ASTROS VS. METS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

WHITE SOX RALLY WITH 3 HRS, WALK OFF METS ON 4TH HR

 

Aug 21, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke (59) delivers the ball during the first inning against the New York Mets at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Jake Rogers belted a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth and Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Colson Montgomery hit three straight homers in the sixth as the host Chicago White Sox defeated the New York Mets 6-4 on Friday.

Rogers reached Jefry Yan (1-1) with two outs and a runner on third. Grant Taylor (5-2) worked around a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth to earn the victory.

American League Central-leading Chicago trailed 4-0 before a sixth-inning barrage against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.

Manaea stymied the White Sox through five innings before scuffling during his third time through the order. He issued a one-out walk in the sixth before allowing three straight homers, the first a two-run blast by Vargas. The veteran left-hander spaced four runs and five hits in six innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

Chicago counterpart Sean Burke also took a no-decision while remaining in search of his first victory since July 19. The righty yielded four runs and seven hits in six innings with zero walks and four strikeouts.

Burke has surrendered a home run in each of his four August starts.

Small ball proved his adversary when the Mets opened the scoring in the second. New York collected three base hits in the inning, with the last an RBI single from Marcus Semien.

Brett Baty lined a two-run double to right in the fourth to make it 3-0, while Bo Bichette hit a solo shot to left with two outs in the fifth.

Baty had two hits and two RBIs and Semien added two hits.

Vargas and Grichuk had two hits apiece for Chicago. The White Sox relief corps allowed one hit in three scoreless innings.

Mets left fielder Luis Robert Jr. went 1-for-3 with a double in his return to Rate Field. Robert played his first six seasons with the White Sox before joining New York in a Jan. 20 trade that included Luisangel Acuna, who went 0-for-4 as Chicago's shortstop.

--Field Level Media

METS VS. GUARDIANS | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NEW METS INTERIM MANAGER AFTER CARLOS MENDOZA'S FIRING

Mar 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) looks on before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Fans of the New York Mets can exhale now that Carlos Mendoza has been let go.

But who is the Mets’ new manager, and what is New York getting in interim manager Andy Green?

Green, the former Mets player who has been a coach since 2012, is taking over for Mendoza, who was fired Friday after the Mets went 34-47 in their first 81 games.

Mets fans of a certain age will remember Green from his one-season tenure in Queens (2009) or his three seasons as a player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Or you may recall his three-plus years as the manager of the San Diego Padres.

Andy Green Played for the Mets and Managed the Padres

Getty
New Mets interim manager Andy Green finished his playing career with the Mets and managed the San Diego Padres for four seasons between 2016-19.

Green came up in the D-backs system as a scrappy 5-9, 165-pound infielder who was chosen in the 24th round of the 2000 MLB Draft — a round that doesn’t even exist anymore.

So you can bet Green will want to push the Mets to be scrappier, hungrier and more intense over the second half of this season.

The Mets will be Green’s second role as a major-league manager. He spent three-plus seasons managing the Padres (2016-19) and finished with a .428 win% before he was fired with one week remaining in the 2019 season, posting a 69-85 record before being let go in September.

The Padres then made the playoffs in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, going 37-23.

Green only played 140 big-league games and finished his big-league career with a .547 OPS and two home runs. His attitude was enough to earn a job in the D-backs system as the manager in Missoula of the Pioneer League.

He won the title there in 2012 then was named Southern League manager of the year in 2013 and 2014 before being promoted to D-backs third base coach.

The Mets’ Manager Search is Officially on

Getty
Alex Cora is likely to be high on the list of candidates for the Mets’ manager role.

The Mets may have put Andy Green in place to ride out the rest of the season, but you can bet they will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of their next manager.

Mendoza was well-thought-of candidate from the New York Yankees organization that pushed all the right buttons in 2024, when they went to the NLCS. But owner Steve Cohen has already flexed his financial might in signing Juan Soto and luring David Stearns from the Milwaukee Brewers.

