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NBA Playoffs: Hawks fend off Knicks, Raptors pull away from Cavaliers to cut deficit CJ McCollum hit the game-winner with 12.5 seconds remaining as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off another nail-biting victory over New York to take a 2-1 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series on Thursday.The Hawks beat the Knicks 109-108 in Atlanta, their second straight one-point triumph giving them the advantage in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Series.The Toronto Raptors also thrived at home, pulling away late in a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to cut the deficit in their series to 2-1.The Hawks produced a fine collective effort, especially on the defensive end, to thwart the third-seeded Knicks’ comeback bid.With plenty of time after McCollum’s go-ahead basket, the Knicks were unable to get a shot off as the Hawks pressured Jalen Brunson into a poor pass intended for Josh Hart and Jonathan Kuminga lunged in for a game-clinching steal.“Picture perfect,” McCollum said. “When it was time to get a stop our guys dug deep and they did what it takes to win in these types of environments.”Jalen Johnson scored 24 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists for the Hawks. McCollum added 23 points and Kuminga scored 21 off the bench.The Hawks led by as many as 18 in the first half, but the Knicks took a 108-105 lead on a three-point play by Brunson, who was fouled by McCollum on a drive to the basket and converted the free throw with 1:03 to play.Johnson pulled the Hawks back within one with a putback layup and, after misses by Hart and Brunson, McCollum came through.“I got to a spot and did what I had to do to get this win,” McCollum said.OG Anunoby scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Knicks.Brunson scored 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points with 17 rebounds for New York, who will try to turn the tables in game four in Atlanta on Saturday.In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett scored 33 points apiece, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 off the bench for the Raptors.Barnes handed out 11 assists and the Raptors, who took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, stormed home.They connected on eight of nine three-point attempts in the final frame, out-scoring the Cavaliers 43-23.“We knew we needed one,” said Barnes after the Raptors avoided falling behind 0-3, a deficit no NBA team has come back from to win a playoff series.Toronto will try to level the Eastern Conference series when they host game four on Sunday.James Harden scored 18 points and the Cavs also got 15 apiece from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus.– Timberwolves dominate Nuggets –In Minneapolis, Rudy Gobert keyed a formidable Minnesota defensive effort in the Timberwolves’ 113-96 victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.The Timberwolves, who had erased an early 19-point deficit to snatch game two in Denver, seized a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference series and host game four on Saturday.Minnesota led all the way in this one, holding the Nuggets to 11 points in the first quarter and pushing their lead to as many as 27 in the third.Ayo Dosunmu scored 25 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds as Anthony Edwards, limited by foul trouble, scored 17.Gobert kept three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic largely in check.The Serbian star finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds but connected on just seven of 26 shots from the field.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #NBA #Playoffs #Hawks #fend #Knicks #Raptors #pull #Cavaliers #cut #deficit

NBA Playoffs: Hawks fend off Knicks, Raptors pull away from Cavaliers to cut deficit

CJ McCollum hit the game-winner with 12.5 seconds remaining as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off another nail-biting victory over New York to take a 2-1 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series on Thursday.

The Hawks beat the Knicks 109-108 in Atlanta, their second straight one-point triumph giving them the advantage in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Series.

The Toronto Raptors also thrived at home, pulling away late in a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to cut the deficit in their series to 2-1.

The Hawks produced a fine collective effort, especially on the defensive end, to thwart the third-seeded Knicks’ comeback bid.

With plenty of time after McCollum’s go-ahead basket, the Knicks were unable to get a shot off as the Hawks pressured Jalen Brunson into a poor pass intended for Josh Hart and Jonathan Kuminga lunged in for a game-clinching steal.

“Picture perfect,” McCollum said. “When it was time to get a stop our guys dug deep and they did what it takes to win in these types of environments.”

Jalen Johnson scored 24 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists for the Hawks. McCollum added 23 points and Kuminga scored 21 off the bench.

