Samwise MLB Newsletter
Friday, July 3, 2026
Rocchio’s Walk-Off Blast Lifts Guardians Over White Sox 6-5 in AL Central Showdown
Brayan Rocchio hit a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-5 Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rocchio pulled a 99 mph fastball from reliever Grant Taylor (4-2) down the right-field line for his sixth home run of the season, completing a comeback after Cleveland had trailed by three runs. Rhys Hoskins walked to lead off the ninth before Kahlil Watson flied out, setting the stage for Rocchio’s homer. The Guardians (41-37) claimed first place in the AL Central, now one game ahead of the White Sox (39-37).
Miller Takes No-Hit Bid into Seventh as Mariners Blank Angels 1-0 to Complete Sweep
Bryce Miller took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and the Seattle Mariners shut out the Los Angeles Angels 1-0 Thursday night to complete a three-game series sweep. Nolan Schanuel’s blooper to right-center in the seventh ended Miller’s bid, his only hit allowed as he struck out eight and walked none. Cal Raleigh coaxed a bases-loaded walk from rookie starter Walbert Ureña with two outs in the sixth to force home the game’s only run. The Mariners (40-39) completed the sweep while the Angels (32-47) continued to struggle in the AL West, their offense held to just one hit in the series finale.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez Enters Concussion Protocol After Taking Throw to Helmet
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez entered the concussion protocol Thursday night after being struck in the back of the helmet by a thrown ball during the Mariners’ 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels. In the first inning, Rodríguez was running from first to third on a ground ball when Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel threw toward second attempting a double play; the throw struck the back of Rodríguez’s helmet at 78.2 mph. Rodríguez stayed in through the third inning before exiting. Manager Dan Wilson said the team will monitor him and he will be re-evaluated Friday. Victor Robles also departed Thursday’s game with an injury.
Contreras, Cavalli Each Handed Seven-Game Bans After Fenway Bench-Clearing Brawl
Major League Baseball suspended Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras for seven games each Thursday for their roles in a bench-clearing altercation the previous night at Fenway Park. The dustup began in the fourth inning Tuesday when Cavalli struck out Contreras on a full-count pitch and shouted at him, prompting Contreras to advance toward the mound and throw his helmet. Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas received a five-game suspension and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton was handed three games. All four players were also fined. MLB senior vice president Michael Hill announced the discipline, which takes effect Friday.
Dodgers Erase 6-0 Deficit, Outscore Padres 12-0 in 12-7 Rout; Vasquez Taken to ER
The Los Angeles Dodgers erased a six-run deficit to defeat the San Diego Padres 12-7 Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium. The Padres built a 6-0 lead on home runs from Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth, but the Dodgers stormed back to score 12 unanswered runs. Kyle Tucker, Dalton Rushing and Mookie Betts each homered during the Dodgers’ surge. Padres starter Randy Vásquez was struck by a 99 mph comebacker in the first inning but remained for three innings before being removed; Vásquez fainted after the game and was taken to the emergency room as a precaution, though he was reported stable.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Cardinals Erase 2-Run Deficit with Seven-Run Seventh, Down Braves 11-5
The St. Louis Cardinals erased a two-run deficit with a seven-run seventh inning to beat the Atlanta Braves 11-5 Thursday night, winning two of three in the series. Jordan Walker homered and drove in four runs, while Nathan Church hit a tying two-run homer off Tyler Kinley (4-3) to ignite the decisive frame. JJ Wetherholt added a go-ahead run-scoring single off Dylan Lee, and Walker knocked in another run in the big inning. Gordon Graceffo (6-1) pitched a scoreless sixth to earn the win. Alec Burleson added a ninth-inning homer and Masyn Winn finished 3-for-4 for St. Louis. Dominic Smith drove in three runs with a first-inning double for Atlanta.
Eovaldi Takes No-Hitter into Fifth as Rangers Rout Tigers 10-4
Nathan Eovaldi took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and the Texas Rangers defeated the Detroit Tigers 10-4 Thursday night in Arlington. Eovaldi carried his no-hit bid through the first four innings before the Tigers broke through with three runs in the fifth, but Texas had already built a comfortable advantage. Elias Díaz, Josh Smith and Evan Carter each connected on solo home runs to power the Rangers’ offense. Texas improved to 37-40 while Detroit dropped to 33-44. Eovaldi’s near-no-hitter was one of two taken deep into games Thursday, with Seattle’s Bryce Miller also carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Pirates Beat Phillies 6-1 to Split Four-Game Series; Rodriguez, Gonzales Homer
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 Thursday night to split their four-game series, with Endy Rodriguez and Nick Gonzales homering and Esmerlyn Valdez driving in two runs. Valdez tripled and singled to contribute to a balanced Pittsburgh effort at Citizens Bank Park, while Gonzales finished with three hits and two RBI. Jake Mangum added three hits and Brandon Lowe reached base three times for the Pirates. Carmen Mlodzinski pitched three scoreless innings in relief. The Phillies, who had won 11 of their previous 15 home games, managed just four hits as the Pirates’ pitching staff held them in check.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Rockies Pound Marlins 14-4 in Denver to Earn Series Split
The Colorado Rockies pounded the Miami Marlins 14-4 Thursday night in Denver, earning a split of their four-game series. Jake McCarthy drove in four runs and Mickey Moniak added two RBI and finished a triple shy of the cycle to lead Colorado’s attack. Marlins outfielder Otto Lopez went 3-for-4 and came a home run shy of the cycle himself, maintaining his MLB leads in hits (115), batting average (.336) and multi-hit games (36). Colorado improved to 30-48 on the season while the Marlins dropped to 40-38 in the NL East standings, where they continue to contend for a National League wild-card spot.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
AL East
1. New York Yankees — 46–30, —
2. Tampa Bay Rays — 43–31, 2 GB
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 38–39, 8.5 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 37–42, 10.5 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 31–44, 14.5 GB
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 41–37, —
2. Chicago White Sox — 39–37, 1 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 38–41, 3.5 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 33–44, 7.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 32–46, 9 GB
AL West
1. Seattle Mariners — 40–39, —
2. Athletics — 38–40, 1.5 GB
3. Texas Rangers — 37–40, 2 GB
4. Houston Astros — 37–42, 3 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 32–47, 8 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 48–28, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 42–35, 6.5 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 40–38, 9 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 40–38, 9 GB
5. New York Mets — 34–43, 14.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 46–29, —
2. St. Louis Cardinals — 41–34, 5 GB
3. Chicago Cubs — 40–37, 7 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 39–39, 8.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 37–39, 9.5 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 49–29, —
2. San Diego Padres — 39–37, 9 GB
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 39–38, 9.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 31–46, 17.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 30–48, 19 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency