This time, Gregg Popovich didn’t have to worry about the x’s and o’s needed to beat the Knicks.
The legendary Spurs coach attended Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs on Wednesday night in San Antonio in a rematch of the championship series from 1999 that earned him his first Larry O’Brien trophy and ignited the Spurs’ dynastic era.
The ABC broadcast captured the 77-year-old Popovich, who serves as San Antonio’s president of basketball operations, sitting in a suite at Frost Bank Center.
Gregg Popovich in the building supporting his Spurs
For Popovich, this series offers an enjoyable trip down memory lane since he won the first of his five championships 27 years ago when the Spurs beat the Knicks in five games.
San Antonio also won championships under the Hall of Famer’s tutelage in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Popovich coached some of these Spurs last year before he stepped away from his position after just five games following a health scare.
He posted a 1,390-824 record in his 29 season leading the franchise.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with Victor Wembanyama on the bench during the first half of their game against the Rockets March 5, 2024, in Houston. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Popovich still stays close to the team, especially with phenom Victor Wembanyama, and helped the team upset the defending champion Thunder in the semifinals.
The former coach gave the team an earful after its Game 3 home loss to Oklahoma City, and the Spurs responded with a resounding 103-82 Game 4 win to even the series at 2-2.
The Spurs ultimately triumped in seven games to earn their first Finals bid in 12 years.
“We lost Game 3 … but that was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like, ‘Nah, that’s BS. That’s not how we play basketball,’ and obviously he had some choice words for us,” Spurs star guard De’Aaron Fox told NBC after the May 24 victory. “That was the first time all season that he came into the locker room right after a game and told us how he felt.”
The Spurs are hoping this postseason run can begin a similar dynastic era to the one Popovich oversaw, with the new core of Wembanyama and young guards Dylan Harper and Stefon Castle leading the way.
After 50 2/3 innings, Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez finally surrendered a run in Wednesday’s 3-2 win.
Sanchez, 8 1/3 innings away from Orel Hershiser’s MLB record of 59 scoreless frames set, gave up a two-out, seventh-inning single to the Padres’ Jackson Merrill, which brought home Ty France.
Cristopher Sánchez, after giving up his first run since April 30th AP Photo/Matt Slocum
When the run crossed home, the Philly faithful gave their hurler a standing ovation.
Sanchez kept his composure and completed the inning, ending his night.
Sanchez’s scoreless streak began in the second inning of the April 30 matchup with the Giants, a span of five starts.
Jackson Merrill ends Cristopher Sánchez's consecutive scoreless innings streak at 50.2 IP pic.twitter.com/7jAfb0NuCo
The crazy run is the longest ever by a left-handed pitcher and the fourth longest of all time, behind Hershiser (1988), Don Drysdale (58 innings, 1968), Walter Johnson (55 2/3 inning, 1913) and Jack Coombs (53 innings, 1910).
Christopher Sanchez pitching on Wednesday night. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It was incredible,” Sánchez said after breaking Grove’s record. “It’s really special what we have here as a group, as an organization as a whole — the players, the staff, the medical staff. So it’s just really special to share things like this with this tremendous group that we have here.”
The streak has coincided with the Phillies’ resurgence from last place in the NL East. Since that April 30 start, the Phillies have gone 21-11 and sit in second place after Wednesday’s win.
They will look for the series sweep of San Diego on Thursday as they try to claw back into the playoff picture.
May 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson (24) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
It is a the second coming of Simeon Woods Richardson. You will likely remember that the Jays picked him (along with Anthony Kay) up from the Mets for Marcus Stroman back in 2019. I remember it mostly because I was in Toronto at the time and was at a game with Matt W and we discussed the trade (my memory says were were fairly pleased with the return).
Then we trade SWR to the Twins (with Austin Martin) for José Berríos. Woods Richardson never did pitch for us.
After getting in a game in each of 2022 and 2023, for the Twins, he made 50 starts (and one relief appearance) over 2024 and 2025 with a 12-9 record and a 4.11 record. This year hasn’t go so well, he pitched in 12 games with a 7.74 ERA in 47.2 innings. Batters hit .330/.409/.543 against him. And so the Twin DFAed him.
The Jays are sending cash back.
I’m thinking Richardson has been picked up to start instead of us doing two bullpen days every five games. SWR might not be great, but he can go more than 3 innings (I hope) and might allow us to save some bullpen arms.
