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Brooklyn Nets drop back-and-forth battle to Sacramento Kings, lose 126-122

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on March 22, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today is one of the biggest days of the season for the Brooklyn Nets for the lamest of reasons. As the regular season inches closer to its conclusion, all moves made in the “tank race” fall under increased magnification. With Brooklyn facing the Sacramento Kings, who sat just a half game behind Brooklyn entering tonight’s contest, the benefits of a loss and drawbacks of a win loomed larger than anything.

A few hundred miles away in the backdrop, Darryn Peterson’s collegiate career also came to an end, which also helped set the odd, enigmatic stage. Kansas loss to St. John’s at the buzzer means that of the top four prospects, only Cam Boozer of Duke remains. In addition to Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa of BYU lost earlier in March Madness and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina has been declared out with an injury.

At the end of the night, Brooklyn is now one and a half games ahead of the Kings and only two games behind the overall No. 1 held at the moment by the Indiana Pacers. In second, the Washington Wizards a half game ahead of the Nets.

Brooklyn started this one with Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf for a fourth straight game. It was their first one, however, where Nic Claxton didn’t join them out there, as he sat for rest. Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain) and Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain) joined him on the bench.

The advantages and disadvantages of going small were clear early on. Sacramento built up an early lead attacking the paint and dominating the glass in the first period 14-6. They ended up winning there 51-25 for the game. Brooklyn kept stride, stretching the floor and shooting 6-10 from deep in the first. Wolf, who led early with seven points on 3-5 shooting, nailed one, as did Traore.

However, it was the LIRR that brought Brooklyn to its first advantage tonight. The team’s G-Leaguers continued their impressive play up on the professional stage on the road this evening. Tyson Etienne and Malachi Smith each went 2-2 from deep in the first period. They helped fuel the 10-0 run in the heart of the opening frame that put Brooklyn in front.

“Yeah, they’ve done a great job,” Fernández said. “And once again, a lot of these guys, were giving them a look because they haven’t played enough, all their guys. As you guys know, we have young guys here that we need to see what we have, and I really like the competitiveness and how we fought all all the way through, second game in a row.”

But while small ball continued to bring the Nets positive returns, Brooklyn shrank beyond control in the second. A few minutes into it, Danny Wolf rolled his ankle after a finish inside. The Nets ruled him out for the game with a left ankle sprain a few minutes after they walked him back to the locker room.

And while Wolf’s health going forward was and surely remains Brooklyn’s primary concern, in the immediate, his injury left the team with little-to-no resistance against Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa anytime they rolled to the basket. Those two combined for 16 points in the period while shooting 7-11 from the field. Maxime finished the game with 22 points on 10-13 shooting while Achiuwa had a 14-point and 15-rebound game.

Still, Brooklyn was able to protect its lead through halftime. After committing 15 turnovers agains the New York Knicks and 23 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they had just one in the first half tonight. They finished with just seven for the game.

“Our 30 assists to only seven turnovers is very impressive,” Fernández said. “So, that’s definitely a step forward for us.”

E.J. Liddell started for Wolf to begin the third, and with him being just six-foot-six, the Kings wisely stuck with what had worked. They got more points inside if not on their first try, than their second, eventually finishing with a +18 advantage in second chance points.

Who they couldn’t hang with, however, was Ziaire Williams. He did it all for Brooklyn in a game where they looked for a lot of different things in inauspicious places, especially in the third. While battling on the glass, shooting, defending the perimeter, and even playmaking on a few occasions, he finished with 18 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block.

The Nets maintained a slight edge for the majority of the third, which became a far slower period than either of its predecessors thanks to a handful of reviews and scuffling between Terance Mann and DeMar DeRozan. However, a handful of swing plays ended in Sacramento’s favor in the period’s final few seconds, which was enough to give them a three point advantage entering the fourth.

There, we got more fun, back-and-forth action anyone bargained had for in a game between lottery-bound teams. Sacramento’s defense, devoid of speed and physicality, looked to be tailor-made for a crafty guy with good footwork like Ben Saraf, who had an easy time probing inside. He finished with a career-high 22 points on 10-20 shooting, along with five assists and a steal.

“Probably one of his best games at finishing at the rim,” Fernández said of Saraf. “I like how aggressive he was, five assists to two turnovers.”

