Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Ohtani Homer, Freeman Injury Scare Can’t Stop Dodgers in Sweep of Royals
Shohei Ohtani smashed his 27th home run of the season — a two-run blast off Lynch IV in the third inning — as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the visiting Kansas City Royals 4-2 Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, completing a series sweep. Mookie Betts and Feduccia added solo shots, while starter Lauer worked 6.1 innings, allowing four hits. The victory was Los Angeles’s fourth in five games after a seven-game losing streak. The game carried a notable injury scare: Freddie Freeman fell down the dugout stairs and was replaced by Tommy Edman as a pinch-hitter in the contest.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Castillo Dominates with Season-High 10 Strikeouts in White Sox Shutout of Reds
Luis Castillo was virtually unhittable Wednesday, working seven innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out 10 batters — a season high — while generating 22 swings and misses as the Chicago White Sox blanked the Cincinnati Reds 5-0. Meidroth, returning from a wrist injury, went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two RBI in what proved a pivotal offensive contribution. Romo added a solo home run. The shutout victory kept Chicago atop the tight American League Central as the White Sox continued pressing their case in the second-half playoff race.
Grisham Blasts Two Home Runs as Yankees Roll Past Mariners 10-5
Trent Grisham delivered a standout leadoff performance Wednesday, blasting two home runs and adding a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning for four RBI total, as the New York Yankees routed the Seattle Mariners 10-5 at Yankee Stadium. The victory was New York’s first double-digit-run game since July 9. Rookie Jones contributed three RBI in his second career start batting third in the lineup. The Mariners dropped their sixth consecutive game and fell nine games below .500, continuing a troubling second-half fade that has all but ended their AL West playoff hopes.
Sources: CBS Sports, MLB.com
Allen’s Sac Fly, Hader’s 17th Save Send Astros Past Giants 2-1
Nick Allen provided the decisive blow with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, lifting the Houston Astros to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday to close out their road trip. Reliever Okert, who improved to 6-1, worked 1.1 hitless innings to bridge the game. Closer Josh Hader then earned his 17th save of the season — converting all 17 of his opportunities with a 0.96 ERA. Houston wrapped up a 3-3 road trip and begins a nine-game homestand, while San Francisco dropped to 49-71.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Blue Jays Erupt for Five Runs in Eighth to Sink Red Sox, Extend Skid to Five
The Toronto Blue Jays erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to overcome a 4-1 deficit and defeat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 Wednesday, extending Boston’s losing streak to five consecutive games. Okamoto delivered the go-ahead RBI single to start the rally, with Clement following with an RBI single and Straw capping the surge with a two-run double. The Jays’ Soriano pitched effectively through the early innings before the bullpen closed it out. Toronto improved to 58-63 while the skidding Red Sox fell to 64-55 during a difficult stretch of play.
Sources: CBS Sports, NBC Sports
Trout’s Three Hits, Klassen’s First Win Power Angels Over Rangers 5-2
Mike Trout collected three hits and two RBI, Klassen earned his first major league victory with six innings of two-run ball, and Jorge Siri delivered a pinch-hit RBI double in a decisive three-run sixth inning as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 Wednesday in Arlington. Matt Joyce recorded his fifth career save — and his first since Sept. 1, 2024 — to close out the win. Texas, which had been tied with Houston atop the AL West, fell to 60-60 and dropped 1.5 games behind the Astros in the division race.
Sources: CBS Sports, NBC Sports
Twins Rally Past Orioles 7-5, Creep to Within One Game of AL Wild Card
The Minnesota Twins rallied from a 4-1 deficit Wednesday, getting a go-ahead double from Roden and RBI contributions from seven different players en route to a 7-5 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Starter Matthews, now 6-8, delivered five innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. The win moved the Twins to 60-61 and within one game of the Texas Rangers for the final American League wild card berth with the stretch run approaching. Baltimore, which lost its second straight, fell to 57-63 and has dropped further back in the playoff race.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Burleson Drives In Three as Cardinals Rout Wheeler, Phillies 7-1
Burleson drove in three runs, including a two-run double during a four-run fifth inning against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, as the St. Louis Cardinals routed Philadelphia 7-1 Wednesday. Cardinals starter Leahy was sharp, delivering five innings of one-run ball and striking out six without walking a batter. The victory moved St. Louis to 60-60, giving the Cardinals their first winning-record tie in recent weeks while keeping them alive in the NL wild card race. Wheeler absorbed four runs in the decisive fifth inning as Philadelphia dropped to 64-57.
Sources: CBS Sports, SI
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 72–46, —
2. New York Yankees — 67–52, 5.5 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 64–55, 8.5 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 58–63, 15.5 GB
5. Baltimore Orioles — 57–63, 16.0 GB
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 62–56, —
2. Minnesota Twins — 60–61, 3.5 GB
3. Detroit Tigers — 58–60, 4.0 GB
4. Cleveland Guardians — 58–61, 4.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 49–72, 14.5 GB
AL West
1. Houston Astros — 62–59, —
2. Texas Rangers — 60–60, 1.5 GB
3. Seattle Mariners — 56–64, 5.5 GB
4. Athletics — 47–72, 14.0 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 46–74, 15.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 71–48, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 64–57, 8.0 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 60–59, 11.0 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 59–61, 12.5 GB
5. New York Mets — 53–67, 18.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 74–45, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 69–50, 5.0 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 60–60, 14.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 58–62, 16.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 56–62, 17.5 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 72–48, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 64–56, 8.0 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 63–57, 9.0 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 49–71, 23.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 46–73, 25.5 GB
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