Deadspin | MLB roundup: Guardians’ Parker Messick loses no-hit bid in 9th vs. Orioles 
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles cat Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Guardians rookie Parker Messick carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before Leody Taveras led off with a single to begin a two-run rally, but Cleveland held on for a 4-2 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Messick (3-0), making his 11th major league appearance, only permitted two baserunners in the first eight frames on walks to Taylor Ward in the first and Taveras in the sixth. The left-hander tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked two.
Taveras hit a grounder to the left of second baseman Juan Brito, who dove but couldn’t keep the ball in the infield. Blaze Alexander followed with a single, chasing Messick after eight-plus innings. Cade Smith gave up two hits and allowed two inherited runners to score, but was credited with his fourth save.
Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and George Valera and Steven Kwan had RBI hits for the Guardians, who snapped a two-game skid in the opener of the four-game series.
Tigers 10, Royals 9
Colt Keith’s single capped a three-run, ninth-inning rally, allowing Detroit to stretch their winning streak to six games with a wild victory over visiting Kansas City.
Riley Greene’s two-run, two-out double tied the contest for the Tigers. Greene then scored on Keith’s single to right off Lucas Erceg (0-1). Greene had three hits and scored two runs, and Dillon Dingler had a two-run homer.
The Royals erased a five-run deficit with a six-run seventh, and Vinnie Pasquantino’s solo homer made it 9-7 in the top of the ninth. Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer among four RBIs and Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, scored three runs and drove in another.
Giants 3, Reds 0
Landen Roupp carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Jung Hoo Lee had three hits with an RBI and San Francisco snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over host Cincinnati.
P.J. Higgins’ sixth inning single off Roupp (3-1) proved to be the only hit of the game for Cincinnati. Erik Miller struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first career save. San Francisco scored all of its runs in the seventh off hits from Matt Chapman, Lee and Casey Schmitt.
Cincinnati starter Chase Burns held the Giants to two hits over six shutout innings. Brock Burke (1-1) took the loss after allowing three unearned runs. Reds reliever Connor Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning for hitting Willy Adames in the thigh with a pitch. Benches cleared after a strikeout of Sal Stewart which ended the game got heated.
Angels 11, Yankees 4
Mike Trout homered for the fourth straight game to cap a monster series at Yankee Stadium and help Los Angeles pull away from New York.
Trout hit five homers in the four-game series, becoming the fourth player to hit five homers in a series against the Yankees. The others were Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985) and George Bell (1990). Jo Adell added his fourth career grand slam in the eighth and former Yankee Oswald Peraza homered in the first, giving the Angels an American League-leading 32 home runs.
Aaron Judge homered in the first inning and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer to center in the third to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Ben Rice also homered, but the Yankees lost for the seventh time in nine games.
Nationals 8, Pirates 7 (10 innings)
James Wood had two hits, including a two-out go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning to lead Washington over host Pittsburgh.
Daylen Lile and Drew Millas also had two hits for the Nationals.
Jake Mangum led the Pirates with three of their 15 hits. Griffin, Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe and Nick Gonzales each had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who committed four errors.
Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1
A sacrifice bunt by Joey Ortiz scored Garrett Mitchell for the go-ahead run as host Milwaukee edged Toronto.
Milwaukee turned to small ball in the bottom of the seventh to claim the series win. Milwaukee used three straight bunts to take its first lead of the game. Mitchell led off the inning with a walk and a Greg Jones sacrifice bunt moved him to second base with one out.
David Hamilton laid down a bunt single and Milwaukee had runners on first and third. Ortiz’s bunt only dribbled a few feet in front of home plate, but it was enough to score Mitchell for a 2-1 lead.
Rays 5, White Sox 3
Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning after Junior Caminero hit a game-tying solo home run, propelling streaking Tampa Bay past host Chicago.
The Rays stretched their winning streak to six games, regrouping after Chicago’s Everson Pereira smacked a solo shot in the eighth to give the White Sox the lead. Yandy Diaz, Richie Palacios, Nick Fortes and Caminero had two hits apiece for the Rays.
