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Deadspin | Surprise HR by Jonatan Clase propels Jays past Giants  Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images   Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.  Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack.  Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run.  Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys.  The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run.  The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third.  Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez.   McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout.  Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one.  Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez.  The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement.  Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday.  Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #Giants

Deadspin | Surprise HR by Jonatan Clase propels Jays past Giants
Deadspin | Surprise HR by Jonatan Clase propels Jays past Giants  Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images   Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.  Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack.  Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run.  Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys.  The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run.  The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third.  Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez.   McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout.  Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one.  Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez.  The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement.  Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday.  Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #GiantsJul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.

Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack.

Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run.

Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys.

The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run.

The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third.


Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez.

McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout.

Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one.

Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez.

The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement.

Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday.

Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #Giants

Jul 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Jonatan Clase (8) celebrates his home run during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

Jonatan Clase hit a three-run home run in his first start of the season, Sean Keys contributed a two-RBI single to a five-run third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays evened their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants with a 9-3 victory Tuesday night.

Ernie Clement had a three-hit game while Clase, Keys and Brandon Valenzuela collected two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who broke out of an offensive slump with a 13-hit attack.

Toronto had entered the game on a three-game losing streak, during which it was shut out twice and scored just one run.

Clase, who was promoted to the Blue Jays for the first time this season last week as George Springer went on paternity leave, gave Toronto a lead it would never relinquish with his home run in the second inning after singles by Valenzuela and Keys.

The 24-year-old had been given just one at-bat as a late-game pinch hitter last Saturday in Seattle before taking Giants starter Trevor McDonald (3-7) deep for his fourth career home run.

The Giants got one run back on an infield single by Victor Bericoto in the bottom of the second before the Blue Jays busted the game open with their five-run third.

Six of the batters McDonald faced in the inning recorded singles, including Keys’ two-run hit and run-scorig blows by Valenzuela and Andres Gimenez.

McDonald was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, charged with eight runs on 11 hits. He walked one without a strikeout.

Blue Jays starter Spencer Miles allowed a second run on a Rafael Devers double play grounder before calling it a night after four innings, during which he allowed seven hits. He struck out one.

Because Miles failed to go the required five innings, Patrick Corbin (3-4) was credited with the win after throwing 2 1/3 innings of two-hit ball. He served up the Giants’ final run on an RBI double by Luis Arraez.

The Blue Jays capped the game’s scoring in the ninth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded into a double play that plated Clement.

Clase, Keys and Valenzuela scored twice for the Blue Jays, who were thumped 10-1 in the series opener Monday.

Heliot Ramos singled twice and scored twice for the Giants, who have alternated losses and wins in their last seven games. Arraez also had two hits.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Surprise #Jonatan #Clase #propels #Jays #Giants

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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