July 29th, 2025

MLB Recap: Padres walk off, Twins win on a rain-delayed rally, and Yelich stays hot. A full breakdown of the best games, trades, and notable stats from Monday.

⚾ Headlines Around the League

IconTatis’ Unreal Robbery and Díaz’s Walk-Off Lift San Diego in Thriller vs Mets

IconBrooks Lee Delivers Walk-Off as Twins Outlast Red Sox in Wild Finish

IconDodgers 5, Reds 2 — Top of the Order Ignites as Dodgers Down Reds Behind Yamamoto

IconRays Ride Caminero’s First-Inning Homer to Victory at Yankee Stadium

IconBrewers 8, Cubs 4 — Yelich, Vaughn Power Comeback After Misiorowski's Wild Start

As some of you know, I’m a huge movie buff but I’ve been struggling to find time to sit down and watch Happy Gilmore 2. If you’ve seen it, hit me with a quick reply and let me know if it’s worth it.

At this rate, with the way the Giants are playing, I might have plenty of free time this week 😬

In terms of actual good baseball, a fantastic game went down last night between the Mets and Padres. Definitely must-watch material and a potential playoff preview.

I won’t spoil it all, but Tatis Jr. made one of the most ridiculous plays of the season to save the game in the moment. And Mark Vientos came up clutch with a huge homer late.

Check out the full highlights, you won’t be disappointed.

Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, one of the greatest second basemen in MLB history and a beloved Chicago Cubs icon, passed away Monday at age 65 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star, 9-time Gold Glove winner, and the 1984 NL MVP, eventually earning Hall of Fame induction in 2005.

MLB put together a wonderful and touching tribute video linked here. RIP to a legend of the game.

Trade Updates:

Tigers acquire RHP Chris Paddack and RHP Randy Dobnak from Twins
Detroit adds rotation depth by picking up Chris Paddack (4.95 ERA over 21 starts) and Randy Dobnak. In return, they sent catching prospect Enrique Jimenez (No. 14 in their system) to Minnesota.

Yesterday I said the Tigers were likely holding strong but I think the news of Reese Olson being out for the year pushed this trade. Paddack is what he is at this point in his career. Not a needle mover but might be able to give you a couple quality starts down the stretch.

Brewers acquire C Danny Jansen from Rays
With William Contreras battling injury and inconsistency, Milwaukee traded for veteran catcher Danny Jansen. The Rays receive INF Jadher Areinamo, Milwaukee’s No. 24 prospect.

I love this trade for what it is worth.

Braves acquire RHP Carlos Carrasco from Yankees
The Braves added veteran depth to their rotation by acquiring Carlos Carrasco from New York. The return is either a player to be named later or cash considerations.

🔥 Notable Performances

Hitting

Player (Team)H/ABRHRRBISB
Austin Riley (ATL)2/61140
Mark Vientos (NYM)2/41140
Alex Bregman (BOS)2/51130
Christian Yelich (MIL)2/42130
Masyn Winn (STL)3/41030
Ramon Laureano (BAL)2/41130
Colson Montgomery (CHW)2/41130
Tyler Freeman (COL)2/41030
Bo Naylor (CLE)1/11130
Shohei Ohtani (LAD)1/31020
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)2/41120
Bryce Harper (PHI)2/40020
Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)2/42120
Luis Arraez (SD)2/51120
Junior Caminero (TB)1/51120
Adley Rutschman (BAL)3/52020

Pitching

Player (Team)IPHERBBK
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)7.04129
Luis Castillo (SEA)7.05104
Slade Cecconi (CLE)7.06323
Andre Pallante (STL)7.01014
Troy Melton (DET)7.05005
Cristopher Sanchez (PHI)6.27415
Framber Valdez (HOU)6.031212
Edward Cabrera (MIA)6.04134
Bradley Blalock (COL)6.06007

📊 Final Scores and Highlights

Padres 7, Mets 6

A would-be home run, a five-run rally, and a ninth-inning walk-off — the Padres and Mets traded blows in a playoff-like battle, but it was San Diego who landed the final punch. Fernando Tatis Jr. stole a two-run homer in the 4th, then Elias Díaz sealed it with a walk-off single as Petco Park erupted.

🔑 Key Moments

  • In the top of the 5th, Mark Vientos crushed a grand slam to give the Mets a commanding 5-1 lead — his second big fly after having one robbed an inning earlier.

  • Luis Arraez answered in the bottom half with a two-run homer to right, jump-starting a five-run Padres comeback.

  • Later that inning, Elias Díaz capped the rally with an RBI single to give San Diego a 6-5 lead.

  • In the top of the 9th, Ronny Mauricio tied the game with a solo homer off Robert Suarez, keeping the Mets alive.

  • Fernando Tatis Jr. made the play of the night in the 4th — leaping over the wall in right to take away a two-run shot from Vientos, a jaw-dropping grab that preserved a 1-1 tie at the time.

  • In the bottom of the 9th, Elias Díaz delivered again, ripping a walk-off single to left to score Jose Iglesias and win it for the Padres.

📊 Notable Stats

Padres

  • Elias Díaz: 2-for-5, 2 RBI (including walk-off single)

  • Luis Arraez: 2-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI

  • Xander Bogaerts: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI

  • Dylan Cease: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 9 K

Mets

  • Mark Vientos: 2-for-4, Grand Slam (7), 4 RBI

  • Ronny Mauricio: 1-for-4, HR (6), game-tying RBI in 9th

  • Francisco Lindor: 2-for-5, 2B

  • Frankie Montas: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Twins 5, Red Sox 4

Despite trading away Chris Paddack and missing key players, the Twins rallied twice—then walked it off after a 90-minute ninth-inning delay for an emotional win in the series opener.

🔑 Key Moments

  • Keirsey jumps ahead early — Called on to start for the injured Buxton, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. crushed a two-run homer in the 3rd to give Minnesota the early lead.

  • Bregman flips the game with one swing — The Red Sox surged ahead in the 5th on Alex Bregman’s three-run blast to center, putting Boston up 3–2.

  • Vázquez gets one back — Christian Vázquez evened the game at 3 with a sacrifice fly in the 6th, plating Royce Lewis to reset the tone.

  • Boston stuns late, rain halts play — Roman Anthony’s RBI single off Jhoan Duran in the top of the 9th gave the Red Sox a 4–3 lead, moments before heavy rain forced a 90-minute delay.

  • Keirsey starts it, Lee ends it — After the delay, Keirsey opened the bottom of the 9th with a single, followed by two hit batters. Brooks Lee delivered the decisive blow, slapping a walk-off two-run single into left to win it.

📊 Notable Stats

Twins

  • DaShawn Keirsey Jr.: 2-for-4, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI

  • Brooks Lee: 1-for-2, 2 RBI (Walk-off single)

  • Simeon Woods Richardson: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 K

Red Sox

  • Alex Bregman: 2-for-5, HR (14), 3 RBI

  • Roman Anthony: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 BB

  • Wilyer Abreu: 3-for-4, 2B

Dodgers 5, Reds 2

The Dodgers finally put it all together in Cincinnati — strong starting pitching, timely hits, and contributions throughout the lineup fueled a complete 5-2 win over the Reds to open the series at Great American Ball Park.

🔑 Key Moments

  • In the 1st, Mookie Betts got things going with a leadoff walk and came around to score on Teoscar Hernández’s RBI single to give LA an early edge.

  • Gavin Lux responded with an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto limited the damage and locked in from there.

  • In the 5th, Shohei Ohtani ripped a two-run double to center, scoring Betts and Miguel Rojas to break a 1–1 tie.

  • Teoscar Hernández added his second RBI single in the 7th, cashing in another Mookie Betts run to make it 4–1.

  • After Blake Treinen loaded the bases in the 9th, rookie Jack Dreyer stepped in to record the final out and preserve the win.

📊 Notable Stats

Dodgers

  • Shohei Ohtani: 1-for-3, 2B (13), 2 RBI, 2 BB

  • Mookie Betts: 2-for-4, 2B (15), 3 R, BB, SB (7)

  • Teoscar Hernández: 2-for-5, 2 RBI

  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Reds

  • Will Benson: 1-for-4, RBI

  • Gavin Lux: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB

  • Chase Burns: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

Rays 4, Yankees 2

With the Rays making moves off the field, Junior Caminero made the loudest statement on it — launching a towering two-run homer in the first to spark Tampa Bay’s 4–2 win over the Yankees in the Bronx.

🔑 Key Moments

  • Just minutes after trade news broke, Junior Caminero blasted his 27th homer of the season — a towering two-run shot to left-center to give the Rays an early lead in front of his family.

  • The Yankees rallied in the bottom of the 1st with a bases-loaded walk by Ryan McMahon to tie it 2–2, but Drew Rasmussen limited the damage and settled in.

  • In the 5th, Josh Lowe broke the tie with a line-drive RBI single to center, plating Yandy Díaz and putting Tampa Bay back in front.