The Hawks led by as many as 18 in the first half, but the Knicks took a 108-105 lead on a three-point play by Brunson, who was fouled by McCollum on a drive to the basket and converted the free throw with 1:03 to play.

Johnson pulled the Hawks back within one with a putback layup and, after misses by Hart and Brunson, McCollum came through.

“I got to a spot and did what I had to do to get this win,” McCollum said.

OG Anunoby scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Knicks.

Brunson scored 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points with 17 rebounds for New York, who will try to turn the tables in game four in Atlanta on Saturday.

In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett scored 33 points apiece, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 off the bench for the Raptors.

Barnes handed out 11 assists and the Raptors, who took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, stormed home.

They connected on eight of nine three-point attempts in the final frame, out-scoring the Cavaliers 43-23.

“We knew we needed one,” said Barnes after the Raptors avoided falling behind 0-3, a deficit no NBA team has come back from to win a playoff series.

Toronto will try to level the Eastern Conference series when they host game four on Sunday.

James Harden scored 18 points and the Cavs also got 15 apiece from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus.

– Timberwolves dominate Nuggets –

In Minneapolis, Rudy Gobert keyed a formidable Minnesota defensive effort in the Timberwolves’ 113-96 victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

The Timberwolves, who had erased an early 19-point deficit to snatch game two in Denver, seized a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference series and host game four on Saturday.

Minnesota led all the way in this one, holding the Nuggets to 11 points in the first quarter and pushing their lead to as many as 27 in the third.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 25 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.

Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds as Anthony Edwards, limited by foul trouble, scored 17.

Gobert kept three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic largely in check.

The Serbian star finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds but connected on just seven of 26 shots from the field.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Hawks #fend #Knicks #Raptors #pull #Cavaliers #cut #deficit

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CJ McCollum hit the game-winner with 12.5 seconds remaining as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off another nail-biting victory over New York to take a 2-1 lead in their NBA first-round playoff series on Thursday.

The Hawks beat the Knicks 109-108 in Atlanta, their second straight one-point triumph giving them the advantage in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Series.

The Toronto Raptors also thrived at home, pulling away late in a 126-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to cut the deficit in their series to 2-1.

The Hawks produced a fine collective effort, especially on the defensive end, to thwart the third-seeded Knicks’ comeback bid.

With plenty of time after McCollum’s go-ahead basket, the Knicks were unable to get a shot off as the Hawks pressured Jalen Brunson into a poor pass intended for Josh Hart and Jonathan Kuminga lunged in for a game-clinching steal.

“Picture perfect,” McCollum said. “When it was time to get a stop our guys dug deep and they did what it takes to win in these types of environments.”

Jalen Johnson scored 24 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out eight assists for the Hawks. McCollum added 23 points and Kuminga scored 21 off the bench.

The Hawks led by as many as 18 in the first half, but the Knicks took a 108-105 lead on a three-point play by Brunson, who was fouled by McCollum on a drive to the basket and converted the free throw with 1:03 to play.

Johnson pulled the Hawks back within one with a putback layup and, after misses by Hart and Brunson, McCollum came through.

“I got to a spot and did what I had to do to get this win,” McCollum said.

OG Anunoby scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Knicks.

Brunson scored 26 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points with 17 rebounds for New York, who will try to turn the tables in game four in Atlanta on Saturday.

In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett scored 33 points apiece, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 off the bench for the Raptors.

Barnes handed out 11 assists and the Raptors, who took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter, stormed home.

They connected on eight of nine three-point attempts in the final frame, out-scoring the Cavaliers 43-23.

“We knew we needed one,” said Barnes after the Raptors avoided falling behind 0-3, a deficit no NBA team has come back from to win a playoff series.

Toronto will try to level the Eastern Conference series when they host game four on Sunday.

James Harden scored 18 points and the Cavs also got 15 apiece from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus.

