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Deadspin | Kodai Senga aims to extend Mets’ pitching prowess vs. Giants Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts after the third out of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Two pitchers with Cy Young Award aspirations wil meet for the first time Sunday when right-handers Kodai Senga and Logan Webb go head-to-head as the New York Mets and host San Francisco Giants complete a four-game series. The Mets have won two of the first three in a series in which no outcome has been closer than five runs. New York starters Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes have dominated 10-3 and 9-0 wins the past two nights, limiting the Giants to a total of one earned run and four hits in 12 1/3 innings. They will hand the ball and a slumping opponent to Senga (0-1, 3.00 ERA), who had teammates and coaches gushing after his first start of the season, when he allowed just four hits and two runs over six innings at St. Louis on Tuesday. He struck out nine of the 25 batters he faced but got no support in a 3-0 defeat. “It was a great start to the year,” Senga said afterward. “It makes me excited for this year. It felt like I’m a starting pitcher again.” The 33-year-old right-hander battled injuries during a 7-6 campaign a year ago. But he was back on his 2023 All-Star form, pitching coach Justin Willard told reporters, which already is doing wonders for his confidence. “This guy wants to be great,” Willard said. “I think you saw it (in 2023) when he was here, and then a couple injuries derailed him a bit. But he wants to be great. He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball. And he’s going to do things he needs to do to be that.” While his 1-0 record wouldn’t indicate it, Senga has struggled in his three career starts against the Giants, roughed up for 14 hits and 11 runs in 14 innings. He also has walked 12, contributing to a 7.07 ERA. Senga will see a Giants team that has struggled both in the field and at the plate in the past two games. Manager Tony Vitello clearly was more concerned about the former when defending his losing pitcher, Landen Roupp, after Saturday’s defeat. “Too many innings where there are four outs that have to be recorded,” he lamented in his postgame press conference. “They (the Mets) have done a really good job of swinging the bat, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an inning where they scored where there wasn’t the potential for the inning to be over. Our defense, we can certainly do better.” Hoping for more help behind him will be Webb (1-1, 7.36), who bounced back from a shaky Opening Day start against the New York Yankees to limit the San Diego Padres to three hits and three runs over six innings in a 9-3 road win Tuesday. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings in a 7-0 loss to the Yankees. The two-time All-Star is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets. After racking up a total of 27 hits in its last two games, New York likely will once again be without Juan Soto, who experienced tightness in his right calf in the first inning of Friday’s win. Jared Young started in his spot Saturday, then gave way to Tyrone Taylor, who belted a game-breaking, three-run home run as a pinch hitter. Taylor finished the game with four RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kodai #Senga #aims #extend #Mets #pitching #prowess #Giants

