Premier League 2025-26 — Man City routs Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as it closed the gap on leader Arsenal on Sunday.Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.Second-placed City is now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City is hitting form at just the right time.Its bid for a seventh English title under Guardiola appeared to be fading after successive draws with strugglers West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their previous two league matches. A disjointed first half against Chelsea suggested City might waste a golden opportunity to pile pressure on Arsenal. Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP But Guardiola’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect and City can now target next weekend’s do-or-die visit from Mikel Arteta’s spluttering team.If City wins that blockbuster clash, it will be within three points of Arsenal, which blew substantial leads in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing Guardiola’s men to pip them to the trophy.Arteta said the defeat to Bournemouth was a “punch in the face” and City’s success in west London was another body blow for the Spaniard. City has won 29 of its 32 league games in the month of April in recent seasons, underlining its ability to thrive when the title pressure mounts.After winning its first four league matches following Liam Rosenior’s arrival from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has won just one of its last seven, losing three in a row and faced with some difficult questions.Chelsea, which hasn’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, was again without Enzo Fernandez after Rosenior’s controversial decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer.Cherki sparklesSixth-placed Chelsea looked subdued without Fernandez and it trailed four points behind Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.Lacking energy and cohesion in a sloppy start, City was fortunate not to fall behind when Marc Cucurella’s clinical finish was disallowed for a tight offside. City also let Pedro Neto in far too easily for a stinging strike that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to save at his near post. Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters It took City 35 minutes to mount an incisive raid as Bernardo Silva stretched to meet O’Reilly’s cross, but Robert Sanchez made a fine save from the midfielder’s close-range effort.City stepped up after the interval and O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross from the right wing towards O’Reilly and the City left-back reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.Six minutes later, Cherki again showed the creative genius that has won over Guardiola despite some impetuous moments in his first season in Manchester.The France playmaker glided past a gaggle of Chelsea players on the edge of the area before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who looked more like a forward than a centre-back as he smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.City benefitted from wretched Chelsea defending for its third goal in the 68th minute.Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the Chelsea midfielder was surrounded by three City players and Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #Premier #League #Man #City #routs #Chelsea #close #gap #leaders #Arsenal

Premier League 2025-26 — Man City routs Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal
Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as it closed the gap on leader Arsenal on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Second-placed City is now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.
Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City is hitting form at just the right time.
Its bid for a seventh English title under Guardiola appeared to be fading after successive draws with strugglers West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their previous two league matches. A disjointed first half against Chelsea suggested City might waste a golden opportunity to pile pressure on Arsenal.
Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP
Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP
But Guardiola’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect and City can now target next weekend’s do-or-die visit from Mikel Arteta’s spluttering team.
If City wins that blockbuster clash, it will be within three points of Arsenal, which blew substantial leads in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing Guardiola’s men to pip them to the trophy.
Arteta said the defeat to Bournemouth was a “punch in the face” and City’s success in west London was another body blow for the Spaniard. City has won 29 of its 32 league games in the month of April in recent seasons, underlining its ability to thrive when the title pressure mounts.
After winning its first four league matches following Liam Rosenior’s arrival from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has won just one of its last seven, losing three in a row and faced with some difficult questions.
Chelsea, which hasn’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, was again without Enzo Fernandez after Rosenior’s controversial decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer.
Cherki sparkles
Sixth-placed Chelsea looked subdued without Fernandez and it trailed four points behind Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.
Lacking energy and cohesion in a sloppy start, City was fortunate not to fall behind when Marc Cucurella’s clinical finish was disallowed for a tight offside. City also let Pedro Neto in far too easily for a stinging strike that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to save at his near post.
Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters
It took City 35 minutes to mount an incisive raid as Bernardo Silva stretched to meet O’Reilly’s cross, but Robert Sanchez made a fine save from the midfielder’s close-range effort.
City stepped up after the interval and O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.
Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross from the right wing towards O’Reilly and the City left-back reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.
Six minutes later, Cherki again showed the creative genius that has won over Guardiola despite some impetuous moments in his first season in Manchester.
The France playmaker glided past a gaggle of Chelsea players on the edge of the area before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who looked more like a forward than a centre-back as he smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.
City benefitted from wretched Chelsea defending for its third goal in the 68th minute.
Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the Chelsea midfielder was surrounded by three City players and Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
#Premier #League #Man #City #routs #Chelsea #close #gap #leaders #Arsenal

Sports news chelsea vs manchester city, chelsea vs manchester city goals, chelsea vs manchester city highlights, chelsea vs manchester city match highlights, chelsea vs manchester city match report, chelsea vs manchester city premier league, chelsea vs manchester city score, premier league 2025-26, premier league results April 12, 2026

Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as it closed the gap on leader Arsenal on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Second-placed City is now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.

Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City is hitting form at just the right time.

Its bid for a seventh English title under Guardiola appeared to be fading after successive draws with strugglers West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their previous two league matches. A disjointed first half against Chelsea suggested City might waste a golden opportunity to pile pressure on Arsenal.

Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

lightbox-info

Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

But Guardiola’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect and City can now target next weekend’s do-or-die visit from Mikel Arteta’s spluttering team.

If City wins that blockbuster clash, it will be within three points of Arsenal, which blew substantial leads in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing Guardiola’s men to pip them to the trophy.

Arteta said the defeat to Bournemouth was a “punch in the face” and City’s success in west London was another body blow for the Spaniard. City has won 29 of its 32 league games in the month of April in recent seasons, underlining its ability to thrive when the title pressure mounts.

After winning its first four league matches following Liam Rosenior’s arrival from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has won just one of its last seven, losing three in a row and faced with some difficult questions.

Chelsea, which hasn’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, was again without Enzo Fernandez after Rosenior’s controversial decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer.

Cherki sparkles

Sixth-placed Chelsea looked subdued without Fernandez and it trailed four points behind Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.

Lacking energy and cohesion in a sloppy start, City was fortunate not to fall behind when Marc Cucurella’s clinical finish was disallowed for a tight offside. City also let Pedro Neto in far too easily for a stinging strike that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to save at his near post.

Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

lightbox-info

Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

It took City 35 minutes to mount an incisive raid as Bernardo Silva stretched to meet O’Reilly’s cross, but Robert Sanchez made a fine save from the midfielder’s close-range effort.

City stepped up after the interval and O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.

Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross from the right wing towards O’Reilly and the City left-back reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.

Six minutes later, Cherki again showed the creative genius that has won over Guardiola despite some impetuous moments in his first season in Manchester.

The France playmaker glided past a gaggle of Chelsea players on the edge of the area before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who looked more like a forward than a centre-back as he smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.

City benefitted from wretched Chelsea defending for its third goal in the 68th minute.

Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the Chelsea midfielder was surrounded by three City players and Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

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#Premier #League #Man #City #routs #Chelsea #close #gap #leaders #Arsenal

Tag chelsea vs manchester city chelsea vs manchester city goals chelsea vs manchester city highlights chelsea vs manchester city match highlights chelsea vs manchester city match report chelsea vs manchester city premier league chelsea vs manchester city score premier league 2025-26 premier league results

Deadspin | Chicago Fire use early goal to extend Atlanta’s road woes <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28711570.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28711570.jpg" alt="MLS: Atlanta United FC at Chicago Fire FC" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 11, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC defender Leonardo Barroso (2) defends against Atlanta United FC midfielder Matías Galarza (88) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Maren Haile-Selassie scored his first goal of the season just before the quarter-hour mark for the Chicago Fire, who defeated visiting Atlanta United 1-0 on Saturday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Philip Zinckernagel and Jonathan Bamba assisted on the goal for Chicago (4-2-1, 13 points), which won its third consecutive match to improve to 3-1-0 at Soldier Field.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Atlanta (1-5-1, 4 points), which dropped to 0-3-0 on the road this season, has lost back-to-back outings.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Haile-Selassie’s goal came in the 13th minute. Zinckernagel ventured forward on the right side, entered the scoring area, and slid it to Bamba. Bamba’s touch found Haile-Selassie, who struck it past a lunging Lucas Hoyos for a 1-0 lead.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Atlanta nearly leveled it right after the ensuing kickoff, but Tomas Jacob’s attempt rang off the woodwork.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Later in the half, the Fire came close to breaching Atlanta’s defense and doubling their lead. Andrew Gutman had an opportunity to make it 2-0 Fire in the 39th minute, but the former Atlanta defender shot it off the post. A minute later, Bamba struck the crossbar.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Haile-Selassie appeared to complete his brace to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute, but he was offside in the buildup.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Ultimately, Chicago’s first-half goal ended up being the only one of the match as it played to a second straight 1-0 result. The Fire have allowed just five goals in 2026.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Chris Brady made four saves for his fourth clean sheet of the season. Hoyos was credited with a pair of saves for Atlanta.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Atlanta has lost its last six regular-season matches away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and is 1-14-5 in its last 20 on the road. It also saw its winless streak in Chicago reach eight matches (0-5-3).</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino served a one-match suspension after being shown a red card during a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on April 4.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Alexey Miranchuk, Atlanta’s leading scorer (four goals), missed Saturday’s match because of a muscle injury.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Chicago #Fire #early #goal #extend #Atlantas #road #woes

