Taylor Gray 'super proud' to win third pole of 2025 at Dover
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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Dodgers lose Tanner Scott to elbow injury
In this week's Closer Report, how do the Dodgers handle the ninth inning after losing Tanner Scott to the injured list with left elbow inflammation? And Trevor Megill's clean-inning streak moves him into the elite tier. That and more as we run down the last week in saves. Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings Tier 1: At the Top Josh Hader - Houston AstrosAndrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners Hader tossed two innings in a non-save situation against the Mariners on Saturday, then worked around two walks to convert his 26th save against the Diamondbacks on Monday. With Hader getting the day off, Bryan King stepped in for a save on Tuesday before Hader came back Wednesday for another save. Hader holds a 2.31 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 68/13 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings. Muñoz joins Hader at the top with a 1.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 50/17 K/BB ratio across 38 innings after picking up his 22nd save Tuesday against the Brewers. Tier 2: The Elite Edwin Díaz - New York MetsAroldis Chapman - Boston Red SoxJhoan Duran - Minnesota TwinsEmmanuel Clase - Cleveland GuardiansRobert Suarez - San Diego PadresTrevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers Díaz is approaching the top tier. He blew a save and fell in line for a win Sunday against the Reds, then bounced back with a save Monday, striking out the side against the Angels. The 31-year-old right-hander then converted a four-out save with two strikeouts on Wednesday for his 21st of the season. In Boston, Chapman made one appearance this week, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Monday. Duran worked a scoreless inning against the Rockies in Colorado on Sunday, then closed out the game against the Dodgers on Tuesday with a five-run lead. He surrendered a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani, his first home run allowed all season. The 27-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 51/16 K/BB ratio across 46 1/3 innings while converting 15 saves. Clase picked up three saves this week, working scoreless innings against the Athletics and Orioles. The 27-year-old right-hander is up to 23 with a 2.74 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 47/10 K/BB ratio across 46 innings. Meanwhile, Suarez worked a scoreless inning against the Marlins on Monday for his MLB-leading 29th save. It's time Megill joins the elite tier with another excellent week on the mound. He's tossed five straight perfect innings, picking up two more saves. The 31-year-old right-hander is up to 23 saves with a 2.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 43/15 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings. Tier 3: The Solid Options Mason Miller - AthleticsDevin Williams - New York YankeesFélix Bautista - Baltimore OriolesWill Vest - Detroit TigersEmilio Pagán - Cincinnati RedsDavid Bednar - Pittsburgh PiratesDaniel Palencia - Chicago CubsCamilo Doval - San Francisco GiantsRyan Helsley - St. Louis CardinalsPete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay RaysJeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue JaysCarlos Estévez - Kansas City RoyalsKenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels Not much action for Miller. He tossed just three pitches to record one out in his only appearance this week against the Rangers. In New York, Williams gave up runs in back-to-back outings against Atlanta this week. He held on for the save Sunday before converting his 15th with a scoreless inning against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Behind Williams, Luke Weaver is getting back on track with four straight scoreless outings after giving up two runs in three consecutive appearances early this month. Bautista walked three batters and gave up a run before holding on for the save against the Rays on Sunday. The 30-year-old right-hander will be a name to watch at the trade deadline with 19 saves and a 2.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 50/23 K/BB ratio across 34 2/3 innings. Vest recorded four outs on Sunday, striking out two batters for his 16th save of the season. Behind Vest, Tommy Kahnle has struggled this month with nine runs allowed over his last four appearances and likely won't factor into the saves mix any time soon. Pagán worked around a hit and a walk, striking out one batter in a scoreless frame against the Mets on Saturday for his 21st save to go with a 2.83 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 51/14 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Bednar made three consecutive scoreless appearances, converting two saves against the Tigers to bring his total to 15. Palencia worked a clean inning for his 13th save against the Red Sox on Friday, then pitched a scoreless frame in a non-save situation against the Royals on Tuesday. With no save chances this week, Doval got some work in on Tuesday in a blowout victory over the Braves, striking out two batters in a scoreless inning. And it was similar duties for Helsley, who pitched a scoreless frame against the Diamondbacks on Sunday in a non-save situation. Fairbanks gave up a run against the Orioles on Saturday before holding on for the save. He then tossed a clean inning against the White Sox on Tuesday for his 17th save. Meanwhile, Hoffman converted two saves this week before giving up a solo homer to take a loss on Tuesday in his fourth outing in five days. The 32-year-old right-hander is up to 24 saves with a 4.