Daily News 19

Category: Around the World

International news, world events, society, travel, and stories beyond the other editorial categories.

  • John Peck, Tigers’ No. 20 Prospect, Called Up

    John Peck, Tigers’ No. 20 Prospect, Called Up

    The Detroit Tigers have promoted infield prospect John Peck from Triple-A Toledo, adding another promising player from their farm system to the Major League roster. Peck was in the dugout Monday for the Tigers’ game against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis.

    Manager A.J. Hinch said Peck, ranked Detroit’s No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline, would not start Monday. However, he is expected to start at shortstop Tuesday and Wednesday at Target Field.

    “We obviously really like him defensively, and we liked how he’s developed offensively over the last couple of seasons,” Hinch said.

    To create room for Peck on the Major League roster, Detroit optioned outfielder Corey Julks to Triple-A Toledo.

    John Peck’s path to the Tigers

    The Tigers selected Peck in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Pepperdine. He played under former Tigers shortstop and then-Waves assistant coach Danny Worth, who played an important role in preparing him for a professional baseball career.

    Peck now follows Worth into Detroit’s infield after putting together two impressive seasons in the Tigers’ farm system. His 2025 campaign has been particularly notable despite being shortened by an injury.

    “He’s a mature guy with just the way he goes about his actions and his business,” Hinch said. “I just told him today he doesn’t have to be perfect. He’s seen some of his former teammates come up and survive the transition. So it should make him believe before he has to go out and do it.

    “And I told him he’s here to stay. I want him to get some time on the field and coming off the bench in some games, just get himself used to this level because he has the skills to play reliable defense, show a little bit of power, and see where this opportunity takes him.”

    Peck’s minor-league performance

    Peck made a strong impression during Spring Training as a non-roster invitee to the Tigers’ Major League camp. He carried that momentum into Double-A Erie, where he posted a .285/.328/.511 slash line with 10 home runs, 17 doubles, three triples, 44 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 58 games.

    Detroit promoted Peck to Triple-A Toledo on June 23, but he played in only two games for the Mud Hens before landing on the injured list. He returned to Toledo earlier this week after a rehabilitation assignment and went 7-for-14 with one double, one RBI, three walks and three stolen bases.

    Peck has played primarily at shortstop, including all four of his games with Toledo this past week, but he is capable of playing throughout the infield. His reliable infield defense could place him alongside fellow 2023 draftee Kevin McGonigle and Javier Báez in Detroit’s shortstop mix.

    Tigers continue promoting prospects

    The Tigers have added several prospects to their Major League roster this summer, including top prospect Max Clark, infielder Hao-Yu Lee, outfielders Ben Malgeri and Brett Callahan, and catcher Eduardo Valencia.

    Clark and McGonigle were first-round picks, Peck was selected in the seventh round, and Callahan was taken in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Pitching call-up Andrew Sears, selected in the 10th round, was also part of that draft class.

  • Diamondbacks’ Bullpen Shines in Win Over Royals

    Diamondbacks’ Bullpen Shines in Win Over Royals

    The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals in 10 innings at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, overcoming a scoreless nine-inning duel against reigning American League Pitcher of the Month Noah Cameron.

    Bullpen Committee Delivers Nine Scoreless Innings

    Manager Torey Lovullo deployed a bullpen-day strategy, and the relief corps responded with a herculean effort. Opener Derek Law set the tone with two scoreless innings. Jose Cabrera, Taylor Clarke, Brandyn Garcia, and Justin Martinez followed, combining for seven more hitless frames. The unit held the Royals without a runner reaching second base until the 10th inning.

    Cameron matched the Diamondbacks’ pitchers zero for zero, allowing no runner past first base over six innings. Arizona’s offense fouled off 27 of Cameron’s pitches—tied for the most against a Royals pitcher this season, per Statcast—forcing his early exit. Strong defense backed the Arizona staff, including two key plays by first baseman Ildemaro Vargas and Clarke working around an error in the sixth inning.

