2026 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #4

Final Score: Skyliners 6 / Chicago 2 (11 Innings)

Win: Steven Okert 1-0 (3.18)
Loss: Fernando Cruz 0-1 (12.27)

Final Score: Chicago 5 – Skyliners 0

Win: Hunter Brown 4-1 (0.96)
Loss: Brady Singer 1-1 (4.12)

Final Score: Cincinnati 5 – Chicago 1

Win: Nathan Eovaldi 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: MacKenzie Gore 0-3 (5.60)

The Skyliners reclaimed a 7–4 lead in the 5th after Hunter Goodman cleared the bases with a triple, but the Mobsters took control for good in the 6th. Jackson Chourio tied the game with a solo blast before Julio Rodriguez crushed a go-ahead two-run home run. Chicago’s bullpen was lights-out late, with Aroldis Chapman coming on in the 9th to secure his third save of the season.

Final Score: Chicago 9 – Cincinnati 7

Win: Jesus Luzardo 3-0 (4.11)
Loss: Zack Littell 1-3 (3.41)
Save: Aroldis Chapman #3

Final Score: Cincinnati 5 – Chicago 4 (11 Innings)

Win: Steven Okert 2-0 (2.35)
Loss: Felix Bautista 0-1 (3.60)
Save: Dennis Santana #4

Cincinnati attempted a comeback in the 3rd inning with RBI doubles from Dansby Swanson and Cal Raleigh, but Chicago’s Logan Gilbert remained composed. Gilbert earned the win with a masterful seven-inning performance, allowing only one earned run while striking out nine. The Mobsters added an insurance run in the 3rd on an Xavier Edwards RBI single, and their bullpen combined for two scoreless innings to finalize the result.

Final Score: Chicago 7 – Cincinnati 2

Win: Logan Gilbert 1-0 (1.86)
Loss: Ian Seymour 0-1 (13.50)

Cincinnati’s Cal Raleigh emerged as a series standout, launching three pivotal home runs, including a game-tying blast in the first extra-inning affair. Not to be outdone, Chicago’s Willy Adames and Jackson Chourio fueled an explosive offense, headlined by Adames’ game-tying grand slam and Rodriguez’s clutch go-ahead hitting. While Nathan Eovaldi anchored the Skyliners’ pitching staff, it was Vinnie Pasquantino’s 11th-inning grand slam and Christopher Morel’s solo shot that ultimately allowed Cincinnati to leave Chicago with a split. This stalemate keeps both clubs neck-and-neck as the playoff race intensifies.

Game recap
A wild back-and-forth affair ended with Baltimore edging Tampa Bay 11–9 in a game defined by late-inning offense and a bullpen swing. Tampa Bay’s Jose Altuve paced the visitors with a monster night — 5 RBI and two homers — but the Expos couldn’t hold the lead as Baltimore’s balanced attack produced 17 hits and multiple multi-run innings.

Scoring highlights

1st: Baltimore jumped out early, scoring twice to take a 2–1 edge.
3rd: Tampa Bay answered with a three-run inning to take their first lead.
4th–5th: The teams traded runs; the Expos held a narrow lead after five.
6th–7th: Baltimore rallied with two-run innings in each frame to reclaim the lead.
8th: Tampa Bay mounted a two-run rally to tie or cut the deficit (game remained tight).
9th: Baltimore plated two in the ninth to seal the 11–9 final.

Key hitters

Baltimore: K. Ruiz — 4 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI; M. Perez — 5 AB, 2 R, 2 RBI; D. Guzman — HR, 2 RBI; team totaled 17 hits and 11 runs.
Tampa Bay: J. Altuve — 5 AB, 3 H, 3 R, 5 RBI (2 HR); K. Tucker — 3 R, 3 H; combined for 11 hits and 9 runs.

Pitching notes

Winning pitcher: T. Rogers (W, credited after a blown save situation): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K.
Losing pitcher: M. King (L): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB.
Save: J. Suarez (S): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K.
Baltimore starter B. Tidwell lasted 3.2 innings, allowing 5 R (4 ER) on 6 H; Tampa Bay starter S. Gray went 3.2 innings, yielding 5 R on 8 H.
Bullpen battle decided the game — both teams used multiple relievers and the late Baltimore relievers held just enough to preserve the lead.

