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Deadspin | Venezuela overtakes Italy, sets up WBC final vs. USA

Deadspin | Venezuela overtakes Italy, sets up WBC final vs. USA

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Mar 16, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (21) reacts after sliding into third base in the seventh inning against Venezuela during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Maikel Garcia hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning for Team Venezuela, which advanced to the World Baseball Classic championship game by beating Team Italy 4-2 on Monday in Miami.

Venezuela, which pieced together four straight two-out hits in a three-run seventh, will play the United States for the title Tuesday night in Miami. The United States beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 on Sunday in the first semifinal.

Venezuela is seeking its first championship while the United States is aiming for its second crown. Both teams went 3-1 in pool play before winning their first two games in the knockout rounds.

The loss was the first of the WBC for Italy, which made a Cinderella run to the semifinals by going 4-0 in Pool B play before beating Puerto Rico 8-6 in a quarterfinal at Houston on Saturday.

Italy, which took a 2-0 lead in the second when J.J. D’Orazio drew a bases-loaded walk and Dante Nori hit into a run-scoring groundout, was eight outs away from another upset when Venezuela rallied against losing pitcher Michael Lorenzen.

Gleyber Torres worked a leadoff walk in the seventh before Lorenzen whiffed Wilyer Abreu and William Contreras. Venezuela pulled off a hit-and-run in which Jackson Chourio singled pinch runner Andres Gimenez to third.

Ronald Acuna Jr. followed with a grounder to the third base side of short, where Sam Antonacci picked the ball cleanly but bounced the throw to first as Acuna Jr. arrived safely and Torres scored.

Garcia delivered the go-ahead single to left, scoring Chourio, before Luis Arraez provided insurance by singling home Acuna.

Angel Zerpa earned the win by getting got the final two outs of the sixth. Eduard Bazardo and Andres Machado threw a perfect inning apiece before Daniel Palencia earned his second save by striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.

Venezuela starting pitcher Keider Montero gave up the two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Garcia and Torres had two hits apiece for Venezuela.

