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Deadspin | Cole Young, Mariners surging ahead of opener vs. Royals     Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road.  Now they’ll try to bring it back home.  The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.  The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins.  “A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.”  Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday.  “That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.”  Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB.  “It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.”  Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs.  “He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.”   The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.  “We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).”  Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there.  “Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.”  Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86).  Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best.   Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts.  Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9.   Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #Royals

Deadspin | Cole Young, Mariners surging ahead of opener vs. Royals
Deadspin | Cole Young, Mariners surging ahead of opener vs. Royals     Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images   The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road.  Now they’ll try to bring it back home.  The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.  The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins.  “A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.”  Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday.  “That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.”  Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB.  “It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.”  Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs.  “He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.”   The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.  “We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).”  Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there.  “Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.”  Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86).  Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best.   Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts.  Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9.   Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #RoyalsApr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road.

Now they’ll try to bring it back home.

The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

“A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.”

Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday.

“That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.”

Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB.

“It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.”

Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs.


“He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.”

The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

“We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).”

Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there.

“Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.”

Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86).

Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best.

Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts.

Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9.

Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #Royals

Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road.

Now they’ll try to bring it back home.

The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

“A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.”

Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday.

“That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.”

Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB.

“It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.”

Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs.

“He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.”

The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

“We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).”

Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there.

“Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.”

Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86).

Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best.

Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts.

Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9.

Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener <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-900/28847799.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28847799.jpg" alt="MLB: Kansas City Royals at Athletics" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>He has never faced the A’s in his career.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>– Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener

Deadspin | Four-star 2027 QB prospect Wonderful Monds IV commits to Notre Dame  Vero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.   Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.  Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.  His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.   At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.   With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.  Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.  Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #DameVero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.

Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.

Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.

His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.


At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.

With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.

Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.

Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #Dame">Deadspin | Four-star 2027 QB prospect Wonderful Monds IV commits to Notre Dame  Vero Beach quarterback Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, a four-star recruit, announces his college decision to attend University of Notre Dame live on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, May 1, 2026, at Vero Beach High School along with family, teammates and coach Lenny Jankowski. Monds is rated the No. 2 quarterback in Florida and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state on the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100.   Four-star 2027 quarterback prospect Wonderful Monds IV announced his commitment to Notre Dame on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show Friday afternoon.  Monds, who hails from Vero Beach, Fla, chose the Fighting Irish over Florida State and Ohio State. He ranks as the No. 264 overall prospect and No. 20 quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class in 247Sports’ composite rankings after reclassifying from the 2028 class last December.  His most recent recruiting visit was to Notre Dame the weekend of April 18, which was when the Irish convinced him to choose Notre Dame.   At 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, Monds became the starter at Vero Beach (Fla.) High as a freshman in 2024. He has thrown for 2,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 games across the last two games.   With his reclassification, he skips straight to his senior season this fall.  Monds presumably aspires to be a third-generation NFL player. Mario Monds, his father, appeared in seven NFL games as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (2001) and Miami Dolphins (2004). Wonderful Terrific Monds, Jr., his grandfather, played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.  Notre Dame’s 2027 class ranks sixth in the 247Sports rankings with 12 total commits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Fourstar #prospect #Wonderful #Monds #commits #Notre #Dame

Deadspin | Cubs edge D-backs to pull within half-game of first  May 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images   Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.  Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.  Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.  Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.  Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.  Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).  Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.   Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.  Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.  Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.  Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.  Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.  Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgameMay 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.

Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.

Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.

Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.

Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.

Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).


Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.

Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.

Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.

Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.

Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.

Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgame">Deadspin | Cubs edge D-backs to pull within half-game of first  May 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) high fives the fans after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images   Michael Busch had two hits, including a two-run single, and the Chicago Cubs used two three-run innings to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 on Friday in the first game of a weekend series.  Busch triggered a three-run first with a bases-loaded single, then the Cubs added three more in the fourth off Diamondbacks starter off Zac Gallen (1-2) for their third win in four games and ninth straight home win. They have won 13 of 16 to pull within a half-game of the Cincinnati Reds for first in the NL Central.  Cubs starter Colin Rea (4-1) gave up two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He fanned six with no walks. Jacob Webb pitched the final two innings for his first save, the sixth Cub reliever to record a save this season.  Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas had a career-high four hits to raise his batting average to a major league-leading .404. Geraldo Perdomo cracked a three-run homer to cap a four-run sixth and pull the D-backs within 6-5, but they managed just one baserunner over the final three innings.  Vargas singled in the first to extend his season-opening hitting streak to 24 games. His 27-game streak dating to last September ranks as the longest in the majors since Trea Turner’s 27-game run in 2022.  Per Elias, Vargas’ season-opening streakstands as the longest in the majors since the Detroit Tigers’ Ron LeFlore hit in 30 straight in 1976. His 27-game streak ranks second in Arizona history behind Luis Gonzalez (30, 1999).  Carson Kelly had two hits for the Cubs and Alex Bergman and Dansby Swanson had RBI hits in the three-run fourth that pushed their lead to 6-1.   Jorge Barrosa had two doubles — one a bunt that kicked off the third base bag into left field — and scored twice for Arizona. Perdomo also had two hits for the D-backs, who have lost seven of 10.  Gallen gave up six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts and three walks.  Nico Hoerner doubled to open the three-run first and Gallen walked to load the bases. Busch hit a two-run single, then the third run scored when Kelly’s catchable pop to center fell safely.  Vargas singled in a run in the third before the Cubs knocked out Gallen in the fourth. The D-backs got within 6-5 with a four-run sixth, all scoring after Rea was replaced by Ryan Rolison with one out and one on.  Pinch-hitter Tim Tawa walked and Barrosa pushed a hard bunt down the third base line. When Bregman let it roll, the ball hit the bag and kicked into short left. Perdomo followed with a three-run homer.  Hoerner was replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Shaw in the second inning. Hoerner was removed with a neck strain, the Cubs said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cubs #edge #Dbacks #pull #halfgame

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