ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 09: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases following a two run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on August 09, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesA pitchers nightmare, this game, pronounced Kevin Brown as we headed into the fourth inning. It was true, wed played six half-innings at that point and seen a run or more score in five. There were no easy ABs or quick outs. And while the runs dried up eventually, truly neither the Twins Bradley Ober nor the Os Brandon Young looked particularly skilled tonight. If you like good starting pitching, this was one to skip.But this was also an Orioles winand what a relief, given that this team entered tonight two games out of a Wild Card, having dropped two of three to Texas and Game One of this series in tragic fashion after getting silenced by former friend Dean Kremer, dealt just last week.Im thrilled to report that offense was not a problem for the Orioles tonight. Kind of the opposite: they were up 2-0 after two batters, 4-0 after two innings, and despite an offensive slowdown after that, they stayed on top for an easy 5-2 win in the end.Gunnar Henderson, still in the leadoff spot despite a tough .215 average, turned on the second pitch he saw from Minnesota starter Bradley Ober, a fastball down the middle. Henderson walloped it into the right-field corner for a leadoff double. Pete Alonso was even ruder to the Minnesota righty: he got an 88-mph fastball down the middle and launched it into the seats. 2-0, Orioles, before the Twins had an out.View Link(The inning could have gone even worse for Ober, who then allowed a single to Christian Encarnacion-Strand and walked Coby Mayo, hitting .444 in his last seven games. But Ober retired Christian Franklin to get out of it down just two.)After the home team posted a zero against the Os Brandon Young, the Birds hitters returned to the task of hitting Ober. The Os No. 9 hitter, catcher Yohel Pozo, hit a soft ground ball up the middle that confused the Twins infield, with neither Kaelen Culpepper (at short) nor Kody Clemens (at second) able to scoop it up.That brought back up the leadoff hitter, Gunnar Henderson. Gunnar was fouling off Ober offerings while the MASN booth reported how Gunnar had gone 18 straight games without a multi-hit game. Then, boom. The shortstop got a low-and-inside fastball and ripped it, loudly, into the stands. The Birds are bashing it right now! exulted analyst Ben McDonald. It was 4-0 Orioles. View LinkWe were onto the bottom of the second, and Brandon Young had himself a cushion. Hed need it, because that inning was dicey. Considering Young loaded up the bases for himself with no outs, it could have been much, much worse. He surrendered back-to-back singles to Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee, then hit second-year center fielder Luke Keaschall, who trotted to first. The Twins scored a run on a groundout to second. But another groundout did not go their way: the ball rolled right to Encarnacion-Strand, who fired home with ample time to get the runner at home. One groundball later, and Young was out of trouble with a three-run lead still.The Os had one more left in them, too. Ober served CES a meatball, and the Os third baseman hit an absolute tank, 460 feet away, the longest homer by an Oriole this year. It was a terrible pitch, but a beautiful swing. Wow. 5-1 Orioles. View LinkAfter his team had given him a homer in each of the first three innings, Young wanted a shutdown third but it wouldnt be so easy. Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers reached on an infield single, then Josh Bell, too, on a strange catchers interference call. (In reality, Bell swung late on a sinker and caught a chunk of Yohel Pozos mitt. The Os backstop left in pain, and was promptly replaced by another new Os backstop, Carlos Narvez.) After two quick outs, Young was one strike away from ending the inning, but Brooks Lee doubled off a sinker, making it now 5-2. Then it looked like Young had struck out young Luke Keaschall, but the CF challenged, and the call was overturned. While the MASN booth proclaimed this another stressful outing, Young finally got a strike three swinging. Itd taken him 62 pitches, but he was through three.Gunnar next doubled with two outs, making him 3-for-3 on the day, but the Orioles didnt score, and Young teetered in the fourth. He allowed a leadoff single to rookie Kaelen Culpepper but, with two outs, fell down 3-0 to slugger Josh Bell. I would pitch Josh Bell extremely carefully here, said McDonald from the booth. Young was up to the task: a groundball to second kept it 5-2.The Os made solid contact against Ober in the fifth and sixth (with three deep flyouts), but both ended up 1-2-3 innings. Brandon Young did not have a 1-2-3 fifth or sixth inningand frankly, it was a miracle he got this deep in the game, period, given his pitch count was up around ninety before either. In the fifth, he walked the leadoff man, but got a miraculously timed double play. He