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Bosnia and Herzegovina advance to FIFA World Cup, denying Italy a spot yet again

Bosnia and Herzegovina advance to FIFA World Cup, denying Italy a spot yet again

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Italy’s World Cup hopes came down to a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a FIFA Playoff Qualifier.

Those same hopes came to a crashing halt on the wrong end of a 4-1 penalty shootout.

Bosnia and Herzegovina equalized in the closing stages of regulation, and following extra time, the teams advanced to a penalty shootout with a spot in Group B of this summer’s FIFA World Cup on the line. And in the shootout, Bosnia converted their first three attempts while Italy missed two of theirs, giving the home team a chance to book their spot in the World Cup on the fourth attempt.

It was up to Esmir Bajraktarevic, known as the “Milwaukee Messi.” Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, he stepped up to the spot and put Bosnia and Herzegovina into the World Cup:

The converted penalty touched off a wild celebration at Bilino Polje Stadium, and denied Italy a spot in the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

With the elimination, Italy is officially the highest-ranked team not to qualify for the World Cup. Entering play on Tuesday, Italy was ranked 12th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings.

But they will be watching the World Cup from home along with the rest of us.

Italy opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a goal from Moise Kean, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead. But a crucial moment just before the first half ended set the stage for the dramatic ending. An awkward challenge from Alessandro Bastoni resulted in a red card, leaving Italy a man down for the rest of the match:

The equalizer did not come until the 79th minute, when Haris Tabakovic pulled the home team level:

90 minutes were not enough, and the two tired sides headed to extra time. But even that additional time could not decide matters, and the teams settled for the penalty shootout.

Perhaps the best chance in extra time was this from Italy, which Bosnia and Herzegovina keeper Nikola Vasilj turned aside:

The home team was up first, and Benjamin Tahirovic converted to give Bosnia and Herzegovina the early advantage:

Pio Esposito, who came on for Kean, sent his attempt — the first for Italy — over the bar:

Bosnia and Herzegovina converted their next two chances, taking an early 3-1 advantage in the shootout. That’s when Bryan Cristante stepped to the spot, only to find the woodwork:

That set the stage for Bajraktarevic’s winner.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is their first World Cup since 2014, and they will slot into Group B along with Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. For the side ranked 66th in the world, they will be the lowest-ranked team in their group.

Not that that matters much at the moment.

As for Italy, it will be yet another long four years of waiting, and hoping.

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Deadspin | Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks for first win vs. rival Giants Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) runs off the mound after pitching against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be aiming for his first career win against the San Francisco Giants when the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers take on their rivals for the first time this season Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series. The Giants are expected to counter with their hottest pitcher, right-hander Landen Roupp (3-1, 2.38 ERA), who, like Yamamoto, enters the series in fine form but never has beaten his Tuesday opponent. While the Giants enjoyed a day off Monday following a 4-5 trip through Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington, the Dodgers salvaged a 2-2 split at Colorado with a five-home run barrage that produced a 12-3 romp over the Rockies. Yamamoto (2-1, 2.10) hasn’t allowed more than five hits or two runs in any of his four starts and has walked a total of just three batters all season. The right-hander was so impressive in his last outing on April 14 — a 2-1 home win over the New York Mets in which he gave up just four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings — that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts all but labeled Yamamoto the best pitcher in the game. “We don’t have to look any further than October to see what he’s done,” Roberts told reporters, alluding to Yamamoto’s record (7-1, 2.25 ERA) over 10 career postseason games. “The huge velocity of (Tarik) Skubal and (Paul) Skenes and what they’ve done, and rightfully so, but our guy has done it in the biggest of moments.” Yamamoto will be making his fourth career start at Oracle Park, his most at any road site. He hasn’t gotten a decision in any of his three previous visits despite a 2.29 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. Overall, the 27-year-old is 0-1 with a 3.03 ERA in five career starts against the Giants. Roupp accounted for two of the four wins on the Giants’ just-completed trip, limiting the Orioles and Reds to a total of six hits and one run over 12 innings. His most recent outing — he threw the first six innings of a 3-0 win at Cincinnati on Thursday — helped convince new Giants manager Tony Vitello to push Tyler Mahle back a day in the team rotation, moving Roupp into the No. 3 slot behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Mahle has been rescheduled to start Wednesday’s rematch, opposed by Shohei Ohtani. As in his last start, Roupp will be pitching the game following a loss. He acknowledged in Cincinnati the responsibility of getting the ball in that situation. “I just wanted to go out there and stop the bleeding, and get us back on the right track,” he told reporters after the win. “I just wanted to go out there and just give the team the best chance to win.” Roupp has not fared well against the Dodgers in four previous duels, including two starts, going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. Interestingly, the 27-year-old has never allowed a hit to Max Muncy or Dalton Rushing in a combined four previous head-to-heads, two of which resulted in strikeouts. Muncy and Rushing combined for six hits, including two homers apiece, and five RBIs on Tuesday at Colorado. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #win #rival #GiantsApr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) runs off the mound after pitching against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be aiming for his first career win against the San Francisco Giants when the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers take on their rivals for the first time this season Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Giants are expected to counter with their hottest pitcher, right-hander Landen Roupp (3-1, 2.38 ERA), who, like Yamamoto, enters the series in fine form but never has beaten his Tuesday opponent.

