A fan fell into one of the bullpens at Rate Field in Chicago.
Wednesday’s MLB slate came with a scary moment outside of the confines of the diamond.
A fan fell from the stands and into the visiting bullpen at Rate Field in Chicago during the White Sox’s 6-5 win over the Royals.
In the top of the frame with runners on first and second, the game was delayed as workers inside the stadium attended to the fan, who had apparently fallen from the outfield bleachers and into Kansas City’s throwing area.
A fan fell into one of the bullpens at Rate Field in Chicago. Getty Images
They were taken out of the bullpen on a stretcher, according to multiple reports.
“Tonight’s game was delayed in the fourth inning to allow White Sox personnel to treat a fan who had fallen in the visiting team’s bullpen,” the White Sox said in a statement. “The fan has been transported to a local hospital for additional treatment.”
It was not clear what kind of condition the fan was in following the incident.
The Kansas City Star reported that none of the Royals relievers were near the spot where the fan landed in the bullpen.
The outlet, in speaking with a Chicago fan, said the fan actually fell into the bullpen during the bottom of the second inning when White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters hit a run-scoring double.
“He jumped up to celebrate on a double and fell over,” White Sox fan Zach Kreigler told the Kansas City Star. “He just got excited and flipped over. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. I just hope he’s OK.”
It was later revealed that the man, Kavan Markwood, had suffered a broken neck, clavicle, and back, and a punctured lung, in the scary fall that was captured on video and shared on social media.
A general view of Rate Field during the White Sox’s 6-5 win over the Royals on May 12, 2026 in Chicago. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“I don’t know how I’m alive,” Markwood told “Inside Edition” last year after he walked around PNC Park for the first time since the incident. “I wake up with pain every day. My arm, I can’t feel my two fingers still. [But] I’m doing better than what I was, that’s for sure.”
And, just last week, a fan was pulled off a ledge by other supporters in one of the upper sections at Busch Stadium during a Brewers-Cardinals game in St. Louis.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the St. John's Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA draft lottery has come and gone, and now it is time to think very critically about the potential options for the Jazz at the #2 selection. However, I am going to leave that job for someone smarter than myself – instead, I will view the awe-inspiring Mr. Darryn Peterson through the lens of baseless superstition. Peterson spent his single year collegiate career at Kansas University, where he wowed with his creation abilities and best-in-class shot making. While many articles can and will be written on those talents and how they would potentially fit on the Jazz roster, I will be instead be focusing on the first detail in the preceding sentence; namely, his alma-mater.
Per my exhaustive studies, 9 Jayhawks have played for the Jazz organization since its founding as the New Orleans Jazz in 1974, and that number may increase to 10 if Peterson is the selection for Utah on draft night. In anticipation for that potentially franchise-altering decision, this article will attempt to recount the history of Kansas University alumni on the Jazz by ranking each of those 9 players. This analysis will attempt to place the players in the order of their production and ability while on the Jazz – more emphasis will be placed on peak output than longevity with the organization. Today, the question will be answered; does a Jayhawk pedigree lead to success with the Jazz, or does the trip out to Utah cause these alums to say in despair “I have a feeling we aren’t in Kansas anymore?”
*Writer’s note: I realize this analysis on Peterson lacks some academic rigor, and probably wouldn’t hold up against a peer review. If he is picked at #2, this obviously has no bearing on his future Utah Jazz success, which I hope is plentiful. We’re just having fun here.
9. Brandon Rush
PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 6: Brandon Rush #25 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 6, 2013 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2013 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE/Getty Images
Brandon had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it career with the Utah Jazz – 418 minutes played during the 25 win 2013-2014 campaign. Don’t think that if we were to just have given Rush a few more minutes that this disastrous season could’ve been averted. He averaged a measly 2.1 points per game on a horrid 43% true shooting, and his defense was nothing to write home about either. The fact that 2 years later he started 25 games for the 2015-2016 Warriors (otherwise known as the greatest regular season team of all time) is perhaps the single most impressive testament to the greatness of Stephen Curry.
8. Udoka Azubuike
It was oh-so tempting to place Doke at the bottom of this list, less because of what was and more because of what could have been. The shock of Adam Silver announcing his name as the Jazz’s #27 overall pick in 2020 still lingers inside of me, and is only surpassed by the shock of reading that Dennis Lindsey announcing that the organizations advanced metrics placed Azubuike at #2 in the draft class. The Jazz fandoms disdain for this particular pick is not purely an example of hindsight being 20/20 – even at the time, people tended to understand that (a) Desmond Bane and Jaden McDaniels were cleaner, more useful fits for what the team needed and (b) that using a first round pick on Udoka was a bit of a reach. More than any other instance in my memory, this is a case of the general public being 100% spot-on in their evaluation of late first round prospects; Bane and McDaniels are key starters on playoff teams, and Azubuike is out of the league after an uneventful 4 seasons, and is now playing in the Israeli A-league. While perhaps not the worst Jayhawk in Jazz history, his lack of success was certainly the most influential on the overall strength of the organization – a different pick in 2020, and perhaps the Jazz have a banner in the rafters, and the construction of the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert statues are in early development.
7. Ochai Agbaji
A former teammate of Azubuike both on the Jayhawks and the Jazz, Ochai provided more minutes and less disappointment, but without play that was very conducive to winning basketball games. Ochai was drafted after his All-American senior season and marketed as a high-floor, instant-impact type of player, but failed to make his mark in Utah, even with the constant carousel of new players as Will Hardy looked for anyone that could be a piece on the next iteration of a winning team (23 players took the court in Agbaji’s rookie year, 21 in his sophomore). He was an underwhelming shooter, an unreliable defender, and showcased next-to-no skills with the ball in his hands. Nowadays, he’s struggling to get minutes on the tanking Nets, and unless he turns things around, he will be brought up in draft analyses for years as an example of the perils of drafting supposedly “high-floor” players, who lack an outlier skill to hang their hat on.
6. Jeff Withey
Withey was perfectly serviceable and perfectly unremarkable third string big man. He played in the era of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, meaning that even on his best days we had little use for him. Was he much of a scorer? No, I wouldn’t say so. Did his feet seem painfully slow at times? Yes, certainly. Was he missed once the Jazz moved on to Tony Bradley and Epke Udoh as the backups in 2018? Not particularly. But, for about 10 minutes a game he brought reliable rim protection and rebounding, and was able to function in the offensive sets Quin had designed for Gobert while Rudy was out with injury. (P.S. – did you know that he got a triple-double with blocks in his senior season Kansas? Because I sure didn’t).
