×
Deadspin | LAFC, Earthquakes clash in Western Conference showdown  Mar 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; LAFC forward David Martinez (30) waits for gameplay to resume during the first half against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images   Goals will be at a premium when two of the top teams in the Western Conference meet Sunday as Los Angeles FC plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes.  Each team allowed just two goals through seven league games to lead MLS. They are also two of four teams in the league with a positive goal differential in double digits.  LAFC (5-1-1, 16 points) will be out to protect a perfect 4-0-0 home record in league play during a busy early part of the season.  In two home games during the first seven days of April, LAFC earned a 6-0 MLS victory over Orlando City and a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. The club absorbed its only MLS loss, 2-1 on the road against the Portland Timbers, on April 11, then went to Mexico on Tuesday and advanced against Cruz Azul with a 1-1 road tie.  While Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with four goals and eight goal contributions in MLS play, 20-year-old forward David Martinez of Venezuela has six goals across all competitions and scored twice in the first leg against Cruz Azul.  “If you guys would see training, for me it’s normal,” LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said of Martinez’s play. “… When he has space in front of him, he goes and it’s fantastic to watch. He has this quality. David is strong. He seems little, but he’s really strong when he has courage behind him.”   Mired in mediocrity after not delivering a winning season in any of the previous 13 seasons, the Earthquakes (6-1-0, 18 points) have been reborn in just the second season under head coach Bruce Arena.  The Earthquakes are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions and are coming off a 2-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday in U.S. Open Cup play. The 7-1-0 start across all competitions is the best in club history.  “We’re going to utilize our (full) roster this week,” Arena said. “If we have any aspirations of being a good team, it’s critically important that we can show that we can have depth and we can rotate our squad when it’s called upon.”  San Jose also scored three goals in each of its last two MLS games, earning a road victory over Sporting Kansas City and a home shutout win over San Diego FC on April 4.  Jack Skhan scored a pair of goals against Sporting KC, and Niko Tsakiris scored two against San Diego FC. Preston Judd leads the Earthquakes with three goals on the season, while Tsakiris has four assists.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #LAFC #Earthquakes #clash #Western #Conference #showdown

Deadspin | LAFC, Earthquakes clash in Western Conference showdown
Deadspin | LAFC, Earthquakes clash in Western Conference showdown  Mar 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; LAFC forward David Martinez (30) waits for gameplay to resume during the first half against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images   Goals will be at a premium when two of the top teams in the Western Conference meet Sunday as Los Angeles FC plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes.  Each team allowed just two goals through seven league games to lead MLS. They are also two of four teams in the league with a positive goal differential in double digits.  LAFC (5-1-1, 16 points) will be out to protect a perfect 4-0-0 home record in league play during a busy early part of the season.  In two home games during the first seven days of April, LAFC earned a 6-0 MLS victory over Orlando City and a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. The club absorbed its only MLS loss, 2-1 on the road against the Portland Timbers, on April 11, then went to Mexico on Tuesday and advanced against Cruz Azul with a 1-1 road tie.  While Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with four goals and eight goal contributions in MLS play, 20-year-old forward David Martinez of Venezuela has six goals across all competitions and scored twice in the first leg against Cruz Azul.  “If you guys would see training, for me it’s normal,” LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said of Martinez’s play. “… When he has space in front of him, he goes and it’s fantastic to watch. He has this quality. David is strong. He seems little, but he’s really strong when he has courage behind him.”   Mired in mediocrity after not delivering a winning season in any of the previous 13 seasons, the Earthquakes (6-1-0, 18 points) have been reborn in just the second season under head coach Bruce Arena.  The Earthquakes are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions and are coming off a 2-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday in U.S. Open Cup play. The 7-1-0 start across all competitions is the best in club history.  “We’re going to utilize our (full) roster this week,” Arena said. “If we have any aspirations of being a good team, it’s critically important that we can show that we can have depth and we can rotate our squad when it’s called upon.”  San Jose also scored three goals in each of its last two MLS games, earning a road victory over Sporting Kansas City and a home shutout win over San Diego FC on April 4.  Jack Skhan scored a pair of goals against Sporting KC, and Niko Tsakiris scored two against San Diego FC. Preston Judd leads the Earthquakes with three goals on the season, while Tsakiris has four assists.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #LAFC #Earthquakes #clash #Western #Conference #showdownMar 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; LAFC forward David Martinez (30) waits for gameplay to resume during the first half against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Goals will be at a premium when two of the top teams in the Western Conference meet Sunday as Los Angeles FC plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes.

Each team allowed just two goals through seven league games to lead MLS. They are also two of four teams in the league with a positive goal differential in double digits.

LAFC (5-1-1, 16 points) will be out to protect a perfect 4-0-0 home record in league play during a busy early part of the season.