While the Giants enjoyed a day off Monday following a 4-5 trip through Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington, the Dodgers salvaged a 2-2 split at Colorado with a five-home run barrage that produced a 12-3 romp over the Rockies.

Yamamoto (2-1, 2.10) hasn’t allowed more than five hits or two runs in any of his four starts and has walked a total of just three batters all season.

The right-hander was so impressive in his last outing on April 14 — a 2-1 home win over the New York Mets in which he gave up just four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings — that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts all but labeled Yamamoto the best pitcher in the game.

“We don’t have to look any further than October to see what he’s done,” Roberts told reporters, alluding to Yamamoto’s record (7-1, 2.25 ERA) over 10 career postseason games. “The huge velocity of (Tarik) Skubal and (Paul) Skenes and what they’ve done, and rightfully so, but our guy has done it in the biggest of moments.”

Yamamoto will be making his fourth career start at Oracle Park, his most at any road site. He hasn’t gotten a decision in any of his three previous visits despite a 2.29 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings.

Overall, the 27-year-old is 0-1 with a 3.03 ERA in five career starts against the Giants.


Roupp accounted for two of the four wins on the Giants’ just-completed trip, limiting the Orioles and Reds to a total of six hits and one run over 12 innings.

His most recent outing — he threw the first six innings of a 3-0 win at Cincinnati on Thursday — helped convince new Giants manager Tony Vitello to push Tyler Mahle back a day in the team rotation, moving Roupp into the No. 3 slot behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

Mahle has been rescheduled to start Wednesday’s rematch, opposed by Shohei Ohtani.

As in his last start, Roupp will be pitching the game following a loss. He acknowledged in Cincinnati the responsibility of getting the ball in that situation.

“I just wanted to go out there and stop the bleeding, and get us back on the right track,” he told reporters after the win. “I just wanted to go out there and just give the team the best chance to win.”

Roupp has not fared well against the Dodgers in four previous duels, including two starts, going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA.

Interestingly, the 27-year-old has never allowed a hit to Max Muncy or Dalton Rushing in a combined four previous head-to-heads, two of which resulted in strikeouts.

Muncy and Rushing combined for six hits, including two homers apiece, and five RBIs on Tuesday at Colorado.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #win #rival #Giants">Deadspin | Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks for first win vs. rival Giants Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) runs off the mound after pitching against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be aiming for his first career win against the San Francisco Giants when the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers take on their rivals for the first time this season Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series. The Giants are expected to counter with their hottest pitcher, right-hander Landen Roupp (3-1, 2.38 ERA), who, like Yamamoto, enters the series in fine form but never has beaten his Tuesday opponent. While the Giants enjoyed a day off Monday following a 4-5 trip through Baltimore, Cincinnati and Washington, the Dodgers salvaged a 2-2 split at Colorado with a five-home run barrage that produced a 12-3 romp over the Rockies. Yamamoto (2-1, 2.10) hasn’t allowed more than five hits or two runs in any of his four starts and has walked a total of just three batters all season. The right-hander was so impressive in his last outing on April 14 — a 2-1 home win over the New York Mets in which he gave up just four hits and one run with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings — that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts all but labeled Yamamoto the best pitcher in the game. “We don’t have to look any further than October to see what he’s done,” Roberts told reporters, alluding to Yamamoto’s record (7-1, 2.25 ERA) over 10 career postseason games. “The huge velocity of (Tarik) Skubal and (Paul) Skenes and what they’ve done, and rightfully so, but our guy has done it in the biggest of moments.” Yamamoto will be making his fourth career start at Oracle Park, his most at any road site. He hasn’t gotten a decision in any of his three previous visits despite a 2.29 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. Overall, the 27-year-old is 0-1 with a 3.03 ERA in five career starts against the Giants. Roupp accounted for two of the four wins on the Giants’ just-completed trip, limiting the Orioles and Reds to a total of six hits and one run over 12 innings. His most recent outing — he threw the first six innings of a 3-0 win at Cincinnati on Thursday — helped convince new Giants manager Tony Vitello to push Tyler Mahle back a day in the team rotation, moving Roupp into the No. 3 slot behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Mahle has been rescheduled to start Wednesday’s rematch, opposed by Shohei Ohtani. As in his last start, Roupp will be pitching the game following a loss. He acknowledged in Cincinnati the responsibility of getting the ball in that situation. “I just wanted to go out there and stop the bleeding, and get us back on the right track,” he told reporters after the win. “I just wanted to go out there and just give the team the best chance to win.” Roupp has not fared well against the Dodgers in four previous duels, including two starts, going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. Interestingly, the 27-year-old has never allowed a hit to Max Muncy or Dalton Rushing in a combined four previous head-to-heads, two of which resulted in strikeouts. Muncy and Rushing combined for six hits, including two homers apiece, and five RBIs on Tuesday at Colorado. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #win #rival #Giants

World number one Jannik Sinner said on Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the “best possible shape” for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam.

The 24-year-old won his first major title on clay earlier this month as he downed rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final.

Next he turns his attentions to the 1000-level event in Madrid as the clay-court season ramps up towards the only Grand Slam tournament Sinner has not yet won — Roland Garros, which will run from May 24 to June 7.

“I never played very well here, so let’s see how it goes this year,” Sinner, who has never got past the quarterfinal stage in the Spanish capital, told reporters the day before the Madrid Open begins.

“I’m trying to improve as a player and here might be one of the most challenging ones because of certain things (altitude and wind).”

ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Despite being heavily favoured to pick up a fifth consecutive Masters title, Sinner revealed that for him “the most important is Roland Garros”.

“We try to maximise to be in the best possible shape there, but I’m here trying to do my best and then we’ll see how it goes,” he added.

Sinner lost an all-time classic Roland Garros final last year to Alcaraz, despite holding three championship points.

But the Italian said he regretted the upcoming absences of the world number two, due to Alcaraz suffering a wrist injury, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Madrid.

“It’s a very big pity to not have (Alcaraz) here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis,” Sinner said. “We have shared since last year a lot of tournaments, but again, in my mind I also know if I want to play against Carlos it’s in the final and the way to the final is very long.”

Top seed Sinner will start his Madrid Open campaign in the second round against a yet to be determined opponent.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Sinner #Madrid #Masters #boost #career #Grand #Slam #chances #ahead #French #Open">Sinner wants to use Madrid Masters to boost career Grand Slam chances ahead of French Open World number one Jannik Sinner said on Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the “best possible shape” for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam.The 24-year-old won his first major title on clay earlier this month as he downed rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final.Next he turns his attentions to the 1000-level event in Madrid as the clay-court season ramps up towards the only Grand Slam tournament Sinner has not yet won — Roland Garros, which will run from May 24 to June 7.“I never played very well here, so let’s see how it goes this year,” Sinner, who has never got past the quarterfinal stage in the Spanish capital, told reporters the day before the Madrid Open begins.“I’m trying to improve as a player and here might be one of the most challenging ones because of certain things (altitude and wind).”ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comebackDespite being heavily favoured to pick up a fifth consecutive Masters title, Sinner revealed that for him “the most important is Roland Garros”.“We try to maximise to be in the best possible shape there, but I’m here trying to do my best and then we’ll see how it goes,” he added.Sinner lost an all-time classic Roland Garros final last year to Alcaraz, despite holding three championship points.But the Italian said he regretted the upcoming absences of the world number two, due to Alcaraz suffering a wrist injury, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Madrid.“It’s a very big pity to not have (Alcaraz) here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis,” Sinner said. “We have shared since last year a lot of tournaments, but again, in my mind I also know if I want to play against Carlos it’s in the final and the way to the final is very long.”Top seed Sinner will start his Madrid Open campaign in the second round against a yet to be determined opponent.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #Sinner #Madrid #Masters #boost #career #Grand #Slam #chances #ahead #French #Open

Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Despite being heavily favoured to pick up a fifth consecutive Masters title, Sinner revealed that for him “the most important is Roland Garros”.

“We try to maximise to be in the best possible shape there, but I’m here trying to do my best and then we’ll see how it goes,” he added.

Sinner lost an all-time classic Roland Garros final last year to Alcaraz, despite holding three championship points.

But the Italian said he regretted the upcoming absences of the world number two, due to Alcaraz suffering a wrist injury, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Madrid.

“It’s a very big pity to not have (Alcaraz) here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis,” Sinner said. “We have shared since last year a lot of tournaments, but again, in my mind I also know if I want to play against Carlos it’s in the final and the way to the final is very long.”

Top seed Sinner will start his Madrid Open campaign in the second round against a yet to be determined opponent.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Sinner #Madrid #Masters #boost #career #Grand #Slam #chances #ahead #French #Open">Sinner wants to use Madrid Masters to boost career Grand Slam chances ahead of French Open

World number one Jannik Sinner said on Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the “best possible shape” for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam.

The 24-year-old won his first major title on clay earlier this month as he downed rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final.

Next he turns his attentions to the 1000-level event in Madrid as the clay-court season ramps up towards the only Grand Slam tournament Sinner has not yet won — Roland Garros, which will run from May 24 to June 7.

“I never played very well here, so let’s see how it goes this year,” Sinner, who has never got past the quarterfinal stage in the Spanish capital, told reporters the day before the Madrid Open begins.

“I’m trying to improve as a player and here might be one of the most challenging ones because of certain things (altitude and wind).”

ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Despite being heavily favoured to pick up a fifth consecutive Masters title, Sinner revealed that for him “the most important is Roland Garros”.

“We try to maximise to be in the best possible shape there, but I’m here trying to do my best and then we’ll see how it goes,” he added.

Sinner lost an all-time classic Roland Garros final last year to Alcaraz, despite holding three championship points.

But the Italian said he regretted the upcoming absences of the world number two, due to Alcaraz suffering a wrist injury, and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Madrid.

“It’s a very big pity to not have (Alcaraz) here and also Novak, the two biggest stars in tennis,” Sinner said. “We have shared since last year a lot of tournaments, but again, in my mind I also know if I want to play against Carlos it’s in the final and the way to the final is very long.”

Top seed Sinner will start his Madrid Open campaign in the second round against a yet to be determined opponent.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Sinner #Madrid #Masters #boost #career #Grand #Slam #chances #ahead #French #Open
Deadspin | Mariners call up Will Wilson to face Athletics, not Cole Emerson Apr 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images Seattle Mariners fans hoping for the beginning of the Cole Emerson era will have to wait. With third baseman Brendan Donovan placed on the injured list Monday with a left groin strain, many in Seattle hoped it would be Emerson who got the call when the Mariners opened a three-game series at home against the Athletics. But with the 20-year-old dealing with a sore wrist at Triple-A Tacoma, infielder Will Wilson instead got promoted from the Rainiers. “It just didn’t feel like this was the right time for that,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of promoting Emerson. Dan Wilson said Donovan’s injury likely is related to the sports hernia on which the veteran had offseason surgery. “This is just something that we’re going to take as cautiously as we can,” the manager said. “It’s early and we want to give him the best chance to get back and be 100%.” Will Wilson, Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2019, could make his Mariners debut Tuesday when they go against A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez. Will Wilson appeared in 34 games with the Guardians last year, hitting .192 in 78 at-bats while playing second and third base. The A’s rallied from an early three-run deficit Monday for a 6-4 victory, getting solo homers from Carlos Cortes, Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers to tie the score. Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the eighth plated the go-ahead run and Lawrence Butler followed with a two-run single, moving the A’s a half-game ahead of idle Texas for first place in the American League West. “This is a good team and we have to play good baseball to be in games with them,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of playing the Mariners, the defending division champions who took Toronto to Game 7 in the American League Championship Series last fall. “This series last year was a battle and tonight was the start of another grind against this team this year.” The Mariners got solo homers from Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone in the first two innings but allowed six unanswered runs before getting one back in the ninth. “I thought we came out of the gate really strong,” Dan Wilson said. “After that, we were able to get some traffic, just not able to get them in until a couple more hits in the ninth. That’s tough when you’re not able to add on. “… We’re giving ourselves a chance, just not able to convert. The at-bats have been better, just not able to turn those into runs tonight.” Lopez (1-1, 6.38 ERA) will be making his fifth start of the season. He took a no-decision in a 9-6 loss to visiting Texas on Thursday despite giving up just two runs on three hits over five innings. Lopez is 0-1 with a 40.50 ERA in one previous start against Seattle. The Mariners are set to counter with right-hander Luis Castillo (0-1, 5.40). Castillo took a 5-2 loss Thursday at San Diego despite giving up just one earned run – four overall – on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Castillo is 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA in nine career starts versus the A’s. -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mariners #call #Wilson #face #Athletics #Cole #EmersonApr 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners fans hoping for the beginning of the Cole Emerson era will have to wait.

With third baseman Brendan Donovan placed on the injured list Monday with a left groin strain, many in Seattle hoped it would be Emerson who got the call when the Mariners opened a three-game series at home against the Athletics.