    Five-Run 10th Inning Breaks the Deadlock

    The Diamondbacks’ offense exploded in the top of the 10th against veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. Lars Nootbaar broke the tie with a sacrifice fly, and Geraldo Perdomo added an RBI single. A fielding error by right fielder John Rave allowed a third run to score, and Arizona pushed two more runs across to take a 5-0 lead.

    Royals Rally Creates Tension in the Bottom Half

    Kansas City answered with three runs in the bottom of the 10th, highlighted by a three-run double from Salvador Perez with one out. The Royals pulled within a run, but Dennis Santana entered for Gerardo Carillo and shut the door. Santana induced a flyout from Michael Massey and struck out Nick Loftin looking to secure the save.

    Historical Rarity

    According to MLB records, this is only the third game since the divisional era began in 1969 to remain scoreless through nine innings yet finish with both teams scoring at least four runs. The previous occurrences were the Astros-Athletics on April 24, 2015, and the White Sox-Mariners on June 5, 2013.

    Manager and Player Reflections

    Lovullo praised the preparation of his relievers, particularly Santana, who had not pitched in eight days.

    “Santana, who hasn’t thrown in eight days, comes in and gets the save,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “That tells me a story. It tells me what he has been doing when nobody is watching, because he was prepared for that moment.”

    Regarding the 10th inning, Lovullo added:

    “The 10th was a little dicey,” Lovullo said. “We knew we had sold out for nine innings with the [pitchers] we knew were available. We went to that next layer, and the first nine innings were fantastic.”

    Derek Law, a veteran enjoying his first playoff push in a decade, emphasized the team’s resilience.

    “It has been 10 years since the last playoff push for me, and this is pretty exciting for the old dog,” Law said. “This team is resilient, a lot of close games. You would like it to be 10-0, but good teams play close games and win close games.”

    Lovullo summed up the team’s identity:

    “We hung in there,” Lovullo said. “This team is tough.”

    Playoff Implications and Returning Reinforcements

    The win improves the Diamondbacks to 77-68 on the season and 3-1 on their current six-game road trip. Arizona sits 11 games over .500 since July 9, maintaining pressure on the San Diego Padres for the third National League Wild Card spot. The club received additional encouragement with veteran starters Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Michael Soroka all nearing returns for the final stretch.

  • Cody Bellinger’s Three-Run Homer Helps Yankees Beat Mets

    Cody Bellinger’s Three-Run Homer Helps Yankees Beat Mets

    NEW YORK — The weight of September 11 permeated Yankee Stadium on Friday, visible in the first-responder caps resting on locker shelves and the memorial wreath that manager Aaron Boone, captain Aaron Judge, and ace Gerrit Cole carried into Monument Park during the early afternoon.

    Subway Series Victory on a Day of Remembrance

    A stirring pregame ceremony brought together members of the 2001 Yankees, who shared memories of a season when baseball helped a grieving city heal. In a Subway Series contest that belonged to New York, Cody Bellinger delivered the decisive blow, belting a three-run homer to power the Yankees to a 6-4 victory over the Mets.

    “It’s a special day,” Bellinger said. “Today was a day where it felt bigger than the game, bigger than yourself. It’s a day to be grateful, for sure.”

    Bellinger launched his 14th home run of the season against rookie right-hander Nolan McLean in the second inning, marking the first homer McLean has surrendered on a curveball in the major leagues.

    Personal History Adds Weight to the Moment

    Wearing pinstripes and an FDNY cap on this date carried profound personal significance for Bellinger. His father, Clay, played for those 2001 Yankees and became a firefighter in Gilbert, Arizona, after his playing career ended.

    “He was here with the team; went to Ground Zero with the team when they went,” Bellinger said. “We were in New York at the time, so it’s a pretty surreal day now to be here. He talked about the World Series, how important it felt.”

    The connection deepened when Bellinger was chosen to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Brielle Saracini. Her father, Victor Saracini, was the captain of United Flight 175, which was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

    “[Baseball] was definitely what the country needed and what the country united around,” Saracini said. “It became this special thing that healed me. It healed 10-year-old Brielle.”

    “It was just a nice little touch to be able to swing that one,” Rice said. “It started with the ‘U.S.A.’ chants you heard right after the anthem; I mean, there’s nothing cooler than that. Everybody being so proud to be Americans, watching a baseball game between New York’s teams.”

