MLB ROUNDUP: JAYS’ DYLAN CEASE LOSES NO-HIT BID IN 9TH VS. GIANTS
Dylan Cease came within three outs of becoming the first Toronto Blue Jay in 36 years to throw a no-hitter, striking out 11 in a 10-0 road victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Kazuma Okamoto capped a five-run first inning with a grand slam and center fielder Daulton Varsho prevented an extra-base hit by the Giants’ Bryce Eldridge with a leaping catch on the center field warning track in the eighth, helping Cease’s cause.
The All-Star right-hander, who walked three, saw his no-hit bid end when Heliot Ramos singled to lead off the ninth inning. Cease was removed after that pitch, his 118th of the night.
Daulton Varsho and Nathan Lukes each had two hits and two runs for Toronto, which won the last two games of the three-game series. Giants starter Logan Webb (5-7) allowed five runs on seven hits in seven innings.
Braves 3, Pirates 0
Joey Bart’s eighth-inning two-run homer led Atlanta to a victory at Pittsburgh.
Bart’s blast off Pirates reliever Dennis Santana (2-4) scored Mike Yastrzemski, who hit a two-out double to start the rally. The homer broke a scoreless tie and helped the Braves snap their three-game skid and Pittsburgh’s three-game winning streak.
Braves reliever Dylan Dodd (1-0) threw one inning, and Raisel Iglesias handled the ninth for his 18th save. Pirates starter Jared Jones exited after six perfect innings. It was Jones’ longest and best start since returning on May 29 from right UCL surgery. Due to a strict pitch count, Jones was lifted after 77 pitches.
Cubs 9, Orioles 7
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of Chicago’s five home runs and the visiting Cubs held on to beat Baltimore for their third win in a row.
Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back solo blasts for the Cubs in the fifth, and two batters later, Crow-Armstrong went deep. Crow-Armstrong hit a solo shot in the third inning, and Seiya Suzuki added a three-run homer in the seventh.
Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs across the final three innings for the Orioles, who took their third consecutive defeat. Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo also homered.
Rays 3, Yankees 0
Jonathan Aranda drove in all three runs as Tampa Bay blanked New York in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Aranda knocked in single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings. Yandy Diaz was 4-for-4 with a double and a run. Over 6 1/3 innings, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (8-5) permitted just four hits. Bryan Baker logged three strikeouts in the ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances.
Jasson Dominguez went 2-for-4, but the Yankees were shut out for the sixth time. Gerrit Cole (3-4) went 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits.
Reds 11, Phillies 5
Sal Stewart hit two of five homers blasted by Cincinnati, which downed visiting Philadelphia.
The Reds had a five-run fourth in which they belted four home runs, including three straight from Elly De La Cruz, Stewart and JJ Bleday. All-Star Chase Burns (11-1) labored through five innings of three-run ball to take the major league lead in wins among starting pitchers.
The Phillies were tagged for double-digit runs for the second time in three games while taking their third loss in four contests. Kyle Schwarber unloaded his big-league-leading 32nd home run in the ninth.
Tigers 6, Athletics 1
Spencer Torkelson blasted a three-run homer, Troy Melton struck out a career-high nine batters, and streaking Detroit rolled past the struggling Athletics.
Jake Rogers came off the Tigers’ bench and contributed two hits, including a two-run homer, while scoring twice. Riley Greene added two hits and drove in a run. Melton allowed one run, which was unearned, and four hits in 5 1/3 innings as Detroit won for the seventh time in eight games.
A’s starter Jeffrey Springs gave up six runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer had three hits for the Athletics, who have lost five straight and nine of their past 10.
Nationals 8, Astros 2
Foster Griffin pitched seven strong innings, Luis Garcia Jr. had three hits including a three-run homer and Washington beat visiting Houston.
CJ Abrams also homered for the Nationals, who took two of three in the series. James Wood drew three walks and scored twice. Griffin (10-2) gave up a run on five hits and struck out nine.
Isaac Paredes and Zach Dezenzo each had two hits for the Astros. Spencer Arrighetti (7-5) permitted eight runs on seven hits and six walks in four-plus innings.
Marlins 2, Mariners 0
Kyle Stowers homered and Tyler Phillips (2-3) pitched five scoreless innings, leading host Miami to a win over Seattle.
Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards each went 2-for-4 to aid the Marlins’ offense, which totaled eight hits, including one triple and three doubles. Rookie right fielder Owen Caissie was removed from the game in the first inning due to right calf tightness.