I’m thinking that, when some of our injured starters are ready to come back, Woods Richardson will either move into our bullpen or get DFAed again, depending on how he does.
Welcome back, Simeon. Just a tip, if you want a win, don’t give up more than a run.
For the first time since his return, Gerrit Cole looked human. For the first time since completing his comeback from Tommy John surgery, Cole surrendered a run — four of them — and was hurt by the long ball.
And against an Aaron Judge-less lineup, that was more than enough for the Guardians.
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The Yankees lost to Cleveland 5-4 on Wednesday for their second consecutive defeat with Judge sidelined as they awaited a final diagnosis on the bone bruise near his right rib. Cole, after opening his 2026 ledger with 12 ²/₃ shutout innings, allowed the four runs across 5 ¹/₃ frames, with Cleveland’s three home runs accounting for most of the damage.
He still flashed his vintage, pre-surgery form, an encouraging sign for a banged-up Yankees team clinging to its remaining healthy stars.
But their offense managed just five hits — two of those solo homers — and didn’t come close to cobbling together nearly enough production with Judge’s status looming.
“I thought he threw the ball well,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought located pretty well. They pressured him. They were aggressive with him, put the ball in play on him. … But obviously, the long ball was the difference tonight.”
Even after eight innings of inconsistency, the Yankees had a chance in the ninth while trailing by two. Paul Goldschmidt doubled to lead off the inning and scored on Cody Bellinger’s deep sacrifice fly to pull them within a run. Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out and José Caballero flew out, though, to end the comeback attempt.
Cole breezed through the first inning with just eight pitches, but Kyle Manzardo sent a ball over the right-field fence on what Boone and Cole both described as an “impressive swing” on a knuckle curve to lead off the second — giving the Guardians a 1-0 lead.
Gerrit Cole grabs the rosin bag after giving up a two-run homer to Rhys Hoskins in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Guardians on June 3, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for New York Post
Rhys Hoskins crushed a slider over the left-field fence two frames later, giving Cleveland the advantage back after Chisholm evened the game with a solo homer of his own. And to lead off the fifth, José Ramírez added the Guardians’ third homer of the night.
The pitch to Hoskins was a mechanical mistake, Cole said, and outside of those swings, he mostly gave the Yankees a chance to win. He kept them within striking distance. He only struck out two batters after recording 10 in his last outing, but he was still mostly efficient.
Gerrit Cole, who had the worst outing of his young season, wears a perplexed expression during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ loss to the Guardians. Robert Sabo for New York Post
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Cole’s offense left him little margin for error, though. As the Yankees braced for the final diagnosis on Judge, a process dragging from imaging Monday all the way into Thursday, they issued a reminder of just how much they need their superstar. Chisholm’s homer was a promising sign from the infielder who has struggled during a contract year, and Caballero — starting in right field in place of Judge — kept making a case to remain in the Yankees lineup with a solo homer off Gavin Williams and a single in the second.
Jazz Chisholm watches his solo home run leave the yard in the second inning of the Yankees’ loss to the Guardians. Robert Sabo for New York Post
But only Ben Rice and Goldschmidt managed extra-base hits outside of that. There were harmless grounders and fly outs that strung together. The Guardians added a run in the eighth inning when Hoskins drove in a run with a single off Paul Blackburn, who inherited a pair of runners as Tim Hill’s struggles continued.
And when the Yankees needed a response in the eighth, Anthony Volpe, Trent Grisham and Rice all flew out against Hunter Gaddis.
If the Yankees needed another reminder of just how much they needed Judge, and just how much they might struggle without him, that captured it perfectly.
“It sucks not to have him here,” Chisholm said, “but at the same time, we’re still a team. I feel like we have really great players on this team, you know what I mean. Judge is great and everything, but he couldn’t do it by himself.”
MILWAUKEE — Everything, down to the littlest detail, was working in the Giants’ favor.
Even the jug of orange Gatorade in the dugout.
“Sometimes they mix it too strong or too weak,” remarked Ron Washington, who’s been in the game long enough to be a connoisseur of the sports drink. “Today, it’s just right.”
You could say it was perfect. And you could say the same about Logan Webb. Almost. Getty Images
In a 1-0 over the Brewers, the Giants ace didn’t allow a base runner until issuing a walk to start the sixth inning and took a no-hitter into the seventh, when a flare off the bat Brice Turang snuck inches over the glove of a diving Matt Chapman, who extended as far to his left as he could.