– Timberwolves dominate Nuggets –

In Minneapolis, Rudy Gobert keyed a formidable Minnesota defensive effort in the Timberwolves’ 113-96 victory over Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

The Timberwolves, who had erased an early 19-point deficit to snatch game two in Denver, seized a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference series and host game four on Saturday.

Minnesota led all the way in this one, holding the Nuggets to 11 points in the first quarter and pushing their lead to as many as 27 in the third.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 25 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.

Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds as Anthony Edwards, limited by foul trouble, scored 17.

Gobert kept three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic largely in check.

The Serbian star finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds but connected on just seven of 26 shots from the field.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

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Deadspin | Bo Bichette slams key double as Mets take Twins series Apr 23, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (3) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Bo Bichette had three hits Thursday night, including the three-run eighth-inning double that snapped a tie and lifted the host New York Mets to a 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins in the rubber game of a three-game interleague series. Brett Baty hit a three-run homer in the first for the Mets, who squandered a 7-2 lead before winning for the second straight night following a 12-game skid. New York scored three times in the second before Carson Benge homered in the fourth. Ryan Jeffers tied the game with a grand slam in the top of the eighth for the Twins, who have lost six of seven. Tristan Gray homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the ninth. Baty opened the bottom of the eighth by singling off Andrew Morris (0-1) and went to second on Tyrone Taylor’s bunt. Marcus Semien singled Baty to third, after which Ronny Mauricio flew out. Anthony Banda entered and walked Tommy Pham, who was pinch-hitting for Benge, before Bichette’s bases-clearing hit. Devin Williams (1-1), the Mets’ sixth pitcher, was awarded the win via official scorer’s discretion after giving up three hits, including Gray’s single, while recording the final two outs of the ninth. Baty, Semien and Benge had two hits each. Semien scored from third on a passed ball following a strikeout of Bichette in the second. Francisco Alvarez lofted a sacrifice fly two batters later, after which Luis Robert Jr. Robert laced a run-scoring double. Austin Martin drew a bases-loaded walk in the first and finished 3-for-4. Brooks Lee was also 3-for-4 while Gray had two hits. Mets starter Christian Scott didn’t allow a hit but walked five and struck out one over 1 1/3 innings in his season debut. The Twins’ Joe Ryan surrendered seven runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bichette #slams #key #double #Mets #Twins #seriesApr 23, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (3) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Bo Bichette had three hits Thursday night, including the three-run eighth-inning double that snapped a tie and lifted the host New York Mets to a 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins in the rubber game of a three-game interleague series.

Brett Baty hit a three-run homer in the first for the Mets, who squandered a 7-2 lead before winning for the second straight night following a 12-game skid. New York scored three times in the second before Carson Benge homered in the fourth.

Ryan Jeffers tied the game with a grand slam in the top of the eighth for the Twins, who have lost six of seven. Tristan Gray homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the ninth.

Baty opened the bottom of the eighth by singling off Andrew Morris (0-1) and went to second on Tyrone Taylor’s bunt. Marcus Semien singled Baty to third, after which Ronny Mauricio flew out. Anthony Banda entered and walked Tommy Pham, who was pinch-hitting for Benge, before Bichette’s bases-clearing hit.


Devin Williams (1-1), the Mets’ sixth pitcher, was awarded the win via official scorer’s discretion after giving up three hits, including Gray’s single, while recording the final two outs of the ninth.

Baty, Semien and Benge had two hits each.

Semien scored from third on a passed ball following a strikeout of Bichette in the second. Francisco Alvarez lofted a sacrifice fly two batters later, after which Luis Robert Jr. Robert laced a run-scoring double.

Austin Martin drew a bases-loaded walk in the first and finished 3-for-4. Brooks Lee was also 3-for-4 while Gray had two hits.

