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TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | August 6

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By TERRY LYONS 

BOSTON – The countdown clock is on for the NFL Preseason to begin for all 32 teams. The Hall of Fame game (Cleveland Browns 21, vs New York Jets, 16) is in the books, and the end of week of August 10-13th will soon be upon us.

With that fact and the 2023 NFL season to begin Thursday, September 7th and the regular season to begin in earnest September 10th, the all-out marketing blitz of advertising for the NFL Sunday Ticket (now available exclusively on Youtube TV) and for online Gambling on the NFL, via the likes of Draft Kings, Bet MGM, Fan Duel and WynnBet MA (all new here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) will fill the coffers for broadcast and media outlets.

The ads will overwhelm sports TV viewers, especially those tuning in to late season MLB and PGA Tour broadcasts, never mind the beginning of College Football. (Boston College opens Saturday, September 2nd vs Northern Illinois).

OPENING NFC WIN TOTALS/ODDS: Are you ready for some football? Not yet? Here are some NFC Conference franchise win totals for the 2023 season. You decide, is it Over or Under?

  • Arizona Cardinals Over 5.5 (+105) Under 5.5 (-125)
  • Atlanta Falcons Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Carolina Panthers Over 7.5 (-110) Under 7.5 (-110)
  • Chicago Bears Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Dallas Cowboys Over 9.5 (-120) Under 9.5 (+100)
  • Detroit Lions Over 9 (-150) Under 9 (+125)
  • Green Bay Packers Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)
  • Los Angeles Rams Over 7.5 (-125) Under 7.5 (+105)
  • Minnesota Vikings Over 8.5 (-115) Under 8.5 (-105)
  • New Orleans Saints Over 9.5 (+110) Under 9.5 (-130)
  • New York Giants Over 8.5 (+110) Under 8.5 (-130)
  • Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 (-130) Under 10.5 (+110)
  • San Francisco 49ers Over 11.5 (+105) Under 11.5 (-125)
  • Seattle Seahawks Over 8.5 (-125) Under 8.5 (+105)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over 6.5 (-115) Under 6.5 (-105)
  • Washington Commanders Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: When we last left the USA men’s national team at the FIBA Worlds, it was September 14, 2019 and the United States team was victorious in its 7th Place qualification round game over Poland. Yes, SEVENTH PLACE or one slot better than the SIXTH PLACE finish USA Basketball suffered in 2002 on the hometown soil of Indianapolis. Yes, that 2002 finish was three slots below USA Basketball and Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s outing in Japan in 2006 when the USA world team lost to Greece but managed a win against Argentina to take the bronze medal.

In between (2010 and 2014), the USA Basketball senior national team played tremendous basketball and won the two world tournaments, first in Turkey and then in Spain.

This year, it’s on to Manila (The Philippines) to compete in another 32-team extravaganza. The US has begun training, hitting the hardwood in its usual training camp hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where the temperatures are higher than the game scores.

There will be a friendly (vs. Puerto Rico) on Monday (August 7) in Vegas before the team heads for Malaga, Spain for friendlies vs. Slovenia (August 12) and Spain (August 13) before a stop in Abu Dhabi for games against Greece (August 18) and Germany (August 20).

On Friday, USA Basketball cut a deal with FOX Sports to televise all the “USA Showcase” games. Check HERE.

LISTS and LISTS: Which of the USA Basketball (Olympics and World teams) are the best of the best? Let’s look at one insider’s list:

  1. 1992 – Dream Team – Barcelona
  2. 2008 – Olympic Team – Beijing
  3. 1960 – Olympic Team – Rome
  4. 1956 – Olympic Team – Melbourne
  5. 1996 – Olympic Team – Atlanta
  6. 1994 – Worlds Team – Toronto
  7. 2012 – Olympic Team – London
  8. 2016 – Olympic Team – Rio
  9. 2010 – Worlds Team – Spain
  10. 2014 – Worlds Team – Turkey

DOC, SHAQ – MORE LISTS: Shaquille O’Neal was recently asked about a Top 10 list of Greatest NBA Players submitted by Julius “Dr. J” Erving. O’Neal believes Erving is entitled to his opinion being that he helped pave the way for the players of today. The Big Aristotle was fine with the fact “The Doctor” did not list any active NBA players, thus leaving the likes of Lebron James and Steph Curry as players to be named later, maybe by others.

