Worldwide Sports News

Losses by 6-0. 15-2. 10-1. How do you want to spin the Angels now, GM Perry Minasian? Are things still grand in Arteville?

Humiliations galore!

Jim Fredrick
Manhattan Beach

Really? The Angels cannot hit, cannot pitch and certainly cannot field. Their hitting coach, pitching coach and manager Kurt Suzuki‘s terrible management are much higher on the list of what’s wrong with this miserable team this year. So sad.

Michael Reuben
Anaheim Hills

The recent emergence of shirt-waving fans at Angel Stadium urging ownership to “sell the team” is an opportunity for reflection. With the long ago departure of the controversial former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, is Arte Moreno now truly the worst owner in sports? Sterling was truly detestable in his time, but at least he fielded a highly competitive and exciting Lob City squad led by legendary coach Doc Rivers. For the 2026 Angels, the dog days have already begun — before Memorial Day weekend.

Rob Fleishman
Placentia

Going into Memorial Day weekend, the Dodgers are in first place and the Angels are in last place. Plus the Angels’ shirtless fans in the stands are screaming at owner Arte Moreno to “Sell The Team!” The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ho hum.

Chris Sorce
Fountain Valley

True sportsmen

“Rai clinches historic PGA title” and “Son makes ailing mother proud on, off the field.”

Both L.A. Times articles filled me with joy and prompted this letter.

Aaron Rai and Kaden Tennyson are champions of the highest order.

The essence of sports is good sportsmanship, which stems from good character and a respect for the game. What stood out to me while reading both articles is that both sportsmen are righteous, grateful people who honor their parents in meaningful ways. Aaron pays respect to his father by protecting his golf clubs with covers. No doubt his appreciation goes far beyond how he keeps his clubs. Kaden puts his service to his mother above all else in his life. He’s mindful of her delicate condition (a notion with which I am keenly familiar). Kaden’s care for his mother is paramount.

Just reading the many well-wishes heaped upon Aaron from his fellow pros affirms he is a well-loved, well-respected man. Kaden makes his mother proud; her heart surely swells with immeasurable joy from the comfort he gives her day in and day out.

Thank you, Kaden and Aaron, and congratulations for being such accomplished athletes and even more so, for being great human beings.

David Griffin
Westwood

Nobody knew?

So my Dodgers are paying injured Edwin Díaz $69 million over three seasons and he’s involved with cockfighting. While he’s out perhaps the club should re-sign Trevor Bauer.

Better vetting please.

Fred Wallin
Westlake Village

Wrong kind of homers

Re: “Sour Grapes from the Big Apple.” While there, regrettably, will never be another sportscaster with Vin Scully’s intellectual elan and gift for turning the pedestrian into something remarkable, he seldom if ever rooted for the home team, choosing instead to root for the game itself. The same cannot be said for Joe Davis and his cohorts, who make their favoritism no secret and who have never met a silence they didn’t feel compelled to fill.

Bill Waxman
Simi Valley

Sports nirvana

If you’re a true sports fan, this time of year is seventh heaven. You have playoff basketball and hockey, which are both great, especially this year. And you have the Dodgers. We have about one more month of this nirvana and then the summer lull will set in until football. So to all of us hardcore sports fans, let’s sit back and enjoy!!

Doug Vikser
Manhattan Beach

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Email: sports@latimes.com

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

There is almost no chance that today or Sunday’s games get played, right? The forecast for these games is beyond poor, so methinks this gets made up as a doubleheader on some random August day.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• J.T. Realmuto and Aaron Nola, two of the mainstays from this era, are still looking for answers to their rough seasons ($).
• Rhys Hoskins returned with the Guardians. His injury with the Phillies is something that still bothers Bryce Harper.
• Five individually packed thoughts about the Phillies, including worries about the offense when Kyle Schwarber isn’t in the lineup.

MLB news:

• This trade deadline will be an interesting one to watch, so here are some of the X-factors that could change things up a bit.
• Another day, another top pitching prospect going down to Tommy John surgery. This time, it’s Robby Snelling in Miami.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (26-22)

BUFFALO 4, SYRACUSE 2 (BOX)

Daniel Duarte, fresh off his major league cameo, gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in one inning pitched against the former Mets’ affiliate. Jared Young went 2-4 with a double on his way (hopefully) back to Queens.

• 2B Christian Arroyo: 1-5, K
• LF-1B Jared Young: 2-4, R, 2B
• DH Eric Wagaman: 1-3, BB
• 1B-LF Ryan Clifford: 0-3, RBI, 2 K
• 3B Andy Ibáñez: 1-4, K
• RF Ji Hwan Bae: 1-4, R, K
• CF Cristian Pache: 0-3, BB
• C Kevin Parada: 2-4
• SS Yonny Hernández: 0-2, RBI, BB, SB
• P Daniel Duarte: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• P Ben Simon: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
• P Zach Peek: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• P Ofreidy Gómez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• P Cionel Pérez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• P Alex Carrillo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (15-28)

RICHMOND 10, BINGHAMTON 5 (BOX)

Wyatt Young had the distinction of driving in a run and giving up two as he pitched the eighth inning for the Rumble Ponies in a trouncing by the Flying Squirrels. Nick Lorusso picked up a pair of hits, including a home run, in the team’s only real offensive performance of the game.

• DH-SS Marco Vargas: 0-5, K
• C Chris Suero: 0-4, BB, K
• 3B Jacob Reimer: 0-2, R, 3 BB
• LF Eli Serrano III: 1-5, 2B, 3 K
• CF Jose Ramos: 1-2, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, E
• 2B Nick Lorusso: 2-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, K, SB
• RF Jaylen Palmer: 0-2, BB, K, SB
• 1B TT Bowens: 0-4, RBI, 2 K, E
• SS-P Wyatt Young: 2-3, RBI
• P Jordan Geber: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• P Gabriel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
• P Carlos Guzman: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• P Jefry Yan: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
• P Wyatt Young: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (12-31)

BROOKLYN 10, HUDSON VALLEY 3 (BOX)

Joe Jacques is on rehab assignment in Brooklyn and scattered three hits and two strikeouts over an inning of work. Otherwise, Brooklyn had a very weird offensive night, where they managed to have three players drive in four collective runs without a hit.

• SS Mitch Voit: 0-2, R, RBI, BB, K, SB
• CF John Bay: 2-5, 2 R, RBI, K, SB
• 1B Corey Collins: 0-2, R, RBI, 3 BB, K
• C Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-4, 2 RBI, BB
• 3B Yonatan Henriquez: 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, 2 K
• RF JT Benson: 1-5, R, 2B, 3 K
• LF Sam Biller: 0-3, R, 2 K
• DH Nick Roselli: 0-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K
• 2B Diego Mosquera: 0-1, R, 3 BB, K
• P Frank Camarillo: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• P Adbert Alzolay: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• P Joe Jacques: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• P Garrett Stratton: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (18-25)

ST LUCIE 7, PALM BEACH 6 (BOX)

Kodai Senga made a rehab start for St. Lucie and went three and a third innings, allowing four hits on a two runs, along with a walk and two strikeouts. It’s a start. Branny De Oleo, Chase Meggers, and Jamari Baylor all hit dingers in the dub.

• SS Elian Peña: 2-4, RBI, K, E
• 3B Jeremy Rodriguez: 0-3, RBI, K
• 1B Randy Guzman: 2-3, R, K
• CF Yohairo Cuevas: 0-2, R, BB, K
• DH Julio Zayas: 0-4, K
• RF AJ Salgado: 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB
• LF Branny De Oleo: 1-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K
• C Chase Meggers: 3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, HR, RBI, K, E
• 2B Jamari Baylor: 1-3, R, HR, RBI
• P Kodai Senga: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• P Jose Chirinos: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
• P Miguel Mejias: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

Rookie: FCL Mets (6-8)

FCL METS 7, FCL NATIONALS 4 (BOX)

• 3B Bohan Adderley: 1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, K
• CF Trey Snyder: 1-2, BB
• 1B Josmir Reyes: 0-1, R
• 2B Anthony Frobose: 1-4, K, E
• C Yovanny Rodriguez: 1-3, R, RBI
• DH Yeider Mindiola: 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, K, SB
• RF-CF Heriberto Rincon: 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, K
• SS Diover De Aza: 1-2, BB, SB
• 1B-RF Justin Ramirez: 1-2, R, BB, K
• LF Adolfo Miranda: 0-3, K
• P Julio Gonzalez: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• P Eris Albino: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Chase Meggers

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Daniel Duarte

Few saw this coming from the Tampa Bay Rays. They haven’t just given the Yankees a run for the money, but they sit atop the AL East standings, as well as the overall American League standings, as these two clubs square off for a weekend matchup in late May. Though both teams have gotten off to both starts, they’ve taken very different routes to get there. You’ll find elite talent on both sides, with the likes of Junior Caminero and Aaron Judge, but what we’re interested in is what makes each club stand out above the rest.

We begin on the offensive side of the ball, where the Yankees are fourth, and the Rays are eighth in runs scored. Both teams hover around the best offenses in the American League, but they go about it in opposite directions. While the Yankees heavily rely on power, leading baseball with 73 home runs, the Rays’ 41 have them ranked 27th out of 30 MLB teams.

Some version of a dropoff in power from last season was always expected from Tampa, making the move back from George Steinbrenner Field to the Trop. In Caminero, the Rays have a star bat whose 13 home runs put him close to the best in the American League, but what generates this staggering difference between the Rays and Yankees is in how they complement their stars offense.

While Tampa has to look for bats with alternative skill sets to surround the likes of Caminero and Yandy Diaz, such as Chandler Simpson and Richie Palacios, the Yankees can afford to stack on power. It’s actually scary to think that their offensive numbers are what they are, despite Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham vastly underwhelming and Giancarlo Stanton sidelined. On the flip side, even with so many fewer home runs, the Rays don’t sit far apart from the Yankees on the run-scoring table with the third-highest average and OBP in baseball—New York is at 22nd and 8th, respectively. Just because power is king doesn’t mean you can’t thrive by putting the ball in play, particularly if you get on base enough.

Moving over to the pitching side of things, the Yankees and Rays sit fourth and fifth, respectively, in ERA+, although there happens to be a rather sizeable gap between them, the Yankees at 128 and the Rays at 117. Much as it is the case offensively, the Rays manage to make it a closer battle than it should be for the staff with the third-fewest strikeouts, while the Yankees are number three in the American League with 449 K’s. The same goes for home run prevention, where, in particular, the Yankees’ rotation has thrived, number one in the sport. Tampa’s bullpen has had difficulties keeping the ball in the yard, and outside of the two-headed monster of Griffin Jax and Bryan Baker, their unit has lacked the depth to truly dominate opposing batters.

Virtually operating with a four-man rotation up to this point, the Rays lack the depth to sustain potential injuries, something the Yankees have done incredibly well up to this point. And that’s not to mention Nick Martínez’s likely unsustainable production with a 1.51 ERA in nine starts.

The number one lesson to take away from all of this is that the general assumption that the Yankees remain favorites to win the AL East isn’t without merit. They have a far sturdier foundation in the key aspects of a big league club: ability to hit for power, strikeout prowess—it all favors the Yankees. Their depth has been tested so far and survived, while the Rays could be headed for a bout of regression at some point. That being said, we know not to fully underestimate the Rays by now. The games they’ve won can’t be taken away, and they’ve built a lead in the AL East. Even if the Yankees have a better roster on paper, they have plenty of work to do if they want to reclaim the top spot in the division.

Indianapolis Indians 7, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box)

The Tigers moved reliever Zack Lee up from West Michigan with Brenan Hanifee headed to Baltimore to fill in for an injured Burch Smith, and it did not go well.