Mets starter Christian Scott didn’t allow a hit but walked five and struck out one over 1 1/3 innings in his season debut. The Twins’ Joe Ryan surrendered seven runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bichette #slams #key #double #Mets #Twins #series">Deadspin | Bo Bichette slams key double as Mets take Twins series Apr 23, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge (3) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Bo Bichette had three hits Thursday night, including the three-run eighth-inning double that snapped a tie and lifted the host New York Mets to a 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins in the rubber game of a three-game interleague series. Brett Baty hit a three-run homer in the first for the Mets, who squandered a 7-2 lead before winning for the second straight night following a 12-game skid. New York scored three times in the second before Carson Benge homered in the fourth. Ryan Jeffers tied the game with a grand slam in the top of the eighth for the Twins, who have lost six of seven. Tristan Gray homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the ninth. Baty opened the bottom of the eighth by singling off Andrew Morris (0-1) and went to second on Tyrone Taylor’s bunt. Marcus Semien singled Baty to third, after which Ronny Mauricio flew out. Anthony Banda entered and walked Tommy Pham, who was pinch-hitting for Benge, before Bichette’s bases-clearing hit. Devin Williams (1-1), the Mets’ sixth pitcher, was awarded the win via official scorer’s discretion after giving up three hits, including Gray’s single, while recording the final two outs of the ninth. Baty, Semien and Benge had two hits each. Semien scored from third on a passed ball following a strikeout of Bichette in the second. Francisco Alvarez lofted a sacrifice fly two batters later, after which Luis Robert Jr. Robert laced a run-scoring double. Austin Martin drew a bases-loaded walk in the first and finished 3-for-4. Brooks Lee was also 3-for-4 while Gray had two hits. Mets starter Christian Scott didn’t allow a hit but walked five and struck out one over 1 1/3 innings in his season debut. The Twins’ Joe Ryan surrendered seven runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bichette #slams #key #double #Mets #Twins #series

Deadspin | Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett help Raptors halve Cavs’ series egde Apr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points Thursday night and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Game 4 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points. James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each. Jaylon Tyson put up 13 points, and Jarrett Allen contributed 12. Toronto took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. The game was tied for the 13th time when Mobley converted to free throws with 9:53 left. The Raptors went on a 13-4 run to grab a nine-point lead on Battle’s third 3-pointer of the quarter with 7:25 to go. The lead reached 11 on Barrett’s trey with 5:41 to play. Battle hit another 3-pointer to bump the margin to 17 with 3:45 left. The Raptors, who never had a lead in Game 2, were up 31-25 after one quarter of Game 3 as they took advantage of Cleveland’s nine turnovers. The lead reached 10 in the first minute of the second quarter. Tyson’s corner trey with 7:58 to play capped a 9-0 Cleveland run that trimmed the margin to one, and Strus drained a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a two-point lead with 52.2 seconds left. Murray-Boyles finished the first-half scoring with a dunk following a Barnes steal to tie the game at 54. Toronto led by seven after Barnes made two free throws with 8:12 left in the third quarter. Harden immediately answered with six straight points. Strus nailed a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a one-point lead with 3:09 left, but the Raptors regained the advantage on Murray-Boyles’ dunk. Barnes swished a 15-footer at the end of the third quarter to give Toronto an 83-81 edge. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Barnes #Barrett #Raptors #halve #Cavs #series #egdeApr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points Thursday night and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1.

Game 4 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.

Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points.

James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each. Jaylon Tyson put up 13 points, and Jarrett Allen contributed 12.


Toronto took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. The game was tied for the 13th time when Mobley converted to free throws with 9:53 left. The Raptors went on a 13-4 run to grab a nine-point lead on Battle’s third 3-pointer of the quarter with 7:25 to go.

The lead reached 11 on Barrett’s trey with 5:41 to play. Battle hit another 3-pointer to bump the margin to 17 with 3:45 left.

The Raptors, who never had a lead in Game 2, were up 31-25 after one quarter of Game 3 as they took advantage of Cleveland’s nine turnovers.

