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MLB News & Moments: Andy Pages gets a hat trick

The Cubs only know how to win dramatically.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 15 Hours Ago

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Before any game was played on Wednesday, the baseball world learned of the passing of Ted Turner, who was mostly known as a media tycoon who helped create CNN, Cartoon Network, and TBS. He was also a major force in baseball, owning the Atlanta club for nearly decades, as Atlanta emerged into a powerhouse and won the World Series in 1995. Turner was also essential in bringing baseball to several households via the national broadcasts of Atlanta’s games, in an era where this kind of coverage was not frequent.

As Atlanta evolved into one of the most stable and competitive organizations in baseball, it is important to remember Ted Turner’s legacy as a pioneer for the sport. He even earned a Simpsons mention in the 90’s, which speaks to his status and importance. May he rest in peace.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Andy, You’re a Star

When the first inning of yesterday’s game was over, it all seemed dour for the Dodgers. Mired in an offensive slump, LA was already down a run against the Astros, while starter Tyler Glasnow was forced to leave the game with an injury. Instead of falling apart, the Dodgers showed why they are the two-time defending champs, snapping out of their funk in a hurry. They tied the game in the second, only to explode for five runs in the fifth, as Andy Pages began his offensive barrage. Pages would go on to hit a three-run homer in the third, a two-run blast in the fifth, and a solo shot in the ninth (facing a position player), ending with the top offensive performance of his young career. Shohei Ohtani added a couple of hits, as LA amassed 14 knocks en route to a commanding 12-2 win. Despite Glasnow’s early exit, the bullpen was stellar, holding the Astros to one run, four hits, and no walks over eight frames.

Pitching and Defense

In 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays were forced to play their home games on a minor league field, as their dome was severely damaged during Hurricane Milton’s devastation in late 2024. This altered much of the team’s identity, as playing in Tropicana Field has always represented a huge home-field advantage for the organization. Back at their real home, the Rays have quietly begun to build something, as they now stand only a half game back of the Yankees for the best record in the AL. Yesterday’s win followed a familiar formula, as Shane McClanahan was in full control over Toronto, allowing only two hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless frames. The bullpen took over from there, completing the shutout, as the Rays have now gone a franchise-record 13 straight games allowing three runs or fewer. Even as Tampa could only muster six hits, they came in key moments to secure the 3-0 win.

Walk the Walk-off

In what will probably be remembered as the game of the night, the Chicago Cubs entered the ninth inning leading the Reds 4-2, looking to secure a series win. It was a pretty standard game, before it went completely bonkers. With closer Daniel Palencia unavailable, the Reds ambushed Chicago’s bullpen, as a Spencer Steer solo homer opened the frame, followed by three straight batters reaching to load the bases. After a JJ Bleday single tied the contest, Elly de la Cruz stepped up to the plate and hit a TWO-RUN SACRIFICE FLY (!!!) that gave Cincinnati a 6-4 lead. As the Reds also had their closer on the mend, Graham Ashcraft was summoned to close, and all he did was allow a Pete Crow-Armstrong two-run homer that sent the game to extras.

As the Reds failed to score their ghost runner, Chicago made two outs but also loaded the bases, setting the stage for Michael Busch, who worked a favorable 3-1 count before almost earning a Homer Simpson special and ending the game on a hit by pitch. Instead, it was simply a walk-off walk, as the Cubs won their third straight against the Reds via the walk-off. This series has had it all, and it still has one more game on the docket for later today.

Nathan For You

A day after the Rangers saw ace Jacob deGrom struggle against the Yankees, Nathan Eovaldi showed the importance of having a co-ace just in case. Eovaldi had a lead before even taking the mound, as a Corey Seager solo homer opened the scoring, while Texas’ offense exploded for five runs between the third and fourth frames, opening a 6-0 lead that was more than enough for Nasty Nate. The Yankees could only muster three hits over eight innings against Eovaldi, with only one at-bat with a runner in scoring position. An Aaron Judge solo homer–as he became the first player in baseball to reach 15–accounted for the only blemish in Eovaldi’s night. The righty is now 4-4, with two of his wins coming against the Bombers.

