend the lead in the top of the 4th inning when Masyn Winn singled and scored on a long blast by Nathan Church making it 4-1 Cardinals.
Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman helped the Cardinals add to their lead in the top of the 5th inning as Burleson hammered a line drive to the right-center field wall for a double. Nolan Gorman then went the other way on a 2-strike count dumping a single into left field scoring Burleson making it 5-1 St. Louis.
Masyn Winn then ripped a double to left field moving Gorman over the third. That knocked starter Chris Paddack out of the game for Miami as they turned to the bullpen for help. Former Cardinal John King kept the Cardinals from adding any more runs as he was able to get Nathan Church out on a ball that almost floated over second baseman Edwards.
Jordan Walker’s arm was featured yet again in the bottom of the 5th inning when Jakob Marsee singled to right, but Jordan fired the ball back into the infield to Gorman who was able to catch Marsee venturing too far off of first base and he was tagged out in a rundown which was a key play in keeping Miami from scoring again.
Other than the awkward first inning home run to Marsee, Dustin May had nasty stuff (in a good way) as he only allowed 6 hits through 5 1/3 innings, struck out 5, only walked 1 and only gave up 1 earned run. The Marlins did make solid contact, but had little to show for it. Justin Bruihl was brought in to finish off the bottom of the 6th inning and he was able to get a groundout and a flyout to keep the game 5-1 Cardinals. Bruihl would also stay in the game through the bottom of the 7th and held the Marlins scoreless although 2 did reach base after he hit them.
Ryan Stanek was brought in to deal with the Marlins in the bottom of the 8th inning. He began by striking out Lopez, but then gave up back-to-back walks. After getting another strikeout, he walked another to load the bases. He then gave up a two-run single to Heriberto Hernández making it 5-3 Cardinals before he was removed by manager Oli Marmol. Here’s a fun fact: the name Stanek is of Slavic origin and means “one who achieves glory” which has yet to happen for the Cardinals. George Soriano was brought in to stop the run hemorrhaging which he did by striking out Norby. Riley O’Brien closed out the Marlins in the bottom of the 9th to seal the Cardinals 5-3 victory for his 7th save with some help from Pedro Pagés who made good use of the ABS system on a crucial 2-strike call. The win moves the Cardinals to 14-9 on the young season.
Offensive shoutouts to Alec Burleson, Ivan Herrera, Masyn Winn and Nathan Church who all had 2 hits for the Cardinals Tuesday night.
St. Louis will try to win the series Wednesday when they send Kyle Leahy to the mound against Janson Junk who will make the start for Miami. First pitch scheduled for 11:10am central time Wednesday.
It is hard to believe that this is the same team that recently had a six game win streak. Maybe the Rays were never that good, and the Yankees and White Sox just aren’t much competition?
Yesterday the Rays lost in part due to bad luck and less than stellar defense.
Tonight, the team fell apart just about every other way. This wasn’t bad luck. This was just terrible, no energy, no strategy, no hope baseball. Don’t let the almost respectable score fool you. This was a debacle.
Matz apparently met his match(z) in the Cincinnati lineup. In the first inning, Ely de la Cruz hit a two run home to put the Reds up 2-0. In the second inning, two Reds players each hit solo shots and it was 4-0.
Brian Anderson commented that Matz’s stuff seemed fine but his location is off. That is a very kind, nearly euphemistic way of saying the guy was nowhere near the strike zone. Three innings. Four walks. Throwing nearly more balls than strikes. I’d think most pitchers could do better blindfolded. Not only did he put the Rays in a big hole, but left a tired bullpen to get through six innings, with a day game tomorrow.
And believe me, the six bullpen innings were not pretty. Walks, hits, runs.
Altogether, the Rays 5 pitchers gave up 12 runs (include five home runs) and ten — TEN — walks. Just a disaster. The last pitcher was actually position player Ben Williamson, and he did not do any worse than the actual pitchers! A mere solo home run, practically a clean inning.
The Rays largely seemed flummoxed by Chase Burns, but then again they’ve been flummoxed in general for the last few games, and Burns is really good. In fact the only fun part of this game, in those moments in which I could pretend I wasn’t actually a Rays fan, was when they showed slow motion video of a Burns’ pitch that seemed to move in eight different directions as it crossed the plate.
The Rays managed to scatter a few singles. Jonathan Aranda managed to square one up and hit a two-run home run. But Burns was very effective for 5.2 innings, and the Cincinnati bullpen was equally tough for the Rays.
The best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the ninth, when Kyle Nicolas, no doubt the low man in the Cincinnati bullpen (because that’s the sort of pitcher you throw in to pitch the ninth when you have a 10 run lead). Nicolas walked the bases loaded and then walked in two runs. He then gave up a very lucky (for the Rays) 2 run-double, a bloop hit that was barely fair, and made the score 12-6. But a lazy fly ball ended the rally and the game.
Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
Boy, does it feel good to beat Boston.
The Yankees got their heads right over the weekend in their home sweep of Kansas City and carried that momentum to Fenway Park, handling the scuffling Red Sox in the first rivalry meeting of 2026. Luis Gil had little trouble shutting down a brittle Boston offense, and the previously-slumping Giancarlo Stanton smashed two extra-base hits to lead New York’s offensive attack. The Bomber bullpen took care of the rest of the paperwork in a 4-0 final as the Yanks collected their league-leading fifth shutout win.
In Gil’s previous outing, the Angels feasted on his fastball, taking him yard off the pitch three times in five innings. Tonight, though, a struggling Red Sox lineup simply couldn’t square him up. Gil allowed a pair of knocks in the first two innings, but from that point he did not allow a hit for the rest of the night. The fastball wasn’t the overpowering offering we saw in his rookie year—in the New England chill, he only averaged 93.6 mph on it—but the Red Sox just couldn’t make hard contact.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Yankees had just extended the lead to 3-0, giving him some extra cushion. He responded by retiring the top of the order in four pitches. He finally lost his command with two walks in the seventh, but some excellent relief work from Brent Headrick preserved his scoreless outing. He finished with 6.1 innings pitched, two hits, three walks, and two strikeouts, only permitting two Boston hitters to even reach scoring position.
The first of Stanton’s two salvos came in the second inning when he put one out of sight—at least, from the vantage point of the YES booth. Stanton’s 111.5 mph blast left the yard at such a high arc that neither Joe Girardi and Michael Kay really saw it go. The launch angle was an absolutely comical 41 degrees—usually a pop-up, unless you have freakish power like Stanton does. That swing busted him out of a 1-for-21 skid.
Big G’s second big hit came following a pair of walks issued by Early to Amed Rosario and Aaron Judge. By this point in the game, Early was losing his edge, nibbling around the strike zone and playing with his food after getting to two strikes. Rosario walked on four pitches, but Judge worked his way back from 0-2 down. So did Stanton. Once he’d gotten the count full, Early was forced to re-enter the strike zone—and he was punished. Giancarlo pounded a changeup off the Monster, scoring both Rosario and Judge to supplement the Yankee lead.
After surrendering lhis third free pass of the inning, Early was finally lifted. The Yankees went on to leave the bases loaded against reliever Jack Anderson—and José Caballero burned their final ABS challenge—but the damage was done.
An unlikely but welcome source helped add on against Anderson in the eighth inning. Ceddanne Rafaela began the frame with a spectacular leaping catch to rob Stanton of what would’ve been his third extra-base hit, but Cody Bellinger slapped an opposite field single to start a rally which was immediately converted by Randal Grichuk. Inserted into the lineup to face the left-handed Early, Aaron Boone opted to keep Grichuk in against the right-handed reliever. Grichuk rewarded the decision with a double into the left-center gap. Bellinger hustled around to score all the way from first to give New York a big insurance run.
Boston’s Carlos Narváez led off the eighth with a single, leading to a call for Tim Hill—who delivered a quintessential Tim Hill performance. He got all three of Roman Anthony, Willson Contreras, and Masataka Yoshida to roll over on grounders to retire the side and set the stage for David Bednar in the ninth. The Yankee closer worked around a Rafaela single to complete the shutout, striking out pinch-hitter Jarren Duran for the 27th out.
The Bombers seek to extend their winning streak to five games tomorrow night. It’ll be two top-flight lefties and former NL East foes facing off: Max Fried against Ranger Suarez. First pitch is once again set for 6:45 pm; as a Wednesday night game, coverage will be on Prime Video.
Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) dive for the ball in the first half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
After an impressive 32-point win in game one on Sunday, Boston would face a more stout Philadelphia opponent in Game 2. The 76ers came out to play in game 2, ratcheting up the defensive intensity and shooting the ball with confidence all game. Philly would snatch a big road win, 97-111 to level the series. Jaylen Brown had 36 points, and Jayson Tatum 19 points in the home loss.
Boston started the gmae with the regular lineup of Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Tatum nailed the game’s first shot of the night, a triple form the top of the key, a good early sign as JT was just 1/7 from downtown in game one. Sam Hauser’s relocation three-pointer was Boston’s second score of the game. Paul George hit a pair of two-point makes for Philly to make it 6-4 early.
Maxey was challenging Brown at half court, and JB drove past him and converted a nasty one handed dunk over Adem Bona. Brown whistled for a weak taunting technical foul after the play. Tatum was whistled for an offensive foul on a play as Oubre Jr. was clearly out of position, boos and chants raining down for the Refs at TD Garden early in the first quarter.
Jaylen Brown fed Derrick White for an open three-pointer as Boston tied the scores at 13 points. A play later Tatum drove all the way to cup to score with Bona trailing on the play as C’s fans found their voice once more. White drove and dumped it off to Queta, who hit a sweet floater over Andre Drummond who just checked into the game, Boston up 17-13 at the six-minute mark.
Hauser’s second triple gave the C’s a seven point lead, as rookie VJ Edgecombe limped back to the change rooms, after hitting the parquet hard on a rebounding miss. Payton Pritchard and Nikola Vučević were the first players off the bench for Boston and Pritchard had a sweet dime immediately to Brown for a left handed lay up. Vučević nailed his first three-pointer of the game, Boston up by 13 points, 26-13.
Philly went on a quick 10-0 run to cut the Boston lead back to just 3 points with Tatum on the bench. Paul George had a tip in for the visiting 76ers at the buzzer, Boston up by 3 points after one quarter, 28-25.
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown took a seat to start the second quarter, as Jayson Tatum and Hauser returning to the lineup. Baylor Scheierman hit his first triple of the game to open the second quarter, with Vučević on the assist. Boston had 4 early turnovers to start the game, handing the 76ers a pair of easy transition layups. Paul George drilled a corner triple to cut it back to a one point game, Boston up 35-34 at the 9-minute mark.
Veteran big man Andre Drummond fueled the Sixers back into the lead, 40-41, he scored 5 straight points for Philly in a decent stretch of minutes. Brown and White returned to the game and JB immediately got to his spot at the free throw line with Maxey on his hip, he was fouled and hit both free throws to retake the lead.
Philly was shooting the ball well to start game 2, they were shooting at a blistering 52% clip from three, going 10-19 to start the game. VJ Edgecombe dunked it home on the break for his fourteenth point of the night, Philly up 51-54. Edgecombe was outstanding for Philadelphia all half, he led all scorers with 20 points on 61% shooting from the field. Boston trailing 54-62 after the first half of play.
Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of a game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Boston would need to make adjustments in the second half, as they left the Sixers with too many wide open looks from downtown. Boston had 7 turnovers in the half and shot just 1 from 8 from three in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the Celtics came out flat to start the third quarter with more of the same, Jaylen Brown had a horrible cross court pass picked off, for Boston’s eighth turnover of the night. Paul George hit a triple and the 76ers up by 11 points, 56-67.
Jaylen Brown drove on Drummond to convert on a tough layup, his 17th point of the game. Tatum hit a pair of shots in the lane for Boston but they would need to get defensive stops to get back in the game as Philly kept the scoreboard ticking as Oubre Jr hit a pair of shots.
Jaylen Brown rattled a big time arching three-pointer over Andre Drummond as the Celtics cut it back to 6 points, 68-74 with plenty of time to go in the third quarter. Payton Pritchard finally got on the scoreboard for Boston with 5 minutes to go in the third.
The bench provided a spark for the home team in the third, Vooch, Walsh and Pritchard had good minutes in this mid-quarter stretch, Boston down by just 3 points. Edgecombe had five straight points for Philly to give the road team a buffer. Brown rattled in his 28th point of the night to keep the Celtics within striking distance, Philly by 7 points after three quarters, 77-84.
Derrick White hit a triple to open the scoring for Boston in the fourth. Pritchard’s step back jumper a play later got the score back to just 4 points. Paul George reeled off 5 straight points as Philly extended it’s lead back to 7 points. Tatum’s second three-pointer was timely for Boston, after going 2-13 in the series. Brown matched him with his own triple to cut the lead to 2 points.
Maxey nailed a pair of threes off the dribble for Philly as Boston continued to play drop coverage. It was a ten-point lead 89-99 with four to play. The 76ers were the more tougher team all game, hitting the big shots in a timely manner. Boston’s dismal three point shooting was the story of the night, as they had just 13 makes from 50 attempts.
The series now switches to Philadelphia for Game 3, as the Boston Celtics look to get things back on track on Friday 24th of April at 7pm EST.
Apr 21, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) reaches second base on a pitch in the dirt as Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) catches the ball during the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images
After a road trip, it’s always nice to get home, and the Tigers were certainly happy to be back at Comerica Park. The first game of their series against the Brewers had Keider Montero on the mound for the Tigers, and Kyle Harrison up for the Brewers. Right now, before you continue reading this, I need you to look at a photo of Kyle Harrison and tell me he doesn’t look like Andy Dirks’ brother.
In the first inning, with two outs on the board, Jake Bauers singled. A Gary Sanchez groundout ended the inning, though. In the home half, Gleyber Torres was hit by a pitch with one out. A passed ball then allowed Torres to advance to second. Unfortunately, two outs came right on the heels of that boon and the Tigers did what they love to do: leave a man stranded.