But with the 20-year-old dealing with a sore wrist at Triple-A Tacoma, infielder Will Wilson instead got promoted from the Rainiers.

“It just didn’t feel like this was the right time for that,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of promoting Emerson.

Dan Wilson said Donovan’s injury likely is related to the sports hernia on which the veteran had offseason surgery.

“This is just something that we’re going to take as cautiously as we can,” the manager said. “It’s early and we want to give him the best chance to get back and be 100%.”

Will Wilson, Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2019, could make his Mariners debut Tuesday when they go against A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez. Will Wilson appeared in 34 games with the Guardians last year, hitting .192 in 78 at-bats while playing second and third base.


The A’s rallied from an early three-run deficit Monday for a 6-4 victory, getting solo homers from Carlos Cortes, Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers to tie the score. Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the eighth plated the go-ahead run and Lawrence Butler followed with a two-run single, moving the A’s a half-game ahead of idle Texas for first place in the American League West.

“This is a good team and we have to play good baseball to be in games with them,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of playing the Mariners, the defending division champions who took Toronto to Game 7 in the American League Championship Series last fall. “This series last year was a battle and tonight was the start of another grind against this team this year.”

The Mariners got solo homers from Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone in the first two innings but allowed six unanswered runs before getting one back in the ninth.

“I thought we came out of the gate really strong,” Dan Wilson said. “After that, we were able to get some traffic, just not able to get them in until a couple more hits in the ninth. That’s tough when you’re not able to add on.

“… We’re giving ourselves a chance, just not able to convert. The at-bats have been better, just not able to turn those into runs tonight.”

Lopez (1-1, 6.38 ERA) will be making his fifth start of the season. He took a no-decision in a 9-6 loss to visiting Texas on Thursday despite giving up just two runs on three hits over five innings. Lopez is 0-1 with a 40.50 ERA in one previous start against Seattle.

The Mariners are set to counter with right-hander Luis Castillo (0-1, 5.40). Castillo took a 5-2 loss Thursday at San Diego despite giving up just one earned run – four overall – on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Castillo is 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA in nine career starts versus the A’s.

-Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mariners #call #Wilson #face #Athletics #Cole #Emerson">Deadspin | Mariners call up Will Wilson to face Athletics, not Cole Emerson Apr 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images Seattle Mariners fans hoping for the beginning of the Cole Emerson era will have to wait. With third baseman Brendan Donovan placed on the injured list Monday with a left groin strain, many in Seattle hoped it would be Emerson who got the call when the Mariners opened a three-game series at home against the Athletics. But with the 20-year-old dealing with a sore wrist at Triple-A Tacoma, infielder Will Wilson instead got promoted from the Rainiers. “It just didn’t feel like this was the right time for that,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said of promoting Emerson. Dan Wilson said Donovan’s injury likely is related to the sports hernia on which the veteran had offseason surgery. “This is just something that we’re going to take as cautiously as we can,” the manager said. “It’s early and we want to give him the best chance to get back and be 100%.” Will Wilson, Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2019, could make his Mariners debut Tuesday when they go against A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez. Will Wilson appeared in 34 games with the Guardians last year, hitting .192 in 78 at-bats while playing second and third base. The A’s rallied from an early three-run deficit Monday for a 6-4 victory, getting solo homers from Carlos Cortes, Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers to tie the score. Max Muncy’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the eighth plated the go-ahead run and Lawrence Butler followed with a two-run single, moving the A’s a half-game ahead of idle Texas for first place in the American League West. “This is a good team and we have to play good baseball to be in games with them,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of playing the Mariners, the defending division champions who took Toronto to Game 7 in the American League Championship Series last fall. “This series last year was a battle and tonight was the start of another grind against this team this year.” The Mariners got solo homers from Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone in the first two innings but allowed six unanswered runs before getting one back in the ninth. “I thought we came out of the gate really strong,” Dan Wilson said. “After that, we were able to get some traffic, just not able to get them in until a couple more hits in the ninth. That’s tough when you’re not able to add on. “… We’re giving ourselves a chance, just not able to convert. The at-bats have been better, just not able to turn those into runs tonight.” Lopez (1-1, 6.38 ERA) will be making his fifth start of the season. He took a no-decision in a 9-6 loss to visiting Texas on Thursday despite giving up just two runs on three hits over five innings. Lopez is 0-1 with a 40.50 ERA in one previous start against Seattle. The Mariners are set to counter with right-hander Luis Castillo (0-1, 5.40). Castillo took a 5-2 loss Thursday at San Diego despite giving up just one earned run – four overall – on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. Castillo is 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA in nine career starts versus the A’s. -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mariners #call #Wilson #face #Athletics #Cole #Emerson

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