You can be sure he’ll do the same when finding his next manager.

So Alex Cora immediately comes to mind as the top candidate for the Mets job. He, of course, was fired by the Boston Red Sox in April then turned down the Philadelphia Phillies role, which ultimately went to former-Yankees great and 2020 NL manager of the year Don Mattingly.

Cora could again be a candidate for the Phillies role, which makes it imperative that the Mets at least bring him in for an interview — especially with the Phillies playing well under Mattingly.

Cora, of course, won the World Series in Boston in 2018 and boasts a .534 win% over his 1,161-game tenure as a manager. Other candidates will arise, including Mattingly if he is not retained by the Phillies.

But Cora has to be the first option for the Mets.

- Pat Pickens

METS VS. ROYALS | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

 

NEW YORK METS MEME | GRIMACE IS DOWN

 

FULL CLINCHER: METS WIN A THRILLING NLDS GAME VS. PHILLIES | EDWIN DIAZ SHUTS THE DOOR

PHILLIES VS. METS | NLDS HIGHLIGHTS | GAME 4

 

REACTION TO THE DEATH OF WILLIE MAYS, 'THE GODFATHER OF CENTER FIELDERS'

FILE - Baseball great Willie Mays smiles prior to a game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Aug. 19, 2016. Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Reaction from the sports world and beyond to the death of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays. He died Tuesday at age 93, Mays family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced. Mays’ electrifying combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players.

___

“I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. I have no words to describe what you mean to me — you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a big hug for me. Rest in peace Willie. I love you forever. #SayHey” — Former hitter and Mays’ godson Barry Bonds.

___

“He’s the godfather of center fielders. When you think about playing center field and you’re a person of color, that’s who they compare you to. For him to pull me aside and spend all the time he did with me meant a lot.” — Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.

___

“Willie Mays wasn’t just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grace, skill and power. He was also a wonderfully warm and generous person – and an inspiration to an entire generation. I’m lucky to have spent time with him over the years, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.” — Former President Barack Obama.

___

“He was a guy I talked to a lot, and we talked baseball. He had a little office right by mine up there. And so I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with that man. Of course, what a legend he is, could be the best, the greatest player of all time, that’s how good he was.” — Former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

___

“His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field.” — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

___

“RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts.” — Former pitcher CC Sabathia.

___

“I’m devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball. Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.” — NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

___

“The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honored by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers. He was a such a kind soul, who gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the @SFGiants. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.” — Tennis legend Billie Jean King.

___

“Willie Mays’ passion for the game and incredible talent made him the embodiment of baseball for millions of fans and one of the most beloved players in history. More than a half century after his playing days, he remained an American treasure and a baseball icon synonymous with love of the game. His ever-present smile and joyous presence radiated throughout Cooperstown, and we will forever cherish his legacy. For teammates, opponents and friends, Willie Mays exemplified excellence.” — Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark.

___

“Willie ended his Hall of Fame career in Queens and was a key piece to the 1973 NL championship team. Mays played with a style and grace like no one else. Alex and I were thrilled to honor a previous promise from Joan Payson to retire his iconic #24 as a member of the Mets in 2022. On behalf of our entire organization, we send our thoughts and prayers to Willie’s family and friends.” — Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen.

___

“From his professional debut with the Birmingham Black Barons at age 17 through his 24 All-Star Games to his Hall of Fame induction in 1979, Willie’s skill on the field and impact off it elevated him to a stature that was larger than life.” — MLB Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark

 ___

“The great Willie Mays has passed away. Had the honor of talking with him several times. He loved that we mentioned his ’54 World Series catch in City Slickers. The man who hit the ball and the “ Giant” who caught it signed this ball. RIP #24.. a thrill to watch you play.” — Actor Billy Crystal.