Troy Watson got the start, and despite minimal whiffs, navigated five scoreless frames. The Hens gave him a quick lead when Ben Malgeri was hit to start the bottom of the first. Max Clark pulled a hard ground ball down the first base line for an RBI triple, and it was 1-0 Hens.

Both teams were otherwise quiet until the sixth. Max Burt and Malgeri singled, and after Clark struck out, a balk advanced both runners. Max Anderson struck out as well, but Antwone Kelly walked Eduardo Valencia to load the bases. Isaac Mattson took over and Jace Jung pulled a two-run double to right field for a 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately, the first four batter reached against Lee, the last of which was a single that plated two runs with the help of a Jung error at second base on the relay. Lee walked the next hitter before getting a pop-out, and Tyler Mattison took over. Mattison didn’t do a whole lot better, allowing two more runs before getting out of the inning and it was 5-3 Indy. Mattison gave up two more in the eighth and that was that.

Malgeri: 2-3, 2 R, K

Clark: 1-4, RBI, 3B, K

Watson: 5.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, BB, 2 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday with the series tied up.

Erie SeaWolves at Altoona Curve (postponed)

They’ll play two on Saturday in Altoona with the Curve up 2-1 in the series.

South Bend Cubs 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 4 (box)

Andrew Sears made another rehab outing in this one, looking reasonably close to full strength, but as it’s gone for the past five weeks, the Whitecaps bullpen is terrible and did terribly.

Sears worked three innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and a walk. He struck out three, and his velocity looked just about back to normal. He should be back with Erie the next time out. Carlos Marcano took over and allowed a run in the fifth.

The Whitecaps scored first when singles from Luke Shliger and Garrett Pennington set up a sacrifice fly from Clayton Campbell in the bottom of the first. It was 2-1 Cubs after the top of the fifth, but the Whitecaps fought back in the bottom half.

Junior Tilien got them started with a leadoff single, and Juan Hernandez doubled him to third. A Shliger automatic doubled plated both runs to take a 3-2 lead. Three walks pushed across another run to make it 4-2.

Ryan Harvey allowed three runs in the seventh, with the help of a Hernandez throwing error, to blow it.

Shliger: 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, K

Hernandez: 2-4, R, 2B, K, CS

Sears: 3.0 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start for the 14-29 Whitecaps.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 3, Bradenton Marauders 2 (box)

The Tigers are still being quite careful with Kelvis Salcedo as he builds up to full strength, but considering the plague of injuries it’s hard to argue with. The right-hander fired three scoreless frames, and the Flying Tigers rallied in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Marauders on Friday.

Salcedo struck out three in those three innings, allowing just two hits and no walks. He averaged a bit over 95 mph with his fastballs and the cutter was sharp. Jatnk Diaz succeeded him, allowing a run in the fifth.

The Flying Tigers tied it up in the seventh. Zach MacDonald was plunked to lead off the inning and stole his 11th base on the year. Edian Espinal singled to right, but Javier Osorio grounded to third where the Marauders got MacDonald as the lead runner. Fortunately, Anibal Salas lined an RBI single to center field and just off the Marauders’ outfielder’s glove. Osorio was cut down trying to go first to third, but it was a 1-1 game.

Pedro Garcia allowed a solo shot in the eighth as the Marauders took a 2-1 lead.

However, in the top of the ninth, Yendy Gomez worked out of a jam to hold the game at one run. In the bottom of the ninth, MacDonald reached on an error with one out. Espinal drilled a double to center field to score MacDonald and tie the game. Osorio reached on an infield single that was deflected by reliever Draven Zeigler. Osorio took second base, but it was unnecessary as Jack Goodman lifted a fly ball to right field, and Espinal tagged and scored the game winner.

