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It doesn’t seem to matter what the New York Mets do. Everything is backfiring this season. Following Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels, the Mets still have the worst record in MLB at 12-22. Their road trip continues today at Coors Field as they face the Colorado Rockies, the same Rockies that swept the Mets at Citi Field the previous weekend. Injuries are taking a toll, whether it has to do with the pitching staff, the outfield or the infield. How will the Mets dig out of this mess? The owner with the deepest pockets in MLB has some big decisions to make.
Today’s Headlines
Rays Rolling After Walk-off Results In Another Sweep
Think the Tampa Bay Rays are happy to be back at Tropicana Field? Jonathan Aranda lofted a soft single just over the second baseman’s head that easily scored the speedy Chandler Simpson from second base with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Tampa Bay Rays edged the San Francisco Giants 2-1. The Rays completed their fourth sweep of the season and have won nine of 10 to improve to 21-12, the second-best mark in the AL. Rays left-handed starter Steven Matz gave up a first-inning run, then finished with five shutout innings, walking two and striking out one. The Rays tied it in the eighth inning as Junior Caminero walked, Aranda singled to center and Ryan Vilade executed a safety squeeze to score Caminero. After retiring the side in the top of the 10th, the Rays won it as, with Simpson on second as the autmatic runner, Caminero was walked intentionally and Aranda looped his winning single to right.
Ashcraft Powers Pirates To Sweep Of Reds
Did the Pittsburgh Pirates just show that they have the ability to contend in the NL Central? Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft tossed a career-high 7.2 scoreless innings as the Pirates slipped past the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 to sweep a three-game series. Konnor Griffin doubled with two out and scored on Oneil Cruz’s single in the eighth inning for the game’s lone run. The sweep of the Reds, who entered the weekend leading the Central, came after the Pirates had been swept in four games by the St. Louis Cardinals. Ashcraft allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out six. While the Pirates are in last place at 19-16, the entire division is above .500 and within 3½ games of each other.
Stott, Luzardo Spark Phillies’ Win
Some managerial changes are made because the manager has lost the team or is in conflict with the front office. Others are to put the onus on the players, who are ultimately responsible for what transpires on the field. The Philadelphia Phillies fall in that latter category and thus far it seems to be working. Bryson Stott hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run first inning that sent the Phillies to a 7-2 road win over the Miami Marlins. The Phillies are 5-1 entering today’s wraparound series finale since manager Rob Thomson was fired. For Stott, one of several struggling Phillies hitters as he carried a .204/.260/.301 slash line into Sunday, it was his second homer in three games (and of the season) and followed a game-tying triple Thursday. It also helps when left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo flashes his familiar form. Luzardo, who had a 7.94 ERA in his first four starts, allowed two runs over 6⅓, striking out 10.
Twins’ Bullpen Steps Up After Ryan Goes Down
When Minnesota Twins ace right-hander Joe Ryan exited after just nine pitches due to right elbow soreness, there was only one thought: “Oh, no. Not again.” The Twins have dealt with their share of pitching injuries this year, including right-hander Pablo López’s season ending in spring training. But the Twins still had a game to play and the bullpen responded in a fashion it hasn’t thus far this season, propelling Minnesota to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-hander Andrew Morris and left-hander Taylor Rogers came in to allow just one run over the next six innings. Meanwhile, the Twins’ offense put together a three-run fifth inning that included back-to-back one-out RBI doubles from Luke Keaschall and Kody Clemens and a two-out RBI double from Matt Wallner. Ryan was undergoing imaging to determine the extent of his injury.
Acuna Goes On IL As Strider Returns
One star returned for Atlanta as another went on the shelf. Left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring as right-hander Spencer Strider was activated from the 15-day IL following a strained oblique. Acuna was injured in the second inning Saturday while running out a ground ball. Strider made his season debut in Atlanta’s 11-6 win over the Colorado Rockies, going 3⅓ innings, allowing three runs on four hits and five walks with six strikeouts.
By The Numbers
11 The Chicago Cubs won their 11th straight at Wrigley Field with an 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
5 Aaron Judge and Ben Rice of the New York Yankees became the fifth pair of teammates to have 12 or more homers in the first 34 games of the season. They each homered in the Yankees’ 11-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
13-21 After going 0-6 on a road trip, the Giants are 13-21, which matches the 1950 and 1984 teams for the worst start in franchise history.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Baseball Wedgie
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel went to turn a double play. Only problem is the ball was stuck in his glove, so he did what only seemed natural. He altered his plan and tossed the ball, wedged inside his first baseman’s mitt, to pitcher Jack Kochanowicz covering first.
The ball got stuck in Nolan Schanuel's glove so he just threw the glove to Jack Kochanowicz at first base for the out. Don't see that every day.
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94.bsky.social) 2026-05-03T20:50:33.963Z
When You Mean Mug A Friend
Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox was once a feared closer and is still pretty good at his job. So staring down an opponent after striking him out isn’t that unusual. Only this time, it was Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez and Chapman, well, just watch …
Stealing A Hit Like A Pirate
Yeah, it would be nice to still see Andrew McCutchen of the Texas Rangers in a Pirates uniform. But regardless, he can still play some terrific defense.
Cardinal Calendar
In case you forgot Sunday’s date, St. Louis Cardinals right-handed starter Dustin May has you covered.
Dustin May wearing #3 and pitching on May 3rd is incredible.
— Molly Knight (@mollyknight.bsky.social) 2026-05-03T18:18:41.905Z
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The San Francisco Giants are calling up their top prospect, first baseman Bryce Eldridge, as well as catcher-third baseman Jesus Rodriguez to try to inject life into a moribund offense. Eldridge is the No. 20 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, while Rodriguez is No. 18 in the Giants’ system.
⚾ Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (strained lat) was activated from the 15-day IL, with right-handed reliever Yacksel Ríos designated for assignment.
⚾ Boston Red Sox left-handed starter Ranger Suarez left Sunday’s game with tightness in his right hamstring.
⚾ San Diego Padres right-handed starter Griffin Canning (ruptured left Achilles) was activated from the 15-day IL to make his season debut. Right-handed starter Germán Márquez (right forearm nerve inflammation) went on the 15-day IL.
⚾ New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio (fractured right thumb) went on the 10-day IL and infielder Vidal Bruján was called up from Triple-A. Minor-league rirst baseman Eric Wagaman was designated for assignment.
⚾ Los Angeles Angels left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day IL, with left-hander Tayler Saucedo called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, the 2025 AL MVP runner-up after hitting 60 homers, was out of the lineup for the second day in a row with what was described as soreness on his right side.
⚾ The Yankees activated shortstop Anthony Volpe (left shoulder surgery) from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A.
Articles You Should Read
Miggy and Manny Show sparks Padres on Tatis’ day off — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune
Red Sox built roster on pitching and field. At least defense is doing its part. — Peter Abraham, Boston Globe
Why Dodgers’ Sheehan has “K ALS” on his glove — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times
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