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East Bengal LIVE SCORE — EBFC vs South United , Durand Cup 2026 — Dani Ramirez, Mohammed Rashid score
East Bengal will look to continue its winning momentum into its final group stage match as it takes on South United in the Durand Cup 2026, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday.
East Bengal steamrolled CISF Protectors in its previous match, winning 8-0 which included a hat-trick by P. V. Vishnu. South United, on the other hand, was on the opposite end of an identical scoreline against East Bengal’s arch-rival, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, in its previous match.
Though the odds are stacked heavily in favour of the Red-and-Gold Brigade, it remains to be seen if the underdogs can conjure an upset in the City of Joy.
#East #Bengal #LIVE #SCORE #EBFC #South #United #Durand #Cup #Dani #Ramirez #Mohammed #Rashid #score

Deadspin | Pirates’ postseason push in need of reset against Mets Jul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images It’s make-or-break time for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they return home on Friday to open a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Pirates bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline in the hopes of making a playoff push, but they lost their third consecutive game on Thursday and dropped to three games under .500 for the first time this season. The Mets, mired in last place in the National League East and already looking toward the future, will turn to rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) for his seventh career start, his first against the Pirates. New York’s fifth-round pick in 2023, Thornton will oppose right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3, 3.15 ERA), who returns to Pittsburgh’s rotation for the first time since May 25. Mlodzinski will fill in for veteran Mitch Keller, who was placed on the 60-day injured list this week due to a season-ending shoulder injury. The Pirates have lost eight of their past 10 games and are behind five teams in the chase for the National League’s final wild-card spot. Pittsburgh traded for relievers Camilo Doval, Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar ahead of the Monday deadline, and a 4-3 win at Milwaukee that night appeared to energize the clubhouse. However, three consecutive losses to the Brewers followed. Pittsburgh likely needs an extended winning streak to reach the postseason, but the Pirates haven’t won more than five in a row this season (March 31-April 5). “There are gonna be weeks where we’re gonna find ourselves in the situation we are now … but next week we could win all six between the next two series and find ourselves in a wild-card spot,” Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “It’s gonna be a grind, and we’re gonna have to play our best baseball up until the final game. Wipe what happened here and get ready for New York.” Mlodzinski made his first start of this season and only career start against the Mets on March 29, and he did not factor in the decision after allowing two runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk. As a reliever the past two-plus months, Mlodzinski made 14 appearances, going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA, two saves, 30 strikeouts and 11 walks over 39 1/3 innings. The Mets took two of three against the visiting Pirates to open the season and are coming off their third sweep of 2026, having taken three in a row at Cleveland. With a win on Friday, they would match their longest winning streaks of the year, four-game runs from April 3-7 and May 27-31. The recent surge was a welcome sight for veterans such as Bo Bichette, who believe the club can build off such success in the second half as it evaluates new players. “The way I look at it is, I think there’s no doubt this team is going to be better next year,” Bichette said. “I really believe that. There’s still a lot of talent in this room, a lot of young talent that’s really hungry, combined with guys that have been around who have done a lot of great things in this game. And then on top of that, typically when you have a season like this, people show up a little bit more motivated. So I think that this group is going to be well-prepared to be better next year.” Thornton will try to regroup after lasting 4 2/3 innings in a 6-2 home loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, including a home run, and three walks while striking out two. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Pirates #postseason #push #reset #Mets

#Deadspin #Pirates #postseason #push #reset #Mets">

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Jul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It’s make-or-break time for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they return home on Friday to open a three-game series against the New York Mets.

