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Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Kyle Schwarber's 3 homers in All-Star Game's first tiebreaking swing-off lift NL over AL
ATLANTA — Kyle Schwarber was nervous. He had played in Game 7 of the World Series, homered for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. But he had never walked up to the plate in an All-Star Game swing-off. No one had. 'That's kind of like the baseball version of a shootout,' he said after homering on all three of his swings, going down to his left knee on the final one, to overcome a two-homer deficit. That held up when Jonathan Aranda fell short on the American League's final three swings, giving the National League a 4-3 swing-off win after a 6-6 tie Tuesday night in which it wasted a six-run, seventh-inning lead. Schwarber earned the MVP award, going 0 for 2 with a walk as the NL won for the second time in its last 12 tries. He became the first non-pitcher MVP without a hit. 'It will be interesting to see where that goes,' said AL manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees. 'There's probably a world where you could see that in the future, where maybe it's in some regular season mix. I wouldn't be surprised if people start talking about it like that.' Concerned about running out of pitchers in an era where no All-Star throws more than one inning, Major League Baseball and the players' association made the change in 2022 . In baseball's equivalent of soccer's penalty-kicks shootout, the game was decided by having three batters from each league take three swings each off coaches. Boone picked Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Aranda on Monday, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts picked Eugenio Suárez, Schwarber and Pete Alonso for the NL. Because Suárez was hit on the left hand by a fastball in the eighth inning, the NL turned to its alternate, Kyle Stowers. Players from both teams stood outside their dugouts, some already in street clothes, jumping and shouting after each long ball from their side. Yankees coach Travis Chapman threw to the AL batters and Dodgers coach Dino Ebel to the NL hitters. Rooker put the AL ahead by homering on his last two swings, and Stowers hit one. Randy Arozarena boosted the AL lead to 3-1. Ebel had thrown BP to Schwarber two years ago at the WBC. 'He asked me right before, he was like, where do you want it?' Schwarber recalled 'I'm like, just middle. And he's like, `I gotcha.'' He took two pitches and deposited the third just over the center-field fence. Schwarber took another, then hit a 461-foot drive over the right-center bullpen. After letting two more go by, he dropped to a knee while pulling the third, craned his neck and held his bat it the air as the ball landed in the fourth row of the Chop House seats. 'I didn't hit it, obviously, my best, but I was thinking I got enough of it,' Schwarber said. 'And I was just kind of down there, hoping, saying: go, go, go. And it went. And it was awesome.' Aranda followed with a fly well short of the center-field warning track, drove a pitch about a foot shy of the top of the right-field wall and hit an opposite-field pop that dropped in medium left. Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby champion, didn't have to bat and patted Schwarber on the head as fireworks went off at Truist Field. 'I felt like a closer like a closer going into a game,' Alonso said, 'and then it's like, wait, the guy in the field got a double play to end the inning. You're not going in.' MLB, after consulting with the Elias Sports Bureau, said in 2022 that All-Star Games ending in a swing-off would be listed as tied, with a notation of the game being decided in a swing-off. MLB's official postgame notes listed Tuesday's outcome as a 7-6 NL victory. Ketel Marte's two-run double in the first had put the NL ahead, and Alonso's three-run homer off Kris Bubic and Corbin Carroll's solo shot against Casey Mize opened a 6-0 lead in the sixth. The AL comeback began when Rooker hit a three-run pinch homer against Randy Rodríguez in a four-run seventh that included Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI groundout. Robert Suarez allowed consecutive doubles to Byron Buxton and Witt with one out in ninth, and Steven Kwan's infield hit on a three-hopper to third off Edwin Díaz drove in the tying run. Paul Skenes, the first pitcher to start the All-Star Game each of his first two seasons, reached 100 mph on four pitches in a perfect first. Jacob Misiorowski, a controversial inclusion after pitching in just five major league games in his rookie season, fired nine pitches of 100 mph or more in a one-hit eighth 34 days after his major league debut. The 23-year-old righty, added to the NL roster by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, reached 102.3 mph. There were 21 pitches of 100 mph or more, down from a record 23 last year. Four of five challenges were successful in the first use of the robot umpire in the All-Star Game Teams were back in their regular-season club jerseys — whites for the NL, mostly grays for the AL — after four years of special All-Star uniforms that were much criticized. The AL leads 48-45 with two ties. ___ AP MLB:
National Post
16-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Kyle Schwarber's 3 homers in All-Star Game's first tiebreaking swing-off lift NL over AL
ATLANTA — Kyle Schwarber went 3 for 3 in the first all-star game home run swing-off to put the National League ahead 4-3 following a 6-6 tie in which the American League rallied from a six-run deficit on Tuesday night. Article content In baseball's equivalent of soccer's penalty-kicks shootout, the game was decided by having three batters from each league take three swings each off coaches. The change was agreed to in 2022 to alleviate the concern of teams running out of pitchers. Article content Article content Article content Schwarber was named MVP of the game after going 0 for 2 with a walk in the game. Article content Players from both teams stood outside their dugouts during the swing-off, jumping and shouting after each homer from their side. When Jonathan Aranda's last swing for the AL fell short, NL players circled around Schwarber to celebrate. Article content 'It was awesome,' Schwarber said. 'The guys were really into it. They were yelling, screaming, cheering me on every swing. And then when that last one goes over, they were all pumped. It was a lot of fun.' Article content Managers had to declare their swing-off orders before the game, although Kyle Stowers subbed for Eugenio Suarez for the NL after Suarez was hit on the hand by a pitch late in the game. Article content Brent Rooker put the AL ahead by homering on his last two swings, and Stowers hit one. Article content Randy Arozarena boosted the AL lead to 3-1, and Schwarber was successful on all three tries, going down to a knee as he sent the one into the Chop House seats in right. Article content Aranda failed on all three tries, hitting the right-field wall with his second, and the NL didn't have to use its last batter, two-time Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso, as it won for just the second time in the last 12 all-star games. The AL leads 48-45 with two ties. Article content Article content 'I was ready for it,' said Alonso, who began warming up in a batting cage when the AL tied the game in the ninth inning. 'But I'm glad Schwarbs did it and we did it the easy way.' Article content Ketel Marte's two-run double in the first had put the NL ahead, and Alonso's three-run homer off Kris Bubic and Corbin Carroll's solo shot against Casey Mize opened a 6-0 lead in the sixth. Article content The AL comeback began when Rooker hit a three-run pinch homer against Randy Rodriguez in a four-run seventh that included Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI groundout. Article content Robert Suarez allowed consecutive doubles to Byron Buxton and Witt with one out in ninth, and Steven Kwan's infield hit on a three-hopper to third off Edwin Diaz drove in the tying run. Article content Joe Torre, the 84-year-old former Yankees manager, went to the mound for a pitching change in the eighth to take the ball from Shane Smith and hand it to Andres Munoz. The Hall of Famer was picked as a coach by current New York skipper Aaron Boone, who managed the AL. Article content Heat on the mound Article content Paul Skenes, the first pitcher to start the all-star game each of his first two seasons, struck out Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene in a perfect first that included Aaron Judge's inning-ending groundout. The 23-year-old right-hander reached 100 mph on four of 14 pitches.
New York Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Alejandro Kirk and Jonathan Aranda go from ballfields of Tijuana to All-Star Game
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jonathan Aranda received a text in Spanish late in the morning. It contained a mysterious request: 'Let me know if you hear about the All-Star team.' The message came from deep within the Toronto Blue Jays' clubhouse. Nestled in a hitters' meeting filled with iPads and advanced reports on July 6, Alejandro Kirk found out he was returning to the midsummer classic. The catcher's teammates exploded in the room as manager John Schneider broke the news. It's the first All-Star Game he could attend with his 2-year-old daughter, Emilia, Kirk thought. Advertisement Then his mind drifted to a long-time friend and Tampa Bay Rays infielder. When the meeting ended, Kirk reached for his phone to text Aranda. The two Tijuana natives began playing together when they were 4 years old, starting in Little League and travelling to national showcase games together before splitting off to sign with different franchises in the American League East. They see each other every winter and meet on the field as divisional opponents. But when Aranda found out he was selected for the AL All-Star team, a true reunion was set. 'I can't believe this,' Kirk said through Blue Jays interpreter Hector Lebron. 'Thinking about two little kids that have known each other for such a long time, played little leagues together, signed pro, made it to the big leagues, and now going to an All-Star Game together. It's just unbelievable.' Neither can recall first playing together — Kirk and Aranda swung the same bats and manned the same field for as long as they can remember. They were drawn together by family, with older brothers playing as teammates before them. Kirk's father, Juan Manuel, was the Little League team's manager — the caring skipper full of motivational speeches. When Aranda's parents couldn't accompany their son to a national tournament, Juan Manuel looked after him. Aranda's father was a coach on his staff, too. He brought tough love, Aranda said. The infielders played together for 12 years and still meet each day in the offseason. They work out at the same gym in Tijuana, run through drills on a field and their families unite for dinner at least once a week. If needed, they find an excuse to throw a party. They're also the godfathers of each other's daughters. 