In two home games during the first seven days of April, LAFC earned a 6-0 MLS victory over Orlando City and a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. The club absorbed its only MLS loss, 2-1 on the road against the Portland Timbers, on April 11, then went to Mexico on Tuesday and advanced against Cruz Azul with a 1-1 road tie.

While Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with four goals and eight goal contributions in MLS play, 20-year-old forward David Martinez of Venezuela has six goals across all competitions and scored twice in the first leg against Cruz Azul.


“If you guys would see training, for me it’s normal,” LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said of Martinez’s play. “… When he has space in front of him, he goes and it’s fantastic to watch. He has this quality. David is strong. He seems little, but he’s really strong when he has courage behind him.”

Mired in mediocrity after not delivering a winning season in any of the previous 13 seasons, the Earthquakes (6-1-0, 18 points) have been reborn in just the second season under head coach Bruce Arena.

The Earthquakes are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions and are coming off a 2-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday in U.S. Open Cup play. The 7-1-0 start across all competitions is the best in club history.

“We’re going to utilize our (full) roster this week,” Arena said. “If we have any aspirations of being a good team, it’s critically important that we can show that we can have depth and we can rotate our squad when it’s called upon.”

San Jose also scored three goals in each of its last two MLS games, earning a road victory over Sporting Kansas City and a home shutout win over San Diego FC on April 4.

Jack Skhan scored a pair of goals against Sporting KC, and Niko Tsakiris scored two against San Diego FC. Preston Judd leads the Earthquakes with three goals on the season, while Tsakiris has four assists.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #LAFC #Earthquakes #clash #Western #Conference #showdown

Mar 21, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; LAFC forward David Martinez (30) waits for gameplay to resume during the first half against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Goals will be at a premium when two of the top teams in the Western Conference meet Sunday as Los Angeles FC plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes.

Each team allowed just two goals through seven league games to lead MLS. They are also two of four teams in the league with a positive goal differential in double digits.

LAFC (5-1-1, 16 points) will be out to protect a perfect 4-0-0 home record in league play during a busy early part of the season.

In two home games during the first seven days of April, LAFC earned a 6-0 MLS victory over Orlando City and a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. The club absorbed its only MLS loss, 2-1 on the road against the Portland Timbers, on April 11, then went to Mexico on Tuesday and advanced against Cruz Azul with a 1-1 road tie.

While Denis Bouanga leads LAFC with four goals and eight goal contributions in MLS play, 20-year-old forward David Martinez of Venezuela has six goals across all competitions and scored twice in the first leg against Cruz Azul.

“If you guys would see training, for me it’s normal,” LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said of Martinez’s play. “… When he has space in front of him, he goes and it’s fantastic to watch. He has this quality. David is strong. He seems little, but he’s really strong when he has courage behind him.”

Mired in mediocrity after not delivering a winning season in any of the previous 13 seasons, the Earthquakes (6-1-0, 18 points) have been reborn in just the second season under head coach Bruce Arena.

The Earthquakes are on a four-game winning streak across all competitions and are coming off a 2-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday in U.S. Open Cup play. The 7-1-0 start across all competitions is the best in club history.

“We’re going to utilize our (full) roster this week,” Arena said. “If we have any aspirations of being a good team, it’s critically important that we can show that we can have depth and we can rotate our squad when it’s called upon.”

San Jose also scored three goals in each of its last two MLS games, earning a road victory over Sporting Kansas City and a home shutout win over San Diego FC on April 4.

Jack Skhan scored a pair of goals against Sporting KC, and Niko Tsakiris scored two against San Diego FC. Preston Judd leads the Earthquakes with three goals on the season, while Tsakiris has four assists.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #LAFC #Earthquakes #clash #Western #Conference #showdown

Previous post

FIDE World Championship host: Chennai eyes bid as India pushes for historic opportunity <div id="content-body-70880039" itemprop="articleBody"><p>With Grandmaster R. Vaishali qualifying for the FIDE Women’s World Championship final, Tamil Nadu is set to have representation on both of chess’s biggest stages, with one player each in the men’s and women’s title contests.</p><p>Vaishali faces reigning champion Ju Wenjun in the title clash, while D. Gukesh defends his world title against Javokhir Sindarov.</p><p>While FIDE is yet to confirm the dates and venue for the World Championship matches, Chennai could once again enter the conversation as a potential host.</p><p>“We will, of course, try to bring the World Championship here. We will fill in the bidding form and bid extensively. With two Indians competing in two categories, it reflects how much chess is growing in the country. It gives us immense pleasure,” said A.K. Verma, Head of Operations at the All India Chess Federation (AICF).</p><p>“Our priorities are clear: first, that two Indians are playing, and second, as a FIDE member nation, we aim to bring more events to India. But this would be a special occasion, and hosting it here could provide a significant boost,” he added.</p><p>Chennai had been a serious contender to host the 2024 World Championship. FIDE officials inspected venues in the city before opting for Singapore, citing a range of factors including infrastructure, event programming, and overall bid strength.</p><p>FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky had indicated that neutrality also played a key role in that decision.</p><p>“Initially, FIDE was ready to host it in Tamil Nadu, and we were prepared as well. But they later received a strong proposal from Singapore and decided to move it there,” Verma said.</p><p>Verma also confirmed that the AICF intends to bid for the Chess Olympiad in the near future.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 19, 2026</p></div> #FIDE #World #Championship #host #Chennai #eyes #bid #India #pushes #historic #opportunity

Next post

Steam Drops 2 Free Games You Have 24 Hours To Download And Keep

Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to ​win the Copa del Rey on Saturday, ‌following a 2-2 draw after extra time, ​with its goalkeeper Unai Marrero ⁠saving two spot kicks to help his side win the trophy for the fourth time.

Sociedad last ‌won the Cup in 2021, when the delayed 2020 final was also ‌played at the La Cartuja stadium in ‌Seville, ⁠but there were no supporters ⁠present due to the COVID pandemic.

This time, the Basque side’s fans were behind the goal to witness Marrero ​save Atletico’s first ‌two penalties from Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez.

Atletico ‘keeper Juan Musso then stopped Orri Oskarsson’s kick but Pablo Marin kept his ‌nerve to net the winning penalty.

The ​last time the two teams met in the final was 1987, when ⁠it also finished 2-2 with Sociedad coming out on top on penalties, and it repeated ‌the job again to deny Atletico, which was looking for its first Copa del Rey win since 2013.

Ander Barrenetxea had given Sociedad the lead after 14 seconds but Ademola Lookman levelled in the 19th ‌minute. Mikel Oyarzabal then put the Basque side ​back in front with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Alvarez drew Atletico ⁠level with seven minutes remaining to force ⁠the extra period in a dramatic final.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico was fresh from reaching ‌the Champions League semifinals but Sociedad, managed by American Pellegrino Matarazzo, triumphed despite ​twice losing the lead.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Copa #del #Rey #final #Real #Sociedad #beats #Atletico #Madrid #penalties #win #title">Copa del Rey final — Real Sociedad beats Atletico Madrid on penalties to win title  Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to ​win the Copa del Rey on Saturday, ‌following a 2-2 draw after extra time, ​with its goalkeeper Unai Marrero ⁠saving two spot kicks to help his side win the trophy for the fourth time.Sociedad last ‌won the Cup in 2021, when the delayed 2020 final was also ‌played at the La Cartuja stadium in ‌Seville, ⁠but there were no supporters ⁠present due to the COVID pandemic.This time, the Basque side’s fans were behind the goal to witness Marrero ​save Atletico’s first ‌two penalties from Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez.Atletico ‘keeper Juan Musso then stopped Orri Oskarsson’s kick but Pablo Marin kept his ‌nerve to net the winning penalty.The ​last time the two teams met in the final was 1987, when ⁠it also finished 2-2 with Sociedad coming out on top on penalties, and it repeated ‌the job again to deny Atletico, which was looking for its first Copa del Rey win since 2013.Ander Barrenetxea had given Sociedad the lead after 14 seconds but Ademola Lookman levelled in the 19th ‌minute. Mikel Oyarzabal then put the Basque side ​back in front with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.Alvarez drew Atletico ⁠level with seven minutes remaining to force ⁠the extra period in a dramatic final.Diego Simeone’s Atletico was fresh from reaching ‌the Champions League semifinals but Sociedad, managed by American Pellegrino Matarazzo, triumphed despite ​twice losing the lead.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Copa #del #Rey #final #Real #Sociedad #beats #Atletico #Madrid #penalties #win #title