Chase Meidroth and Pereira both had two hits for the White Sox, who stranded seven runners compared to 14 for Tampa Bay.
Rangers 9, Athletics 6
Joc Pederson stroked the tiebreaking single in a four-run ninth inning as Texas notched a victory over the host Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
Josh Jung smacked a two-run homer among his three hits and Ezequiel Duran had two hits and two RBIs as the Rangers earned a split of the four-game series with their American League West rivals.
Nick Kurtz’s three-run double in the bottom of the eighth gave the Athletics the lead. Jacob Wilson had a two-run single for the Athletics while Shea Langeliers reached base five times on two hits and three walks. Lawrence Butler, Carlos Cortes, Kurtz and Wilson also had two hits for the A’s.
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Guardians #Parker #Messick #loses #nohit #bid #9th #Orioles
Apr 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick (77) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles cat Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images Guardians rookie Parker Messick carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning before Leody Taveras led off with a single to begin a two-run rally, but Cleveland held on for a 4-2 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.
Messick (3-0), making his 11th major league appearance, only permitted two baserunners in the first eight frames on walks to Taylor Ward in the first and Taveras in the sixth. The left-hander tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked two.
Taveras hit a grounder to the left of second baseman Juan Brito, who dove but couldn’t keep the ball in the infield. Blaze Alexander followed with a single, chasing Messick after eight-plus innings. Cade Smith gave up two hits and allowed two inherited runners to score, but was credited with his fourth save.
Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer and George Valera and Steven Kwan had RBI hits for the Guardians, who snapped a two-game skid in the opener of the four-game series.
Tigers 10, Royals 9
Colt Keith’s single capped a three-run, ninth-inning rally, allowing Detroit to stretch their winning streak to six games with a wild victory over visiting Kansas City.
Riley Greene’s two-run, two-out double tied the contest for the Tigers. Greene then scored on Keith’s single to right off Lucas Erceg (0-1). Greene had three hits and scored two runs, and Dillon Dingler had a two-run homer.
The Royals erased a five-run deficit with a six-run seventh, and Vinnie Pasquantino’s solo homer made it 9-7 in the top of the ninth. Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer among four RBIs and Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits, scored three runs and drove in another.
Giants 3, Reds 0
Landen Roupp carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Jung Hoo Lee had three hits with an RBI and San Francisco snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over host Cincinnati.
P.J. Higgins’ sixth inning single off Roupp (3-1) proved to be the only hit of the game for Cincinnati. Erik Miller struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first career save. San Francisco scored all of its runs in the seventh off hits from Matt Chapman, Lee and Casey Schmitt.
Cincinnati starter Chase Burns held the Giants to two hits over six shutout innings. Brock Burke (1-1) took the loss after allowing three unearned runs. Reds reliever Connor Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning for hitting Willy Adames in the thigh with a pitch. Benches cleared after a strikeout of Sal Stewart which ended the game got heated.
Angels 11, Yankees 4
Mike Trout homered for the fourth straight game to cap a monster series at Yankee Stadium and help Los Angeles pull away from New York.
Trout hit five homers in the four-game series, becoming the fourth player to hit five homers in a series against the Yankees. The others were Jimmie Foxx (1933), Darrell Evans (1985) and George Bell (1990). Jo Adell added his fourth career grand slam in the eighth and former Yankee Oswald Peraza homered in the first, giving the Angels an American League-leading 32 home runs.
Aaron Judge homered in the first inning and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer to center in the third to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Ben Rice also homered, but the Yankees lost for the seventh time in nine games.
Nationals 8, Pirates 7 (10 innings)
James Wood had two hits, including a two-out go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning to lead Washington over host Pittsburgh.
Daylen Lile and Drew Millas also had two hits for the Nationals.
Jake Mangum led the Pirates with three of their 15 hits. Griffin, Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe and Nick Gonzales each had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who committed four errors.