The Pirates bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline in the hopes of making a playoff push, but they lost their third consecutive game on Thursday and dropped to three games under .500 for the first time this season.

The Mets, mired in last place in the National League East and already looking toward the future, will turn to rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) for his seventh career start, his first against the Pirates.

New York’s fifth-round pick in 2023, Thornton will oppose right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3, 3.15 ERA), who returns to Pittsburgh’s rotation for the first time since May 25. Mlodzinski will fill in for veteran Mitch Keller, who was placed on the 60-day injured list this week due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

The Pirates have lost eight of their past 10 games and are behind five teams in the chase for the National League’s final wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh traded for relievers Camilo Doval, Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar ahead of the Monday deadline, and a 4-3 win at Milwaukee that night appeared to energize the clubhouse.

However, three consecutive losses to the Brewers followed. Pittsburgh likely needs an extended winning streak to reach the postseason, but the Pirates haven’t won more than five in a row this season (March 31-April 5).

“There are gonna be weeks where we’re gonna find ourselves in the situation we are now … but next week we could win all six between the next two series and find ourselves in a wild-card spot,” Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “It’s gonna be a grind, and we’re gonna have to play our best baseball up until the final game. Wipe what happened here and get ready for New York.”

Mlodzinski made his first start of this season and only career start against the Mets on March 29, and he did not factor in the decision after allowing two runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

As a reliever the past two-plus months, Mlodzinski made 14 appearances, going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA, two saves, 30 strikeouts and 11 walks over 39 1/3 innings.

The Mets took two of three against the visiting Pirates to open the season and are coming off their third sweep of 2026, having taken three in a row at Cleveland. With a win on Friday, they would match their longest winning streaks of the year, four-game runs from April 3-7 and May 27-31.

The recent surge was a welcome sight for veterans such as Bo Bichette, who believe the club can build off such success in the second half as it evaluates new players.

“The way I look at it is, I think there’s no doubt this team is going to be better next year,” Bichette said. “I really believe that. There’s still a lot of talent in this room, a lot of young talent that’s really hungry, combined with guys that have been around who have done a lot of great things in this game. And then on top of that, typically when you have a season like this, people show up a little bit more motivated. So I think that this group is going to be well-prepared to be better next year.”

Thornton will try to regroup after lasting 4 2/3 innings in a 6-2 home loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, including a home run, and three walks while striking out two.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pirates #postseason #push #reset #Mets">Deadspin | Pirates’ postseason push in need of reset against Mets

Jul 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It’s make-or-break time for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they return home on Friday to open a three-game series against the New York Mets.

The Pirates bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline in the hopes of making a playoff push, but they lost their third consecutive game on Thursday and dropped to three games under .500 for the first time this season.

The Mets, mired in last place in the National League East and already looking toward the future, will turn to rookie left-hander Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) for his seventh career start, his first against the Pirates.

New York’s fifth-round pick in 2023, Thornton will oppose right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3, 3.15 ERA), who returns to Pittsburgh’s rotation for the first time since May 25. Mlodzinski will fill in for veteran Mitch Keller, who was placed on the 60-day injured list this week due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

The Pirates have lost eight of their past 10 games and are behind five teams in the chase for the National League’s final wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh traded for relievers Camilo Doval, Luke Weaver, Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar ahead of the Monday deadline, and a 4-3 win at Milwaukee that night appeared to energize the clubhouse.

However, three consecutive losses to the Brewers followed. Pittsburgh likely needs an extended winning streak to reach the postseason, but the Pirates haven’t won more than five in a row this season (March 31-April 5).