Deadspin | MLB roundup: Chris Sale, Braves win pitchers’ duel vs. scuffling Phils  Apr 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images   Chris Sale worked seven strong innings and Mauricio Dubon provided a two-run single to lift the visiting Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.    Sale (4-1) struck out seven and walked only one, giving up just one run and five hits. Austin Riley, Jonah Heim and Ozzie Albies each had two hits as Atlanta won for the eighth time in 10 games.    The Braves will look to complete a three-game sweep Sunday in the finale with the scuffling Phillies, who have dropped eight of 10. Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sanchez (2-2) gave up three unearned runs in six innings, yielding eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.  The game began in exciting fashion, as Ronald Acuna Jr. sent a blast to deep center, only to watch Brandon Marsh leap at the wall to rob a home run. In the second, Philadelphia’s Felix Reyes launched Sale’s 2-0 fastball over the wall in right field for a home run in his first major league at-bat. However, that was the only offensive highlight for the hosts.  Diamondbacks 6, Blue Jays 2  Corbin Carroll broke a tie with an opposite-field grand slam in the eighth inning and Arizona extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Toronto in Phoenix.  Ildemaro Vargas singled off Jeff Hoffman (1-2) to open the eighth, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a franchise-record 14 games. Alek Thomas singled and Ketel Marte walked to bring up Carroll, who hit his fourth career slam on a 3-1 fastball. The D-backs, who have won eight of 10, lead the majors with 10 comeback victories.   Nathan Lukes had three hits, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and an RBI and Ernie Clement and Eloy Jimenez had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, six of seven and 12 of 15.  Yankees 13, Royals 4  Cody Bellinger homered twice and collected five RBIs as the New York Yankees easily recorded a victory over visiting Kansas City.  Amed Rosario hit a two-run homer and Ben Rice hit a solo shot during a five-run third. New York’s Will Warren (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. The right-hander matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts and walked none.  The Royals dropped their sixth straight and were blanked until Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Michael Massey added a two-run double in the ninth. Noah Cameron (1-1) was shelled for a career-worst seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings.  Athletics 7, White Sox 6 (11 innings)  Nick Kurtz hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning and Max Muncy was the walk-off hero in the 11th as the Athletics overcame an early 5-0 deficit to beat Chicago in West Sacramento, Calif.  Muncy hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to left field off Lucas Sims (0-2) to score Jacob Wilson. The White Sox had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the 11th, but Jack Perkins (2-0) pitched out of trouble to give the A’s a chance to end the game in the bottom half.  The game went to extras after Kurtz’s two-run shot off Jordan Leasure in the seventh. Colson Montgomery, Andrew Benintendi and Munetaka Murakami hit home runs in a losing effort. The White Sox missed countless chances to build on their lead, finishing 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.  Giants 7, Nationals 6 (12 innings)   Matt Chapman drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning and San Francisco beat host Washington.  Chapman led off the 12th against Cionel Perez (0-2) and grounded a single to left, scoring automatic runner Luis Arraez. Caleb Kilian (1-0) pitched two innings for the win. The automatic runner did not advance in either inning and Kilian only allowed one baserunner on an intentional walk.  Heliot Ramos had three hits including his second home run in two games as San Francisco won its third straight. The Nationals loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th, but Ryan Walker got two strikeouts and a groundout. James Wood hit his seventh homer of the season and scored three runs for the Nationals.  Reds 5, Twins 4  Pinch hitter Dane Myers’ bloop single scored Spencer Steer in the top of the ninth inning as Cincinnati rallied for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.   The Reds scored a run in each of the final three innings to rally from three separate two-run deficits, with Elly De La Cruz providing an RBI single and Rece Hinds providing a sacrifice fly. Kyle Nicolas (1-0) struck out the side in the eighth.  Ryan Jeffers had a two-run triple for the Twins, who saw manager Derek Shelton ejected for arguing a check-swing decision on the pitch before De La Cruz’s RBI single.  Cole Sands (0-1) allowed Myers’ game-winning hit in the ninth.  Tigers 4, Red Sox 1  Tarik Skubal pitched six dominant innings and Kerry Carpenter highlighted his multi-hit game with a home run, leading Detroit to a win over host Boston.  Skubal (3-2) struck out 10, twice fanning the side, while allowing just one run on four hits. Carpenter (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Kevin McGonigle (2-for-5, RBI, run) led the offense for Detroit, which broke a nine-game road losing streak.  Tyler Holton and Kenley Jansen teamed up in relief as Boston was limited to five hits. Jansen notched his fifth save. Boston’s Brayan Bello (1-2) gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He fanned four, while throwing 84 pitches.  Rays 8, Pirates 7 (13 innings)    Cedric Mullins’ two-run leadoff home run in the top of the 13th inning made the difference as Tampa Bay beat host Pittsburgh in a four-hour, 12-minute game that was the longest of the season in terms of innings played and was extended by a two-hour, 27-minute weather delay.    Mullins had two hits and three RBIs and Jonny DeLuca had two hits and two RBIs to help the Rays rally from a 4-0 deficit before the delay and win for the seventh time in their past eight games. Mullins’ 403-foot homer to right field came off Yohan Ramirez (2-1).    The Pirates cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the 13th when Konnor Griffin singled home Jake Mangum. But Yoendrys Gomez recovered by striking out Joey Bart with runners on second and third. Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda also had two hits each for Tampa Bay, which used eight relievers, capped by Griffin Jax (1-2) and Gomez.  Guardians 4, Orioles 2  Brayan Rocchio hit a three-run homer and Gavin Williams pitched seven strong innings to lead host Cleveland past Baltimore for its second win in five games.   Bo Naylor also homered for the Guardians, which had just three hits. Williams (3-1) struck out 11 and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. It marked the second time this season and sixth time overall that he has struck out 10 or more in a game.  Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson (two hits) hit solo homers for the Orioles, who had just four hits and struck out 16 times while losing for the fourth time in the past five games. Dean Kremer (0-1) pitched six innings for the Orioles and gave up three runs and two hits. He struck out seven and walked two.  Mariners 7, Rangers 3    George Kirby continued his mastery of Texas, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as host Seattle posted a victory against its American League West rivals.    Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season. Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas.    Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games. Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings.  Cardinals 7, Astros 5  Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and visiting St. Louis clinched an interleague series win over Houston.  Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings.  Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run and Shay Whitcomb belted a three-run shot, but the Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13.  Cubs 4, Mets 2    Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking three-run pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning for host Chicago, which beat skidding New York.    The pinch-hit homer was the second of Kelly’s career and his first since Aug. 25, 2021. Ian Happ homered in the second for the Cubs, who have won four straight and have scored 51 runs while winning five of their last six games.    Kelly’s homer off Brooks Raley made a winner of Jameson Taillon (1-1), who gave up one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings.  Brewers 5, Marlins 2  Brice Turang slugged a go-ahead, two-run homer and Brandon Woodruff pitched seven brilliant innings as Milwaukee beat host Miami.  Turang went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Brewers, who won their season-high fourth consecutive game. Woodruff (2-2) allowed three singles and one run over seven innings.  Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara (2-2) allowed five hits and three runs in five innings. He tied his career high with six walks and matched a career low among five-plus-inning starts with just one strikeout. Liam Hicks and Connor Norby each had two hits for Miami.  Padres 4, Angels 1  Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead San Diego to a victory over Los Angeles in Anaheim.    Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.    Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning, eight-strikeout start for Los Angeles.  Rockies 4, Dodgers 3    Troy Johnston hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and Colorado edged Los Angeles in Denver to win for only the second time in nine games.    Johnston had three of the Rockies’ seven hits. Brennan Bernardino (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 no-hit innings in relief, and Victor Vodnik pitched the ninth for his third save.    Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing homered for the Dodgers, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Shohei Ohtani was 1-for-4 to extend his on-base streak to 50 games. Will Klein (1-1) allowed hits to each of the first three batters he faced in the sixth, including Johnston’s game-winning double.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Chris #Sale #Braves #win #pitchers #duel #scuffling #PhilsApr 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Chris Sale worked seven strong innings and Mauricio Dubon provided a two-run single to lift the visiting Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.

