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New ownership can mean a lot of things to a team. Sometimes it is a change from something bad. In the case of the San Diego Padres, Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, introduced Monday as the team’s new owners, are taking over following the death of the previous owner, Peter Seidler. While there can be a lot of corporate speak but a new owner, the couple now in control of the Padres didn’t show that side during their first exposure to Padres fans and media. Instead, they talked a lot about family and community, which would make Seidler happy. Their approach to team finances is not yet known and might not get truly be put on display until the offseason following 2027 due to the weird offseason approaching with the impending lockout by MLB owners.
Today’s Headlines
Raleigh Dumps 3, End Phillies’ Run At 9
It only took one Schwarbomb on Sunday to keep the Philadelphia Phillies‘ winning streak alive, but it required three from the Big Dumper on Monday to end it. Struggling slugger Cal Raleigh had his first career three-homer game as the Seattle Mariners pounded the Philadelphia Phillies 9-2, halting Philly’s nine-game winning streak. Julio Rodríguez and Cole Young also homered for the Mariners, who jumped on Phillies right-handed starter Zack Wheeler for five runs in the first and eight runs over four-plus innings. Wheeler gave up the first two shots by Raleigh and the blasts by J-Rod and Young, with Raleigh and Young finishing Wheeler by going back-to-back in the fifth. The win pulled the Mariners, at 63-69, within three games of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers and of the Cleveland Guardians, who hold the No. 3 AL wild-card spot. The Phillies, meanwhile, remained the No. 2 NL wild card, two games over the No. 3 San Diego Padres. A year after hitting 60 homers, setting MLB records for catchers and switch-hitters, Raleigh has just 17 after his three-run barrage vs. the Phillies, his first multihomer game of the season.
Astros Axe Brown
The writing had been on the wall since the calendar flipped to 2026 that this would be Dana Brown’s final season as the Astros’ general manager. Yet it was a little surprising that the Astros fired Brown on Monday, with more than a month left in the regular season. Perhaps it was a 3-6 homestand vs. three teams below .500, including blowing a 6-0 lead and losing to the A’s on Sunday that was the final straw. That left the Astros with a 65-66 record, which was good enough to be tied for first in the AL West entering play Monday. Brown was under contract only through the end of the season. The Astros had not been able to sign key players to extensions in right fielder Kyle Tucker and third baseman Alex Bregman and were a disappointment at the trade deadline. Team owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations, with Brown’s various responsibilities split up among others, including Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell.
Gausman, Homers Spark Cubs
With some of the Jekyll-and-Hyde performances by the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, it is best not to take too much from any single result. But with the D’backs more desperate for wins than the Cubs at the moment, you can’t help but wonder if all the drama that has surrounded Arizona for the last week isn’t having some affect. Right-handed starter Kevin Gausman tossed seven shutout innings, while Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers in the sixth as the Cubs cruised to a 7-0 victory over the D’backs. Barring a disaster, the Cubs are locked into a playoff spot, leading the NL wild-card race, seven games ahead of the D’backs, who are the first team on the outside looking in. Gausman allowed just three hits and struck out six, while the Cubs broke open a 2-0 game in the sixth with the back-to-back homers, with Conforto’s being a two-run shot.
Marlins Fire Most Of Pro Scouting Staff
The Miami Marlins have fired most of their pro scouting department, according to multiple reports. The move is allegedly because the front office wants to move more toward video scouting instead of in-person scouting of opponents.
By The Numbers
7 Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen won his seventh straight start in a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Rasmussen allowed a run on three hits in six innings to tie Blake Snell’s club record for consecutive wins.
30 Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman recorded his 30th save in a 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. It was the 10th time Chapman has reached 30 saves.
5 Washington Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile homered and drove in five in a 13-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies to snap a three-game losing streak. It was the Rockies’ season-worst seventh straight loss.
Best Moments From Yesterday
I Did It!
Texas Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo is exactly a terrific defender, which may explain the slightly disjointed celebration after he robbed Andrew Benintendi of the Chicago White Sox of a homer.
Not His Song
When it is Monday and you are in West Sacramento.
Allen Porter tells him to turn the damn music off
— Rocco Hairdelli [ghost of Rocco future] (@beastmoderocco.com) 2026-08-25T02:52:11.361Z
Air Blue
Dear Statcast: We need a new stat called ump air.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Embattled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list next week. While Marte is technically on the IL with inflammation in his left knee, he had been on the team’s restricted list after not showing up for a game last week Monday at Fenway Park.
⚾ Shortstop Willy Adames was placed on the 10-day IL with a sprained left elbow in the headliner of a slew of moves by the San Francisco Giants. Right-handed reliever JT Brubaker (bruised ribs) and outfielder Victor Bericoto (bone bruise to right knee) also went on the IL, with first baseman Bryce Eldridge going on the bereavement list and right-handed starter Matt Wilkinson being optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ Seattle Mariners rookie second baseman Colt Emerson will have season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a displaced tendon in his left wrist. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
⚾ Miami Marlins right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks left Monday’s game with nerve irritation and numbness in his throwing arm. Further testing will be done.
⚾ Cincinnati Reds infielder-outfielder Michael Toglia will have season-ending surgery today on his right shoulder.
Articles You Should Read
New Padres owners want to make one thing clear: “We’re all in” — AJ Cassavell, MLB.com
What’s next for Walter and the Dodgers? Five key questions — Melody Gutierrez and Brittany Ghiroli, The Athletic
Giants, Red Sox went opposite directions after Devers trade, just not as expected. Here’s why — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
White Sox need Murakami, Montgomery to step up in stretch drive — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune
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