Italy starter Aaron Nola allowed one run in four innings. Zach Dezenzo had two hits for Italy.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Red Sox rout Orioles, fire manager Alex Cora Apr 25, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Garrett Crochet pitched six shutout innings and Andruw Monasterio drilled a late-game grand slam as the Boston Red Sox snapped a four-game losing streak in dominant fashion with a 17-1 win over the host Baltimore Orioles Saturday afternoon. Later on Saturday, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five others on staff. Chad Tracy, the club’s manager at Triple-A Worcester since 2022, was named interim manager. Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras (five RBIs in the game) joined Monasterio with ninth-inning home runs as part of Boston’s 10-run blitz in the final inning. Connor Wong drilled a three-run double in the fifth inning. Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits apiece. The Orioles, who racked up 20 hits on Friday night, had one hit through five innings Saturday. Taylor Ward had two of Baltimore’s six hits. Dodgers 12, Cubs 4 Max Muncy hit a two-run home run and Andy Pages had three RBIs as host Los Angeles snapped Chicago’s 10-game winning streak thanks in large part to a six-run fourth inning. Teoscar Hernandez had two hits and two RBIs, Alex Freeland had two doubles, a run and an RBI, and Hyeseong Kim had two hits, a run and an RBI for the Dodgers. Seiya Suzuki, Moises Ballesteros and Miguel Amaya hit solo home runs for Chicago. Suzuki also had a three-hit game. Phillies 8, Braves 5 (10 innings) Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked visiting Philadelphia to a win over Atlanta to end its 10-game losing streak. Harper was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since Aug. 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits. Nationals 6, White Sox 3 (10 innings) Nasim Nunez had a pair of two-run singles, one of which capped off a breakout 10th inning to help Washington come away with a victory over host Chicago. Nunez finished with four of Washington’s five RBIs, nearly doubling his total of six RBIs he had in his first 24 games this season. Cionel Perez (2-3) worked around two walks for a scoreless ninth inning and Brad Lord pitched the 10th for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak despite stranding 10 runners on base. Only the automatic runner scored in the 10th for Chicago, which had won four of five. Miguel Vargas had a double and a pair of walks for the White Sox, who were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners. Yankees 6, Astros 3 Austin Wells socked a leadoff home run to ignite a three-run seventh inning as New York claimed a three-game series against host Houston. Wells’ second homer was the third of the game for the Yankees, who improved to 5-0 on their current nine-game road trip and have won eight straight overall. The Yankees were locked in a pitcher’s duel before Wells snapped a 2-2 tie by driving an inside fastball from Astros reliever Kai-Wei Teng (1-1) out to right field. Astros starter Mike Burrows matched his career high of eight strikeouts while working five innings. Burrows surrendered a solo home run to Grisham, his fourth on the season, with one out in the third inning that enabled the Yankees to erase a 1-0 deficit. Blue Jays 5, Guardians 3 Kevin Gausman pitched an effective 6 2/3 innings, Kazuma Okamoto homered and Toronto beat visiting Cleveland. Gausman (2-1) allowed two runs, six hits and no walks with three strikeouts. Louis Varland allowed one run on two singles and a double in the ninth to pick up his second save. Andres Gimenez keyed a three-run sixth with a two-run double to help the Blue Jays gain a split of the first two games of the three-game series. David Fry hit a solo homer for the Guardians. Joey Cantillo (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings. Mariners 11, Cardinals 9 Leo Rivas’ tie-breaking, two-run single in the ninth inning propelled Seattle to a victory over host St. Louis. Julio Rodriguez, Will Wilson and Cole Young homered for the Mariners, who posted their third straight victory and sent the Cardinals to their third loss in a row, overcoming a poor start from Bryan Woo, who allowed seven runs on nine hits in three innings. For St. Louis, Nathan Church hit two home runs and JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages also went deep. The Cardinals took a 9-7 lead into the eighth before Connor Joe’s pinch-hit two-run single tied the game. Giants 6, Marlins 2 Casey Schmitt hit a two-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos added solo shots, and San Francisco evened its three-game home series against Miami at a game apiece. Robbie Ray combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, lifting the Giants to their first home win over the Marlins since August of 2024. Miami had won six straight in San Francisco, including 9-4 in the series opener Friday night. Schmitt, Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee and Luis Arraez had two hits apiece for the Giants, who out-hit the Marlins 11-6 en route to snapping a two-game losing streak. Xavier Edwards and Agustin Ramirez collected two hits each for Miami. Rays 6, Twins 1 Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power Tampa Bay Rays to a victory over slumping Minnesota in St. Petersburg, Fla. Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games. Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings. Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Rangers 4, Athletics 3 Josh Jung hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning as Texas beat the Athletics in Arlington, Texas. Corey Seager had two hits and an RBI for Texas, which rallied from a 3-0 hole to level the series and set up a Sunday rubber match. Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. Cole Winn (2-1), Jalen Beeks and Jakob Junis each pitched a scoreless inning before left-hander Jacob Latz retired the Athletics in order in the ninth for his first save. Shea Langeliers and Jacob Wilson had two hits apiece for the Athletics, who lost despite out-hitting the Rangers 7-5. The Athletics saw Jeffrey Springs (3-2) give up four runs on five hits over six innings. Padres 6, Diamondbacks 4 Ty France hit two bases-empty homers, Mason Miller recorded his major league-leading 10th save, and San Diego beat Arizona in the Mexico City Series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. Miller has not allowed a run in 14 1/3 innings this season, and he extended his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34 2/3 innings. France hit his second and third homers of the season and Gavin Sheets had a two-run single in a four-run seventh for the Padres, who overcame an early 4-0 deficit. They have won 13 of 15. Alek Thomas homered in a four-run second inning, his second homer in three games, for the Diamondbacks, who are the designated home team in the two-game series. They have lost four of five. Arizona infielder Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Vargas has a 22-game hitting streak dating to 2025. Royals 12, Angels 1 Salvador Perez had three hits including a home run, Cole Ragans pitched six strong innings and Kansas City routed visiting Los Angeles. Nick Loftin had two hits and drove in four runs for the Royals, who have won three of four. Ragans (1-4) allowed a run on five hits and struck out 11 batters without a walk. It was the third time this season he went six innings and allowed one run or less. Jo Adell homered and Vaughn Grissom had three hits for the Angels, who have lost six of seven. Walbert Urena (0-3) lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Los Angeles pitchers issued 10 walks, including two with the bases loaded. Pirates 6, Brewers 3 (10 innings) Bryan Reynolds singled in the go-ahead run to trigger a three-run 10th inning and lift Pittsburgh to victory and hand host Milwaukee its fourth consecutive loss. Left-hander Angel Zerpa (0-2) started the 10th for the Brewers. Pinch hitter Marcell Ozuna drew a one-out walk. Nick Yorke ran for Ozuna and Reynolds singled to left, scoring automatic runner Henry Davis from second. Both runners advanced on a groundout. Grant Anderson relieved Zerpa, and Nick Gonzales delivered an RBI single to left, with Reynolds continuing home on a bobble by left fielder Greg Jones. Yohan Ramirez kept Milwaukee off the board in the 10th for his first save. Gregory Soto (2-0) delivered a scoreless ninth. Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski struck out nine in six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Reds 9, Tigers 2 Sal Stewart homered and drove in five runs to help host Cincinnati clinch a series win over Detroit. Brady Singer (2-1) allowed two runs on eight hits across 5 1/3 innings for the Reds, who have won nine of their last 11 games. Singer struck out three and TJ Friedl went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, as Cincinnati scored nine runs for the second straight day. Jack Flaherty (0-2) lasted just two innings for the Tigers, yielding six runs on five hits. Spencer Torkelson homered in his fourth straight game for Detroit, which has dropped four of its last six. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Red #Sox #rout #Orioles #fire #manager #Alex #CoraApr 25, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Garrett Crochet pitched six shutout innings and Andruw Monasterio drilled a late-game grand slam as the Boston Red Sox snapped a four-game losing streak in dominant fashion with a 17-1 win over the host Baltimore Orioles Saturday afternoon.

