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MLB News & Moments: Yoshinobu Yamamoto owns the Jays

A stellar day for pitching enthusiasts

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 4/8/2026

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

On a day in which tempers flared in Anaheim and we got the second round of a World Series rematch, there was nothing as shiny and noticeable as the pitching we got to see. The Tuesday slate featured the likes of Kevin Gausman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddy Peralta, Garrett Crochet, Jacob Misiorowski, Robbie Ray, Trevor Rogers, Paul Skenes, Sandy Alcantara, Tarik Skubal, Cristopher Sánchez, and Nathan Eovaldi, and while most of them were terrific, none could compare to the Taj Bradley renaissance in Minnesota. As expected, runs and homers were at a premium, with 12 squads scoring two or fewer runs. Of course, the only team to put up a zero was the Phillies, who continue to struggle with the bat.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Ownage is Ownage

A day after a complete teardown by the Dodgers that included a Miguel Rojas pitching appearance, the Toronto Blue Jays had to face their other World Series tormentor. Things weren’t much better against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as LA’s ace continued his mastery of the Jays by tossing six innings with only one run allowed against six strikeouts. Even as Kevin Gausman was solid and Toronto pitchers limited the Dodgers to only eight hits with no homers, LA had timely RBIs by Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith, opening a 2-0 lead that proved sufficient and led to the 4-1 win. Toronto squandered a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the seventh and even put the tying run at the plate in the ninth, but could not come up with the money hit. The Dodgers will aim for their third series sweep of the season, as they are poised to be the first team to reach 10 wins in 2026.

Future so Bright, Buccos Need Shades

In what is probably the blueprint for what the Pirates expect over the next half-decade, their young stars delivered on the mound and with the bat, leading them to a comfortable 7-1 win over the Padres. It all started with Paul Skenes, who continues to shake off his gruesome Opening Day start. Skenes was more efficient than dominant, but still managed to cruise through 6⅓ innings that included six strikeouts and a lone run allowed via a solo homer from Xander Bogaerts. The righty only needed 87 pitches to earn his second win of the season, leaving his record at 2-1. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s offense provided enough early support and broke the game open with a five-run eighth, including two-RBI nights from Konnor Griffin, Nick Gonzales, and Oneil Cruz. With an early 7-4 start, the Pirates continue to show they may have what it takes to be contenders.

Rosari-OH!

On a day in which Cam Schlittler did not have his best stuff (three runs allowed over five innings), the Yankees needed an unlikely hero to bail them out. Journeyman Amed Rosario, who joined the Yankees late last season and entered the game with one hit in seven plate appearances, got the call to start at third base and promptly had one of the best games of his career. It started innocently with a solo homer in the second, but with the A’s then taking a 3-1 lead that stood all the way into the eighth, Rosario got fitted for a hero’s cape at the most crucial of times. After New York had cut the deficit to a run, Rosario had two men on base and delivered a statement homer that traveled 414 feet to the second deck, flipping the script to give the Yankees a 5-3 win. It was only the third multi-homer game of Rosario’s career, as the Bronx Bombers improved their AL-leading record to 8-2.

Crocheting a W

A day after another blown lead that prompted a few vociferous “SELL THE TEAM” chants in the stands at Fenway Park, the Red Sox gave the ball to their best pitcher in what probably was the most urgent April must-win game in recent memory. Garrett Crochet’s task was a tall one, as he had to match up against Milwaukee’s young phenom Jacob Misiorowski, with the battle of aces delivering for most of the contest. Miz started the game with five Ks and looked dominant through five innings as he allowed only two hits and a walk versus 10 strikeouts. It all came crashing down in the sixth, as Misiorowski became tired and erratic, allowing three straight walks that eventually scored when the bullpen couldn’t hold the fort. Crochet followed a similar path, as he was stellar through six frames and faltered in the seventh, leaving the bases loaded before departing. Fortunately for Boston, their bullpen was a tad better and only allowed two inherited runners to score, leading to a 3-2 final score. Crochet is now 2-1, meaning that he has been the victor in two of the team’s three wins of the season.