Doug McDermott also reminded you he’s still in the league, plays for the Sacramento Kings, and that a shooter’s touch never ages. He splashed two threes in the fourth’s first three minutes to help build a six point lead, their largest of the game. Patrick Baldwin Jr. also caught the defense napping twice with two threes made.

But while were often more inspired by the unsung heroes, infatuated by young prospects, and impressed by gritty G-League products, in the end, games are won by teams with the better players, and Sacramento had the two best in DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk. They also made it clear when it mattered most.

Out of a timeout after the Nets had cut it to two with a little under three to go, DeRozan hit the same buttery mid-range fadeaway he’s been burying for years to re-extend the lead. The Next two times down, Monk added five points after a near-poster on Malachi Smith and his seventh three of the game.

Brooklyn answered, but it was a hair too little, too late. The Nets put together a 7-0 run in the final minute to make it a 120-121 game, capped off after Achiuwa committed a goal-tending violation on a Traoré drive. However, the Kings pressed all the right buttons to seal the deal. They moved the ball well, hit their free throws, and unlike Santa Clara, knew it wasn’t 2007 anymore, and that you should always foul when up three.

Final: Sacramento Kings 126, Brooklyn Nets 122

Injury Report

The Nets tagged Wolf with a left ankle sprain when ruling him out tonight. He tried to walk off the floor on his own power, then got some help from some teammates and trainers, then needed to stop for a bit even with the assistance before getting to the tunnel. Jordi Fernández was unable to provide an update postgame, so we’ll wait and watch.

Milestone Watch

  • Malachi Smith scored a career-high 18 points today against the Kings on 7-9 FG, 3-4 3PT and 1-1 FT with four assists and two steals. On a 10-day contract, he is the fifth Nets rookie to score at least 18 points in their fifth career game or sooner since Kenyon Martin in 2000.
  • Ben Saraf joines Danny Wolf, Jeremiah Martin (2020) and Terrence Williams (2010) as the only Nets rookies with 20+ PTS and 5+ AST off the bench since Kerry Kittles in 1997.
  • With his first points of the game against Sacramento, Danny Wolf (501 career points) joined Egor Dëmin (536) as the first Nets rookie duo to each score 500+ points in a season since Stephen Jackson and Kenyon Martin in 2000-01. They are the sixth Nets rookie tandem to ever do so.
  • Malachi Smith’s 10-day is expiring Monday. The Nets can extend him for another 10 days, let his contract simple expire or sign him to a standard deal. The deadline for signing two-ways was earlier this month so that option is not open.

Next Up

Brooklyn’s final road trip of the season continues on Monday with a trip to Rip City. The Trail Blazers beat the Nets handily less than a week ago. This will be the final part of Brooklyn’s last back-to-back sequence of the season. It tips off at 10:00 p.m. ET.

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Phillies agree to 6-year contract with opening day starter Cristopher Sánchez

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a new six-year contract with opening day starter Cristopher Sánchez.

The deal announced Sunday for last season’s NL Cy Young Award runner-up begins in 2027 and will run through 2032 with a club option for 2033.

Terms were not immediately available.

Sánchez had been pitching under a $22.5 million, four-year contract that was through 2028.

He went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts last season and struck out a career-high 212 batters. He’s 30-21 overall in four full big league seasons.

Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent in 2013, Sánchez was acquired in a trade by the Phillies on Nov. 20, 2019, for infielder Curtis Mead.

Mead played in just 41 games for the Chicago White Sox last season while Sánchez has blossomed into one of the best pitchers in baseball and helped key the Phillies’ run to consecutive NL East titles in 2024 and 2025.

The Phillies want to keep their postseason run going — four straight appearances headed into 2026 — and have locked up all veteran members of their staff to long-term deals.

Jesús Luzardo earlier this month finalized a $135 million, five-year contract that starts in 2027. Zack Wheeler has a $126 million deal through the 2027 and Aaron Nola a $172 million, seven-year agreement through 2030. Rookie Andrew Painter is under team control through 2031 and earned the fifth starter spot in the rotation.

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Panthers' A.J. Greer suspended for 3 games for shoving Flames' Connor Zary into the boards

NEW YORK (AP) — Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer has been suspended three games for shoving Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary into the boards from behind.

The NHL announced the punishment on Sunday.

The play occurred 11:11 into the third period of Florida's 4-1 loss at Calgary on Friday night. The 29-year-old Greer was assessed a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct.

