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Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the first inning to increase his major league-leading total to 41 as the host New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 on Saturday afternoon.
After reaching 40 homers for the third time in his career in the opening inning Friday, Judge blasted his 16th first-inning homer of the season on Saturday, tying the team record set by Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1927.
Judge gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead when he hammered an 0-1 pitch from Toronto's Jose Berrios (9-9) into the visiting bullpen beyond the left-center field fence. It was Judge's sixth homer in his past eight games and 38th of his career against the Blue Jays.
Trent Grisham and Anthony Volpe also hit two-run homers as the Yankees won for the sixth time in seven games following their 10-23 slide.
Gleyber Torres started after being pulled in Friday's 8-5 loss for not hustling and singled two batters before Volpe's homer put the Yankees ahead 6-1 in the fifth.
Judge drew an intentional walk with nobody on and two outs in the second and also walked in the seventh before scoring on Volpe's base hit. The slugger also singled in the eighth before Austin Wells hit a run-scoring single.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered in the first inning and went 3-for-3 against New York's Carlos Rodon (12-7). Guerrero also singled in the fourth and doubled in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.
Rodon allowed three runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. He convinced manager Aaron Boone to remain in the game and exited to a nice hand after Guerrero doubled to set up Alejandro Kirk's two-run single off Jake Cousins.
Cousins protected the three-run lead by retiring Spencer Horwitz and Ernie Clement. Luke Weaver got a called third strike on George Springer with a runner on to end the seventh that also resulted in Toronto starter Kevin Gausman getting ejected from the dugout by plate umpire Laz Diaz.
Tommy Kahnle fanned Guerrero and got a double play to end a scoreless eighth. Mark Leiter Jr. loaded the bases in the ninth before Clay Holmes struck out Springer to secure his 23rd save in 31 chances.
Berrios allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked three.
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Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Chargers, Cowboys Connected In Micah Parsons Trade Rumor
Micah Parsons officially requested a trade, and every single team in the league should have some interest in acquiring the superstar. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, Parsons is one of the best players at one of the game’s premier positions and, now entering his age-26 season, should have several years of elite play left in his tank. Players like this usually earn record-setting contracts, and Jerry Jones does not seem willing to hand out that kind of money. With this in mind, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Kay proposed a trade where the Cowboys will trade Micah Parsons to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and running back Najee Harris. “Parsons, meanwhile, would help L.A.’s already impressive defense be even better, potentially for longer,” Kay writes. “While the Chargers still have a high-profile pass-rusher in Khalil Mack, he’s 34 and set to play on a one-year deal. With $32 million in cap space, the Chargers could afford to make Parsons their long-term defensive star.” Chargers, Cowboys Connected In Micah Parsons Trade Rumor Micah Parsons may have requested a trade, but as of this posting, the Cowboys do not seem interested in granting his wish. This is par for the course with Jerry Jones, as the owner has a long, detailed history of drawing out these types of negotiations. He did it with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and history could be repeating itself with Parsons. However, for the sake of argument, let’s assume the Cowboys eventually decide to trade Micah Parsons. If this happens, they should be happy with this type of return. The Khalil Mack trade is the closest comparison to Parsons, and the Raiders parted ways with him and a 2020 second-round pick for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. This is roughly an equivalent value to what Kay offers in his article, so it’s easy to see Dallas pulling the trigger on this Micah Parsons trade. However, it would probably need to happen before the start of the regular season, as Najee Harris is a part of the deal. While he’s just a throw-in, the running back is currently playing on a one-year deal, and his value depreciates by the week. Would the Chargers Do This? Micah Parsons is a phenomenal player, but would the Chargers give up this much in a trade for one player? While we’ll never know for sure, the Chargers are the type of team that could make this risk. Head coach Jim Harbaugh brought this team to the playoffs last year, quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the game’s top talents, and the roster is loaded with talent. This team may be one piece away from a Super Bowl, and Parsons could take them to the next level. The Chargers have a strong team, but they need an influx of talent to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. A Micah Parsons trade could be the missing piece this team needs as they finally look to go on a deep playoff run for the first time since the Philip Rivers days.
Texas' Arch Manning has concern on OL after season-ending injury
Texas, the No. 1 team in the preseason coaches poll, has a big concern for its offensive line with a few weeks to go before it opens the season at Ohio State on Aug. 30. Per On Texas Football, right tackle Andre Cojoe suffered a season-ending injury. Per On3, the injury is believed to be a torn ACL. The third-year offensive tackle has played in four career games and was competing with Brandon Baker for the starting job on the right side. "Texas O-lineman Andre Cojoe suffered what’s feared to be a torn ACL, Inside Texas has learned," wrote Eric Nahlin of On3. "Cojoe was in competition with Brandon Baker for Texas’ right tackle role during preseason camp. Baker is set to win the starting job with Cojoe out for the season. The second-year offensive lineman played in eight games for the Longhorns in 2024, including against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. The loss of Cojoe is a big blow to the Longhorns' depth on the offensive line that is tasked with protecting quarterback Arch Manning. On3 projects true freshman Nick Brooks to become the swing tackle behind Baker and starting left tackle Trevor Goosby, a tall order for an 18-year-old in the SEC. Texas comes into the season with high expectations in Manning's first season as a full-time starter. How comfortable Manning is behind his offensive line will play a key role in how efficient the offense is. Texas ranked 118th in sacks given up in 2024 with 37. Those hits took a toll on Quinn Ewers, who played through injuries while leading the Longhorns to the CFP.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
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