Let’s start with Julius Erving’s list (he stressed it is not in any particular order):

  • Jerry West
  • Oscar Robertson
  • Elgin Baylor
  • Wilt Chamberlain
  • Bill Russell
  • Michael Jordan
  • Kareem Adbul-Jabbar
  • Karl Malone
  • Magic Johnson
  • Nate “Tiny” Archibald

Shaq’s Top 10 (again, claimed as in no order):

  • Magic Johnson
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Michael Jordan
  • LeBron James
  • Then [expletive] me!

“That ain’t no disrespect to Malone, [Charles] Barkley and Kareem,” O’Neal said. “Hey, that’s my list. Understand what I’m saying? … as he went for the second group.

  •  Steph Curry
  • Allen Iverson
  • Tim Duncan
  • Malone (he didn’t specify Karl or Moses, but was probably thinking Karl).
  • Isiah Thomas
  • Then, he paused and noted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to be listed, too, making it a Top 11.

This columnist vividly remembers the morning the NBA at 50 were to be honored at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. A photo of the honorees – all decked out in their special, one-of-a-kind Mitchell & Nessjackets – was presented to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Erving for their signatures during an all-out, closed-door frenzy of autograph seeking led by the legends themselves.

The great Doctor signed and glanced at the other names alongside his, asking “would you like me to ask Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) to sign this, too?”

“No, no thanks,” was the reply. “You, Larry and Magic are my guys. You were the best to work with during my career, and you were always there for the NBA, no matter what we asked of you. You are my guys.”

“What about Kareem, he’s the best player,” noted Doc.

“No, it’s okay. Just three.”

The TL Top 10? (In order)

  1. Bill Russell
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Wilt Chamberlain
  4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. LeBron James
  7. Oscar Robertson
  8. Larry Bird
  9. Elgin Baylor
  10. Kobe Bryant

Apologies to: Jerry West, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Karl Malone, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Havlicek, Moses Malone, Scottie Pippen, among others.

Apologies for possibly shaking up prior/personal Top 10 lists. Like any rock and roll lists, one must reserve the right to change mind, and thus the list every 24 hours.

NLL: The Sunday Notes column is always sharing some keen insights to what makes us tick, one being the fact indoor “box” lacrosse is a favorite sport. Of course, the outdoor game is great, as well, and I miss watching both the college and professional versions of the game (Boston Cannons or Long Island Lizards).

Here are some of the key dates for the NLL this Fall:

  • Sept. 15: NLL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Burlington, Ontario*
  • Sept. 16: NLL Draft in Oakville, Ontario
  • Oct. 28-29: NLL Training Camps officially open
  • Dec. 1-2: 2023-24 NLL Face-off Weekend

*The NLL will induct 10 new members into the NLL Hall of Fame on September 15. Among the honorees are eight former players and two referees to be enshrined under the Builders category.

TIDBITS: What does former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith – the head coach of the 1998 national champions – think?

“We had over 800 Division I players transfer last year.

“Over 800.

“C’mon.

“Teaching ’em how to quit. That’s what we’re doing. Things not going well? Let’s quit.

“I remember calling my dad when I was a freshman. High Point College. “Dad, people not treating me… this and that… I’m unhappy here.’ There wasn’t but two blacks in the whole school. My Dad, he said, ‘Son, somebody do something to you?’ No. ‘You’re still getting your scholarship aren’t you? They’re still feeding you? They’re still housing you? You’re still getting your education?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He said, ‘You can’t come home. Your bed’s been taken… But you can join the Army.’ Best thing he ever said to me.”

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and sports news column written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

TL

Cora Boiling-Over After Verdugo Scratch

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – The Boston Red Sox will try to put a bad day behind them and salvage the finale of a three-game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon.

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Boston’s bad day started when outfielder Alex Verdugo was scratched from the lineup with no explanation. Neither Red Sox manager Alex Cora nor Verdugo, who never got into the game, commented on the reason.

