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WSL 2025-26 title race: Chelsea beats Everton to keep hopes alive  Striker Sam Kerr scored a brace for Chelsea as it beat Everton 4-1 to ​keep the pressure on Women’s Super League leader Manchester City, ‌which slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat by ​Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as the season ⁠approaches its climax.Still heavy favourite to win a first league title since 2016, City tops the standings on 49 points, six ‌ahead of Chelsea with two games left to play, but waiting in the long grass to ‌punish any slip-ups is Arsenal, which is fourth ‌on ⁠38 points with three games in hand over ⁠the top two.The Gunners did not take part in this weekend’s league action as they were facing French side OL Lyonnes (formerly known as ​Olympique Lyonnais) in the first ‌leg of their Champions League semifinal later on Sunday.Linked with a move to North America in the summer, Chelsea’s Kerr struck early in each half on Sunday ‌as the reigning champion, which has won the ​last six league titles in a row, cantered to a 4-1 win over the Merseysiders.ALSO READ | Leader Manchester City shocked by Brighton in Women’s Super LeagueThird-placed ⁠Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League football next season suffered a blow when Tottenham Hotspur dominated it in North London, ‌and it was lucky to escape with a scoreless draw that leaves it on 39 points with 20 of its 22 games played.Tottenham is fifth on 30 points, and Martin Ho’s side will be left wondering how it failed to score on a day when it ‌let half-a-dozen gilt-edged chances go begging.With the league expanding to 14 ​teams next season, Leicester City still occupies bottom spot after a 5-1 thrashing by London City ⁠Lionesses, and it will likely face a playoff against the ⁠team that finishes third in the Women’s Championship to see if it can retain their top-flight status.Birmingham ‌City and Charlton Athletic can both secure promotion to the top flight later on Sunday if they ​can avoid defeat against Ipswich and Southampton respectively.Published on Apr 26, 2026  #WSL #title #race #Chelsea #beats #Everton #hopes #alive

WSL 2025-26 title race: Chelsea beats Everton to keep hopes alive

Striker Sam Kerr scored a brace for Chelsea as it beat Everton 4-1 to ​keep the pressure on Women’s Super League leader Manchester City, ‌which slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat by ​Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as the season ⁠approaches its climax.

Still heavy favourite to win a first league title since 2016, City tops the standings on 49 points, six ‌ahead of Chelsea with two games left to play, but waiting in the long grass to ‌punish any slip-ups is Arsenal, which is fourth ‌on ⁠38 points with three games in hand over ⁠the top two.

The Gunners did not take part in this weekend’s league action as they were facing French side OL Lyonnes (formerly known as ​Olympique Lyonnais) in the first ‌leg of their Champions League semifinal later on Sunday.

Linked with a move to North America in the summer, Chelsea’s Kerr struck early in each half on Sunday ‌as the reigning champion, which has won the ​last six league titles in a row, cantered to a 4-1 win over the Merseysiders.

ALSO READ | Leader Manchester City shocked by Brighton in Women’s Super League

Third-placed ⁠Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League football next season suffered a blow when Tottenham Hotspur dominated it in North London, ‌and it was lucky to escape with a scoreless draw that leaves it on 39 points with 20 of its 22 games played.

Tottenham is fifth on 30 points, and Martin Ho’s side will be left wondering how it failed to score on a day when it ‌let half-a-dozen gilt-edged chances go begging.

With the league expanding to 14 ​teams next season, Leicester City still occupies bottom spot after a 5-1 thrashing by London City ⁠Lionesses, and it will likely face a playoff against the ⁠team that finishes third in the Women’s Championship to see if it can retain their top-flight status.

Birmingham ‌City and Charlton Athletic can both secure promotion to the top flight later on Sunday if they ​can avoid defeat against Ipswich and Southampton respectively.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#WSL #title #race #Chelsea #beats #Everton #hopes #alive

Striker Sam Kerr scored a brace for Chelsea as it beat Everton 4-1 to ​keep the pressure on Women’s Super League leader Manchester City, ‌which slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat by ​Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as the season ⁠approaches its climax.

Still heavy favourite to win a first league title since 2016, City tops the standings on 49 points, six ‌ahead of Chelsea with two games left to play, but waiting in the long grass to ‌punish any slip-ups is Arsenal, which is fourth ‌on ⁠38 points with three games in hand over ⁠the top two.

The Gunners did not take part in this weekend’s league action as they were facing French side OL Lyonnes (formerly known as ​Olympique Lyonnais) in the first ‌leg of their Champions League semifinal later on Sunday.

Linked with a move to North America in the summer, Chelsea’s Kerr struck early in each half on Sunday ‌as the reigning champion, which has won the ​last six league titles in a row, cantered to a 4-1 win over the Merseysiders.

ALSO READ | Leader Manchester City shocked by Brighton in Women’s Super League

Third-placed ⁠Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League football next season suffered a blow when Tottenham Hotspur dominated it in North London, ‌and it was lucky to escape with a scoreless draw that leaves it on 39 points with 20 of its 22 games played.

Tottenham is fifth on 30 points, and Martin Ho’s side will be left wondering how it failed to score on a day when it ‌let half-a-dozen gilt-edged chances go begging.

With the league expanding to 14 ​teams next season, Leicester City still occupies bottom spot after a 5-1 thrashing by London City ⁠Lionesses, and it will likely face a playoff against the ⁠team that finishes third in the Women’s Championship to see if it can retain their top-flight status.

Birmingham ‌City and Charlton Athletic can both secure promotion to the top flight later on Sunday if they ​can avoid defeat against Ipswich and Southampton respectively.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

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#WSL #title #race #Chelsea #beats #Everton #hopes #alive

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Deadspin | Red Sox play first game under new management in series finale vs. Orioles <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28810184.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28810184.jpg" alt="MLB: Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 25, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Andruw Monasterio (32) scores during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Boston Red Sox barely had a chance to enjoy a big day of success on the field before there was an overhaul of the coaching staff.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>They’ll go into Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the host Baltimore Orioles with Chad Tracy as interim manager after the firing of Alex Cora was revealed hours after Saturday’s game.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Several of Cora’s staff members were also let go, so the positivity from a 17-1 whipping of the Orioles on Saturday probably has been dashed in the visiting clubhouse. Tracy has been managing Boston’s top affiliate, Triple-A Worcester, since 2022.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Lopsided results have defined the first two games of the series between the Red Sox and Orioles.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Red Sox lost 10-3 in Friday night’s series opener. Cora noted the encouraging turnaround in comments following Saturday’s result.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“That happened (Friday) night and then we showed up (Saturday),” Cora said. “We did a lot of good things. We still have to be better in certain areas.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Red Sox were the second-to-last team in the American League to reach the 10-win mark this season, so perhaps that led to Cora’s dismissal. Boston is 10-17.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“We’ve got a chance to win the series (Sunday). That’s the most important thing,” Cora said prior to the firing being announced. “I keep saying get to .500. … You win series and you keep moving and we have a chance to do that.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Aside from Cora, at least five other members of the coaching staff won’t be on hand for Sunday’s game.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Meanwhile, Baltimore had a two-game winning streak snapped.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Any loss is tough,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “I wouldn’t say it’s any more tough. It’s a loss. And then, you move on, we play (Sunday). We have a chance to come out and win the series.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>Boston will send left-hander Connelly Early (1-1, 2.88 ERA) to the mound. He’s coming off his lone loss Tuesday against the New York Yankees, though he has been consistent in multiple ways. He has recorded 24 strikeouts in 25 innings this season while walking multiple batters in each of his five outings.</p> </section> <section id="section-13"> <p>In Early’s three road assignments, he has given up one run in each game. He’ll be facing the Orioles for the first time.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Baltimore will call on right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-2, 3.96), who also has worked 25 innings this season. He has posted 28 strikeouts and he also has dealt with control snags, issuing three walks in four of his outings.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Bradish dodged trouble in Monday’s no-decision at Kansas City, where he allowed 10 hits and one run in 5 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Bradish faced Boston last August in his first game back following 2024 surgery, giving up two runs in six innings while taking the loss. Overall, he’s 1-5 with a 6.92 ERA versus the Red Sox.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>The Orioles used left-hander Keegan Akin on Saturday for his 2026 debut after he was activated from the injured list. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning before failing to record an out in the ninth and charged with six runs.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Still, Akin’s availability in the big picture could be a positive for Baltimore.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>“He’s a guy that we were counting on coming into the season and him going down there in spring training was tough,” Albernaz said. “But the rest of the guys in the bullpen stepped up, so now adding Akin, it definitely raises the floor of our ‘pen.”</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill made his first game appearance since April 8 by going 1-for-4 and scoring a run in Saturday’s game. He had been on the concussion injury list.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>He was thrilled to be back in action, though the result wasn’t favorable.</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>“It sucks to be on the losing side, but we know what this offense is capable of,” O’Neill said.</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Red #Sox #play #game #management #series #finale #Orioles

