Hey now, you’re an All-Star!
The Royals are feeling much better after a winning road trip, writes Anne Rogers.
“We’ve got to stack good wins together,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “And this trip was a start. You get one game over on the trip, we’d like more, but we competed well in Seattle with close ballgames there. So to come out of there with a split and get the series win here, we’ve got to keep stacking those together.”
Michael Wacha blames himself for Saturday’s loss.
“It starts with myself today,” Wacha, who was tagged with four runs, said. “Nelson’s going out, he had his stuff going, and I’ve got to be able to match everything he’s got going on out there. We’ve played a couple of good games in a row, and it starts with me today. I didn’t get the job done.”
Vinnie Pasquantino had a big night on Friday with two home runs.
“With how good our pitching staff is — when you feel good with one run, and then to be able to put up three, it’s just kind of like, ‘Look at us, we just scored three in one inning,’” Pasquantino said. “We’ve been having a hard time scoring three in a game. So being able to do that is nice.
“And then I think the best part was being able to respond again in the second with more runs. It’s one thing to do it once, but then to be able to keep stacking runs was really good.”
Two years after getting Tommy John surgery, Kris Bubic is an All-Star.
“It’s a moment you’ll never forget, and you’ll never know when you’ll be in a situation like this again,” Bubic said. “… I think it speaks more to just the work we put in, not just this year, but coming back last year from the elbow. It’s been a long road, kind of unpredictable at times, but to be in this situation is pretty cool.”
Bobby Witt Jr. is glad for a second trip to the Midsummer Classic, writes Jaylon Thompson.
“It’s very special just getting honored and being recognized,” Witt told reporters in Phoenix. “I dreamed about it when I was little. I always wanted to be an All-Star and making these things a reality is always a blessing. Just a lot more work to do, but it’s special.”
Jaylon writes that Maikel Garcia and Carlos Estévez were snubbed.
Here’s a Cole Ragans update.
Injury update on Cole Ragans: He had his follow up MRI and received positive results, manager Matt Quatraro said. The plan is for Ragans to begin throwing again tomorrow. Still a ways to go, but good first step. #Royals
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) July 6, 2025
The Royals also placed pitcher Daniel Lynch IV on the Injured list with elbow irritation.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes that Seth Lugo is returning to form.
The Washington Nationals fire GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez.
Juan Soto and Mookie Betts were among the notable omissions from the All-Star team.
Brandon Woodruff makes his first start for the Brewers since 2023, striking out eight.
Yu Darvish will make his season debut for the Padres tonight.
Bryan Reynolds can block a trade to six teams, and the Royals aren’t one of them.
The Mets reportedly have interest in Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller.
Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt will likely need a second Tommy John surgery.
Why are strikeouts way down?
Will Las Vegas really build a $1.75 billion stadium for the Athletics?
NFL running back Alvin Kamara has a brutal ceremonial first pitch.
Pitcher Dan Straily announces his retirement.
Former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks dies at age 44 from cancer.
Kevin Durant goes to the Rockets in a complex seven-team trade.
Mexico defeats the US Men’s National team in soccer to win the Gold Cup.
How do scientists calculate the probability that an asteroid could hit the Earth?
The River Seine is open to public swimming for the first time in over a century.
Are video games getting too lazy to teach you how to play them?
Your song of the day is Supergrass with Caught by the Fuzz.