Later on Saturday, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five others on staff. Chad Tracy, the club’s manager at Triple-A Worcester since 2022, was named interim manager.

Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras (five RBIs in the game) joined Monasterio with ninth-inning home runs as part of Boston’s 10-run blitz in the final inning. Connor Wong drilled a three-run double in the fifth inning. Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits apiece.

The Orioles, who racked up 20 hits on Friday night, had one hit through five innings Saturday. Taylor Ward had two of Baltimore’s six hits.

Dodgers 12, Cubs 4

Max Muncy hit a two-run home run and Andy Pages had three RBIs as host Los Angeles snapped Chicago’s 10-game winning streak thanks in large part to a six-run fourth inning.

Teoscar Hernandez had two hits and two RBIs, Alex Freeland had two doubles, a run and an RBI, and Hyeseong Kim had two hits, a run and an RBI for the Dodgers.

Seiya Suzuki, Moises Ballesteros and Miguel Amaya hit solo home runs for Chicago. Suzuki also had a three-hit game.

Phillies 8, Braves 5 (10 innings)

Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked visiting Philadelphia to a win over Atlanta to end its 10-game losing streak.

Harper was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since Aug. 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits.

Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits.

Nationals 6, White Sox 3 (10 innings)

Nasim Nunez had a pair of two-run singles, one of which capped off a breakout 10th inning to help Washington come away with a victory over host Chicago.

Nunez finished with four of Washington’s five RBIs, nearly doubling his total of six RBIs he had in his first 24 games this season. Cionel Perez (2-3) worked around two walks for a scoreless ninth inning and Brad Lord pitched the 10th for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak despite stranding 10 runners on base.

