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Deadspin | Brewers ask Brandon Woodruff to salvage series finale vs. Nationals  Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works during a spring training game at Diablo Stadium on March 7, 2026.   The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to veteran Brandon Woodruff as they look to avoid a series sweep by the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.  Woodruff (1-0, 5.91 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60).  Foster Griffin and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to pace the Nationals to a 3-1 victory Saturday. Griffin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing his only hit, a leadoff single, to Joey Ortiz. William Contreras’ solo homer to open the ninth was the only run for the Brewers, who left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings.  Washington pitchers had tossed 16 scoreless innings before Contreras’ homer on Saturday.  James Wood’s two-run double in the fifth was the key hit and extended his hitting streak to six games. Wood is hitting .522 (12-for-23) over that span with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs.  “Not coming off of a great homestand, to come on the road here against a really tough team in a tough environment. … Against a really good lineup, to be able to get the first two is huge,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said.  The Brewers have scored just six runs during their four-game losing streak. Three of those runs came on Jake Bauer’s homer in the first inning of Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Nationals.  “We put ourselves in a position to win the game at the end there, loading the bases against their closer,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday. “There’s sporadically really good at-bats, but it’s tough when you’ve got high expectations of yourselves and you’ve got some injuries, you’ve got some inexperience, and guys getting to play that haven’t played full time.”   Woodruff, who missed the playoffs last season after a September injury, has been inconsistent in his two starts. In his most recent outing, he faced Texas through 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in an 8-6 no-decision in Boston last Monday.  Woodruff is 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine career appearances, including seven starts, against the Nationals.  Littell will be making his third appearance and second start after following an opener his first time out, pitching five innings in each game.  In his most recent start, Littell allowed one run on four hits in a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out six and walked three in a 70-pitch outing.  Littell is 0-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 career appearances versus the Brewers, with his only three starts coming last season when he allowed four runs in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking four.  CJ Abrams also has been hot at the plate for the Nationals, hitting safely in 10 of his past 11 games. He is hitting .333 over that span with four homers, a double, and 13 RBIs.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #Brandon #Woodruff #salvage #series #finale #Nationals

Deadspin | Brewers ask Brandon Woodruff to salvage series finale vs. Nationals
Deadspin | Brewers ask Brandon Woodruff to salvage series finale vs. Nationals  Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works during a spring training game at Diablo Stadium on March 7, 2026.   The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to veteran Brandon Woodruff as they look to avoid a series sweep by the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.  Woodruff (1-0, 5.91 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60).  Foster Griffin and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to pace the Nationals to a 3-1 victory Saturday. Griffin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing his only hit, a leadoff single, to Joey Ortiz. William Contreras’ solo homer to open the ninth was the only run for the Brewers, who left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings.  Washington pitchers had tossed 16 scoreless innings before Contreras’ homer on Saturday.  James Wood’s two-run double in the fifth was the key hit and extended his hitting streak to six games. Wood is hitting .522 (12-for-23) over that span with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs.  “Not coming off of a great homestand, to come on the road here against a really tough team in a tough environment. … Against a really good lineup, to be able to get the first two is huge,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said.  The Brewers have scored just six runs during their four-game losing streak. Three of those runs came on Jake Bauer’s homer in the first inning of Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Nationals.  “We put ourselves in a position to win the game at the end there, loading the bases against their closer,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday. “There’s sporadically really good at-bats, but it’s tough when you’ve got high expectations of yourselves and you’ve got some injuries, you’ve got some inexperience, and guys getting to play that haven’t played full time.”   Woodruff, who missed the playoffs last season after a September injury, has been inconsistent in his two starts. In his most recent outing, he faced Texas through 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in an 8-6 no-decision in Boston last Monday.  Woodruff is 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine career appearances, including seven starts, against the Nationals.  Littell will be making his third appearance and second start after following an opener his first time out, pitching five innings in each game.  In his most recent start, Littell allowed one run on four hits in a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out six and walked three in a 70-pitch outing.  Littell is 0-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 career appearances versus the Brewers, with his only three starts coming last season when he allowed four runs in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking four.  CJ Abrams also has been hot at the plate for the Nationals, hitting safely in 10 of his past 11 games. He is hitting .333 over that span with four homers, a double, and 13 RBIs.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #Brandon #Woodruff #salvage #series #finale #NationalsBrewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works during a spring training game at Diablo Stadium on March 7, 2026.

