July 13th, 2025

⚾ Headlines Around the League

Buxton Cycles on Bobblehead Day in Blowout Win

Cubs 5, Yankees 2 — Boyd Silences Bronx with All-Star-Caliber Gem

Red Sox 1, Rays 0 — Crochet Caps First Half With Dazzling Shutout, Extends Boston Streak to Nine

Short Delivers Walk-Off Knock as Houston Rallies in Extras

Mariners 15, Tigers 7 — Seattle Erupts Again to Take Statement Series in Detroit

Merrill Breaks Out With Two HRs in Clutch Win Over Wheeler

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting years for Byron Buxton to finally put it all together… I think it’s safe to say: he’s arrived.

Once the most hyped prospect in baseball, Buxton’s career has been derailed by injuries and untimely slumps, but the talent was never in question. We’ve seen glimpses in the past, but now that he’s finally healthy? Watching him play at this level has been nothing short of electric.

Check out what Buxton did today as the Twins stay right in the thick of the Wild Card race heading into the break.

🔥 Notable Performances

Hitting

Pitching

📊 Final Scores and Highlights

Twins 12, Pirates 4

On a sunny Saturday in Minneapolis, Byron Buxton gave Twins fans the perfect bobblehead day gift—hitting for the first cycle in Target Field history and leading Minnesota to a dominant 12-4 win over the Pirates.

🔑 Key Moments

• The Twins wasted no time, striking in the 2nd when Kody Clemens crushed a three-run homer to right, putting Minnesota up 3-0 early.

• Moments later, Byron Buxton roped a triple to center and came around to score on Willi Castro’s infield single as the crowd roared.

• In the 3rd, Buxton continued his tear with a run-scoring double, inching closer to a cycle before the game was even halfway through.

• Pittsburgh finally got on the board in the 5th when Jack Suwinski launched his first homer of the season to right-center, but it barely put a dent in the Twins' lead.

• In the 6th, Matt Wallner obliterated a solo homer to right-center that traveled 434 feet, adding more fuel to Minnesota’s offensive fire.

• Then came the moment—on an 0-2 curveball in the 7th, Buxton crushed a home run to straightaway center to complete the cycle in front of an electric Target Field crowd.

• Not to be outdone, Willi Castro followed Buxton’s blast with a homer of his own, capping a back-to-back power surge and a near-perfect offensive day.

📊 Notable Stats

Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton: 5-for-5, 2B, 3B, HR (21), 3 R, 2 RBI

• Willi Castro: 3-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI, BB

• Kody Clemens: 2-for-4, HR (12), 3 RBI

• Matt Wallner: 2-for-5, HR (10), RBI

• Travis Adams: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Jack Suwinski: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI

• Joey Bart: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI

• Nick Gonzales: 1-for-4, RBI

Cubs 5, Yankees 2

Matthew Boyd delivered his best start of the season at Yankee Stadium, tossing eight scoreless innings in a dominant performance that helped the Cubs bounce back after Friday's blowout loss.

🔑 Key Moments

• Nico Hoerner got the Cubs rolling right away with a leadoff triple in the top of the first, then scored on Kyle Tucker’s RBI groundout to give Chicago a quick lead.

• In the third, the Cubs tagged Max Fried for three more runs — including RBI hits from Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson — chasing the Yankees ace after just three innings.

• Matthew Boyd was surgical on the mound, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and needing just 85 pitches to work through eight shutout innings.

• In the top of the 8th, Carson Kelly provided extra insurance with a solo home run to left — his 12th of the year.

• The Yankees finally broke through in the 9th on a two-run homer from Aaron Judge, but it was too little, too late.

📊 Notable Stats

Chicago Cubs

• Matthew Boyd: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K (W, 9th consecutive start allowing 2 ER or fewer)

• Carson Kelly: 2-for-3, HR (12), 2 RBI, BB

• Nico Hoerner: 1-for-4, 3B, R, BB

• Ian Happ: 2-for-4, RBI

New York Yankees

• Aaron Judge: 3-for-4, HR (35), 2 RBI, 2 2B

• Cody Bellinger: 1-for-4, 2B, R

• Max Fried: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 2 K

Red Sox 1, Rays 0

Garrett Crochet fired his first career complete-game shutout, blanking the Rays on just 100 pitches as the surging Red Sox stretched their win streak to nine heading into the break.