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 60/11 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings. Estévez surrendered two runs to blow the save and take the loss against the Marlins on Friday, then bounced back with his 26th save of the season Sunday, recording the final out in the ninth against Miami. And in Anaheim, Jansen worked a perfect ninth for a save against the Phillies on Friday. Tier 4: Here for the Saves Kirby Yates/Alex Vesia - Los Angeles DodgersMatt Strahm/Orion Kerkering - Philadelphia PhilliesKyle Finnegan - Washington NationalsRobert Garcia - Texas Rangers The Dodgers were dealt a significant blow to their bullpen on Tuesday when they put closer Tanner Scott on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, and he's confident he can pitch again this season. In his absence, Yates and Vesia could work in a matchup-based committee in the ninth inning. Yates converted the team's save Monday against the Twins. Blake Treinen is on track to return from the injured list by the end of the month and could be in the saves mix once he's activated. No saves out of Philadelphia this week, with Kerkering and Strahm working in tandem. The Phillies could be a team that acquires someone to solidify things in the ninth by the trade deadline. Finnegan has seen his ERA balloon over his last several outings, giving up 10 runs over his last four appearances. However, he did get a save in, striking out two in a scoreless frame against the Padres on Saturday for his first save since June 6. Garcia converted a save on Friday, striking out two against the Tigers for his seventh on the year. He then converted his eighth against the Athletics on Wednesday. Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel Kevin Ginkel - Arizona DiamondbacksAnthony Bender/Ronny Henriquez - Miami MarlinsGrant Taylor - Chicago White SoxSeth Halvorsen/Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates While Adrian Morejon isn't necessarily next in line for saves in San Diego, his usage is making him incredibly valuable. The 26-year-old left-hander recorded five outs against the Marlins on Monday to fall in line for his eighth win of the season to go with a pair of saves. Morejon was named a 2025 All-Star for the first time and boasts a 1.76 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and a 45/9 K/BB ratio across 46 innings. Another reliever catching my attention is Cleveland's Erik Sabrowski. The 27-year-old left-hander impressed in his MLB debut last year, striking out 19 batters over 12 2/3 scoreless innings. After a setback with an elbow injury, he's returned to the Guardians roster and has allowed just two runs with 15 strikeouts over 9 1/3 frames, picking up where he left off, flashing that elite strikeout ability.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
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Iowa high school softball: Top performers from Wednesday
Wednesday featured semifinal games in all five classes at the Iowa high school state softball tournament from Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. Finals are now set, as teams battled through sweltering heat to earn a shot at a state championship. MORE: Top performances from semifinals at the Iowa high school state baseball tournament In Class 5A, Waukee Northwest will play Linn-Mar, as Waukee Northwest downed Ankeny Centennial and Linn-Mar bested Cedar Falls. For the 4A title will be underdog Pella, a winner over ADM, and North Polk, who downed North Scott. The 3A final features two-time defending champion Williamsburg, as they play Dubuque Wahlert. Competing for the 2A gold will be Van Meter, a winner over West Fork, and West Lyon, who topped Louisa-Muscatine. The 1A final will feature Wayne, who bested Riverside, taking on Clarksville, who knocked off St. Edmond. Here are some of the top individual performances from Wednesday at the Iowa high school state softball tournament: Class 5A Sophia Schlader, Waukee Northwest: The freshman allowed just four hits while striking out five, adding an RBI at the plate. Aunya Van Zetten, Waukee Northwest: Van Zetten went deep, finishing 4-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Jordyn Kennedy, Ankeny Centennial: The future Minnesota Golden Gopher homered, going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Emily Koranda, Linn-Mar: Koranda allowed just one hit over six innings, striking out five while walking just two. She also drove in a pair of runs. Emma Barnes, Linn-Mar: Barnes was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Class 4A Emma Eekhoff, Pella: The senior allowed just three hits, striking out seven while hitting a home run with two RBI. Katie Scheckel, Pella: Scheckel had two hits for the Dutch. Lauren Hagedorn, ADM: Hagedorn struck out 14 batters, allowing just six hits with two earned runs and no walks. Ava Husak, North Polk: Husak struck out seven while hitting a home run and going 3-for-3 at the plate. Adalynn Johnson, North Scott: Johnson had a home run for the Lancers. Alexandra Mohlke, North Polk: Mohlke was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Class 