MLB Player News

There had never been a walkoff homer in WBC history until today. Now there’s been two, after Ozzie Albies hit one earlier for The Netherlands. Panama led this one 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, but Alberto Baldonado couldn’t finish off the game, walking in the tying run with Willi Castro up. Panama took back the lead by plating the automatic runner in the top of the 10th, but the club botched a sac bunt to open the bottom of the inning, leading to runners on the corners with none out. After a game-tying double play seemed to wipe the slate clean, Hernaiz ended the game with a 374-foot shot to right. Puerto Rico is now 2-0 in pool play and seems well on its way to advancing to the quarterfinals.

After the Angels had been shut out through seven innings, Grissom brought the team within a run with a two-run homer off Brad Lord. It was the 11th home run for the 25-year-old infielder. He’s slashing .242/.306/.387 with 43 runs and 62 RBI across 414 plate appearances.

Joyce was summoned to close out Saturday’s game against the Nationals in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He issued a leadoff walk, then gave up the tying run on a base hit before closing out the inning to send the game to extras. The 25-year-old right-hander is 4-for-6 in save chances with a 3.65 ERA and a 15/7 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings.

Alvarez was outstanding on Saturday, holding the Angels scoreless over seven impressive innings. He allowed just one hit and scattered four walks while collecting eight strikeouts. The bullpen would go on to blow the lead, costing Alvarez the win. The 27-year-old left-hander will look to keep it going when he takes a 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 99/47 K/BB ratio across 102 innings into a start against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday.

Ureña gave up a run on a pair of doubles in the first inning. Four more hits brought another three runs home in the second before Ureña finally tossed a clean third inning. He went on to pitch three more scoreless frames, giving the Angels six innings of work while striking out seven batters. The 22-year-old right-hander will take a 2.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 131/67 K/BB ratio across 137 1/3 innings into a start against the Twins in Anaheim on Thursday.

Pauley put the Marlins on the board in the second inning, taking Tyler Glasnow deep for a two-run home run. He was later lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth with a left-handed reliever on the mound. The 25-year-old third baseman is hitting .214/.262/.389 with four homers and 25 RBI across 142 plate appearances.

Betts put the first run on the board in the first inning, taking Tyler Phillips deep for a solo homer. He later drew a walk and stole a base in the sixth. The 33-year-old outfielder is hitting .248/.313/.432 with 20 homers, 63 runs scored, and 61 RBI across 470 plate appearances.

Fairbanks was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Dodgers with a two-run lead. He gave up a run on a walk and a base hit before recording the final out to secure the win with his 19th save.

Phillips gave up a pair of solo homers in the first inning as Mookie Betts and Max Muncy went back-to-back to get the scoring started. He recovered nicely, keeping Los Angeles from scoring again into the fourth. He’d depart with two outs at 68 pitches with three strikeouts. The 28-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 96/51 K/BB ratio across 119 innings. He’ll take on the Padres in San Diego on Friday.

Glasnow tossed a scoreless first inning before the Marlins got to him for three runs in the second, including a two-run homer by Graham Pauley. After a clean third and fourth, he started the fifth inning with a pair of walks, leaving at 91 pitches with seven strikeouts. One of the inherited runners would get across to score. The 33-year-old right-hander will take a 3.50 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 77/21 K/BB ratio across 61 2/3 innings into a start against the Giants in Los Angeles on Friday.

McLain landed hard on his surgically repaired shoulder while diving after a ball Friday. “I think it’s going to be good, but I think it needs a day or two,” he said. “There’s just some extra inflammation, stiffness that just needs to get out of there. I passed all the tests.”