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Dominic Smith capped a three-run third inning with a two-RBI double and Robbie Ray became the National League's first eight-game winner as the San Francisco Giants salvaged a four-game home split against the San Diego Padres with a 3-2 victory on Thursday afternoon.
Making his second appearance for the Giants after signing as an in-season free agent, Smith had three of San Francisco's six hits, including the biggest with two on and two out in the third.
Down 2-0 after a Manny Machado home run in the top of the inning, the Giants did all their scoring after Dylan Cease (1-5) struck out Daniel Johnson to lead off the third. Walks to Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee and a single by Matt Chapman loaded the bases for Willy Adames, whose sacrifice fly cut the home team's deficit in half.
Following a Chapman steal of second, Smith one-hopped the fence in center field with a ground-rule double, plating both baserunners and giving San Francisco the lead for good.
Coming off his only loss of the season, Ray (8-1) overcame a two-run third to go seven innings, during which he allowed just two runs and four hits while striking out nine against just one walk.
Randy Rodriguez worked a scoreless eighth before Camilo Doval stranded runners at second and third in the ninth by striking out Jake Cronenworth for his eighth save.
Hoping to record a third victory in the series after winning both Monday and Tuesday, the Padres got the jump on Ray when Machado launched his eighth home run of the season in the top of the third. The blast also scored Luis Arraez, who singled.
Arraez had to leave the game in the sixth inning after suffering an apparent leg injury while running to first base on a ground ball.
Cease wound up going five innings, striking out seven. He gave up three runs, five hits and three walks.
Chapman had two hits for the Giants, who gave themselves a shot at a series split with a 6-5 win on Wednesday night. All four games in the set were decided by one run.
Machado and Jose Iglesias collected two hits apiece for the Padres, who out-hit the Giants 7-6.
More must-reads:
- Mets fill need with trade for lefty Gregory Soto
- Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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Insider Says Royals Are Eyeing Phillies Outfielder Nick Castellanos in Trade
The Philadelphia Phillies will be buyers ahead of the trade deadline, but how much they are willing to give up to reshape this roster isn't clear. For the most part, contending teams ship out their prospects to add established players, and much of the conversation has been centered on who the Phillies should or should not trade away in potential deals. However, there's a chance Philadelphia could get creative. More News: Insider Confirms Phillies Have Interest in Star Guardians Outfielder Steven Kwan Trading players from their MLB roster could also net them a return, and according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post (subscription required), someone who could be of interest to the Kansas City Royals is Nick Castellanos. "The Royals are seeking an OF who hits. Kwan, Jarren Duran and Ramon Laureano would fit, and they might consider Nick Castellanos, if available," the insider reported. This was a surprising bit of information. More News: Phillies Seen as Best Fit for Red Sox All-Star Outfielder at MLB Trade Deadline It's not clear if the Phillies would trade Castellanos or not, and with the outfield issues they already have, moving their best hitter in that unit would be a surprising decision. Who they would get back might dictate their true interest, since Philadelphia could also search for additional outfielders on the trade market and use Castellanos to acquire a bullpen arm or two from the Royals. Still, it's hard to imagine something like this would get done. More News: Jesus Luzardo's Regression Has Been Huge Blow for Phillies' Rotation It's a major risk for the Phillies to ship out Castellanos despite his inconsistencies, especially since he's proven he can almost single-handedly win a playoff series for this team like he did against the Atlanta Braves during the 2023 NLDS. But with Kansas City looking to make a splash addition to their roster who will help boost their poor offensive output, then perhaps they do offer Philadelphia something they can't turn down. For more Phillies news, head over to Phillies On SI.
Dustin Rhodes Assigns Blame After Hulk Hogan’s Death
Following the shocking news of Hulk Hogan’s passing, wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, known to millions as Goldust in WWE, took to social media to share a deeply personal and provocative reaction: “Hospitals truly kill people. I really do mean that.” Rhodes’ blunt statement stunned many fans, but those who know his story saw the pain behind the words. His father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, passed away in 2015, aged 69, after a fall at home led to hospitalization for kidney failure. After his father's passing, Dustin shared a contemplative response on WWE's YouTube channel to discuss the legacy his father left behind. The news of Hogan's death comes just a month after reports suggested he was on his "deathbed" after undergoing a neck procedure back in May. Hogan's reps denied that was the case. In June, US Weekly reported that Hogan had also undergone a "pretty serious heart surgery and was doing well afterward." Dustin’s connection to his brother Cody Rhodes, now a top WWE superstar and face of the company’s next generation, is unbreakable. The Rhodes family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of pro wrestling history, and seeing another legend like Hogan pass has clearly hit close to home. While Goldust and Hulk Hogan never had a headline-grabbing rivalry, they did share the ring once. It occurred in WCW in 2000 when Dustin Rhodes matched up against Hogan. Although their paths didn’t often cross in the squared circle, Hogan and the Rhodes family were part of the same larger-than-life era that helped define pro wrestling for decades and catapult the sport into society's zeitgeist. Rhodes’ comment about hospitals might not sit well with everyone, but it speaks to a raw and honest pain felt by someone who has seen too many legends, both personal and professional, fade away in similar fashion. The sport of wrestling has endured more than its fair share of lives cut short. As tributes continue to pour in for Hogan, Rhodes’ reaction serves as a powerful, if somber, reminder of the real human emotions behind the wrestling personas.
Seattle Storm Get Big Boost for Sky Game Amid Unexpected Angel Reese News
The Seattle Storm are looking to make things right after Tuesday’s 87-63 blowout loss to Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. They get a chance to do so on Thursday when they return to action against the Chicago Sky in a road game at Wintrust Arena. The Storm got a big boost ahead of the Sky matchup, which comes in the form of seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins returning to action after a one-game absence. After registering the first triple-double in WNBA All-Star Game history on Saturday, Diggins was unable to suit up against Dallas on Tuesday due to personal reasons. The 5-foot-9 guard was not listed on Seattle’s injury report for the Sky game, though, which means that Diggins should be back in the starting lineup come Thursday. This is a crucial development for the Storm, who will be looking to improve on their 14-10 record. In 23 games played this season, Diggins has produced averages of 17.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 triples per game. Chicago Sky List Angel Reese as Questionable to Play Against the Seattle Storm While the Storm got some good news ahead of Thursday’s clash, the same cannot be said for the Sky. This is after two-time All-Star forward Angel Reese was added to the injury report with a back problem. The silver lining is that Reese, who missed Chicago’s last game before the All-Star break with a leg injury, is listed as questionable to play, which means that there’s still a chance that she’s able to suit up against Seattle. Reese looked fine on Tuesday as Chicago suffered a 91-68 blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx, posting an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. It is unclear exactly when Reese sustained the injury, but it has now placed her status against Seattle in jeopardy. It is worth noting that Michaela Onyenwere (knee) and Ariel Atkins (leg) have also been ruled out for the Storm game, as they continue to recover from respective injuries. This only means that Chicago will be significantly shorthanded on Thursday, especially if Reese also ends up sitting out.
Packers make sneaky move by grabbing 49ers castoff who could make things interesting in key offensive room
The Green Bay Packers are adding one extra offensive piece to the roster. On Friday, the team claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. He had been waived by the Niners, where he spent seven months, on Thursday. Abanikanda played college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted in the 2023 fifth round by the New York Jets. He was cut by the Jets last December and claimed by the 49ers right thereafter. Because his original rookie contract has never been terminated, he is now under control of the Packers through 2026. The running back only had playing time in regular season games during his rookie season. Abanikanda appeared in six games, with 22 carries for 70 yards (3.2 yards per attempt), plus seven receptions in 11 targets for 43 yards. In 2023, he played 7% of the offensive snaps and 1% of the special teams snaps for the Jets. Since Israel Abanikanda played for Nathaniel Hackett and Kyle Shanahan, he has a fairly decent understanding of the Green Bay Packers' offensive scheme under Matt LaFleur, which will help his transition throughout training camp. Profile Back in 2023, Abanikanda was projected as a third/fourth-round prospect by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. His one-cut ability, important for LaFleur's offensive style, was highlighted on his draft report. "A zone-scheme runner with early down size, Abanikanda can be a bit inconsistent with his reads and tempo early in the run. However, he has plant-and-go agility and is able to snap off cuts at tight angles to elude short-area traffic when needed. He has terrific top-end speed to gash a poorly fitted run front, but he needs to run with better discipline and downhill decisiveness to stay ahead of NFL speed. Abanikanda isn't much of a third down option, but he does have the size and talent to compete for a RB2/3 slot early on with a chance to move up the depth chart in time." — Lance Zierlein. Depth The Packers are relatively short at running back because undrafted rookie Amar Johnson started camp in the active/non-football injury list. He can be activated at any time, but it makes sense to add one more option to the backfield meanwhile. The top of the depth chart has Josh Jacobs, last year's third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd, and holdovers Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Most likely also competing for a practice squad spot is another undrafted rookie, Jalen White. Green Bay already had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is necessary. The Packers have already had three practices during camp. The next one is on Sunday. Green Bay's first preseason game happens on August 9, curiously against the Jets at Lambeau Field.
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