The lead reached 10 in the first minute of the second quarter. Tyson’s corner trey with 7:58 to play capped a 9-0 Cleveland run that trimmed the margin to one, and Strus drained a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a two-point lead with 52.2 seconds left. Murray-Boyles finished the first-half scoring with a dunk following a Barnes steal to tie the game at 54.

Toronto led by seven after Barnes made two free throws with 8:12 left in the third quarter. Harden immediately answered with six straight points. Strus nailed a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a one-point lead with 3:09 left, but the Raptors regained the advantage on Murray-Boyles’ dunk. Barnes swished a 15-footer at the end of the third quarter to give Toronto an 83-81 edge.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Scottie #Barnes #Barrett #Raptors #halve #Cavs #series #egde">Deadspin | Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett help Raptors halve Cavs’ series egde Apr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett each scored 33 points Thursday night and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 126-104 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. Reserve Jamison Battle scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a Toronto surge that reduced Cleveland’s series lead to 2-1. Game 4 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto. Barnes added 11 assists and five rebounds for the Raptors. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Ingram scored 12 points. James Harden scored 18 points for the Cavaliers, who made 22 turnovers in a careless performance. Donovan Mitchell was held to 15 points, and Max Strus and Evan Mobley also scored 15 each. Jaylon Tyson put up 13 points, and Jarrett Allen contributed 12. Toronto took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. The game was tied for the 13th time when Mobley converted to free throws with 9:53 left. The Raptors went on a 13-4 run to grab a nine-point lead on Battle’s third 3-pointer of the quarter with 7:25 to go. The lead reached 11 on Barrett’s trey with 5:41 to play. Battle hit another 3-pointer to bump the margin to 17 with 3:45 left. The Raptors, who never had a lead in Game 2, were up 31-25 after one quarter of Game 3 as they took advantage of Cleveland’s nine turnovers. The lead reached 10 in the first minute of the second quarter. Tyson’s corner trey with 7:58 to play capped a 9-0 Cleveland run that trimmed the margin to one, and Strus drained a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a two-point lead with 52.2 seconds left. Murray-Boyles finished the first-half scoring with a dunk following a Barnes steal to tie the game at 54. Toronto led by seven after Barnes made two free throws with 8:12 left in the third quarter. Harden immediately answered with six straight points. Strus nailed a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a one-point lead with 3:09 left, but the Raptors regained the advantage on Murray-Boyles’ dunk. Barnes swished a 15-footer at the end of the third quarter to give Toronto an 83-81 edge. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Scottie #Barnes #Barrett #Raptors #halve #Cavs #series #egde

Deadspin | Inside-the-park homer helps power Rangers over Pirates Apr 23, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) hits a two-run inside the park home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Evan Carter hit an inside-the-park home run and Jacob deGrom threw a gem as the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in the rubber match of a three-game set in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday night. deGrom (2-0) had a season-high 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run. With Josh Jung on first and two out in the third inning, Carter hit a deep fly ball to right field that bounced hard off the wall in front of the Rangers’ bullpen and bounded into the middle of the outfield. By the time center fielder Oneil Cruz tracked the ball down, Jung was crossing home plate and Carter slid in ahead of the relay throw for his first career inside-the-park homer. Furthering the drama, the inside-the-parker came after the Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-2) had successfully used the ABS challenge system to overturn a called ball four and extend the at-bat. One inning later, Corey Seager’s three-run shot off Chandler broke the game open, doubling the Rangers’ 3-0 advantage with one swing. The rally began with back-to-back walks by Josh Smith and Alejandro Osuna to lead off the inning. Joc Pederson’s one-out RBI single brought home Smith and set the table for Seager’s sixth home run of 2026. Chandler exited after the fourth, giving up six runs, seven hits and three walks. Cruz responded for Pittsburgh in the fifth, hitting a two-out solo shot to snap deGrom’s shutout. He also went deep in the Pirates’ 8-4 win on Wednesday. In the sixth, the Pirates chased deGrom and loaded the bases with two out, but Jung laid out at third base to force a groundout that robbed Konnor Griffin of a potential extra-base hit and multiple RBIs. Both bullpens pitched shutouts to close out the game, with Gavin Collyer, Jalen Beeks, Jakob Junis and Peyton Gray (making his Major League debut) combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the victory for Texas. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Insidethepark #homer #helps #power #Rangers #PiratesApr 23, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) hits a two-run inside the park home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Evan Carter hit an inside-the-park home run and Jacob deGrom threw a gem as the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in the rubber match of a three-game set in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday night.

deGrom (2-0) had a season-high 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run.

With Josh Jung on first and two out in the third inning, Carter hit a deep fly ball to right field that bounced hard off the wall in front of the Rangers’ bullpen and bounded into the middle of the outfield. By the time center fielder Oneil Cruz tracked the ball down, Jung was crossing home plate and Carter slid in ahead of the relay throw for his first career inside-the-park homer.

Furthering the drama, the inside-the-parker came after the Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-2) had successfully used the ABS challenge system to overturn a called ball four and extend the at-bat.


One inning later, Corey Seager’s three-run shot off Chandler broke the game open, doubling the Rangers’ 3-0 advantage with one swing. The rally began with back-to-back walks by Josh Smith and Alejandro Osuna to lead off the inning. Joc Pederson’s one-out RBI single brought home Smith and set the table for Seager’s sixth home run of 2026.

Chandler exited after the fourth, giving up six runs, seven hits and three walks.

Cruz responded for Pittsburgh in the fifth, hitting a two-out solo shot to snap deGrom’s shutout. He also went deep in the Pirates’ 8-4 win on Wednesday.

In the sixth, the Pirates chased deGrom and loaded the bases with two out, but Jung laid out at third base to force a groundout that robbed Konnor Griffin of a potential extra-base hit and multiple RBIs.

Both bullpens pitched shutouts to close out the game, with Gavin Collyer, Jalen Beeks, Jakob Junis and Peyton Gray (making his Major League debut) combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the victory for Texas.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Insidethepark #homer #helps #power #Rangers #Pirates">Deadspin | Inside-the-park homer helps power Rangers over Pirates Apr 23, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) hits a two-run inside the park home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Evan Carter hit an inside-the-park home run and Jacob deGrom threw a gem as the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in the rubber match of a three-game set in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday night. deGrom (2-0) had a season-high 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run. With Josh Jung on first and two out in the third inning, Carter hit a deep fly ball to right field that bounced hard off the wall in front of the Rangers’ bullpen and bounded into the middle of the outfield. By the time center fielder Oneil Cruz tracked the ball down, Jung was crossing home plate and Carter slid in ahead of the relay throw for his first career inside-the-park homer. Furthering the drama, the inside-the-parker came after the Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-2) had successfully used the ABS challenge system to overturn a called ball four and extend the at-bat. One inning later, Corey Seager’s three-run shot off Chandler broke the game open, doubling the Rangers’ 3-0 advantage with one swing. The rally began with back-to-back walks by Josh Smith and Alejandro Osuna to lead off the inning. Joc Pederson’s one-out RBI single brought home Smith and set the table for Seager’s sixth home run of 2026. Chandler exited after the fourth, giving up six runs, seven hits and three walks. Cruz responded for Pittsburgh in the fifth, hitting a two-out solo shot to snap deGrom’s shutout. He also went deep in the Pirates’ 8-4 win on Wednesday. In the sixth, the Pirates chased deGrom and loaded the bases with two out, but Jung laid out at third base to force a groundout that robbed Konnor Griffin of a potential extra-base hit and multiple RBIs. Both bullpens pitched shutouts to close out the game, with Gavin Collyer, Jalen Beeks, Jakob Junis and Peyton Gray (making his Major League debut) combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the victory for Texas. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Insidethepark #homer #helps #power #Rangers #Pirates

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