Feeling Woozy

With two straight lousy outings in which he allowed a combined 13 runs over nine innings to the Cardinals and Royals, it seemed that Bryan Woo had hit a wall. Maybe, all he needed was to stay away from Missouri teams, as Woo was again stellar despite facing the best team in MLB. Atlanta hitters were off-balance all game long, as Woo only allowed one hit and two walks over six scoreless innings, with nine strikeouts. Martín Pérez nearly matched Woo inning by inning, but he did allow a couple of runs, including a Julio Rodríguez solo shot, taking a tough loss. The 3-1 final score gave Woo only his second win of the season, as he has allowed three or fewer runs in six of his eight starts of 2026.

 

By The Numbers

 

30 With two hits and a walk, Nick Kurtz extended his on-base streak to 30 games. He now has the longest such streak for the A’s since 2018, when Matt Chapman did it.

0.87 With 5.2 scoreless innings against the Blue Jays, Rays starter Shane McClanahan shrunk his home ERA to a minuscule 0.87 over four starts. He now owns a 24-8 career record at Tropicana Field.

1 As the Mets took a comfortable win over the Rockies, Juan Soto hit his first career homer batting in the first spot of the order, and it was a lead-off homer. It was career homer #248.

24 With a 5-1 loss to the Padres, the Giants have now scored three runs or fewer in 24 of their first 37 games. In 12 of them, they have scored one or been shut out.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Masterpiece Theater

Even as the Pirates loaded their offense this season to provide a better winning chance for their top pitchers, there is always the possibility that the hurlers need to be almost perfect to win in Pittsburgh. As Brandon Lowe hit the fourth pitch of the game for a solo homer, it was mostly unremarkable, but that swing would become increasingly important as the game progressed. With Michael Soroka and the Arizona bullpen being stingy, Paul Skenes had to again become almost perfect to secure the win. And boy, did he deliver. Skenes allowed only two hits over eight scoreless frames, saving his best stuff for the eighth, when he struck out the side to finish his night with seven Ks. Following his dreadful Opening Day start, he has now allowed only six runs over his last 41.1 innings, leaving his ERA at 2.36.

Pure, Unbridled Happiness

Following several incidents of grown adults behaving like anything but that in MLB ballparks, it was nice to see what should happen every time a ball reaches the stands. Seconds after a Rays fan secured a foul ball, he looked around to spot the nearest child, finding the perfect recipient for a lifelong memory. The little Ray was not only happy to get a souvenir, but he just could not control his emotions in a wholesome moment of enthusiasm. This is what baseball is all about.

Out on the Cove

Having said that kids at a ballpark are the heart of the game, it is also important to remember that adults can have fun, too. Despite the Giants continuing their miserable season on the field, McCovey Cove provided a memorable scene, with two kayak-riding grown men enjoying a friendly game of catch. This is also what baseball is all about.

 

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ Carlos Correa has become the latest high-profile player to be placed on the IL for the Houston Astros, albeit on a more impactful way. Correa is now out for the season as he will require surgery to repair his left ankle. As recounted by Correa himself, the injury occurred during routine batting practice, where his tendon tore in a significant way. In his absence, Houston will probably cover the left side of the infield with a combination of Nick Allen and Braden Shewmake. 

⚾ Speaking of teams with terrible injury luck, the Cubs have placed another starting pitcher on the IL, with Matthew Boyd now being part of the 15-day IL with a meniscus injury that will require surgery. Apparently, Boyd noticed the injury while playing with his kids, adding a bit of uncertainty to his return timetable. Chicago will need to get creative with its rotation, probably giving the likes of Javier Assad a chance to start. 

⚾ The Tigers have placed Gleyber Torres on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 4, with a left oblique strain. Torres left last Saturday’s game with left side tightness, and his absence is not expected to be significant. However, Detroit will again need to make infield adjustments, as they have recently acquired veterans like Paul DeJong and Zack Short.

⚾ Following Tuesday’s incident against the Red Sox, in which he intentionally threw at Trevor Story, Detroit’s Framber Valdez was suspended five games by the league. It essentially amounts to one missed start, and no appeal has been announced. Manager AJ Hinch also received a one-game suspension, which was served in yesterday’s game.

Articles You Should Read

 

Nick Kurtz’s Strange Encore — Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

Willie Mays Gets a Highway To His Name —  MLB.com

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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