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Deadspin | Guardians need to cut down on defensive lapses vs. Blue Jays <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28781475.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28781475.jpg" alt="MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The visiting Cleveland Guardians could use improved fielding Sunday afternoon to help their chances in the rubber match of the three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Blue Jays took the middle game of the three-game series on Saturday 5-3 with some help from some shaky Guardians defense.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Guardians second baseman Juan Brito let Daulton Varsho’s grounder squirt past him for an RBI single in Toronto’s three-run sixth.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“We should have been out of that inning with maybe one run scoring,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We had a tough inning defensively. It happens.”</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Brito has had other defensive lapses but Vogt said he will keep playing him.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“He’ll be out there again Sunday,” Vogt said. “He’s continuing to work. … and, you know, this turf maybe hops a little different, but we’ve got to be better. We’ve got to catch the ball, and we’re going to continue to work defensively. We need to get better. That’s clear, and we’re going to do that.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Left fielder George Valera also had an adventurous day. He overran Myles Straw’s fifth-inning fly that dropped for a double down the left-field line. Valera’s sliding attempt came up short in the sixth on Andres Gimenez’s two-run, two-out double on the left-field line.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Right-hander Slade Cecconi (0-3, 6.20 ERA) is the scheduled starter Sunday for the Guardians. He has not faced the Blue Jays.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Toronto is slated to start Patrick Corbin (0-0, 3.68). He is 1-1 with a 4.44 ERA in five career starts against Cleveland. Right-hander Dylan Cease was originally named to start Sunday but he was moved to Monday to face the Boston Red Sox to give him an extra day after a 110-pitch outing on April 20.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Steven Kwan was out of the Guardians lineup for the second consecutive game on Saturday. He was given a scheduled day off on Friday to provide a break from the artificial turf at Rogers Centre and was used as a ninth-inning defensive replacement.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>Kwan was in the lineup for Saturday but was a late scratch because of a stiff neck.</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> <p>“This is independent of yesterday,” Vogt said. “We put him in the game Friday and he was fine.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Kwan said he woke up with a stiff neck.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>With Toronto’s Jeff Hoffman removed from the closer’s role, Louis Varland pitched a shaky ninth Saturday to pick up the save. He allowed a run, three hits and a walk before ending the game with two strikeouts.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“Louis has the mentality to do that,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He has great numbers. It’s not going to be perfect and it’s not going to be perfect for anyone, so I hope people have a little bit of sympathy for Hoffman. This is not easy. “</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Toronto put Nathan Lukes on the injured list with a strained left hamstring and promoted outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Lukes suffered the injury running out a first-inning double on Friday and left the game immediately.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>“He’s kind of week-to-week,” Schneider said. “It feels like anyone who’s playing good is not allowed to play anymore.”</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Pinango was batting .288/.370/.488 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 22 games at Buffalo.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>“He hits the ball hard,” Schneider said. “The way the hitting guys talk about it is that he has some bad intentions at the plate. He’s not just trying to touch it.”</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Guardians #cut #defensive #lapses #Blue #Jays

Elena Rybakina said she has lost faith in the ​electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open ‌champion was left fuming over ​a disputed call during her ⁠three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The flashpoint came ‌when China’s Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while ‌serving at 4-3 in the ‌second ⁠set, despite the mark appearing ⁠well out.