5. Bud Stallworth
Alright, sue me; I have not watched a second of Bud Stallworth’s New Orleans Jazz career, and I’m not sure that any highlights of it exist on the internet. Stallworth was a selection in the 1974 expansion draft, meaning that he played on the first ever roster put forth by the Jazz organization. He put up some points on mediocre teams, and then unfortunately had to end his career after 3 years in New Orleans due to back injuries incurred by an automobile accident. Stallworth maintains some fame for ending his Kansas career with a 50 point game against the rival Missouri Tigers, but was less spectacular during his time in New Orleans.
4. Jacque Vaughn
In terms of role, Vaughn functioned in a similar fashion to Jeff Withey – perfectly dependable, not too memorable third stringer behind a Jazz legend (Gobert with Withey, Stockton with Vaughn). Also, what a testament to the durability of Stockton that Vaughn, his backup, played 224 games in Utah and didn’t start a single one – that’s true iron man stuff. But, back to the Jayhawks, I give Vaughn the edge over Withey primarily because he played on the two most successful Jazz teams in history. Additionally, he could function well in the very reserved backup point guard role that Sloan preferred – run the plays, don’t turn the ball over, be pesky on defense. Not everybody could function in that scheme, but Vaughn was reliable enough to get minutes in the twilight of Stockton and Malone’s careers. Here’s hoping he enjoyed his time in Salt Lake; he was on the Kansas basketball staff this past year, and presumably had plenty of time to hype up the nightlife to Darryn.
3. Svi Mykhailiuk
Is this a bit of recency bias? Most likely, but I have been nothing but impressed by Svi’s time in Utah. While it was an interesting decision to start him over the young bucks at the beginning of the year, I do believe that Mykhailiuk contributed more to winning than any of his potential replacements in the starting lineup. A consistent shooter and high energy defender, Svi knows his job and performs it well. A little too well, in fact – in my opinion, it was the reason Svi was shut down at the end of the year while Konchar continued to receive minutes. Svi may not be around on next years roster, and may not ever taste winning basketball in Utah, but I will stand firm on the idea that despite the fact that the ‘25-’26 Jazz did not do much winning, it was not the fault of Svi Mykhailiuk – the shooting and know-how he displayed would translate to a bench role on a number of winning teams, and I hope he receives the chance to prove that in a Jazz uniform.
2. Danny Manning
Manning’s time on the Jazz was short-lived – he lasted one year, 2000-2001. However, unlike all of his predecessors on this list, Manning was a rotational contributor to a team that won basketball games. While he was long past his Wooden Award days as a Jayhawk, and his all-star days as a Clipper, Manning was still able to provide reliable bucket-getting off the bench for a Jazz team still competing in the rough-and-tumble Western Conference. And even though Utah was eliminated in the first round by an up-and-coming Mavericks team, it was not due to fault of Manning – in those 5 games, he increased his scoring, rebounding, and efficiency as Sloan trusted the playoff-savvy veteran with increased responsibilities. This was no world-beater, to be sure, and he was surely best used in a bench role, but Manning still had some gas in the tank and provided an admirable single season outing in Utah.
1. Greg Ostertag
Was Ostertag the most consistent? No, not even close. Was he ever a poster boy of physical fitness and conditioning? Far from it. But did he block 9 shots to close out the Shaq-led ‘97 Lakers in game 5, and then in the immediately following round play Hakeem Olajuwon to a stalemate in game 6 to beat the Rockets and secure the franchises first trip to the NBA finals? Yes, and no one can ever take that away from him. As a young, late first-rounder, Ostertag was immediately thrown out of the frying pan of Kansas and into the fire of starting on a team with championship aspirations, going against the best big men the league had to offer on a nightly basis, and he did about as well as anyone could’ve reasonably hoped. Heck, if Michael Jordan missed a few more shots in 1997, Ostertag very well could’ve been known to this day as the starting center on a championship team. There’s more to basketball analysis than a series of “what if…”‘s, but Ostertag’s perfectly solid defense and iconic clutch performances are found outside of the realm of the hypothetical. If The Big O is half as good as a mayor as he was as a Shaq defender, the people of Mount Vernon, Texas have chosen one dependable elected official.
Utah’s history with Kansas alumni has often been a bit underwhelming. Missed draft picks, deep bench pieces, and wasted potential define the relationship between a historically successful NBA organization and a historically successful basketball university. Luckily for the Jazz, they may have the golden opportunity on June 23rd to buck the trend and select one of the best prospects KU has ever produced.
Do you have any changes you’d make to this ranking? Any fun memories regarding these players? Comment below!
It isn’t about how you start, it’s about how you finish.
Carson Benge showed that to the highest degree on Wednesday night, as he shook off a couple of rough moments early to deliver the Mets the game-winning hit late.
The first came just two batters into the game, as he misplayed a drifting liner in right that should’ve been a routine flyout, but instead led to a double and two runs on Christian Scott’s line.
“I missed it,” he said postgame. “I should’ve got it.”
The second was in the bottom of the seventh, as he was gunned down trying to sneak home on a double-steal play a couple of pitches after Bo Bichette looped a game-tying single into shallow right.
“They just executed and played catch,” Carlos Mendoza said on the play. “I feel like we could’ve gotten a bigger lead and it looks like Benge broke back at the release -- just another learning experience there.
“Our coaches went up to him after and said hey you’re going to get another big at-bat, just move on to the next play.”
And that’s exactly what the 23-year-old did, as he was calm and collected as he stepped to the plate in the top of the 10th and lifted the second pitch he saw right back up the middle for his first career walk-off hit.
“It’s just about trying to stay where you are and not letting the moment get too big,” Benge said. “You treat it like every at-bat -- you’re always trying to hit the ball hard, have a quality AB, and that’s all I was trying to do in that situation.
“It felt amazing, definitely a first, but indescribable.”
That’s sort of been the story of Benge’s rookie season to this point as well, as he’s settled into a nice groove of late after struggling to find his footing out of the gate.
With two other knocks on Wednesday, he’s now hitting .333 with seven RBI and a .900 OPS in May.
“He’s resilient, he’s not going to back down, he’s not going to put his head down,” Mendoza said. “He’s asking the right questions, he’s going to continue to improve and make adjustments -- it’s his personality, and it’s fun to watch.”
