Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
HOUSTON — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Yankees first-half awards: Aaron Judge for MVP, but who's LVP?
NEW YORK — Will Warren didn't seem worried at all. The bases were loaded. The count was full. Gio Urshela was at the plate, and it was the first inning. Warren reached back and ripped a 94 mph sinker that dotted the outside corner. Urshela didn't swing, the umpire called strike three, and it set the New York Yankees' starting pitcher on a path to yet another big night. Advertisement Warren threw five scoreless innings, striking out seven while walking four, in a 3-0 win over the Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Friday night. The game represented the halfway mark of the regular season for the Yankees, who at 47-34 hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the American League East. And Warren's showing was another example of why he's been the Yankees' rookie of the year for the first half of the 2025 season. Warren has a 5-4 record and a 4.37 ERA, giving the Yankees at least the chance to win just about every day, though he usually offers even more. Over his last four starts, he has a 1.96 ERA. He's allowed three or fewer runs in 13 starts. Warren leads MLB rookies in starts (17) and strikeouts (103). Will Warren, Disgusting Sweeper. 🤮 — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 28, 2025 Manager Aaron Boone said he wasn't losing faith in the 26-year-old as he walked three of the first five batters he faced Friday, though he did tell the bullpen to have Allan Winans warm up in case Warren couldn't right the ship. 'Honestly a lot of confidence that we don't have to trick 'em,' Boone said. 'He's got the stuff to go right after them.' The biggest difference for Warren this season? 'I feel like he's really starting to use his sinker and his four-seamer really well with a lot of faith in it and in the strike zone,' Boone said. 'He knows he can go in the strike zone with both of those pitches if he executes. He doesn't have to run from contact. Those two pitches really play for him.' Warren has shown that he deserves to remain in the rotation when Luis Gil returns from the injured list sometime after the All-Star break. Here are our other first-half awards for the Yankees. Who else? Judge is in the midst of one of his best seasons, and that's saying something. The 33-year-old is leading MLB in the following categories: batting average (.358), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.712), OPS (1.170) and fWAR (6.1). Judge's 28 homers are the third-most in baseball. And he hasn't missed a full game. When he was announced as the biggest vote-getter for this year's American League All-Star team, he became the fourth player since fan balloting returned in 1970 to lead the majors in voting at least three times (Ken Griffey Jr., 5; Rod Carew, 4; Ichiro Suzuki, 3). The best player in the game, of course, is the most valuable player on the team. Advertisement LeMahieu brings leadership to the Yankees' clubhouse. He sets an example of how to prepare every day. He has also been the Yankees' least productive everyday player. He didn't debut until May 13 after missing the beginning of the season with a left calf strain. When he first returned, he appeared to be moving better than he had at any point over his last two injury-plagued years. But he's struggled significantly of late. Over 13 games entering Friday, he had posted just a .384 OPS with only one extra-base hit. His season marks of a 92.5 mph average exit velocity and 50 percent hard-hit rate are encouraging. His expected weighted on-base percentage of .304 is not. Fried might start for the AL All-Star team. When the Yankees signed Fried to an eight-year, $217 million deal, the move was almost universally applauded, though some eyebrows were raised at the length. Nobody's questioning it now. The lefty leads MLB in wins with 10, and his 1.92 ERA is second among starting pitchers. He's top 10 in WHIP (0.94) and batting average against (.204). Fried has also become a clubhouse leader in a mold similar to Gerrit Cole. 'Ten wins in half a season is not easy to do, in any era, especially now,' Boone told reporters in Cincinnati this week. 'It's just a testament to how good he's been and how efficient he's been. Needless to say, he's been enormous for us, whether it's coming off a loss or extending a streak. His consistency's been great.' Carrasco's stay was brief but impactful, in the wrong way. The 38-year-old was 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA in eight games (six starts), and it seemed like he just didn't have it anymore in the 16th season of an otherwise impressive career. He made his last Yankees appearance on May 4. Then the team designated him for assignment. He's since hung around Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he hasn't been good there either, with a 4.95 ERA in six games. Carrasco was a positive force inside the Yankees' clubhouse during spring training and at the beginning of the season, but he didn't get it done on the field.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Analytics project NFC East win totals for Commanders and others
How many games will the Washington Commanders win in 2025? Last season, Washington shocked the world, going 12-5 and reaching the NFC championship game. It was the franchise's best season in 33 years and one year removed from a four-win season. The Philadelphia Eagles ended the Commanders' dream season in the NFC title game before defeating the Kansas City Chiefs for their second Super Bowl championship. Advertisement Washington spent the offseason trying to catch Philadelphia, which lost some talented defenders in free agency. However, in true Philly fashion, general manager Howie Roseman went defense-heavy in the 2025 NFL draft, using his first five picks on defensive players. Meanwhile, Commanders' general manager Adam Peters was aggressive this offseason with star quarterback Jayden Daniels entering the second year of his rookie contract. Peters traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Did Washington do enough to catch Philadelphia? Cynthia Frelund, an analytics expert for doesn't believe so, using her model to project the number of wins for all four NFC East teams in 2025. Frelund on Washington: Advertisement "The Washington Commanders are projected to win 10.2 games and secure an NFC Wild Card after their breakout 2024 season with new head coach Dan Quinn and Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Jayden Daniels," Frelund said. "Washington scored more than nine points per game last season compared to 2023. Daniels elevated everyone around him and was able to extend plays with his legs. General manager Adam Peters went all-in on building around his young quarterback, trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil, and drafting another tackle, Josh Conerly Jr., in the first round. Assuming the Commanders can better protect Jayden Daniels in 2025: Watch out." This is encouraging for the Commanders. While 10 wins is less than last season, the Eagles won 14 games during the regular season in 2024. Quinn would settle for a Week 18 matchup against Philadelphia to determine the NFC East champion, even if it meant winning one or two fewer games in 2025. Some analysts are more encouraged by the Cowboys than Frelund. Meanwhile, everyone agrees that the Giants are No. 4. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: How many games will the Commanders win? Analytics predicts NFC East
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Letters to Sports: They need to turn it down at Dodger Stadium
As someone who has permanent ringing in the ears (tinnitus) as a result of hearing damage from concerts, I must take exception to how loud the music is played at sporting events these days. Despite quotes from Dodger players and executives stating how "great" the loudness at Dodger Stadium is, they are putting the paying customers and employees at risk for hearing loss with the excessive volume. Entertaining the fans is one thing, assaulting the delicate instrument that is our ears is quite another. I'm sure they could turn it down to safer decibel levels and everyone will still have a good time. Mark Furcick San Pedro Dodger Stadium hosts a Military Appreciation Night, a Salvadoran Heritage Night, and a Guatemalan Heritage Night. But we will never see an Autism Spectrum Night. The ear-shattering sound system would cause fans to run from the stadium screaming in pain and terror. Advertisement I suffer from a condition called hyperacusis, where loud noises can cause ear pain lasting for days or even weeks. It's rare in the general population, but more common among autistic people. I love baseball, and used to love going to Dodger Stadium from the year it opened until 20-something years ago. But now I'd have to wear industrial-strength ear protection. Russell Stone Westchester I used to like bleacher seats but won't sit there again — way too loud right under the sound system. Bob Wieting Simi Valley Sure it's 'entertainment.' Sure the players like the enthusiasm. But there are seats located beneath or near speakers that are simply painful to the ears. Advertisement Richard Melniker Los Angeles Pain at Pauley Pavilion Thanks for the excellent article on loud music at Dodger Stadium, which reminded me of how annoying it was to watch UCLA basketball at Pauley Pavilion last season. Constant painfully loud rap and techno-music, measured at 90 decibels, which according to OSHA, can cause hearing damage from two hours of exposure. As an older alum, I would prefer to hear just the sound of the band playing and the cheers from the crowd. Tony DeRiggi Sacramento Go to the bullpen What genius decided to use position players to pitch in the ninth inning when the team was either way ahead or way behind in a game? It's embarrassing to see lousy pitching, bases loaded, and hitters scoring. Use a regular bullpen pitcher, and spare us, your fans, from flinching. Advertisement Deborah R. Ishida Beverly Hills Ace in the hole Considering his recent outings and record, you'd have to say Clayton Kershaw is now the Dodgers' staff ace. Great story for him, maybe even worthy of comeback player of the year, if he keeps it up. Also more than a bit ironic, given the big money paid to the Dodgers' underwhelming three free agent starters. Kershaw might be barely hitting 90 mph on the radar gun, but he's pitching effectively, and more important, taking his turn in the rotation — which is a noteworthy achievement on this staff. John Merryman Redondo Beach Envision it Ever since he got his vision corrected in April, Max Muncy has been on a hitting tear! Which has me wondering … when can we expect a bobblehead night for his ophthalmologist? Advertisement Nick Rose Newport Coast Memo to the Los Angeles Dodgers: Find out who Max Muncy's eye doctor is and send the rest of the team to him. Ira M. Friedman Beverly Hills Thunderstruck Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the NBA title. One thing I noticed about this very young team is how mature and classy they are. They don't make ridiculous gestures like some of the old veteran superstars i.e. "Night Night," "Ice in the Veins," etc. I hope you veterans can learn something from these young champions. Paul Kawaguchi Rosemead The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used. Advertisement Email: sports@ Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