Deadspin | Kodai Senga aims to extend Mets’ pitching prowess vs. Giants
Deadspin | Kodai Senga aims to extend Mets’ pitching prowess vs. Giants Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts after the third out of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Two pitchers with Cy Young Award aspirations wil meet for the first time Sunday when right-handers Kodai Senga and Logan Webb go head-to-head as the New York Mets and host San Francisco Giants complete a four-game series. The Mets have won two of the first three in a series in which no outcome has been closer than five runs. New York starters Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes have dominated 10-3 and 9-0 wins the past two nights, limiting the Giants to a total of one earned run and four hits in 12 1/3 innings. They will hand the ball and a slumping opponent to Senga (0-1, 3.00 ERA), who had teammates and coaches gushing after his first start of the season, when he allowed just four hits and two runs over six innings at St. Louis on Tuesday. He struck out nine of the 25 batters he faced but got no support in a 3-0 defeat. “It was a great start to the year,” Senga said afterward. “It makes me excited for this year. It felt like I’m a starting pitcher again.” The 33-year-old right-hander battled injuries during a 7-6 campaign a year ago. But he was back on his 2023 All-Star form, pitching coach Justin Willard told reporters, which already is doing wonders for his confidence. “This guy wants to be great,” Willard said. “I think you saw it (in 2023) when he was here, and then a couple injuries derailed him a bit. But he wants to be great. He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball. And he’s going to do things he needs to do to be that.” While his 1-0 record wouldn’t indicate it, Senga has struggled in his three career starts against the Giants, roughed up for 14 hits and 11 runs in 14 innings. He also has walked 12, contributing to a 7.07 ERA. Senga will see a Giants team that has struggled both in the field and at the plate in the past two games. Manager Tony Vitello clearly was more concerned about the former when defending his losing pitcher, Landen Roupp, after Saturday’s defeat. “Too many innings where there are four outs that have to be recorded,” he lamented in his postgame press conference. “They (the Mets) have done a really good job of swinging the bat, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an inning where they scored where there wasn’t the potential for the inning to be over. Our defense, we can certainly do better.” Hoping for more help behind him will be Webb (1-1, 7.36), who bounced back from a shaky Opening Day start against the New York Yankees to limit the San Diego Padres to three hits and three runs over six innings in a 9-3 road win Tuesday. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings in a 7-0 loss to the Yankees. The two-time All-Star is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets. After racking up a total of 27 hits in its last two games, New York likely will once again be without Juan Soto, who experienced tightness in his right calf in the first inning of Friday’s win. Jared Young started in his spot Saturday, then gave way to Tyrone Taylor, who belted a game-breaking, three-run home run as a pinch hitter. Taylor finished the game with four RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kodai #Senga #aims #extend #Mets #pitching #prowess #GiantsMar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts after the third out of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Two pitchers with Cy Young Award aspirations wil meet for the first time Sunday when right-handers Kodai Senga and Logan Webb go head-to-head as the New York Mets and host San Francisco Giants complete a four-game series.

The Mets have won two of the first three in a series in which no outcome has been closer than five runs.

New York starters Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes have dominated 10-3 and 9-0 wins the past two nights, limiting the Giants to a total of one earned run and four hits in 12 1/3 innings.

They will hand the ball and a slumping opponent to Senga (0-1, 3.00 ERA), who had teammates and coaches gushing after his first start of the season, when he allowed just four hits and two runs over six innings at St. Louis on Tuesday. He struck out nine of the 25 batters he faced but got no support in a 3-0 defeat.

“It was a great start to the year,” Senga said afterward. “It makes me excited for this year. It felt like I’m a starting pitcher again.”

The 33-year-old right-hander battled injuries during a 7-6 campaign a year ago. But he was back on his 2023 All-Star form, pitching coach Justin Willard told reporters, which already is doing wonders for his confidence.

“This guy wants to be great,” Willard said. “I think you saw it (in 2023) when he was here, and then a couple injuries derailed him a bit. But he wants to be great. He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball. And he’s going to do things he needs to do to be that.”


While his 1-0 record wouldn’t indicate it, Senga has struggled in his three career starts against the Giants, roughed up for 14 hits and 11 runs in 14 innings. He also has walked 12, contributing to a 7.07 ERA.

Senga will see a Giants team that has struggled both in the field and at the plate in the past two games. Manager Tony Vitello clearly was more concerned about the former when defending his losing pitcher, Landen Roupp, after Saturday’s defeat.

“Too many innings where there are four outs that have to be recorded,” he lamented in his postgame press conference.

“They (the Mets) have done a really good job of swinging the bat, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an inning where they scored where there wasn’t the potential for the inning to be over. Our defense, we can certainly do better.”

Hoping for more help behind him will be Webb (1-1, 7.36), who bounced back from a shaky Opening Day start against the New York Yankees to limit the San Diego Padres to three hits and three runs over six innings in a 9-3 road win Tuesday. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings in a 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

The two-time All-Star is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets.

After racking up a total of 27 hits in its last two games, New York likely will once again be without Juan Soto, who experienced tightness in his right calf in the first inning of Friday’s win.

Jared Young started in his spot Saturday, then gave way to Tyrone Taylor, who belted a game-breaking, three-run home run as a pinch hitter. Taylor finished the game with four RBIs.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kodai #Senga #aims #extend #Mets #pitching #prowess #Giants

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Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts after the third out of the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Two pitchers with Cy Young Award aspirations wil meet for the first time Sunday when right-handers Kodai Senga and Logan Webb go head-to-head as the New York Mets and host San Francisco Giants complete a four-game series.

