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For many fans, listening to baseball on the radio is how we fell in love with the sport. I remember sneaking a radio into bed to I could listen to games while my parents didn’t have a clue (or so I thought) or when I was in the driveway throwing tennis balls against the garage door. So when those magical voices on the other end of the radio pass away, it hit a little deeper. You can have your opinions about New York Yankees fans, but just know that they are hurting a little bit with the death of radio play-by-play voice John Sterling. More down below.
Today’s Headlines
Skubal To Have Surgery For Loose Bodies In Elbow
Instead of starting Monday’s game, two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers was scheduled for surgery and placed on the 15-day injured list. Skubal has loose bodies in his left elbow. Typical recovery for such a procedure is two to three months, making the second half of July an early target for his return. Skubal showed signs of trouble in his start Wednesday, when he shook his left arm in the seventh inning, prompting a mound visit from medical personnel. But he stayed in the game, striking out the side to finish his day. After downplaying anything worse with his arm, the team announced he was initially scratched from starting, then said he had surgery. Skubal is set to become a free agent after the season. He is making $32 million this year after winning his arbitration case, a record for a pitcher. Right-hander Ty Madden was called up from Triple-A.
Murakami Hits 14th, Then Doubles As Unique Streak Ends
Los Angeles Angels right-handed starter José Soriano has been virtually untouchable this season, with one exception. That exception? The Chicago White Sox. Yeah, it is puzzling to everyone. But the plucky White Sox knocked around Soriano for the second start in a row, with Munetaka Murakami hitting his 14th homer in a 6-0 win over the Angels. Murakami had three hits, including his first extra-base hit that wasn’t a homer, while matching Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees for the MLB homer lead with a two-run blast in the fourth inning. Murakami also scored three times. His 14 homers in his first 35 career games are the third-most in MLB history. Murakami’s double in the sixth inning was the first extra-base hit that wasn’t a homer. His 14 homers without another extra-base hit are an MLB record.
José Soriano in his first six starts of the season:37 2/3 innings1 earned run0.24 ERA43 strikeouts13 walks18 hits1 home runSoriano in his last two starts (both vs. the White Sox):9 innings8 earned runs8.00 ERA11 strikeouts6 walks14 hits4 home runs
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94.bsky.social) 2026-05-05T02:49:19.298Z
Home Cooking Lifts Cubs To 12th Straight At Wrigley
The Friendly Confines have been very friendly for the Chicago Cubs this season. And thanks to Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Conforto, the Wrigley Field winning streak continues. Crow-Armstrong tripled to lead off the ninth and scored, while Conforto hit a walk-off solo homer as the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4, Chicago’s sixth straight win overall and 12th in a row at Wrigley. That is the Cubs’ longest home streak since a 14-gamer in 2008. The Cubs trailed 3-0, with their bats quieted by Reds right-hander Chase Petty, when Seiya Suzuki evened things up in the sixth inning with a three-run homer off Petty. Spencer Steer had an RBI single in the top of the eighth to put the Reds back on top 4-3.
Nola, Harper Fuel Phillies
It was vintage Aaron Nola. And vintage Bryce Harper. It almost made you wonder if it was old timers’ day for the Philadelphia Phillies. All kidding aside, continued performances like the ones turned in by Nola and Harper are going to be what the Phillies need to climb back into the NL East race. Nola tossed six shutout inning and Harper had three hits, including a solo homer, in a 1-0 Phillies victory over the Miami Marlins. Nola allowed five hits and didn’t walk anyone while striking out five to bring his ERA down to 5.06. Harper hit a third-inning blast to right-center after doubling in the first inning. His three-hit night boosted his batting average to .271.
Efficient Wacha Stifles Guardians
Sometimes, you just have the stuff to cruise through a game. That was the case for Kansas City Royals right-handed starter Michael Wacha, who needed just 79 pitches to get through seven innings in a 6-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Wacha gave up four hits, including a two-run homer by David Fry in the second inning, while walking one and striking out three. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Bobby Witt Jr.. got the Royals going with a leadoff homer. Vinnie Pasquantino doubled and scored on Salvador Perez’s single to tie it 2-2. Carter Jensen singled Perez to third and Lane Thomas walked before Guardians right-handed starter Tanner Bibee got his first out. After a second out, Nick Loftin singled to left to score Perez and Thomas, who needed a replay reversal to show that he scored for a 4-2 lead. Jac Caglianone hit a solo homer on his bobblehead day in the sixth to make it 5-2.
Sterling, Voice Of Yankees, Dies At 87
John Sterling, the iconic radio voice of the New York Yankees for 36 years, died Monday. He was 87. Sterling was known for his colorful home run calls, which often sounded like they belonged on a Broadway stage rather than the TV airwaves, as well as his conversational style that often had fans thinking he was talking directly to them. He first was behind the mic for Yankees games in 1989 and called 5,426 regular-season and 225 postseason games, retiring following the 2024 season. He initially retired during the 2024 season due to health reasons, but returned for the end of the season and the postseason, which included the five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
By The Numbers
300 Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson hit a solo homer in the sixth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was Olson’s 300th career homer.
1.52 Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler lowered his ERA to an AL-best 1.52 by allowing one run in 5⅔ innings of a 12-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
1-for-14 St. Louis Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt had been in a 1-for-14 funk when he delivered an RBI double in the second inning of 6-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Best Moments From Yesterday
‘A Judgian blast!’
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit his 14th homer of the season, which temporarily took over sole possession of the MLB lead. But it also gave Yankees TV announcer Michael Kay an opportunity to pay homage to John Sterling’s trademark call, hours after Sterling passed away.
Aaron Judge now leads MLB with 14 home runs!
— Talkin’ Baseball (@talkinbaseballbot.bsky.social) 2026-05-04T23:25:54.000Z
Hockey Love
Members of the Minnesota Twins showed their love for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild as they boarded their charter flight for their series in Washington that begins Tuesday. The Wild and the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves are still alive in their respective playoffs.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Milwaukee Brewers activated outfielder Jackson Chourio (fractured left hand) and first baseman Andrew Vaughn (broken left hamate bone) from the 10-day injured list. Outfielder Blake Perkins was sent to Triple-A and outfielder Greg Jones was designated for assignment.
⚾ Catch Jonah Heim, who started the day on Atlanta’s active roster before being DFA’d, was traded to the A’s for cash considerations. The A’s placed catcher Shea Langeliers on the paternity list. Heim drove in five runs for Atlanta on Sunday.
⚾ Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony left the game in the second inning due to right wrist discomfort. He will head back to Boston for further testing. Meanwhile, Red Sox left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe (cervical spasms) went on the 15-day IL and left-hander Alec Gamboa was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ The San Francisco Giants made the call-ups of top prospect Bryce Eldridge, a first baseman, and catcher-third baseman Jesus Rodriguez official, also promoting right-hander Trevor McDonald. Outfielder Will Brennan was sent to Triple-A, outfielder Jerar Encarnacion was DFA’d and left-hander Erik Miller (lower-back spasms) was placed on the 15-day IL.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg (partially torn right UCL) was shut down from all baseball activity.
Articles You Should Read
Interpreter for White Sox’s Murakami is translating a lot of details — James Fagan, Sox Machine
Trout is good again. The Angels should trade him now. — Keith Law, The Athletic
Every superstar hitter has that one pitching nemesis: “He owns me.” — Zack Meisel, The Athletic
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
