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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition cover athlete

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition cover athlete originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Angel Reese isn’t just a WNBA All-Star — she’s a NBA 2K cover star.

The Chicago Sky forward was named the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition video game coming out in September.

Reese joins NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and future Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony as cover stars for this year’s NBA 2K slate. Gilgeous-Alexander is the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of the game, while Anthony is the face of the Superstar Edition. Reese, Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony stand together on the Leave No Doubt Edition.

2K
Standard, WNBA, Superstar and Leave No Doubt Editions of the NBA 2K26 video game. (2K Games)

As part of the announcement, Reese also announced her first signature shoe with Reebok, the Reese 1.

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone — it’s a statement,” Reese said in a press release. “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.

Reese, now a two-time WNBA All-Star in just her second season, joins a list of illustrious WNBA players to be featured on an NBA 2K cover.

NBA 2K20 was the first edition of the game to include the full list of WNBA teams. Two-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion Candace Parker was the first woman to grace an NBA 2K cover with the NBA 2K22 WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. Diana Taurasi (NBA 2K23), Sue Bird (NBA 2K23), Sabrina Ionescu (NBA 2K24) and A’ja Wilson (NBA 2K25) have since starred on the WNBA Edition covers.

“To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole,” Reese said. “I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

2K Games announced that NBA 2K26 will be released on Sept. 5. The Standard Edition will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The other editions will be exclusive to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The WNBA Edition will be exclusively available at GameStop in the U.S.

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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition cover athlete

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese named NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition cover athlete originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Angel Reese isn’t just a WNBA All-Star — she’s a NBA 2K cover star.

The Chicago Sky forward was named the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition video game coming out in September.

Reese joins NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and future Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony as cover stars for this year’s NBA 2K slate. Gilgeous-Alexander is the cover athlete for the Standard Edition of the game, while Anthony is the face of the Superstar Edition. Reese, Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony stand together on the Leave No Doubt Edition.

2K
Standard, WNBA, Superstar and Leave No Doubt Editions of the NBA 2K26 video game. (2K Games)

As part of the announcement, Reese also announced her first signature shoe with Reebok, the Reese 1.

“Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone — it’s a statement,” Reese said in a press release. “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.

Reese, now a two-time WNBA All-Star in just her second season, joins a list of illustrious WNBA players to be featured on an NBA 2K cover.

NBA 2K20 was the first edition of the game to include the full list of WNBA teams. Two-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion Candace Parker was the first woman to grace an NBA 2K cover with the NBA 2K22 WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. Diana Taurasi (NBA 2K23), Sue Bird (NBA 2K23), Sabrina Ionescu (NBA 2K24) and A’ja Wilson (NBA 2K25) have since starred on the WNBA Edition covers.

“To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole,” Reese said. “I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

2K Games announced that NBA 2K26 will be released on Sept. 5. The Standard Edition will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The other editions will be exclusive to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The WNBA Edition will be exclusively available at GameStop in the U.S.

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‘It’s useless’: how Wimbledon reacted to electronic line calls … in 1980

Tennis players have been sceptical about AI line judges – like they were when Cyclops was introduced 45 years ago

By That 1980s Sports Blog

There was never a dull moment with Ilie Nastase. Walking across Centre Court before his first-round match at Wimbledon in 1980, the Romanian had his eyes firmly set on a box at the side of the court. He bent down to look at the device, the crowd tittering as he examined it. This was no ordinary box. It was a £2,000 machine installed to improve officiating and eliminate controversial decisions. But, just like the move away from line judges this year, not everyone was impressed.

Now for the science bit. Invented by Bill Carlton and Margaret Parnis in the late 1970s, the machines – for ever known as Cyclops – were only used on service line calls. Two boxes were set up either side of the service box backline on both sides of the net, one sending infrared lines across to the other. If any beams on the “out” side of the line were broken, a red light would show and a bleep would sound to the line judge, who sat beside the box wearing headphones. The official would shout “fault” as usual and everyone would happily accept the decision and move on. Well, that was the plan.

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Despite Juan Soto's snub for NL squad, the Mets insist 'he's an All-Star for us'

BALTIMORE — The New York Mets consider Juan Soto to be a bona fide All-Star, despite the snub he received from those who selected the National League squad for the Midsummer Classic on July 15.