The Mets have won two of the first three in a series in which no outcome has been closer than five runs.

New York starters Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes have dominated 10-3 and 9-0 wins the past two nights, limiting the Giants to a total of one earned run and four hits in 12 1/3 innings.

They will hand the ball and a slumping opponent to Senga (0-1, 3.00 ERA), who had teammates and coaches gushing after his first start of the season, when he allowed just four hits and two runs over six innings at St. Louis on Tuesday. He struck out nine of the 25 batters he faced but got no support in a 3-0 defeat.

“It was a great start to the year,” Senga said afterward. “It makes me excited for this year. It felt like I’m a starting pitcher again.”

The 33-year-old right-hander battled injuries during a 7-6 campaign a year ago. But he was back on his 2023 All-Star form, pitching coach Justin Willard told reporters, which already is doing wonders for his confidence.

“This guy wants to be great,” Willard said. “I think you saw it (in 2023) when he was here, and then a couple injuries derailed him a bit. But he wants to be great. He wants to be the best pitcher in baseball. And he’s going to do things he needs to do to be that.”

While his 1-0 record wouldn’t indicate it, Senga has struggled in his three career starts against the Giants, roughed up for 14 hits and 11 runs in 14 innings. He also has walked 12, contributing to a 7.07 ERA.

Senga will see a Giants team that has struggled both in the field and at the plate in the past two games. Manager Tony Vitello clearly was more concerned about the former when defending his losing pitcher, Landen Roupp, after Saturday’s defeat.

“Too many innings where there are four outs that have to be recorded,” he lamented in his postgame press conference.

“They (the Mets) have done a really good job of swinging the bat, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an inning where they scored where there wasn’t the potential for the inning to be over. Our defense, we can certainly do better.”

Hoping for more help behind him will be Webb (1-1, 7.36), who bounced back from a shaky Opening Day start against the New York Yankees to limit the San Diego Padres to three hits and three runs over six innings in a 9-3 road win Tuesday. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings in a 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

The two-time All-Star is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets.

After racking up a total of 27 hits in its last two games, New York likely will once again be without Juan Soto, who experienced tightness in his right calf in the first inning of Friday’s win.

Jared Young started in his spot Saturday, then gave way to Tyrone Taylor, who belted a game-breaking, three-run home run as a pinch hitter. Taylor finished the game with four RBIs.