Turning point
Baltimore’s two-run 6th and 7th innings erased Tampa Bay’s midgame advantage and forced the Expos into risky bullpen usage; a brief failed response by Tampa Bay in the 9th allowed the Comets to push across the final two runs.

Series/implications
The win gives Baltimore momentum (improving their record to 6–13) while Tampa Bay falls to 6–13. Offensive fireworks and shaky short relief will be storylines for both clubs as the series continues.

The Tampa Bay Expos delivered a dominant performance Friday afternoon, defeating the Baltimore Comets 11–2 behind a powerful offensive showing and strong pitching.

Tampa Bay jumped on the board early with three runs in the first inning, immediately putting pressure on Baltimore starter H. Birdsong. The Expos kept the momentum going with two more runs in the third inning, building a 5–1 lead and forcing the Comets to play from behind the rest of the game.

Offensively, the Expos were led by Travis d’Arnaud, who had a huge day at the plate with two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs. James Wood also contributed significantly with two hits, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs, while Bo Bichette added three hits and two runs scored in the victory.

Tampa Bay continued to pile on late with two runs in the fifth, two in the seventh, and two more in the eighth, finishing with 11 runs on 16 hits.

Baltimore managed just two runs on seven hits, with J. Dominguez providing the biggest highlight via a solo home run. The Comets also received multi-hit performances from Jorge Polanco and B. Baldwin, but were unable to generate sustained offense.

On the mound, Shane Baz earned the win for Tampa Bay, pitching 7 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 6. Baltimore starter H. Birdsong took the loss after surrendering 5 runs in 4.1 innings.

Overall, Tampa Bay controlled the game from start to finish, using timely hitting and consistent offense to secure the convincing win.

Key Stats

Tampa Bay: 11 runs, 16 hits, 2 errors

Baltimore: 2 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors

Winning Pitcher: Shane Baz (2–1)

Losing Pitcher: H. Birdsong (0–1)

Home Runs: Travis d’Arnaud (TB), James Wood (TB), J. Dominguez (BAL)

The Tampa Bay Expos secured a 5–3 victory over the Baltimore Comets, using a key seventh-inning rally and strong bullpen work to hold off Baltimore.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the first inning, then added another run in the third to take an early 2–0 lead. Baltimore responded in the third inning, scoring twice to tie the game behind a productive stretch from Jorge Polanco, who finished with three hits, two runs scored, and an RBI.

The game remained tight until the seventh inning, when Tampa Bay broke through with three runs to take control. José Altuve delivered the biggest blow with a three-run home run, providing the decisive offense for the Expos. Bo Bichette also contributed with two hits and two RBIs.

Baltimore added a run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to two, but the Expos bullpen shut the door the rest of the way.

Reliever Graham Ashcraft earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief, while Pete Fairbanks recorded the save, closing out the ninth inning. Starter B. Walter gave Tampa Bay a solid start, allowing two runs over five innings.

Baltimore starter José Soriano kept the Comets competitive, allowing two runs in 5.2 innings, but reliever S. Dominguez took the loss after surrendering the go-ahead runs in the seventh.

Despite 12 hits from Baltimore, the Comets struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities and left eight runners on base.

Key Stats

Tampa Bay: 5 runs, 8 hits, 1 error

Baltimore: 3 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors

Winning Pitcher: Graham Ashcraft (1–0)

Losing Pitcher: S. Dominguez (2–3)

Save: Pete Fairbanks (3)

Home Run: Jose Altuve (TB)

The Baltimore Comets avoided a sweep on Friday afternoon by defeating the Tampa Bay Expos 5–2, using a decisive fifth-inning rally and strong bullpen pitching.

Tampa Bay struck first with a run in the second inning and added another in the sixth, but Baltimore’s offense broke through in the fifth inning with a four-run surge that shifted the momentum of the game.

During that rally, T. Tawa delivered the biggest hit with a two-run home run, while Maikel Garcia and Josh Bell each contributed RBIs to help Baltimore take a 4–1 lead. The Comets added an insurance run in the seventh inning to extend the advantage.

Baltimore starter J. Cannon earned the win after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six. The bullpen finished the job as T. Rogers provided 2.2 scoreless innings, and J. Suarez closed the game in the ninth to record the save.

Tampa Bay struggled to capitalize on opportunities despite collecting six hits and drawing four walks, leaving nine runners on base. Jon Berti drove in a run and recorded two hits, while Travis d’Arnaud added two hits for the Expos.