“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina told reporters after ​her 4-6, 6-4, ‌6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16.

“Because there was no mark even close to what ‌the TV showed.”

ALSO READ | Sinner sails into Round of 16; Gauff advances after overcoming stomach bug, vomiting

The two-time Grand ​Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with ⁠officials at the men’s tournament in Madrid last year, when the German ‌was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.

“It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of ‌her nose. You can’t not see it. ​It was pretty frustrating,” Rybakina said. “It’s kind of a stolen ⁠point. I understand it was her serve ⁠and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”

Rybakina ‌next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Rybakina #hits #linecalling #system">Madrid Open 2026: Rybakina hits out at line‑calling system  Elena Rybakina said she has lost faith in the ​electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open ‌champion was left fuming over ​a disputed call during her ⁠three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday.The flashpoint came ‌when China’s Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while ‌serving at 4-3 in the ‌second ⁠set, despite the mark appearing ⁠well out.“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina told reporters after ​her 4-6, 6-4, ‌6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16.“Because there was no mark even close to what ‌the TV showed.”ALSO READ | Sinner sails into Round of 16; Gauff advances after overcoming stomach bug, vomitingThe two-time Grand ​Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with ⁠officials at the men’s tournament in Madrid last year, when the German ‌was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.“It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of ‌her nose. You can’t not see it. ​It was pretty frustrating,” Rybakina said. “It’s kind of a stolen ⁠point. I understand it was her serve ⁠and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”Rybakina ‌next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarterfinals.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Rybakina #hits #linecalling #system

Sinner sails into Round of 16; Gauff advances after overcoming stomach bug, vomiting

The two-time Grand ​Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with ⁠officials at the men’s tournament in Madrid last year, when the German ‌was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.

“It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of ‌her nose. You can’t not see it. ​It was pretty frustrating,” Rybakina said. “It’s kind of a stolen ⁠point. I understand it was her serve ⁠and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”

Rybakina ‌next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Rybakina #hits #linecalling #system">Madrid Open 2026: Rybakina hits out at line‑calling system

Elena Rybakina said she has lost faith in the ​electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open ‌champion was left fuming over ​a disputed call during her ⁠three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The flashpoint came ‌when China’s Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while ‌serving at 4-3 in the ‌second ⁠set, despite the mark appearing ⁠well out.

“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina told reporters after ​her 4-6, 6-4, ‌6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16.

“Because there was no mark even close to what ‌the TV showed.”

ALSO READ | Sinner sails into Round of 16; Gauff advances after overcoming stomach bug, vomiting

The two-time Grand ​Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with ⁠officials at the men’s tournament in Madrid last year, when the German ‌was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.

“It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of ‌her nose. You can’t not see it. ​It was pretty frustrating,” Rybakina said. “It’s kind of a stolen ⁠point. I understand it was her serve ⁠and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”

Rybakina ‌next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Rybakina #hits #linecalling #system
Deadspin | Rob Refsnyder’s blast lifts Mariners to sweep of Cards  Apr 26, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) hits a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images   Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder homered with one out in the ninth inning to break a tie as the Seattle Mariners defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.  Cal Raleigh also homered for the Mariners, who swept the three-game interleague series.  JJ Wetherholt and Nathan Church went deep for the Cardinals, who have lost four in a row.  Refsnyder deposited a 3-2 sweeper from Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero (0-1) into the Mariners’ bullpen in left field.  Seattle reliever Eduard Bazardo (1-1) earned the victory and Jose A. Ferrer worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.  Wetherholt homered leading off the bottom of the third, driving a 1-1 fastball from Mariners starter Emerson Hancock over the fence in right-center field for the game’s first run. It was the fifth homer of the season for the rookie.  Raleigh answered with one out in the top of the fourth off St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy, crushing a 1-1 changeup off the back wall of the Cardinals’ bullpen in right field.   It was the sixth homer of the season and the fourth in the past six games for Raleigh, who led the majors with 60 last season — an MLB record for a catcher and a switch hitter.   The Cardinals regained the lead in the sixth when Church hit a 1-1 changeup from Hancock out to right. It was the third homer in the past two games and the fifth of the season for Church.  The Mariners manufactured a run off St. Louis reliever Matt Svanson in the seventh to tie it at 2. With two outs, Connor Joe lined a double down the left field line and scored on Cole Young’s single to right-center.  Hancock and McGreevy both made quality starts but neither factored into the decision.  Hancock allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.  McGreevy also went six innings, and gave up one run on five hits, with no walks and a season-high six strikeouts.  Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor didn’t play because of quad tightness.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rob #Refsnyders #blast #lifts #Mariners #sweep #CardsApr 26, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) hits a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder homered with one out in the ninth inning to break a tie as the Seattle Mariners defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Cal Raleigh also homered for the Mariners, who swept the three-game interleague series.