“Around the fifth inning, there were a lot of voices going on in my head,” Webb said. “It was like, ‘You have a no-hitter, you have a no-hitter.’ I know there’s like a jinx thing, but I was already saying that anyway.
“But I’m going to blame [manager Tony Vitello] because he did call down right before I gave up the hit and said have someone ready, so I’m going to blame him for that.”
Webb had to settle for one of the most sterling showings of his career — by far his best of the season — and a much-needed performance to flip the Giants’ fortunes after dropping seven of their past eight to enter the game with the worst record in the majors.
“I think even by his incredibly high standards, it was just a tremendous outing,” Vitello said. “Just the one [walk] probably got away from just because of fatigue, but he was relentless in the zone.”
It didn’t end without drama: Christian Yelich doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and reached third with one out, but Keaton Winn got Turang to swing through a fastball above the letters for the second out and stranded the tying run 90 feet away with a groundout of William Contreras to preserve the spectacular effort by Webb.
He finished seven shutout innings, surrendering just the one walk and one hit while striking out four and using his sinker to induce a dozen mostly soft ground-ball outs.
Webb had to settle for one of the most sterling showings of his career — by far his best of the season. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The no-hit bid risked overshadowing another feel-good moment that ended up being just as decisive in determining the outcome.
Up until the seventh, the only activity in the Giants’ bullpen came when they were at the plate in the top of the fifth, as rookie outfielder Victor Bericoto’s first home run landed among the group of relievers and bounced into the stands, providing the only run San Francisco would need.
Bericoto became the first Giants player to have his first home run be the difference-maker in a 1-0 win since Darren Lewis in 1991.
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Webb’s season, like the Giants as a whole, has been a frustrating one to this point. His 4.82 ERA is the highest since he established himself in the majors in 2021. The Giants were just 2-7 behind him in his first nine starts, and a knee issue forced him to the IL for the first time.
Turns out, the time off was a good thing. Really good. Just what Webb needed. Almost perfect.
Webb’s season, like the Giants as a whole, has been a frustrating one to this point. Getty Images
Who’s hot
Webb, perhaps, was extra motivated by watching his close friend and former teammate, Kyle Harrison, dominate the Giants the previous night. Or maybe he looked at the 4.94 ERA the Giants’ rotation took into the game and decided something needed to be done about it.
He could just like facing the Brewers.
In seven previous starts against them, Webb was 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA. The only team he’s had more success against in as many starts is the Reds, who happened to be the victims of the Giants’ last no-hitter, thrown by Blake Snell at Great American Ballpark in 2023.
Who’s not
Webb was back to normal form in his second start back from the first stint on the injured list of his career. Unfortunately for the Giants, so was their lineup.
Robert Gasser, a left-hander called up from Triple-A before the game, matched zeros in the run column — if not the hit column — for the first four innings, and the Giants weren’t able to provide any insurance following Bericoto’s home run in the fifth.
They were held to three or fewer runs for the sixth time in their past nine games, stranding at least eight men on base for the fourth time during that stretch.
Up next
Adrian Houser will look to build on Webb’s effort in the series finale as the Giants try to salvage a split in the four-game series against the NL Central leaders before finishing their road trip with three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
MESA, AZ - MARCH 21: Kaleb Wing #51 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Aryanna Frank/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Right-hander Erian Rodriguez was promoted to Double-A Knoxville from the rookie ball ACL Cubs
Right-hander Sam Mettert was promoted to Low-A Myrtle Beach from the ACL Cubs.
Javier Assad started this game and pitched just one inning. He retired the side in order, striking out one. He threw just six pitches and all six of them were strikes.
Zac Leigh came on to pitch the second inning and got the loss after he gave up a solo home run in the third inning. Leigh allowed one run on one hit over two innings. He walked two and struck out one.
Gavin Hollowell, whom I was touting for a major league look, came on to pitch the eighth inning, faced six batters and retired none of them. Hollowell allowed three hits and walked three. Five of those six baserunners came around to score.
The I-Cubs avoided a shutout when left fielder Chas McCormick hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth. It was his sixth home run of the year. McCormick was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Matt Shaw played the entire game at DH and was 2 for 4.
Grant Kipp gave the Smokies four good innings, but not good enough to not take the loss. Kipp allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over the four innings. One of the four hits was a solo home run Kipp struck out four and walked three.
