Samwise MLB Newsletter
Friday, July 31, 2026
Kody Clemens Walk-Off Grand Slam Ends Kansas City No-Hit Bid in Stunning Twins Comeback
The Minnesota Twins staged one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 season on Thursday, overcoming a no-hit bid through eight full innings to claim the victory. Kody Clemens delivered a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning — ending both the Kansas City no-hit bid and the game in one historic swing. The rally, with the Twins hitless through eight frames, produced one of the most stunning outcomes of the 2026 season. The Royals had appeared ready to complete the no-hitter before Clemens stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and changed everything. Kansas City falls to 46–63 in the AL Central.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports
Cedric Mullins’ Eighth-Inning Homer Powers Rays Past Rangers, 3–2; Seven Pitchers Combine on Two-Hitter
Tampa Bay extended its AL East lead with a 3–2 victory over Texas in St. Petersburg on Thursday, as Cedric Mullins hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning. Mullins’ 13th homer, an opposite-field shot to left on the first pitch he saw, gave Tampa Bay the lead before Bryan Baker closed it out for his 30th save of the season — his 19th consecutive successful conversion. Jonny DeLuca also homered while Yandy Diaz added two singles and an RBI. Seven pitchers combined to limit Texas to just two hits as the Rays won their eighth of 10, moving a season-best 20 games over .500.
Sources: CBS Sports
Wilyer Abreu and Wilson Contreras Hit Back-to-Back Eighth-Inning Homers to Lift Red Sox Over Athletics
Boston rallied from behind with back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Athletics on Thursday night. Wilyer Abreu launched his 16th homer of the season to tie the game, and Wilson Contreras followed immediately with his 23rd home run to give the Red Sox the lead they would not relinquish. Ceddanne Rafaela added two hits and two RBIs to support the offense. The comeback extended Boston’s pattern of late-game resilience — the Red Sox have now come from behind in eight of their last 12 victories. Boston improves to 56–51 in the AL East while the Athletics fall to 45–63.
Roki Sasaki Delivers Six Strong Innings as Dodgers Defeat Mariners; Los Angeles Improves to 68–40
Los Angeles extended its grip on the best record in baseball with a convincing win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Roki Sasaki delivered a strong outing, allowing two runs over six innings before three relievers closed things out. The Mariners managed little against the Los Angeles staff as the Dodgers continued their relentless march toward the postseason. Los Angeles improves to 68–40, maintaining an 11.5-game NL West advantage over Arizona. Seattle, now 53–56, falls 2.5 games behind Texas in the AL West with the August 3 trade deadline less than a week away.
Sources: CBS Sports
Luis Robert Jr. Delivers Go-Ahead Two-Run Single in Eighth as Mets Top Marlins, 4–2
New York found another way to win Thursday as Luis Robert Jr. delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning to lift the Mets over Miami 4–2. Robert, just 4-for-29 since returning from a three-month injured list stay on July 20, came through after Bo Bichette doubled and Carson Benge singled and stole second. Nolan McLean was sharp, allowing two runs over six-plus innings with six strikeouts — his 10th start in 11 outings with two earned runs or fewer. Francisco Lindor had an RBI single in the sixth. New York has won four of five and snapped Miami’s three-game winning streak.
Sources: NBC Sports
Alex Bregman Leads Cubs to Extra-Inning Victory Over Cardinals in Key NL Central Matchup
Alex Bregman led the way as the Chicago Cubs outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings in St. Louis on Thursday night, extending their hold on second place in the NL Central. The Cubs entered the game six games behind Milwaukee in a crucial divisional series. Bregman delivered when it mattered most to help Chicago avoid a costly divisional loss. The Cubs, at 61–47, continue to pursue the Brewers in the NL Central. St. Louis fell to 54–54, slipping further from postseason contention as the August 3 trade deadline approaches and the Cardinals face key roster decisions.
Sources: CBS Sports, NBC Sports
Mets Deal Left-Hander A.J. Minter to Twins in Early Move Ahead of August 3 Deadline
The New York Mets sent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in a deal announced ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. The Twins, who earlier that evening had staged a dramatic ninth-inning walk-off to beat Kansas City, added a veteran bullpen arm to aid their playoff push. Minter gives Minnesota an experienced left-hander as the Twins chase the AL Central leaders. The move, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by MLB.com, represents one of the early transactions in what promises to be a busy week before August 3. The Mets, sitting at 46–63, continue to position themselves as sellers.
With August 3 Deadline Days Away, Buyers and Sellers Across MLB Shift Into Gear
The August 3 trade deadline is just days away, and teams across both leagues are scrambling to complete deals before the cutoff. The New York Mets have already moved reliever A.J. Minter to Minnesota, signaling an aggressive sell-off from one of the NL’s most struggling clubs. With tight races in the AL East and AL Central, buyer demand is high for proven arms and position players. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central at 67–41 and figure to be aggressive buyers. Meanwhile, the Athletics and Cardinals are among the teams expected to shed veterans for prospect capital as franchises reshape their rosters for the future.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay — 64–44, —
2. NY Yankees — 61–47, 3.0 GB
3. Boston — 56–51, 7.5 GB
4. Baltimore — 53–56, 11.5 GB
5. Toronto — 50–59, 14.5 GB
AL Central
1. Chi. White Sox — 56–51, —
2. Cleveland — 56–54, 1.5 GB
3. Minnesota — 54–55, 3.0 GB
4. Detroit — 51–58, 6.0 GB
5. Kansas City — 46–63, 11.0 GB
AL West
1. Texas — 55–53, —
2. Houston — 55–55, 1.0 GB
3. Seattle — 53–56, 2.5 GB
4. Athletics — 45–63, 10.0 GB
5. LA Angels — 42–67, 13.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta — 63–45, —
2. Philadelphia — 57–52, 6.5 GB
3. Washington — 55–54, 8.5 GB
4. Miami — 55–54, 8.5 GB
5. NY Mets — 46–63, 17.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee — 67–41, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 61–47, 6.0 GB
3. Pittsburgh — 55–54, 12.5 GB
4. St. Louis — 54–54, 13.0 GB
5. Cincinnati — 50–57, 16.5 GB
NL West
1. LA Dodgers — 68–40, —
2. Arizona — 57–52, 11.5 GB
3. San Diego — 55–53, 13.0 GB
4. San Francisco — 46–62, 22.0 GB
5. Colorado — 42–67, 26.5 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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