Mets' Francisco Lindor keeps ‘riding a good wave' at plate as he makes shortstop history
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Francisco Lindor's stretch as an almost automatic out has been replaced by the opposite end of the results spectrum.
The All-Star shortstop had a fourth straight multihit game Saturday, helping the Mets score enough to get Nolan McLean a victory in his major league debut.
A night after Lindor smashed two homers, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
It left Lindor 10-for-16 with six RBIs in his past four games.
'I am riding a good wave right now for sure,' said Lindor, who owned a .634 OPS over his previous 60 games before his multihit streak. 'I am sure I am going to at some point go down, but as long as I limit the length … just try to ride this wave as long as I can.'
Lindor's third-inning double gave the Mets their first run on this day.
In the seventh, his single and stolen base helped fuel a rally in which the Mets scored twice.
Lindor's stolen base was his 20th, giving him a 20/20 season (homers and stolen bases) for the fifth time in his career.
He is the first shortstop in major league history with five such seasons.
McLean became the sixth Mets player to debut in the major leagues this season, joining Hayden Senger, Jonathan Pintaro, Blade Tidwell, Justin Hagenman and Alex Carrillo.
The right-hander became the first pitcher drafted by the team to win his initial MLB appearance since David Peterson in 2020.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said the decision to DFA Paul Blackburn after Friday's game was 'not an easy one,' but the Mets needed the roster spot for McLean.
The veteran Blackburn had one appearance with the club after returning from the injured list Wednesday.
Blackburn owned a 6.85 ERA in seven appearances for the club this season.
Juan Soto, with his 30th homer of the season Friday, became the ninth player in franchise history to reach that plateau in his first season with the club.
Frank Thomas, Dave Kingman, Gary Carter, Bernard Gilkey, Robin Ventura, Mike Cameron, Carlos Delgado and Pete Alonso are the others.
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USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
Defending champion Penn State volleyball unbothered by No. 2 ranking behind rival Nebraska
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Penn State went 29-2 in the regular season, clinched a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 2017 and defeated rival Nebraska twice in the same season for the first time in program history, all while navigating Schumacher-Cawley's breast cancer diagnosis. It's now officially time to turn the page on their championship as Penn State prepares to open the 2025 season and start their title defense against Creighton on Saturday. "We're done talking about last year's team," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Every semester is a new team and a new season. We'll take the lessons we've learned and move forward with this group and let them find their identity." Penn State will look a little different this year after losing five seniors, including Mruzik, the 2024 Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 NCAA tournament, who you simply "can't replace," Schumacher-Cawley said. That may explain why the defending champion Nittany Lions are ranked No. 2 in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll behind Big Ten foe Nebraska. But if you ask Penn State, they "don't necessarily care." "The rankings are for the fans and it gives everyone something to talk about," Schumacher-Cawley said. "We don't really talk about the awards and we don't talk about the preseason rankings. "With our players we just stress getting better every day in the gym. ... Every week is a different challenge and it's just how you attack it." New leaders emerge after seniors graduate Schumacher-Cawley said the team will rely on returning players like senior libero Gillian Grimes and senior middle blocker Jordan Hopp to take on leadership in the locker room. "I try to empower every single player to be a leader in their own way, in their own voice," Schumacher-Cawley said. "It's the players that were on the team last year that got a taste of what it took to win a Big Ten (title), be at a Final Four and win a championship. "They've taken the responsibility to help the new players and the younger ones on how we do things here and what's helped us be successful." Grimes is one of three Nittany Lions named to the preseason All-Big Ten Team, in addition to sophomore setter Izzy Starck, the AVCA National Freshman of the Year last season, and junior outside hitter Kennedy Martin. "I couldn't be on that list without my teammates and without my coaches, so I'm really happy for that," Grimes said at the Big Ten media day last month, highlighting a team-first philosophy that pulses through Penn State. Schumacher-Cawley didn't even wear her championship ring at media