MLB Quickcap (June 9, 2026)
A pair of rookies hit walk-offs, the Dodgers' monster seventh inning versus Pittsburgh, and Chisholm's clutch homer for the Yanks.
SCORES OF THE DAY
White Sox-6, Braves-5 (F/10): Rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery’s walk-off two-run homer in extras gives the White Sox a series-opening win versus MLB’s top team.
Blue Jays-3, Phillies-2: Another rookie walk-off knock on Tuesday, this time by Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela, evens Toronto’s series with Philadelphia.
Dodgers-12, Pirates-3: Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes gives up two runs over six innings for a no-decision, but upon exiting after the sixth, his bullpen surrenders 10 runs in the seventh frame to the Blue Crew.
Mariners-6, Orioles-5 (F/10): Randy Arozarena’s two-run homer in the 10th leads Seattle to victory in the first two games of four at Baltimore.
Rays-4, Red Sox-3: Rays right-hander Nick Martinez goes seven frames, surrenders three runs, and needs only two strikeouts to earn his sixth win.
Yankees-3, Guardians-2: New York’s Jazz Chisholm Jr. breaks a 2-2 with a game-winning solo blast in the eighth inning.
Tigers-10, Twins-4: The Tigers haven’t been playing well this season, with the exception of a couple players, such as catcher Dillon Dingler, who unloaded versus the Twins with four knocks, two homers, and three runs scored.
Marlins-10, Diamondbacks-6: MLB’s batting average leader, Miami’s Otto Lopez, increased his BA to .341 after a 3-for-5 performance, leading his squad to the home win.
Cardinals-7, Mets-0: Dustin May’s six shutout frames help St. Louis to a fifth straight win (W, 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 K).
Royals-5, Rangers-3: Two homers and three ribbies from Jac Caglianone highlight Kansas City’s home victory over Texas.
Rockies-7, Cubs-3: Colorado scores seven times in the first three frames off Chicago’s SP Colin Rea.
Angels-10, Astros-1: The Angels even this three-game series behind seven early runs and rookie Walbert Urena’s five scoreless innings pitched.
Reds-5, Padres-3 (F/11): Cincy snaps its five-game slide thanks to Sal Stewart’s go-ahead two-run homer in the 11th.
Nationals-6, Giants-3: Washington draws even with two other squads for the final NL Wild Card spot after its bullpen holds San Fran to one run over the last five frames.
Athletics-7, Brewers-5: It wasn’t quite the slugfest we saw in Monday’s opener (11 homers combined between the clubs), but the A’s still went yard five times, beginning with Nick Kurtz’s 15th homer in the first frame.
OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE DAY
Dillon Dingler has been mentioned in this section on more than one occasion this season. Detroit’s catcher is one of those players who can be quiet for a week and then deliver a line similar to the one he had last night versus Minnesota. June has been kind to the three-year veteran. He’s had a trio of four RBI contests already this month and is hitting .393 with five long balls and 14 ribbies in seven June contests.
DET - Dillon Dingler (4 H, 2 HR, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 0 BB, 1 K)
PITCHING LINE OF THE DAY
Put a W next to Dylan Cease’s name and Toronto’s SP probably takes today’s award. However, because Cease and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler each left after six innings of one-run ball, neither factored in the decision. Cease allowed only three hits and struck out 11 in his first start since May 24 (IL with hammy strain).
I now have to focus on Dustin May’s six scoreless frames instead. May surrendered four knocks, struck out six, and walked one. He also claimed the win. A win for Cease, and he probably takes this because of those 11 punchouts. But it’s May’s day.
STL - Dustin May (W, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 6 K, 1 BB)
TOR - Dylan Cease (ND, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 11 K, 1 BB)
THOUGHTS OF THE DAY
I watched most of the Chicago vs. Atlanta game on Tuesday. I saw Braden Montgomery’s first career knock in the fourth and his walk-off homer in the 10th. That was a cool moment. If you missed it, here’s the clip:
By the way, that was Raisel Iglesias’s first loss of the season. Atlanta’s closer had a 0.87 ERA before that two-run oppo by Montgomery. As I’ve said many times, extra innings are a reliever’s nightmare. Unforgiving with the automatic runner on second.
After Monty’s home run, it got me wondering about how many other players have hit walk-off taters in their MLB debut. Sure enough, that answer came this morning when I read an article on MLB.com by Scott Merkin.
Montgomery joins four other players on the walk-off homer in MLB debut list.
1971: Billy Parker
2002: Josh Bard
2003: Miguel Cabrera
2015: Carlos Perez
Before the call-up, the 23-year-old Montgomery was hitting .314 with 10 homers and 41 ribbies through 56 games between two Minor League levels. I wouldn’t expect the rookie to be heading back to Triple-A anytime soon. Congrats to the kid from Des Moines, Iowa.
EYES ON TODAY *all times Eastern
1:10 PM - Yankees (40-26) at Guardians (37-32): New York looks for the three-game sweep of Cleveland. This just a week after the Guardians won two of three in the Bronx.
Pitching matchup:
NYY - Carlos Rodon (5 GS, 1-2, 2.88 ERA) vs. Parker Messick (13 GS, 6-2, 2.40 ERA)
6:40 PM - Dodgers (43-24) at Pirates (34-33): Well, if the Buccos can’t beat the Dodgers when Skenes is pitching, then I’m not sure how 24-year-old Jared Jones (career 24 GS, 7-8, 4.19 ERA) plans on keeping MLB’s top slugging team from crossing home plate. On the other side, we have an opposite situation. Shohei Ohtani, who has no problem keeping runs off the board in ‘26 (10 GS, 6-2, 0.87 ERA), gets the ball for the 11th time this season with hopes of pitching the seven frames he would need to officially qualify for the ERA lead. This will be the Dodgers’ 68th game, and Ohtani has thrown 61 innings (a pitcher must toss at least the same number of innings as games played by the team if he is to qualify for the ERA leaderboard).
MLB Quickcap will be released on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If interested, you can read my MLB Series Preview on Pitcher List every Monday and Friday by following the attached link. I break down my top five series of the week and the weekend. The articles are released around 3 p.m. Eastern.