Greer has a career-high 13 goals and 24 points in 68 games this season. He will miss games against Seattle, Minnesota and the New York Islanders, and he forfeits $13,281.24 in salary that goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Controversial call helps Tennessee beat Virginia, reach Sweet 16. Did refs get it right?

No. 6 seed Tennessee is head back to the Sweet 16 for the fourth year in a row following a 79-72 win over No. 3 Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

But do the Cavaliers have a legitimate gripe about a late call that didn't go their way?

March Madness scores: A buzzer-beater, highlights, more Round 2 updates

With 27 seconds left, and the Volunteers leading 73-71, Virginia missed a short shot, and in the scrum for the rebound the ball was spiked by Tennessee's Nate Ament and bounced off some bodies before going out of bounds.

The officials gave the ball to Tennessee, which drew a coach's challenge from UVA coach Ryan Odom after replays seemed to suggest the ball was spiked off Vols guard Bishop Boswell's head and then out of bounds without a Virginia player touching it. UVA's Dallin Hall was close to the ball, but pulled his hands away and didn't seem to make contact with the ball, as it didn't change directions.

However, the refs stuck with the original call and gave Tennessee the ball. UT's Ja'Kobi Gillespie would add free throws, and down two possessions, the arithmetic changed and the game was ultimately affected.

Did the refs make right call in Tennessee-Virginia game? Take a look and decide for yourself:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Controversial late call in Tennessee-Virginia game helps Vols reach Sweet 16

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Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras, Florida's Alex Condon get in tussle in March Madness game

In one of the final games of the first week of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, some sparks flew — and, by the looks of it, a balled-up fist.

With about nine minutes remaining in the first half of No. 9 seed Iowa’s game against No. 1 seed and reigning national champion Florida, Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras collected a rebound off an Alex Condon miss, but Condon reached in, leading to a tie-up.

Shortly after a referee blew the whistle, signaling a held ball and the end of the play, Condon continued to pull at the ball and dragged Folgueiras to the court.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness? More like March Blandness in as NCAA Tournament has too much chalk

After the play, Iowa and Florida players rushed to the scene, with the two sides eventually separated. A replay on the TBS broadcast showed Folgueiras balling up his fist and throwing it in Condon’s direction, though it appeared that it was Folgueiras’ forearm, not his fist, that made contact with Condon’s chest, with the motion of his arm going in the direction of the tie ball.

The TBS announcers working the game initially speculated that Folgueiras, a Robert Morris transfer in his first season at Iowa, might receive a flagrant-2 foul and an automatic ejection, but upon video review, referees determined that it was a double technical foul.

Florida coach Todd Golden was incensed at the call, arguing with the officials after it was made. Following the altercation between Folgueiras and Condon, Golden was also seen shouting in the direction of the Iowa bench and first-year Hawkeyes coach Ben McCollum.

"I don't know, they were just going for the ball, and then everybody got all sensitive," McCollum said to TBS in a sideline interview at the next timeout. "Their people got sensitive. It's like, you're trying to play ball. It's whatever. We'll compete. We'll fight. We'll see what happens."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa's Alvaro Folgueiras, Florida's Alex Condon get in tussle in March Madness game

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Mariners Spring Training Game #29: Open Game Thread

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 11: Bryan Woo #22 of the Seattle Mariners looks on in the dugout during a Spring Training game against the Colorado Rockies at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s the penultimate night in Peoria, er, Glendale.

Bryan Woo will get the ball in the Mariners’ next to last game of Spring Training. The next time we see him, it’ll count for real. Catching Woo today is newly appointed backup catcher Mitch Garver. The rest of the Mariners lineup is not quite what they’ll send out on Opening Day lineup, but still a group of players who will feature throughout the season.

Also expected to pitch today: Andrés Muñoz, Jhonathan Díaz, Jose Ferrer, Casey Legumina, and Cooper Criswell.

First Pitch: 6:05 pm PDT

TV: None

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, MLB.com

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Game Thread: Mariners (10-18) at White Sox (15-14-1)

Feb 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
Sean Burke takes his last spring start, for the last home game at Camelback Ranch. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Four, that’s right, four days to go until the games start meaning to mean! Until then, we’ll have to sate ourselves with whatever kind of scrap of news this is.