The Pirates managed to score a pair of runs in the oddest of fashions during their 10-4 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday.
The two-out play in the bottom of the second started like any other when Henry Davis delivered a sharp grounder to the gap between third base and shortstop, but Colorado’s Kyle Karros managed to make the diving play on the ball.
Karros made the throw to second instead of first in an attempt to get Brandon Lowe out. But Lowe ran through the bag and was on the move to third.
During all of this, Ryan O’Hearn scored, and Nick Gonzales then started running toward home after beginning the whole ordeal on second base.
Pirates’ Nick Gonzales (3) runs past Colorado Rockies pitcher Jose Quintana (62) in a run down, to score the second of two runs, on a fielder’s choice by Henry Davis during the second inning in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, May 13, 2026 AP
Gonzales found himself trapped in a pickle as he ran between third and home.
Just when it looked like Gonzales was going to be tagged out in a rundown, Rockies pitcher Jose Quintana pushed the Pirates runner, and the umpire called the hurler for obstruction.
Davis managed to get to second base, and the Pirates had themselves a 2-0 lead.
Nick Gonzales (3) scores past Colorado Rockies second baseman Edouard Julien (6) covering home, the second of two runs, on a fielder’s choice by Henry Davis during the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh. AP
In the end, it didn’t mean much as the Rockies poured on the runs over the final five innings of the game, breaking out to a lead with a six-run fifth inning. They added to their lead with a run in the eighth and three more in the ninth.
The loss moved the Pirates to 23-20 on the season before Thursday’s rubber match.
Colson Montgomery provided the biggest swing of the night Wednesday, crushing a 399-foot homer that proved to be the difference in the White Sox’s win over the Royals. | (Jayden Mack/Getty Images)
The kids are alright, and the South Siders are somehow sitting at .500. On a chilly Wednesday at Rate Field, the White Sox outlasted the Royals, 6-5, riding a Colson Montgomery missile and just enough bullpen duct tape to keep the fanbase from collective despair.
Noah Schultz spent the first three innings playing surgeon. Seventeen pitches carved up the Royals in the first, then another clean sweep in the second. Six up, six down. Barely broke a sweat.
The offense threatened early, too. A one-out single from Munetaka Murakami and another from Miguel Vargas gave the Sox traffic in the first, though Kansas City catcher Elías Díaz was left visibly baffled after several borderline pitches went Chicago’s way. No challenge came, and no runs came either, as Montgomery froze looking and Chase Meidroth rolled over to end the threat.
The Good Guys finally cracked through in the second. Jarred Kelenic punched a single, Tristan Peters ripped a double down the line, and Peters barreled into third on the throw while Kelenic slid home for run number one. Moments later, Drew Romo followed with a dribbler that Vinnie Pasquantino fumbled, Peters trotted home, and just like that, the Sox were up 2-0.
Schultz kept the train moving in the third. One walk to Starling Marte, then Isaac Collins bounced into a slick 6-4-3, and Díaz went down swinging. Forty-one pitches, three innings, minimum faced every time. That’s efficiency with a capital E.
The Sox added another tally in the bottom half of the third. Vargas worked a walk, Montgomery singled, and Meidroth lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
Then things got messy. Schultz lost the map in the fourth, walking the bases full before Kansas City finally cashed in. He fanned Salvador Perez to stop the bleeding, but Nick Loftin’s sac fly and a Pasquantino two-run single knotted it at three. Pasquantino, by the way, is the first lefty to tag Schultz for a hit in the bigs.
A quick shoutout here for Sam Antonacci, who turned an ordinary two-out single in the fourth into a hustle double. Mune flew out and left him stranded, but you’ve got to love the fire that these guys are showing.
Schultz’s night ended in the fifth after a leadoff walk to Maikel Garcia. Will Venable called for Tyler Davis, who, of course, walked Witt Jr. right out of the gate. But Davis found his groove, froze Lane Thomas, and got Perez to ground into a force to wriggle out of trouble.
The bats bailed out Schultz in the bottom half of the fifth. Montgomery singled, Meidroth bunted him over, Andrew Benintendi walked, and Kelenic smashed a double off the right-field wall to plate two. Sox back in front, 5-3, though Kelenic got greedy and was thrown out stretching for three.
Davis breezed through a spotless sixth, and the Sox nearly added more in their half of the frame after Antonacci reached on a throwing error and Murakami drew another walk, but Vargas flew out to strand them.
Then came the seventh-inning escape act. Jordan Hicks came in from the pen, plunked Collins, gave up a single to Carter Jensen, and suddenly the tying runs were staring him down. Hicks shrugged, fired off a bunch of nasty sweepers, and struck out Garcia, Witt, and Thomas in a row. That’s some serious lone-wolf energy.
Leading off the bottom of the seventh against John Schreiber, Montgomery supplied the insurance, and he did it with a bang. He demolished a no-doubt homer to right field — 110.3 mph off the bat and 399 feet of pure catharsis. The blast pushed the Sox ahead 6-3 and proved to be the difference-maker.
Sean Newcomb took care of business in the eighth, even after drilling Loftin. Antonacci, meanwhile, wore his eighth pitch of the year in the bottom of the inning. Apparently, getting plunked is just his thing now. However, he got thrown out trying to steal.
And naturally, the White Sox couldn’t let the ninth be boring.
Chicago closer Seranthony Domínguez coaxed a ground out from Collins, then Jensen ripped a double. Garcia also grounded out, but Witt unloaded a two-run shot to left, instantly shaving the lead to one and aging every Sox fan by a decade. Domínguez regrouped and fanned Caglianone on a foul tip to finally nail it down.
San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) hits a three-run home run during the ninth inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Jacob Misiorowski continues to amaze. After a dominant performance against the Yankees his last time out, Miz followed that up with an even more sparkling performance against the Padres. Still, the Brewers fell 3-1.
While the first inning for Misiorowski still carried the velocity in the 103 MPH range, it took him a bit longer to make it through the four batters, taking 21 pitches. A replay review did not go the Brewers way on an infield single by Fernando Tatis Jr that arguably should have been overturned. It then took Misiorowski 22 pitches to make it through the 2nd inning.
“I honestly didn’t feel like I had my best stuff. I thought I was spraying those first few innings.” Misiorowski said.
