Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, August 26, 2026
Cruz Ends Mason Miller’s Historic HR-less Streak in Pirates’ 1-0 Win
Oneil Cruz delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the baseball season Monday, hitting a solo home run off Mason Miller in the seventh inning to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 victory over San Diego. The blast ended an extraordinary streak for the dominant closer — Miller had not surrendered a home run in 73 consecutive appearances dating back to August 5, 2025, a span of nearly one full year. Cruz’s blast off starter Dylan Cease staked Pittsburgh to its only run; the Pirates bullpen held from there. San Diego managed just three hits all night against Pittsburgh’s pitching staff.
Alvarez’s Go-Ahead Triple Lifts Astros Over Yankees 9-7
Yordan Alvarez continued his MVP-caliber season Monday, lacing a go-ahead triple off reliever Brent Headrick in the eighth inning to propel Houston past New York 9-7 at Yankee Stadium. Alvarez, batting a major-league-leading .323 on the season, drove in two runs on the play, giving the Astros a lead they would not relinquish. Closer Josh Hader worked the ninth inning to record his 19th save. Houston trailed 7-6 entering the eighth before rallying. The victory keeps the Astros in the thick of the AL West race as the division remains remarkably tight heading into the final five weeks of the regular season.
Alonso Hits 31st Homer as Orioles Rout Cardinals 13-1
Pete Alonso put on a spectacular offensive display Monday, going 4-for-4 with a three-run home run, his 31st of the season, and four RBI as Baltimore routed St. Louis 13-1 to open a nine-game road trip. Alonso’s towering 435-foot blast came during an eight-run fifth inning that blew the game open. The first baseman has now reached base safely in 16 of his last 17 games, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League this summer. Baltimore sent 11 batters to the plate in that fifth inning, collecting five hits and capitalizing on three Cardinals errors.
Braves Edge Dodgers 4-3 as Glasnow Returns from IL
Tyler Glasnow made his return from the injured list Monday, delivering five solid innings with three earned runs and seven strikeouts as Atlanta edged Los Angeles 4-3 in a high-stakes divisional matchup. Glasnow, sidelined since late July with elbow inflammation, showed no apparent limitations in his comeback outing. Ozzie Albies provided the decisive blow with a go-ahead single in the seventh inning, and closer Raisel Iglesias secured his 28th save by working a clean ninth. The Braves maintain their grip on first place in the NL East while Los Angeles absorbed a rare home-series-opening loss heading into the critical late-season stretch.
Waldschmidt’s Pinch-Hit Walk-Off HR Lifts D-backs Over Cubs 5-4
Ryan Waldschmidt sent Arizona fans into a frenzy Monday, parking a two-run pinch-hit walk-off home run in the ninth inning to lift the Diamondbacks over the Cubs 5-4 in dramatic fashion. Waldschmidt, who entered as a pinch hitter with one out and a runner on first, drove a 2-1 pitch from Cubs reliever Julian Merryweather over the right-field wall to complete the comeback. Arizona had trailed 4-3 heading into the final frame. The victory is particularly meaningful for the surging D-backs, who remain just a half-game behind the Padres in the NL West wild-card race with a month left in the season.
Royals Extend Win Streak to Nine, Top Blue Jays 5-3
Kansas City extended its remarkable winning streak to nine games Monday, defeating Toronto 5-3 behind a strong outing from starter Seth Lugo, who threw five innings and allowed just one earned run. Salvador Perez provided the offensive spark, driving in two runs with a pair of hits including a key RBI double in the fourth inning. The Royals, who entered August looking like postseason longshots, have surged back into contention with their recent hot streak. Kansas City is now just 3.5 games behind the AL Wild Card leaders after this impressive run. The Blue Jays dropped to 64-69, falling further behind the playoff pace.
Blue Jays Place Shane Bieber on IL with Shoulder Inflammation
The Blue Jays placed right-hander Shane Bieber on the 15-day injured list Monday with right teres major inflammation, retroactive to August 21. The move deals another significant blow to Toronto’s already struggling rotation. Bieber, who signed a multi-year deal in the offseason, has been inconsistent this season, posting a 4.12 ERA in 22 starts. The teres major is a muscle in the shoulder region, and the inflammation designation raises questions about whether Bieber will return before season’s end. To fill the roster spot, the Blue Jays recalled right-hander Chad Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo. Bieber’s timeline for return remains unclear.
Ohtani Faces Live BP, Possible Return to Mound Next Week
Shohei Ohtani took a significant step toward returning to the mound Monday, throwing his first live batting practice session since undergoing knee surgery in early July. According to multiple reports, Ohtani faced live hitters at Dodger Stadium on August 22 and came through the session without incident. Dodgers officials indicated the two-way star could potentially return to pitching duties as early as next week if he continues progressing without setbacks. Ohtani last pitched on July 3 before the knee issue sidelined him. He has continued to serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter throughout his recovery, and his bat remains a centerpiece of Los Angeles’s lineup.
⚾ MLB Standings — August 25, 2026
Yankees 74-57 (-3.5)
Red Sox 73-59 (-5.0)
Orioles 64-68 (-14.0)
Blue Jays 64-69 (-14.5)
Guardians 67-66 (-2.5)
Twins 64-69 (-5.5)
Tigers 62-70 (-7.0)
Royals 59-74 (-10.5)
Rangers 66-67 (-0.5)
Mariners 64-69 (-2.5)
Athletics 52-81 (-14.5)
Angels 52-81 (-14.5)
Phillies 73-60 (-4.5)
Marlins 67-66 (-10.5)
Nationals 62-72 (-16.0)
Mets 60-72 (-17.0)
Cubs 76-57 (-5.5)
Cardinals 66-67 (-15.5)
Pirates 65-69 (-17.0)
Reds 62-71 (-19.5)
Padres 71-62 (-9.5)
D-backs 70-63 (-10.5)
Giants 54-78 (-26.0)
Rockies 51-81 (-29.0)
Source: MLB.com — Updated Aug 26, 2026 1:02 AM ET
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