Espinal: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, BB

MacDonald: 0-2, R, BB, K, 2 SB

Salcedo: 3.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: The Flying Tigers will look to lock up a series victory at 6:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

FCL Tigers 5, FCL Blue Jays 0 (box)

Luis Aguilera: 2-3, 2 R, RBI

Josueth Quinonez: 2-3, 2 RBI

Santiago Pinto: 1-3, R, BB

Aleiman Cruz: 2.2 IP, 0 R, H, 3 BB, 3 K

There were positives to come out of the first game between the Yankees and Rays, but they were overshadowed by another bullpen meltdown. This time, it was the ever-reliable Tim Hill suddenly combusting, the Yankees wasting a gem from Gerrit Cole in his first outing in a year and a half. It’s great to see Cole back, and he should give the Yankees a dominant rotation that gives them a great chance to win every night. Yet winning every night has not been something they’ve been doing lately.

It’ll be a lighter day on the site, with Kevin handling the Rivalry Roundup this morning, and Jonathan writing a profile of Buck Showalter, an important figure in Yankees history, and just MLB history at large. Also, Maximo contrasts the ways the Yankees and Rays have gotten to the top of the AL this year, and Matt delivers the All-May Yankee Birthday team.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Rays.TV

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. Let’s focus on the positives: did Gerrit Cole’s debut meaningfully impact your expectations for him?

2. How much do you expect to actually see Anthony Volpe at second base?

MLB Trade Rumors | Anthony Franco: With José Caballero returning to action after a brief stint on the injured list with a fractured finger, the Yankees opted to keep Anthony Volpe around as insurance. Not just that, but manager Aaron Boone announced that he will start taking drills at second base to increase his versatility.

Boone said that the decision on who will be the starting shortstop will be made “‘every night,” but Caballero was his choice on Friday’s opener vs. the Rays. For now, Volpe will try to learn second base, but there are no plans for him to play the hot corner.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Aaron Judge entered Friday’s game against the Rays with just one hit, a single, in his last five games and 21 plate appearances. He knows he is not exactly going through his best stretch of the season and is aware of the need for improvement. He blamed pitch selection for his mini slump: “I’m not doing enough at the plate,” Judge said. “That’s what we’re doing right there. … I wouldn’t say we’re not seeing the ball well. I think it’s about making sure we’re swinging at the right pitches.”

CBS Sports | Mike Axisa: Gerrit Cole made his long-awaited season debut on Friday, and he was huge for the Yankees with six scoreless frames. The strikeouts aren’t all the way back, as he fanned just two, but he surrendered just two hits and three walks in the highly-efficient masterpiece. If it wasn’t his first start of the year at the MLB level (and the first since 2024), he could have gone even further, as he needed just 72 pitches to dominate the Rays. New York’s rotation is really unfair for the rest of the league now that the veteran ace is back to full health. The offense needs to show up, though.

In another must-read article, Cole opened up to longtime reporter Stephanie Apstein of SI.com about his rehab process, his fears, and the long road back to these six scoreless frames and what’s to come.

Bryan Hoch on X: The Yankees have been without designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton since April 25th, when he went down with a calf strain. Per Hoch, the star slugger will be examined “this coming week” to see if he can resume running. He has been hitting, but won’t be able to return if he can’t run. Boone suggested there’s a chance Stanton skips a rehab assignment when cleared.

It took a miracle to get this game started. After lengthy delays due to impending weather (or so we were told), the Big Ten set a hard time of 10:20 pm for the UCLA-Purdue game to finish in order for the field to be ready to go by the conference’s deadline to start a game of 11pm. With a tie game in the 9th and the time ticking down, the crowd boo-ed every play or lack thereof that took extra time. Luckily UCLA hit a walk off single at 10:19:47 pm. The Nebraska-Michigan game was go for launch!

First team All Big Ten Pitcher Carson Jasa climbed the bump for the Huskers. He hit the leadoff hitter, but then made quick work of Michigan’s two best hitters Colby Turner, and Brayden Jeffries on his way to retire the side with a zero.

Nebraska was ready to play despite the 11pm start and it was noticeable. Michigan, being pretty much out of starting pitching sent out Erik Puodziunas, a freshman reliever that had gone more than 3 innings only twice on the year. The Huskers jumped on him quick.

