Samwise MLB Newsletter
Friday, July 10, 2026
Yankees Rout Rays 12-4, Split AL East Series; Lead Narrows to Four Games
The New York Yankees snapped out of an offensive slump Thursday, routing the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4 at Tropicana Field to split their four-game American League East series. Ben Rice homered twice and drove in five runs, while Austin Wells also connected, as New York recorded 14 hits. The Yankees, who are 15-19 without three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, won for just the third time in 14 games. Tampa Bay’s pitchers had struck out 45 batters with only two walks in the first three games before New York’s lineup broke out. The Rays still hold a four-game lead in the AL East.
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Williams Strikes Out 11, Ties AL Wins Lead as Guardians Top Twins 5-2
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams scattered three hits and struck out 11 over seven innings Thursday, moving to 10-4 and tying Boston’s Sonny Gray for the American League lead in wins, as Cleveland defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-2. Gabriel Arias, Chase DeLauter, and Patrick Bailey each hit home runs to support Williams. Cade Smith earned his 27th save. Minnesota’s Bailey Ober made his first appearance since May 30, returning from right elbow inflammation, and gave up one run with five strikeouts. Hunter Gaddis pitched a scoreless eighth inning as the Guardians avoided a three-game sweep.
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Brewers Rally for Six-Run Third, Beat Cardinals 8-4 to Win Four of Five
The Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a six-run third inning and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4 on Thursday, winning four of five games in the series. Jake Bauers launched a three-run home run during the rally, and Brice Turang added his 13th home run of the season to power the Milwaukee offense. The Brewers, holding a commanding lead in the National League Central, continued to distance themselves from the pack heading into the All-Star break. The Cardinals struggled to contain Milwaukee’s lineup and fell further behind in the division race as both teams prepare for next week’s break.
Orioles Avoid Sweep, Edge Cubs 3-2 on Dramatic Eighth-Inning Comeback
The Baltimore Orioles avoided a three-game sweep Thursday, rallying from a 2-1 deficit in the eighth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 at Camden Yards. A drive to the gap in right-center field scored Gunnar Henderson and allowed Pete Alonso to barely beat the throw home with a head-first slide to complete the comeback. Tyler Wells earned the win in relief despite surrendering an RBI double to Seiya Suzuki in the eighth. Suzuki had also homered in the sixth inning. Andrew Kittredge worked the ninth for his second save as Baltimore salvaged the series finale.
Mets Top Royals 7-3 Behind Manaea’s Milestone Start; Vientos Fractures Hand
The New York Mets defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Thursday, but the victory came at a cost. Third baseman Mark Vientos suffered a fractured right hand after being hit by a pitch, and interim manager Andy Green announced he will be placed on the injured list. Tyrone Taylor, who entered the game to replace Vientos, homered to begin a five-run fifth inning that broke the game open. Starting pitcher Sean Manaea completed seven innings for the first time since October 8, 2024, allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Manaea, now 2-4, earned the win.
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Arenado Homers as Diamondbacks Beat Padres 3-1, Win Three of Four
The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Thursday, with Nolan Arenado hitting his 11th home run of the season to help Arizona win three of four games in the series. Arenado’s solo shot to left-center field came in the sixth inning at 101.1 mph and traveled 387 feet, extending the Diamondbacks’ lead. Arenado, closing in on 2,000 career hits, remained productive throughout the series for Arizona. Merrill Kelly combined with two relievers on a three-hitter, keeping San Diego’s struggling offense well in check throughout the afternoon at Petco Park.
Red Sox Edge White Sox 2-1, Win 10 of Last 12; Trade Deadline Plans Uncertain
The Boston Red Sox extended their winning streak to five games Thursday with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, continuing a stretch in which they have won 10 of their last 12 games. Boston, sitting at 42-48 and six games under .500, has pulled to within three games of an American League Wild Card spot. The surge has complicated the Red Sox’s trade deadline plans: the club has not yet staked out a clear direction on whether to buy or sell ahead of the August 3 deadline. A decision figures to become clearer in coming days as the team approaches the All-Star break.
Volpe Calls Report He Refused to Play 2B ‘B.S.’; Announcer Retracts Claim
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe strongly denied a report Thursday that he had refused to work out at second base during his minor league rehab assignment. Volpe called the report “B.S.” and said it “couldn’t be further from the truth,” adding that when he was optioned to the minors, he told manager Aaron Boone he would play catcher if needed. Yankees announcer Michael Kay, who had reported that Volpe rebuffed a suggestion to practice at second base, later retracted the statement on social media, saying there was “absolutely no truth to it whatsoever.” Boone defended Volpe, saying his “character and team-first attitude is beyond reproach.”
Deadline Buzz: Phillies Need Bullpen Help, Braves Eye Gray, Rays May Add Catcher
With the August 3 trade deadline less than four weeks away, several key storylines emerged Thursday. The Philadelphia Phillies, whose bullpen posted a 5.13 ERA since June 1, are searching for relief help. The Atlanta Braves are monitoring Sonny Gray’s availability and could aggressively pursue the veteran starter, as several Atlanta pitchers remain on the injured list. The Boston Red Sox have not staked out a clear direction despite winning 10 of their last 12 games. The Tampa Bay Rays, battling New York in the AL East, may also look to upgrade at catcher before the deadline approaches.
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 53–33
2. New York Yankees — 50–38, 4.0 GB
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 42–46, 11.5 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 42–48, 12.5 GB
5. Boston Red Sox — 42–48, 12.5 GB
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 48–42
2. Chicago White Sox — 45–43, 2.0 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 42–48, 6.0 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 38–50, 9.0 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 35–54, 12.5 GB
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 45–43
2. Seattle Mariners — 45–44, 0.5 GB
3. Houston Astros — 43–47, 3.0 GB
4. Oakland Athletics — 41–47, 4.0 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 36–53, 9.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 51–35
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 49–39, 2.5 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 47–42, 5.5 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 46–43, 6.5 GB
5. New York Mets — 37–52, 15.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 55–32
2. Chicago Cubs — 48–40, 7.5 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 46–40, 8.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 44–45, 12.0 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 40–47, 15.0 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 58–31
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 44–44, 13.5 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 43–45, 14.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 36–51, 21.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 36–53, 22.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency