Deadspin | Seth Lugo, Royals intent on continuing mastery of White Sox Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) on the mound during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images No matter the season or personnel, the Kansas City Royals have dominated the Chicago White Sox at home in recent years. Looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Royals will aim for a 15th straight home victory over the White Sox in the opener of a four-game set Thursday night. Since Aug. 10, 2022, Kansas City is 22-2 vs. the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost to its American League Central rival there since Sept. 6, 2023. Perhaps more impressive, the Royals have outscored Chicago 71-17 during their 14-game home winning streak in the series. However, these Royals have scuffled out of the gate, losing seven of the first 12 games in 2026. After winning 4-2 at Cleveland on Monday, Kansas City managed three runs, six hits, went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and struck out 28 times in losing the final two contests of that three-game set. “It’s just getting a good plan at the plate,” star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “Apply pressure to other teams. Got to get back to doing that. … Just time to get back to playing our baseball.” Witt went 4-for-22 as the Royals split a six-game homestand against Minnesota and Milwaukee earlier this month. However, he’s batting .476 with four home runs and 18 RBIs during a 21-game hitting streak against the White Sox. Thursday’s scheduled Kansas City starter, Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA), has yielded just five earned runs over 34 1/3 innings in going 3-0 in five career starts vs. Chicago. The veteran right-hander is off to a solid start in 2026. He allowed his first two runs of the season on Saturday during an 8-2 win over the Brewers, an outing that spanned five innings, 103 pitches and included seven strikeouts. “Fouled off a lot of pitches, drove my pitch count up,” Lugo said. “But got through five. That’s OK. Obviously, I want to pitch deeper.” He might be able to go deeper against a White Sox group that totaled six runs while being swept in a three-game home set by Baltimore this week. Chicago managed just 17 hits in the series but lost those three games by a total margin of five runs. “With all our guys, we’re fighting every day to figure out how to support them to be at their best,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. Second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the few Chicago hitters off to a solid start, batting .270 before going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. Meidroth is hitless in seven career at-bats vs. Lugo. Teammate and ex-Royal Andrew Benintendi is batting just .194 with 14 strikeouts in 11 games this season, but he’s 3-for-10 all time against Lugo. Chicago is slated to start Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who has allowed only a two-run homer in each of his first two outings of 2026. The left-hander, who broke into the majors in 2019 with Toronto, has just four career wins, with his most recent coming in 2021. Kay’s only career appearance against the Royals came with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he yielded five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Seth #Lugo #Royals #intent #continuing #mastery #White #Sox

Deadspin | Seth Lugo, Royals intent on continuing mastery of White Sox
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) on the mound during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

No matter the season or personnel, the Kansas City Royals have dominated the Chicago White Sox at home in recent years.

Looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Royals will aim for a 15th straight home victory over the White Sox in the opener of a four-game set Thursday night.

Since Aug. 10, 2022, Kansas City is 22-2 vs. the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost to its American League Central rival there since Sept. 6, 2023. Perhaps more impressive, the Royals have outscored Chicago 71-17 during their 14-game home winning streak in the series.

However, these Royals have scuffled out of the gate, losing seven of the first 12 games in 2026. After winning 4-2 at Cleveland on Monday, Kansas City managed three runs, six hits, went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and struck out 28 times in losing the final two contests of that three-game set.

“It’s just getting a good plan at the plate,” star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “Apply pressure to other teams. Got to get back to doing that. … Just time to get back to playing our baseball.”

Witt went 4-for-22 as the Royals split a six-game homestand against Minnesota and Milwaukee earlier this month. However, he’s batting .476 with four home runs and 18 RBIs during a 21-game hitting streak against the White Sox.

Thursday’s scheduled Kansas City starter, Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA), has yielded just five earned runs over 34 1/3 innings in going 3-0 in five career starts vs. Chicago.

The veteran right-hander is off to a solid start in 2026. He allowed his first two runs of the season on Saturday during an 8-2 win over the Brewers, an outing that spanned five innings, 103 pitches and included seven strikeouts.

