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Thursday, typically a travel day for about half the teams in the league, usually ends up providing plenty of excitement despite a relatively light slate of games. This week was no different with several walk-offs, exciting young pitching performances, and much more. Lets get into it.
Today’s Headlines
Yankees Complete Sweep At Fenway
Cam Schlittler turned in eight dominant innings (8 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 4 H, 1 BB) to help the New York Yankees overcome an electric debut from Boston Red Sox rookie left-hander Payton Tolle (6 IP, 1 ER, 11 K, 3 H, 1 BB), with New York securing a 4-2 victory and a three-game series sweep on the road in Boston.
Tolle started the game by striking out the first five batters he faced, and continued to cruise until the top of the fifth inning when he surrendered a solo home run to Jazz Chisholm Jr.. That tied the game at 1-1 after Marcelo Mayer had put Boston ahead in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI double, and Boston would go on to regain a one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Carlos Narváez home run.
The difference in the game came once Tolle was removed after six innings and the Yankees immediately put the pressure on the Red Sox bullpen. With two on in the top of the seventh, Cody Bellinger came off the bench for a pinch-hit two-run knock, with Aaron Judge immediately following with an RBI single of his own that put the Yankees up for good at 4-2.
Schlittler, originally from the Boston area, was pitching in Fenway Park for the first time as a pro and did not let any attending friends and family down with his performance. He now sports a sparkling 1.77 ERA and 0.73 ERA and appears unfazed by any challenge thrown at him.
The Yankees will take the momentum of their sweep into a road weekend series at Houston, while Boston will try and bounce back at Baltimore.
Tork Comes Through For Tigers
Spencer Torkleson has had an up-and-down career thus far, with the 26-year-old at times showing the promise that led the Detroit Tigers to select him with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, while at other times looking like a player who the team is unsure if they will even keep in the everyday lineup.
After starting the 2026 season looking more like the latter, Tigers fans will be hoping that several swings that Torkelson has taken over the last few days will help transform him back into the former. Torkelson hit his first home run of the year several nights ago, and followed it up yesterday with a dramatic walk off in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the Tigers save a game in which they had blown a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning to the Milwaukee Brewers. That was in part due to ace Tarik Skubal not being his usual automatic self, appearing to tire in the seventh inning while allowing several base runners which all eventually came around to score to allow the Brewers to take a 4-3 lead.
After Jahmai Jones homered in the eighth to tie the game, Torkleson stepped into the box in the bottom of the ninth against Milwaukee’s Abner Uribe, who was firing 100+ mph sinkers and had made easy work of the first two batters in the inning. Tork was undeterred…
The Tigers now head to Cincinnati for a weekend set against the Reds, while Milwaukee welcomes the Pirates to town.
Cubbies Are Rolling
All of a sudden the Chicago Cubs are on fire, now having won nine straight games after a dramatic walk-off knock by Dansby Swanson late yesterday afternoon. Chicago completed a four-game sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies by walking it off in the tenth inning, completing a wild back and forth affair that saw the Cubs tee off on Philadelphia ace Christopher Sanchez to the tune of twelve hits and six runs off Sanchez alone. He departed the game in the sixth inning with the Phillies down 6-2, only to see the Philadelphia bats wake up in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game at 6-6. Seiya Suzuki then homered in his third straight game to put the Cubs back up 7-6, before Adolis Garcia tied it back up for Philadelphia in the top of the ninth.
With the Phillies failing to have scored the runner from second in their half of the tenth inning, up stepped Dansby Swanson for a moment that sent Wrigley Field into an early evening party…
Chicago’s win streak gets the ultimate test this weekend with a trip to Dodger Stadium, while the Phillies will look to end a nine-game losing streak with a trip to Atlanta.
By The Numbers
18 The number of swing and misses induced by Red Sox rookie starter Payton Tolle in his debut start, second most of any starter on the day, two behind…
20 The number of swing and misses induced by Texas Ranger veteran starter Jacob deGrom in his win over the Pirates yesterday. He’s still got it.
62 Jacob deGrom also had ten strikeouts on the day, marking the 62nd start in his career that he hit double digit strikeouts.
333 Statcast projected the home run by Jazz Chisholm Jr. yesterday to have traveled only 333 feet, which is not surprisingly the shortest of Chisholm’s MLB career. The ball just barely made it around Fenway Park’s infamous Pesky’s Pole in right field.
33.2 San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has now tied the franchise record with an active scoreless streak spanning 33.2 innings.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Inside the Park Homer
Inside the park home runs are always a fun and exciting moment in a game because they typically are one of the last things you expect to happen. Yesterday’s inside the park homer by Texas’ Evan Carter in their win over the Pirates was no exception, as Carter was flying around the bases, igniting the home fans into a frenzy.
Happy Birthday Sheets
Gavin Sheets took the happiness of his birthday into his own hands yesterday by hitting a dramatic go-ahead home run in the Padres’ wild 10-8 comeback win over the Rockies, celebrating his 30th birthday in style.
Impressive Recovery
Atlanta starting pitcher JR Ritchie was called up to make his MLB debut against Washington on Thursday, and was rudely greeted by James Wood on his very first pro pitch.
Ritchie got the last laughs, though, as he went on to complete seven strong innings (2 ER, 7 K, 5 H, 2 BB) and earn the win in Atlanta’s 7-2 defeat of the Nationals. He became just the second pitcher over the last 50 years to give up a home run on his first MLB pitch and then go on to win the game. Ritchie is also the first pitcher in Atlanta franchise history to complete at least seven innings while striking out at least seven and allowing only two runs in their MLB debut.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Philadelphia Phillies announced they are releasing veteran starter Taijuan Walker, who will still be owed approximately $15 million by the club for the remainder of his contract.
⚾ New York Mets placed Francisco Lindor (left calf) on the 10-day IL.
⚾ Texas Rangers placed LHP Robert Garcia on the 15-day IL (left shoulder) retroactive to April 20.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles placed RHP Dean Kremer on the 15-day IL (right quad) retroactive to April 20.
⚾ Atlanta Braves placed LHP Dylan Dodd on the 15-day IL (spine inflammation) retroactive to April 22.
⚾ Miami Marlins have designated LF Austin Slater for assignment, activated Esteury Ruiz from IL in corresponding move.
⚾ Colorado Rockies placed RHP Jimmy Herget on paternity list.
Articles You Should Read
“How an American Ballplayer Inspired a Japanese Art Movement” — Joe Landolina, PitcherList
“Munetaka Murakami, as Advertised” — Ben Clemens, FanGraphs
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