Sale (4-1) struck out seven and walked only one, giving up just one run and five hits. Austin Riley, Jonah Heim and Ozzie Albies each had two hits as Atlanta won for the eighth time in 10 games.

The Braves will look to complete a three-game sweep Sunday in the finale with the scuffling Phillies, who have dropped eight of 10. Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sanchez (2-2) gave up three unearned runs in six innings, yielding eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.

The game began in exciting fashion, as Ronald Acuna Jr. sent a blast to deep center, only to watch Brandon Marsh leap at the wall to rob a home run. In the second, Philadelphia’s Felix Reyes launched Sale’s 2-0 fastball over the wall in right field for a home run in his first major league at-bat. However, that was the only offensive highlight for the hosts.

Diamondbacks 6, Blue Jays 2

Corbin Carroll broke a tie with an opposite-field grand slam in the eighth inning and Arizona extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Toronto in Phoenix.

Ildemaro Vargas singled off Jeff Hoffman (1-2) to open the eighth, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a franchise-record 14 games. Alek Thomas singled and Ketel Marte walked to bring up Carroll, who hit his fourth career slam on a 3-1 fastball. The D-backs, who have won eight of 10, lead the majors with 10 comeback victories.

Nathan Lukes had three hits, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and an RBI and Ernie Clement and Eloy Jimenez had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, six of seven and 12 of 15.

Yankees 13, Royals 4

Cody Bellinger homered twice and collected five RBIs as the New York Yankees easily recorded a victory over visiting Kansas City.

Amed Rosario hit a two-run homer and Ben Rice hit a solo shot during a five-run third. New York’s Will Warren (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. The right-hander matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts and walked none.

The Royals dropped their sixth straight and were blanked until Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Michael Massey added a two-run double in the ninth. Noah Cameron (1-1) was shelled for a career-worst seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings.

Athletics 7, White Sox 6 (11 innings)

Nick Kurtz hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning and Max Muncy was the walk-off hero in the 11th as the Athletics overcame an early 5-0 deficit to beat Chicago in West Sacramento, Calif.

Muncy hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to left field off Lucas Sims (0-2) to score Jacob Wilson. The White Sox had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the 11th, but Jack Perkins (2-0) pitched out of trouble to give the A’s a chance to end the game in the bottom half.