Seattle starter George Kirby (7-8) took the loss despite turning in a quality start. He struck out seven in six innings, allowing eight hits, no walks and two runs.
Mets 6, Royals 2
Brett Baty delivered a two-RBI single during a five-run eighth inning for host New York in a victory over Kansas City.
A.J. Ewing hit a leadoff homer and finished with two hits for the Mets, who have won three of four. Brooks Raley (3-3), the third of four New York pitchers, allowed one hit a scoreless top of the eighth.
Salvador Perez tied the game with a run-scoring single in the sixth for the Royals, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Kansas City reliever Alex Lange (0-4) surrendered five runs while getting just two outs.
Red Sox 5, White Sox 0
Jake Bennett and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout and Tsung-Che Cheng had a pair of RBI singles as visiting Boston beat Chicago.
The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 12 games while improving to 5-0 on a nine-game road trip, though Anthony Seigler (right trap contusion) and Willson Contreras (left foot contusion) exited in the third inning. Bennett (4-3) yielded four hits in seven innings.
Luisangel Acuna singled twice for the White Sox, who have lost five of seven. Davis Martin (9-4) gave up five runs on six hits in four innings.
Cardinals 5, Brewers 1
Michael McGreevy tossed a season-high 6 1/3 innings to get his first win in two months for St. Louis, which snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over visiting Milwaukee.
Pitching on his 26th birthday, McGreevy (4-7) gave up one run on five hits. Alec Burleson and Jose Fermin homered for the Cardinals. Burleson went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Cooper Pratt and Garrett Mitchell each had two hits for the Brewers, whose four-game winning streak ended. Kyle Harrison (8-2) allowed three runs on four hits in four innings.
Angels 13, Rangers 1
Jo Adell hit two homers and drove in a career-high five runs as Los Angeles snapped a seven-game losing streak with a rout of Texas in Arlington, Texas.
Vaughn Grissom had four hits and four RBIs and Mike Trout homered in his return off the injured list for the Angels. Samy Natera Jr. (1-0) picked up his first major league victory, striking out five in two perfect innings.
Kyle Higashioka homered for the Rangers, who finished with three hits. MacKenzie Gore (5-8) allowed seven runs on nine hits in five innings.
Twins 6, Guardians 5
Alan Roden delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in his season debut, lifting Minnesota past Cleveland in Minneapolis.
Roden finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs one day after Minnesota promoted him from Triple-A Saint Paul. Kody Clemens went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Twins, who increased their winning streak to four games. Yoendrys Gomez (1-0) earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief.
Brayan Rocchio homered and drove in three runs for the Guardians, who took their fourth loss in a row. Rhys Hoskins added a solo home run. Cleveland reliever Matt Festa (2-2) allowed one run on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Dodgers 4, Rockies 3
Mookie Betts delivered a go-ahead single in the eighth inning and Kyle Tucker drove in two runs as Los Angeles pulled off a victory over visiting Colorado.
Roki Sasaki allowed three runs over six innings as the Dodgers managed to win two of three in the series despite having early leads erased in all three games. Edgardo Henriquez (4-0) recorded one out to earn the victory, and Tanner Scott pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 13th save.
In his first career start and second appearance, Colorado’s Gabriel Hughes allowed three runs over six innings, and he retired 16 of the last 17 batters he faced. Kyle Karros and Edouard Julien homered for the Rockies. Antonio Senzatela (8-1) gave up the decisive run in the ninth.
Padres 10, Diamondbacks 4
Luis Campusano homered while Miguel Andujar collected three doubles as San Diego tied its season high for runs in a rout of visiting Arizona.
Michael King (6-7) pitched six solid innings for the Padres, allowing four hits and a run. It marked the first time that San Diego won consecutive games since a four-game stretch from June 22-26. The Padres scored in five consecutive innings, finishing with a total of 13 hits while adding three stolen bases.
Diamondbacks rookie Jose Cabrera (0-2) yielded four runs and four hits over 4 1/3 innings. Tommy Troy cracked a two-run homer in the top of the seventh for Arizona, his fourth of the year.
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JUSTIN VERLANDER PLANS TO RETIRE AFTER THIS SEASON, CAPPING A CAREER WITH 3 CY YOUNG AWARDS
DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander plans to call it a career later this year.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series champion and 2011 AL MVP will retire after this season with the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander made the announcement on Wednesday, shortly after he was added as a Legend Pick to the American League All-Star roster.