Soto, in his first year with the Mets, has performed well enough to earn the respect of his manager and teammates. In their opinion, he's deserving of a place in the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.

“He’s an All-Star for us,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday night after the Mets beat Baltimore 7-6. “It’s frustrating, but I'm hoping in the next couple of days we hear something and he makes it.”

Soto drove in the winning run with a sharp single on the first pitch of the 10th inning. That capped a night in which he went 3 for 5 to raise his batting average to .269 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs.

Soto has walked 72 times, by far the most in the majors, but he can also lash out at a pitcher when necessary.

“He’s got a pretty good understanding of what the pitchers are trying to do to him,” Mendoza said. “There is his awareness of the game, he’s going to see pitchers. There are times when he’s going to be aggressive. Tonight was one of those nights. First pitch in the 10th, he’s attacking.”

Soto made the All-Star team as a member of the Nationals, Padres and Yankees each year since 2021.

The streak appears to be over. But his teammates believe he deserves to go.

“What he done all year is just incredible, and the results are good enough,” Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes said. “The consistency he's showed up with, at the at-bats he's taken, is more than an All-Star. He's one of the best in the game and a big part of our lineup.”

Soto seems rather philosophical about the snub.

“Sometimes you’re gonna make it and sometimes you don’t,” he told reporters after Sunday's loss to the Yankees. “It’s just part of baseball.”

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MLB to use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game

MLB to use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The future could be on display at the MLB All-Star Game next week.

MLB officials confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that the automated ball-strike challenge system will be used for the July 15 contest in Atlanta.

The ABS system, which has been used in spring training and minor leagues, could be a permanent part of the major league as early as next year, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Here’s how the ABS system works:

  • Each team gets two challenges with the ability to retain them, if successful.
  • Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can signal for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch is thrown and the umpire makes the call.
  • The player can tap his helmet to ask for a challenge, and the pitch is immediately reviewed and called correctly as a ball or a strike within seconds.
  • When the review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it.
  • ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology to track pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone.

The MLB competition committee will meet later this summer to determine the future of the ABS system. While this way wouldn’t ensure that every pitch is called correctly, it would maintain the human element of an umpire behind the plate with the ability to fix blatantly incorrect calls — especially in critical moments.

The 2025 All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park, home of the Braves, next Tuesday at 5 p.m. PT on FOX.

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Ex-Maple Leafs Assistant Dave Hakstol Lands New NHL Coaching Job

Dave Hakstol is back behind an NHL bench.

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Tuesday that Hakstol was hired by the club as their new assistant coach.

Hakstol served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs under then-head coach Sheldon Keefe during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. During his time in Toronto, Hakstol was a key part of Sheldon Keefe's coaching staff, focusing heavily on the team's defensive systems and penalty kill. His analytical approach was a significant asset as the Maple Leafs navigated those two seasons.

He departed after being hired by the Seattle Kraken as their first head coach in franchise history. It was there that Hakstol led the club to their first postseason berth in 2023 after posting a 46-28-8 record. Hakstol was also a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, handed out annually to the NHL’s top coach. However, the Kraken failed to make the playoffs in his third season with the club, and he was dismissed in the weeks that followed.

During his year away from the NHL, Hakstol served as an assistant with Team Canada at the annual Spengler Cup hockey tournament.

It’s Hakstol’s fourth stop behind an NHL bench. He made the jump to an NHL head coach when he was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015. Before that, he spent the previous 15 years coaching the men’s University of North Dakota team, the last 11 as head coach. He also spent three years as a player for that college team, serving the last two as team captain.

The defensive-minded coach should be an excellent fit for an Avalanche team that is regularly in contention in the postseason. If Hakstol’s second go-around as an NHL assistant is anything like his second go-around as a head coach, he should be able to help a team improve from a defensive standpoint in a very competitive Central Division.