Uh, alright? Nothing wrong with a little catching depth, I suppose? Korey Lee doesn’t have any options remaining and has had a productive spring, so he’s been a lock to make the roster the moment Kyle Teel pulled up limping in the World Baseball Classic. The whole “$1.2 million” thing there, though, indicates that McGuire has a real possibility of making the roster, if it’s not already foregone. This, to me, is strange, because while I’m interested to see whether Lee’s offseason hitting work has paid off, he doesn’t need to be in the lineup almost every day like both Teel and Edgar Quero do. That would make a third catcher on the roster redundant, so I’m curious to see what it all means.

Anyhow, not a ton interesting about the lineup the Sox are running out against Seattle tonight, but the battle between Tristan Peters, Everson Pereira, and Derek Hill rages on for what may now be two open outfield spots, with Brooks Baldwin out of the picture for the opener on Thursday. It’ll also be the last time Camelback Ranch sees White Sox game action until 2027, as they’ll be on the road for their final outing of the spring season tomorrow.

Sean Burke takes the ball for one final tune-up start before they really start to count, hoping to end with a flourish to offset what to this point has been a somewhat wobbly spring. He did look solid his last time out, nearly making it through five innings against Texas last Monday while surrendering just a single run. He’s on pace to get the nod for game two of the regular season against Milwaukee, on Saturday.

Opposite Burke, Sox hitters will get a look at Seattle’s burgeoning ace in Bryan Woo, who surely wants to come into the regular season hot after injuries kept him out of the 2025 postseason rotation despite a Cy Young-caliber campaign. Outside of Woo, most of Seattle’s big names are getting the night off, as Cal Raleigh dons the tools of ignorance by his lonesome without any of Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena or Josh Naylor buffering him in the lineup.

This one is scheduled to tip off at 8:05 p.m. CT, and for the first time this year, I’ll actually be able to watch a game I’m recapping, as the CHSN TV crew will be on the call like usual. Hallelujah!

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Jets Snap Three-Game Skid vs Rangers To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Winnipeg Jets snapped their three-game losing skid Sunday night, defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 in a shootout to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It was a standout performance from Gabe Vilardi, who recorded a multi-point night and continued his strong season. Vilardi scored his 27th goal of the year on the power play, tying his previous career high, and added an assist on Winnipeg’s opening goal. His offensive contributions proved critical in a tightly contested game.

Jets captain Adam Lowry also delivered a bounce-back performance, opening the scoring in the first period with his fifth goal of the season to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead.

The Rangers responded later in the game, with depth forward Tye Kartye scoring his sixth goal of the season off an assist from New York captain J.T. Miller.

Vilardi restored Winnipeg’s lead early in the second period with his power-play goal, making it 2-1. New York answered again before the end of the period, capitalizing on a power-play opportunity to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third.

Both teams leaned on strong goaltending from unexpected sources as Winnipeg backup Eric Comrie made 27 saves, while Rangers netminder Dylan Garand impressed in his first career NHL start. Garand made 35 saves and allowed just one goal at even strength, helping keep New York in the game.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout, where Kyle Connor scored the winner to secure the victory for Winnipeg.

The win comes at a crucial time for the Jets with 12 games remaining, they sit five points out of a playoff spot and must surpass four teams in the standings. The Colorado Avalanche are currently the only team to have clinched a postseason berth, leaving the rest of the race wide open.

Winnipeg returns to action Tuesday at home against the Vegas Golden Knights and will need to stay hot to keep their playoff chances alive.

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ST Game 31: Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 5: Ramón Laureano #5 of the San Diego Padres swings and hits the ball during a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on March 5, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, March 22, 2026, 6:10 p.m. PST

Watch: None

Location: Peoria Sports Complex – Peoria, AZ

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

  • Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
  • Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
  • Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

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'St. John's is going to the Sweet 16!' Dylan Darling buzzer-beater defeats Kansas

An NCAA tournament that’s been largely predictable near the end of the first weekend got some much-needed madness Sunday in one of the most anticipated games of the day.

After surrendering a late 13-point lead, Rick Pitino and St. John’s escaped with a 67-65 victory against Kansas in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament thanks to some heroics from one of its less-heralded starters.

REQUIRED READING: St. John's vs Kansas live updates: Red Storm wins on buzzer-beater, headed to Sweet 16

With the score tied at 65 with 3.9 seconds remaining, Red Storm guard Dylan Darling received the inbounds pass near midcourt and drove to the basket, getting by his defender and making a contested layup as time expired to give his team an anxiety-inducing win.