Top of the second, and while it looked like the Tigers had their first out, Garrett Mitchell quickly called for a review, and at a very quick glance, he was right to, and the call was overturned, putting a man on first. Luis Rengifo drew a walk. Sal Frelick then followed that up with a single, which brought Mitchell home for the first run of the game. A perfectly placed bunt single from David Hamilton loaded the bases. Montero finally got the first out of the inning, but it soon got uglier. Bruce Turang singled, scoring two runs. Hamilton made a push for home but was tagged out. The Brewers were up by three at the mid-point of the second. In the home half, Riley Greene got a one-out single, and Spencer Torkelson singled right behind him, but the Tigers would leave both baserunners stranded.
Montero course corrected nicely in the third, getting the side out in order. The Tigers built up another opportunity in the bottom of the third. Kevin McGonigle got a two-out double, and Matt Vierling followed that with a walk, but once again the Tigers left two on base.
The fourth saw another 1-2-3 inning for Montero against the Brewers, something he and the team desperately needed if they hoped to overcome the gap in the score. Greene took a leadoff walk in the home half, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Torkelson then walked. Hao-Yu Lee singled, and with the bases loaded, that was it for Harrison, who was pulled and replaced by Grant Anderson. Anderson’s first order of business was to induce a double play off the bat of Javier Baez, but the Tigers did score their first run of the game in Riley Greene. They’d have to settle for just the one run for now, though.
The Brewers once again went three-up, three-down in the fifth. In the home half, the Tigers continued to attempt to make something happen. Torres got a leadoff single, but a flyout and double play meant he didn’t get much of a chance to score.
Two outs into the sixth, Montero’s night was done. His final line for the game was 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K on 88 pitches. We’ve certainly seen better from him this season, but it was nice to see a strong course correction after he floundered early in the game. He ended up getting 12 outs in a row before being pulled. Enmanuel De Jesus came out of the pen to replace him, and he got the final out of the inning. Trevor Megill came out of the Brewers pen in the bottom of the inning and got the Tigers out in order.
A nice streak of 15 outs in a row against the Brewers ended in the seventh with a two-out single to Hamilton. Blake Perkins then took a walk. A throwing error was charged to De Jesus on a pickoff attempt. Then Turang singled, bringing Hamilton home. Just an ugly inning, and it kept getting worse as a William Contreras line drive headed to left and scored another run. The Tigers managed to get out of the inning without more runs scoring, but when it was all said and done, the score was now 5-1 for the Brewers. Aaron Ashby was the new pitcher for Milwaukee in the bottom of the inning. Lee took a leadoff walk, even though the Brewers challenged a ball call, it was confirmed correct. With two outs, Torres walked as well, putting two men on. It was another case of Tigers Threaten But Do Not Score, though.
Gary Sanchez started the inning with a triple. Mitchell then got a triple of his own, scoring another run. Rengifo singled as Vierling just barely missed making the catch in right. This scored another run. No one was warming, so this is just how we live now. Sal Frelick walked. If you’re still reading at this point, you’re a real one. Hamilton then singled, which should have been a pretty run-of-the-mill grounder, but nope, instead it’s bases loaded. Can a whole team be charged with defensive indifference? De Jesus was finally pulled. Connor Seabold came in and decided to maintain the status quo by hitting Blake Perkins with a pitch to walk in a run. Sure, why not? The Tigers finally got their first out of the inning with a Turang flyout, but another run scored. Then a Contreras single brought in yet another one. A well-placed double into left by Bauers scored another run. 10 batters into this inning, and we still have only one out. Sanchez, in his second at-bat, grounded out, scoring a run, but also getting the Tigers a much-needed out. The Tigers finally got out of the inning, but seven runs scored, and everyone was a little worse-off personally for having watched it.
Jake Woodford was the new Brewers pitcher. Dillon Dingler reached thanks to a fielding error by Joey Ortiz, but was eliminated in a force out.
Ah, at last, a silver lining! POSITION PLAYER PITCHING! Jake Rogers came out for the top of the ninth, tossing his cute little eephus pitch, and with it, he collected his first career strikeout. He collected two outs before giving up a single to Hamilton. Blake Perkins hit a groundball that took an unexpected hop to keep it from being an out, but the Tigers did manage to get out of the inning without any runs scoring, so go Jake go! In the bottom of the inning, a pinch-hitting Colt Keith hit a one-out single. Wenceel Perez, also pinch-hitting, then singled. McGonigle came through, singling and bringing Keith home. McGonigle advanced to second on defensive indifference, and that was followed by a Vierline double, that scored two more runs. The mini rally was good for the soul, but a flyout to right ended the inning and the game.