Brewers 2, Blue Jays 1
A sacrifice bunt by Joey Ortiz scored Garrett Mitchell for the go-ahead run as host Milwaukee edged Toronto.
Milwaukee turned to small ball in the bottom of the seventh to claim the series win. Milwaukee used three straight bunts to take its first lead of the game. Mitchell led off the inning with a walk and a Greg Jones sacrifice bunt moved him to second base with one out.
David Hamilton laid down a bunt single and Milwaukee had runners on first and third. Ortiz’s bunt only dribbled a few feet in front of home plate, but it was enough to score Mitchell for a 2-1 lead.
Rays 5, White Sox 3
Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning after Junior Caminero hit a game-tying solo home run, propelling streaking Tampa Bay past host Chicago.
The Rays stretched their winning streak to six games, regrouping after Chicago’s Everson Pereira smacked a solo shot in the eighth to give the White Sox the lead. Yandy Diaz, Richie Palacios, Nick Fortes and Caminero had two hits apiece for the Rays.
Chase Meidroth and Pereira both had two hits for the White Sox, who stranded seven runners compared to 14 for Tampa Bay.
Rangers 9, Athletics 6
Joc Pederson stroked the tiebreaking single in a four-run ninth inning as Texas notched a victory over the host Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
Josh Jung smacked a two-run homer among his three hits and Ezequiel Duran had two hits and two RBIs as the Rangers earned a split of the four-game series with their American League West rivals.
Nick Kurtz’s three-run double in the bottom of the eighth gave the Athletics the lead. Jacob Wilson had a two-run single for the Athletics while Shea Langeliers reached base five times on two hits and three walks. Lawrence Butler, Carlos Cortes, Kurtz and Wilson also had two hits for the A’s.
–Field Level Media
![How the USMNT copes without Folarin Balogun against Belgium How nice of VAR to overshadow one of the most important results in U.S. men’s national team history on Wednesday…The USMNT advanced to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, but lost standout striker Folarin Balogun for the match against Belgium after a 64th-minute red card. Balogun scored the game-winning goal near the end of the first half and has been one of, if not the best USMNT player this tournament.We can all debate until the cows come home whether or not it was the “right” decision, application of VAR, what have you, but the end result remains the same: Mauricio Pochettino must make a change if the host nation is to advance.The Argentine has already cemented himself as the most successful USMNT coach in World Cup history picking up his third victory of the tournament, but he’ll really earn his money if he plays his cards right in the next round. Pochettino has multiple options at his disposal, but how exactly should the USMNT set up against the Red Devils?SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 1: Haji Wright #19 of United States arrives at the stadium prior to playing Bosnia And Herzegovina during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images). ISI Photos via Getty ImagesGiven form, there isn’t an option on the bench currently that naturally fills Balogun’s absence. He’s got three goals in three appearances so far and has been a crucial focal point in multiple phases.The other out-and-out No. 9s are:Pepi’s received significantly more playing time (185 minutes) after starting the dead rubber against Türkiye. Wright, after a standout season for Coventry City, has only played a minute so far coming on as a substitute deep into second half stoppage time against Australia.Diving deeper into their numbers from last season:Pepi: 20 goal contributions (19G/1A) in 31 appearances [Eredivisie and Champions League]Wright: 18 goal contributions (17/1A) in 40 appearances [EFL Championship]Pochettino seems to trust Pepi more this tournament, though Wright has received opportunities in previous international windows. If he doesn’t want to alter his tactical setup wholesale, Pepi and Wright likely receive significant minutes against Belgium. Whoever he goes with first must impose themselves physically as Balogun has done, which might give the edge to Wright.The benefit to choosing either, though, is that the rest of the team remains unchanged.SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 1: Christian Pulisic of United States looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) Getty ImagesPart of what’s made the USMNT so dynamic this far is the threat of Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest out wide with Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman over/underlapping at will on the left and right respectively.Pochettino could push Pulisic further forward, trusting his most talented attacker to hold up and link play at will while providing some box presence. Replacing Pulisic out wide could be:Alejandro ZendejasTimothy WeahGio ReynaOr, if Pochettino wants a similar dynamic on the left that he has on the right with Dest and Freeman, Max Arfsten could come in. However, the Columbus Crew wingback has not played a single minute so far.Reyna has played the most of those options, and could provide a difference cutting in on his favored right foot. He has the technical capability to play with both feet, but likely won’t stretch a backline as much as Weah could with his pace.Having Pulisic up top replaces Balogun’s game-changing ability, but upsetting the balance on the wings could end up having a detrimental effect on the team’s build-up play. One factor, that might end up pushing this option over the line is an conscious decision to try and nullify both Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard early.If Pochettino trusts one of his wide players to contribute defensively, then we might see Pulisic up top.SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 01: Malik Tillman #17 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) Getty ImagesCould Malik Tillman get the nod up top?The Leverkusen midfielder prefers to play in the 10, he likes linking play and being the one to start attacking play. His technical quality on the ball is even a step up on Balogun, though he lacks the same box presence of the other wide and center forwards previously discussed. The USMNT will have to make the most of their possession, and having a difference maker on the ball to get Pulisic and Dest more involved in the attacking third could be the exact answer.The trade off here is… what’s the natural change in midfield then?Reyna could play behind Tillman, but we haven’t seen that pairing under Pochettino. Weston McKennie could also play further forward. The Juventus man, who has been one of the USMNT’s best players during the World Cup, can provide the late runs into the box as Tillman serves as a focal point to play through. He’s shown the ability to influence the game in multiple phases, but would need to be a decisive, consistent box-to-box presence all game. If that’s the path chosen, Sebastian Berhalter likely comes into the side forming a double pivot with Tyler Adams.While the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder is adept at set pieces, using most of your midfield depth early wouldn’t give Pochettino options off the bench.Overall, Pochettino likely sticks with most of his team as is and chooses between Pepi or Wright. No matter who starts, both players will have short leashes if things don’t get off to a good start. Belgium represents the USMNT’s toughest opposition both on paper and in the FIFA rankings this tournament. The Red Devils have the individual quality advantage on paper in multiple areas, making Pochettino’s selection all the more important.The idea of a dynamic front line with Reyna, Tillman, Pulisic and Dest is certainly exciting, but excitement won’t get the USMNT past Belgium. Their opposition has shown resiliency, coming back from 0-2 down late against Senegal to earn their spot despite an underwhelming performance for the majority of the game.Rudi Garcia also isn’t afraid to make big calls taking off Kevin De Bruyne and Doku early in the second half in the Round of 32. No matter what decision Pochettino makes, it will be the defining selection of the USMNT’s knockout stage. #USMNT #copes #Folarin #Balogun #Belgium](https://i1.wp.com/platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/gettyimages-2284246024.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400&ssl=1 "How the USMNT copes without Folarin Balogun against Belgium How nice of VAR to overshadow one of the most important results in U.S. men’s national team history on Wednesday…The USMNT advanced to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, but lost standout striker Folarin Balogun for the match against Belgium after a 64th-minute red card. Balogun scored the game-winning goal near the end of the first half and has been one of, if not the best USMNT player this tournament.We can all debate until the cows come home whether or not it was the “right” decision, application of VAR, what have you, but the end result remains the same: Mauricio Pochettino must make a change if the host nation is to advance.The Argentine has already cemented himself as the most successful USMNT coach in World Cup history picking up his third victory of the tournament, but he’ll really earn his money if he plays his cards right in the next round. Pochettino has multiple options at his disposal, but how exactly should the USMNT set up against the Red Devils?SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 1: Haji Wright #19 of United States arrives at the stadium prior to playing Bosnia And Herzegovina during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images). ISI Photos via Getty ImagesGiven form, there isn’t an option on the bench currently that naturally fills Balogun’s absence. He’s got three goals in three appearances so far and has been a crucial focal point in multiple phases.The other out-and-out No. 9s