MLB Highlights: 2026-05-09

Tanner Bibee put together a gem for the Cleveland Guardians, working 6.0 innings while allowing just 1 earned run on 1 hit and 1 homer. He racked up 9 strikeouts against 2 walks, hit one batter, and picked off a runner. The Guardians’ offense couldn’t provide enough support in a tight 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Spencer Strider (W, 1-0) was lights out for the Atlanta Braves, firing 6.0 scoreless innings on 1 hit with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks over 91 pitches. His strike percentage hit .650 as he induced 5 groundouts and 3 flyouts. The Braves erupted for 7 runs to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2.

Michael Wacha (W, 4-2) dominated for the Kansas City Royals, scattering 2 hits over 7.0 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 1 hit batsman. He generated 8 groundouts and allowed 1 stolen base plus 1 wild pitch. The Royals won 5-1 over the Detroit Tigers behind his strong performance.

Braxton Ashcraft (W, 2-2) earned the win for the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 7.0 innings and allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits including 1 double and 1 homer, with 6 strikeouts and no walks. He faced 26 batters efficiently on 80 pitches at a .780 strike rate. Pittsburgh routed the San Francisco Giants 13-3.

Joe Ryan delivered for the Minnesota Twins, pitching 6.0 innings of one-run ball on 2 hits with 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, and 1 hit batsman. He allowed 2 stolen bases and 1 wild pitch but picked off a runner. The Twins edged the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 in a low-scoring affair.

Merrill Kelly (W, 2-3) went 7.0 strong innings for the Arizona Diamondbacks, surrendering 1 earned run on 3 hits with 2 doubles, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks including 1 intentional, and 1 pickoff. His 96 pitches yielded a .600 strike rate with 11 airouts. Arizona topped the New York Mets 2-1.

Dustin May (L, 3-4) took the tough loss for the St. Louis Cardinals despite 6.0 innings of work, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits including 1 homer, with 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 1 stolen base against. He threw 97 pitches with a .660 strike rate but the Padres prevailed 4-2.

Cam Schlittler fired 6.0 shutout innings for the New York Yankees, limiting opponents to 2 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks on 97 pitches at a .700 strike rate. He induced 6 groundouts and 4 lineouts but the Yankees bullpen couldn’t hold a 4-3 lead as the Milwaukee Brewers walked off with the win.

Alec Bohm crushed it for the Philadelphia Phillies, going 3-for-4 with 1 double, 2 home runs, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored in a perfect day at the plate with no walks or strikeouts. His total bases reached 10 as he posted a 3.250 OPS. The Phillies hammered the Colorado Rockies 9-3.

Miguel Vargas homered twice for the Chicago White Sox, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, adding a walk in 4 plate appearances for a .667 average and 3.417 OPS. His 8 total bases powered the offense in a convincing 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Clay Holmes (L, 4-3) took the loss in the New York Mets’ narrow 1-2 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The starter went 5.2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits, including 1 double, with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. Holmes faced 24 batters, throwing 103 pitches (64 strikes, 62% strike rate), recording 5 fly outs, 6 ground outs, and 6 air outs. Despite his efforts, the Mets’ offense couldn’t overcome the Diamondbacks’ pitching in the tight contest.

Ty Madden delivered a 6.0-inning outing in the Detroit Tigers’ 1-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals. He surrendered 3 earned runs on just 2 hits, including 1 home run, while issuing 2 walks and striking out 5. Madden threw 87 pitches (53 strikes, 61% rate), picking off 1 runner and catching 1 steal attempt. He induced 6 ground outs, 2 fly outs, and 6 air outs, but the Royals capitalized on his efforts for the win.

Landen Roupp (L, 5-3) absorbed the loss as the San Francisco Giants were routed 3-13 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roupp struck out a career-high 8 over 4.0 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits, including 1 double, and 3 walks. He threw 94 pitches (60 strikes, 64% rate), facing 18 batters with 3 ground outs and 1 fly out. The Giants’ bullpen couldn’t stem the Pirates’ offensive tide after his exit.

Chase Burns (W, 4-1) earned the win in the Cincinnati Reds’ 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros. The prospect went 6.0 innings, permitting 1 earned run on 4 hits, including 2 doubles and 1 home run, with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts. Burns threw 87 pitches (49 strikes, 56% rate), picking off 1 runner, and induced 7 ground outs and 3 fly outs. His performance anchored the Reds’ pitching in the low-scoring affair.

Brandon Lowe powered the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 13-3 rout of the San Francisco Giants with a 2-for-4 performance, including a triple, double, and walk for 5 total bases. He scored 2 runs, drove in 4 RBI, added a sac fly, and left 2 on base. Lowe’s extra-base hits and run production were key in the Pirates’ offensive explosion, helping secure a decisive victory over the Giants.

Anthony Kay (W, 2-1) picked up the win in the Chicago White Sox’s 6-1 triumph over the Seattle Mariners. Kay tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches (54 strikes, 61% rate), catching 1 steal and allowing 1 sac bunt, with 6 ground outs and 1 pop out. His strong start set the tone for the White Sox victory.

Trey Yesavage fired 4.0 scoreless innings in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 14-1 blowout of the Los Angeles Angels. He allowed 4 hits, including 1 double, 2 walks, and hit 1 batter while fanning 6. Yesavage threw 87 pitches (57 strikes, 66% rate), facing 17 batters with a mix of 2 ground outs and 1 fly out. The Blue Jays’ offense erupted behind his quality start.

Spencer Arrighetti (L, 4-1) was saddled with the loss in the Houston Astros’ 1-3 setback to the Cincinnati Reds. Over 5.2 innings, he gave up 1 earned run on 5 hits with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts, allowing 2 stolen bases. Arrighetti threw 93 pitches (59 strikes, 63% rate) but issued a balk, facing 24 batters in the tight game.

Jack Leiter tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in the Texas Rangers’ 6-0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs. He permitted 3 hits, including 2 doubles, 5 walks, and struck out 6. Leiter threw 97 pitches (54 strikes, 56% rate), facing 23 batters with 4 ground outs and 3 fly outs. His command issues were offset by the Rangers’ strong offensive support.

Randy Vásquez (W, 4-1) secured the win in the San Diego Padres’ 4-2 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals. Vásquez worked 5.0 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits, including 1 double, with no walks and 6 strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches (59 strikes, 63% rate), limiting the Cardinals to 1 stolen base in a controlled performance.