“Fouled off a lot of pitches, drove my pitch count up,” Lugo said. “But got through five. That’s OK. Obviously, I want to pitch deeper.”

He might be able to go deeper against a White Sox group that totaled six runs while being swept in a three-game home set by Baltimore this week. Chicago managed just 17 hits in the series but lost those three games by a total margin of five runs.

“With all our guys, we’re fighting every day to figure out how to support them to be at their best,” White Sox manager Will Venable said.

Second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the few Chicago hitters off to a solid start, batting .270 before going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. Meidroth is hitless in seven career at-bats vs. Lugo.

Teammate and ex-Royal Andrew Benintendi is batting just .194 with 14 strikeouts in 11 games this season, but he’s 3-for-10 all time against Lugo.

Chicago is slated to start Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who has allowed only a two-run homer in each of his first two outings of 2026. The left-hander, who broke into the majors in 2019 with Toronto, has just four career wins, with his most recent coming in 2021.

Kay’s only career appearance against the Royals came with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he yielded five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Seth #Lugo #Royals #intent #continuing #mastery #White #Sox

Sports news April 9, 2026

Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) on the mound during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

No matter the season or personnel, the Kansas City Royals have dominated the Chicago White Sox at home in recent years.

Looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Royals will aim for a 15th straight home victory over the White Sox in the opener of a four-game set Thursday night.

Since Aug. 10, 2022, Kansas City is 22-2 vs. the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost to its American League Central rival there since Sept. 6, 2023. Perhaps more impressive, the Royals have outscored Chicago 71-17 during their 14-game home winning streak in the series.

However, these Royals have scuffled out of the gate, losing seven of the first 12 games in 2026. After winning 4-2 at Cleveland on Monday, Kansas City managed three runs, six hits, went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and struck out 28 times in losing the final two contests of that three-game set.

“It’s just getting a good plan at the plate,” star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “Apply pressure to other teams. Got to get back to doing that. … Just time to get back to playing our baseball.”

Witt went 4-for-22 as the Royals split a six-game homestand against Minnesota and Milwaukee earlier this month. However, he’s batting .476 with four home runs and 18 RBIs during a 21-game hitting streak against the White Sox.

Thursday’s scheduled Kansas City starter, Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA), has yielded just five earned runs over 34 1/3 innings in going 3-0 in five career starts vs. Chicago.

The veteran right-hander is off to a solid start in 2026. He allowed his first two runs of the season on Saturday during an 8-2 win over the Brewers, an outing that spanned five innings, 103 pitches and included seven strikeouts.

“Fouled off a lot of pitches, drove my pitch count up,” Lugo said. “But got through five. That’s OK. Obviously, I want to pitch deeper.”

He might be able to go deeper against a White Sox group that totaled six runs while being swept in a three-game home set by Baltimore this week. Chicago managed just 17 hits in the series but lost those three games by a total margin of five runs.

“With all our guys, we’re fighting every day to figure out how to support them to be at their best,” White Sox manager Will Venable said.

Second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the few Chicago hitters off to a solid start, batting .270 before going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. Meidroth is hitless in seven career at-bats vs. Lugo.

Teammate and ex-Royal Andrew Benintendi is batting just .194 with 14 strikeouts in 11 games this season, but he’s 3-for-10 all time against Lugo.

Chicago is slated to start Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who has allowed only a two-run homer in each of his first two outings of 2026. The left-hander, who broke into the majors in 2019 with Toronto, has just four career wins, with his most recent coming in 2021.

Kay’s only career appearance against the Royals came with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he yielded five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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RR vs RCB, IPL 2026: Unbeaten sides meet in battle Royal(e) <div id="content-body-70843468" itemprop="articleBody">It should be a battle royale.Neither Rajasthan Royals nor Royal Challengers Bengaluru has tasted defeated yet this season. One of them will on Friday, when the two in-form sides of the IPL come face to face at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. RR has played three, won three. RCB has played two, won two.The Royals did not begin its campaign in the most ideal circumstances. It had finished second from bottom last year, lost its captain and leading batter of over a decade, Sanju Samson, in a trade-off with Chennai Super Kings, and one of his replacements, Sam Curran, was ruled out with injury.But now, just about everything looks perfect for Riyan Parag’s men. Both Orange and Purple Caps could well still be with them going into the match.In Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, it boasts the most explosive opening duo of the season. While Suryavanshi just aims to send every bowler on view – including the great Jasprit Bumrah – into the stands, Jaiswal paces his innings at will, according to what the team needs. Then there is the classy Dhruv Jurel to take over.ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/vaibhav-suryavanshi-not-reckless-batting-shane-bond-rajasthan-royals-ipl-2026/article70843775.ece" target="_self">‘It hasn’t just been reckless hitting’ – Rajasthan Royals’ Shane Bond on Vaibhav Suryavanshi</a>In Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, it has probably the deadliest new-ball attack, too. Ravi Bishnoi has earned his purple cap.But the leg-spinner and his bowling colleagues will be up against RCB’s quality batting line-up. Virat Kohli —who mastered yet another chase in the IPL opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad — Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar have all looked good.Jacob Duffy has spearheaded the bowling with aplomb in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and has been well backed by the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suyash Sharma.There is plenty to look forward to for the city’s fans in the last match they will get to see at this venue.Published on Apr 09, 2026</div> #RCB #IPL #Unbeaten #sides #meet #battle #Royale

Deadspin | Predators, Mammoth plot to solidify wild-card positions Apr 4, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates his empty net goal with team mate, center Alexander Kerfoot (15) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images The Nashville Predators finish what so far has been a successful six-game road trip when they face the Utah Mammoth in a key game in the Western Conference wild-card race on Thursday in Salt Lake City. The Predators (37-31-10, 84 points), who began the trip with a tough 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay on March 29, bounced back to capture seven of a possible eight points in their next four games (3-0-1), including a 5-0 blanking of the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. That win, which was the second game of a back-to-back that began with a 3-2 shootout loss at Los Angeles on Monday, moved Nashville one point ahead of the Kings (83 points), three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks (81 points) and four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets (80 points) for the second wild-card spot. After Thursday, the Predators will finish up with three difficult home games against the Minnesota Wild, San Jose and Anaheim, so there is little margin for error down the stretch in the race for a playoff berth. Backup goaltender Justus Annunen made 43 saves in the win over the Ducks to give Nashville its first shutout victory since a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 3, 2025, a span of 120 games. “We’ve had a great road trip here. All of our games have had a great effort,” Annunen said after his third career shutout. “We are playing well lately, so let’s just keep it going.” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said it is important for his squad to remain focused on its own games and not the standings. “We’re just day-to-day — don’t really look at what’s behind us,” Brunette said. “We’ve got another road game, and we’re going to approach it the same way we approach all of them. Get a little rest here. We know Utah’s a really good team and a team we’re chasing, and we want to put our best foot forward next game.” Utah (41-30-6, 88 points) holds a four-point lead over the Predators for the first wild-card spot with a game in hand. The Mammoth have won four straight and come in off a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Clayton Keller scored a power-play goal 33 seconds into overtime to win it for the Mammoth, who rallied from an early 3-1 deficit. Nick Schmaltz scored two goals and Alexander Kerfoot forced overtime by tallying with 7:04 left in regulation. It marked the fourth straight game that Utah scored six or more goals, a franchise record. “We just kept coming,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. “We were really resilient, patient, our game did not change. We didn’t start to force plays or try to make complicated plays where they could cut and counterattack. We just kept going.” The comeback win kept Utah in the driver’s seat for a wild-card spot. The Mammoth enter the Thursday contest five points above the playoff line with five games to go, four of which will be on home ice. A win over the Predators would be another big step toward clinching a postseason berth. “These points are so valuable,” Schmaltz said. “We want to get that ‘X’ by our name as fast as we can, so we’re doing everything we can and we’re battling every night.” This is the final of four regular-season meetings. Utah has won two of the first three, including a 5-2 victory at Nashville on Jan. 24 in the most recent matchup. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Predators #Mammoth #plot #solidify #wildcard #positions