Tyler Ras had three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit. Ras struck out three and walked no one.
The Smokies managed just five hits, which is actually the same number they allowed. Second baseman Hayden Cantrelle went 2 for 3.
Left fielder Carter Trice was 1 for 4 with a triple.
Kevin Valdez pitched the first five innings and had a solid start by allowing just one run on six hits. The one run came on a solo home run in the fourth. He struck out five and walked one.
Grayson Moore pitched the ninth inning and got the save. He walked a batter with one out, but otherwise gave up nothing. Moore struck out two.
South Bend scored all four runs in the first inning and hung on the rest of the way.
Left fielder Jose Escobar hit a two-run single in the first. He was 1 for 4.
Center fielder Josiah Hartshorn went 1 for 3 with a walk. He scored once.
Good start for Kaleb Wing, who went 3.1 innings and allowed one run on three hits. He still got the loss. Wing struck out six and walked just one.
Sam Mettert’s Pelicans debut didn’t go as well. Mettert gave up three runs, two earned, on one hit and three walks over 1.2 innings.
The Pelicans scored all five runs in the top of the eighth inning. The big blow was a three-run double by third baseman Yahil Melendez. Melendez was 1 for 5.
Catcher Logan Poteet got the Birds on the board with an RBI double earlier in the fifth. Poteet went 2 for 4 with a walk and a double. He scored on Melendez’s double.
With the Knicks playing in their first NBA Finals in 27 years, the commissioner was asked about the one Knicks legend missing from the alumni that have been filling Madison Square Garden this spring. Oakley, the bruising forward who spent a decade as a fan favorite in New York, has been at war with the controversial Knicks owner since his 2017 ejection from the Garden and the lawsuit that followed.
Silver said he wishes it were different.
“It is a shame in that I tried, Michael Jordan tried too, to broker peace between Charles and Jim Dolan,” Silver said before Game 1 of the Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. “Our efforts were unsuccessful. I think it’s unfortunate for the NBA that this is an ongoing situation."
Oakley was forcibly removed from his seat at the Garden during a Knicks game in February 2017 and arrested. He later sued Dolan and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, alleging assault and defamation. The case has dragged on through the federal courts for years.
Silver said the litigation has tied his hands.
“As you know, it’s currently wrapped up in litigation,” Silver said. “I tried my best. So I don’t really see anything else I can do at the moment.”
The absence stings.
Silver opened his pre-Finals news conference by rattling off Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, John Starks and Walt Frazier among the Kincks alumni active around the franchise during this postseason run. Oakley, a fixture on the 1990s Knicks teams that reached the 1994 Finals, has not been part of that group.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes this league so special is this family environment that we have,” Silver said.
With the 2026 season now wrapped up for Mizzou Baseball, Kerrick Jackson & Co. currently find themselves navigating a heavy wave of departures. To date, a dozen Tigers have officially entered the portal.
Here's Your 2026 Mizzou Transfer Portal Directory: Missouri currently has 12 entries into the portal, with 5 pitchers and 7 position players. Non-graduate players have until June 30th to enter the portal, and can take as they long as they want to commit. #MizzouNOWpic.twitter.com/hWKgGWCM2K
The list of talent includes five pitchers and seven position players, featuring several notable names who saw extensive action this season. Names like Blaize Ward and Kaden Peer, alongside key players such as Chris Patterson and Sam Parker. For a detailed, player-by-player look at everyone who entered the portal, check out our complete offseason post here.
New Talent Arises
With that being said, the focus in Columbia is already shifting to the wave of exciting new talent coming in to play for the Tigers.
Leading the charge for the incoming transfers is Florida Gulf Coast University shortstop Wilfred Gonzalez, who officially became Mizzou’s first portal commitment on Wednesday, June 3. The Miami, Fla., Gonzalez brings an elite bat to the Tigers’ lineup after putting together a stellar season for the Eagles.
He managed to bat an impressive .323 while racking up 74 hits, 11 doubles, 2 home runs and 30 RBIs. As an incoming senior, Gonzalez provides Mizzou with a a heavy approach that will hopefully translate well against elite SEC arms.
The first commitment to Missouri in the 2026 transfer class is FGCU's Wilfred Gonzalez! Gonzalez played in all 58 games for the Eagles, primarily at shortstop, batting .323 with 74 hits, 11 doubles, 2 HRs, and 30 RBIs. #MizzouNOWhttps://t.co/PHbWObMzxJ
Securing a capable infielder will be the first vital step in rebuilding from what has been lost. This ultimately proves that the Tigers are moving in the right direction to reload just as fast as they lose talent.