Already at 43 pitches through 2, it did not seem like the efficient night that Misiorowski would’ve needed to make it through seven innings, but he settled in and did just that. After a third inning single by Tatis, Misiorowski retired the next 14 batters he faced. He threw eight pitches in the 4th, eight in the 5th, seven in the 6th, and 11 in the 7th.
Misiorowski reached 103 MPH with his final pitch in the 7th inning to strike out Nick Castellanos. He was all set to come back out for the 8th inning, the bullpen was quiet. But during his warmups, Misiorowski felt something in his leg again, called for the athletic trainer, and exited the ballgame with a 1-0 lead.
“Yeah, he wanted to stay in. We would have normally taken him out, but he wanted to stay in for the 8th.” Pat Murphy said.
Murphy confirmed it was a quad cramp for Misiorowski as the reason for his exit.
“I threw that first warmup pitch and was walking backwards up the mound and I kind of felt it coming on, kind of stood there for a second, like okay let’s see if it’s gonna do it” Misiorowski said.
Misiorowski finished the night with a line of 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K on 93 pitches.
Aaron Ashby came on for the 8th inning and sat the Padres down in order with a pair of strikeouts.
The Brewers were carrying a 1-0 lead, courtesy of an RBI fielder’s choice in the 5th inning from Brice Turang. Sal Frelick got that inning started with a single, then Joey Ortiz followed with a bunt single where Fernando Tatis Jr was late covering first base. Jackson Chourio grounded into a fielder’s choice where they got the force out at second but couldn’t get anyone else, leaving runners at the corners for Turang. Turang hit a slow grounder to first and they couldn’t turn the double play there either, allowing Frelick to score.
It looked like that was going to be enough as the Brewers handed the ball to Abner Uribe for the 9th inning. Uribe got Tatis and Machado for the first two outs of the inning no problem. Then a single just over the outstretched glove of Turang, then a walk, then Uribe hung a 0-1 slider to Gavin Sheets and he took it over the fence for a three run shot.
The Brewers got a leadoff single from Luis Rengifo in the bottom of the 9th against Mason Miller, but that was all they could muster. Sal Frelick, Gary Sanchez, and Jackson Chourio all were retired and the Padres stole a win from the Brewers on Wednesday night.
The rubber match is set for Thursday afternoon with Kyle Harrison on the bump for the Crew.
The Mets somehow found a way to keep the feel-good energy going Wednesday night.
Despite early chances and Juan Soto’s worrisome early exit after fouling a ball off his right foot, the Mets’ inconsistent bats came through when it mattered most in their 3-2 win in 10 innings over the Tigers at Citi Field.
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The momentum was carried yet again by the young Mets after Carson Benge hit a single up the middle to bring home A.J. Ewing for the winning run. Benge’s teammates met him at home plate and doused him with various sports drinks.
“Felt amazing,” the 23-year-old said afterward. “Definitely a first. Indescribable. Felt amazing.”
He delivered for the Mets, who had struggled to put runners on base and bring them home when opportunities did arise — after scoring 10 runs on 13 hits the night before. They logged eight hits and left nine runners in scoring position.
Carson Benge rips the game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning of the Mets’ 3-2 win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for New York PostNew York Mets left fielder Carson Benge (3) celebrates with his teammates after he hits a walk off RBI single. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“Not trying to let the moment get too big,” he added of the high-pressure situation. “Just kind of treat it like every at-bat, you know. You’re always trying to hit the ball hard and have a quality at-bat. That’s all I was trying to do in that situation.”
It was a redemption moment for Benge, who committed two blunders early on in the contest that will prove to be learning moments.
The Mets were fortunate Benge delivered in the 10th inning after a potential rally died in the seventh. Bo Bichette hit an RBI single to tie the game 2-2 with two outs and move Benge to third. However, moments later, Detroit threw out Benge at home on an attempted double steal in a bid to take the lead.
David Peterson (left) and Tyrone Taylor douse Carson Benge with Gatorade after the rookie’s game-winning hit in the 10th gave the Mets a 3-2 win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for New York Post
“I was just going off of release and I didn’t quite sell out for it enough,” Benge said. “I know for next time.”
He also got starter Christian Scott off to a shaky start when he missed a line drive in right field, giving Dillon Dingler a double and pushing Kevin McGonigle to third. Riley Greene followed with a single to bring in the two runs for an early 2-0 Tigers lead.
“Not a routine play, but 99.9 [percent] of the time he’ll make it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of Benge’s bounce-back. “But then we don’t execute the double steal there, too. The fact that he stays in the game, the next play, the next pitch, that’s the perfect example. … It’s good to see. Not putting yourself and not letting that last play affect you.”
“It’s baseball. It’s gonna happen,” Benge added. “It happens to the best of us. So, being able to just try and get the next play, try to get the next out, the next pitch really helps me keep my head on straight.”
Christian Scott, who pitched into the fifth inning, delivers a pitch during the Mets’ 3-2, 10-inning win over the Tigers on May 13, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Benge’s hero moment came after the Mets hurlers kept them in the game throughout the night. Across 2 ¹/₃ innings, Huascar Brazobán retired all eight batters he faced and logged two strikeouts after taking over for Scott.
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Luke Weaver and Devin Williams held strong as well, each recording a strikeout, until Brooks Raley retired the final Tigers batter despite walking a runner.
“Huge for him [Brazobán] to go two-plus and keeping the game there,” Mendoza said. “He was attacking and he gave us the opportunity to hand the ball to the guys in the back end of the bullpen. It was huge. All those guys did their part, but Brazobán giving two-plus was huge.”
The Mets have now won six of their past 10 games and have an opportunity Thursday to sweep the Tigers before facing the Yankees over the weekend. Benge believes some things are starting to come together in Queens.
“I feel like we’re all just putting all the pieces together slowly game by game,” he said. “And I feel like it’s just a matter of time before it all clicks.”
CHICAGO — The Nets, more than any team in the NBA, desperately need a star.
And that’s exactly what Brooklyn target Darius Acuff Jr. vows he’ll be.
The talent-starved Nets have lacked a face of the franchise since the Big 3 broke up, and falling out of the top three in the lottery hurt their chances of finding one.
But Acuff — who has already met with the Nets — is confident he can be that one.
Darius Acuff Jr. looks on during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NBAE via Getty Images
After putting in one of the best freshman guard campaigns in college basketball history, Acuff has excelled at this week’s draft combine. Asked what role he envisions for himself at the next level, the self-assured 19-year-old wasn’t shy.