#Deadspin #Predators #Mammoth #plot #solidify #wildcard #positions">

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Apr 4, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates his empty net goal with team mate, center Alexander Kerfoot (15) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators finish what so far has been a successful six-game road trip when they face the Utah Mammoth in a key game in the Western Conference wild-card race on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

The Predators (37-31-10, 84 points), who began the trip with a tough 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay on March 29, bounced back to capture seven of a possible eight points in their next four games (3-0-1), including a 5-0 blanking of the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

That win, which was the second game of a back-to-back that began with a 3-2 shootout loss at Los Angeles on Monday, moved Nashville one point ahead of the Kings (83 points), three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks (81 points) and four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets (80 points) for the second wild-card spot.

After Thursday, the Predators will finish up with three difficult home games against the Minnesota Wild, San Jose and Anaheim, so there is little margin for error down the stretch in the race for a playoff berth.

Backup goaltender Justus Annunen made 43 saves in the win over the Ducks to give Nashville its first shutout victory since a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 3, 2025, a span of 120 games.

“We’ve had a great road trip here. All of our games have had a great effort,” Annunen said after his third career shutout. “We are playing well lately, so let’s just keep it going.”

Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said it is important for his squad to remain focused on its own games and not the standings.

“We’re just day-to-day — don’t really look at what’s behind us,” Brunette said. “We’ve got another road game, and we’re going to approach it the same way we approach all of them. Get a little rest here. We know Utah’s a really good team and a team we’re chasing, and we want to put our best foot forward next game.”

Utah (41-30-6, 88 points) holds a four-point lead over the Predators for the first wild-card spot with a game in hand. The Mammoth have won four straight and come in off a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

Clayton Keller scored a power-play goal 33 seconds into overtime to win it for the Mammoth, who rallied from an early 3-1 deficit. Nick Schmaltz scored two goals and Alexander Kerfoot forced overtime by tallying with 7:04 left in regulation.

It marked the fourth straight game that Utah scored six or more goals, a franchise record.

“We just kept coming,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. “We were really resilient, patient, our game did not change. We didn’t start to force plays or try to make complicated plays where they could cut and counterattack. We just kept going.”

The comeback win kept Utah in the driver’s seat for a wild-card spot. The Mammoth enter the Thursday contest five points above the playoff line with five games to go, four of which will be on home ice. A win over the Predators would be another big step toward clinching a postseason berth.

“These points are so valuable,” Schmaltz said. “We want to get that ‘X’ by our name as fast as we can, so we’re doing everything we can and we’re battling every night.”

This is the final of four regular-season meetings. Utah has won two of the first three, including a 5-2 victory at Nashville on Jan. 24 in the most recent matchup.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Predators #Mammoth #plot #solidify #wildcard #positions">Deadspin | Predators, Mammoth plot to solidify wild-card positions

Apr 4, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates his empty net goal with team mate, center Alexander Kerfoot (15) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

The Nashville Predators finish what so far has been a successful six-game road trip when they face the Utah Mammoth in a key game in the Western Conference wild-card race on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

The Predators (37-31-10, 84 points), who began the trip with a tough 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay on March 29, bounced back to capture seven of a possible eight points in their next four games (3-0-1), including a 5-0 blanking of the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

That win, which was the second game of a back-to-back that began with a 3-2 shootout loss at Los Angeles on Monday, moved Nashville one point ahead of the Kings (83 points), three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks (81 points) and four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets (80 points) for the second wild-card spot.

After Thursday, the Predators will finish up with three difficult home games against the Minnesota Wild, San Jose and Anaheim, so there is little margin for error down the stretch in the race for a playoff berth.

Backup goaltender Justus Annunen made 43 saves in the win over the Ducks to give Nashville its first shutout victory since a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 3, 2025, a span of 120 games.

“We’ve had a great road trip here. All of our games have had a great effort,” Annunen said after his third career shutout. “We are playing well lately, so let’s just keep it going.”

Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said it is important for his squad to remain focused on its own games and not the standings.

“We’re just day-to-day — don’t really look at what’s behind us,” Brunette said. “We’ve got another road game, and we’re going to approach it the same way we approach all of them. Get a little rest here. We know Utah’s a really good team and a team we’re chasing, and we want to put our best foot forward next game.”

Utah (41-30-6, 88 points) holds a four-point lead over the Predators for the first wild-card spot with a game in hand. The Mammoth have won four straight and come in off a 6-5 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

Clayton Keller scored a power-play goal 33 seconds into overtime to win it for the Mammoth, who rallied from an early 3-1 deficit. Nick Schmaltz scored two goals and Alexander Kerfoot forced overtime by tallying with 7:04 left in regulation.

It marked the fourth straight game that Utah scored six or more goals, a franchise record.

“We just kept coming,” Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said. “We were really resilient, patient, our game did not change. We didn’t start to force plays or try to make complicated plays where they could cut and counterattack. We just kept going.”

The comeback win kept Utah in the driver’s seat for a wild-card spot. The Mammoth enter the Thursday contest five points above the playoff line with five games to go, four of which will be on home ice. A win over the Predators would be another big step toward clinching a postseason berth.

“These points are so valuable,” Schmaltz said. “We want to get that ‘X’ by our name as fast as we can, so we’re doing everything we can and we’re battling every night.”

This is the final of four regular-season meetings. Utah has won two of the first three, including a 5-2 victory at Nashville on Jan. 24 in the most recent matchup.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Predators #Mammoth #plot #solidify #wildcard #positions

England will play New Zealand and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.

New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.

ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

“Both fixtures will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in a statement.

England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup">

England to face New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 England will play New Zealand and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad“Both fixtures will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in a statement.England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.Published on Apr 09, 2026 #England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup

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England will play New Zealand and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.
New ‌Zealand, playing in its ⁠first World Cup ⁠since 2010, will play England on June 6 before Thomas Tuchel’s ‌side faces Costa Rica, which reached the quarterfinals in 2014, four ‌days later.
ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad
“Both fixtures will form a key part of ⁠England’s preparation camp in South Florida ahead of ‌moving to the squad’s base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament,” ‌the FA said in a statement.
England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.
Published on Apr 09, 2026

#England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup">England to face New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

England will play New Zealand and Costa Rica in ‌Tampa and Orlando in its final ⁠preparatory games before this summer’s World Cup campaign, the ‌English FA said on Thursday.

ALSO READ: Harry Maguire desperate to be part of England FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

England, which reached the quarterfinals in ⁠the previous edition, begins ⁠its Group L campaign against Croatia ‌on June 17.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#England #face #Zealand #Costa #Rica #ahead #FIFA #World #Cup

Deadspin | Nico Hoerner’s big night helps Cub clinch series vs. Rays Apr 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nico Hoerner homered to highlight his three-hit performance and Michael Conforto drove in a pair, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Hoerner added an RBI double during a five-run fifth inning for the Cubs, who recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season and notched their first series victory of 2026. Colin Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in five innings while taking the spot in the rotation of Cade Horton. The latter is nursing a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and will undergo season-ending surgery. Hoby Milner retired the side in order in the sixth and Ben Brown followed suit in the seventh before permitting a two-out RBI single to Jake Fraley in the eighth. Hunter Harvey retired the side in the ninth to seal the victory. Jonathan Aranda had a sacrifice fly in the third for the Rays, who committed three errors en route to losing for the fifth time in their last eight games. Chicago quickly loaded the bases in the fifth before Conforto sent a drive that caromed off the glove of center fielder Jonny DeLuca. The play initially plated a pair of runs, however right fielder Fraley’s throw sailed past the cutoff man and rolled into the infield, allowing an alert Dansby Swanson to scamper home and give the Cubs a 4-1 lead. Hoerner stepped up two batters later and plated Conforto with an RBI double down the right field line. Hoerner didn’t stay on second base for long, as he came around to score on catcher Hunter Feduccia’s throwing error. That spelled the end for Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle (0-1), who was charged with six runs (five earned) on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Leading off the game, Hoerner fouled off three consecutive pitches before depositing a 1-2 curveball from Boyle over the wall in left field. The homer was the first of the season for Hoerner. Tampa Bay forged a 1-1 tie in the third. DeLuca singled off Rea to lead off the inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Aranda’s sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nico #Hoerners #big #night #helps #Cub #clinch #series #Rays