___

“Best player I’ve ever seen. Greatest player. I fortunately grew up in the Bay Area during Mays’ prime, and he was a five-tool player, an extraordinarily good five-tool player. You’d go to a game and he would do something. Whether it would be a great catch, a great throw, a stolen base, hit a home run or he’d do them all. He was just that kind of player. … What always came off was that he was the ‘Say Hey Kid.’ He had that ebullient personality. Infectious and genuine, and I got to tell him he was the greatest player I ever saw.” — Former player Keith Hernandez.

- Associated Press 

SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP: ASTROS BEAT NETS IN 10-8 SLUGFEST

USA TODAY Sports 

 Shay Whitcomb hit two RBI doubles and Jacob Melton smashed the eventual game-winning home run as the Houston Astros put together 10 consecutive runs and held off the host Washington Nationals 10-8 in a spring training game Friday in Palm Beach, Fla.

Melton's two-run homer in the seventh inning put the Astros ahead 9-4, and Joey Loperfido added a run-scoring double in the eighth before Washington pushed back. Alex Call hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame and two runs scored on his fielder's choice in the ninth -- one on a throwing error -- before Houston put the game away.

Hunter Brown (1-0) got the win with two innings of relief for Houston, in which he allowed one run, two hits and one walk. Grae Kessinger went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs for the Astros.

Nats reliever Jake Irvin (0-1) was shelled for seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. CJ Abrams opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first and an RBI single in the second to steer Washington to a 4-0 lead. The teams combined for 22 hits.

Pirates 12, Rays 8

Gilberto Celestino hit a grand slam and totaled five RBIs, Jared Triolo hit a three-run homer and host Pittsburgh outlasted Tampa Bay in Bradenton, Fla.

Bryan Reynolds hit his second homer of spring training in the bottom of the first after the Rays had opened a 3-0 lead. Mitch Keller (1-0) got the win despite allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in two innings. He struck out two.

Jose Siri had three RBIs on a sacrifice fly, a fielder's choice and a single for the Rays. Reliever Erasmo Ramirez (0-1) gave up Triolo's home run.

METS HIT WITH RECORD $101M LUXURY TAX

Steve Cohen. USA TODAY Sports 

With the league's highest ever tax payroll, the New York Mets top the list of an unprecedented eight Major League Baseball teams that owe a luxury tax for the 2023 season, according to multiple reports.

Owner Steve Cohen's Mets owe a record luxury tax of almost $101 million, according to numbers finalized by MLB this week and obtained by the Associated Press. The Mets' $374.7 million tax payroll tops the previous high of $291.1 million by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015.

The money spent didn't help the Mets, who finished at 75-87 and in fourth place in the National League East.

It would have been even worse for the Mets if not for their selling bonanza over the summer, trading Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Robertson and Mark Canha. Those moves reportedly saved the team $18 million and prevented them from jumping past the next tax threshold and owing an even higher luxury tax.

METS VS. PHILLIES | GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

METS VS. YANKEES | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

MLB: WHITE SOX AT NEW YORK METS

USA TODAY Sports 

Chase Silseth struck out a career-high 10 hitters to become the latest pitcher to shut down the struggling New York Yankees as the Los Angeles Angels completed a three-game sweep with a 7-3 victory on Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif.

Silseth (2-1), recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake before the game, pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo hit two-run homers off Carlos Rodon (0-3) as the Angels raced out to a 4-0 lead through the opening two innings. The Angels went on to complete their first sweep of the Yankees since July 10-12, 2009.

Giancarlo Stanton and Franchy Cordero homered for the Yankees, who lost for the fourth game in a row and the ninth time in 11 games. Rodon was tagged for six runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Cardinals 6, Marlins 4

Nolan Gorman drove in four runs to help power St. Louis past visiting Miami and complete a three-game sweep.

Gorman hit a three-run homer and an RBI single as the Cardinals extended their winning streak to five games. Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson allowed two runs on five hits in three innings. Zack Thompson (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory and Chris Stratton earned his first save.

Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (3-9) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings.

Athletics 6, Red Sox 5

JJ Bleday, Cody Thomas and Jace Peterson each hit two-run home runs, the bullpen didn't allow an earned run over the final 4 2/3 innings and Oakland held on to defeat visiting Boston for a rare series win.

Lucas Erceg, Angel Felipe, Sam Long and Trevor May protected a slim lead after the A's stopped scoring after the fourth inning, helping the hosts beat Boston for the second time in as many days following an eight-game losing streak.

Red Sox starter Brayan Bello (7-6) took the loss, pulled after allowing all six Oakland runs and five hits in four innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Padres 2, Blue Jays 0

Yu Darvish worked six scoreless innings and Manny Machado drove in a pair of runs with a two-out, fifth-inning single as visiting San Diego beat Toronto.

Steven Wilson, Nick Martinez and Josh Hader each followed Darvish with a scoreless inning of relief as the Padres shut out Toronto on six hits. It was the Padres' ninth shutout of the season.

The Blue Jays are on a two-game skid following a four-game winning streak. Jose Berrios (8-7) gave up two runs on four hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in six innings.

Mets 5, White Sox 1

Justin Verlander tossed eight solid innings and Brett Baty homered for a second straight game as host New York beat Chicago.

Baty finished with two RBIs for the Mets, who have won three straight and are 9-4 in July. Francisco Alvarez, Luis Guillorme and Brandon Nimmo each had one RBI in a four-run fourth. Verlander (4-5) allowed one run -- a Luis Robert Jr. homer in the seventh -- on three hits and struck out seven.

Touki Toussaint (0-3), making his first start since July 8, allowed five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out three over six innings -- his longest start since Aug. 16, 2021, when he was pitching for the Atlanta Braves.

Diamondbacks 5, Braves 3

Ryne Nelson allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings to help visiting Arizona to a win against Atlanta.

Nelson (6-5) struck out five and walked one as Arizona won for the second straight game to open a three-game series. Nick Ahmed had two hits and two RBIs and Christian Walker delivered two hits and two runs for the Diamondbacks.

Marcell Ozuna and Austin Riley homered for the Braves, who have lost four straight since winning their first game after the break. Atlanta starter Charlie Morton (10-7) allowed four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Rangers 5, Rays 1

Jonah Heim delivered a game-sealing home run, the bullpen stepped up after Jon Gray exited early with an injury and Texas went on to a victory over visiting Tampa Bay.

The Rangers completed the three-game sweep. The American League East-leading Rays were swept for just the second time this season.

The AL West-leading Rangers are off to a 6-0 start following the All-Star break. Gray had his start cut short when he took a 112 mph comebacker off his left leg in the fifth inning. The Rangers announced that Gray had a bruised shin and X-rays were negative.

Pirates 7, Guardians 5

Ji Man Choi and Jared Triolo hit two-run singles in a five-run seventh as Pittsburgh rallied to avoid a series sweep with a win over visiting Cleveland.

Jack Suwinski added an RBI double and Nick Gonzales an RBI single for the Pirates, who lost the first two games of the series while being outscored 21-1. Reliever Ryan Borucki (1-0) gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings to earn the win.

Josh Bell homered and added an RBI single and Amed Rosario contributed a two-run double for the Guardians. Sam Hentges (1-2), who allowed four runs while getting one out, was charged with the loss.

Orioles 8, Dodgers 5

Ramon Urias drove in three runs and Gunnar Henderson homered as Baltimore salvaged the finale of a three-game series against visiting Los Angeles.

Urias went 2-for-3 with two doubles, while Henderson went 1-for-3 with a solo homer for the Orioles. Reliever Danny Coulombe (3-1) picked up the win by allowing just one hit over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Felix Bautista picked up his 26th save of the season.

Max Muncy hit a two-run homer and James Outman added a solo shot for the Dodgers. Los Angeles starter Julio Urias (7-6) gave up eight runs on eight hits in five innings.

Astros 4, Rockies 1

Chas McCormick homered, Jake Meyers had two hits and Houston beat Colorado in Denver.