–Field Level Media

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UCLA women’s basketball went from underdog to national champion behind an ultimate team effort <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">PHOENIX — With under four minutes left to go in the 2026 NCAA women’s national championship game, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice were subbed out of the game, headed to their bench and hugged their head coach Cori Close. Seconds later, senior Gabriela Jaquez hits a 3-point shot to give the Bruins a 79-45 lead. Jaquez then heads to the bench to be subbed out, waves her hands in the air to pump up the UCLA crowd and braces for a hug with Close. The UCLA student section was yelling “MVP, MVP.” In a matchup where heading into the game, they were considered the underdogs, facing a South Carolina team making its fifth national championship appearance since 2017, the Bruins looked like everything but that on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">UCLA made history on Sunday afternoon at Mortgage Matchup Center, winning its first national championship in program history for the NCAA Tournament era. The Bruins won an AIAW national championship back in 1978, lead by notable women’s basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">From the first whistle, UCLA looked like a focused team on a mission. The Bruins were quick with pace, aggressive on defense and making shots. The Gamecocks on the other hand had a horrible night shooting. At halftime, South Carolina shot 26 percent from the field and 1-for-8 from the 3-point line. The Gamecocks finished the game going 18-for-62 from the field and 2-for-15 from the arc.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“UCLA had a lot to do with it,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said about her team’s shooting woes. “I didn’t think we had to play perfect basketball, but we had to play better basketball. We had to make shots, create offense for our defense. We had to be better defensively, actually pushing them off their spots. I think they got to where they needed to go. We didn’t apply enough pressure for us to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Because you can have a good defensive possession, but give up an offensive rebound, that’s just really deflating.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Despite glimpses of full-court press and switching to zone defense, South Carolina never found a spark and the shots never fell. The Gamecocks were also out-rebounded 49-37 and had 12 less points in the paint compared to UCLA’s 40. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, UCLA was up by 20 points, and heading into the fourth quarter the Bruins led 61-32.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“UCLA is a quality team with very experienced players who got a taste of being in the Final Four last year. You make adjustments. You use that experience as a learning lesson and you come back sharper and you increase your chances of winning. From last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played more determined this year. They were so close. They’ve had the experience to do that. They took advantage of it,” Staley said.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Bruins finished the season with a 37-1 overall record, which marks the most wins in a single season for the program. They also finished the season on a 31-game win streak, marking the longest in program history.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“The confidence we came out with, we knew we were going to win. When we play together, no one can stop us,” Betts said. “No one cares about stats when you have a ring around your finger.”</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Last season, Close’s squad lost in the Final Four to eventual national champions UConn, 85-51. Heading into the Final Four games, head coach Close said on Thursday that she didn’t celebrate enough last season and all their accomplishments, but she can today.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">All five of the Bruins starters scored in double digits figures, and were lead by Jaquez who finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Angela Dugalic came off the bench contributing with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.. Betts won Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 women’s NCAA Tournament.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“We said all year our selflessness and work ethic would fuel us all season,” Close said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">UCLA will lose some key pieces from this championship team, with at least four players predicted to be WNBA draft picks. But for now they celebrate, at least until the transfer portal opens tomorrow.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“We had a feeling this was our time, and this is our year,” said Rice in the postgame press conference.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">For South Carolina, Staley said postgame that this loss can drive her team for next year.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Losing in the national championship game the way we lost, I guess that will be the thing that really drives us,” Staley said. “You need something to drive you throughout the really hard times and the challenging times, and also the good times.”</p></div></div> #UCLA #womens #basketball #underdog #national #champion #ultimate #team #effort

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Deadspin | Ketel Marte, D-backs walk off Braves in 10th Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) celebrates his two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the tenth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th to propel the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in Phoenix. Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks, who earned consecutive one-run wins to split the four-game series. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut. In the bottom of the frame, Marte doubled on the first pitch from Joel Payamps (0-1) to score the automatic runner and end the game. Brandon Pfaadt threw 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits while striking out two and walking two. Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs for the Braves. Martin Perez allowed four runs on five hits in his first start of the season, striking out one and walking one. Against Jonathan Loaisiga in the top of the ninth, Jorge Mateo, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Baldwin laced consecutive singles to pull the Braves even at 5-5. Raisel Iglesias threw a perfect bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras. Atlanta struck first two batters in, as Baldwin cracked his fourth homer of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Marte began the bottom of the first with a double and scored on Geraldo Perdomo’s one-out sacrifice fly. After Carroll’s single and Nolan Arenado’s one-out walk in the fourth, Vargas drove in both runners with a triple to right to give Arizona a 3-1 lead. The Braves tied the game in the top of the fifth. Mauricio Dubon led off with a double and scored on Pfaadt’s wild pitch. Mateo then walked, Acuna singled and Baldwin knotted the score at three apiece with an RBI single. Taylor Clarke relieved Pfaadt after 79 pitches. Carroll chased Perez with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. After Carroll stole second, Tyler Kinley allowed Arenado’s go-ahead single. Atlanta answered again as Baldwin’s RBI single off reliever Ryan Thompson tied the score at four in the top of the seventh. Atlanta’s Dylan Lee surrendered Jorge Barrosa’s double and Carroll’s triple in the eighth, returning the lead to Arizona. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Ketel #Marte #Dbacks #walk #Braves #10thApr 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) celebrates his two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the tenth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images

Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th to propel the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in Phoenix.

Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks, who earned consecutive one-run wins to split the four-game series.

Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut. In the bottom of the frame, Marte doubled on the first pitch from Joel Payamps (0-1) to score the automatic runner and end the game.

Brandon Pfaadt threw 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits while striking out two and walking two.

Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs for the Braves. Martin Perez allowed four runs on five hits in his first start of the season, striking out one and walking one.

Against Jonathan Loaisiga in the top of the ninth, Jorge Mateo, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Baldwin laced consecutive singles to pull the Braves even at 5-5. Raisel Iglesias threw a perfect bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras.

Atlanta struck first two batters in, as Baldwin cracked his fourth homer of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.


Marte began the bottom of the first with a double and scored on Geraldo Perdomo’s one-out sacrifice fly.

After Carroll’s single and Nolan Arenado’s one-out walk in the fourth, Vargas drove in both runners with a triple to right to give Arizona a 3-1 lead.

The Braves tied the game in the top of the fifth. Mauricio Dubon led off with a double and scored on Pfaadt’s wild pitch. Mateo then walked, Acuna singled and Baldwin knotted the score at three apiece with an RBI single.

Taylor Clarke relieved Pfaadt after 79 pitches.

Carroll chased Perez with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. After Carroll stole second, Tyler Kinley allowed Arenado’s go-ahead single.

Atlanta answered again as Baldwin’s RBI single off reliever Ryan Thompson tied the score at four in the top of the seventh.

Atlanta’s Dylan Lee surrendered Jorge Barrosa’s double and Carroll’s triple in the eighth, returning the lead to Arizona.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ketel #Marte #Dbacks #walk #Braves #10th">Deadspin | Ketel Marte, D-backs walk off Braves in 10th Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) celebrates his two run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the tenth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th to propel the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in Phoenix. Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks, who earned consecutive one-run wins to split the four-game series. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut. In the bottom of the frame, Marte doubled on the first pitch from Joel Payamps (0-1) to score the automatic runner and end the game. Brandon Pfaadt threw 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits while striking out two and walking two. Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs for the Braves. Martin Perez allowed four runs on five hits in his first start of the season, striking out one and walking one. Against Jonathan Loaisiga in the top of the ninth, Jorge Mateo, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Baldwin laced consecutive singles to pull the Braves even at 5-5. Raisel Iglesias threw a perfect bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras. Atlanta struck first two batters in, as Baldwin cracked his fourth homer of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Marte began the bottom of the first with a double and scored on Geraldo Perdomo’s one-out sacrifice fly. After Carroll’s single and Nolan Arenado’s one-out walk in the fourth, Vargas drove in both runners with a triple to right to give Arizona a 3-1 lead. The Braves tied the game in the top of the fifth. Mauricio Dubon led off with a double and scored on Pfaadt’s wild pitch. Mateo then walked, Acuna singled and Baldwin knotted the score at three apiece with an RBI single. Taylor Clarke relieved Pfaadt after 79 pitches. Carroll chased Perez with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth. After Carroll stole second, Tyler Kinley allowed Arenado’s go-ahead single. Atlanta answered again as Baldwin’s RBI single off reliever Ryan Thompson tied the score at four in the top of the seventh. Atlanta’s Dylan Lee surrendered Jorge Barrosa’s double and Carroll’s triple in the eighth, returning the lead to Arizona. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Ketel #Marte #Dbacks #walk #Braves #10th

Even 45 dot balls couldn’t mask the lapses as many of Gujarat Titans’ bowlers “were just a little bit off their rhythm and lines in particular,” admitted batting coach Matthew Hayden after a six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in a boundary-laden IPL contest here on Saturday.

The Titans conceded 13 wides, which proved costly in a narrow defeat. “(Mohammed) Siraj had an off day. Simple as that. When we reviewed his pitch map, it was a little bit too short and a little bit too wide,” he said.

Hayden felt “the game was absolutely in the bag,” pointing to key decisions against an on-song Ravi Bishnoi (four for 41) and a costly run out of Shahrukh Khan. The 54-year-old called for a “little bit of cohesion” in the “entire batting line-up,” adding that there was a need for “that little attention to detail around winning a game amongst a partnership that does start.”

Hayden said Kagiso Rabada (23 n.o.) “was magnificent with the bat,” adding that he “showed, as a frontline bowler, that commitment to batting counts, especially in run chases.”

Player-of-the-Match Bishnoi revealed his most effective tactic of the night. “There was a big boundary on one side, and there were many left-handers in the opposition. So, I was trying to bowl googlies from middle and leg (stumps). The attempt was to make the left-handers hit the balls going away towards the longer end. Sai (Sudharsan) and Washi (Washington Sundar) both got out. So, that tactic I discussed with the captain (Riyan Parag) and Dhruv (Jurel) behind (the stumps) worked,” he said.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#IPL #Bowlers #day #cost #Gujarat #Titans #Rajasthan #Royals #Matthew #Hayden">IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew Hayden Even 45 dot balls couldn’t mask the lapses as many of Gujarat Titans’ bowlers “were just a little bit off their rhythm and lines in particular,” admitted batting coach Matthew Hayden after a six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals in a boundary-laden IPL contest here on Saturday.The Titans conceded 13 wides, which proved costly in a narrow defeat. “(Mohammed) Siraj had an off day. Simple as that. When we reviewed his pitch map, it was a little bit too short and a little bit too wide,” he said.Hayden felt “the game was absolutely in the bag,” pointing to key decisions against an on-song Ravi Bishnoi (four for 41) and a costly run out of Shahrukh Khan. The 54-year-old called for a “little bit of cohesion” in the “entire batting line-up,” adding that there was a need for “that little attention to detail around winning a game amongst a partnership that does start.”Hayden said Kagiso Rabada (23 n.o.) “was magnificent with the bat,” adding that he “showed, as a frontline bowler, that commitment to batting counts, especially in run chases.”Player-of-the-Match Bishnoi revealed his most effective tactic of the night. “There was a big boundary on one side, and there were many left-handers in the opposition. So, I was trying to bowl googlies from middle and leg (stumps). The attempt was to make the left-handers hit the balls going away towards the longer end. Sai (Sudharsan) and Washi (Washington Sundar) both got out. So, that tactic I discussed with the captain (Riyan Parag) and Dhruv (Jurel) behind (the stumps) worked,” he said.Published on Apr 05, 2026 #IPL #Bowlers #day #cost #Gujarat #Titans #Rajasthan #Royals #Matthew #Hayden

Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader. The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4. Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter. Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series. Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season. That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six. Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead. Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game. Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four. Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #CubsApr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader.

The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4.

Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter.

Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series.

Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season.


That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.

Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead.

Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game.

Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #Cubs">Deadspin | Gabriel Arias, CJ Kayfus help Guardians split twin bill with Cubs Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate a win over the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for the Cleveland Guardians, who rallied to beat the visiting Chicago Cubs 6-5 in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader. The Guardians overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to wrangle a split with the Cubs, who won the opener 1-0. CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-1. With one out in the eighth, he rallied from an 0-2 hole to smack his first home run of the season to right field off Jacob Webb (0-1) and tie the contest 4-4. Chase DeLauter followed with a single, and Rhys Hoskins walked to bring up Arias, who lined a shot into left field to score DeLauter. Cleveland reliever Cade Smith gave up a run on two walks and a hit in the ninth. Ian Happ’s single cut the lead to one, but Smith got Carson Kelly looking to earn his third save of the season and give the Guardians their second win in the three-game series. Chicago used the long ball to get up early. Matt Shaw led off the Cubs third with his first of the season. That was the only run Cleveland starter Parker Messick gave up over five innings. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six. Dansby Swanson hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot off Matt Festa, in the sixth inning. After the Guardians tied it with a three-run sixth, Happ’s lead-off homer in the eighth off Shawn Armstrong (1-0) put the Cubs back ahead. Cleveland chased Cubs starter Shota Imanaga after Steven Kwan started the sixth with a double. Ben Brown relieved Imanaga but gave up a walk to Angel Martinez. One out later, Kayfus singled and DeLauter hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. After Hoskins walked, Arias singled up the middle to score Kayfus and tie the game. Arias went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Imanaga allowed just one run in five-plus innings, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four. Webb was charged with all three eighth-inning runs, giving up three hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Despite allowing the go-ahead homer, Armstrong got the win, striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Gabriel #Arias #Kayfus #Guardians #split #twin #bill #Cubs

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