  • The Rays threatened again in the 7th with a double by Jonathan Aranda, but the Yankees escaped without further damage.

  • Jonny DeLuca sealed the win in the 9th with a running catch in center, helping the Rays snap out of a July slump and move back above .500.

📊 Notable Stats

Rays

  • Junior Caminero: 1-for-5, HR (27), 2 RBI

  • Josh Lowe: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, SB (7)

  • Jonathan Aranda: 2-for-4, 2B (22), R

  • Drew Rasmussen: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Yankees

  • Jasson Domínguez: 2-for-3, R

  • Ryan McMahon: 1-for-3, BB, RBI

  • Cam Schlittler: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

Brewers 8, Cubs 4

Jacob Misiorowski weathered a 40-pitch, error-filled first inning in his first rivalry start, and the Brewers stormed back with power and poise to top the Cubs and take sole possession of first place in the NL.

🔑 Key Moments

  • Misiorowski’s debut vs. the Cubs got off to a nightmare start — a wild pitch scored one, then his throwing error on an infield tapper allowed two more runs to cross in a 40-pitch, three-run first.

  • Undeterred, Misiorowski bounced back to retire 10 straight and gave Milwaukee a fighting chance, showing toughness and grit on the mound.

  • The Brewers roared back in the 3rd with a four-run rally — Yelich got it going with an RBI double, followed by Isaac Collins’ clutch 2-run single and Brice Turang’s sac fly to give Milwaukee the lead.

  • Solo homers from Andrew Vaughn in the 5th and Sal Frelick in the 6th padded the cushion, turning the tide in front of a sellout crowd.

  • Yelich capped his three-RBI night with a two-run blast in the 7th that ricocheted twice off the top of the wall and sealed the game for good.

📊 Notable Stats

Brewers

  • Christian Yelich: 2-for-4, 2B, HR (20), 3 RBI, 2 R

  • Isaac Collins: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

  • Andrew Vaughn: 1-for-3, HR (9), 2 R

  • Jacob Misiorowski: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 7 K

Cubs

  • Michael Busch: 2-for-3, R

  • Kyle Tucker: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB

  • Ian Happ: 1-for-4, RBI

  • Matthew Boyd: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 5 BB

Other scores around the league:

Orioles 11, Blue Jays 4
C. Martin: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO
C. Mullins: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Tigers 5, Diamondbacks 1
T. Melton: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 SO
D. Dingler: 3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Braves 10, Royals 7
S. Strider: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 SO, 2 BB
A. Riley: 2-6, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI

White Sox 6, Phillies 2
D. Martin: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 7 SO, 3 BB
C. Montgomery: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Cardinals 7, Marlins 1
A. Pallante: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 4 SO, 1 BB
E. Cabrera: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 SO, 3 BB

Nationals 2, Astros 1
F. Valdez: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 12 SO, 2 BB
B. Lord: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB

Rockies 8, Guardians 6
B. Blalock: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 7 SO
S. Cecconi: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 SO, 2 BB

Angels 6, Rangers 4
K. Jansen: 1.1 IP, 1 SO
L. Rengifo: 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Pirates 6, Giants 5

Editor’s Note: Giants should just sell the whole team at this point. Can’t beat anyone good, can’t beat anyone bad, who knows what tomorrow will bring 🙃 

Y. Ramirez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 2 BB
W. Adames: 3-5, 1 R, 2 RBI

Mariners 3, Athletics 1
L. Castillo: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 SO
J. Naylor: 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Other scores around the league:

⚾ Must-Watch Games Today

🔵 Cubs (62‑44) @ Brewers (63‑43)

🕖 7:40 PM ET | 📺 Marquee, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, FOX-6
Colin Rea (8‑4, 4.06 ERA) vs. Quinn Priester (9‑2, 3.28 ERA)
As you all know I am a huge believer in Quinn Priester, I think he does a lot of things extremely well. Big test today vs the Cubs

🧢 Rays (54‑53) @ Yankees (57‑49)

🕖 7:05 PM ET | 📺 FanDuel Sports Network Sun, YES, TBS
Joe Boyle (1‑0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Max Fried (11‑4, 2.62 ERA)
Fantastic pitching match up here. Curious to see how Joe Boyle does as he moves to the starting rotation.

🍎 Mets (62‑45) @ Padres (58‑49)

🕘 9:40 PM ET | 📺 SNY, Padres TV, MLBN
Sean Manaea (1‑1, 2.19 ERA) vs. Ryan Bergert (1‑0, 2.84 ERA)

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