are:Pepi’s received significantly more playing time (185 minutes) after starting the dead rubber against Türkiye. Wright, after a standout season for Coventry City, has only played a minute so far coming on as a substitute deep into second half stoppage time against Australia.Diving deeper into their numbers from last season:Pepi: 20 goal contributions (19G/1A) in 31 appearances [Eredivisie and Champions League]Wright: 18 goal contributions (17/1A) in 40 appearances [EFL Championship]Pochettino seems to trust Pepi more this tournament, though Wright has received opportunities in previous international windows. If he doesn’t want to alter his tactical setup wholesale, Pepi and Wright likely receive significant minutes against Belgium. Whoever he goes with first must impose themselves physically as Balogun has done, which might give the edge to Wright.The benefit to choosing either, though, is that the rest of the team remains unchanged.SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 1: Christian Pulisic of United States looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) Getty ImagesPart of what’s made the USMNT so dynamic this far is the threat of Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest out wide with Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman over/underlapping at will on the left and right respectively.Pochettino could push Pulisic further forward, trusting his most talented attacker to hold up and link play at will while providing some box presence. Replacing Pulisic out wide could be:Alejandro ZendejasTimothy WeahGio ReynaOr, if Pochettino wants a similar dynamic on the left that he has on the right with Dest and Freeman, Max Arfsten could come in. However, the Columbus Crew wingback has not played a single minute so far.Reyna has played the most of those options, and could provide a difference cutting in on his favored right foot. He has the technical capability to play with both feet, but likely won’t stretch a backline as much as Weah could with his pace.Having Pulisic up top replaces Balogun’s game-changing ability, but upsetting the balance on the wings could end up having a detrimental effect on the team’s build-up play. One factor, that might end up pushing this option over the line is an conscious decision to try and nullify both Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard early.If Pochettino trusts one of his wide players to contribute defensively, then we might see Pulisic up top.SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 01: Malik Tillman #17 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) Getty ImagesCould Malik Tillman get the nod up top?The Leverkusen midfielder prefers to play in the 10, he likes linking play and being the one to start attacking play. His technical quality on the ball is even a step up on Balogun, though he lacks the same box presence of the other wide and center forwards previously discussed. The USMNT will have to make the most of their possession, and having a difference maker on the ball to get Pulisic and Dest more involved in the attacking third could be the exact answer.The trade off here is… what’s the natural change in midfield then?Reyna could play behind Tillman, but we haven’t seen that pairing under Pochettino. Weston McKennie could also play further forward. The Juventus man, who has been one of the USMNT’s best players during the World Cup, can provide the late runs into the box as Tillman serves as a focal point to play through. He’s shown the ability to influence the game in multiple phases, but would need to be a decisive, consistent box-to-box presence all game. If that’s the path chosen, Sebastian Berhalter likely comes into the side forming a double pivot with Tyler Adams.While the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder is adept at set pieces, using most of your midfield depth early wouldn’t give Pochettino options off the bench.Overall, Pochettino likely sticks with most of his team as is and chooses between Pepi or Wright. No matter who starts, both players will have short leashes if things don’t get off to a good start. Belgium represents the USMNT’s toughest opposition both on paper and in the FIFA rankings this tournament. The Red Devils have the individual quality advantage on paper in multiple areas, making Pochettino’s selection all the more important.The idea of a dynamic front line with Reyna, Tillman, Pulisic and Dest is certainly exciting, but excitement won’t get the USMNT past Belgium. Their opposition has shown resiliency, coming back from 0-2 down late against Senegal to earn their spot despite an underwhelming performance for the majority of the game.Rudi Garcia also isn’t afraid to make big calls taking off Kevin De Bruyne and Doku early in the second half in the Round of 32. No matter what decision Pochettino makes, it will be the defining selection of the USMNT’s knockout stage. #USMNT #copes #Folarin #Balogun #Belgium")
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