MLB Late-Wednesday Roundup: Red Sox, Mets, Orioles Winners

Red Sox Break Previous Streak With Two‑Run Blast

Caleb Durbin’s two‑run home run powered Boston to a 2‑1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, extending the Red Sox to six consecutive wins. The offense managed only four hits, but Patrick Sandoval delivered a solid start, allowing a single run on five hits over 4⅓ innings. Sandoval’s performance marked his first major‑league outing in more than two years, following elbow surgery in June 2024 and a $18.25 million, two‑year contract signed that December.

Chicago’s bullpen struggled after Sandoval’s departure, with Tyron Guerrero, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman combining for the save. Chapman nailed down his 19th save in 21 chances. The White Sox fell to 6‑8 in their last eight games, while the Red Sox improved to 11‑2 over their past 13 contests, outscoring opponents 35‑10 during the streak.

Mets Clinch Rare Series Win Against Royals

With Mark Vientos sidelined by a fractured right hand, Tyrone Taylor sparked a five‑run fifth inning, landing a game‑tying homer and later a decisive hit that propelled New York to a 7‑3 win over Kansas City. Sean Manaea tossed seven innings—the longest start of his career in 21 months—allow­ing three runs on six hits while striking out six batters. The lefty’s effort was a key factor in the Mets’ third series victory since June 1.

Bo Bichette’s sacrifice fly and back‑to‑back RBIs from Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez highlighted the Mets’ offensive depth against Michael Wacha, who dropped to 5‑7. Juan Soto added a solo home run in the seventh, and Jared Young contributed two doubles, including an RBI in the second inning, underscoring the Mets’ balanced attack.

Orioles Overcome Cubs With Late Inning Drama

A Jeremiah Jackson two‑run double in the bottom of the eighth lifted Baltimore past Chicago 3‑2, delivering a crucial series split for the Orioles. Tyler O’Neill’s second‑inning solo shot was matched by a Suzuki home run in the sixth, but the Cubs’ Tyler Ferguson (0‑1) set up a tactical chess match with pinch‑hitters and pitcher changes. Jackson’s line‑drive double scored the go‑ahead run, while Pete Alonso’s head‑first slide secured the winning base.

Tyler Wells earned the win in relief despite allowing an RBI double to Suzuki, and Andrew Kittridge closed out the game for his second save. The win kept the Orioles in the hunt for playoff spots, while the Cubs dropped to 6‑9 in their recent stretch.

Guardians Edge Twins with Dominant pitching

Gavin Williams locked in a seven‑inning, two‑run effort, striking out a season‑high 11 batters and moving into a tie with Boston’s Sonny Gray for the AL lead in wins at 10‑4. His effort came against Minnesota after his first victory since June 3, and he also retired the first 13 batters he faced, eight via strikeout. Home runs from Gabriel Arias, Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey fueled Cleveland’s offensive output.

On the mound, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith combined for a scoreless eighth and ninth, with Smith earning his 27th save. The Twins saw their four‑game winning streak snapped, though they remain strong at 7‑3 over their last ten series.

Yankees Rougify Division Rivals Rays

Ben Rice erupted with two homers and five RBIs, while Austin Wells added a solo shot, backing a 12‑4 Yankees victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The win helped New York split a four‑game series between the AL’s top two clubs, improving to 15‑19 without injured three‑time AL MVP Aaron Judge. Junior Caminero provided the only Rays’ scoring with a solo home run.

The Yankees’ resurgence came after a 7‑game slide in the standings, while the Rays maintain a four‑game lead in the East despite their loss. Both Rice and Caminero are set to compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, adding extra storylines to their current seasons.

Braves Erase Pirates Deficit Late

Mike Yastrzemski’s ninth‑inning grand slam sealed a 10‑5 Braves triumph over Pittsburgh, capping a comeback victory that featured early offensive firepower. Matt Olson opened the scoring with a first‑inning solo shot, the 25th of his season, and tied the franchise record with his 740th consecutive game played dating back to 2022.

Atlanta’s Jim Jarvis accounted for his first career home run—a two‑run blast in a three‑run fourth—while rookie shortstop added three hits. Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez sparked a brief Pirates rally with back‑to‑back homers, but the Braves’ depth prevailed, and Dylan Dodd logged a perfect fifth inning for the win.

Phillies Hold Reds To One Run

Jesus Luzardo allowed two hits and struck out 11 over seven innings, guiding Philadelphia past Cincinnati 1‑0 in a pitcher’s duel. The left‑hander’s 8‑4 record is complemented by a 1.38 ERA on the road, where he remains unbeaten at 6‑0. Luzardo’s performance included a pair of strikeout bursts in the third and sixth innings.

Justin Crawford produced the lone RBI for the Phillies, while Jhoan Duran earned his 23rd save in 24 chances after a clean eighth. Brady Singer struggled in the eighth for the Reds, yielding three hits and allowing the contest to remain tight until the final frame.

Tigers Sweep Athletics With First‑Career Homers

Eduardo Valencia became the tenth Detroit player to homer on his first career plate appearance, launching a 425‑foot shot to center field that helped the Tigers defeat Oakland 4‑1. Framber Valdez matched a season‑high nine strikeouts while permitting a single run on three hits across seven innings. The Tigers’ bullpen, featuring Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen, closed out the win for Jansen’s 11th save.

Detroit’s offensive spark also came from Jake Rogers, who hit his third home run of the year, and Zach McKinstry, whose two‑run blast lifted the Tigers to the lead. The victory extended the Tigers’ winning streak to five games and pushed their overall record to 21‑12 since June 1.

Marlins Extend Winning Streak Over Mariners

Otto Lopez’s two‑run triple ignited a five‑run fourth inning, backing Janson Junk’s solid five‑inning start as Miami edged Seattle 8‑4. Griffin Conine added a solo home run, and Lopez’s .345 batting average leads the league, bolstered by a club‑record 127 hits before the All‑Star break. The Marlins are now 52‑42 and sit ten games above .500 for the first time since June 2023.

Lopez’s triple capped the scoring, followed by Kyle Stowers’ RBI single. Junk earned his 4‑5 win, striking out five while walking four, and Jakob Marsee and Liam Hicks contributed earlier runs that set the stage for the Marlins’ continued dominance.