Center fielder Mac Moyer led off and recorded an out, but on a ball he hit 101 mph to center. DH Jeter Worthley hit a line drive right off the leg of Puodziunas. It oddly went 20 feet up in the air but bounced to the ground before Puodziunas could locate it for a base hit. Dylan Carey ripped a single right past the diving third baseman to put 2 on for first baseman Case Sanderson. Sanderson sent a missile down to the right field corner, scoring both runners as he cruised into third for a stand up triple. 2-0 Big Red.

The teams traded zeros until the top of the 4th. Michigans Turner and Jeffries each singled to start the inning. After bunting them over, a swinging bunt went right to Sanderson who stepped on first base as the first Michigan runner crossed the plate. An RBI double tied the game at 2-2.

If there is one thing this Husker team always does, is answer a rally. A red hot Sanderson smoked a double off the wall of the deepest part of the park. Drew Grego followed it up with a single. Seeing the game was in the balance, Michigan went to the pen and got their ace, Kurt Barr.

Barr had pitched only 2 days ago, but after a lights out first inning, he completely lost the bottom of the zone. They pulled him after 40 pitches, making him available to go tonight. Back to back strikeouts made it look like Barr was in complete control with his slider. Jett Buck spit on it multiple times, and drew a walk to load the bases for Rhett Stokes. Stokes watched a fastball down the middle, then 3 straight sliders out of the zone. He ripped a 3-1 fastball into left field and scored 2 on a 2 RBI single. Huskers regain the lead 4-2.

Barr and Jasa went to work, each allowing only 1 baserunner over the next 2 innings. To start the 7th, Jasa snapped off a slider to strike out a Michigan batter, but the ball skipped away from catcher Trey Fikes. The throw did not make it in time. Jasa then hung his second breaking ball over the plate and Michigan first baseman Matthew Ossenfort deposited it into the bleachers in right-center. Tie ball game again, 4-4.

Ty Horn was called in to replace Jasa, and in and just like he was towards the end of the season, Horn was lights out coming in, getting three out of four batters out, with the one walking on a terrible call. His first walk since April 10th.

The Huskers got right back to work. Stokes singled to left, followed by a Moyer strikeout. Jeter Worthley then poked a hit and run just out of the reach of the short stop up the middle, as Stokes took third. Dylan Carey, the top RBI man in the conference couldn’t lay off multiple sliders, striking out, and bringing up the scorching hot Sanderson.

Well, if you are scorching hot, obviously you get a hit! Sanderson dropped a ball into the gap in right center, scoring Stokes. The outfielder bobbled the ball multiple times, allowing Worthley who was motoring to third to get the waved home and he slid in easily to put NU back up 6 to 4. Sanderson got credit for 1 RBI, Worthley was unearned.

In the top of the 8th, Michigan put the pressure on Horn, with runners on first and second with only 1 out. Horn battled back and struck out the final two batters and let out a scream to the heavens as he flexed, striding off the mound into the third base dugout.

With the score still 6-4 in the 9th, Nebraska called on its closer, J’Shawn Unger. Unger induced a weak groundout to third, and Overbeek threw a strike to first for out number 1. After getting to a full count, Michigna hit a sinking liner to the left center gap, only All-Big Ten Defensive Team outfielder Mac Moyer flew in and grabbed the ball just inches from the ground, to the delight of the crowd! Another fly ball to Moyer at 1:51 am and Nebraska won its 13th straight game in this ballpark.

Sanderson was the hero of the night, with 3 hits, falling a home run short of the cycle and 3 RBIs. Jeter Worthley added 3 hits of his own, scoring twice. Rhett Stokes had 2 hits, and the other 2 RBIs.

Nebraska will play the winner of Oregon-Washington on Saturday. Those teams play at 10am CDT, and will take on Nebraska at 6pm or thereabouts.

As Forest Gump famously said, “Well, Im pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” See you back here tomorrow!