    Luis García Jr. contributed three hits in the win, extending the Yankees’ winning streak to four games.

    “I’ve got to say, seeing the fans, seeing how much they were into the ceremony before the game, seeing the emotions from them was special,” García said through interpreter Marlon Abreu.

    Rodón Delivers Longest Outing of the Season

    Calling it a “heavy” assignment to pitch on this particular date, Carlos Rodón allowed two runs — one earned — over 6 1/3 innings, marking his longest outing of the year. The left-hander surrendered three hits, walked one, and struck out eight.

    “It was cool to be a part of,” said Rodón. “It’s sad, but it’s an honor to be able to pitch tonight.”

    Boone praised Rodón’s performance, noting the life on his four-seam fastball as well as the effectiveness of his changeup and slider. Rodón allowed a run-scoring groundout by Christopher Morel in the second inning, and an RBI single by A.J. Ewing off reliever Paul Blackburn in the seventh brought in an inherited runner.

    “Not only was his stuff really good, but he was efficient, too,” Boone said.

    Bednar Escapes Jam for Five-Out Save

    David Bednar recorded a five-out save, navigating a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning by surrendering only a sacrifice fly to Marcus Semien. Ewing homered off Bednar in the ninth, but the closer recovered to induce a game-ending double-play grounder from Juan Soto.

    “It was great,” Boone said. “Obviously as a club, you’re playing for a lot, but having some of the people involved today back and part of the pregame ceremonies – it felt special. The energy in the crowd was special. It felt like you’d want a ballgame to feel like.”

  • Junior Caminero Hits Walk-Off Homer in Win Over Athletics

    Junior Caminero Hits Walk-Off Homer in Win Over Athletics

    Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero delivered his second walk-off home run in five days Friday night, lifting the club to a dramatic victory over the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field. The win pushes Tampa Bay’s record to 91-59 and guarantees the Rays will hold at least a three-and-a-half-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees, who were in action later that evening against the Minnesota Twins.

    Pitchers’ Duel Sets the Stage

    The matchup unfolded as a classic pitcher’s duel for much of the evening. Rays right-hander Griffin Jax was outstanding in his continued return from an elbow injury that sidelined him in August. Jax struck out seven batters while allowing just two hits over five scoreless innings. The former reliever was lifted after only 67 pitches as the organization manages his workload carefully.

    A’s Rally in the Sixth

    Oakland broke through in the sixth inning against rookie reliever Ty Johnson. With one out, the Athletics strung together consecutive singles, and a run-scoring wild pitch knotted the game at one apiece.

    Rays Strike First on Unearned Run

    Tampa Bay had taken an early lead in the second inning, though the run was unearned against Oakland starter Jack Perkins. The sequence began with a double by Chandler Simpson — the longest hit of his Major League career, measured at 356 feet. A productive out by Richie Palacios moved Simpson to third, and a passed ball by catcher Jonah Heim allowed the run to score.

    That lone run stood as the only offense the Rays could muster against Perkins, who was sharp across 6 2/3 innings, punching out eight batters.

    Caminero’s Heroics Continue

    Before Friday, Caminero had never recorded a walk-off plate appearance in the majors. Now, the young slugger has authored two game-ending home runs in less than a week, cementing his status as a rising clutch performer for a Tampa Bay squad positioning itself for a deep postseason run.

  • Matt Shaw Returns from Injured List as Kevin Alcántara Is Optioned

    Matt Shaw Returns from Injured List as Kevin Alcántara Is Optioned

    CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have activated Matt Shaw from the 10-day injured list, restoring the versatile infielder to the super-utility role that strengthens the team’s bench and gives manager Craig Counsell more options during games.

    Shaw returned before Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field after recovering from a persistent left hand injury. To make room on the active roster, the Cubs optioned outfielder Kevin Alcántara to Triple-A Iowa.

    “He just makes the roster better,” Counsell said of Shaw.

    Shaw recently began making progress while building back up to facing live pitching. He completed a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa, appearing in five games and batting .316 (6-for-19). He also played in back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday without experiencing lingering pain.