JJ Wetherholt and Nathan Church went deep for the Cardinals, who have lost four in a row.

Refsnyder deposited a 3-2 sweeper from Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero (0-1) into the Mariners’ bullpen in left field.

Seattle reliever Eduard Bazardo (1-1) earned the victory and Jose A. Ferrer worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.

Wetherholt homered leading off the bottom of the third, driving a 1-1 fastball from Mariners starter Emerson Hancock over the fence in right-center field for the game’s first run. It was the fifth homer of the season for the rookie.

Raleigh answered with one out in the top of the fourth off St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy, crushing a 1-1 changeup off the back wall of the Cardinals’ bullpen in right field.


It was the sixth homer of the season and the fourth in the past six games for Raleigh, who led the majors with 60 last season — an MLB record for a catcher and a switch hitter.

The Cardinals regained the lead in the sixth when Church hit a 1-1 changeup from Hancock out to right. It was the third homer in the past two games and the fifth of the season for Church.

The Mariners manufactured a run off St. Louis reliever Matt Svanson in the seventh to tie it at 2. With two outs, Connor Joe lined a double down the left field line and scored on Cole Young’s single to right-center.

Hancock and McGreevy both made quality starts but neither factored into the decision.

Hancock allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.

McGreevy also went six innings, and gave up one run on five hits, with no walks and a season-high six strikeouts.

Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor didn’t play because of quad tightness.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rob #Refsnyders #blast #lifts #Mariners #sweep #Cards">Deadspin | Rob Refsnyder’s blast lifts Mariners to sweep of Cards  Apr 26, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) hits a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images   Pinch hitter Rob Refsnyder homered with one out in the ninth inning to break a tie as the Seattle Mariners defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.  Cal Raleigh also homered for the Mariners, who swept the three-game interleague series.  JJ Wetherholt and Nathan Church went deep for the Cardinals, who have lost four in a row.  Refsnyder deposited a 3-2 sweeper from Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero (0-1) into the Mariners’ bullpen in left field.  Seattle reliever Eduard Bazardo (1-1) earned the victory and Jose A. Ferrer worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.  Wetherholt homered leading off the bottom of the third, driving a 1-1 fastball from Mariners starter Emerson Hancock over the fence in right-center field for the game’s first run. It was the fifth homer of the season for the rookie.  Raleigh answered with one out in the top of the fourth off St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy, crushing a 1-1 changeup off the back wall of the Cardinals’ bullpen in right field.   It was the sixth homer of the season and the fourth in the past six games for Raleigh, who led the majors with 60 last season — an MLB record for a catcher and a switch hitter.   The Cardinals regained the lead in the sixth when Church hit a 1-1 changeup from Hancock out to right. It was the third homer in the past two games and the fifth of the season for Church.  The Mariners manufactured a run off St. Louis reliever Matt Svanson in the seventh to tie it at 2. With two outs, Connor Joe lined a double down the left field line and scored on Cole Young’s single to right-center.  Hancock and McGreevy both made quality starts but neither factored into the decision.  Hancock allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.  McGreevy also went six innings, and gave up one run on five hits, with no walks and a season-high six strikeouts.  Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor didn’t play because of quad tightness.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rob #Refsnyders #blast #lifts #Mariners #sweep #Cards

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