Only the automatic runner scored in the 10th for Chicago, which had won four of five. Miguel Vargas had a double and a pair of walks for the White Sox, who were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.

Yankees 6, Astros 3

Austin Wells socked a leadoff home run to ignite a three-run seventh inning as New York claimed a three-game series against host Houston.

Wells’ second homer was the third of the game for the Yankees, who improved to 5-0 on their current nine-game road trip and have won eight straight overall. The Yankees were locked in a pitcher’s duel before Wells snapped a 2-2 tie by driving an inside fastball from Astros reliever Kai-Wei Teng (1-1) out to right field.

Astros starter Mike Burrows matched his career high of eight strikeouts while working five innings. Burrows surrendered a solo home run to Grisham, his fourth on the season, with one out in the third inning that enabled the Yankees to erase a 1-0 deficit.

Blue Jays 5, Guardians 3

Kevin Gausman pitched an effective 6 2/3 innings, Kazuma Okamoto homered and Toronto beat visiting Cleveland.

Gausman (2-1) allowed two runs, six hits and no walks with three strikeouts. Louis Varland allowed one run on two singles and a double in the ninth to pick up his second save. Andres Gimenez keyed a three-run sixth with a two-run double to help the Blue Jays gain a split of the first two games of the three-game series.

David Fry hit a solo homer for the Guardians. Joey Cantillo (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings.

Mariners 11, Cardinals 9

Leo Rivas’ tie-breaking, two-run single in the ninth inning propelled Seattle to a victory over host St. Louis.

Julio Rodriguez, Will Wilson and Cole Young homered for the Mariners, who posted their third straight victory and sent the Cardinals to their third loss in a row, overcoming a poor start from Bryan Woo, who allowed seven runs on nine hits in three innings.

For St. Louis, Nathan Church hit two home runs and JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages also went deep. The Cardinals took a 9-7 lead into the eighth before Connor Joe’s pinch-hit two-run single tied the game.


Giants 6, Marlins 2

Casey Schmitt hit a two-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos added solo shots, and San Francisco evened its three-game home series against Miami at a game apiece.

Robbie Ray combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, lifting the Giants to their first home win over the Marlins since August of 2024. Miami had won six straight in San Francisco, including 9-4 in the series opener Friday night.

Schmitt, Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee and Luis Arraez had two hits apiece for the Giants, who out-hit the Marlins 11-6 en route to snapping a two-game losing streak. Xavier Edwards and Agustin Ramirez collected two hits each for Miami.

Rays 6, Twins 1

Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power Tampa Bay Rays to a victory over slumping Minnesota in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games. Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings.

Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits over six innings.

Rangers 4, Athletics 3

Josh Jung hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning as Texas beat the Athletics in Arlington, Texas.

Corey Seager had two hits and an RBI for Texas, which rallied from a 3-0 hole to level the series and set up a Sunday rubber match. Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. Cole Winn (2-1), Jalen Beeks and Jakob Junis each pitched a scoreless inning before left-hander Jacob Latz retired the Athletics in order in the ninth for his first save.

Shea Langeliers and Jacob Wilson had two hits apiece for the Athletics, who lost despite out-hitting the Rangers 7-5. The Athletics saw Jeffrey Springs (3-2) give up four runs on five hits over six innings.

Padres 6, Diamondbacks 4

Ty France hit two bases-empty homers, Mason Miller recorded his major league-leading 10th save, and San Diego beat Arizona in the Mexico City Series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu.

Miller has not allowed a run in 14 1/3 innings this season, and he extended his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34 2/3 innings. France hit his second and third homers of the season and Gavin Sheets had a two-run single in a four-run seventh for the Padres, who overcame an early 4-0 deficit. They have won 13 of 15.

Alek Thomas homered in a four-run second inning, his second homer in three games, for the Diamondbacks, who are the designated home team in the two-game series. They have lost four of five. Arizona infielder Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Vargas has a 22-game hitting streak dating to 2025.

Royals 12, Angels 1

Salvador Perez had three hits including a home run, Cole Ragans pitched six strong innings and Kansas City routed visiting Los Angeles.

Nick Loftin had two hits and drove in four runs for the Royals, who have won three of four. Ragans (1-4) allowed a run on five hits and struck out 11 batters without a walk. It was the third time this season he went six innings and allowed one run or less.

Jo Adell homered and Vaughn Grissom had three hits for the Angels, who have lost six of seven. Walbert Urena (0-3) lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Los Angeles pitchers issued 10 walks, including two with the bases loaded.

Pirates 6, Brewers 3 (10 innings)

Bryan Reynolds singled in the go-ahead run to trigger a three-run 10th inning and lift Pittsburgh to victory and hand host Milwaukee its fourth consecutive loss.

Left-hander Angel Zerpa (0-2) started the 10th for the Brewers. Pinch hitter Marcell Ozuna drew a one-out walk. Nick Yorke ran for Ozuna and Reynolds singled to left, scoring automatic runner Henry Davis from second. Both runners advanced on a groundout. Grant Anderson relieved Zerpa, and Nick Gonzales delivered an RBI single to left, with Reynolds continuing home on a bobble by left fielder Greg Jones.

Yohan Ramirez kept Milwaukee off the board in the 10th for his first save. Gregory Soto (2-0) delivered a scoreless ninth. Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski struck out nine in six innings, allowing three runs on six hits.

Reds 9, Tigers 2

Sal Stewart homered and drove in five runs to help host Cincinnati clinch a series win over Detroit.

Brady Singer (2-1) allowed two runs on eight hits across 5 1/3 innings for the Reds, who have won nine of their last 11 games. Singer struck out three and TJ Friedl went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, as Cincinnati scored nine runs for the second straight day.

Jack Flaherty (0-2) lasted just two innings for the Tigers, yielding six runs on five hits. Spencer Torkelson homered in his fourth straight game for Detroit, which has dropped four of its last six.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Red #Sox #rout #Orioles #fire #manager #Alex #Cora">Deadspin | MLB roundup: Red Sox rout Orioles, fire manager Alex Cora Apr 25, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Garrett Crochet pitched six shutout innings and Andruw Monasterio drilled a late-game grand slam as the Boston Red Sox snapped a four-game losing streak in dominant fashion with a 17-1 win over the host Baltimore Orioles Saturday afternoon. Later on Saturday, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five others on staff. Chad Tracy, the club’s manager at Triple-A Worcester since 2022, was named interim manager. Caleb Durbin and Willson Contreras (five RBIs in the game) joined Monasterio with ninth-inning home runs as part of Boston’s 10-run blitz in the final inning. Connor Wong drilled a three-run double in the fifth inning. Monasterio and Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits apiece. The Orioles, who racked up 20 hits on Friday night, had one hit through five innings Saturday. Taylor Ward had two of Baltimore’s six hits. Dodgers 12, Cubs 4 Max Muncy hit a two-run home run and Andy Pages had three RBIs as host Los Angeles snapped Chicago’s 10-game winning streak thanks in large part to a six-run fourth inning. Teoscar Hernandez had two hits and two RBIs, Alex Freeland had two doubles, a run and an RBI, and Hyeseong Kim had two hits, a run and an RBI for the Dodgers. Seiya Suzuki, Moises Ballesteros and Miguel Amaya hit solo home runs for Chicago. Suzuki also had a three-hit game. Phillies 8, Braves 5 (10 innings) Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked visiting Philadelphia to a win over Atlanta to end its 10-game losing streak. Harper was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since Aug. 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits. Nationals 6, White Sox 3 (10 innings) Nasim Nunez had a pair of two-run singles, one of which capped off a breakout 10th inning to help Washington come away with a victory over host Chicago. Nunez finished with four of Washington’s five RBIs, nearly doubling his total of six RBIs he had in his first 24 games this season. Cionel Perez (2-3) worked around two walks for a scoreless ninth inning and Brad Lord pitched the 10th for the Nationals, who snapped a three-game losing streak despite stranding 10 runners on base. Only the automatic runner scored in the 10th for Chicago, which had won four of five. Miguel Vargas had a double and a pair of walks for the White Sox, who were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners. Yankees 6, Astros 3 Austin Wells socked a leadoff home run to ignite a three-run seventh inning as New York claimed a three-game series against host Houston. Wells’ second homer was the third of the game for the Yankees, who improved to 5-0 on their current nine-game road trip and have won eight straight overall. The Yankees were locked in a pitcher’s duel before Wells snapped a 2-2 tie by driving an inside fastball from Astros reliever Kai-Wei Teng (1-1) out to right field. Astros starter Mike Burrows matched his career high of eight strikeouts while working five innings. Burrows surrendered a solo home run to Grisham, his fourth on the season, with one out in the third inning that enabled the Yankees to erase a 1-0 deficit. Blue Jays 5, Guardians 3 Kevin Gausman pitched an effective 6 2/3 innings, Kazuma Okamoto homered and Toronto beat visiting Cleveland. Gausman (2-1) allowed two runs, six hits and no walks with three strikeouts. Louis Varland allowed one run on two singles and a double in the ninth to pick up his second save. Andres Gimenez keyed a three-run sixth with a two-run double to help the Blue Jays gain a split of the first two games of the three-game series. David Fry hit a solo homer for the Guardians. Joey Cantillo (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings. Mariners 11, Cardinals 9 Leo Rivas’ tie-breaking, two-run single in the ninth inning propelled Seattle to a victory over host St. Louis. Julio Rodriguez, Will Wilson and Cole Young homered for the Mariners, who posted their third straight victory and sent the Cardinals to their third loss in a row, overcoming a poor start from Bryan Woo, who allowed seven runs on nine hits in three innings. For St. Louis, Nathan Church hit two home runs and JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages also went deep. The Cardinals took a 9-7 lead into the eighth before Connor Joe’s pinch-hit two-run single tied the game. Giants 6, Marlins 2 Casey Schmitt hit a two-run homer, Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos added solo shots, and San Francisco evened its three-game home series against Miami at a game apiece. Robbie Ray combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, lifting the Giants to their first home win over the Marlins since August of 2024. Miami had won six straight in San Francisco, including 9-4 in the series opener Friday night. Schmitt, Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee and Luis Arraez had two hits apiece for the Giants, who out-hit the Marlins 11-6 en route to snapping a two-game losing streak. Xavier Edwards and Agustin Ramirez collected two hits each for Miami. Rays 6, Twins 1 Jake Fraley hit a two-run homer and Ben Williamson went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs to power Tampa Bay Rays to a victory over slumping Minnesota in St. Petersburg, Fla. Junior Caminero extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single and Yandy Diaz scored two runs for Tampa Bay, which extended its winning streak to three games. Shane McClanahan (2-2) allowed three hits over five shutout innings. Byron Buxton had two hits for Minnesota, which took its fourth straight loss and eighth in the past nine games. Bailey Ober (2-1) allowed two runs on three hits over six innings. Rangers 4, Athletics 3 Josh Jung hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning as Texas beat the Athletics in Arlington, Texas. Corey Seager had two hits and an RBI for Texas, which rallied from a 3-0 hole to level the series and set up a Sunday rubber match. Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. Cole Winn (2-1), Jalen Beeks and Jakob Junis each pitched a scoreless inning before left-hander Jacob Latz retired the Athletics in order in the ninth for his first save. Shea Langeliers and Jacob Wilson had two hits apiece for the Athletics, who lost despite out-hitting the Rangers 7-5. The Athletics saw Jeffrey Springs (3-2) give up four runs on five hits over six innings. Padres 6, Diamondbacks 4 Ty France hit two bases-empty homers, Mason Miller recorded his major league-leading 10th save, and San Diego beat Arizona in the Mexico City Series at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. Miller has not allowed a run in 14 1/3 innings this season, and he extended his scoreless streak to a franchise-record 34 2/3 innings. France hit his second and third homers of the season and Gavin Sheets had a two-run single in a four-run seventh for the Padres, who overcame an early 4-0 deficit. They have won 13 of 15. Alek Thomas homered in a four-run second inning, his second homer in three games, for the Diamondbacks, who are the designated home team in the two-game series. They have lost four of five. Arizona infielder Ildemaro Vargas extended his season-opening hitting streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Vargas has a 22-game hitting streak dating to 2025. Royals 12, Angels 1 Salvador Perez had three hits including a home run, Cole Ragans pitched six strong innings and Kansas City routed visiting Los Angeles. Nick Loftin had two hits and drove in four runs for the Royals, who have won three of four. Ragans (1-4) allowed a run on five hits and struck out 11 batters without a walk. It was the third time this season he went six innings and allowed one run or less. Jo Adell homered and Vaughn Grissom had three hits for the Angels, who have lost six of seven. Walbert Urena (0-3) lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Los Angeles pitchers issued 10 walks, including two with the bases loaded. Pirates 6, Brewers 3 (10 innings) Bryan Reynolds singled in the go-ahead run to trigger a three-run 10th inning and lift Pittsburgh to victory and hand host Milwaukee its fourth consecutive loss. Left-hander Angel Zerpa (0-2) started the 10th for the Brewers. Pinch hitter Marcell Ozuna drew a one-out walk. Nick Yorke ran for Ozuna and Reynolds singled to left, scoring automatic runner Henry Davis from second. Both runners advanced on a groundout. Grant Anderson relieved Zerpa, and Nick Gonzales delivered an RBI single to left, with Reynolds continuing home on a bobble by left fielder Greg Jones. Yohan Ramirez kept Milwaukee off the board in the 10th for his first save. Gregory Soto (2-0) delivered a scoreless ninth. Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski struck out nine in six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Reds 9, Tigers 2 Sal Stewart homered and drove in five runs to help host Cincinnati clinch a series win over Detroit. Brady Singer (2-1) allowed two runs on eight hits across 5 1/3 innings for the Reds, who have won nine of their last 11 games. Singer struck out three and TJ Friedl went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, as Cincinnati scored nine runs for the second straight day. Jack Flaherty (0-2) lasted just two innings for the Tigers, yielding six runs on five hits. Spencer Torkelson homered in his fourth straight game for Detroit, which has dropped four of its last six. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Red #Sox #rout #Orioles #fire #manager #Alex #Cora