(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

'I Know I'm A Better Player Than I Was In Utah': Matias Maccelli Believes He's Ready For Top-Six Role With Maple Leafs'I Know I'm A Better Player Than I Was In Utah': Matias Maccelli Believes He's Ready For Top-Six Role With Maple LeafsMatias Maccelli was attempting to make a putt when his friend began yelling about a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marlies Sign Five Players, Including Four Players From Past Maple Leafs Development CampsMarlies Sign Five Players, Including Four Players From Past Maple Leafs Development CampsThe Toronto Marlies have made more additions to their club ahead of next season. Marc Johnstone Re-Joins Maple Leafs Organization With Two-Year Marlies Contract, Goaltender Ken Appleby And Reese Johnston To One-Year DealsMarc Johnstone Re-Joins Maple Leafs Organization With Two-Year Marlies Contract, Goaltender Ken Appleby And Reese Johnston To One-Year DealsThe Toronto Marlies are beginning the process of filling out their roster beyond players signed to NHL contracts, and they have signed three players, including a familiar face up front.
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Canadiens’ Top 10 Moments Of The 2024-25 Season

It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Montreal Canadiens, they went from the depths of despair, where you only visit when you lose three games in two weeks, in which you give up six goals or more, to the elation of qualifying for the playoffs in the very last game of the season with plenty of ups and down along the ways.

With the main side listing its top-10 moments of the NHL season, I figured it was more than time we did the same for the Canadiens. Choosing just 10 moments wasn’t easy, but it had to be done.

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1. The Canadiens make the playoffs

It wasn’t easy, but Martin St-Louis finally got over its jitters and managed to seal the deal on a playoff participation after failing to do so in its first three attempts. For a few games, it looked like the moment was just too big for the inexperienced Habs as they lost to the Ottawa Senators (5-2), the Toronto Maple Leafs (O 1-0), and the Chicago Blackhawks (O 4-3). But eventually, they pulled it together and scored a 4-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

2. Lane Hutson wins the Calder Trophy

The diminutive blueliner had an incredible season, putting all the naysayer in their place and showing them that he could be successful at the highest level. He broke the Canadiens’ franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman. He tied Larry Murphy’s record for most assists by a rookie defenseman in league history, on top of becoming the fourth-highest scorer ever amongst rookie defensemen. More than the numbers, though, Hutson brought back joy in the Bell Center. Whenever he touched the puck, people got excited; he got people out of their seats the way P.K. Subban used to before being traded.

3. Ivan Demidov joins the Habs

The most optimistic fans had hoped it would happen, but logic and Demidov’s contract led us to believe the youngster wouldn’t join the Canadiens before the start of next season. Once SKA  St. Petersburg was eliminated from the playoffs, though, they let the offensive wizard come over, and in his very first game, he scored a goal, sending the Bell Center into a frenzy.

4. Kent Hughes lands the top trade target hours before the draft

As everyone was speculating about who the Canadiens would pick with the 16th and 17th overall picks, the Habs' GM knew who he wanted to select: Noah Dobson. The Canadiens had been looking for another quality puck-moving defenseman who shot right for quite some time. Once Hughes was made aware that Dobson was available, he worked tirelessly to land his man, and he did, at a very reasonable price. He was also able to sign him to a long-term contract, adding yet another piece to his young core.

5. Brendan Gallagher receives the jersey he had worn in his mother’s honour

The alternate captain lost his mother after she courageously battled against brain cancer for years, his teammates supported him through the ordeal, and he received lots of messages from fans online. Still, one of them went above and beyond. Lucie Lachance offered to give him the Hockey Fights Cancer jersey he wore to honour his mom’s battle years ago. Lachance had won it in an auction, but she still wanted to give it to him. Her favourite player offered a jersey swap on the “Jersey Of Our Backs” night, and it led to a very moving moment on the red carpet at the Bell Centre ice.

6. Jakub Dobes bursts onto the scene

Cayden Primeau had an awful start to the season, and by the time Christmas rolled around, the organization and St-Louis had lost faith in the netminder. After the holiday break, he was sent down to the Laval Rocket, and the young Czech netminder was called up. He blanked the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers in his first game and started his career with a five-game winning streak, winning over the Canadiens’ fans easily.

7. Hughes trades Justin Barron for Alexandre Carrier

After trading Jonathan Kovacevich in the off-season, probably because he believed Logan Mailloux or David Reinbacher might have been ready to make the jump to the NHL, he realized he needed more depth on that side. He went out and swapped underachieving Justin Barron, who was struggling to find his footing with the Canadiens, for Alexandre Carrier. The Quebecer’s arrival stabilized the defense, and he played a significant part in the Canadiens’ qualification for the postseason.

