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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Wednesday, September 30

Cody Bellinger Drives in Four Runs and Lifts Yankees Past Red Sox

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger went 2-for-5 with four RBIs in a 9-2 Wild Card sweep over Boston. After catching a ceremonial first pitch from his father Clay, Bellinger laced an RBI single in the fifth and hit his 11th career postseason home run in the sixth with a three-run shot off Garrett Whitlock, punishing an intentional walk to Ben Rice. Bellinger enjoyed a slow, memorable trot around the bases as the Yankees completed the two-game series sweep to advance to the ALDS.

Luis Garcia Launches 385-Foot Home Run to Spark Yankees' Game 2 Win

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New York Yankees infielder Luis Garcia provided the spark in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, breaking a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a 385-foot solo home run off Red Sox starter Sonny Gray clocked at 107 mph. Garcia finished the game 3-for-5 with three singles and a home run, earning Game MVP honors as the Yankees secured a 9-2 victory and a series sweep over Boston, advancing to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.

Max Fried Dominates With Six Strong Innings to Clinch Series

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New York Yankees starter Max Fried tossed six strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk, securing a 9-2 Game 2 win and a sweep over Boston. Fried relied on his sweeper, cutter, and fastball, working on a shutout until a sixth-inning homer. Across six career starts with the Yankees against Boston, he holds a stellar 1.24 ERA and is lined up to pitch in the upcoming ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Gerrit Cole Eyes ALDS Return as Yankees Weigh Game 1 Starter

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New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole is looking forward to his next start as the team prepares to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. While manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake have yet to officially name their Game 1 starter between Cole and Carlos Rodon, Cole is fully lined up for the role. Cole last pitched on Sept. 23 against the Rays, striking out eight across 5.2 innings as part of the league-leading Yankees pitching staff.

Chase Meidroth Slams Three-Run Home Run to Clinch Series

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Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth went 2-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in the sixth inning of Game 2, sealing a 7-3 victory and an AL Wild Card Series sweep over the Houston Astros. Playing in his first career postseason games after batting .276 with 16 homers and 63 RBIs in the regular season, Meidroth provided crucial insurance runs to help send the White Sox to the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians.

Sean Burke Strikes Out Eight in White Sox Wild Card Game 2

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Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke did not factor in the decision in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, striking out eight batters while giving up three runs on four hits and no walks over four innings in a 7-3 win over Houston. Burke generated 14 whiffs on 72 pitches, though three solo home runs cut his outing short. The eight strikeouts tied a season high as Chicago swept the series to advance to the ALDS against Cleveland.

Hunter Brown Flounders as Astros Suffer Elimination in Game 2

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Houston Astros ace Hunter Brown took the loss in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits while recording just two outs in a 7-3 elimination defeat to the Chicago White Sox. Delivering his shortest outing of the year, Brown retired only two of nine batters faced. The poor postseason showing follows a regular season where he posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 107.1 innings despite missing two months with a shoulder strain.

Spencer Jones Sparks Yankees' Sixth-Inning Rally With Hustle

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New York Yankees rookie Spencer Jones ignited a crucial sixth-inning rally in Game 2 against the Red Sox by hustling down the line on a dropped third strike from ace Garrett Crochet. Jones beat out the throw after review, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error before scoring on a single. The heads-up baserunning lit a fire in the dugout, fueling a six-run inning and an eventual 9-2 victory that completed a Wild Card Series sweep and advanced New York to the ALDS.

Luis García Shines With Home Run as Yankees Sweep Red Sox

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New York Yankees infielder Luis García helped power a 9-2 blowout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2, driving a 385-foot solo home run off Sonny Gray in the fourth inning to open the scoring. Earning his first playoff start, García finished 3-for-5 with a home run and two singles, earning Game MVP honors. His stellar performance propelled the Yankees to a 2-0 series sweep, sending them on to face the top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series.

Jazz Chisholm Returns to Yankees Lineup in Wild-Card Sweep

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Jazz Chisholm returned to the New York Yankees starting lineup at second base for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against Boston right-hander Sonny Gray. After sitting in favor of Anthony Volpe during Game 1, Chisholm made a fantastic catch in shallow center to rob Adley Rutschman, contributed a single in the sixth inning, and later walked, swiped second and third base, and scored on an Austin Wells single to help complete a 9-2 series sweep over the Red Sox.

