Samwise MLB Newsletter
Monday, May 4, 2026
Yankees Rout Orioles 11-3 as Judge’s 13th Homer Ties Major League Lead
Aaron Judge hit his 13th home run of the season to tie for the major league lead, and the New York Yankees routed the Baltimore Orioles 11-3 on Sunday, recording their 13th win in 15 games. Ben Rice opened the scoring with his 12th homer and a double before exiting in the third inning with a left hand contusion after taking a low pickoff throw from starter Max Fried; X-rays were negative and Rice is day to day. Jasson Domínguez delivered a two-run homer and an RBI single during a seven-run eighth inning. Fernando Cruz (3-0) earned the win in relief. The Orioles dropped their fourth consecutive loss.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Tigers Blank Rangers 7-1 on Sunday Night Baseball, Torkelson Homers
The Detroit Tigers routed the Texas Rangers 7-1 on Sunday Night Baseball at Comerica Park, claiming the three-game series behind Spencer Torkelson’s two-run home run and a dominant bullpen performance. Torkelson opened the scoring with a blast off Jack Leiter in the first inning, putting Detroit ahead 2-0. The Tigers deployed a bullpen game strategy throughout the contest, and their relievers held the Rangers in check deep into the night. Detroit’s pitching staff limited Texas to just one run across nine innings. The victory capped a strong home series for the Tigers, who split the opener before winning the final two games.
Sources: NBC Sports, CBS Sports
Rays Walk Off Giants in 10th to Complete Sweep, Extending San Francisco’s Skid to Six
Jonathan Aranda’s bloop RBI single to short right field in the 10th inning gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-1 walk-off victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep. Aranda finished 4-for-5 on the afternoon. Tyler Mahle pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings for Tampa Bay, walking one and striking out five. Rafael Devers had put San Francisco ahead 1-0 in the first on Casey Schmitt’s RBI single, but the Giants went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position in regulation. The defeat extended San Francisco’s losing streak to six games, including three walk-off losses in just four days.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports Bay Area
Joe Ryan Exits After Two Batters With Elbow Soreness; Twins Hold On 4-3 Over Blue Jays
Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan was removed after facing just two batters Sunday with right elbow soreness, departing after only nine pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryan recorded one out and issued a walk before manager Derek Shelton pulled him; an MRI was completed postgame. Andrew Morris pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn his first major league win (1-1), allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out three. Luke Keaschall had a pair of hits including an RBI double in a three-run fifth inning as Minnesota held on 4-3 to split the four-game series. Ryan’s IL status remained undetermined Sunday evening.
Sources: NBC Sports, MLB Trade Rumors
Padres Edge White Sox 4-3 as Griffin Canning Makes 2026 Debut After Achilles Surgery
Right-hander Griffin Canning made his long-awaited 2026 debut for the San Diego Padres on Sunday, returning from a ruptured left Achilles tendon that ended his previous season, as San Diego edged the Chicago White Sox 4-3. Canning, who was 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 2025 for the New York Mets before suffering the injury, threw 73 pitches with 42 strikes across his outing, facing 19 batters. Drew Romo homered for Chicago in the third inning to give the White Sox an early 1-0 lead, but the Padres’ offense rallied for the victory. The win allowed San Diego to take the series against one of the American League’s struggling clubs.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Correa’s First Homer of 2026 Powers Astros Past Red Sox 3-1 to Take Series
Carlos Correa hit his first home run of the 2026 season and the Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Sunday at Fenway Park to take the series. Correa’s blast provided a key offensive boost for Houston, which entered the day riding a strong stretch in the American League West. The Astros’ pitching staff limited Boston to one run and six hits across nine innings. The Red Sox won the series opener on Thursday before dropping two of three at home. Houston secured the road series win on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Mets Defeat Angels 5-1 to Finish Road Series as Winners
The New York Mets defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Sunday at Angel Stadium, completing a two-games-to-one series win on their Southern California road trip. New York’s pitching staff turned in another solid performance, keeping the Angels’ offense largely in check throughout the afternoon. The Mets scored early and held the lead from the outset, building a cushion that allowed the bullpen to close out the game without drama. Los Angeles managed just one run on limited offensive production. The series win was an important confidence-builder for a New York club working through an inconsistent early stretch in 2026. The Mets return east after the road trip.
Braves Top MLB Power Rankings With 24-10 Record, Build 8.5-Game NL East Lead
The Atlanta Braves topped the MLB Power Rankings for the week ending May 3 for the first time in more than three years, having built the best record in baseball at 24-10 and an 8.5-game lead over the Miami Marlins in the NL East. The Braves hold a .714 winning percentage and have been baseball’s most consistent team through the season’s first month. New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice leads all of baseball with a 1.214 OPS. The NL Central continues to make history as the only division in MLB with all five teams currently holding winning records, with the Cincinnati Reds leading the pack.
Sources: MLB.com Power Rankings, MLB.com
American League
AL East
1. New York Yankees — 23–11, — GB
2. Baltimore Orioles — 19–13, 3.5 GB
3. Tampa Bay Rays — 17–16, 5.5 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 15–18, 7.5 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 12–20, 10 GB
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 19–16, — GB
2. Detroit Tigers — 18–17, 0.5 GB
3. Chicago White Sox — 16–18, 2.5 GB
4. Kansas City Royals — 14–19, 4 GB
5. Minnesota Twins — 15–20, 4.5 GB
AL West
1. Oakland Athletics — 17–16, — GB
2. Houston Astros — 13–19, 2 GB
3. Texas Rangers — 16–18, 1 GB
4. Seattle Mariners — 16–18, 1 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 12–21, 5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 24–10, — GB
2. Miami Marlins — 14–17, 8.5 GB
3. Washington Nationals — 13–17, 9.5 GB
4. New York Mets — 11–19, 12 GB
5. Philadelphia Phillies — 9–21, 14 GB
NL Central
1. Cincinnati Reds — 18–10, — GB
2. Chicago Cubs — 18–12, 1 GB
3. Pittsburgh Pirates — 16–13, 2.5 GB
4. St. Louis Cardinals — 15–13, 3 GB
5. Milwaukee Brewers — 15–13, 3 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 20–9, — GB
2. San Diego Padres — 20–10, 0.5 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 15–13, 4.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 13–16, 6.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 13–16, 6.5 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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