8. Patrik Laine shows his knack for scoring

The Canadiens’ GM went out and got the Finnish sniper from the Columbus Blue Jackets to bolster his attack, and it worked, especially on the power play, where he scored 15 of his 19 goals on the season. On December 17th, not long after coming back from a serious knee injury, he scored a hat trick in the Canadiens' 6-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, blowing up the roof off the Bell Centre.

9. The Canadiens win their home opener

The Habs started the season with a duel with their enemy, the Leafs, and while Toronto offered a dominant performance, it wasn’t as dominant as that of Samuel Montembeault. The Canadiens’ goaltender made 48 saves to blank Auston Matthews and co., starting the season in the best possible way. It would be the first of four shutouts for the netminder, who had only had one before the start of the season. At the end of the campaign, he had a 31-24-7 record, a career high in wins, and a 2.82 goals-against average, also a career high.

10. Nick Suzuki became a point-per-game player

It was only a matter of time before the captain would achieve the feat, but he did it with a lot of panache this season, carrying the team on his back to lead it to the playoffs and showing just how much of a leader he is. In 82 games, he scored 89 points, and as usual, he appeared in every game. If there were any doubts about his being a first-line center, he annihilated them this season.

Are you looking forward to what this team has in store for next season? You should be…

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

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Anton Frondell Would Fit In On 2025-26 Chicago Blackhawks

With the 3rd pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Swedish forward Anton Frondell. This came after the New York Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer and the San Jose Sharks took Michael Misa.

Due to Chicago's overwhelming depth on defense and the prominent forward draft class, it was always certain that they'd end up taking a forward. A lot of factors went into Frondell being the guy. 

Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar are seen as the catalysts up front for the Blackhawks at this time. Each of them is there to create offense. Both of them are undersized but widely talented with the puck. Kyle Davidson wanted to make sure to balance things out with his forwards selected in 2025.

Frondell, a 200-foot center, is exactly the type of player that the Blackhawks needed. He can provide offense, but you know you're getting an honest two-way effort from him on every shift. 

Everything that makes Frondell a high-end prospect is what makes him a great fit for Chicago's roster in 2025-26. He isn't going to be a star right away, but he has the tools to help the team as soon as he touches NHL ice. 

If the Blackhawks are up a goal late and need to protect the lead, Frondell may be someone tapped to go out there and defend it. 

Frondell compared himself to Aleksander Barkov after he was drafted. Well, being one of the greatest two-way players of all time is a stretch. However, that play style is welcomed by every team in the league. 

Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) on XCam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) on XAnton Frondell (2025) out here breaking ankles at the 5 Nations

Anything can happen, and there are things in Frondell's game that need work, but he declared that his goal is to make the team out of camp. The current state of the franchise makes that goal attainable. 

If the Blackhawks had Bedard, Nazar, and Frondell as a three-headed monster down the middle, they'd have three lines that bring something different. 

Frondell is also the perfect age for this group. Most of the roster is going to be under 24 years old in 2025-26, so they can grow up together. 

At first, it seemed like Frondell was destined to go back to Sweden for one season. Now, there is a very real chance that he begins in the NHL right away. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Celtics preseason schedule 2025: Dates, times and opponents for all four games

Celtics preseason schedule 2025: Dates, times and opponents for all four games originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics announced their four-game 2025 preseason schedule Wednesday, and it includes a couple familiar opponents.

There will be two games against the Toronto Raptors — at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 10 and at TD Garden on Oct. 15.

The C’s will travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Oct. 8 in the preseason opener. They’ll also host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 12.

All four preseason games will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston.

The preseason will be a good opportunity for Boston’s young players to showcase their talent in a game setting and make a case for more playing time in the regular season.

Players to watch for in the preseason include 2024 first-round pick Baylor Scheierman and 2025 first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez, as well as recent free-agent additions Luka Garza and Josh Minott.

Here’s the full 2025 preseason schedule for the Celtics:

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Archer back to face India at Lord’s as Wood makes surprise bid to return in fifth Test

  • Archer only change for third Test as Tongue drops out

  • Fellow pace bowler Wood targeting final Test at The Oval

Jofra Archer will start his first Test match in more than four years after being named as the only change in the England team to face India in the third Test at Lord’s on Thursday.