We’ll be using this landing page to provide all the additions to the Tigers’ roster.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that team captain and star outfielder Aaron Judge is set to undergo further imaging on his injured ribs as well as his chest.
The three-time (and currently reigning) American League MVP has not featured in their current home series against the Cleveland Guardians. In his absence, the team has begun to falter, losing 9-4 on Tuesday and 5-4 on Wednesday. His status for the weekend's three-game tilt against the Boston Red Sox remains uncertain, but few would be surprised to see him miss out on that crucial rivalry matchup entirely.
Following Wednesday's loss, Boone told the media that he expects to learn more about Judge's condition "later tonight or tomorrow," explaining that because the organization doesn't yet know "what exactly [Judge is] dealing with", there is still no timeline or expectation for Judge's return to the lineup.
To this point, Judge's slash line reads .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI. It speaks to Judge's greatness that a .907 OPS is the mark of a "down year."
The last time Judge missed significant time was 2023, when he missed 52 games due to torn ligaments in his right big toe and a hip strain.
Charles Barkley was frustrated with the Knicks’ first-half defensive performance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals — but had kudos for one bright spot on the other side of the ball.
During the “Inside the NBA” halftime show on Wednesday night, the Suns great laid into the Knicks for allowing wide open 3-pointers through the first half of Game 1 where the Knicks ended down 55-48.
“It’s really been terrible defense on the Knicks,” Barkley said when asked what the story of the first half was. “Cause if you actually look at [Julian Champagnie’s] threes. Why is he wide open? There’s no reason to be leaving him wide open.”
Charles Barkley crushed the Knicks poor perimeter defense in the first half. Getty Images
Champagnie led all scorers with 15 points in the first half, going 5-of-6 from the field, all of which came from 3-point range.
The Knicks were outshot from distance by the Spurs, who went 9-of-24 from three, while the Knicks ended the first half 6-of-20.
Barkley was impressed with Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored eight first-half points.
Julian Champagnie shot the lights out in the first half of Game 1. NBAE via Getty Images
“The Spurs can’t guard the pick and roll. When [the Knicks] run the pick and roll with KAT they get something good everytime,” Barkley said. “We have to give KAT his flowers.”
Starting pitcher Corbin Burnes #39 of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks off the field with assistant athletic trainer Max Esposito during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field on June 01, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Diamondbacks won’t be getting Corbin Burnes back any time soon.
Burnes, 31, underwent surgery last June and had been attempting to return by August, but will now likely have to wait until September, per Lovullo.
“It’s a blow,” Lovullo said. “It’s something that we’re going to have to deal with. It’s just what we do in this game. We’ve got very qualified players in that clubhouse that are going to get some opportunities. We’ve got five really good starting pitchers right now and they’re doing a good job. I want that to continue.”
Corbin Burnes of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Lovullo said Burnes felt “something was a little tight” in his throwing shoulder and underwent an MRI on Monday that showed a strain.
He added that it will be “weeks, not days,” until Burnes can begin throwing again.
Burnes was one of the top starting pitchers in baseball before coming to Arizona, making four All-Star teams and posting a 2.94 ERA from 2021-24. It was the fifth-lowest ERA in baseball among pitchers with at least 400 innings on the mound over that stretch.
Starting pitcher Corbin Burnes of the Arizona Diamondbacks walks off the field with assistant athletic trainer Max Esposito during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field on June 1, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images
He looked the part during his brief stint with the Diamondbacks in 2025, posting a 2.66 across 11 outings before going down.
Despite Burnes’ absence, Arizona is sitting at 32-28, which is tied with the Padres for second place in the National League West heading into Wednesday’s action.
Jun 3, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Rhys Hoskins (8) celebrates with third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) after hitting a two run home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Tonight, the Yankees were a cat that couldn’t catch the mouse. To be fair, the mouse in question was capable of dealing mighty blows to the cat. The Guardians grabbed their well-earned series win in the Bronx by flexing their muscles, clubbing three home runs off Gerrit Cole and always finding the timely hit to keep the tardy Yankee offense from responding with enough pop of their own. Gavin Williams was far from terrific on the mound for Cleveland, but the bullpen was able to stifle the Bombers just enough for a 5-4 final.