“There are gonna be weeks where we’re gonna find ourselves in the situation we are now … but next week we could win all six between the next two series and find ourselves in a wild-card spot,” Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe said. “It’s gonna be a grind, and we’re gonna have to play our best baseball up until the final game. Wipe what happened here and get ready for New York.”

Mlodzinski made his first start of this season and only career start against the Mets on March 29, and he did not factor in the decision after allowing two runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

As a reliever the past two-plus months, Mlodzinski made 14 appearances, going 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA, two saves, 30 strikeouts and 11 walks over 39 1/3 innings.

The Mets took two of three against the visiting Pirates to open the season and are coming off their third sweep of 2026, having taken three in a row at Cleveland. With a win on Friday, they would match their longest winning streaks of the year, four-game runs from April 3-7 and May 27-31.

The recent surge was a welcome sight for veterans such as Bo Bichette, who believe the club can build off such success in the second half as it evaluates new players.

“The way I look at it is, I think there’s no doubt this team is going to be better next year,” Bichette said. “I really believe that. There’s still a lot of talent in this room, a lot of young talent that’s really hungry, combined with guys that have been around who have done a lot of great things in this game. And then on top of that, typically when you have a season like this, people show up a little bit more motivated. So I think that this group is going to be well-prepared to be better next year.”

Thornton will try to regroup after lasting 4 2/3 innings in a 6-2 home loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, including a home run, and three walks while striking out two.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pirates #postseason #push #reset #Mets

INDIANAPOLIS — It’ll be hard to find any contest this WNBA season that compares to Thursday’s Fever-Aces showdown.

Both teams had enormous scoring runs across the first three quarters, then played down to the final buzzer in overtime and regulation. A pair of costly miscues from Caitlin Clark at the end of each segment set up Chelsea Gray for two buzzer beaters, the first to send the game to the extra session and the second to give the Aces an improbable win.

“We still battled,” Clark said postgame. “We still fought and we put ourselves in position to win the game and then, honestly, it was me that made costly errors for us. So that’s on me to help us win. That’s my job. That’s what I get paid to do.”

No game is decided by the play or mistakes of one player, but Clark’s late faux pas will certainly draw attention, as is the case with everything she does.

At the end of regulation, both Clark and Mitchell had chances to ice the game away at the line in the final seconds. The latter split her pair, missing the second before A’ja Wilson stepped out of bounds to turn the ball over while trying to save it.

Clark would eventually get to the line with seven seconds left and the chance to make it a two-possession game with Indiana up 75-72. She would miss both looks, keeping the door open for Las Vegas. Gray took full advantage, coming up with a loose ball on a broken play before calmly burying a long-range look to tie the game.

“This can’t happen,” Clark said. “Those are free throws I usually make. Certainly frustrating. Obviously, one of them gives us a two-possession lead and I kind of cost my team there for sure. So that’s on me.”

The two teams traded baskets throughout the extra session with Wilson and Mitchell doing the lion’s share of the scoring for their respective teams. Eventually, the Fever found themselves in a familiar spot, leading by one with just under 30 seconds remaining.

A bit of confusion and miscommunication left Clark standing near mid-court with Wilson, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, in front of her, 30 feet from the basket. Despite the situation, Clark could not create a shot and turned the ball over after Wilson tipped a pass in the air and corralled it. The Aces did not call a timeout and raced down the court before Gray capped off her heroics with the game-winner.

All that came after some huge momentum swings in the first three frames. The Fever were flying up and down the court in the second period, blowing the game open with a 24-4 run to take a 42-22 lead with four minutes left in the first half.

In direct response, the Aces scored the final 15 points of the second period and the first seven points of the third quarter to take the lead. In the end, the Aces went on a 40-11 run that spanned their largest deficit and largest lead of the game, the latter coming at 62-53 early in the fourth.

Clark certainly had a role in pulling Indiana back into the game, including a pair of big threes that gave Indiana the lead, the latter coming with 1:48 left. An Aliyah Boston puback off her own miss put the hosts ahead 74-72 with 30 seconds left before the Fever forced a miss from Wilson to set up the frantic finish.