“Definitely a superstar point guard for sure,” Acuff said. “Bring a lot of excitement to any city I go to, and just bring a lot of excitement straight from Day 1.”
And just how does the Arkansas freshman define a superstar point guard?
“A lot of accolades, just being on a winning team, it starts with the point guard,” said Acuff. “So any city I go to, I just want to win.”
The Nets could use any wins — and swagger — Acuff could bring. And there’s a very real chance he’s on the board for them at No. 6.
In 11 mock drafts surveyed, Acuff was the most linked to Brooklyn in six of them, including ESPN, Bleacher Report, The Ringer and The Athletic.
“Whatever team takes me, I’m good,” said Acuff. “Getting to know [Brooklyn], it was a good experience for sure, just talking to them.”
Darius Acuff Jr. participates during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. NBAE via Getty Images
Sacramento picks seventh and likes Acuff, with GM Scott Perry having coached Acuff’s father, Darius Sr., at Eastern Kentucky.
Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists, the first man to lead the SEC in both since Pete Maravich in 1970. It was the most prolific freshman guard campaign ever under John Calipari, who coached Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Derrick Rose, John Wall, Jamal Murray and Devin Booker.
Both a playmaker and three-level scorer (elite 60 percent finishing at the rim and 44 percent shooting from deep), Acuff is the most polished guard in the class offensively. It’s on the other end that concerns teams.
Darius Acuff Jr. participates in the pro lane drill during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. NBAE via Getty Images
There have been questions about his smallish size and porous defense. He has helped his stock at the draft combine, finishing first in the three-quarter sprint and measuring 6-2 barefoot with a solid 6-7 wingspan. The measurements matched Damian Lillard, who Acuff emulates and has drawn comparisons to from scouts.
Asked by The Post if his solid measurements changed opinions, he shrugged.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really care,” said Acuff. “People are going to always have an opinion no matter what. So I just stay how I feel about the game. If people got an opinion, I don’t really got no
. That’s their opinion on me.”
But some scouts have suggested Acuff could be the worst defender in the league as a rookie. Even if that’s hyperbole, lineups will need to be crafted to protect him, and he’ll have to get better at navigating off-ball screens.
Of course having to log 35.1 minutes at a 29.5 Usage Rate hurt Acuff’s defense. While he wouldn’t waste energy arguing with critics, he knows he has to put it toward improving.
“I don’t really got nothing to say to it. I just play every game. I know I want to play defense, so I don’t really respond to it,” Acuff replied to a question from The Post. “I’m just trying to do whatever I need for my team. I do feel like I need to pick up my defense; so I’m gonna do it.”
Acuff said as much in a courtside TV interview.
“Definitely [I need work] on the defensive end for sure. I think everybody knows that,” said Acuff. “I think I just gotta just take more pride in it, put more effort into it, and just be more focused on that side of the ball so I not only play but stay on the court.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: Liam Hendriks #31 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the ninth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Wednesday night here at BCB After Dark: the coolest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re hoppin’ in here and you’re welcome to come in and join us. There’s no cover charge. If you have something you’d like checked, we can do that now. The show will start shortly, Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Here’s the part with the music and the movies. You’re free to skip that if you’d like. You won’t hurt my feelings.
Today is the 76th birthday of Stevie Wonder and I don’t know of any living popular songwriters that jazz artists like to cover more than Stevie Wonder. Radiohead may be coming on strong, but they are still quite a ways behind Stevie on the jazz charts.
So here is Chicago’s own Ramsey Lewis covering “Living For the City.” After a break, he also plays his version of the African-American spiritual “Wade in the Water.” Joining Lewis here is Henry Johnson on guitar, Mike Logan on keyboards, Chuck Webb on bass and Steve Cobb on drums.
This appears to be from German television in 1990.
Tonight I’m just going to have a few words about one of my favorite cult classics, director Allan Arkush’s 1979 comedy Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, starring P.J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, Clint Howard, Dey Young and the Ramones. Rock ‘n’ Roll High School was a Roger Corman production, and it’s yet another example of Corman giving young wannabe filmmakers a chance. Co-conceived by Arkush and another at the time unknown at the time in Joe Dante, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School is a fantastic comedy that wittily skewers the teen/high school movie genre. Not only is it very funny, but there’s also a lot of great music by The Ramones which, contrary to what the film claims, is not lethal to mice.
Van Patten plays Tom Roberts, the captain of the football team at Vince Lombardi High with All-American looks who unfortunately can’t get any girl to have sex with him because he’s such a total nerd who spends most of his time talking about the weather. He has a crush on Riff Randle (Soles), the rebel girl who is only interested in her favorite band, The Ramones.
So Tom hires Eaglebauer (Howard) who is the Milo Minderbinder of the Vince Lombardi High boy’s room, where he runs a business where he sells anything to the students for the right price. Tom wants Eaglebauer to set him up on a date with Riff. Meanwhile, Riff develops a friendship with Kate Rambeau (Young), a nerdy science girl whose hobby is “splitting atoms.” Kate has a crush on Tom and goes to Eaglebauer to set up a date with Tom for her.
All of this is put into danger by the new principal, Evelyn Togar (Mary Woronov). Principal Togar is determined to put an end to all this rock and roll and has decided to make an example out of Riff and Kate.
Meanwhile, The Ramones are coming to town for a concert and Riff and Kate are determined to go. Will Principal Togar be able to stop them? Will Tom get a date with Riff? Will Kate get a date with Tom? Will The Ramones play the song that Riff wrote: “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School”?
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School takes all the tropes of kids versus the teachers movies and turns them up to eleven. There’s also tons of little sight gags and running jokes that pay off repeatedly. While no one turns in anything less than a great comedic performance (well, except The Ramones, but we forgive them because they’re Ramones) special praise is deserved by former Andy Warhol “Factory Girl” Woronov and her often-acting partner Paul Bartel, who plays the hip music teacher Mr. McGree, who declares The Ramones to be “the Beethovens of our time.” Woronov and Bartel made 17 movies together including two other comedies that you should check out, Eating Raoul (1982) and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills (1989). Bartel also wrote and directed both of those films.