Cole’s scoreless streak to begin his season was snapped by a single swing in the second. Kyle Manzardo scooped a tumbling curveball — far from the worst offering of the game from Cole — and elevated it high and far to the facing of the second deck for a 1-0 Cleveland lead. We saw that power from him a few postseasons ago; his seventh long ball of the year gave the Guards the initiative.
Thankfully, the Bombers bashed back. Jazz Chisholm Jr. probably wasn’t consciously trying to clock a ball further than Manzardo did, but that’s what he did to lead off the second against Williams. Jazz turned on a belt-high heater from the tall right-hander and launched it 409 feet to reach the second deck. Of course, with nobody aboard, the homers counted the same; we were back to even.
The Cleveland offense which was in a groove last night found their stride again in the top of the fourth inning. It started with a hot line drive off the wall from José Ramírez that a strong throw in from José Caballero limited to a single. Ramírez would be able to trot home thanks to a two-out thunderstrike from veteran power bat Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins seized on a hanging slider from Cole and kept his blast fair down the left field line to make it 3-1 Cleveland.
Once again, the Yankees were able to respond quickly, albeit not with a two run shot. Still, a homer is a homer, and Caballero was more than willing to provide with a skyscraping fly ball to left that eluded the Guardians’ Angel Martínez and nestled into the glove of a Yankee fan and brought the Bombers within one.
Martínez lobbied for fan interference, but let’s face it; he’d have to be Victor Wembanyama’s height to snare that one. Or perhaps Mitchell Robinson’s — this is Knicks country, after all.
Unfortunately, Cole continued to struggle to keep the ball in the ballpark. The Guardians are not known for their proficiency against velocity, but it’s still unwise to give a center-cut offering of any speed to José Ramírez. The superstar third baseman continued his excellent career performance against Gerrit with a solo shot to right, restoring the two-run advantage at 4-2.
Manzardo continued the extra-base hit parade by smacking a double to the gap, then a walk to Hoskins spelled the end of Cole’s night. It wasn’t entirely fair to say Cole didn’t have his stuff per se, but every mistake he made was punished in a timely fashion. His breaking pitches routinely caught too much plate for a lineup that was suddenly geared to do damage, especially down the foul lines. Gerrit departed in line for the loss, replaced by Fernando Cruz.
Cruz did his job to strand the duo on base, but the Yankees had work to do against Williams, who was operating on cruise control aside from those solo homers. Ben Rice jostled him a bit with a leadoff double to start the home sixth, then advanced to third on a productive out from Paul Goldschmidt. That was sufficient to chase Williams from the mound.
Steven Vogt brought in lefty Tim Herrin to face Cody Bellinger, but the left-on-left matchup never daunts Cody. He made quality contact to center field for a lineout, and Steven Kwan airmailed the throw home to allow Rice to score easily on the sac fly. Herrin, who was in the game just as much to face Jazz as he was to face Bellinger, retired the Yankee second baseman to hold the lead at 4-3.
But the scuffling Yankee bullpen backpedaled. Tim Hill’s recent funk continued: he surrendered some more loud noises as Ramírez collected his third hit, and Manzardo nearly scored him on a booming double off the center field wall. Ramírez’s helmet flew off and obstructed him in a rare twist of good fortune, forcing him to retreat to third. Naturally Paul Blackburn entered and promptly wasted the lucky break by serving up a perfect batting practice ball to Hoskins, who scored Ramírez on a simple single to left. Once again, the Guards led by a pair.
Like last night, the Yankees bats were unable to solve Hunter Gaddis, who put up a zero in the bottom of the eighth, then a clean ninth from Blackburn brought this irritating game of cat-and-mouse to its final frame.
Goldschmidt came to the dish ready to hit against closer Cade Smith, rapping a double into the left field corner to immediately bring up Bellinger as the tying run. A lawn dart from Smith immediately moved Goldschmidt up 90 feet, Cody repeated his sixth-iunning act by grabbing a sac fly, but it seemed to have ultimately done Smith a favor. He roared back to strike out Chisholm, then got Caballero to pop out to end the night.
The Bombers continually played from behind tonight, and never found the big hit they needed to flip the script. They fell 5-4.
The Yankees will seek to salvage the final game and ward off a sweep at the hands of the AL Central leaders. Carlos Rodón will toe the slab, giving this Cleveland lineup which has found success against the Yankees’ righties a different look. Slade Cecconi will oppose Rodón, with the Thursday matinée kicking off at 1:35 PM on YES.