Postgame, Clark willingly shouldered the blame for the loss. However, on a night when the Fever turned the ball over 21 times, gave up 12 offensive rebounds and shot 35% in the second half, her head coach wouldn’t let her.

“I think you like that as ownership,” Stephanie White said. “But as an athlete and as a coach and as somebody who’s been around for a long time, it doesn’t come down to one singular thing. Like we know that. She’s disappointed in herself certainly, as I’m sure a lot of our players are. But we got to use it as fuel.

“And she’s going to be better. I know she’s going to be better on Saturday because of it. I mean she’s a competitor. She’s a fighter…But it doesn’t come down to one thing and I know, again, it’s easy to look at it and think that it does, but it was a collection of things. If we cut our turnovers in half, it’s a different ballgame.”

#Caitlin #Clark #takes #blame #wild #Fever #loss #Aces #happen">

Caitlin Clark takes blame in wild Fever loss to Aces: ‘This can’t happen’ INDIANAPOLIS — It’ll be hard to find any contest this WNBA season that compares to Thursday’s Fever-Aces showdown.Both teams had enormous scoring runs across the first three quarters, then played down to the final buzzer in overtime and regulation. A pair of costly miscues from Caitlin Clark at the end of each segment set up Chelsea Gray for two buzzer beaters, the first to send the game to the extra session and the second to give the Aces an improbable win.“We still battled,” Clark said postgame. “We still fought and we put ourselves in position to win the game and then, honestly, it was me that made costly errors for us. So that’s on me to help us win. That’s my job. That’s what I get paid to do.”No game is decided by the play or mistakes of one player, but Clark’s late faux pas will certainly draw attention, as is the case with everything she does.At the end of regulation, both Clark and Mitchell had chances to ice the game away at the line in the final seconds. The latter split her pair, missing the second before A’ja Wilson stepped out of bounds to turn the ball over while trying to save it.Clark would eventually get to the line with seven seconds left and the chance to make it a two-possession game with Indiana up 75-72. She would miss both looks, keeping the door open for Las Vegas. Gray took full advantage, coming up with a loose ball on a broken play before calmly burying a long-range look to tie the game.“This can’t happen,” Clark said. “Those are free throws I usually make. Certainly frustrating. Obviously, one of them gives us a two-possession lead and I kind of cost my team there for sure. So that’s on me.”The two teams traded baskets throughout the extra session with Wilson and Mitchell doing the lion’s share of the scoring for their respective teams. Eventually, the Fever found themselves in a familiar spot, leading by one with just under 30 seconds remaining.A bit of confusion and miscommunication left Clark standing near mid-court with Wilson, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, in front of her, 30 feet from the basket. Despite the situation, Clark could not create a shot and turned the ball over after Wilson tipped a pass in the air and corralled it. The Aces did not call a timeout and raced down the court before Gray capped off her heroics with the game-winner.All that came after some huge momentum swings in the first three frames. The Fever were flying up and down the court in the second period, blowing the game open with a 24-4 run to take a 42-22 lead with four minutes left in the first half.In direct response, the Aces scored the final 15 points of the second period and the first seven points of the third quarter to take the lead. In the end, the Aces went on a 40-11 run that spanned their largest deficit and largest lead of the game, the latter coming at 62-53 early in the fourth.Clark certainly had a role in pulling Indiana back into the game, including a pair of big threes that gave Indiana the lead, the latter coming with 1:48 left. An Aliyah Boston puback off her own miss put the hosts ahead 74-72 with 30 seconds left before the Fever forced a miss from Wilson to set up the frantic finish.Postgame, Clark willingly shouldered the blame for the loss. However, on a night when the Fever turned the ball over 21 times, gave up 12 offensive rebounds and shot 35% in the second half, her head coach wouldn’t let her.“I think you like that as ownership,” Stephanie White said. “But as an athlete and as a coach and as somebody who’s been around for a long time, it doesn’t come down to one singular thing. Like we know that. She’s disappointed in herself certainly, as I’m sure a lot of our players are. But we got to use it as fuel.“And she’s going to be better. I know she’s going to be better on Saturday because of it. I mean she’s a competitor. She’s a fighter…But it doesn’t come down to one thing and I know, again, it’s easy to look at it and think that it does, but it was a collection of things. If we cut our turnovers in half, it’s a different ballgame.” #Caitlin #Clark #takes #blame #wild #Fever #loss #Aces #happen