3A Julia Roth, Dubuque Wahlert: Roth hit not one, but two home runs, striking out six inside the circle while driving in four. Hayley Lang, Dubuque Wahlert: Lang went 4-for-4 with a run scored. Libby Winters, PCM: Winters made a highlight-reel catch, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Taylor Pitlick, Williamsburg: Pitlick was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Makenna Hughes, Williamsburg: Hughes had two hits, scored twice and stole two bases. Class 2A Ava Hohenadel, Van Meter: Hohenadel went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, hitting a home run. Bryle Dickman, West Fork: Dickman had a homer, driving in two. Aniston Netten, Van Meter: Netten had eight strikeouts in relief, allowing just two hits. Braylyn Childress, West Lyon: Childress went deep, driving in two while scoring twice. Keely Williams, Louisa-Muscatine: Williams was 3-for-4 at the plate. Class 1A Izzie Moore, Wayne: Moore struck out seven inside the circle while hitting a home run and going 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored. Allie Jo Fortune, Wayne: Fortune had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Claire Lodge, Clarksville: Lodge hit a walk-off grand slam, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Kara Bohlen, Clarksville: Bohlen hit a grand slam, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI. Faith Shirbroun, St. Edmond: Shirbroun had two hits and scored a run for the Gaels. MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS: Top center prospect commits to Loyola Chicago Illinois football prospect lands with Big Ten rival Missouri offers top Iowa girls basketball prospect
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone defends club's defense after 4-error loss vs. Blue Jays
The New York Yankees are not exactly shaking their reputation as a club with defensive issues. New York fell further away from first place in the AL East on Wednesday with a mistake-filled 8-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The team finished with only one more hit (five) than errors (four). The Yankees entered the three-game series with a chance to tie Toronto atop the division with a sweep, much like the Blue Jays did toward the end of the first half, but instead lost the series while committing seven total errors. They now sit four games back from the Blue Jays with roughly a third of the season to go. Some errors were worse than others, but looking at them all together paints a picture of a team leaving Toronto with numerous regrets. That four-error total doesn't even count a ball that right fielder Cody Bellinger lost in the night sky. Balls that fielders lose track of — due to the sun, lights or something else — are rarely recorded as errors. This play was scored as a triple for Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement. Even casual baseball fans are likely aware of the Yankees' defensive woes at this point. Their infamous meltdown in Game 5 of last year's World Series left a mark, and two brutal series against the Blue Jays in the past month have cemented that reputation for many, especially the club's own fans. With four errors in that other series, the Yankees have now committed 11 in seven of their most important games of the season. New York manager Aaron Boone defended his players after the game, conceding that mistakes were made but insisting the team is still strong defensively: "Just not good enough. Look, I think we have a very good defensive club, but clearly in the seven games we've played here, not giving them extra outs whether it's through error or not making a play that we need to make, that's cost us in these two series up here where we were really hurt. "We've got to obviously tighten it up. I'm confident we will. We'll continue to work at it. We've got good defenders here, but tonight was obviously a rough night for us." He also hinted that the artificial turf of the Blue Jay's Rogers Centre might be partially to blame, while noting that the Blue Jays didn't have similar problems: "I think it's just two bad series where we played here. I don't know if it's just coming to the turf — that's not really an excuse, it's the same game — but obviously I think in these series we've given them too many outs and it's cost us." Boone does have a point, though. The Yankees' errors have made headlines, but their defense comes out much better when viewed more broadly. With 52 errors on the season, they rank around the middle of the pack in MLB, and there are a lot of defensive stats where they actually come out quite well. They entered Wednesday ranked second in all of MLB in defensive efficiency, which is the rate at which a team turns balls in play into outs. They were ranked sixth in defensive runs saved and ninth in Statcast's fielding run value. They're not exactly a team of Gold Glovers, and more than a few Yankees fans will argue they're seeing something worse, but the hard numbers say there are several teams who have done much worse for themselves on defense. Of course, it's still concerning that the mistakes came frequently when the Yankees were playing the closest thing to a playoff game this season, one year after bobbling away the World Series following a regular season where they also scored out fine on defense. That's definitely an issue, and one that might go beyond what a few quick coaching sessions can fix.