came back out for the sixthand it felt scary. But after a leadoff single, he got two quick flyouts. Then, a ground ball took Gunnar well to his backhand; he picked it, slung his arm across his body, and got the third out at first! For Young to complete six and get a quality start tonight (his tenth of the season!) felt like a miracle; what a gutsy effort by the Texan.The Orioles had a chance to make it 6-2 against Twins lefty Kody Funderburk, but a Pete Alonso single, Jackson Holliday walk, and Tyler ONeill produced only an out at the platefeels like the Orioles have more than their fair share of those.Josh Walker had a lightning-fast seventh inningit took him just eight pitches. I wasnt in a hurry or anything tonight, but still, what a breath of fresh air.Yennier Cano was much messier, allowing a hit and a walk, but he held the line.The Os took their swings off lefty sidewinder Taylor Rogers in the ninth (once linked to the Os as a bullpen target, Rogers has a twin brother, also a pitcher, named Tyler, and just imagine the havoc if this team had a Tyler, a Taylor and a Trevor Rogers on the same staff).That left the ninth, and Andrew Kittredge. The veteran righty has been a little shady of late, but tonight he was nails. Not only did he get two quick groundball outs, he whiffed Josh Bell convincingly, with a little dipping dart of a sinker. Cool.Tonight was a much-needed win. It doesnt fix all the Orioles flaws, but they made it look pretty easy tonight.So, Birdland, who is your vote for Most Birdland of tonight? Brandon Young, who gutted out his tenth quality start of the season with imperfect stuff? Pete Alonso, 3-for-4 with a 2-run home run and a walk? Gunnar Henderson, who came a triple away from the cycle and played some great defense? Christian Encarnacion-Strand, a recent callup who hit a 460-foot monster of a home run?

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve left the teams game at San Francisco on Tuesday night after getting hit on the left foot by a pitch.The Astros said Altuve had a bruised foot. Altuve was hit by an 82 mph slider from Giants starter Carson Whisenhunt in the top of the first. After getting looked at, he stayed in the game to run the bases.The 36-year-old two-time World Series champion took the field for the bottom of the inning but left before going back out on defense in the third. He was replaced by Nick Allen. Altuve is hitting .240 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs in his 16th season in the majors. Houston went into the game in first place in the AL West.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

CHICAGO The White Sox beating the Cincinnati Reds this week in Chicago? There isnt a bigger sure thing in sports, right?Come on. Is the pope Catholic?More to the point, is the pope a White Sox fan from Chicago?As if that kind of divine firepower doesnt already suggest some kind of winged assist from above for the White Soxs sudden ascent into playoff contention this year after averaging 108 losses the past three, the White Sox promotions department rubbed it in with the Reds arrival to town for a series.They brought out a nun for the ceremonial first pitch of the series and gave away pope hats to fans who shrugged off inclement weather forecasts to produce only the ninth sellout of the season at the Sox ballpark with 38,000 Pope Leo impersonators wearing their new hats for the beer-boosted, fun-loving if perhaps a tad sacrilegious promotion.But the Reds got the best of the pope-inspired White Sox, coming back from a four-run deficit to beat the Sox 5-4 in 10 innings. Elly De La Cruz drove home the automatic runner with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th, and closer Emilio Pagn shut down the Sox in the bottom of the inning.The Reds tied it with a three-run eighth highlighted by Tyler Stephenson's two-run, two-out single.Left-hander Nick Lodolo, the Reds lefty making in his first start since his latest trip to the injured list for a blister problem, gave up a home run to Brenton Doyle on his first pitch of the game, gave up another to Edgar Quero in the second and a third to Miguel Vargas leading off the fourth.Lodolo, who threw 65 pitches in his last minor-league rehab start, got through the four innings on 70 in his return from the IL with five strikeouts, including a third strike to Colson Montgomery swinging at his new-grip breaking pitch.Lodolo, who used to throw it with a grip that had his index finger on the smooth part of the ball, switched to using the seam in an effort to avoid the frequent blisters that have plagued him in recent years.You would almost think if youre on the seam that would create more friction, manager Terry Francona said. But its allowing him what we hope is a better grip and this doesnt creep up. Well see.Lodolos ensuing starts should start to tell that story better. But on this night it was at least good enough to keep the Reds within striking distance of out-dueling the pope.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Holy Cow, Reds come back to beat pope-inspired White Sox in extras