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INDIANAPOLIS — It’ll be hard to find any contest this WNBA season that compares to Thursday’s Fever-Aces showdown.
Both teams had enormous scoring runs across the first three quarters, then played down to the final buzzer in overtime and regulation. A pair of costly miscues from Caitlin Clark at the end of each segment set up Chelsea Gray for two buzzer beaters, the first to send the game to the extra session and the second to give the Aces an improbable win.
“We still battled,” Clark said postgame. “We still fought and we put ourselves in position to win the game and then, honestly, it was me that made costly errors for us. So that’s on me to help us win. That’s my job. That’s what I get paid to do.”
No game is decided by the play or mistakes of one player, but Clark’s late faux pas will certainly draw attention, as is the case with everything she does.
At the end of regulation, both Clark and Mitchell had chances to ice the game away at the line in the final seconds. The latter split her pair, missing the second before A’ja Wilson stepped out of bounds to turn the ball over while trying to save it.
Clark would eventually get to the line with seven seconds left and the chance to make it a two-possession game with Indiana up 75-72. She would miss both looks, keeping the door open for Las Vegas. Gray took full advantage, coming up with a loose ball on a broken play before calmly burying a long-range look to tie the game.
“This can’t happen,” Clark said. “Those are free throws I usually make. Certainly frustrating. Obviously, one of them gives us a two-possession lead and I kind of cost my team there for sure. So that’s on me.”
The two teams traded baskets throughout the extra session with Wilson and Mitchell doing the lion’s share of the scoring for their respective teams. Eventually, the Fever found themselves in a familiar spot, leading by one with just under 30 seconds remaining.
A bit of confusion and miscommunication left Clark standing near mid-court with Wilson, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, in front of her, 30 feet from the basket. Despite the situation, Clark could not create a shot and turned the ball over after Wilson tipped a pass in the air and corralled it. The Aces did not call a timeout and raced down the court before Gray capped off her heroics with the game-winner.
All that came after some huge momentum swings in the first three frames. The Fever were flying up and down the court in the second period, blowing the game open with a 24-4 run to take a 42-22 lead with four minutes left in the first half.
In direct response, the Aces scored the final 15 points of the second period and the first seven points of the third quarter to take the lead. In the end, the Aces went on a 40-11 run that spanned their largest deficit and largest lead of the game, the latter coming at 62-53 early in the fourth.
Clark certainly had a role in pulling Indiana back into the game, including a pair of big threes that gave Indiana the lead, the latter coming with 1:48 left. An Aliyah Boston puback off her own miss put the hosts ahead 74-72 with 30 seconds left before the Fever forced a miss from Wilson to set up the frantic finish.
Postgame, Clark willingly shouldered the blame for the loss. However, on a night when the Fever turned the ball over 21 times, gave up 12 offensive rebounds and shot 35% in the second half, her head coach wouldn’t let her.
“I think you like that as ownership,” Stephanie White said. “But as an athlete and as a coach and as somebody who’s been around for a long time, it doesn’t come down to one singular thing. Like we know that. She’s disappointed in herself certainly, as I’m sure a lot of our players are. But we got to use it as fuel.
“And she’s going to be better. I know she’s going to be better on Saturday because of it. I mean she’s a competitor. She’s a fighter…But it doesn’t come down to one thing and I know, again, it’s easy to look at it and think that it does, but it was a collection of things. If we cut our turnovers in half, it’s a different ballgame.”

#Caitlin #Clark #takes #blame #wild #Fever #loss #Aces #happen">Caitlin Clark takes blame in wild Fever loss to Aces: ‘This can’t happen’

INDIANAPOLIS — It’ll be hard to find any contest this WNBA season that compares to Thursday’s Fever-Aces showdown.

No game is decided by the play or mistakes of one player, but Clark’s late faux pas will certainly draw attention, as is the case with everything she does.

#Caitlin #Clark #takes #blame #wild #Fever #loss #Aces #happen

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