The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to veteran Brandon Woodruff as they look to avoid a series sweep by the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.

Woodruff (1-0, 5.91 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60).

Foster Griffin and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to pace the Nationals to a 3-1 victory Saturday. Griffin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing his only hit, a leadoff single, to Joey Ortiz. William Contreras’ solo homer to open the ninth was the only run for the Brewers, who left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings.

Washington pitchers had tossed 16 scoreless innings before Contreras’ homer on Saturday.

James Wood’s two-run double in the fifth was the key hit and extended his hitting streak to six games. Wood is hitting .522 (12-for-23) over that span with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs.

“Not coming off of a great homestand, to come on the road here against a really tough team in a tough environment. … Against a really good lineup, to be able to get the first two is huge,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said.

The Brewers have scored just six runs during their four-game losing streak. Three of those runs came on Jake Bauer’s homer in the first inning of Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Nationals.


“We put ourselves in a position to win the game at the end there, loading the bases against their closer,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday. “There’s sporadically really good at-bats, but it’s tough when you’ve got high expectations of yourselves and you’ve got some injuries, you’ve got some inexperience, and guys getting to play that haven’t played full time.”

Woodruff, who missed the playoffs last season after a September injury, has been inconsistent in his two starts. In his most recent outing, he faced Texas through 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in an 8-6 no-decision in Boston last Monday.

Woodruff is 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine career appearances, including seven starts, against the Nationals.

Littell will be making his third appearance and second start after following an opener his first time out, pitching five innings in each game.

In his most recent start, Littell allowed one run on four hits in a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out six and walked three in a 70-pitch outing.

Littell is 0-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 career appearances versus the Brewers, with his only three starts coming last season when he allowed four runs in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking four.

CJ Abrams also has been hot at the plate for the Nationals, hitting safely in 10 of his past 11 games. He is hitting .333 over that span with four homers, a double, and 13 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #Brandon #Woodruff #salvage #series #finale #Nationals

Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works during a spring training game at Diablo Stadium on March 7, 2026.

The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to veteran Brandon Woodruff as they look to avoid a series sweep by the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.

Woodruff (1-0, 5.91 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Zack Littell (0-1, 3.60).

Foster Griffin and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to pace the Nationals to a 3-1 victory Saturday. Griffin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing his only hit, a leadoff single, to Joey Ortiz. William Contreras’ solo homer to open the ninth was the only run for the Brewers, who left the bases loaded in the sixth and ninth innings.

Washington pitchers had tossed 16 scoreless innings before Contreras’ homer on Saturday.

James Wood’s two-run double in the fifth was the key hit and extended his hitting streak to six games. Wood is hitting .522 (12-for-23) over that span with three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs.

“Not coming off of a great homestand, to come on the road here against a really tough team in a tough environment. … Against a really good lineup, to be able to get the first two is huge,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said.

The Brewers have scored just six runs during their four-game losing streak. Three of those runs came on Jake Bauer’s homer in the first inning of Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Nationals.

“We put ourselves in a position to win the game at the end there, loading the bases against their closer,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday. “There’s sporadically really good at-bats, but it’s tough when you’ve got high expectations of yourselves and you’ve got some injuries, you’ve got some inexperience, and guys getting to play that haven’t played full time.”

Woodruff, who missed the playoffs last season after a September injury, has been inconsistent in his two starts. In his most recent outing, he faced Texas through 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits in an 8-6 no-decision in Boston last Monday.

Woodruff is 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in nine career appearances, including seven starts, against the Nationals.

Littell will be making his third appearance and second start after following an opener his first time out, pitching five innings in each game.

In his most recent start, Littell allowed one run on four hits in a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out six and walked three in a 70-pitch outing.

Littell is 0-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 career appearances versus the Brewers, with his only three starts coming last season when he allowed four runs in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking four.

CJ Abrams also has been hot at the plate for the Nationals, hitting safely in 10 of his past 11 games. He is hitting .333 over that span with four homers, a double, and 13 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Brewers #Brandon #Woodruff #salvage #series #finale #Nationals

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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