CHICAGO The White Sox beating the Cincinnati Reds this week in Chicago? There isnt a bigger sure thing in sports, right?Come on. Is the pope Catholic?More to the point, is the pope a White Sox fan from Chicago?As if that kind of divine firepower doesnt already suggest some kind of winged assist from above for the White Soxs sudden ascent into playoff contention this year after averaging 108 losses the past three, the White Sox promotions department rubbed it in with the Reds arrival to town for a series.They brought out a nun for the ceremonial first pitch of the series and gave away pope hats to fans who shrugged off inclement weather forecasts to produce only the ninth sellout of the season at the Sox ballpark with 38,000 Pope Leo impersonators wearing their new hats for the beer-boosted, fun-loving if perhaps a tad sacrilegious promotion.But the Reds got the best of the pope-inspired White Sox, coming back from a four-run deficit to beat the Sox 5-4 in 10 innings. Elly De La Cruz drove home the automatic runner with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th, and closer Emilio Pagn shut down the Sox in the bottom of the inning.The Reds tied it with a three-run eighth highlighted by Tyler Stephenson's two-run, two-out single.Left-hander Nick Lodolo, the Reds lefty making in his first start since his latest trip to the injured list for a blister problem, gave up a home run to Brenton Doyle on his first pitch of the game, gave up another to Edgar Quero in the second and a third to Miguel Vargas leading off the fourth.Lodolo, who threw 65 pitches in his last minor-league rehab start, got through the four innings on 70 in his return from the IL with five strikeouts, including a third strike to Colson Montgomery swinging at his new-grip breaking pitch.Lodolo, who used to throw it with a grip that had his index finger on the smooth part of the ball, switched to using the seam in an effort to avoid the frequent blisters that have plagued him in recent years.You would almost think if youre on the seam that would create more friction, manager Terry Francona said. But its allowing him what we hope is a better grip and this doesnt creep up. Well see.Lodolos ensuing starts should start to tell that story better. But on this night it was at least good enough to keep the Reds within striking distance of out-dueling the pope.This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Holy Cow, Reds come back to beat pope-inspired White Sox in extras

The Dallas Cowboys have cleared the first true hurdle of training camp, and now can set their eyes on the next, the opening exhibition game. On Tuesday, the Cowboys traveled down from Oxnard, CA so they could take on the Los Angeles Rams in a joint practice. Next up, a Saturday trip up the Pacific Coast so they can battle against the World Champion Seattle Seahawks.And with that game barreling towards both clubs, the Cowboys press room sent out the unofficial depth chart for the preseason opener. It's the first real look at the pecking order of things that have been reported on during training camp practices, and it includes some noteworthy things.5) Is there a 10th OL among the group?From the outside looking in, the question about the OL is how many make the opening roster? The starting five is set, left to right being Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terence Steele. TJ Bass is the top backup, with Nate Thomas and rookie Drew Shelton forming a consistently mocked group of eight OL.Will they carry a ninth or an even 10? Can last year's late-round pick Ajani Cornelius convince them to carry five tackles, knowing Tyler Smith can slide outside? Does it make more sense to bring guard Nick Leverett to the regular season, or what about UDFAs Shiyazh Pete and DJ Wingfield?4) Jaydon Blue sits ahead of the class to be Javon Williams' understudyAs a fifth-round pick at the running back position, many expected Blue to be a part of the Cowboys' rotation on offense in 2025. However poor work ethic seemed to mar almost all of his rookie campaign, leading many to wonder if the club would move past the thought of him this year. He's seemed to correct those issues, reporting with a renewed focus and breaking several big plays through the first two weeks of camp.It shouldn't be a surprise then that Blue is sitting at RB2, ahead of fellow second-year back Phil Mafah. Don't get it wrong, though. Mafah has been equally impressive thus far in camp, allowing the idea the Cowboys may enter the season with four backs (including fullback Hunter Luepke) on the active roster.3) The three oars, err... orsOne of the always interesting things about the mostly meaningless unofficial depth charts is when the coaching staff is still trying to maintain a competition until the end. A handful of depth lines include an "or" in between two players, indicating that it's undecided who has the upper hand.That could mean something if they listed the players alphabetically, but as they aren't, whomever is named first should be assumed to be a step ahead. That takes place in the backup QB