Samwise MLB Newsletter
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Rocchio Hits Grand Slam and Walk-Off Homer in Same Game as Guardians Rally Past Tigers
Brayan Rocchio delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances of the 2026 season Friday, rallying Cleveland to a 7-6 comeback victory over Detroit in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. After the Guardians fell behind 6-1 in the third inning, Rocchio connected on a tying grand slam in the fourth and then led off the ninth with a walk-off home run off Drew Sommers. He became only the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to record a grand slam and a walk-off homer in the same game. Cade Smith earned the win in relief for Cleveland.
Sale Outduels Sánchez as Braves Top Phillies 5-2, Extend NL East Lead to Five Games
Chris Sale outdueled Cristopher Sánchez as Atlanta defeated Philadelphia 5-2 Friday night at Citizens Bank Park, extending the Braves’ NL East lead to five games. Sale improved to 14-9, allowing two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. Atlanta broke through in the second on Austin Riley’s RBI single, a Ha-Seong Kim groundout, and Ronald Acuña’s RBI double. Acuña finished with three hits and an RBI while Mauricio Dubón added a home run. Alec Bohm accounted for both Phillies runs with an RBI double and a solo homer. The Braves have won nine of their last 11 games.
Campusano Walk-Off Homer Lifts Padres Past Yankees 3-2 in Tenth Inning
Luis Campusano hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning Friday, giving the San Diego Padres a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees at Petco Park. The blast off Paul Blackburn came moments after Spencer Jones’ RBI single put New York ahead 2-1. Ben Rice’s 36th home run had tied the game earlier. Outfielder Trent Grisham left in the third inning with right hamstring discomfort, replaced by Jones in center. According to MLB, Campusano is the second player since 1951 to hit a walk-off homer in a game in which he was caught stealing three times.
Bazzana Walk-Off Single Completes Cleveland’s Doubleheader Sweep of Detroit
Cleveland completed a doubleheader sweep of Detroit Friday night as Travis Bazzana singled home Brayan Rocchio in the tenth inning to give the Guardians a 4-3 victory at Progressive Field. The win capped an extraordinary day for Cleveland, which had rallied from a 6-1 deficit to claim the opener on Rocchio’s grand slam and walk-off homer. In the nightcap, the two teams went to extra innings before Bazzana’s walk-off single ended it. Cleveland’s twin victories boosted the Guardians’ chances in the AL Central race as they chase the first-place Chicago White Sox.
Sources: CBS Sports
Alvarez Homers Twice as Mets Blast Giants 10-6 on Five-Home-Run Night
Francisco Alvarez connected for two home runs as the New York Mets pounded the San Francisco Giants 10-6 Friday at Citi Field. New York’s offensive outburst featured five total home runs, including a three-run blast from Mark Vientos in the first inning, a two-run shot from Bo Bichette in the second, and a long ball from Francisco Lindor later in the contest. Alvarez also homered in the second inning as part of New York’s run of big innings against San Francisco pitching. Nolan McLean earned the win on the mound for the Mets in the series opener.
Sources: CBS Sports
Snell Shuts Out Nationals as Dodgers Win 5-0 at Dodger Stadium
Blake Snell was masterful Friday as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Washington Nationals 5-0 at Dodger Stadium. Snell fired six scoreless innings to earn the win, with the Dodgers breaking through in the third inning on Mookie Betts’ RBI single and a two-run double from Teoscar Hernández. Los Angeles added another run in the fourth when Alex Call scored on an error. Kyle Tucker hit his 12th homer of the season in the sixth inning to complete the scoring. Washington starter Jackson Kent took the loss in the series opener.
White Sox Shut Down Ky Bush for Season With Lat Strain
The Chicago White Sox announced that left-hander Ky Bush has been shut down for the remainder of the 2026 season due to a lat strain, ending a disappointing return from Tommy John surgery. Bush, who underwent the procedure in February 2025 and missed all of last season, had been working his way back this year but will remain on the 60-day injured list through the end of the campaign. The White Sox acquired Bush from the Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 trade deadline deal that sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to Anaheim. He was a second-round pick of the Angels in 2021.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
September Roster Moves: Guardians, Mariners, Marlins, Tigers, Reds Make Cuts and Call-Ups
September brought a flurry of roster moves as teams expanded their rosters for the playoff push. The Cleveland Guardians promoted right-hander Austin Peterson to the majors for his MLB debut while designating Carlos Hernández for assignment. The Seattle Mariners signed left-handed reliever Hoby Milner and designated first baseman Connor Joe and right-hander Nolan Kingham for assignment. The Miami Marlins recalled infielder Deyvison De Los Santos from Triple-A while designating Leo Jiménez for assignment. The Detroit Tigers outrighted right-hander Tanner Rainey to Triple-A Toledo. The Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of outfielder Carlos Jorge from Triple-A Louisville.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 83 | 57 | — |
| New York Yankees | 80 | 60 | 3.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 76 | 65 | 7.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 70 | 71 | 13.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 69 | 72 | 14.5 |
| AL Central | |||
| Chicago White Sox | 73 | 67 | — |
| Cleveland Guardians | 70 | 70 | 3.0 |
| Minnesota Twins | 67 | 73 | 6.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 64 | 75 | 8.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 63 | 78 | 10.5 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 72 | 69 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 70 | 71 | 2.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 66 | 75 | 6.0 |
| Athletics | 55 | 86 | 17.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 53 | 87 | 18.5 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 83 | 57 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 79 | 61 | 4.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 71 | 70 | 12.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 67 | 75 | 17.0 |
| New York Mets | 63 | 77 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 87 | 54 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 79 | 62 | 8.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 70 | 71 | 17.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 69 | 72 | 18.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 67 | 73 | 19.5 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 83 | 57 | — |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 74 | 67 | 9.5 |
| San Diego Padres | 73 | 67 | 10.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 58 | 83 | 25.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 54 | 86 | 29.0 |
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