🔑 Key Moments

• The only run of the game came in the 4th when Carlos Narváez laced a ground ball single to left, scoring Roman Anthony from second and giving Boston a 1-0 lead.

• Crochet’s command was masterful, tossing first-pitch strikes and navigating nine shutout innings with ruthless efficiency.

• His only moment of real trouble came in the 6th with runners on the corners and one out — but Abraham Toro made a barehanded grab on a bunt and fired home, where Narváez applied the tag to cut down Taylor Walls at the plate.

• Crochet ended the inning with a groundout, preserving the lead and sending Fenway into a roar.

• In the 9th, he struck out his ninth batter of the game to complete the three-hit shutout and seal his league-leading 160th strikeout of the season.

📊 Notable Stats

Boston Red Sox

• Garrett Crochet: 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K (1st career CG, MLB-best 160 K)

• Carlos Narváez: 1-for-3, RBI

• Roman Anthony: 1-for-3, R, 2B

• Trevor Story: 1-for-3, 2B

Tampa Bay Rays

• Shane Baz: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

• Curtis Mead: 1-for-3

• Taylor Walls: 1-for-3, thrown out at home in 6th

Astros 5, Rangers 4

The Astros overcame late-game heartbreak with a gritty comeback capped by Zack Short’s walk-off single in the 11th, snapping a four-game skid and delivering a statement win over the Rangers at Daikin Park.

🔑 Key Moments

• Jose Altuve got Houston on the board in the 1st with a solo shot to left-center, his 17th of the season, evening the game 1–1 after an early Rangers score.

• In the 4th, Yainer Díaz launched a 410-foot solo homer, and Mauricio Dubón added another in the 7th, giving the Astros a 3–1 lead heading to the 8th.

• But Houston’s top arms faltered late — Marcus Semien hit a two-out homer off Bryan Abreu in the 8th, and Kyle Higashioka tied it with a solo blast off Josh Hader in the 9th, snapping Hader’s 25-save streak.

• The Rangers jumped ahead in the 11th on Adolis García’s RBI single, but Houston answered. Cam Smith and Kenedy Corona walked to load the bases, and Christian Walker tied it with a sac fly.

• One batter later, Zack Short lined a single into right to bring home the winning run, sending the Astros pouring onto the field for a much-needed win.

📊 Notable Stats

Houston Astros

• Framber Valdez: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 10 K

• Jose Altuve: 2-for-4, HR (17), RBI

• Yainer Díaz: Solo HR (13)

• Mauricio Dubón: Solo HR (6), BB

• Zack Short: Walk-off RBI single (1-for-1)

• Bennett Sousa: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K (Win)

Texas Rangers

• Marcus Semien: 2-for-5, HR (11), 2 R

• Kyle Higashioka: Solo HR (4)

• Adolis García: 1-for-4, RBI, HBP

• Jacob deGrom: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K

• Robert Garcia: 1.0 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB

Mariners 15, Tigers 7

Just days removed from a crushing sweep in New York, the Mariners put together one of their best series of the season, torching the league-best Tigers for the second straight night to lock up a huge road series win.

🔑 Key Moments

• Dominic Canzone and J.P. Crawford opened the scoring with back-to-back RBI singles in the 2nd and 3rd, setting the tone early for Seattle’s offense.

• In the 3rd, Luke Raley crushed a three-run homer to right-center, extending the lead to 6–1 and chasing Tigers starter Casey Mize after just three innings.

• After Riley Greene brought Detroit back into it with a three-run homer in the 5th, Julio Rodríguez answered in the 6th with a 427-foot solo bomb.

• Randy Arozarena added a two-run shot in the 8th, and J.P. Crawford capped the night with a bases-clearing double in the 9th to complete Seattle’s 19-hit, 15-run onslaught.

• On the mound, George Kirby held the Tigers in check through five frames and earned the win despite Greene’s big swing.