competition between Joe Milton and Sam Howell, at backup off-ball linebacker between Sam Williams and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, and again at cornerback between Shavon Revel and Cobie Durant. Perhaps their listed in terms of seniority with the org?2) WR5 Battle has wide berthThe Top 4 wideouts for this team seem pretty cut and dry. It doesn't matter who any of us thinks is the true alpha on this team for 2026, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are going to be on the field as much as they can endure. Ryan Flournoy has gone from an initial 53-man roster cut last August, to firmly entrenched and shooting for a 1,000-yard campaign a year later. Kavontae Turpin is still the gadget guy for the offense until further notice.That leaves veteran (now) journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jonathan Mingo and rookie Anthony Smith competing for WR5 and possibly WR6. Valdes-Scantling has the experience and jump-ball height, though his last two seasons have just a combined 33 receptions to show for it. Dallas gave up the most in trading a fourth-round pick to acquire Mingo, who is having a much better showing than last year's camp as the physicality guy. Smith is the burner of the group.1) The top is offAnd none of it truly matters because Brian Schottenheimer isn't playing his starters or key contributors in this game. The true litmus test for the Cowboys who are expected to be a part of the regular rotation happens in the joint practices. Following Tuesday's work, the team will next travel to take on the New Orleans Saints. It's in these controlled environments, where the coaching staffs have a chance to coordinate what will be worked on to help each side, that the frontline operators get their day in the sun.That's why the Cowboys making a big leap in how they performed vs the Rams this year as opposed to last year is being touted as a big deal. The Cowboys weren't outclassed by a team that expects to be playing in mid-February, more than holding their own. What happens in Seattle is going to be about the guys trying to fill out the back end of the roster.This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Paddling with 3 ors among 5 takeaways from Cowboys unofficial depth chart vs Seahawks

BYU receiver Legend Glasker carries the ball after making a catch on Aug. 6, 2026, in Provo. | Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo BYU receivers coach and passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake has a son whose middle name is Legend. That son now wants to be called by his middle name.Why?Because theres a newcomer to the football team, a freshman receiver, named Legend Glasker who just might be the next big thing in Provo. Glasker, a three-star recruit (247Sports) who graduated from nearby Lehi High last December so he could enroll early at BYU, was one of the breakout stars in spring camp and has picked up where he left off this month in preseason training camp.Sitake said Monday that Glasker has solidified his spot with the first-team offense, along with Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper and Jojo Phillips, the redshirt junior who has shown flashes of brilliance but a lack of consistency, partly due to injury, in three seasons in the program.I didnt anticipate that (sudden rise to potential starter), just because it doesnt happen a lot, Sitake said. So its a credit to him how hes picked up our playbook, and how smart he is. Its a credit to his work ethic. I mean, hes not just a talented kid. Hes so much more.Glaskers grandfather, the late Julius Glasker, and BYU linebacker Isaiah Glaskers father, Stephen, are brothers. Sitake said athleticism and a strong work ethic runs throughout the family.Legend is gonna be the last one (to leave practice) a lot of times. During the summer, he was just constantly getting guys together to work, Sitake said. Hes got the full package. Hes a great kid, and hes humble. So when you do all those things right, thats one of those outlier situations where you see a kid that can come and play right away. So Im fired up for him.After practices, BYUs social media team produces a two-plus-minute highlights video, and Legend Glasker has already made it on there several times this month, including one catch where he beat All-America cornerback Evan Johnson for a ball.After he caught a fairly deep ball from Bear Bachmeier on Monday, Glasker said months and months of work have got him to this point, but declined to acknowledge that he was the unquestioned star of the first week of training camp.I feel like my preparation and all the help from my coaches, and everybody around me, has gotten me ready for this, he said. Theyve helped me with the things I need to work on every day, and that and just being in the film room every day has helped. So to me, its not too crazy to believe that I could go out there and succeed on the field.How did he get his unique first name?The first thing everybody wants to know when they meet Legend Glasker is how he got his unique and pressure-inducing first name. Turns out, when his mother, Justina, was pregnant, his father, Ervin, had already decided that the baby would be named Legend, regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl. BYU freshman receiver Legend Glasker looks on during practice, Aug. 6, 2026. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo Yeah, I love my name, Glasker told the Deseret News on Monday. Actually, when I was a kid I low-key didnt like it because I didnt really know the true meaning of it. But as I got older, it was good and yeah, shoutout to my dad. I was gonna be Legend regardless.Hes got a good start to making his fathers premonition come true, Sitake said.Yeah, hes got to be good, Sitake said. I (also) have a son named Legend, but its his middle name because I didnt want to set the bar high like that for him. Now that my son knows about (Glasker), he came to us and said, Hey, Mom and Dad, can I make my middle name my first name?What else can Legend Glasker do?Glasker will wear No. 1 and hopes, he said, to just contribute any way I can to a much-questioned receivers room that also includes sophomore Tei Nacua, senior Tiger Bachmeier, sophomore Reggie Frischknecht and a redshirt freshman who is probably not getting enough media attention, American Forks Trey Roberts (brother of Chase Roberts).We have a lot of lengthy guys that can stretch the field at all angles. You got Kyler, JoJo, Reggie, Tei, Jaron Pula (another true freshman).All those guys are fast and can get behind the defense like same way I can. I feel like we all have like similar skill sets, just different body types, he continued. So I feel like I could be the deep threat and probably take a slant (pass) for 80. I feel like we can all stretch the field pretty well. BYU receiver Legend Glasker makes a one-handed stab at the ball during practice Aug. 8, 2026, in Provo. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo Glasker is also being looked at by special teams coordinator Justin Ena as a kickoff and punt returner, although right now Tiger Bachmeier is probably going to be the primary kick returner and cornerback Cannon DeVries the primary punt returner.I am second- or third-string on both, somewhere around there, Glasker said.Was the former Lehi star overlooked?Glasker caught 37 passes for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior before committing to BYU in the summer of 2025. As a senior, he caught 37 passes for 676 yards and nine touchdowns and had 11 carries for 206 yards.At a skills camp during his junior year, he ran a 4.42-second time in the 40-yard dash and now believes he can run something in the 4.3 range, having worked with Dr. Skyler Mayne, director of high performance for BYU football.Cal and Utah were his only other power conference offers. He said the big reason why he committed to BYU early and stuck with that pledge was the desire to follow in Isaiah Glaskers footsteps, and his love for BYUs coaching staff. Lehi wide receiver Legend Glasker (6) celebrates his touchdown reception with tight end Bryton Niu (84) during a 6A high school football semifinal game against Corner Canyon held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Coach Fesi is just so smart, and he knows how to use his receivers so well, Glasker said. I feel like me stepping into this role was a blessing, and I am so happy that (Fesi Sitake) has so much trust in me and lets me be good at what I do.For his part, Sitake remembers scratching my head in disbelief over the fact that more P4 schools werent recruiting Glasker.Im like, gosh, is there something that I dont know about him? Sitake said. I had a great relationship with him. Once I realized there was nothing (to be worried about), that he was just kind of overlooked, I just wanted to keep him close.And we did a good job at just showing him love no matter what other people were thinking of him, Sitake continued. And then the day came where he just wanted to lock it up. He canceled all his visits, and said, This is where I want to be. I was ecstatic. I really was, because I think hes a special talent.First touchdown celebration in the works BYU's Legend Glasker makes a catch during fall camp in Provo on Aug. 8, 2026. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo Away from football, Legend Glasker is a huge fan of the music of Michael Jackson. Naturally, his first touchdown celebration, whenever that comes, will pay tribute to the legendary musician perhaps a moonwalk or the like.His hobbies include pretty much everything and he describes himself as pretty outgoing at times and then says, I can be shy, too, sometimes.He said during spring ball he was a little timid and didnt really talk that much because he was focused on learning the offense. Now that hes earned the trust of coaches and teammates, hes letting his personality show a bit more.I have so much confidence in the team, and all the coaches have built that into me, to just be great, he said. I feel like I have way more swagger to me in fall camp than in spring ball.Making the highlight reel every day probably contributes to that.