The day ended when Reese McGuire, who had singled as a pinch hitter, was doubled off second base after a flyout to the wall in left-center field to cut a ninth-inning rally short in the Blue Jays’ 5-4 victory.

“This is probably one of my worst days here in this organization,” Cora said after the game.

He said that Verdugo’s benching was a “manager’s decision.”

“I’m just taking care of the 26 guys (on the roster), and he wasn’t gonna play,” Cora said.

Cora has benched Verdugo for a lack of hustle in the past.

“That was a different situation,” Cora said. “I think (Saturday), we took a step back as a team. We have to make sure everybody’s available every single day here for us to get to wherever we’re going to go. And that wasn’t the case. And as a manager, I’ve got to take charge of this, and I decided he wasn’t going to play.”

“Just a manager’s decision,” Verdugo said. “We’re gonna leave it at that.”

When asked if he arrived to Fenway Park on time on Saturday, Verdugo said he did.

The Red Sox won the first seven meetings with the Blue Jays this season and now have lost two straight to a team they are chasing for an American League wild-card spot.

Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Chris Bassitt (10-6, 4.00 ERA) on Sunday. Bassitt has faced the Red Sox once in his career, in 2021, when he allowed two runs and three hits with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

The Red Sox are expected to start left-hander Brennan Bernardino (1-1, 2.72). Bernardino, who will be making his sixth start of the season, is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four relief appearances against Toronto in his career.

McGuire’s baserunning mistake allowed Erik Swanson to earn his fourth save.

“Air” Coryell In at Canton

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CANTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Don Coryell’s offenses routinely flew to the top of the statistical charts and remnants of his philosophies are part of modern-day NFL attacks.

But not until Saturday did the innovative former San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Cardinals coach get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Coryell died in 2010 at age 85 and it took another 13 years for him to get inducted. This was his seventh time as a finalist. Overall, it was a 30-year battle for daughter Mindy Coryell Lewis and the rest of the family.

“Ladies and gentlemen, ‘Air Coryell’ has landed in Canton!” Lewis said to wrap up her speech.

The Air Coryell offense revolutionized the single-back formation, tight ends in motion and receiver option routes.

Coryell’s offense in San Diego was ahead of its time and earned the catchy ‘Air Coryell’ nickname. His system turned quarterback Dan Fouts into one of the biggest stars of that era. Fouts presented Coryell into the Hall on Saturday.

“The Air Coryell system is second to none,” Fouts said. “His philosophy was that the defense would have to protect the entire field. … His influence on the game is one that continues to grow not only in the NFL but in college and high school football.”

Coryell’s Chargers led the NFL in scoring offense three times, in total offense five times and in passing offense in seven seasons.

Coryell had a record of 111-83-1 in 14 NFL seasons with the Cardinals (1973-77) and Chargers (1978-86), and his teams made six playoff appearances.

Among the coaches who learned under Coryell at San Diego State were future Hall of Famers John Madden and Joe Gibbs. Coryell also is a member of the College Hall of Fame and was the first coach to win 100 games at both the college and NFL levels.

“But these things have a profound impact on every decision we make and who we become. The conditions had to be just right for me to end up here. Every moment, every opportunity perfectly aligned.”

One of the most popular players on Induction Day was Joe Thomas, the former mainstay of the Cleveland Browns offensive line from 2007-17. Thomas started all 167 games that he played and earned 10 Pro Bowl bids in 11 seasons.

“It’s the greatest honor of my career to be able to accept this lifetime award on behalf of all of Browns Nation,” Thomas said. “Cleveland, you could always count on me. Thank you so much for allowing me to count on you. Don’t forget to show up for each other.”

–Field Level Media

Sox: Home Sweet Home

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) -The Boston Red Sox will look to continue their dominance over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays when the American League wild-card contenders open a three-game series tonight, weather permitting.

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Boston has won each of the seven meetings between the teams this season, and outscored Toronto 49-29 in those games. The Red Sox scored at least five runs in each of those contests, four of which were played in Boston.

The Red Sox lost 16 of their 19 games against the Blue Jays last season.