day after becoming the first female women's volleyball coach to win an NCAA championship. "It's for (the players) to show and wear. I'll keep mine in the nice box at home and let it sit there." The ring features two pink diamonds in honor of Schumacher-Cawley's battle with breast cancer. She announced she was cancer-free in February. Penn State reloads through transfer portal Penn State landed All-American Kennedy Martin in the transfer portal, who Schumacher-Cawley said "just fits in" with the team's culture. Martin led the nation in points per set (6.28) and was second in kills per set (5.57) last season during her sophomore campaign at Florida. "(Kennedy) brings a high level of play, but she is so fun to be around and she is such a great teammate," Schumacher-Cawley said. "I'm excited to see her wear the blue and white and see her compete this weekend for us. And I think she just brings a level of confidence to the group and she's going to help everyone be better." The Nittany Lions also added Saint Louis setter Addie Lyon and Ohio State outside hitter Emmi Sellman, who Schumacher-Cawley said "almost single handedly beat us last year when she was at Ohio State." 'There's always been pressure for us' Penn State women's volleyball is used to having a bullseye on their back. The Nittany Lions have won eight national championships, the second-most of any school behind Stanford (9), including a historic four-peat from 2007 to 2010. "There's always just been pressure for us," Starck said. "Coming into this season, it's just the same mindset we always have of how we work hard with each other and how we push each other. I definitely think winning the national championship last year helps us, because we know what it takes and we know how to help the new players." The Nittany Lions have a tough schedule and will have to go through Nebraska twice (Oct. 3 and Nov. 28) during the regular season, in addition to facing at least 15 other teams that made it to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The spotlight will be even brighter as Penn State will have 16 nationally televised matchups across FOX, BTN, and FS1, up from 12 nationally broadcast regular-season games last year. "You have to play great competition to prepare for the Big 10 Conference," Schumacher-Cawley said. "Being in these opening tournaments will set the tone and show us what we need to do and how we need to be better... the end goal is to be great in November and December." Penn State opens the season against Creighton on Saturday at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The matchup will be broadcast on FS1 Network at 5 p.m. ET. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Newsweek
16 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Blue Jays Standout Sends 4-Word Shane Bieber Message After Harsh Move
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New York Times
16 minutes ago
- New York Times
Ryan O'Hearn, Gavin Sheets seizing opportunities to address Padres' lack of power
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The Padres' four home runs — third baseman Manny Machado launched one in the bottom of the third, three at-bats before Sheets swatted his second in two innings — were their most since they crushed five on May 10 amid the lunar atmosphere of Coors Field. It was their largest single-game output at Petco Park since another four-homer production last September. 'I think we (apply) a ton of pressure with our base running, with the way we make contact, drive the ball gap to gap,' Sheets said. 'But I think the power's contagious, too.' Advertisement With 110 home runs through 127 games, the Padres still rank 29th. They have fared much better in other areas, particularly pitching-related ones, yet they face a daunting road to a potential title. No team has won a World Series after ranking in the bottom five in home runs since the 2012 Giants, who finished 30th in that department and improbably won six consecutive elimination games in the postseason. And slugging ability has become increasingly precious in October; none of the past five World Series winners ranked lower than fourth in home runs. So, this is a start: Since O'Hearn and outfielder Ramón Laureano were acquired from Baltimore at the July 31 trade deadline, the Padres rank 13th in slugging percentage. They are tied for 21st in home runs, with 18 in 18 games. Laureano, the new everyday left fielder, has hit four of those. O'Hearn, a 2025 All-Star who has yet to start for San Diego against a left-handed starter, has hit three. And Sheets, who went from playing almost every day to riding the bench, has supplied five extra-base hits in 17 at-bats this month. That's our boy, Gavin. — San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 21, 2025 'Stay ready, be ready for any opportunity that came,' Sheets said, describing his mindset since the deadline. 