    “I finally could get the full-effort swings,” Shaw said. “I don’t really know why it happened. It was a normal swing that it ended up getting hurt on, so it’s one of those things where I’ve just got to keep strengthening it, put it in a good place and go out there and play. I can’t worry about fluke injuries like that. I’ve just got to keep playing.”

    Shaw is batting .246/.322/.415 with four home runs, 20 RBIs, a .737 OPS and a 104 OPS+ in 56 games for the Cubs this season. After serving as Chicago’s primary third baseman as a rookie last year, he has moved around the infield and added the outfield to his responsibilities this season. Shaw posted an .899 OPS in the 12 games before his injury.

    Matt Shaw returns to Cubs’ super-utility role

    Counsell said Shaw will resume his role as a super sub while making occasional starts, particularly against left-handed pitching. His versatility can give Chicago’s regular infielders and outfielders rest while also providing a late-game option as a pinch-runner, pinch-hitter or defensive replacement.

    “Matt does a bunch of things well,” Counsell said. “You don’t know which game you’re going to run into that situation [where you need a late-game replacement]. Frankly, most games you don’t with our roster. But, there’s going to be some days where we do run into it and he’s valuable when he’s on the bench.”

    Latest Cubs injury updates

    • SS Dansby Swanson: Swanson remained in Chicago to focus on his rehabilitation from a left oblique injury and went through defensive work at shortstop before Friday’s game against the Reds. Counsell said Swanson remains on schedule after being placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 17.
    • RHP Edward Cabrera: Cabrera, who is on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his right middle finger, threw a bullpen session Tuesday and faced hitters during a live batting-practice workout Friday. A Minor League rehab assignment is likely to follow, and Cabrera is expected to return as a reliever.
    • RHP Ben Brown: Counsell said the Cubs are still “gathering opinions” regarding Brown’s recent setback. The team’s timeline for his potential return will remain on hold until more information is available.
  • Orioles Bullpen Shines in Win Over Athletics

    Orioles Bullpen Shines in Win Over Athletics

    Yennier Cano delivered a defining moment in the Orioles’ 5-3 win over the Athletics on Saturday, striking out Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler with the bases loaded in the seventh inning before striking his trademark post-strikeout pose at Sutter Health Park.

    With Baltimore leading 4-2, one out and the bases full, Cano entered in his usual fireman role. The right-hander, who is not typically known as a strikeout pitcher, said he was looking for a double play to end the threat. Instead, he used splitters to strike out Gelof and Butler back to back, escaping a dangerous inning in dominant fashion.

    “That was fun to watch,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “That was electric, and we needed it.”

    Orioles bullpen repeatedly escapes trouble

    Cano’s performance highlighted the Orioles’ bend-but-don’t-break bullpen. Baltimore allowed multiple baserunners in each of the final four innings but avoided major damage every time while protecting its narrow lead.

    Right-hander Alex Hoppe escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth before Cano repeated the feat in the seventh. With runners on the corners in a one-run game in the eighth, Cam Sanders relied on a crucial around-the-horn double play. In the ninth, closer Andrew Kittredge stranded two more runners to secure the victory.

    “You really feel good [with] everybody running out of the bullpen,” said starter Shane Baz, who allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings. “It’s awesome.”

    Baz cruised through five scoreless innings before losing his command in the sixth. A bases-loaded walk and a hit-by-pitch brought home two Athletics runs.

    Hoppe, who recorded his first Major League save in Friday’s extra-inning victory, appeared ready to escape again after opening the at-bat against Athletics designated hitter Max Muncy with three pitches well outside the strike zone. He settled down, however, getting Muncy to hit a tapper to third base to end the inning.

    Christian Encarnacion-Strand makes key defensive plays

    That was the first of several important plays by Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who started at third base for Baltimore. Primarily a first baseman during his time with the Reds, Encarnacion-Strand started the Orioles’ do-or-die 5-6-3 double play in the eighth inning.

    He then stayed back on a chopper to third in the ninth, leaving runners on second and third and ending the game.

    “The way he’s been playing third base has been outstanding for us,” Albernaz said. “Those plays were huge — in big moments, too.”