Brandon Bielak (5-5) pitched well over 5 2/3 innings and combined with four Houston relievers to hold Colorado to two hits. The Astros improved to 22-6 against the Rockies since the start of 2013.

C.J. Cron homered for Colorado, which finished its homestand 3-2 against the New York Yankees and Astros. Rockies starter Austin Gomber (8-8) allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five in six innings.

Brewers 5, Phillies 3

William Contreras doubled twice, singled and drove in two runs to lift Milwaukee past host Philadelphia.

Blake Perkins added two hits, two RBIs and two runs for the Brewers, who have won five of their past six games. Four Brewers relief pitchers, including winner Hoby Milner (2-0), combined to throw four scoreless innings.

Nick Castellanos hit a solo home run and Kyle Schwarber added a two-run single for the Phillies, who had their four-game winning streak end. Jeff Hoffman (3-2) took the loss.

Reds 3, Giants 2

Will Benson belted a three-run homer and Graham Ashcraft tossed six-plus innings as host Cincinnati snapped a six-game skid with a victory over San Francisco.

Ashcraft (5-7) allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks. The Reds mustered just four hits en route to posting their first win since an 8-5 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers on July 8.

Blake Sabol belted an opposite-field homer to lead off the seventh inning and recorded two of the six hits for the Giants, who saw their seven-game winning streak come to a halt. Ross Stripling (0-3) was saddled with the loss.

Tigers 3, Royals 2

Miguel Cabrera delivered the tiebreaking single and Eduardo Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings to help Detroit win at Kansas City for the second time in three days.

Cabrera's sixth-inning single put the Tigers ahead to stay. Detroit's Javier Baez homered, and Riley Greene had three hits.

Rodriguez (6-5) allowed two runs and four hits while striking out seven and walking none. Jason Foley tossed a scoreless eighth, and Alex Lange worked out of a jam in the ninth for his 16th save. Kansas City's Ryan Yarbrough (2-5) worked 5 2/3 innings before leaving with a cramp in his left hamstring. He gave up three runs, six hits and one walk while fanning four.

Cubs 8, Nationals 3

Nico Hoerner's first career grand slam highlighted a five-run eighth inning and Chicago overcame blowing a two-run lead in the top of the frame to beat visiting Washington.

Mike Tauchman homered for one of his three hits and had three RBIs, and Yan Gomes, on his 36th birthday, gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead with his sacrifice fly against Mason Thompson (3-3) in the eighth. Then with two out, Hoerner (two hits) sent a 1-1 fastball from Cory Abbott well into the left field bleachers to break the contest open and help Chicago to a second straight victory -- and get its first home series win since June 16-18.

Trevor Williams yielded two runs on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout in five innings for Washington, which is 1-4 since winning three straight.

Twins 6, Mariners 3

Max Kepler homered and scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball as Minnesota won in Seattle to continue its fast start to the second half of the season.

Edouard Julien and Alex Kirilloff also went deep and Kenta Maeda pitched 6 1/3 strong innings for the Twins, who have won five of six games since the All-Star break. Twins reliever Emilio Pagan (4-1) pitched a scoreless inning for the victory, and Jhoan Duran created but escaped a ninth-inning jam for his 16th save.

Tom Murphy and Eugenio Suarez homered for the Mariners, who dropped to 2-4 on their 10-game homestand. Seattle will look to win on Thursday to gain a split of the four-game series. Reliever Andres Munoz (2-3) took the loss after surrendering the lead an inning after the Mariners tied it.

--Field Level

METS VS. PADRES | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

METS VS. D-BACKS | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

METS TO MEET PHILLIES IN LONDON IN 2024

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will play a two-game series in London next year, becoming the latest Major League Baseball (MLB) teams to take their rivalry across the pond, the league and its players' union (MLBPA) said on Friday.

METS VS. BRAVES | MLB HIGHLIGHTS

 

METS VS. GIANTS HIGHLIGHTS | MLB 2023

MOVING FROM THE GIANTS, CARLOS CORREA'S PATH TO THE METS