📊 Notable Stats

Seattle Mariners

• Julio Rodríguez: 3-for-5, HR (13), 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB

• Randy Arozarena: 3-for-5, HR (16), 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP

• Luke Raley: 2-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI

• Ben Williamson: 3-for-5, 2 RBI

• J.P. Crawford: 2-for-6, 2B, 4 RBI

• George Kirby: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 6 K, Win (4–4)

Detroit Tigers

• Riley Greene: 1-for-3, HR (23), 4 RBI

• Zach McKinstry: 1-for-3, HR (8), 2 RBI

• Gleyber Torres: 3-for-5, 2 2B, R

• Casey Mize: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 4 K, Loss (9–3)

Padres 5, Phillies 4

Jackson Merrill snapped out of his worst slump at the perfect time, launching two game-tying home runs off Zack Wheeler to lead the Padres past the Phillies at Petco Park. The rookie’s breakout performance came just days before the All-Star break and helped San Diego overcome early defensive miscues and a short bullpen.

🔑 Key Moments

• After a throwing error by Yu Darvish gifted the Phillies a 2–0 lead in the 2nd, Jackson Merrill responded with a two-run homer to left-center, his first long ball since May 27, tying the game at 2–2.

• Later in the inning, Martín Maldonado added a clutch two-out RBI single to put the Padres ahead 3–2.

• A defensive miscue in the 5th—this time from Gavin Sheets—allowed Edmundo Sosa to drive in two runs and flip the game back in Philadelphia’s favor at 4–3.

• Merrill struck again in the 6th, launching his second homer of the night, a solo shot to right-center off Wheeler to even the game at 4–4.

• In the 7th, Manny Machado delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly to plate Luis Arraez, giving San Diego a 5–4 edge they wouldn’t relinquish.

• With the Padres' high-leverage relievers taxed from the previous two games, Jeremiah Estrada stepped up with a perfect 9th inning, retiring Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper in order to secure the win.

📊 Notable Stats

San Diego Padres

• Jackson Merrill: 2-for-4, 2 HR (6, 7), 2 R, 3 RBI

• Martín Maldonado: 1-for-3, RBI

• Manny Machado: Sac fly (7th inning go-ahead RBI)

• Jake Cronenworth: 1-for-4, R

• Yu Darvish: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

• Padres Bullpen: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 K (Win: Hoeing, Save: Estrada)

Philadelphia Phillies

• Edmundo Sosa: 1-for-2, 2 RBI

• J.T. Realmuto: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI

• Nick Castellanos: 1-for-4, R

• Zack Wheeler: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 HR allowed

Other scores around the league:

Braves 7, Cardinals 6
J. Wentz: 3.0 IP, 6 SO, 1 BB
R. Iglesias: 1.0 IP, 1 SO

Dodgers 2, Giants 1
E. Sheehan: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 SO, 3 BB
T. Scott: 1.0 IP, 2 SO

Marlins 6, Orioles 0
J. Junk: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 SO
T. Rogers: 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8 SO, 2 BB

Guardians 6, White Sox 2
T. Bibee: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 SO, 2 BB
J. Ramirez: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

Reds 4, Rockies 3
B. Singer: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 9 SO, 1 BB
E. Pagan: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 1 BB

Mets 3, Royals 1
F. Montas: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 SO
E. Diaz: 2.0 IP, 1 SO, 1 BB

Brewers 6, Nationals 5
B. House: 3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
B. Woodruff: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 10 SO

Angels 10, Diamondbacks 5
Y. Kikuchi: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 SO, 1 BB
E. Suarez: 2-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI

Athletics 4, Blue Jays 3
J. Lopez: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 SO, 2 BB
B. Rooker: 2-2, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

⚾ Must-Watch Games Today

🧨 Rays (50–46) at Red Sox (52–45)
🕐 1:35 PM ET
Ryan Pepiot (6–6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Brayan Bello (5–3, 3.27 ERA)
Boston goes for 10 straight with Bello toeing the rubber at Fenway.

🗽 Cubs (56–39) at Yankees (53–42)
🕐 1:35 PM ET
Shota Imanaga (5–3, 2.80 ERA) vs. Will Warren (6–4, 4.70 ERA)

💣 Phillies (54–41) at Padres (52–43)
🕓 4:10 PM ET
Cristopher Sánchez (7–2, 2.59 ERA) vs. Nick Pivetta (9–2, 3.07 ERA)

⚾ Dodgers (57–39) at Giants (52–44)
🕓 4:05 PM ET
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8–7, 2.77 ERA) vs. Robbie Ray (9–3, 2.63 ERA)

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