Darling said after the game that he had suggested the play to Pitino, believing there wasn't enough time to run the play his coach had originally had them set to run.

"I probably don't deserve this," Darling said in his post-game news conference. "I was pretty bad all night long, but my teammates held it down tonight. Everybody stepped up, including this dude right here (teammate Ian Jackson), and just happy to keep this thing rolling."

The shot sent St. John’s to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. There, it will take on No. 1 overall seed Duke.

The Red Storm largely controlled the game against the Jayhawks and potential No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Darryn Peterson, leading for 93% of the contest and going up by as many as 14 in the second half. Until Darling’s layup, though, they had been outscored 20-7 in the final 6:29 of regulation.

The basket gave Darling his only points of the day on his only attempt from inside the 3-point arc of the afternoon. The 6-foot-1 junior had missed each of his previous four attempts from the field, all of which came from 3. He contributed in other ways, though, finishing with a team-high four assists and two steals.

And now, thanks to one determined drive to the bucket, he’ll live forever in St. John’s basketball lore.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: St. John's buzzer-beater vs Kansas sends Red Storm to first Sweet 16 since 1999

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Penguins Send Skilled Prospect Back To AHL

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have assigned forward Ville Koivunen to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

Koivunen was called back up to the Penguins' NHL roster earlier this month, but with this news, he is now heading back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 33 games this season with Pittsburgh, the 22-year-old forward has recorded two goals, five assists, seven points, and a minus-5 rating. 

Koivunen will now be looking to continue to make an impact now that he is back with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 29 games with the AHL squad this campaign, he has 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, and a plus-7 rating.

In 41 career NHL games over two seasons with Pittsburgh, he has recorded two goals, 12 assists, 14 points, and 14 penalty minutes. 

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AJ Greer Suspended 3 Games For Hit On Connor Zary During Panthers Loss In Calgary

The Florida Panthers are going to be without another one of their regular forwards for the next several games.

Unlike the majority of their roster absences this season, this one will not be due to an injury.

Greer was suspended by the NHL Department of Player Safety for three games on Sunday.

An official explanation from the NHL can be found by clicking here.

The discipline stems from a hit by Greer on Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary during Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Panthers.

During the third period, with Calgary holding a 2-1 lead, Greer was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding after he pushed Zary into the boards head-first.

You can check out the hit in the X post below:

The Greer-less Panthers will be back in action on Tuesday they host the first of their final three homestands of the season, all of which are a whole two games in length.

This one will feature Florida hosting the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday and the Minnesota Wild Thursday.

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Photo caption: Oct 2, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

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Steve Alker wins the Cologuard Classic with a playoff birdie for the second straight year

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Steve Alker won the Cologuard Classic with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff for the second straight year, beating Padraig Harrington with a 4-footer Sunday in mid-90 degree heat.

Last year at La Paloma, Alker beat Long Island club pro Jason Caron with a 12-foot putt on the first extra hole.

Alker won for the 11th time in 100 career starts on the PGA Tour Champions. The 54-year-old New Zealander was nine strokes back after opening with an even-par 71, then shot a 62 on Saturday to pull within two.

“I just made some simple mistakes the first round,” Alker said. “A couple three-putts and missed the odd green here and there, and it was kind of silly stuff. I tidied that up. I knew my game was in good shape.”

Alker closed with a 65 to post at 15-under 198. Harrington, playing behind Alker in the final group, hit his approach long and bogeyed the par-4 18th — missing a 10-foot comebacker.

Both players found the left side of the fairway on the 18th in the playoff, Harrington with a driving iron. The Irishman hit to the back of the green from 146 yards, leaving a 30-foot downhill putt that slid by on the right. Alker hit a gap wedge from 135 yards to set up the winning putt.

“Ultimately it all worked out,” Alker said. “One hundredth start, really special. I had no idea. It’s just gone so quickly, I’m having so much fun out here. To win here again is pretty special.”

Zach Johnson closed with a 67 to tie for third at 13 under in his second start on the 50-and-over tour. He won two weeks ago in Florida in his senior debut.

Tommy Gainey also was 13 under after a 68, Thongchai Jaidee (70) was 12 under. Sixty-eight-year-old Bernhard Langer (70) was another shot back with K.J. Choi (67), Thomas Bjorn (67) and Stewart Cink (67).