Ray of Hope

The Giants have been one of the biggest disappointments of early 2026, even as they have faced one of the toughest schedules so far. After two straight days of blowing late leads, Robbie Ray proved to be what the doctor ordered, as the lefty delivered a vintage performance. Ray pitched into the seventh while allowing only three hits and three walks, with zero runs on his ledger. He was hardly overpowering but made enough pitches to hold the Phillies down, as San Francisco had enough timely hits to cruise to a 6-0 shutout win. While multi-hit days from Willy Adames and Matt Chapman opened the door, it was rookie catcher Daniel Susac who again stole the show, going 3-for-4 with the first two RBI of his career. Susac has started his tenure with six hits and a walk over his first eight plate appearances.

 

By The Numbers

 

10 Minnesota Twins starter Taj Bradley’s number of strikeouts against the Tigers, as he improves to 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA. It was the seventh double-digit strikeout game of his career.

7 In a day full of aces and stellar pitching, only seven teams were able to score at least six runs, with four of them stemming from the NL Central (Cubs, Pirates, Reds, and Cardinals). Atlanta took advantage of the Angels’ bullpen, the Giants had a rare offensive explosion, while the Nationals did it too, albeit on a losing effort.

3 The Rockies beat the Astros to earn their third straight win. Colorado did not have a three-game winning streak in 2025 until June 4.

6 San Francisco rookie catcher Daniel Susac started his MLB career by reaching base six straight times (via five hits and a walk) before making an out. His 5-for-5 start matched an MLB feat that had not been accomplished since 1977. He promptly hit a two-run triple on his next at-bat.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

A Nice First Impression

The Mets played a matinee against the Diamondbacks, and things were not looking rosy. Zac Gallen was solid after a shaky start, and Arizona held a late 3-2 lead. Alas, their bullpen failed again, allowing the tying run in the eighth to take the game to extras. As the Dbacks failed to score their ghost runner, the Mets took advantage in the bottom of the tenth, as Ronny Mauricio took his first at-bat of the year. Despite falling into an 0-2 hole, Mauricio shortened his swing and delivered a walk-off single that left no doubt off the bat. With the 4-3 comeback win, New York improved to 7-4.

Walls of Sound

The Tampa Bay Rays had a tough day at the office, with Javier Assad and the Cubs delivering a 9-2 rout at Tropicana Field. That didn’t stop Taylor Walls from delivering a true Magic Johnson-type play on the infield. Fantastic defense is the only solace for Walls, though, as he went 0-for-4 and is now batting .143 for the year.

Right Hand Man

Back when the Brewers-Red Sox game was a close pitching duel, second baseman David Hamilton delivered the web gem of the day. Taking a stab at a sharp ground ball from Roman Anthony, Hamilton leapt into the air just before the outfield grass, quickly jumping to his feet to make an accurate throw to first. Also, props to Gary Sánchez for the quick, catcher-like reflexes to secure the catch.

On (the) Base Percentage

In what became one of the best games of Tuesday’s slate, the Reds and Marlins needed extra innings to decide a winner. Before that happened, Miami’s Connor Norby delivered one of the most satisfying base hits you will ever see. Facing a 1-0 count, Norby delivered a swinging bunt that traveled slowly over the third-base line, only to land directly on top of the bag, securing the hit. With Norby hitting well below the Mendoza Line, he will take them any way he can.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Blue Jays had a busy Tuesday regarding injuries, starting with catcher Alejandro Kirk undergoing surgery on his left thumb, as he is now expected to be out six weeks. Starting pitcher Cody Ponce will have surgery on his right knee and should be out for the season, while Addison Barger was placed on the 10-day IL with a left ankle sprain. Toronto’s depth will be tested in the upcoming weeks, as the team has recalled veterans Tyler Fitzgerald and Patrick Corbin. 

⚾ The Cubs lost a major piece of their rotation for the full season, as young phenom Cade Horton will undergo UCL surgery. The exact type of procedure will be determined once the surgery takes place, as a traditional Tommy John could be avoided. Nevertheless, Horton’s absence will require an eventual move to the 60-day IL, as Chicago will need to pivot to veterans like Javier Assad and Colin Rea to fill out their staff. 

⚾ Houston announced that ace Hunter Brown will be shut down for at least a couple of weeks, as he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 right shoulder strain. The extent of Brown’s injury is still undetermined, but he is expected to avoid any kind of surgery, as the injury appears to be on a muscular level. Brown has a 0.87 ERA to start the season, but the Astros’ overall strong start allows the organization to be patient with their top pitcher. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Jo Adell Gets Robbed — Ryan Blake, Fangraphs

The Unforgettable Debut of Juan Brito — Tim Stebbins, 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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