MLB Clinchers & The Final Woj Bomb

09/19/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning!

Wednesday took us to the diamond and the pitch for highlights. The Yankees and Brewers clinched, Shohei Ohtani swiped his 49th bag, and the Padres had a home run derby in the 8th inning. Plus, the early UCL matches are now three-day blocks (more matches today), and a longtime ESPN reporter dropped one final “Woj Bomb.” Catch your breath. Tonight’s Week 3 kickoff is an age-old AFC East rivalry with new-look QBs (Patriots at Jets, 8:15 pm ET).

Programming: Our primary writer, Jeff, is out today and tomorrow. Aaron Yorke and Marissa Kasch will pinch-hit to finish the week. Enjoy.

Letter Rip!

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MLB

Padres Blast 3-Straight HRs to Blow Up Pitcher’s Duel

San Diego Turned the Game Into a Home Run Derby in the 8th Inning

In a battle between two clubs closing in on tickets to October, the Padres came out on top 4-0 thanks to three straight solo shots by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Donovan Solano in the bottom of the 8th inning. Machado also homered in the 6th, and that was the only score that San Diego really needed thanks to starting pitcher Dylan Cease. His brilliant work allowed the Padres to come away with a big win even though Framber Valdez was dealing for Houston. The southpaw let up only Machado’s first home run in his seven innings, but Cease kept his opponents off the scoreboard entirely and worked into the 9th inning with just two hits allowed, zero walks, and five strikeouts. The Padres are now four and a half games clear in the National League Wild Card race, while Houston leads Seattle by the same margin in the American League West.

Watch: Padres Defeat Astros with Four Solo Home Runs

MLB Quick-Hitters

Brewers Clinch NL Central: Brewers def. Phillies (2-1)

Yankees Clinch AL East: Yankees def. Mariners (2-1, 10 Innings)

Josh Naylor Hits 2 HR in Walk-Off Win: Guardians def. Twins (5-4, 10 innings)

Ohtani Steals 49th Base: Dodgers def. Marlins (8-4)

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

PSG Sneaks Past Girona

*Photo: Soccrates Images / Getty Images*

Matchday 1, Continued: Champions League Newcomer Girona Denied a Point by a Late Own Goal

Well, technically it was an own goal credited to Girona keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but it did come from a shot off the foot of Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes. Either way, that’s not what you want when you’re in the 90th minute and trying to hang onto a draw against a French powerhouse. Despite some great chances for PSG in the second half, Girona was minutes away from coming away with a point until Mendes took a bad-angle shot that he may have been intending to bounce off the keeper or possibly as a pass to a teammate approaching the net. Gazzaniga was in perfect position to field the ground ball, but it somehow squirted through both his arms and legs and into the net. PSG avoided disappointment with a 1-0 victory in the UCL opener, while Girona will have to wait a little while longer to record its first Champions League point.

Watch: PSG Wins UCL Opener in 90th Minute

Other UCL Highlights

Borussia Dortmund def. Club Brugge (3-0)

Sparta Prague def. RB Salzburg (3-0)

Manchester City draws Inter (0-0)

Today’s Champions League Fixtures

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STORYLINES

QB Stock Market Week 3

After a widely unimpressive Week 1 from passers, this week’s QB stock market weighs one question above all others: What have you done for me lately? (FOX Sports)

MLB Rookie Grades

It’s been a year for rookies in both the NL and AL. Skenes, Merrill, Chourio, Langford and Holliday have been fun to watch. Let’s grade the rookies. (Bleacher Report)

Pochettino’s First Test

The USMNT will gather for friendlies in October under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. His arrival puts more heat on the players to perform. (Sporting News)

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NEWS

Adrian Wojnarowski Retires from ESPN to Become St. Bonaventure Hoops GM (ESPN)

Pro Football Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2025 Nominations (CBS Sports)

Patriots Release Jalen Reagor After Cryptic Social Media Post (Yahoo! Sports)

Pete Alonso Addresses Clubhouse Before Mets’ Final Homestand of the Season (NY Post)

Jordan Love Hopeful to Return to Action This Week (Packers.com)

Orioles DFA Craig Kimbrel as Team Battles for Postseason Berth (CBS Sports)

Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell Forced to Sell Home Amidst Security Concerns (Yahoo! Sports)

Rory McIlroy Says Half the Players Don’t Want PGA TOUR and PIF Deal (Golfweek)

Coco Gauff Splits with Coach After Disappointing US Open (AP)

WNBA Adds 15th Franchise with Return to Portland (ESPN)