A Lake Travis football player suffered cardiac arrest during practice and remains in intensive care as his family asks for prayers and support.. (Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News) New details have emerged about the medical emergency that sent a Lake Travis High School football player to an Austin hospital Monday morning, with a fundraising campaign saying the teenager suffered cardiac arrest during practice.Odin Hensley, a senior on the Lake Travis varsity football team, is currently in the intensive care unit at Dell Children's Medical Center after the emergency, according to a GoFundMe campaign organized to support his family.As of Tuesday evening, the fundraiser had raised $56,159 toward its $200,000 goal from 404 donations, according to the GoFundMe page.The fundraiser says Hensley suffered cardiac arrest during football practice Monday and was transported by Travis County STAR Flight to Dell Children's.Doctors are "worried about his brain and organs," according to the fundraiser, which says Hensley's family remains uncertain about his outcome.His parents have been at the hospital with him, according to the fundraiser, while also missing work during the medical crisis.The campaign was created to help the family with hospital bills, rehabilitation costs and lost income while Hensley's parents remain by their son's side."We are also asking for prayers for his heart, his brain, and other organs to make a full recovery," the fundraiser says.The new details come one day after Lake Travis athletic director and head football coach Hank Carter confirmed that a player suffered a "serious health emergency" during practice.Dear Parents,At approximately 8:00 am this morning at football practice, one of our student-athletes experienced a serious health emergency which required the assistance of Travis County STAR Flight. Out of an abundance of caution, we canceled the remainder of today's...- Lake Travis Football (@LTHSCavFootball) August 10, 2026Austin-Travis County EMS said Monday that its crews and Travis County STAR Flight responded to Lake Travis High School around 8 a.m. for a reported seizure. Medics initiated advanced life support before STAR Flight transported a teenage patient to Dell Children's in critical condition.The GoFundMe campaign says Hensley's family is focused on his recovery and asks supporters to donate or share the fundraiser if they are unable to contribute financially. Chron reached out to the creator of the fundraiser for more details on Hensley's recovery and accident. WEST LAKE HILLS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: The Lake Travis Cavaliers celebrate their 31-10 victory over the Westlake Chaparrals in the annual Battle of the Lakes rivalry at Chaparral Stadium in West Lake Hills, Oct. 24, 2025. (Sara Diggins/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images) (Austin American-Statesman/Hearst/The Austin American-Statesman vi) "The last thing this family should have to worry about right now is how they are going to manage financially when all of their energy needs to be on Odin and his healing," the fundraiser says.Lake Travis is scheduled to open its 2026 football season Aug. 28 against Dripping Springs.More NewsLists | CNBC's states ranking sets off Texas lawmakers and GOP leadersHealth | 9 Houston hospitals warned over federal price transparency violationEconomy | Huge $3.2B shipyard picks Texas over California, creating 10,000 jobsWorld Cup | Houston World Cup performance draws praise worldwideFor the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.This article originally published at 'Pray for his heart': Texas HS football player fighting to recover in ICU.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59) meets on the mound with a coach during an MLB game against the Colorado Rockies on June 1, 2026 in Anaheim, CA.ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Los Angeles Angels made a shocking series of moves on Tuesday with the announcement that pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryll Scott would all be parting ways with the team.The dismissals were facilitated by interim general manager John Mozeliak, who has continued his aggressiveness in the front office after a trade deadline where he turned the Angels into sellers for the first time in a long time. Tim Leveque has been named interim pitching coach and Michael Wuertz was named interim bullpen coach to fill the voids left by the dismissals.Mozeliak's moves were motivated by one main factor, that being that the Angels' pitching staff wasn't sufficiently using the technology and analytical data available to them to try and improve performance or development.Angels officially announce firing of Mike Maddux, Dom Chiti and Darryl Scott -- Tim Leveque (former Cardinals development coach and Rocket City PC) has been named Interim pitching coach, Michael Wuertz (long-time Angels pitching development coach) has been named bullpen coach Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 11, 2026"Over the time of of talking with different staff members, different players and there was just this undercurrent of trying to get ourselves to be using all the different tools that you see a lot of pitchers use today... and just really try to leverage that in how we help players grow," Mozeliak said. "I think there was becoming some level of frustration with the inconsistency of that."Meeting the Interim StaffLevenque, who worked in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization from 2006-2025, overlapping with Mozeliak's time as St. Louis' general manager and president of baseball operations, will be promoted from Double-A Rocket City's coaching staff to assume the interim role.Wuertz was the Angels' Minor League assistant pitching coordinator before assuming the interim bullpen coaching role and has spent a grand total of 11 years coaching in the Angels organization.The Angels' pitching staff seemed like a bright spot early in the season and Maddux was attracting early praise, but as the months went on and the Angels sank lower and lower in the standings, the pitching staff declined just as rapidly.They now have a combined ERA of 4.52, seventh-worst in all of baseball, as well as the seventh-worst combined WHIP at 1.38.What Mozeliak gathered from his conversations with players and staff members was that technology and analytical information wasn't being utilized by the pitching staff, but that's not to say that the Angels didn't have access to the facilities and equipment to provide said data. The information simply wasn't making it downstairs."I do feel like a lot of the pre-work going into a game or a start, there were some things that we discussed that we thought maybe could be utilized, and I don't know if it was truly being taken advantage of," Mozeliak said.Embracing the Modern DayBaseball in the modern day is more reliant on technology than ever before and while some players and coaches may adopt more of an old-school approach to the game, which Maddux seemingly did, that doesn't mean that the staff as a whole can't benefit from the data that can be gleaned from the tools that the team has at its disposal.Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers (48) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesLos Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers (48) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.Reid Detmers, who leads all Angels starters in ERA with 4.00, supports the use of technology, particularly Trackman data, which he's been using since the All-Star break after he said he asked for access to it to help get see his pitch data down on paper. But Detmers believes that even if a pitcher is less hot on analytics, it still doesn't hurt the team to have access to it."Not saying we didn't use it all the time, but there was definitely times where we could've used it," Detmers said. "I think if we have it, we might as well use it. Whether or not guys want to use it or not, that's up to them. But if the guys do want to use it, then go for it. In my eyes, it's only going to make you better. It's not going to make you worse."While these cuts to the pitching coaching staff may be aggressive, Mozeliak affirmed that he wouldn't be making any more changes to the structure for the rest of the season.Whether or not guys want to use it or not, that's up to them. But if the guys do want to use it, then go for it. In my eyes, it's only going to make you better. It's not going to make you worse.- Reid Detmers on the usage of tech for pitchers Jack Haslett (@JackHaslett_13) August 11, 2026The Rest of the Staff is SafeThe Angels may be struggling at the plate as of late, but Mozeliak didn't point the blame for that to the hitting coaching staff, and instead said that the Angels need to find their identity as an offense, which hasn't happened just yet.Mozeliak also affirmed that Kurt Suzuki, who is on a one-year managerial contract, is staying put as the Angels skipper for the rest of the season and said that the two have a "positive working relationship."Angels interim GM John Mozeliak affirmed that he and manager Kurt Suzuki have a good working relationship and Mozeliak isnt planning on having any other managerial changes this season Jack Haslett (@JackHaslett_13) August 11, 2026There are just 43 games left in the season, which draws into question why Mozeliak made these decisions now. But he also made it clear that while winning will still be on the Angels' mind through the final stretch, developing the young talent they have to the best of their abilities will be critical, as will "finding an identity for the team."To achieve those goals, Mozeliak needed to have an informed staff that could make use of all the tools that the team has available to it."There's so many more resources out there that really every team in baseball is utilizing, and so just making sure that the Angels are up to speed with that," Mozeliak said. "Our research and development team upstairs, they're providing a lot of really useful things that I think we can be taking advantage of. And I think moving forward... what can we do to make this a state-of-the-art place for player growth?"

Some fighters change the moment undisputed gold wraps around their waist. Two-sport ONE World Champion Stella Always Hungry Hemetsberger has simply refused to let it reshape her identity.The Austrian superstar will bring that exact same humble mindset when she defends her ONE Womens Strawweight Muay Thai World Title for the first time against Russian standout Natalia Karelian Lynx Diachkova.This highly anticipated clash serves as the main event of ONE Fight Night 46 on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from the world-famous Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 14.View this post on InstagramThe RS-GYM and Phuket Fight Club representative first overcame Jackie Buntan at ONE Fight Night 35 to capture the vacant Muay Thai crown. Five months later, the Austrian striking ace dethroned the Filipino-American in another highly technical five-round battle to claim the ONE Womens Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship.It has now been six months since Hemetsberger officially etched her name into the history books, becoming only the third female athlete to capture gold in two disciplines joining Stamp Fairtex and Janet JT Todd in ONE Championship.Looking back on that monumental achievement still brings a bright smile to her face:Since I became a double champion, its just