Defensively, Tampa Bay committed three errors, which contributed to Baltimore scoring four runs but only two earned.

Key Stats

Baltimore: 5 runs, 8 hits, 1 error

Tampa Bay: 2 runs, 6 hits, 3 errors

Winning Pitcher: J. Cannon (1–3)

Losing Pitcher: J. Tong (1–3)

Save: J. Suarez (2)

Home Run: T. Tawa (BAL)

Baltimore’s timely hitting and solid relief pitching helped secure the victory.

The Tampa Bay Expos rallied late to defeat the Baltimore Comets 6–4, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to secure the comeback victory.

Baltimore came out strong, plating three runs in the first inning to grab an early lead. Willie Perez sparked the offense with two hits and a run scored, while Josh Bell drove in two runs to give the Comets an early advantage.

Tampa Bay chipped away at the deficit throughout the game, scoring single runs in the third, fourth, and seventh innings to eventually tie the game at 3–3. Baltimore briefly regained the lead with a run in the eighth inning, making it 4–3, but the Expos quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning.

In the eighth, Tampa Bay capitalized on walks and timely hitting to score three runs, highlighted by RBI contributions from Juan Soto, James Wood, and Carlos Vázquez.

Reliever Michael King earned the win for Tampa Bay after pitching two innings and allowing one run, while Pete Fairbanks closed the game in the ninth to record his fourth save of the season.

Baltimore reliever S. Dominguez was charged with the loss after giving up the decisive runs in the eighth inning.

Although Baltimore outhit Tampa Bay 7–6, the Expos drew 11 walks, which proved crucial in generating scoring opportunities and fueling the late comeback.

Key Stats

Tampa Bay: 6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors

Baltimore: 4 runs, 7 hits, 1 error

Winning Pitcher: Michael King (2–1)

Losing Pitcher: S. Dominguez (2–4)

Save: Pete Fairbanks (4)

Tampa Bay’s patience at the plate and late-inning execution allowed them to overcome the early deficit and complete the comeback win.

The Tampa Bay Expos delivered another dominant offensive performance, defeating the Baltimore Comets 11–2 behind a huge fifth inning and strong pitching.

Tampa Bay took an early 1–0 lead in the second inning, but the game broke open in the fifth, when the Expos exploded for seven runs to take firm control. The rally featured consistent hitting throughout the lineup, highlighted by S. Huff’s three-run home run and key RBIs from Bo Bichette and Jon Berti.

Baltimore managed to score single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but the Comets were unable to slow Tampa Bay’s offense. The Expos continued to add insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, finishing the game with 11 runs on 16 hits.

Bo Bichette led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Jon Berti also recorded three hits and two RBIs. James Wood added three hits and a run batted in, helping fuel Tampa Bay’s balanced attack.

On the mound, Charlie Morton earned the win with a strong outing, pitching seven innings while allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out 14. Reliever Spencer Arrighetti finished the game with two scoreless innings.

Baltimore collected nine hits, including a three-hit performance from Keibert Ruiz, but struggled to convert scoring opportunities and struck out 17 times against Tampa Bay pitching.

Key Stats

Tampa Bay: 11 runs, 16 hits, 0 errors

Baltimore: 2 runs, 9 hits, 1 error

Winning Pitcher: Charlie Morton (1–0)

Losing Pitcher: B. Tidwell (1–3)

Home Run: S. Huff (TB)

A massive fifth inning and dominant pitching performance powered Tampa Bay to the convincing victory.

Early homers give Fremont the lead. Southwest Detroit stages a late comeback but leaves runners on 2nd and 3rd in the ninth as Fremont wins 7-5.

Senga is wild as SWD gets the early 2-0 lead. Fremont puts together 4 in the third to take the lead. Chihuahuas get one back in the fourth before Fremont blows it open with 5 more in the bottom of the inning. Senga is allowed to go one more hitter in the sixth, so of course he walks off with a 27-day injury, Fremont’s fourth long injury in 4 weeks. The comeback never happens for SWD, and Will Vest decides to plunk DH Contreras to send him out for 6 games to balance out the Senga injury, and Fremont wins 9-4.

The teams are tied 1-1 in the fifth when a 3-run HR from Bo Naylor gives Fremont the lead. They would tack on an insurance run, though SWD picks up one in the ninth to make it interesting. It ends 5-2 Fremont.

Fremont bashes their way to a 7-0 lead. The Fighting Chihuahuas rally for 3 in the eighth, then get two on in the ninth before being shut down. Fremont wins 7-3. Abrams (1 day) and Carter (14 days) are lost to HBP, which led to Robert Suarez being ejected on the third HBP committed by Fremont.

As bad as the Cannons have been beating Southwest Detroit in the series, AIM injuries and fatigue have done a worse number to the little doggies. Due to attrition, a novel defensive alignment puts Jacob Wilson at catcher and things go predictably poorly, with 3 errors and 5 SB allowed. Despite that, the Fighting Chihuahuas are able to hang around before falling 5-2.

Burleson’s return from injury helps SWD get their defense back in order. Matthews pitches respectably, but homers from Gorman and Elly in the fourth are enough to put Fremont over the top for a 5-1 win.

Next week, Southwest Detroit continues the divisional road trip, back on to I-75 for a date with Cincinnati. Fremont gets some interleague going with a matchup with Tampa Bay.

In a slugfest at Tijuana, the Bottle Rockets outlasted Hollywood in the series opener, 6-3. Ketel Marte gave the Werewolves an early lead with a first-inning solo shot and added another in the third, but Tijuana answered every time. Ian Happ tied the game in the second with a solo homer, and Junior Caminero evened the score again in the fourth with a blast of his own. The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the seventh, when Trea Turner roped a go-ahead two-out double to put Tijuana up for good. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Agustin Ramirez provided insurance with solo homers in the eighth. Kade Strowd earned the win in relief, and Caleb Thielbar notched the save.

Cristopher Sanchez was masterful, firing a complete-game four-hit shutout as Tijuana cruised to an 8-0 victory. Sanchez was in control all night, striking out nine and walking just one. The Bottle Rockets gave him all the support he needed in the first when Ian Happ led off the bottom of the inning with a home run. Jahmai Jones added an RBI double in the fifth, and Junior Caminero followed with an RBI single to stretch the lead. Happ wasn’t finished, crushing his second homer of the game in the seventh, a solo shot. Jones capped the scoring in the same frame with a solo homer of his own. The Tijuana offense pounded out 10 hits in a dominant all-around performance.

Pitching and defense ruled the day as Hollywood edged Tijuana in a tense 2-1 pitcher’s duel. The Werewolves struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single by Matt Chapman. Tijuana answered back in the third when Isaac Paredes lifted a sacrifice fly to score KeBryan Hayes, tying the game. The score remained knotted until the top of the ninth. With one out, Isaac Collins delivered the decisive blow, a single that plated Matt Chapman, who had reached on a leadoff walk, to put Hollywood ahead. David Bednar came on in the bottom of the ninth and slammed the door, striking out the side to secure his eighth save and give the Werewolves their first win of the series.

In a classic pitchers’ battle, the Bottle Rockets walked off with a 1-0 victory in a game that featured zeros on the scoreboard into the ninth inning. Framber Valdez was brilliant for Tijuana, tossing 8 2/3 shutout innings, scattering six hits while striking out nine. Drew Rasmussen was equally impressive for Hollywood, allowing just two hits over 6 2/3 frames. The game’s only run came in the bottom of the ninth. Ian Happ led off with a double against Jack Dreyer. After an intentional walk to Junior Caminero and a fielder’s choice, Agustin Ramirez stepped to the plate with two outs and runners on the corners. Ramirez lined a single to right, scoring Happ and setting off a wild celebration. Cole Sulser got the win for his one inning of work.

The Hollywood offense finally erupted, pounding out 12 runs on 12 hits to even the series with a 12-6 victory. The Werewolves jumped on starter Spencer Strider early, plating a run in the first and adding another in the second on a Ketel Marte RBI single. Matt Chapman broke the game open in the third, crushing a two-run homer to make it 4-1. Isaac Collins then delivered the knockout blow in the fifth, a three-run blast that extended the lead to 7-3. Tijuana chipped away with home runs from Isaac Paredes and Ian Happ, but Hollywood answered every time. A two-run double by Masyn Winn in the eighth and a two-run single by Ketel Marte in the ninth put the game out of reach. Ian Hamilton earned the win in relief.

The Bottle Rockets wrapped up the series with a shutout of their own, blanking the Werewolves 2-0 behind a combined six-hitter. Reese Olson got the start and was effective, working six innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. Manuel Rodriguez and Kade Strowd bridged the gap to the ninth, with Strowd picking up his fifth save. Tijuana’s offense provided just enough support in the first inning. Isaac Paredes got the scoring started with a solo home run, his fifth of the year. Two outs later, Pete Crow-Armstrong followed suit with a solo shot of his own, staking the Bottle Rockets to a 2-0 lead they would never relinquish. The Tijuana pitching staff made the lead stand, stranding eight Hollywood baserunners.

The Tijuana Bottle Rockets rode dominant pitching and timely power hitting to capture the six-game set against the Hollywood Werewolves, four games to two. Tijuana’s starting rotation was the story, with Cristopher Sanchez (CG shutout, 9 Ks in Game 2) and Framber Valdez (8 2/3 shutout innings in Game 4) delivering masterful performances. The bullpen was equally effective, stranding key runners all series.

Offensively, Ian Happ was the catalyst for Tijuana, launching four home runs over the six games, including a two-homer performance in Game 2. Junior Caminero and Pete Crow-Armstrong provided consistent power in the heart of the order. For Hollywood, Ketel Marte was a bright spot, belting two home runs in the Game 1 loss and collecting three hits in Game 5. Matt Chapman also drove in key runs, including a two-run homer in Game 5. Ultimately, timely hitting and a deep, reliable pitching staff allowed the Bottle Rockets to prevail in the series.

Wilson pitches a 3rd perfect inning, ending with 9 outs, 4 ks, 9 batters. Estevez also blanks the opposition in the 10th.
Chase Lee in for Columbus in the 11th – Caleb Durbin leads off with a homer (2) and just like that the crowd deflates as Sacramento grabs the 2-1 lead. Lee recovers his composure and gets the next batter but an Arias throwing error puts an insurance run on 2nd with 1 out. Call then singles sharply to right, but they hold Busch at 3rd. Carpenter then whiffs, 2 down and Stephenson ends the top half with a fly out to RF. Vesia is called on in the bottom of the 11th to close it out – and starts by walking Peraza, who then attempts to steal 2nd but Stephenson nails him – 1 out. Lukes grounds out for the 2nd out and that brings up Arias – uh-oh, he socks one to left that was way high and way deep and way out of the park as his 2nd homer of the season ties the game! Crowd is more than back in it! Meadows fans to end the 11th.
On to the 12th – Lee still on the mound and it’s a perfect top half for him. But the bottom half starts with Donovan leading off with a double off Vesia. McCarthy then does something seldom seen in the Schindel playbook – he bunts and it’s a successful sacrifice, Donovan to 3rd. That’s it, Vesia is gone, Altavilla is in. Pages up – and here is something even rarer – a squeeze oh and it’s a beautiful bunt down the 3rd base line and Andujar (newly acquired by Sacramento from Columbus) uses his knowledge of the ball field and waves his glove frantically willing the ball to roll foul – and it does. The squeeze sign is off – and Pages fouls out to Andujar, 2 outs. Rojas then flies out. On to the 13th.
Lee still in, Massey leads off and grounds out. Then Lindor – flys out to CF. Busch up and he whiffs – NOPE – it hits him, just enough to get him on base, not out of the game. Lee leaves, Bernardino comes in. Call up, the pitch, Busch is stealing, Pages throws – OUT! On to the bottom half.
Altavilla on the hill and he gets Triolo to fly out for the 1st out. Peraza then works him for a walk – his 2nd in 2 plate appearances. Lukes up, Peraza takes off, Lukes makes contact, through the hole into left and Peraza ends up at 3rd. Arias up, Lukes steals 2nd. Capitals with the infield in, Arias (whose homer in the 9th put us into the free baseball territory) connects again – towering fly, Profar goes over, gets it and immediatley turns and heaves the ball toward home – Peraza takes off, arms flailing, home plate in sight. Lukes tags and heads for 2nd. The ball heads towards home, but Peraza easily crosses the plate before the ball reaches and the game is over! 3-2 Columbus, 13 innings – with a ton of drama.
SAC 2-6-2 LP Altavilla (0-1) BS Estevez (1), Vesia (2)
COL 3-7-1 WP Bernardino (2-0) Interesting, he gets .1 ip, the win and 0 BF (his out, the runner caught stealing)

Patriots 5 Defenders 0

Patriots 11 Defenders 2

Defenders 4 Patriots 2

Defenders 6 Patriots 1

Patriots 5 Defenders 2

Patriots 5 Defenders 3