Tailgating will be allowed prior to World Cup games in Gillette Stadium, after all.

The Boston World Cup host committee said Monday that FIFA reversed its initial stance that no tailgating would be allowed at any of the 104 matches during the tournament, to be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Six group-stage matches will be played at the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots in Foxborough, south of Boston, plus a quarterfinal on July 9.

The committee said the shift conforms with local policies that allow tailgating “like any other event hosted at the stadium as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it.”

Those events include games hosted by the Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, and concerts.

Space will be severely reduced from what is normally available. There are about 20,000 parking spots available for Patriots games, but there will be only around 5,000 for public use during the World Cup.

The Metro Boston Transit Authority has set train prices at $80 round trip from Boston to Foxborough for tournament games, four times what it charges for NFL and MLS games. There also is an express bus option that will depart from various Boston-area locations, which will cost $95 round trip.

Published on Apr 28, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #Boston #host #committee #tailgating #allowed #Foxborough #games">FIFA World Cup 2026 — Boston WC host committee says tailgating will be allowed for Foxborough games Tailgating will be allowed prior to World Cup games in Gillette Stadium, after all.The Boston World Cup host committee said Monday that FIFA reversed its initial stance that no tailgating would be allowed at any of the 104 matches during the tournament, to be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.Six group-stage matches will be played at the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots in Foxborough, south of Boston, plus a quarterfinal on July 9.The committee said the shift conforms with local policies that allow tailgating “like any other event hosted at the stadium as there are no venue restrictions or local public safety restrictions in place that would prohibit it.”Those events include games hosted by the Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, and concerts.Space will be severely reduced from what is normally available. There are about 20,000 parking spots available for Patriots games, but there will be only around 5,000 for public use during the World Cup.The Metro Boston Transit Authority has set train prices at round trip from Boston to Foxborough for tournament games, four times what it charges for NFL and MLS games. There also is an express bus option that will depart from various Boston-area locations, which will cost round trip.Published on Apr 28, 2026 #FIFA #World #Cup #Boston #host #committee #tailgating #allowed #Foxborough #games

Deadspin | Craig Breslow declares ‘fresh start’ for Red Sox after firing Alex Cora Mar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday. “It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us. “We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.” The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager. Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization. “Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.” “Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.” Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency. Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, 0 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA. “It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.” “Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #CoraMar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday.

“It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us.

“We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.”

The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager.

Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization.

“Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.”


“Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.”

Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency.

Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB.

Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, $140 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA.

“It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.”

“Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #Cora">Deadspin | Craig Breslow declares ‘fresh start’ for Red Sox after firing Alex Cora Mar 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire CB Bucknor (54) ejects Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Sitting in front of a Baltimore Orioles-themed backdrop, Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and head of baseball operations Craig Breslow explained on Sunday morning why manager Alex Cora and several members of his staff were fired Saturday. “It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players,” Breslow said. “And the belief that we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish. By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us. “We’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and a deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.” The Red Sox have not enjoyed a deep postseason run since 2021, when they lost the ALCS to the Houston Astros in six games. They won their last World Series in 2018, which doubled as Cora’s first year as manager. Cora finished his tenure with a 620-541 record (.534) in seven-plus seasons. Breslow, with the support of Kennedy and owner John Henry, decided Saturday morning to fire Cora along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, major league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and third-base coach Kyle Hudson. Game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek will be reassigned within the organization. “Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of the baseball operation,” Breslow said. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything that I can – and everything that the organization can – to find solutions. And right now, we feel like this change, these changes, were warranted. And we’re really excited about the chance for Chad (Tracy) to come in and be a consistent, stabilizing voice – and one that the majority of our player group is familiar with.” “Craig leads our baseball operation and he has made several bold decisions and recommendations,” Kennedy said. “This was one of them and we fully support it. That’s why we took the action that we took yesterday.” Tracy, who has served as manager for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox since the start of the 2022 season, has been promoted to interim manager. He inherits a squad that ranks tied for 20th in runs per game (4.15), tied for last in home runs (18), tied for 27th in OPS (.665), 20th in ERA (4.43) and 26th in defensive efficiency. Most important, the Red Sox enter Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a 10-17 record. That brings up the rear in the AL East – eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees – and tied for the fourth-worst record in MLB. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey was among the handful who were retained, though the top of the Red Sox rotation has underperformed. Garrett Crochet owns a 3-3 record and a 6.30 ERA. Ranger Suarez, who signed a five-year, 0 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sits at 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA. “It is true that we have fallen short in terms of the performance across, you know, hitting, pitching, defense, baserunning,” Breslow said. “But as it relates to the staff and trying to tease out exactly what’s driving that, I have confidence in the pitching group’s ability to turn that around. I think we’ve seen evidence of that with Ranger (Suarez) and with Garrett (Crochet). Have the full confidence in that group to be able to get us on track.” “Ultimately what matters is the performance on the field at the major league level,” Kennedy said. “And a new beginning starts today.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Craig #Breslow #declares #fresh #start #Red #Sox #firing #Alex #Cora

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