The game went to extras after Kurtz’s two-run shot off Jordan Leasure in the seventh. Colson Montgomery, Andrew Benintendi and Munetaka Murakami hit home runs in a losing effort. The White Sox missed countless chances to build on their lead, finishing 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Giants 7, Nationals 6 (12 innings)

Matt Chapman drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning and San Francisco beat host Washington.

Chapman led off the 12th against Cionel Perez (0-2) and grounded a single to left, scoring automatic runner Luis Arraez. Caleb Kilian (1-0) pitched two innings for the win. The automatic runner did not advance in either inning and Kilian only allowed one baserunner on an intentional walk.

Heliot Ramos had three hits including his second home run in two games as San Francisco won its third straight. The Nationals loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th, but Ryan Walker got two strikeouts and a groundout. James Wood hit his seventh homer of the season and scored three runs for the Nationals.

Reds 5, Twins 4

Pinch hitter Dane Myers’ bloop single scored Spencer Steer in the top of the ninth inning as Cincinnati rallied for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The Reds scored a run in each of the final three innings to rally from three separate two-run deficits, with Elly De La Cruz providing an RBI single and Rece Hinds providing a sacrifice fly. Kyle Nicolas (1-0) struck out the side in the eighth.

Ryan Jeffers had a two-run triple for the Twins, who saw manager Derek Shelton ejected for arguing a check-swing decision on the pitch before De La Cruz’s RBI single. Cole Sands (0-1) allowed Myers’ game-winning hit in the ninth.

Tigers 4, Red Sox 1

Tarik Skubal pitched six dominant innings and Kerry Carpenter highlighted his multi-hit game with a home run, leading Detroit to a win over host Boston.

Skubal (3-2) struck out 10, twice fanning the side, while allowing just one run on four hits. Carpenter (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Kevin McGonigle (2-for-5, RBI, run) led the offense for Detroit, which broke a nine-game road losing streak.

Tyler Holton and Kenley Jansen teamed up in relief as Boston was limited to five hits. Jansen notched his fifth save. Boston’s Brayan Bello (1-2) gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He fanned four, while throwing 84 pitches.

Rays 8, Pirates 7 (13 innings)

Cedric Mullins’ two-run leadoff home run in the top of the 13th inning made the difference as Tampa Bay beat host Pittsburgh in a four-hour, 12-minute game that was the longest of the season in terms of innings played and was extended by a two-hour, 27-minute weather delay.

Mullins had two hits and three RBIs and Jonny DeLuca had two hits and two RBIs to help the Rays rally from a 4-0 deficit before the delay and win for the seventh time in their past eight games. Mullins’ 403-foot homer to right field came off Yohan Ramirez (2-1).

The Pirates cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the 13th when Konnor Griffin singled home Jake Mangum. But Yoendrys Gomez recovered by striking out Joey Bart with runners on second and third. Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda also had two hits each for Tampa Bay, which used eight relievers, capped by Griffin Jax (1-2) and Gomez.

Guardians 4, Orioles 2


Brayan Rocchio hit a three-run homer and Gavin Williams pitched seven strong innings to lead host Cleveland past Baltimore for its second win in five games.

Bo Naylor also homered for the Guardians, which had just three hits. Williams (3-1) struck out 11 and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. It marked the second time this season and sixth time overall that he has struck out 10 or more in a game.

Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson (two hits) hit solo homers for the Orioles, who had just four hits and struck out 16 times while losing for the fourth time in the past five games. Dean Kremer (0-1) pitched six innings for the Orioles and gave up three runs and two hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

Mariners 7, Rangers 3

George Kirby continued his mastery of Texas, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as host Seattle posted a victory against its American League West rivals.

Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season. Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas.

Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games. Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings.

Cardinals 7, Astros 5

Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and visiting St. Louis clinched an interleague series win over Houston.

Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings.

Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run and Shay Whitcomb belted a three-run shot, but the Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13.

Cubs 4, Mets 2

Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking three-run pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning for host Chicago, which beat skidding New York.

The pinch-hit homer was the second of Kelly’s career and his first since Aug. 25, 2021. Ian Happ homered in the second for the Cubs, who have won four straight and have scored 51 runs while winning five of their last six games.

Kelly’s homer off Brooks Raley made a winner of Jameson Taillon (1-1), who gave up one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings.

Brewers 5, Marlins 2

Brice Turang slugged a go-ahead, two-run homer and Brandon Woodruff pitched seven brilliant innings as Milwaukee beat host Miami.

Turang went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Brewers, who won their season-high fourth consecutive game. Woodruff (2-2) allowed three singles and one run over seven innings.

Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara (2-2) allowed five hits and three runs in five innings. He tied his career high with six walks and matched a career low among five-plus-inning starts with just one strikeout. Liam Hicks and Connor Norby each had two hits for Miami.