Tonight’s game will be the start of a 10-game home stand for the Red Sox, who have a 30-23 record at home this season. Boston is coming off a 2-4 road trip during which it took two walk-off losses and squandered a 3-0 lead in a 6-3 setback against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

“Tough one,” Boston manager Alex Cora said after the latest defeat. “We’re going home and we got a good stretch coming up. Two walk-off losses (at San Francisco) and two tough games here. So we didn’t play terrible baseball, but it just didn’t happen. We’ll be ready for Friday.”

Toronto’s 6-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday was the Blue Jays’ fourth setback in five games.

Right-hander Alek Manoah (2-8, 5.87 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Blue Jays on Friday.

Manoah is still trying to regain the form that made him an American League All-Star and a Cy Young Award finalist in 2022, when he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts. He was sent to the minors this season after going 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in his first 13 starts.

Manoah may have to overcome another obstacle as his last outing ended after he hit Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward in the head with a fastball in the fifth inning on Saturday. Ward sustained facial fractures and ended up on the 60-day IL, likely ending his season.

Manoah seemed rattled on the mound as Ward was being examined by medical personnel near home plate.

“That’s probably the worst feeling ever,” Manoah said following the game. “Definitely want to pray for him and his family. That’s the last thing you want to do, no matter the situation, no matter the team, no matter anything. I feel really bad about it.”

Manoah has pitched well against Boston during his career, going 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA in seven starts (42 innings) against the Red Sox. The loss came earlier this season, when he allowed five runs (two earned) on eight hits in five innings of Boston’s 8-3 victory on May 3.

Left-hander James Paxton (6-2, 3.34 ERA) is Boston’s probable starter. The 34-year-old Canadian is 6-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 career starts against the Blue Jays, producing 55 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings.

Paxton was the winning pitcher when Boston beat Toronto 5-0 on June 30. He limited the Blue Jays to three hits and two walks while striking out seven in 7 2/3 innings.

Infielder Justin Turner didn’t play in Boston’s past two games because of a heel contusion, but Cora said he hopes Turner can play on Friday.

Toronto’s best hitter, Bo Bichette, is out and on the IL with a leg injury.

–Field Level Media

USA Basketball, Fox Sports Cut TV Deal

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COLORADO SPRINGS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – USA Basketball and FOX Sports signed a multi-year agreement that will tip off Aug. 7 when the USA Basketball Men’s National Team faces the Puerto Rican National Team live from Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena at 10 p.m. ET on FS1. Play-by-play announcer Adam Amin will be on the call alongside Emmy Award-winning analyst Bill Raftery.

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FOX Sports will distribute the 2023 USA Basketball Showcase, which includes five USA Basketball Men’s National Team exhibitions in advance of the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup, as part of a larger agreement that includes the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase and 2024 Nike Hoop Summit.

The USA Basketball Showcase features a series of events that help the USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s National Teams prepare for major competitions, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup (men) and 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

“The USA Basketball Showcase features our national teams preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Games in 2024,” said said Jim Tooley, CEO, USA Basketball. “In addition, the Nike Hoop Summit annually brings together our top young basketball talent for both men and women to compete against international all-star teams comprised of athletes from all over the world.”

USA vs. Puerto Rico caps a weeklong training camp that sees the USA begin its march to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, set for Aug. 25-Sept. 10 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Led by head coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), the USA Men’s National Team features several NBA award winners and honorees.

The USA Basketball Showcase continues in Malaga, Spain, when the United States faces the national teams of Slovenia and Spain in friendlies on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, respectively. Both games will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET with USA vs. Slovenia airing on FS1 and USA vs. Spain on FOX with Raftery providing analysis alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Kugler.

Finally, the USA travels to Abu Dhabi for a final training stop before arriving in Manila for the World Cup. The USA will host the national teams of Greece on Aug. 18 on FS1 followed by Germany on Aug. 20 on FOX, with both tipping off at noon ET. Additionally, FS1 will broadcast the game between Germany and Greece on Aug. 19 at noon ET. Play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti pairs with Raftery for both games.

PGA Tour: Wyndham Championship

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GREENSBORO – Chances are – for this weekend – you win and you’re in. The Wyndham Championship marks the final regular season event of the PGA Tour’s regular season schedule. After conclusion of play Sunday, the FedEx Cup standings will determine qualification for the players positioned in the Top 70 of FedEx Cup points.