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse are both retained after the defeat to India at Edgbaston which squared the series 1-1, with Josh Tongue making way for Archer.

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D-White aptly sums up Mazzulla's mindset entering uncertain Celtics season

D-White aptly sums up Mazzulla's mindset entering uncertain Celtics season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Expectations have changed for the Boston Celtics — and that’s an understatement.

A year ago, they were fresh off winning their 18th NBA title and had the inside track on raising Banner 19 after bringing back their entire championship core. Twelve months later, they’re preparing for a season without five key members of that title squad.

With Jayson Tatum out for most or all of the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (likely) Al Horford all gone, the Celtics are viewed as a fringe playoff team at best as they enter what many believe will be a “reset” season.

But if you know anything about Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, he’s not going to accept mediocrity.

🔊 Celtics Talk: Derrick White tackles trade rumors, a new-look Celtics roster and excitement to prove doubters wrong | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

“Yeah, he’s probably going to love it,” Celtics guard Derrick White said of how Mazzulla will approach a season with lowered expectations during an exclusive interview with Celtics insider Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast.

“That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s going to be excited about this opportunity, people doubting us, people not believing in us. Knowing him, he’s going to come into training camp so excited and ready to go.”

While Mazzulla’s love of adversity is well-documented, don’t be surprised if the Celtics adopt the mindset of their head coach. Tatum’s absence will thrust players like Jaylen Brown, White and Payton Pritchard into larger roles, and they fully intend to embrace that opportunity while playing with a chip on their collective shoulders.

“That’s kind of how my whole NBA and basketball journey has been,” White reflected. “That’s a fun position to be in. But I mean, we didn’t win the championship last year, so we’ve got a lot to prove, and we’ve got to get better.

“(When) you play for the Boston Celtics, that’s what it is, and we all understand that. So, it’s going to be a fun position to prove people wrong, but we also just have to be ready to go.”

The Celtics have reached the NBA Finals in two of the last four seasons and the Eastern Conference Finals in six of the last nine seasons, so it’s been a while since they’ve been true underdogs. But if any group can embrace that role, it’s the core of Brown, White and Pritchard, who have all played with something to prove throughout their NBA careers.

And there’s no better coach to lead them than the darkness-embracing Mazzulla.

White also shared his perspective on being involved in trade rumors, talking with Jayson Tatum amid his recovery and more. Check out the full episode here or on YouTube.

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Giants catcher Bailey makes history with game-ending, inside-the-park home run

SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Bailey’s entrance into the Major League Baseball record books on Tuesday night began with a tight swing that sent a fastball from Phillies reliever Jordan Romano into Triples Alley.

It ended with Bailey chugging his way around third base then getting mobbed at home plate by his teammates after becoming the third catcher in major league history to hit a game-ending, inside-the-park home run.

The three-run shot had an exit velocity of 103.4 mph and bounced off the brick wall at the Giants waterfront ballpark. It ricocheted back toward center field as Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh gave chase.

Bailey said his initial thought was to get a triple before he saw third base coach Matt Williams waving him in.

“Off the ball I just knew I got it well,” Bailey said. “I saw it was towards Triples Alley and I was like, ‘Oh I gotta go. I at least gotta get to third.’ Once I saw the bounce, I was like ‘All right, just don’t fall over.’ ”

It’s the ninth time this season that the Giants have won in their final at-bat, tops in the majors.

It was also the first time in nearly nine years that a player has hit a walk-off, inside-the-park home run in the majors. Cleveland’s Tyler Naquin was the last to do so on Aug. 19, 2016.

The three-run home run lifted the Giants to a 4-3 victory that had the Oracle Park crowd roaring as Bailey crossed the plate.

“He has gotten some big hits this year,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “In big situations he’s come through. Not as much as he would like. Hopefully that’s something that catapults him. Haven’t seen him drive a ball like that in a while.”

Bailey couldn’t recall if he had previously hit an inside-the-park home run at any level. And as nice as this one was, Bailey said that he would have preferred to hit a regular home run.

“Tired,” Bailey said when asked how he felt. “I wished it would have gone over the fence.”