#Deadspin #Nico #Hoerners #big #night #helps #Cub #clinch #series #Rays">

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Apr 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Nico Hoerner homered to highlight his three-hit performance and Michael Conforto drove in a pair, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

Hoerner added an RBI double during a five-run fifth inning for the Cubs, who recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season and notched their first series victory of 2026.

Colin Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in five innings while taking the spot in the rotation of Cade Horton. The latter is nursing a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and will undergo season-ending surgery.

Hoby Milner retired the side in order in the sixth and Ben Brown followed suit in the seventh before permitting a two-out RBI single to Jake Fraley in the eighth. Hunter Harvey retired the side in the ninth to seal the victory.

Jonathan Aranda had a sacrifice fly in the third for the Rays, who committed three errors en route to losing for the fifth time in their last eight games.

Chicago quickly loaded the bases in the fifth before Conforto sent a drive that caromed off the glove of center fielder Jonny DeLuca. The play initially plated a pair of runs, however right fielder Fraley’s throw sailed past the cutoff man and rolled into the infield, allowing an alert Dansby Swanson to scamper home and give the Cubs a 4-1 lead.

Hoerner stepped up two batters later and plated Conforto with an RBI double down the right field line. Hoerner didn’t stay on second base for long, as he came around to score on catcher Hunter Feduccia’s throwing error.

That spelled the end for Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle (0-1), who was charged with six runs (five earned) on four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Leading off the game, Hoerner fouled off three consecutive pitches before depositing a 1-2 curveball from Boyle over the wall in left field. The homer was the first of the season for Hoerner.

Tampa Bay forged a 1-1 tie in the third. DeLuca singled off Rea to lead off the inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Aranda’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nico #Hoerners #big #night #helps #Cub #clinch #series #Rays">Deadspin | Nico Hoerner’s big night helps Cub clinch series vs. Rays

Apr 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Nico Hoerner homered to highlight his three-hit performance and Michael Conforto drove in a pair, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

Hoerner added an RBI double during a five-run fifth inning for the Cubs, who recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season and notched their first series victory of 2026.

Colin Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in five innings while taking the spot in the rotation of Cade Horton. The latter is nursing a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and will undergo season-ending surgery.

Hoby Milner retired the side in order in the sixth and Ben Brown followed suit in the seventh before permitting a two-out RBI single to Jake Fraley in the eighth. Hunter Harvey retired the side in the ninth to seal the victory.

Jonathan Aranda had a sacrifice fly in the third for the Rays, who committed three errors en route to losing for the fifth time in their last eight games.

Chicago quickly loaded the bases in the fifth before Conforto sent a drive that caromed off the glove of center fielder Jonny DeLuca. The play initially plated a pair of runs, however right fielder Fraley’s throw sailed past the cutoff man and rolled into the infield, allowing an alert Dansby Swanson to scamper home and give the Cubs a 4-1 lead.

Hoerner stepped up two batters later and plated Conforto with an RBI double down the right field line. Hoerner didn’t stay on second base for long, as he came around to score on catcher Hunter Feduccia’s throwing error.

That spelled the end for Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle (0-1), who was charged with six runs (five earned) on four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Leading off the game, Hoerner fouled off three consecutive pitches before depositing a 1-2 curveball from Boyle over the wall in left field. The homer was the first of the season for Hoerner.

Tampa Bay forged a 1-1 tie in the third. DeLuca singled off Rea to lead off the inning, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Aranda’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nico #Hoerners #big #night #helps #Cub #clinch #series #Rays

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