It seems incredible that Rock ‘n’ Roll High School wasn’t written for The Ramones, because their brand of absurdist punk is perfect for the absurdist comedy of the film. Arkush was supposedly turned down by Cheap Trick and Todd Rundgren and he was not interested in either Van Halen or Devo (both of whom were willing), the Ramones got the gig after Bartel showed Roger Corman a picture of Joey Ramone on a surfboard. No, they couldn’t act and they were not nearly as well-known and popular in 1979 as they are today. (The idea of buying a Ramones T-Shirt at Target in 1979 was unfathomable.) But it’s impossible to see the film working as well with any of those other bands. Dee Dee Ramone, upon seeing some of the footage, told Arkush that “We look like we’re from another planet!” to which Arkush responded “Yes, that’s what I wanted. You’re perfect.”
Corman’s productions were famous for their small budgets and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School was no exception. That Arkush was able to hide most of the tricks to keep the budget down was a major accomplishment. They found a school in LA that had closed and would soon be demolished, so they got to use it cheap and no one much cared when they trashed the place during filming. Exterior shots had to be done at a different, in-use, school and extras came from yet a third school, so a “fake” script was given to the authorities so they wouldn’t object to the subject matter of the film and withhold permission.
Corman has been called the most influential filmmaker of the last half of the 20th Century because of all the young talent he gave their first break too. Beyond Arkush (who has been a major TV director over the past 40 years) and Dante (who would go on to direct Gremlins), Corman gave unknown young talents like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, John Sayles, Peter Bogdanovich and James Cameron their first big breaks in the industry. When Corman agreed to finance TV star Ron Howard’s first film Grand Theft Auto, he told Howard that if he did a good job for him, he would never have to work for him again. And Howard never did.
I’ve never been a big fan of teen and high school movies, not even when I was in high school. There are exceptions, of course, but mostly I lean towards the films that savagely satirize the genre like Heathers and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. But beyond its genre sendup, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School stands on its own merits as a very funny comedy.
Here’s the trailer for Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.
Welcome back to everyone who skips the music and movies.
The Cubs made a roster move today.
The Chicago Cubs have signed RHP Liam Hendriks to a minor league deal, sources tell the Athletic.
In the Cubs search for healthy pitching arms, they have turned to a three-time All-Star and two-time Mariano Rivera American League Relief Pitcher of the Year in Hendriks. Unfortunately, all of that came between 2019 and 2022. Now 37 years old, Hendricks underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missed most of that season. Boston signed Hendriks to one of those two-year deal before the 2024 season where they knew he wouldn’t pitch for them in 2024 but hoped he would last year. He did, but managed just 13.2 innings and was very poor, posting a 6.59 ERA.
Hendriks signed a minor league deal with the Twins this past offseason, but he failed to make the roster out of Spring Training and chose free agency over reporting to Triple-A St. Paul. Now he’s found a new team with the Cubs.
When Hendriks was at his peak with the Athletics and White Sox, he relied on a 97 mile per hour fastball and an 88 mph slider. He also had a change that he would work in to left-handers, but he was mostly hard fastball/hard slider. He was regularly striking out over 13 batters per nine innings and walking fewer than three per nine. In 202o and 2021, he was even better, walking just around one batter per nine.
Since Hendriks returned from Tommy John, the velocity on his fastball has been down to around 95 mph and the slider is down to more like 86. Unsurprisingly, he’s striking out fewer batters and walking more of them. You also have to wonder if he couldn’t make the pitching-desperate Twins out of Spring Training, whether he really has anything left in the tank.
On the other hand, before the injury Hendriks was an elite closer. It’s true that sometimes players never fully regain their velocity after Tommy John surgery, but it’s also true that sometimes it just takes longer than you had hoped to return to form. This article reports that “multiple teams” were interested in Hendriks before he signed with the Cubs, so it seems like the Cubs aren’t alone in thinking that there might still be something there.
Because Hendriks had turned down a chance to pitch in St. Paul earlier this year and because there were multiple teams interested in him, I assume that Hendriks has an opt-out clause. The Cubs will probably have Hendriks for about a month in the minors as he tries to regain his form before they have to make a decision on him: either call him up to the majors or release him.
You may not know this, but Hendriks was briefly a Cub before, although you won’t find any pictures of him wearing Cubs pinstripes. When the Twins, Hendriks original team, put him on waivers in December of 2014, the Cubs claimed him. Ten days later, the Cubs designated him for assignment, hoping to sneak him through waivers. It didn’t work as he was claimed by the Orioles. The Orioles then waited until February of 2015 to try to sneak him through waivers again, but that time Hendriks was claimed by the Blue Jays.
So do you think signing Liam Hendriks was a good idea?
Thanks for stopping by tonight. We appreciate all of you taking the time to sit with us for a while. Get home safely. Call a ride if you need to. Be sure to collect any personal items. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And stop by again next week for more BCB After Dark.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 10: Daylen Lile #4 of the Washington Nationals reacts from second base after hitting a double against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on May 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Daylen Lile may not be a true hometown hero in Cincinnati, but he was born nearby in Louisville. With his family and friends in the building, Lile has put on a show. In game one of the series, Lile hit two homers and tonight he hit a go-ahead shot in top of the 10th that won the game for the Nats.
Seeing Lile’s dad running down the stairs at Great American Ball Park yelling “that is my son” was an awesome moment to see. In both of the games, there has been a little Lile cheering section, and they have been going crazy all series so far. Their boy has hit three no-doubt homers, and the one tonight was the clutchest one of them all.
In the bottom of the first, this did not seem like a game where there would be a lot of cheering for Nats fans. Jake Irvin got himself into trouble with erratic control, and was unable to stop the bleeding. He got close when it appeared that he struck out Spencer Steer to end the inning. However, Steer challenged the pitch and won. Irvin eventually walked Steer. Two batters later, Tyler Stephenson hit a grand slam.
It looked like the game was over before it started, but that was not the case with this electric Nats offense. They started their barrage right away. CJ Abrams started the second with a double and then Jacob Young got a hit of his own. The pressure was immediately back on Reds starter Nick Lodolo.
After a Daylen Lile sac fly and a Joey Wiemer double, it was 5-2 Reds, but the Nats were not done. A suddenly hot Keibert Ruiz came to the plate and took Lodolo yard to make it a one run game. As they have all season, this Nats offense made a statement.
The Nats would tie the game on a Joey Wiemer bases-loaded walk the next inning, but the Reds responded in the bottom half. After three innings, it was a 6-6 game. Fans of both teams needed things to calm down a little for the sake of their sanity.
That lull would happen as both bullpens settled in. The Nats got a run in the fifth to tie the game, but other than that both offenses went quiet. You have to give huge credit to Mitchell Parker for delivering three no-hit innings for the Nats. It was a much-needed bounceback performance from Parker, who got lit up in his last outing.