'You know, I could have got frustrated, and at the end of the day, getting frustrated would have only hurt one guy, and that would have been me. So, just to be ready for opportunities like this, be ready to step up whenever (I am) needed. Obviously, Jackson's down right now, and to be able to come in and step up big for us tonight, it felt good.' Friday at Dodger Stadium, Merrill rolled his left ankle as he tried to bolt out of the batter's box on a single. He stayed in the game, finished it, then went hitless in six consecutive at-bats before he was lifted midway through a series finale. Laureano shifted to center field. Sheets took Merrill's place in left field. He later doubled and scored on a double by O'Hearn. The Padres lost by a run as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a sweep. Advertisement San Diego has since won two of three against the Giants, despite Merrill's absence. Shildt said before Wednesday's game that imaging on the outfielder's ankle continued to be negative. 'But,' the manager added, 'there is some bone bruising, which can take a while to heal.' Merrill's status for this weekend's rematch with the Dodgers is questionable, at best. He was still walking with a noticeable limp late Wednesday, and if he does not awake Thursday having experienced significant progress, the Padres could be compelled to place him on the 10-day injured list. They could backdate the stint to Monday, meaning Merrill would not be able to return until Aug. 28. It would be his third trip to the IL in what has been a frustrating sophomore season. In 2024, Merrill slugged .500 with 24 home runs as the runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year. In 2025, he has slugged .413 with nine home runs. That drop-off has come amid a career-worst power outage for right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. Wednesday, the Padres countered those trends with a spectacular play and the depth of a recently reinforced lineup. Tatis, whose defense has not slumped, made a leaping catch at the right-field wall to rob Rafael Devers of a first-inning home run. 'If he's not the Platinum Glove winner,' Shildt said, 'I want a recount.' THAT'S NANDO 🤯 — San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 21, 2025 Then, the offense went to work. Tatis ripped a leadoff double. Two outs later, O'Hearn went from being down 0-2 to ending a 10-pitch at-bat with an RBI single. Sheets drilled a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the second, setting a career high with his 16th home run. An inning later, O'Hearn followed Machado's homer with a walk, and Laureano singled on a comebacker that unfortunately knocked Giants starter Landen Roupp from the game with a knee injury. That brought Sheets to the plate against former Padres lefty Joey Lucchesi. What ensued was the seventh big-league home run Lucchesi had ever surrendered to a lefty hitter. The Padres led 6-0, which was more than enough support for another deadline addition; starting pitcher JP Sears, making his second start for San Diego, went on to complete six innings of one-run ball. 'He's a great hitter. He's a great player,' O'Hearn said of Sheets. 'I watched Gavin play a lot in Chicago (for the White Sox) when I was in Kansas City (with the Royals). We've got a ton of mutual friends, and coming over here, I was excited to play with him. But obviously, a really talented player, got crazy juice as we saw tonight, and he can really impact the game at any moment.' Advertisement Lately, the Padres have felt the weight of this type of impact. The past weekend against the Dodgers turned into an immense disappointment; San Diego outhit Los Angeles across three games, but was out-homered by a 5-2 margin. In Monday's series opener, the Giants drilled three first-inning home runs and held on for a narrow win. Then, after a well-pitched win Tuesday, the Padres erupted for a quartet of homers. (Like Sheets, O'Hearn established a career high, hitting his 16th.) Considering the stakes, it was an especially timely display of slugging. Elsewhere Wednesday, the Dodgers lost to the Colorado Rockies. Their lead in the National League West is back down to one game. They will visit Petco Park on Friday for the start of another critical series. This time, the Padres will seek to at least match the Dodgers' firepower. Circumstances have led to increased at-bats for two of San Diego's most capable sluggers. Sheets, in particular, will have more chances to prove he should have been playing more all along. 'A player like Jackson being out creates opportunity,' Shildt said. 'When you have regulars, there's only so many open spots. But … a lot of credit and a lot of respect for Gavin to continue to stay with it. And the mind's the thing that controls everything, and … when everybody's going to have the mindset of what's best for the team and stay ready for that, this time of the year, it's about that.' (Photo of Ryan O'Hearn and Gavin Sheets celebrating Sheets' three-run home run: Denis Poroy / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