Two players have qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs in each season since the inception of the FedExCup in 2007: Matt Kuchar, who enters the week No. 59 in the standings, and Adam Scott (No. 81). Scott needs a minimum of a two-way T-9 to have a chance to move into the Top 70 and a three-way T-3 or better based on the TOUR’s projection.

Justin Thomas sits at No. 79 in the FedEx Cup standings and will make his first start at the Wyndham Championship since 2016 (MC), the site of his PGA TOUR debut in 2009 (T-78) as a 16-year-old. The 15-time PGA Tour winner is in his ninth season as a TOUR member and has never missed the Playoffs. He has advanced to the TOUR Championship in each of the last seven seasons and finished in the top 10 in the standings in the last six, including his FedExCup title in 2017. Thomas has three top-10s (his fewest in a season) in 19 starts and enters the week after consecutive missed cuts (The Open Championship, 3M Open). Thomas needs a solo-18th or better to have a chance to move into the Top 70 and a 3-way T-4 or better to reach the Top 70 based on the TOUR’s projection.

The 2019 Wyndham Championship winner J.T. Poston enters the week off a runner-up finish at last week’s 3M Open. The last time Poston finished runner-up (2022 Travelers Championship), he went on to win the following week at the 2022 John Deere Classic.

Lee Hodges, last week’s winner of the 3M Open withdrew from the Wyndham.

Sam Burns has five Top-10s this season, highlighted by a win at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. The five-time PGA TOUR winner will be making his second start at the Wyndham Championship (T-13/2020) and would move into the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 with a win this week.

After the weekend, the Top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings will qualify for the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Aug. 10-13 at TPC Southwind in Germantown, Tennessee, near Memphis.

FedEx Cup Playoffs Schedule

FedEx St. Jude Championship – August 7-13

BMW Championship – August 14-20

TOUR Championship – August 21-27

Wyndham Championship | Tournament Facts

COURSE: Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina

YARDS/PAR: 7,131 yards/Par 70

ARCHITECT: Donald Ross

PRIZE Money/Winner’s Share – Purse: $7,600,000/$1,368,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Joohyung Kim

PAST RESULTS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points to Winner: 500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @WyndhamChamp

Mariners Take It To the Red Sox

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SEATTLE – Julio Rodriguez‘s broken-bat single brought home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning and capped the rally with a steal of home as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Boston Red Sox 6-3 on Wednesday, the final day of the Red Sox west coast road trip.

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The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh homered for the fifth time in six games against Boston this season. The Mariners took two of three games between these American League wild-card contenders in the series.

Jarren Duran went deep for the Red Sox, who lost for the fourth time in their past five games.

Seattle’s Matt Brash (7-3) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the victory, and Andres Munoz worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save. Boston reliever John Schreiber (1-1) took the loss.

Trailing 3-0, the Mariners began their comeback in the sixth inning. Eugenio Suarez doubled to left with one out, and Raleigh followed with a two-run shot to right off Schreiber. It was Raleigh’s 17th homer of the season.

Seattle took the lead with a four-run seventh. Newly acquired Dominic Canzone led off with a walk, and Tom Murphy singled down the left-field line. Pinch-hitter Cade Marlowe greeted reliever Richard Bleier with a single to right to tie the score and leave runners at the corners.

An out later, Rodriguez hit a slow roller that trickled into left field when third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Yu Chang collided as the shattered bat sailed past them, scoring Murphy from third to make it 4-3. Suarez lined a run-scoring single to right to extend the lead, and, with two outs, he and Rodriguez pulled off a double steal to cap the scoring.

The Red Sox got on the scoreboard in the third as Connor Wong drew a leadoff walk, and an out later, Duran went deep to right.

The Red Sox tacked on a run in the fifth as Wong led off with a double to left, moved to third on Chang’s single and scored on Masataka Yoshida‘s two-out infield single.

Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford pitched five scoreless innings in his bid to win consecutive starts for the first time in his career, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Crawford allowed four hits, walked one and struck out five.

Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert put up a quality start, giving up three runs on five hits in six innings, with three walks and five strikeouts.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Bounce Back vs Seattle

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SEATTLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – As the clock ticked down to Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners found themselves in similar situations.

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Both were multiple games back in the American League’s wild-card race and in the end made only minor moves on deadline day. The Red Sox acquired infielder Luis Urias from the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Mariners dealt for Baltimore Orioles reliever Eduard Bazardo.

The Red Sox responded with a 6-4 victory over host Seattle behind homers from Alex Verdugo and Reese McGuire, snapping a three-game losing streak. The three-game series wraps up Wednesday afternoon.

The solo shot by McGuire, who graduated from Kentwood High School in the Seattle suburbs, was his first of the season. McGuire, who was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first-round draft pick in 2013, just returned from a rehabilitation assignment after missing more than a month with a right oblique strain.

“He’s a good player. There’s a reason he’s here,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He worked hard to get back and we gave him a chance, and he put (up) two good at-bats.”

Both Red Sox and Mariners front-office officials said they didn’t find any fits for bigger moves at the deadline.

“We really liked what we’re building,” said Red Sox chief operating officer Chaim Bloom, whose team pulled within 1 1/2 games of a playoff position with the Tuesday win. “You’re seeing it more and more each night on the field — the core we’re building and what we’re building toward. Understanding that we’re underdogs this year right now, where we are in the playoff odds, we just tried to stay true to that.”

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, whose team is 3 1/2 games back in the wild-card hunt, delivered a similar message.

“We didn’t want to be disruptive,” Dipoto said. “We also didn’t want to create holes. I think the team has played so well over the course of this last month and, generally speaking, over the course of the last 10 days, it’s really started to progress. It’s the first time we’ve really seen this team have this type of traction. This team has the talent to do it. We’ve always known that we have the talent to do it.

“We would have liked to have done more to help, but we did what we thought we should do. I wish we could have been more aggressive. They gave us every reason to believe in them and be more aggressive. There just wasn’t a lot to be aggressive with.”

Today’s series finale will feature a pair of right-handers, Boston’s Kutter Crawford (5-5, 3.86 ERA) and Seattle’s Logan Gilbert (9-5, 3.83).

Crawford beat the host San Francisco Giants 3-2 today as he allowed just one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. Crawford has faced Seattle once before, tossing five scoreless innings in a no-decision on June 12, 2022.

Gilbert went 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA over five starts in July. He beat the host Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Friday after giving up two runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, with no walks and five strikeouts. Gilbert is 0-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against Boston.

–Field Level Media

Patriots: Jalen Hurd Retires

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots wide receiver Jalen Hurd announced his retirement on Tuesday, exactly one week after signing with the team.

Hurd, 27, never played an NFL snap. He was selected by the 49ers in the third round (67th overall) of the 2019 draft, but injuries forced him to miss his first two seasons.

After beginning the 2021 campaign on injured reserve, Hurd was released by San Francisco on Nov. 11, 2021. He didn’t join another team until signing with New England on July 25.

The Patriots also claimed rookie receiver Thyrick Pitts off waivers from the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

Pitts, 24, hauled in 57 receptions for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Delaware. He was released by the Bears on Monday.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Acquire Urias

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder Luis Urías from the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Bradley Blalock. The club also optioned Urías to Triple-A Worcester.

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Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement on Tuesday, immediately before the MLB Trading Deadline.

Urías, 26, has played in 413 career games with the San Diego Padres (2018-19) and Brewers (2020-23), making 143 starts at third base, 124 at shortstop, and 100 at second base and batting .235 (311-for-1,323). The right-handed hitter has played in 20 games for Milwaukee in 2023, going 8-for-55 while making 10 starts at third base and seven at second base. The Mexico native has also batted .233 (27-for-116) with five doubles and four home runs in 29 games for Triple-A Nashville this season. Urías was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the San Diego Padres on December 27, 2013. His brother, Ramon, currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles.

Blalock, 22, has posted a 2.19 ERA (13 ER/53.1 IP) in 11 starts this season between Single-A Salem (four starts) and High-A Greenville (seven starts). The Georgia native was selected by the Red Sox in the 32nd round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Grayson High School (GA).