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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Brewers fall to A’s, 9-8, in second and final Spring Breakout game

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 16, 2025: Jesús Made #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers in the field during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 16, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Here at BrewCrewBall, normally our game recaps provide a play-by-play (or, at least the important plays) of the game that we’re recapping. Since today’s Spring Breakout is an exhibition game, more of an excuse to showcase prospects than a game that really counts for anything, I thought I’d do this recap a bit differently. Here are some of the prospects that stood out in today’s 9-8 loss to the Athletics:

Blake Burke:

Burke, who played first base tonight, had the Brewers’ only two-hit performance in today’s game. Both hits were singles, with the first an RBI single in the first to score Luis Peña and give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Burke also stole third base twice en route to a three-steal performance. He played out of his mind once being promoted to Double-A (300/.377/.579 with 11 HRs in just 140 at-bats); if he can sustain anything close to that level of performance next season, it might not be long before he’s in a major league clubhouse.

Jesus Made

The good: Made only had one hit in three at-bats, but his hit — a 112.7 mph line drive double off of A’s No. 2 prospect Jamie Arnold — was the second-hardest hit ball of the day. The bad: he did have two throwing errors, one of which cost the Brewers a run. Not much more to say about Made, who continues to impress in one way or another nearly every time he’s on the field. He’s Milwaukee’s No. 1 prospect for a reason.

Eric Bitonti

Bitonti’s power has never been in question; he hit 19 home runs last year in Single-A . He ended the season still in Single-A because, despite all his power, he strikes out too much. Bitonti did strike out once in his two at-bats, but the other at-bat ended in a monstrous home run that came off the bat at 115.7 mph. With all the other talented corner infielders in the Brewers’ system, he has been somewhat overlooked. Today’s home run is a reminder that if he can cut down on the strikeouts, his power could be a true difference maker someday.

Other position players who had hits included Andrew Fischer, Brady Ebel, and Daniel Dickinson, all 2025 draft picks. Ebel’s hit, a double to left field, tied the game at 7 for the Brewers in the eighth inning. Fischer’s been flashing all spring between the World Baseball Classic and Spring Training, and tonight was no exception — smoking a 111.3 mph double down the right field line to score Ebel and give the Brewers an 8-7 lead.

Luis Peña got the Brewers on the board in the first with his only hit of the contest:

The pitching staff was a bit less impressive today, as Ethan Dorchies and Wande Torres were the only pitchers who didn’t allow a run. Starter Tyson Hardin allowed four hits and three runs in two innings, walking two and striking out one. The Brewers put up four runs before he was pulled, so Hardin exited the game with the lead. His replacement, Brett Wichrowski, gave up three runs in 0.2 innings, although one of the three was unearned due to a Made throwing error. The winning run for the Athletics was scored on a Darrien Miller passed ball in the bottom of the eighth, although pitcher Mark Manfredi had already allowed three hits and walked a batter during the frame.

I’d also be remiss not to mention that Josh Adamczewski made a nice leaping catch on the warning track to end the fourth inning, Adamczewski was listed as an infielder and mainly played middle infield last season, but the Brewers have a logjam of prospects (Made, Peña, Cooper Pratt, Jett Williams) that play shortstop and/or second base. Because of this, the Brewers are giving Adamczewski reps in left field to get his bat in the lineup. Seeing him do stuff like this in the outfield is a great sign:

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SB Nation Reacts: Do you expect Tari Eason back with the Rockets next season?

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 20: Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets arrives to the arena before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 20, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Tari Eason turned down a big extension this offseason and then went out and had the worst overall season of his career. And with the recent success of the Rockets with Reed Sheppard in the starting lineup, he may have lost his starting job as well. It’s a far road from the $100 million extension the team offered him this past offseason, but those are the risks when you bet on yourself.

That bring us to this week’s question, on whether you expected Eason back with the Rockets next season. He’ll be a restricted free agent in the offseason, so Houston can match any offer he receives, but the team will obviously be weighing their options when the time comes. Do you think he’ll be back?

As you can see, only one-third of Rockets fans expect Eason to be back. I think it’s probably closer to 50-50 right now, but there’s no doubting it’s shrunk from where things were before the season.

Don’t forget, head on over to FanDuel, where you can pick up prop bets, parlays, and NBA Playoff winners. The Rockets have fallen all the way to +7500 to win the NBA Title, an almost 100 percent slip from just a few weeks ago, so if you have the faith they get it together, that’s a $7500 payout from just a $100 bet.

Be back soon with more Reacts!