Padres 4, Angels 1

Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead San Diego to a victory over Los Angeles in Anaheim.

Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.

Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning, eight-strikeout start for Los Angeles.

Rockies 4, Dodgers 3

Troy Johnston hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and Colorado edged Los Angeles in Denver to win for only the second time in nine games.

Johnston had three of the Rockies’ seven hits. Brennan Bernardino (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 no-hit innings in relief, and Victor Vodnik pitched the ninth for his third save.

Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing homered for the Dodgers, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Shohei Ohtani was 1-for-4 to extend his on-base streak to 50 games. Will Klein (1-1) allowed hits to each of the first three batters he faced in the sixth, including Johnston’s game-winning double.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Chris #Sale #Braves #win #pitchers #duel #scuffling #Phils">Deadspin | MLB roundup: Chris Sale, Braves win pitchers’ duel vs. scuffling Phils  Apr 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images   Chris Sale worked seven strong innings and Mauricio Dubon provided a two-run single to lift the visiting Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.    Sale (4-1) struck out seven and walked only one, giving up just one run and five hits. Austin Riley, Jonah Heim and Ozzie Albies each had two hits as Atlanta won for the eighth time in 10 games.    The Braves will look to complete a three-game sweep Sunday in the finale with the scuffling Phillies, who have dropped eight of 10. Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sanchez (2-2) gave up three unearned runs in six innings, yielding eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.  The game began in exciting fashion, as Ronald Acuna Jr. sent a blast to deep center, only to watch Brandon Marsh leap at the wall to rob a home run. In the second, Philadelphia’s Felix Reyes launched Sale’s 2-0 fastball over the wall in right field for a home run in his first major league at-bat. However, that was the only offensive highlight for the hosts.  Diamondbacks 6, Blue Jays 2  Corbin Carroll broke a tie with an opposite-field grand slam in the eighth inning and Arizona extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Toronto in Phoenix.  Ildemaro Vargas singled off Jeff Hoffman (1-2) to open the eighth, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a franchise-record 14 games. Alek Thomas singled and Ketel Marte walked to bring up Carroll, who hit his fourth career slam on a 3-1 fastball. The D-backs, who have won eight of 10, lead the majors with 10 comeback victories.   Nathan Lukes had three hits, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and an RBI and Ernie Clement and Eloy Jimenez had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, six of seven and 12 of 15.  Yankees 13, Royals 4  Cody Bellinger homered twice and collected five RBIs as the New York Yankees easily recorded a victory over visiting Kansas City.  Amed Rosario hit a two-run homer and Ben Rice hit a solo shot during a five-run third. New York’s Will Warren (2-0) allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. The right-hander matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts and walked none.  The Royals dropped their sixth straight and were blanked until Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Michael Massey added a two-run double in the ninth. Noah Cameron (1-1) was shelled for a career-worst seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings.  Athletics 7, White Sox 6 (11 innings)  Nick Kurtz hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning and Max Muncy was the walk-off hero in the 11th as the Athletics overcame an early 5-0 deficit to beat Chicago in West Sacramento, Calif.  Muncy hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to left field off Lucas Sims (0-2) to score Jacob Wilson. The White Sox had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the 11th, but Jack Perkins (2-0) pitched out of trouble to give the A’s a chance to end the game in the bottom half.  The game went to extras after Kurtz’s two-run shot off Jordan Leasure in the seventh. Colson Montgomery, Andrew Benintendi and Munetaka Murakami hit home runs in a losing effort. The White Sox missed countless chances to build on their lead, finishing 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position.  Giants 7, Nationals 6 (12 innings)   Matt Chapman drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning and San Francisco beat host Washington.  Chapman led off the 12th against Cionel Perez (0-2) and grounded a single to left, scoring automatic runner Luis Arraez. Caleb Kilian (1-0) pitched two innings for the win. The automatic runner did not advance in either inning and Kilian only allowed one baserunner on an intentional walk.  Heliot Ramos had three hits including his second home run in two games as San Francisco won its third straight. The Nationals loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th, but Ryan Walker got two strikeouts and a groundout. James Wood hit his seventh homer of the season and scored three runs for the Nationals.  Reds 5, Twins 4  Pinch hitter Dane Myers’ bloop single scored Spencer Steer in the top of the ninth inning as Cincinnati rallied for a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.   The Reds scored a run in each of the final three innings to rally from three separate two-run deficits, with Elly De La Cruz providing an RBI single and Rece Hinds providing a sacrifice fly. Kyle Nicolas (1-0) struck out the side in the eighth.  Ryan Jeffers had a two-run triple for the Twins, who saw manager Derek Shelton ejected for arguing a check-swing decision on the pitch before De La Cruz’s RBI single.  Cole Sands (0-1) allowed Myers’ game-winning hit in the ninth.  Tigers 4, Red Sox 1  Tarik Skubal pitched six dominant innings and Kerry Carpenter highlighted his multi-hit game with a home run, leading Detroit to a win over host Boston.  Skubal (3-2) struck out 10, twice fanning the side, while allowing just one run on four hits. Carpenter (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Kevin McGonigle (2-for-5, RBI, run) led the offense for Detroit, which broke a nine-game road losing streak.  Tyler Holton and Kenley Jansen teamed up in relief as Boston was limited to five hits. Jansen notched his fifth save. Boston’s Brayan Bello (1-2) gave up four runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He fanned four, while throwing 84 pitches.  Rays 8, Pirates 7 (13 innings)    Cedric Mullins’ two-run leadoff home run in the top of the 13th inning made the difference as Tampa Bay beat host Pittsburgh in a four-hour, 12-minute game that was the longest of the season in terms of innings played and was extended by a two-hour, 27-minute weather delay.    Mullins had two hits and three RBIs and Jonny DeLuca had two hits and two RBIs to help the Rays rally from a 4-0 deficit before the delay and win for the seventh time in their past eight games. Mullins’ 403-foot homer to right field came off Yohan Ramirez (2-1).    The Pirates cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the 13th when Konnor Griffin singled home Jake Mangum. But Yoendrys Gomez recovered by striking out Joey Bart with runners on second and third. Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda also had two hits each for Tampa Bay, which used eight relievers, capped by Griffin Jax (1-2) and Gomez.  Guardians 4, Orioles 2  Brayan Rocchio hit a three-run homer and Gavin Williams pitched seven strong innings to lead host Cleveland past Baltimore for its second win in five games.   Bo Naylor also homered for the Guardians, which had just three hits. Williams (3-1) struck out 11 and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. It marked the second time this season and sixth time overall that he has struck out 10 or more in a game.  Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson (two hits) hit solo homers for the Orioles, who had just four hits and struck out 16 times while losing for the fourth time in the past five games. Dean Kremer (0-1) pitched six innings for the Orioles and gave up three runs and two hits. He struck out seven and walked two.  Mariners 7, Rangers 3    George Kirby continued his mastery of Texas, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as host Seattle posted a victory against its American League West rivals.    Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season. Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas.    Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games. Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings.  Cardinals 7, Astros 5  Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and visiting St. Louis clinched an interleague series win over Houston.  Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings.  Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run and Shay Whitcomb belted a three-run shot, but the Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13.  Cubs 4, Mets 2    Carson Kelly hit a tiebreaking three-run pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning for host Chicago, which beat skidding New York.    The pinch-hit homer was the second of Kelly’s career and his first since Aug. 25, 2021. Ian Happ homered in the second for the Cubs, who have won four straight and have scored 51 runs while winning five of their last six games.    Kelly’s homer off Brooks Raley made a winner of Jameson Taillon (1-1), who gave up one run on five hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings.  Brewers 5, Marlins 2  Brice Turang slugged a go-ahead, two-run homer and Brandon Woodruff pitched seven brilliant innings as Milwaukee beat host Miami.  Turang went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Brewers, who won their season-high fourth consecutive game. Woodruff (2-2) allowed three singles and one run over seven innings.  Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara (2-2) allowed five hits and three runs in five innings. He tied his career high with six walks and matched a career low among five-plus-inning starts with just one strikeout. Liam Hicks and Connor Norby each had two hits for Miami.  Padres 4, Angels 1  Fernando Tatis Jr. had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Miller struck out two en route to his seventh save to lead San Diego to a victory over Los Angeles in Anaheim.    Ramon Laureano also drove in two runs, Jake Cronenworth scored a run and reached base four times with a single, two walks and a hit by a pitch and Freddy Fermin scored twice for San Diego, which won for the 12th time in its last 14 games.    Zach Neto and Mike Trout each doubled and Nolan Schanuel had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which finished with just six hits. Ryan Zeferjahn (1-1) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in one inning immediately after Yusei Kikuchi wrapped his scoreless six-inning, eight-strikeout start for Los Angeles.  Rockies 4, Dodgers 3    Troy Johnston hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and Colorado edged Los Angeles in Denver to win for only the second time in nine games.    Johnston had three of the Rockies’ seven hits. Brennan Bernardino (2-0) delivered 1 1/3 no-hit innings in relief, and Victor Vodnik pitched the ninth for his third save.    Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing homered for the Dodgers, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Shohei Ohtani was 1-for-4 to extend his on-base streak to 50 games. Will Klein (1-1) allowed hits to each of the first three batters he faced in the sixth, including Johnston’s game-winning double.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Chris #Sale #Braves #win #pitchers #duel #scuffling #Phils

Post Comment