After Parker exited, Richard Lovelady got himself in and then out of a big jam. Lovelady showed his now signature passion after getting a double play to end the inning. I love the passion Lovelady plays with, especially considering his story. This is a guy who has been tossed around the league, and now finally has a home.
Orlando Ribalta and Gus Varland also fired scoreless innings, and this game was headed to extras. That is when the somewhat local kid, Daylen Lile delivered his big moment. These home runs Lile has been hitting this series have all been absolute moonshots. With his family in attendance, Lile has really been flexing his muscles.
However, this game had one last crazy turn. While Daylen Lile put his hand to his neck to signal that the game was over, he should have known better with this bullpen. PJ Poulin was very shaky tonight. His command was spotty, and he gave all Nats fans a heart attack.
The biggest heart attack moment came when Spencer Steer drove a ball deep to left field. A fan reached over the fence to grab the ball, and the umpire immediately signaled fan interference. However, we had to go through an anxiety inducing review to make sure the ball was not gone. Eventually, the call was confirmed, and Steer had an RBI double to make it a 1 run game instead of a game tying homer. Baseball really is a game of inches.
Fan interference is called on a ball that could've spun back into the stands for a game-tying homer. pic.twitter.com/MeMCCbSY2f
Poulin was still struggling to find the zone, but he managed to survive the outing. After the Steer scare, he got Nathaniel Lowe to ground out. Then he walked Tyler Stephenson to set up a matchup with Blake Dunn. Poulin proceeded to throw three straight non-competitive balls. However, he settled back in and fired a strike. Then he got yet another ground out to end the game. The makeshift second baseman Curtis Mead made a nice play to get the speedy Dunn at first.
This may have been the most fun win of the season. On the broadcast, they mentioned that the Nats had lost 60 straight games when they trailed by 5 at any point. Now that streak is over thanks to a truly elite offense. Tomorrow the Nats have another chance to get back to .500 and sweep the Reds. Recent history suggests they will come up short there because it always feels like they lose when they have a chance to get to .500.
Maybe this time will be different. With Foster Griffin pitching, they have the right guy on the mound. However, they will also be facing Reds ace Chase Burns. This offense can get to anyone, other than Jacob Misiorowski though. Tomorrow will be a really fun early afternoon showdown, and hopefully the boys can get the sweep.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 13: Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the tenth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 13, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. The New York Mets won 3-2. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Carson Benge began tonight’s game with a mistake that cost the Mets two runs, but he ended it with the game-winning hit in the tenth, as the Mets walked off the Tigers 3-2 in extra innings in a game that was full of oddities, but provided a glimpse into what the future may hold in Queens.
The Tigers got on the board right away in the top of the first. Kevin McGonigle led things off with a walk and then Dillon Dingler hit a fly ball that Carson Benge chased down in deep right, but the ball clanked off Benge’s glove and rolled away from him, resulting in a double for Dingler and a second and third nobody out situation for the Tigers. Scott bounced back to strike out Colt Keith, but then Riley Greene laced a single to plate two runs. Two consecutive fly balls ended the inning and held Detroit to just two runs, which were the only ones Scott ended up giving up, though one could argue that he should have been charged with zero runs given the mishap by Benge that was not scored an error.
The Mets went down quietly in the bottom of the frame, but were able to scratch out a run against Framber Valdez in the bottom of the second. Vientos singled to lead off the inning and then with one out, Brett Baty singled to advance Vientos to third. Tyrone Taylor then hit a sharp grounder on which Kevin McGonigle made a nice diving stop and was able to throw Baty out at second, but Zach McKinstry threw wildly to first base, allowing Taylor to reach safely and a run to score. Unfortunately, A.J. Ewing struck out looking to end the inning and the one run was all the Mets would manage against Valdez until the seventh, despite multiple opportunities.
Christian Scott navigated a lot of traffic on the base paths, which inflated his pitch count, but he managed to limit the damage, in part due to five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of work and some timely double plays. The Mets had a good chance to tie the game in the third when Torrens and Benge led off the inning with back-to-back singles, each past a diving Zach McKinstry to put runners at first and third with nobody out. But then Bo Bichette hit a soft grounder to first on which Torrens was thrown out at home. Before striking out for the second out, Juan Soto fouled a ball off his ankle and was in visible discomfort, being attended to by the trainer for several minutes before stepping back into the box. He remained in the game for another plate appearance, but was later pinch hit for in a key situation, demonstrating pretty definitively that he was in too much pain to continue. The budding rally was fully quashed when Mark Vientos flew out to the warning track in center field to end the inning.
Huascar Brazobán deftly navigated the middle innings for the Mets and recorded seven outs without allowing a hit. But several other notable things happened. With two outs in the top of the sixth, McKinstry reached in what I can only describe as the strangest error I’ve ever seen by Mark Vientos at first base. Luckily, McKinstry rendered the error moot by being picked off to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Junior Valentine hallucinated a challenge signal from Brett Baty that never happened on a call that was obviously correct, resulting in the Mets losing their only remaining challenge. Both Baty and Carlos Mendoza argued with Valentine and they had a case since Baty never touched his helmet, but their pleas went unheeded and Baty ended up striking out. Neither team was happy with Valentine, who rung up Dingler on a pitch clock violation to end the top of the seventh for not engaging the pitcher.
The Mets finally broke through against Valdez in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Luis Torrens worked out a walk and then Carson Benge lined a soft single just over the third baseman’s head. That chased Valdez from the game and Kyle Finnegan came in the game to relieve him. Then, Bo Bichette’s batted ball luck finally turned around for once, as he dunked a bloop single into center to plate the tying run. But before one could even finish celebrating the game-tying hit, MJ Melendez came striding to the plate in place of Juan Soto. Another day, another injury for the Mets. It is worth noting, however, that SNY had a shot of Soto later in the dugout laughing with his teammates—hopefully a good sign.
Home plate umpire Junior Valentine caught flack again from Detroit’s dugout for requesting multiple times that the Tigers move their on deck circle out of the sightline of Luke Weaver, pitching the eighth inning for the Mets, who could not see the pitch clock. Despite these difficulties, Weaver worked around a single and a walk to pitch a scoreless eighth. Finnegan righted the ship in the bottom of the eighth with a 1-2-3 inning and Devin Williams worked around a walk to Kevin McGonigle and a stolen base to deliver a scoreless top of the ninth. Kenley Jansen continued his career long dominance of the Mets by striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth and send the Mets to extras for the eighth time this year.