Tyler Mahle Braves Abdominal Pull in Stellar Postseason Start

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle battled a pregame abdominal pull to deliver seven strong innings in a 1-0 Game 2 loss to Philadelphia, sending the NL Wild Card series to a decisive Game 3. Manager Walt Weiss revealed Mahle was a game-time decision after sustaining the injury in the bullpen. Mahle permitted just one run on six hits with six strikeouts and a walk, capping a strong two-month stretch following his acquisition at the trade deadline.

Munetaka Murakami and White Sox Celebrate Historic Series Win

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Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox celebrated the franchise's first playoff series win since 2005 following a 7-3 sweep-clinching victory over the Houston Astros. The White Sox are the first team in MLB history to follow three consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. Murakami, who hit 35 homers and 77 RBIs in his debut regular season, struggled at the plate with one hit and five strikeouts against Houston but joined his teammates in the celebration.

Former Teammate Adam Jones Defends Misunderstood Manny Machado

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Former MLB star Adam Jones defended San Diego Padres star Manny Machado on "All the Smoke," calling him misunderstood rather than a villain. Jones praised Machado's durability and work ethic, noting he posts up every day despite aches and bruises. While acknowledging past controversies like his 2014 bat flip and 2017 slide into Dustin Pedroia, Jones emphasized that Machado has evolved into a respected clubhouse leader and mentor in San Diego.

Garrett Crochet Suffers Disastrous Postseason Return In Red Sox Loss

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Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy's decision to summon Garrett Crochet in the sixth inning of Game 2 backfired dramatically, ending their season. Making his first appearance since April 25, the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up failed to record an out, charged with four earned runs as a 2-1 game turned into a blowout. A wild pitch, throwing error, and multiple hits compounded his struggles before he was lifted with the bases loaded, leading to an 8-1 Yankees victory and postseason elimination.

Nick Pivetta Scheduled For Game 2 Wild Card Start For San Diego Padres

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San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled to take the mound for Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. Carrying a 3-2 record and a stellar 2.86 ERA on the season, Pivetta will attempt to pitch the Padres into the Division Series after San Diego secured an 8-0 victory in Game 1. He faces Cubs starter Kevin Gausman in the high-stakes matchup as San Diego looks to complete a two-game sweep in front of their home crowd.

Kevin Gausman Takes Mound For Cubs In Must-Win Game 2 Against Padres

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Chicago Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman is set to make his first postseason start with the club in a must-win Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Tasked with staving off elimination following an 8-0 loss in Game 1, Gausman feels ready despite dealing with a left non-throwing shoulder injury during his final regular-season start. Acquired midseason from the Blue Jays, he went 9-12 with a 4.51 ERA overall and a 4.83 ERA in nine late-season starts.

Joe Musgrove Makes Dramatic Relief Return in Padres' Playoff Opener

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San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove made a triumphant postseason return in the ninth inning of Game 1's 8-0 Wild Card victory over the Chicago Cubs. Pitching in MLB for the first time since October 2, 2024, following Tommy John and flexor tendon repair surgery, Musgrove shifted to a bullpen role after experiencing recovery issues as a starter. Touching 97 mph with his fastball, he overcame loaded bases by striking out Michael Conforto to seal the shutout win before a roaring Petco Park crowd.

Jose Altuve and Astros Face Offseason Questions Following Wild-Card Sweep

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Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros face critical winter questions after being swept out of the postseason by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series. Following their abrupt playoff elimination, Houston enters the offseason examining key roster decisions and looking ahead to what's next for Altuve and the core squad as Chicago moves on to advance to their first playoff series victory since their 2005 championship run.

Alec Bohm Lifts Phillies Over Braves With Game-Winning 10th-Inning Home Run

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Alec Bohm saved the day for the Philadelphia Phillies, hitting a dramatic two-out, 357-foot solo home run off Didier Fuentes in the top of the 10th inning to secure a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. Bohm finished 2-for-4 with a walk. His third career postseason homer capped a rally from a two-run deficit, keeping the season alive and forcing a decisive Game 3 on Thursday.

Ethan Salas Set to Become Youngest Catcher in MLB Postseason History

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San Diego Padres 20-year-old prospect Ethan Salas is set to become the youngest postseason catcher in MLB history after starting Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs. Signed for $5.6 million in 2023, Salas went 10-for-24 down the stretch following his September call-up. Catching veteran Nick Pivetta and batting seventh against righty Kevin Gausman, the left-handed hitter earns the nod as San Diego seeks to advance to the ALDS.