    Shane Baz ends lengthy winless stretch

    The Orioles’ late-inning escapes gave Baz his first win in more than two months. The right-hander had lost his previous five starts and had gone winless in 13 outings since defeating the Padres on June 12.

    To Baz, the drought felt even longer.

    “[Brandon Young] made a joke to me that I haven’t had a win since ’Nam,” Baz said. “It kind of feels true. Sometimes it takes one, you know? It just takes one to get rolling.”

    Baz and the Orioles picked an important time to get moving. Saturday’s victory clinched Baltimore’s third consecutive series win and continued its rise in the American League standings. At 67-69, the Orioles entered Sunday’s series finale one game behind the third and final AL Wild Card spot.

    After what Baz acknowledged was a “rocky start” to the season that included plenty of sloppy play, Baltimore likes its position in the playoff race.

    “We’ve done such a good job of not pressing and panicking and trying to do too much,” Baz said. “It’s fun to be in this spot. I think we have all the tools to make a run. We’ve got great leadership. We’ve got a great team with a lot of talent.”

    Baltimore bullpen showing depth

    The Orioles’ bullpen has been central to their recent surge, combining veteran experience from pitchers such as Cano and Kittredge with younger arms including Hoppe, Sanders and Anthony Nunez.

    “They’ve done a terrific job, and I think they deserve a lot of credit for coming in here and getting their job done,” Cano said. “We still have some pieces on the way and some help that might be needed, but with that being said, I feel really proud of the work that we’ve been doing here as a group and really happy with the way that the guys have come in and gotten the job done.”

  • Freddy Peralta Faces Mets for First Time Since Trade to Rays

    Freddy Peralta Faces Mets for First Time Since Trade to Rays

    Freddy Peralta is treating his return to New York as a regular start, even as the matchup carries added significance. The Tampa Bay Rays acquired the veteran right-hander from the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, but his disappointing run with the Mets contributed to the Trade Deadline sell-off that sent him to Tampa Bay.

    Peralta will start the middle game of the series against his former team, giving him an opportunity to showcase the progress he has made during his first month with the Rays. He has worked closely with pitching coach Kyle Snyder and bullpen coach Jorge Moncada to address the issues that affected his performance in New York.

    “Obviously, I feel different mentally and physically. I feel really comfortable right now, because I was working on a lot of stuff when I was in New York but I couldn’t make the adjustment until I got here,” Peralta said Monday afternoon in the Rays’ dugout. “The more important thing is now I am in the spot that I want to be.”

    Peralta did not find that comfort during his time with the Mets. He went 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts, a sharp contrast to the All-Star and National League Cy Young Award candidate he had become with the Brewers. His hits and walks increased while his strikeouts declined, and “Fastball Freddy” lost some of the extension that had made his signature fastball so effective.

    The right-hander previously acknowledged that he “let them down” after joining the Rays. Although he said Monday that it was difficult to leave the “really good friends” he made in New York, he fully expected to be traded by the time the Trade Deadline arrived.

    Peralta rejected the idea that pitching in New York’s high-pressure environment affected him. He said the pressure is “just part of the game” and was not responsible for his performance. He again made no excuses for his inconsistency but acknowledged that his lack of production weighed on him.

    “Because it was the first time that I was struggling like that. But I never give up,” Peralta said. “I was always trying to find a way to feel better, to pitch better, and I knew what I can do and I was feeling good physically, too, and healthy. But I couldn’t make the adjustment.”

    The Rays continued to see value in Peralta’s track record and pitch mix, acquiring him on Aug. 2 in exchange for three well-regarded prospects: right-hander Gary Gill Hill, infielder Émilien Pitre and outfielder Aidan Smith.

    “The good thing is that, now, I’m different,” Peralta said. “I feel different, and I’m ready to keep going until the World Series, hopefully.”

    Tampa Bay has been encouraged by Peralta’s progress and hopes he can maintain that momentum against the Mets.

    “I expect that Freddy’s going to go out and do what he’s been doing for us, and that’s compete at the highest level possible,” manager Kevin Cash said. “I’m sure he’s excited to see some buddies over there and pitch against them, but he’s done it before, coming from Milwaukee to New York.”