“While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last,” Verlander shared on social media. “It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started — with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.”
Oldest player in the majors
The 43-year-old Verlander is the oldest player in Major League Baseball. He signed a $13 million, one-year contract to rejoin the Tigers in February.
Verlander allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings during a 9-6 road loss at Arizona on March 30.
That was his only start this year.
“It’s time for the next chapter,” Verlander said. “But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how — with everything I’ve got.”
Verlander has dealt with injuries this season
He went on the injured list with hip inflammation early in the season and when the right-hander was nearing a return last month, he pulled a hamstring during a bullpen session.
“I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar,” Verlander said. “I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”
He was scheduled to pitch in June and make what would have been his first start with the Tigers at Comerica Park since August 30, 2017 — the day before he was traded to the Astros.
Cy Young winner and World Series champion
He went 183-115 from 2005 to 2017 with the Tigers. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2006 and both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award in 2011. He helped Detroit reach the World Series in 2006 and 2012 along with four straight division titles from 2011 to 2014.
Verlander was the 2017 ALCS MVP in Houston and helped the Astros win the World Series that year and was a key player for them when they won another title in 2022. He won his second and third Cy Young Award in 2019 and 2022.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in front of fans who deeply appreciate the game,” Verlander said.
All-Star Game tribute
While he will not play in the All-Star Game, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Verlander will be at the game in Philadelphia on Tuesday and will be honored during the festivities.
“The opportunity to attend once again is something I’ll cherish and it will be an incredibly special moment for me and my family,” said Verlander, who is married to model Kate Upton and has two children.
Verlander has a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA in 556 starts across 21 Major League seasons with the Tigers, Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. He has 3,554 strikeouts while tossing 26 complete games, including nine shutouts.
He joins Bryce Harper of the host Philadelphia Phillies as a Legend Pick for the 2026 Midsummer Classic. Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Clayton Kershaw in 2025 have been recognized as baseball legends at previous All-Star games.
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PHILLIES’ WHEELER SHARPLY CRITICAL OF MLB DECISION TO EXCLUDE HIM FROM ALL-STAR GAME
CINCINNATI (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler described his 14-strikeout outing in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night a “reminder for whoever needs to be reminded” that Major League Baseball erred in leaving him off of National League roster for next week’s All-Star game.
“It pisses me off and it’s kind of BS,” Wheeler (9-1) said in postgame comments broadcast by NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The 36-year-old Wheeler’s career high-tying strikeout performance in a 4-1 victory came mere hours after Major League Baseball announced that three other National League pitchers — Riley O’Brien of St. Louis, Philadelphia’s Jesús Luzardo and Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft — had been tapped as All-Star replacements.
The three late additions to the July 14 All-Star game — being held this season in Philadelphia — replaced Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and Miami’s Max Meyer, who are all scheduled to pitch for their teams this weekend.
Wheeler, too, is scheduled to pitch this weekend against Detroit, and was given the impression that is the reason he wasn’t selected as a replacement.
“Just because I pitch on a certain day, I get — you know — I don’t even know the right word,” Wheeler said. “Because I pitch on a certain day, I can’t pitch in the All-Star game or even be there or get the recognition.”
Wheeler said that if a deserving pitcher wants to participate in the All-Star game, they should at least have the opportunity to be named to the roster, regardless of when they’re scheduled to pitch for their own team.
“Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily right in there I wouldn’t be saying this, but I feel like I’ve earned it,” Wheeler said. “There’s certain ways to do it and you figure they would have a clue about it by now — how many All-Star games they’ve had.”
Wheeler said he even would have been willing to pitch an inning in the All-Star game on two days’ rest, when he’d normally be throwing anyway in a bullpen session.
“It’s kind of a BS rule that just because I pitch on a certain day I get punished,” Wheeler continued. ”I’ll be fine throwing an inning. But it’s not even an option, I guess.”
Kyle Schwarber, who helped power the Phillies’ offense with his major league-best 31st home run of the season, said he understood Wheeler’s frustration.
“When someone deserves it, you want them to get that acknowledgment,” said Schwarber, a four-time All-Star who was selected to this season’s National League roster as a designated hitter.
“We’re only in this game for so long,” Schwarber said. “You want to be able to look back and feel like you have some things that put some feathers in the cap.”
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