Brooks Raley issued a two-out walk to Matt Vierling but held strong to keep the ghost runner from scoring in the top of the tenth to give the Mets a chance to win the game with speedster A.J. Ewing as the ghost runner. And win the game they did against Drew Anderson. Luis Torrens led off the inning and showed bunt, but tried a butcher boy play and hit it foul instead. He went on to strike out for the first out, but then Carson Benge laced a single up the middle to score his fellow rookie as the Baby Mets played hero in the walk-off victory.
Big Mets winner: Carson Benge, +39% WPA Big Mets loser: Marcus Semien, -14% WPA Mets pitchers: +49% WPA Mets hitters: +1% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge’s walk-off single in the tenth, +30.7% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Riley Green’s RBI single that got the Tigers on the board in the first, -11% WPA
In one of the Big Bash League’s most significant off-field acquisitions, the Sydney Thunder are expected to announce former England captain Andrew Flintoff as the club’s new coach.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci (17) slides safely into second base as Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) attempts the tag in the fourth inning of an MLB game on May 13, 2026, at Rate Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If you were categorizing where the Royals were struggling the most this season, you would probably go with on the road, hitting with runners in scoring position, and against left-handed pitching. All three of those problems arose again today though the team fought and kept themselves in the game to the very end.
The White Sox made Seth Lugo work early. It took him 27 pitches to get through the 1st, though he did manage to emerge unscathed. In the second he did not. Jarred Kelenic shot a single through short with Bobby Witt Jr. shifted toward second. Then Peters doubled to right and brought him around. Romo then hit a weak dribbler down the first base line that Vinnie Pasquantino did not handle well, so Peters scored and the Sox were up 0-2. They added a third run in the next inning on a Chase Meidroth sac fly.
In the fourth Kansas City tied it back up again after three consecutive walks loaded the bases to start the inning. Garcia, then Witt, then Thomas all reached base. Walks are the main problem for the 6’10” rookie Noah Schultz. Salvador Perez struck out, so the problems with runners in scoring position started rearing their head again in a way that later felt like foreshadowing. Nick Loftin hit a sac fly to bring in Maikel Garcia and get one. Then Vinnie picked up the other two on this single:
A single does not normally score two with first and third occupied, but that not so well hit flare got the job done.
The Royals did manage to get Schultz out of the game fairly early when he walked Garcia in the 5th inning. Bobby walked after him again, so it was looking good, but then Lane Thomas struck out looking and Perez grounded out to end the threat. Chicago mounted a threat of their own that inning when Colson Montgomery singled with one down and was moved to second on an Andrew Benintendi walk. Kelenic doubled them both in to get the White Sox a two run lead.
The seventh inning is where it felt like the Royals actually lost the game. Collins takes a pitch off of the knee to start the inning with a hit by pitch. Carter Jensen came in to pinch hit for Diaz and singled moving Collins to third with no one out and the top of the lineup coming to the plate. Maikel Garcia K, Bobby Witt K, Lane Thomas K looking. another threat ended. Then Schreiber came in to pitch the bottom of the inning and gave up a solo bomb on the first pitch to move the game to 3-6.
In the 9th, the Royals made one more attempt to come back and take the game. Carter Jensen had a nice hustle double after the first out. Garcia moved him to third on the second out of the inning. And Bobby hit a no doubter to left center.
Now a one run game, the Royals had closed the gap, but they were also down to their last out. Caglianone pinch hit for Thomas, but he struck out and that was that.
Back-to-back one run losses to an in-division opponent feels pretty bad. The White Sox have taken the series, and the Royals need to avoid the sweep tomorrow. Getting back to .500 felt attainable in the near future a couple of days ago, but they have dropped to 5 under and are back at the bottom of the AL Central.
May 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) catches a fly ball for an out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the tenth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Rays 3 Jays 5 (10 innings)
Dylan Cease was terrific. Seven innings of one run ball. He allowed just three hits and three walks with nine strikeouts. He was in control until the seventh, when he went walk, pop out, walk, single (RBI), pop out, strikeout (with a Jays challenge helping to get the strikeout.
He wanted to come out for the eighth, but he was at 99 pitches (and he’s not Max Scherzer).
Louis Varland fought his way through the eighth, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts. But no runs.
Tyler Rogers got the first two outs of the ninth. He gave up a hit and a walk, with strikeout.
Mason Fluhardy got the last out of the inning.
Jeff Hoffman got the tenth with the speedy Chandler Simpson at second. Ben Willamson singled him home. A steal moved Willamson to second. Then a fly out and a line single over Clement at second. A fly out and a ground out ended the inning (with yet another steal in there. But for the second night in a row we allow two in the tenth.
And it was a game of missed chances on offense. We hit into four double plays. With taking eight walks, you’d think we’d score more. But only five hits and no extra base hits.
We got out run in the eighth. Bryan Baker walked George Springer, Yohendrick Piñango and Vladimir Guererro walked to load the bases with no outs. You’d have thought we should score a few. Kazuma Okamoto hit a deep fly to left field, right to the wall in left, scoring our run. Daulton Varsho struck out on three pitches, chasing two that were well above the strike zone. A really bad at bat, when we need better. Myles Straw walked to load the bases again. But Ernie Clement flied out on a 2-1 pitch that was off the outside of the plate. But, Ernie isn’t the type to take a walk.
In the bottom of the tenth, with Springer on second Piñango popped out on the first pitch. Vlad walked on four pitches (Yohendrick……if you hadn’t popped up on the first pitch that was a couple of inches below the zone that could have been you). Okamoto, with the tying run a first, took two balls, swung through one, took a third ball, a strike and ball. Bases loaded again. Had the Rays not used their last challenge earlier in the at bat, they might have asked about that one. Daulton Varsho went foul, called strike, ball, ball, foul, GRAND SLAM.
Daulton made up for the other time he was up with the bases loaded.
Jays of the Day: Varsho (0.56 WPA), Clease (0.21), Vlad (0.21 for 3 walks), and Piñango (0.09).
Other Award: Hoffman (-0.41, for his two hits against in the 10th, but he gets the win), Lenyn Sosa (-0.19 for an 0 for 1), Clement (-0.18)
Tomorrow is an off-day, before a trip to Detroit.
I feel like there is more to say about this game, but that’s what tomorrow is for.