    Peralta said he will not know exactly how he feels until he takes the mound Tuesday night, but he does not plan to change his preparation.

    “It’s a challenge. Every game, I think, for me, I take it the same way,” Peralta said. “Just come in to compete and try to get the win.”

  • Cubs Set NL Monthly Home Run Record in Win Over Brewers

    Cubs Set NL Monthly Home Run Record in Win Over Brewers

    Alex Bregman could not stop smiling as he rounded third base and headed home for the third time Monday night at Wrigley Field. The home run came on a looping pitch from Brewers position player Andrew Vaughn, but the drive into the left-field bleachers counted just the same.

    Bregman’s eighth-inning blast in the Cubs’ 17-3 rout of Milwaukee capped a record-setting night for Chicago’s power offense. The North Siders hit a franchise-record nine home runs in one game and set a National League record with 62 homers in August.

    “It’s pretty awesome,”

    Bregman led the offensive charge with three home runs for the second three-homer game of his career. Both performances came within a few weeks of each other. Tyrone Taylor and Nico Hoerner hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, while Seiya Suzuki and Bregman did the same in the fourth. Carson Kelly, Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto also homered.

    Cubs make statement in NL Central race

    The emphatic victory came as the NL Wild Card-leading Cubs attempt to close the gap on Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Brewers still hold a seven-game lead over Chicago, but the teams are playing seven games against each other over a 10-day stretch, giving the Cubs an opportunity to make the division race more competitive.

    “You could kind of feel their energy,”

    Cubs starter Clay Holmes said after throwing six shutout innings.

    “After a couple series that we lost, you could tell that the position-player group really wanted to come out strong. And you can feel that. To be able to put a zero up there in the first and kind of let them do their thing was nice.”

    Even Pete Crow-Armstrong, who hit five home runs over the previous two games, did not go deep in the victory. Five of Chicago’s homers came against Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison. Vaughn, primarily a first baseman, allowed the final three home runs while covering the last two innings of Milwaukee’s blowout loss.

    “The position-player stuff gets a little ridiculous at the end there, honestly,”

    Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.

    “That’s great we set a record. And the guys aren’t going to stop hitting. Guys are not going to stop hitting. They’re going to take advantage of it, and they should. They absolutely should. We’ll take it.”

    Cubs set multiple MLB and franchise records

    Chicago’s historic power surge produced an extraordinary list of statistical achievements:

    • Bregman also hit three home runs on Aug. 12. Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson had three-homer games on Saturday and July 1, respectively. The Cubs joined the 2001 Brewers, 1956 Reds and 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers as the only teams in MLB history with four individual three-homer games in one season.
    • Bregman joined Sammy Sosa, who did it three times in 2001, Dave Kingman, who did it twice in 1979, and Aramis Ramirez, who did it twice in 2004, as the only Cubs players since at least 1900 with multiple three-homer games in one season. Bregman and Sosa, in August 2001, are the only players in Cubs history with multiple three-homer games in one calendar month.
    • The Cubs, the 2022 Pirates and the 2020 Braves are the only teams to record three individual three-homer games in one calendar month. Other players with multiple three-homer games in a month include Adam Duvall, Carlos Delgado, Doug DeCinces, Willie Stargell and Johnny Mize.
    • Chicago’s nine home runs set a single-game franchise record, surpassing the eight-homer performances on July 1 this season and July 4, 2025. The total also tied for the second-most home runs in a game in MLB history. The Blue Jays hold the record after hitting 10 home runs on Sept. 14, 1987.
    • The Cubs’ 62 home runs in August surpassed the 2023 Braves’ 61 home runs in June for the National League record for a calendar month. Only the 2019 Yankees, with 74 home runs in August, have hit more in a calendar month.
    • Crow-Armstrong hit 15 home runs and Bregman hit 12 in August, making them only the third pair of teammates to hit at least 12 home runs in the same calendar month. They joined Iván Rodríguez and Rafael Palmeiro, who did it for Texas in August 1999, and Yankees legends Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, who did it in July 1961 and June 1960.
    • The Cubs joined the 2025 Yankees, 2019 Twins and 2005 Rangers as the only teams in MLB history to have two games in one season featuring at least eight home runs.