'Above the baseball, that family connection was really what made this all happen,' Aranda said through interpreter Melissa Rodriguez Strozza. 'So I know it's going to be special for the families to share in this moment together.' Advertisement Kirk is the picture of tranquility when he steps into the box for a ninth-inning at-bat. In the dugout between innings, he's an unbothered stoic. A smile is rare, a laugh unheard of. But thinking back to the All-Star showcase games Kirk and Aranda played throughout Mexico as kids, the Toronto catcher cracked a wide grin and chuckled. The pair were always the best hitters on their team, but the showcase events featured more tailored competitions. They often earned medals. Aranda starred in the baserunning drills while Kirk kept to the home run derbies. 'Obviously, he was faster than I was,' Kirk said with a toothy smile. Neither Kirk nor Aranda walked obvious paths to the big leagues. Big-league clubs didn't truly notice either player until scouts came to town intending to watch other players. In an era when top international prospects earn million-dollar bonuses, Aranda signed for $130,000, and Kirk received $30,000. Neither jumped up prospect rankings until deep into their minor-league careers. Neither imagined they would one day be MLB All-Stars. When Aranda found out he'd made the AL team, the Rays infielder shot Kirk an immediate text: 'We're going to share a field together.' It's normal, in a way — they played together every week for over a decade. They run infield drills every winter. But they never dreamed of sharing a clubhouse during the Midsummer Classic. 'I think when we were little,' Aranda said. 'I don't think that we could have imagined this. I don't know that we did.' (Top photo of Jonathan Aranda, left, and Alejandro Kirk, centre: Jessica Ventura)
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jonathan Aranda Player Props: July 11, Rays vs. Red Sox
Jonathan Aranda's Tampa Bay Rays play the Boston Red Sox on July 11 at 7:10 p.m. ET, and will see starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins on the mound. Aranda recorded one hit in his most recent game, going 1-for-4. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Jonathan Aranda player prop bets. Aranda leads the Rays with a team-best batting average of .326. He has 11 home runs and 49 RBI. Aranda has safely hit in six games in a row. In his last outings he is batting .333 with three doubles, a home run, two walks and five RBIs. Watch tonight's Rays game on Fubo! Jonathan Aranda Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox Jonathan Aranda prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 6:27 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Jonathan Aranda stats against the Red Sox Red Sox starter: Hunter Dobbins
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rays' Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda Named to AL All-Star Team
Rays' Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda Named to AL All-Star Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Rays received some exciting news before their series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, just before the MLB All-Star Game next week. Advertisement Infielder Brandon Lowe and first baseman Jonathan Aranda were notified prior to the game that they had been named to the 2025 American League All-Star team. Both players are having outstanding seasons with the team, with Lowe batting .273, an on-base percentage of .325, and 19 home runs, marking Lowe's second All-Star selection. Additionally, Jonathan Aranda will be participating in his first All-Star Game this year after an impressive first half, posting a .315 batting average for the season, a .394 on-base percentage, and 10 home runs. Although Lowe had to leave the game due to an injury, he stated in his postgame interview that he expects to play in the All-Star Game without further issues. Advertisement These selections come at a time when the Rays are currently in third place in the American League East with a record of 49-41. They are tied with the New York Yankees, who also hold the same record. Over the last 10 games, the Rays have gone 4-6, which is less than ideal. Despite recent struggles, it's worth noting that without the contributions of Lowe and Aranda, the Tampa Bay would be in a very different position this season. In addition, third baseman Junior Caminero, has had an exceptional season this year, was not selected for the American League All-Star team. As the Rays' leading home run hitter with 21 this season and a breakout performer, some might argue he deserves to be on the team; however, it's important to recognize that his contributions have been crucial to the team's current standing. Overall, the season has been unexpectedly remarkable for the Rays, who compete in one of the most competitive divisions in Major League Baseball. With the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox all remaining competitive in this demanding division, the Tampa Bay have certainly exceeded expectations. The team may likely add more bats or pitchers before the upcoming trade deadline as they pursue a playoff spot after narrowly missing the postseason last year. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