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 23: Stephen Kolek #32 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with a teammate after pitching a complete game and winning the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Both starters were dealing tonight. Despite that, the Royals were able to get on the board early. Vinnie Pasquantino turned on a fastball in the first inning and drove it out of the park down the right field line. Bobby Witt Jr. had walked on four pitches right before that, so the Royals had a 2-0 lead just three batters into the game.
After that, Chase Burns only allowed a few Royals on base and when he did, he would just strike everyone out to prevent them from coming around to score. He struck out 9 Royals across his six innings before turning it over to the bullpen.
Stephen Kolek also felt like striking out a lot of batters today. Through four innings he was straight up dominant before it seemed his command started to wane a bit. In the 5th inning this got him into a little trouble. Will Benson led off that inning with a bunt single because the defense was back and shaded to pull leaving the third base line a long way from any defenders. That ended up not mattering because Kolek rolled up a double play and looked like he was going to get through five without any runs, but Matt McLain had a seeing eye single to keep the inning going and get it back to the top of the lineup. Blake Dunn then saw a slider break into the middle of the zone and drove it out to tie up the game. Kolek still managed to get through 7 innings and struck out 8 for the second time in his career. The final line was 7IP, 6H, 2BB, 2ER, 8K. He had 7 Ks through three innings though, so his slider that was dominant early lost some of its power the 2nd and 3rd time through Cincinnati’s order.
In a year that has mostly gone wrong, Stephen Kolek has been a bright a spot. He now has a 3.32 ERA and four of his six starts have been quality starts. Not bad for a guy who was 7th on the depth chart for the rotation.
With the starters out, it was a new game all tied up. Daniel Lynch was the first out of the pen for the Royals. Other than a load double off the wall from pinch hitter Dane Myers, Lynch looked in control. The Reds’ relievers only allowed a single to Pasquantino in the 7th and 8th. The Royals then got something going in the 9th. Jac Caglianone led off the inning with his second single of the night, which brought in Tyler Tolbert as a pinch runner. Isaac Collins then sac bunted him to get a runner in scoring position with Michael Massey coming up. Tony Santillan was having his attention divided watching Tolbert on base and trying to pitch to Massey until finally, on the 8th pitch of the plate appearance, Michael singled to right and got the Royals back ahead 3-2. There was still only one out and a runner on. Nick Loftin came up to try and get some insurance runs. Ryan Lefebvre then said, “Loftin has not hit a home run yet this year”. Two seconds later he did just that and the Royals’ lead was extended to 3.
Lane Thomas, who pinch hit for Kyle Isbel in the 7th, walked and that ended Santillan’s night. Zachary McCambley was next up and had his major league debut. He struck out Carter Jensen and started heading for the dugout, which his teammates are going to have some fun with I am sure given that there were only 2 outs. And the Royals kept making things interesting with a Bobby Witt single and then an intentional walk to Vinnie after Bobby took second on defensive indifference. Bases loaded, Salvador Perez coming to the plate, but it was not to be as he struck out and the lead stayed 5-2.
The Royals have blown multiple saves through this bad stretch of baseball. Lucas Erceg was not given the opportunity to have a fourth consecutive blown save and Alex Lange came in to try and close it out. Spencer Steer immediately doubled into the left field corner and that sinking feeling started to creep in. The Reds did have their 7, 8, and 9 hitters coming though. Benson struck out on a check swing and Cincy decided to pinch hit with Edwin Arroyo and his 1 career hit after making his debut on Monday. He was called out on a slider that hit the top of the zone for strike three. Noelvi Marte was up and things got a little weird. He checked his swing on the first pitch for a ball, but then said it hit his arm, so the Reds decided to challenge. They did not win the challenge and Marte returned to the batter’s box. The next pitch was called a strike and Marte challenged that turning it into a ball and eventually leading to a walk. Dunn was back up with a chance to hit a second game-tying home run of the day, but then he bunted the first pitch foul? Bunting with 2 outs and runners on first and second was a strange choice. He then hit a fly ball to center than Lane Thomes caught ending the threat, giving the Royals a win for the game and the series.
That was an uncomfortable ninth inning, but the bullpen did its job tonight. Thanks to Kolek they only needed to take care of two innings and they did. Next it is off to Minnesota for four games against a division rival who is not very good, though their record is still quite a bit better than Kansas City’s.