    The Cubs’ record-setting month left Bregman impressed with the consistency of the lineup.

    “It was a good month, just driving the baseball,”

    Bregman said.

    “The quality of the at-bat in the second half, it’s been super consistent up and down the lineup. And it’s been tough on opposing teams.”

  • Elly De La Cruz Homers in 5th Straight Game

    Elly De La Cruz Homers in 5th Straight Game

    Elly De La Cruz Extends Home Run Streak to Five Games Against Dodgers

    LOS ANGELES — Even against one of baseball’s elite pitchers, Elly De La Cruz continued his historic power surge. The Cincinnati Reds shortstop launched a first-pitch, 97.4 mph fastball from Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto over the center-field wall in the fourth inning Wednesday night, a Statcast-projected 403-foot solo shot that extended his home run streak to a career-best five consecutive games.

    Record-Setting Pace for Switch-Hitter

    The blast marked De La Cruz’s 26th home run of the season, establishing a new career high and breaking his own single-season franchise record of 25 set in 2024 for the most homers by a switch-hitter in Reds history. The five-game streak stands as the longest of his career and the longest ever by a switch-hitter for the club. It also ties him for the second-longest streak overall in franchise history, leaving him just two games shy of Joey Votto’s record of seven straight games with a home run, set in July 2021.

    Lone Bright Spot in Lopsided Loss

    While the Dodgers answered with a six-run fourth inning to blow open a 14-1 victory, De La Cruz’s solo shot provided Cincinnati’s only run. Taking an elite starter deep on the first pitch of an at-bat is remarkable on its own — the homer was just the 19th allowed by Yamamoto this season — and underscores why the 24-year-old remains the engine of the Reds’ offense.

    “Well, it’s fun to watch,” manager Terry Francona said of De La Cruz’s recent tear. “I mean, on a night that there wasn’t a lot of fun stuff to watch, it’s pretty impressive.”

    Milestones Continue to Accumulate

    The solo shot added another entry to De La Cruz’s growing list of franchise milestones. Beyond the home run streak, Wednesday’s blast marked his 223rd career extra-base hit, surpassing Dmitri Young for third-most by a switch-hitter in Reds history behind only Pete Rose (868) and Ron Oester (265).

    This performance follows a Tuesday night showcase that highlighted De La Cruz’s elite combination of power and arm strength. In addition to a 444-foot home run off Tarik Skubal — the longest hit at Dodger Stadium in 2026 — De La Cruz threw out Teoscar Hernández at the plate with a 102 mph relay strike, demonstrating how his game-breaking ability alters outcomes on both sides of the ball.

  • Luis Lara Makes Incredible Home Run Robbery for Brewers

    Luis Lara Makes Incredible Home Run Robbery for Brewers

    Luis Lara’s Spectacular Home Run Robbery Highlights Brewers’ Dominant Win

    Since arriving in the Majors, Venezuelan Luis Lara has made spectacular defense look almost routine. This one required a little extra celebration.

    Lara Robs Eugenio Suárez at the Wall

    On Friday night, with the Brewers dominating the game at American Family Field, Venezuelan Eugenio Suárez hit a towering fly ball toward the fence between right and center field during the fifth inning, and the ball appeared destined to be a home run. Lara tracked it to the wall, reached the fence alongside center fielder Garrett Mitchell, and leaped, extending his glove over the wall to rob the home run.

    Umpires Initially Rule Home Run

    Lara landed with the ball secured in his glove and immediately spread both arms, as if asking everyone present: “¿Vieron eso?”. Apparently, not everyone saw it, as Lara’s delay in removing the ball from his glove led the umpires to signal a home run and Suárez to circle the bases. Finally, Lara retrieved the ball and threw it back to the infield, at which point the correct call was made.

    Another Highlight for Lara’s Growing Defensive Résumé

    It was another highlight-reel play to add to what has quickly become an impressive defensive résumé for Lara since his promotion to the majors, and it happened on a night when nearly everything was going right for Milwaukee. The Brewers were leading the Reds 9-0 at the time Lara made that spectacular catch.