Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Swanson Hits 3 Homers, 8 RBI as Cubs Torch Padres 23-3 for Three-Game Sweep
The Chicago Cubs crushed the San Diego Padres 23-3 Wednesday at Wrigley Field to complete a three-game sweep. Dansby Swanson, batting ninth, slugged three home runs — including a grand slam — and drove in eight runs, the second-most by a ninth-place hitter in major league history. Swanson, who homered twice Tuesday, became the first Cub with back-to-back multi-homer games since Patrick Wisdom in August 2021. Michael Conforto hit two home runs, and Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch also went deep. The Cubs smashed eight home runs, tying the franchise record set last year on July 4. Colin Rea pitched five innings for the win. Chicago is 49-38.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tigers Complete First Yankee Stadium Sweep Since 2008 as New York Skid Reaches Seven
The Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees 6-2 in 11 innings Wednesday at Yankee Stadium to complete their first sweep at the venue since 2008. New York's losing streak stretched to seven, their longest in three years. After the Yankees tied it 2-2 in the ninth, Detroit scored four times in the 11th. Camilo Doval issued a bases-loaded walk to Spencer Torkelson, then Zach McKinstry drove in two with a single and another run scored on a throwing error. Keider Montero struck out the side in the 10th to strand two Yankees runners, and Troy Melton held New York to two hits over 6.1 innings.
Aaron Judge Approaching Four Weeks on IL With No Scan Update as Yankees Slide Deepens
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge remained sidelined Wednesday, approaching four weeks on the injured list with a stress fracture in his right rib, with no updated scan results available. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge was not expected to be ready for re-evaluation at the four-week mark. Judge believes the injury stemmed from a diving play in a late-April series at Houston. The prolonged absence has weighed on a struggling New York offense. The Yankees lost their seventh consecutive game Wednesday, a 6-2 extra-innings defeat to the Tigers, their longest losing streak in three years. New York sits at 48-38 on the season.
Sources: NBC Sports CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Langeliers Hits 20th Homer, Ginn Dominates as Athletics End Four-Game Skid With 7-1 Win Over Dodgers
Shea Langeliers hit his 20th home run and J.T. Ginn pitched six innings to lead the Athletics to a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. Ginn, who improved to 7-4 and allowed one run on three hits, has won four of his last five starts. Jonah Heim and Alika Williams also homered for Oakland, which snapped a four-game losing streak. Freddie Freeman homered for Los Angeles, extending his on-base streak to 16 games. After back-to-back losses to begin the series, the A's seized an early lead on Heim's leadoff homer in the second. The major-league-leading Dodgers fall to 56-31.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Woods Homers as Nationals Rout Red Sox 10-2 for Road Series Win
James Woods slugged a three-run home run for his 22nd of the season, and Andrés Chaparro and Nasim Nuñez each went deep Wednesday as the Washington Nationals routed the Boston Red Sox 10-2 at Fenway Park. Red Sox starter Payton Tolle surrendered six runs on seven hits and three walks in three-plus innings, falling to 4-6. Brad Lord, Andrew Alvarez, Riley Cornelio and Carson Palmquist combined to allow just two runs for Washington. The Nationals improved their road series record to 11-3-1, among the best in the majors. Washington is 45-43 after taking the series.
Bradley Strikes Out 11 as Twins Top Astros 8-3 for Third Straight Road Series Win
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley struck out 11 batters, tying his career high, as Minnesota beat the Houston Astros 8-3 Wednesday night. Bradley, who improved to 7-3, allowed one run and four hits in five innings. Josh Bell, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall each homered for the Twins. Trevor Larnach went 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run single. Bell extended his career-high road hitting streak to 16 games, the longest active streak of its kind in the majors. Minnesota won its third consecutive road series for the first time since May 2025. The Twins are 42-46.
McClanahan Shuts Out Royals for Six Innings as Rays Extend Win Streak to Seven
Shane McClanahan allowed just three hits over six shutout innings Wednesday as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0, extending Tampa Bay's winning streak to seven games. The victory moved the Rays to 50-33, the best record in the AL East and 3.5 games ahead of the slumping New York Yankees, who have lost seven straight. Kansas City, which has dropped to 35-52 and sits 11 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox, managed little against McClanahan throughout the night. Tampa Bay continues its run as the American League's hottest team heading into July.
Sources: ESPN NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
McDonald Pitches Six Scoreless Innings as Giants Finally Beat Diamondbacks 6-4
Trevor McDonald pitched six scoreless innings as the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 Wednesday night in Phoenix. McDonald, who entered the game 0-6 with a 6.47 ERA in his previous seven starts, allowed just one hit — a leadoff single by Ketel Marte in the fourth — and struck out five. Heliot Ramos delivered a solo home run and an RBI triple, and Victor Bericoto added a two-run home run. The Giants avoided being swept by Arizona for the third time this season, preventing what would have been their first 0-9 start against a single opponent in franchise history. Caleb Kilian earned his seventh save.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Dean Kremer Returns From Nine-Week IL Stint, Pitches Six Strong Innings in Orioles Win
Dean Kremer returned from a nine-week stint on the injured list Wednesday and pitched six innings of one-run ball, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards. Kremer, a right-hander, had been sidelined with a significant strain of his right quadriceps. The Orioles reinstated Kremer from the 60-day injured list and optioned pitcher Trey Gibson and left-hander Josh Walker. Tyler O'Neill homered on Canada Day for Baltimore, which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Orioles improved to 40-48 with the series finale win.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors MLB.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Fry, Hedges Homer as Guardians Snap Rangers’ Six-Game Winning Streak With 9-4 Win
David Fry hit a three-run home run in a five-run second inning, Austin Hedges added a two-run shot in the eighth, and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Texas Rangers 9-4 Wednesday to snap the Rangers' six-game winning streak. Fry's homer came off MacKenzie Gore. Hedges drove in three runs total. Rookie Chase DeLauter added three hits for Cleveland. Starter Joey Cantillo won for the third time in his last four outings, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings. Elias Díaz homered for Texas and drove in two runs. Cleveland improved to 45-42, while Texas fell to 44-43.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 50–33, —
2. New York Yankees — 48–38, 3.5
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 41–46, 11.0
4. Baltimore Orioles — 40–48, 12.5
5. Boston Red Sox — 37–48, 14.0
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 45–40, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 45–42, 1.0
3. Minnesota Twins — 42–46, 4.5
4. Detroit Tigers — 38–49, 8.0
5. Kansas City Royals — 35–52, 11.0
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 44–43, —
2. Seattle Mariners — 44–43, —
3. Houston Astros — 43–46, 2.0
4. Athletics — 41–46, 3.0
5. Los Angeles Angels — 36–51, 8.0
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 50–34, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 49–38, 2.5
3. Miami Marlins — 46–41, 5.5
4. Washington Nationals — 45–43, 7.0
5. New York Mets — 36–51, 15.5
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 53–31, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 49–38, 5.5
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 44–39, 8.5
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 43–44, 11.5
5. Cincinnati Reds — 39–46, 14.5
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 56–31, —
2. San Diego Padres — 43–42, 12.0
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 43–43, 12.5
4. San Francisco Giants — 36–50, 19.5
5. Colorado Rockies — 34–53, 22.0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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