been amazing. Im really happy I could get the win in the second fight as well [against Jackie Buntan] and just prove myself. Im super happy with how it went.View this post on InstagramAs monumental as that accomplishment was, very little has actually shifted in how the 27-year-old approaches her day-to-day life at Phuket Fight Club.She proudly remains the exact same martial artist who first walked through those doors in 2022. Back then, she was not yet a professional, drawing daily inspiration from watching ONE Womens Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues operate up close as the ultimate standard to chase.Hemetsberger told onefc.com:Honestly, I dont think this victory changed [the outlook of my career]. Like, Im still the same person. Im still working hard to reach my goals.But yeah, its just amazing to have completed and achieved such an accomplishment and walk out of the ring with two belts on your shoulders.View this post on InstagramThat incredibly grounded mentality has not stopped the achievement from adding a profound new layer of purpose to everything Hemetsberger does. Rather than comfortably settling into her elite status, she has found the championship experience fueling an even sharper hunger heading into every single training session.That pure thirst for success shows up most clearly in how she openly discusses her own athletic development. Becoming a two-sport queen may be the defining achievement of her professional career so far, but in her mind, it is simply the latest step toward even bigger dreams on the global stage.Hemetsberger reflected:I think that experience of becoming a double champion gives me the motivation to always get better and become a better fighter. Each fight, Im aiming to get better and better until Im the best version of myself.View this post on InstagramThe Weight Of Two World TitlesCarrying two prestigious World Titles simultaneously has not changed how Stella Hemetsberger sees herself, even if the outside worlds perception of her has shifted dramatically over the past year.Fame, global attention, and the undeniable star power that now follows her everywhere still sit slightly awkwardly with someone who has spent most of her life simply taking one careful step at a time to ensure she was always heading in the right direction.The Austrian striker added:Honestly, I feel very weird talking about myself, like, as a star, because I feel like Im still the same person. Like, for me, it hasnt changed that much. But yeah, its cool to have achieved those goals in ONE Championship.View this post on InstagramThat exact same humility effortlessly extends to how Hemetsberger views the full arc of her journey from a curious 13-year-old discovering Muay Thai entirely by accident, to a two-sport World Champion preparing for a highly anticipated title defense.Reflecting on just how far that incredible journey has carried her, the 27-year-old has a very clear answer for what she would tell the younger version of herself who was only just taking baby steps into the sport.Hemetsberger concluded:If there is a message I would like to tell my 13-year-old self, who was just sort of getting startedI honestly think she wouldnt even believe what Im telling her right now. But I would just tell her to keep going, stay motivated, and just follow your goals.View this post on InstagramSource

With Pope Leo XIV on their side, the Chicago White Sox invoked their most prominent fan Tuesday night via a pope hat giveaway for a home game against the Cincinnati Reds. The giveaway energized the home fans and became a part of the teams home run celbrations. Unfortunately for the White Sox, they could not muster a win to honor Pope Leo in a 5-4 loss in 10 innings. The pope hats were hard to miss from moment the doors at Rate Field opened to the public. Fans poured into the concourse proudly sporting the roughly 40,000 pope hats that were given away to the sellout crowd.the ballpark is a holy place pic.twitter.com/9bt203D94O White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) August 11, 2026Some fans dressed for the occasion as they posed for pictures on the concourse.White Sox fans are excited about tonight's "Pope Hat" giveaway! @jon_greenbergpic.twitter.com/dO6fkwJHtz The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 11, 2026When it was time for the first pitch, the Sox stuck with the theme. Notable White Sox fan Sister Mary Joe Sobieck of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield took the mound with some flash and threw a breaking ball over the plate to get the festivities underway.How many runs did Sister Mary Jo Sobieck give up tonight?Nun.#Royals | #WhiteSoxpic.twitter.com/bkAKuvAtoD FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City (@FanDuelSN_KC) August 19, 2018It wasnt her first rodeo. Sister Sobieck made headlines in 2019 with another strong first pitch for the White Sox.Once the game was underway, the pope hats made their way to the White Sox dugout and were a featured prop in Brenton Doyles first-inning home run that gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead.Brenton Doyle with his first #whitesox HR. And with a pope hat celebration pic.twitter.com/DwcWGdLqox Brooke Fletcher (@BrookeFletcher) August 11, 2026Organist Nancy Faust, meanwhile, rocked pope gear from behind the keys.Went to see Nancy Faust. Edgar Quero homered. Got to see this in person. pic.twitter.com/t8m1kotdeY Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) August 12, 2026Alas, the good times didnt translate to a win at the end for the home team. The Reds rallied from a 4-0 fourth inning deficit to force extra innings, and an Elly De La Cruz sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th was enough to secure a Cincinnati win.