Adam Silver is not budging on the 65-game rule. Stars and agents have pushed back since it took effect in the 2023-24 season, tying eligibility for the league’s biggest individual awards to playing in roughly 80% of the regular season. Speaking before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the NBA commissioner said the rule is doing exactly what the league wanted.
“I’m frankly not ready to support a change,” Silver said. “I just take a step back to the situation we were dealing with when we went into the last collective bargaining negotiation and put in place the 65-game rule.”
Silver said roughly a third of All-NBA players in the seasons leading up to the rule did not play in 65 games. The league and the National Basketball Players Association built in exceptions for players who fall short by a game or two.
Two exceptions were granted this season. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, who missed time around the birth of his child, and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who suffered a collapsed lung, were both ruled eligible for awards after appeals. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards applied for an exception and was denied.
“I think the rule is working,” Silver said. “Of course when we sit down to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, we are happy to talk about it.”
Silver did leave one door open. Asked whether the league should announce regular-season award winners at the end of the regular season rather than dribble them out across the playoffs, he said it was worth a look.
"That’s an interesting thought,” Silver said. “So we should look at that. “
Kawhi Leonard, Aspiration probe nearing end
The independent investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and the now-bankrupt company Aspiration is close to wrapping up, Silver said.
The probe, launched in September, centers on a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal Leonard signed with Aspiration in 2022 through his personal company, KL2 Aspire. Independent journalist Pablo Torre alleged that Leonard did no promotional work for the company, and that the contract was structured so it would void if he left the Clippers.
If proven, the arrangement would amount to salary cap circumvention. Leonard had already signed a four-year, $176 million maximum contract with the Clippers in 2021. Owner Steve Ballmer, separately, had personally invested $50 million in Aspiration around the same time the Clippers entered a $300 million sponsorship deal with the company. League rules bar teams and owners from funneling money to players outside the cap.
Ballmer and the Clippers have denied any wrongdoing. Ballmer has said he was a victim of fraud by Aspiration’s founders and had no role in the Leonard endorsement deal. Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg was sentenced Monday to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud in a related case.
Silver said neither the Pulitzer Prize that Torre’s reporting won nor the sentencing should shape the outcome.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job if ultimately I issued a determination based on perception,” Silver said. “My job is to follow the facts.”
The law firm running the investigation, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, will deliver its findings to Silver, who will decide on discipline.
“I think we are close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up, because you also need finality,” Silver said. “The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under and so do the other 29 teams."
Jun 3, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Nathan Lukes (38) reacts after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Blue Jays 3 Braves 7
We got more than 2 runs!!!!
They should have scored a few runs in the first inning. It started single (Nathan Lukes), single (Yohendrick Piñango) and walk (Vladimir Guerrero). The walk included Vlad challenging a called strike, which, the review showed, was easily a strike. I hate blowing a challenge in the first inning.
Anyway, I digress…..
Bases loaded, no outs, you start to hope for a big inning.
Nope.
Jesús Sánchez hit into a double play (scoring a run) and Ernie Clement struck out.
We got the other run in the third, Lukes homered.
Patrick Corbin wasn’t good. He gave up a run in the second and three more in the third (Mauricio Dubón homered). He ended up allowing four earned in five inning.
Yariel Rodríguez pitched a quick sixth and got one out in the seventh, with a walk. Adam Macko came in and gave up a single and a home run, before getting out of the inning.
Hayden Juenger had a 1, 2, 3 eighth.
Brandon Valenzuela crushed a home run in the ninth, 399 feet. But that was it for ninth inning fun.
I thought the Braves organist deserved points for playing ‘if I only had a brain’ when Myles Straw came to bat in the ninth.
We had 8 hits and 3 walks. But an 0 for 4 with RISP didn’t help (though it says a lot that we only had four runners in scoring position).
Joe did a rant about the Jays not catching a popup, saying it would the little things that were killing them. I respectfully object. They are losing because they aren’t scoring, But your mileage may vary.
Jays of the Day? Well, there wasn’t any. Lukes had the high mark at 0.07 WPA.
Other Award: Corbin (-0.24), Sánchez (-0.12), and Macko (-0.9).
Tomorrow we have game three of this series. And it is a bullpen day, while the Braves will start Chris Sale (8-3, 2.01). That should be fun.
