Folarin Balogun’s teammates came to his defense after the USA World Cup star was given a red card during the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night.
Balogun received the red card after he stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus only gave Balogun the card after a VAR review. The red card meant Balogun will not be able to play in the team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium.
United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, stands by after being issued a red card by Referee Raphael Claus, of Brazil, as United States’ Weston McKennie (8) looks on during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
A FIFA official told The Athletic a team cannot appeal against the red card or the suspension. The official pointed the outlet to a portion of the organization’s rules and regulations, which states, “A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures.”
Balogun’s teammate, Weston McKennie, called the lack of an appeal process “bogus” and disagreed with the referee’s decision to issue the red card.
Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac (5) talks to United States’ Folarin Balogun after Balogun was sent off, as Christian Pulisic (10) watches during the World Cup round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026.(Julio Cortez / AP)
“Obviously the ref made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable,” McKennie said. “I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing.”
“It’s never a red card. Never. … If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that never was. It was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land,” he said.
Balogun is the third player to score in a World Cup knockout match and be sent off. He follows Brazil’s Ronaldinho in 2002’s quarterfinal match against England and France’s Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy.
Referee Raphael Claus of Brazil shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
It’s the fifth red card handed to an American in the squad’s World Cup history.
Eric Wynalda received one against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo got one against Brazil in 1994 and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope each received one against Italy in 2006.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Advertisement
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Jun 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) and center fielder Justin Crawford (2) celebrate win against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies have scored 25 runs in their three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates this week.
The Phillies hope to author another strong offensive performance Thursday afternoon, when the Pirates visit for the finale of a four-game set.
Philadelphia jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the series opener on Monday before Pittsburgh rallied for an 11-7 victory. The Phillies took back the momentum with an 8-0 triumph on Tuesday, then carried over their good fortunes into a 10-6 victory on Wednesday.
The Phillies got Paul Skenes to surrender a career-high eight runs (seven earned) in four innings on Wednesday, with Turner and Brandon Marsh homering against the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Turner has gone 2-for-5 with a homer in all three games of the series.
“I feel like the last three or four weeks have been pretty solid,” Turner said. “I know how good I am. I know how good I can be, focusing on the last three weeks and getting back to two-strike hitting and scoring runs. I feel like I’ve scored runs at a really good clip because the guys behind me are playing so well. But that’s my job, to score runs, so I feel like the last few weeks have been really good.”
Advertisement
Alec Bohm also homered for Philadelphia, which has won seven of its past nine games.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, received three RBIs from Jared Triolo and a homer from Henry Davis but still lost for the fourth time in six games.
“I thought our approach was awesome off (Zack Wheeler),” Pirates manager Don Kelly said of the Philadelphia starter, who struck out 10 in 4 2/3 innings but also allowed four runs on nine hits. “To go 4 2/3 and get him over 100 pitches and find a way to score — we just need to find a way to keep them down and continue to hit like that.”
Advertisement
The Pirates will try to bounce back behind Jared Jones (1-1, 5.76 ERA), who has yet to work more than five innings in any of his first six starts this season. He lasted 4 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) in a no-decision.
“Not in a good spot,” Jones said, assessing his season. “I have a five and a half ERA through six starts and giving up homers. Not in a good spot at all.”
Jones made one start against the Phillies two seasons ago and allowed three runs while striking out eight in 6 1/3 innings during a defeat.
He will be opposed by Alan Rangel (0-1, 4.50 ERA), who will be making the first start of his major league career. The 28-year-old has made eight relief appearances over the last two seasons, although several of those were essentially starts where the team used an opener.
Advertisement
Rangel gave up four runs in four innings on Saturday during a 6-2 loss to the New York Mets.
“I felt like he kind of had those guys off-balance,” interim manager Don Mattingly said of Rangel. “Even that (four-run sixth) inning … nothing really scorched or anything. So I thought he was good.”
Rangel faced the Pirates in his major league debut last year, allowing two runs in three innings.
Philadelphia is 5-1 against Pittsburgh in the season series, which ends Thursday.
We have your 2026 World Cup anytime goalscorer picks for Thursday’s three knockout games
•
2 min read
Advertisement
Three more knockout matches are set for Thursday, July 2 at the 2026 World Cup, and anyone who wants to try their hand at wagering on anytime goalscorers has plenty of options. Thursday’s Round of 32 World Cup 2026 action kicks off with Austria vs. Spain at 3 p.m. ET, followed by Croatia vs. Portugal at 7 p.m. ET and Algeria vs. Switzerland at 11 p.m. ET. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are favored at -130 on the money line in the latest FanDuel odds, while Luka Modric and Croatia are +400 underdogs and a 90-minute draw is priced at +250.
Ronaldo is world football’s all-time leading scorer and is the +115 favorite among anytime goalscorers at FanDuel, but there is value (and a much bigger potential profit) available on other players. Nailing an ATGS pick is one of the toughest things to do in soccer betting, but if you dig in on the odds, you can find solid options beyond the obvious. For more analysis of the 2026 World Cup, you should see what SportsLine experts Jon Eimer, Martin Green and Brad Thomas have to say about the matches. Anyone following their World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Best World Cup goalscorer picks for Thursday
Lamine Yamal, Spain (+125)
Bruno Fernandes, Portugal (+270)
Ibrahim Maza, Algeria (+550)
Lamine Yamal, Spain (+125)
The youngster will be the most electric player on the field and while he might not put in a full 90 minutes, he will have an impact when he’s out there. The 18-year-old was held to one shot against Uruguay but had five shots and a goal in the rout of Saudi Arabia, and La Roja will rely on his creativity in this crucial match. Spain don’t have a ton of clear scoring threats outside Mikel Oyarzabal and Yamal, so one of them is probably going to score here and I’m leaning toward the emerging superstar.
Bruno Fernandes, Portugal (+270)
Ronaldo gets all the accolades, but Fernandes is the steady hand in the Portuguese attack. The Manchester United veteran closed the Premier League season with a goal against Brighton then had another in a friendly with Chile on June 6. I expect him to open his account at the World Cup on Thursday. The 31-year-old has 29 goals in 92 international matches with Portugal. He is one of the most savvy players on the pitch and knows how important this game is. He’ll be looking to come up big.
Advertisement
Ibrahim Maza, Algeria (+550)
The 20-year-old hasn’t been intimidated and has been among the best on the team in terms of expected goals in the past two matches. He has seven shots (three on net) over the past two games, posting a 0.49 xG against Jordan and 0.60 against Austria. Both were the highest among players who failed to score. I’m expecting Maza to break through here. He has started all three games after quickly becoming a starter for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga, and he’s just getting started.
CommBank Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 18 NRL game between Parramatta Eels and
Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Parramatta Eels vs.
Manly Sea Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Manly heads to CommBank Stadium looking to overcome another setback when it faces a Parramatta side refusing to let its season fade away. The Sea Eagles must now adjust without experienced halfback Luke Brooks, placing added responsibility on young Joey Walsh as the club enters a critical stage of the campaign. Parramatta has consistently shown resilience despite an injury-ravaged season and continues to challenge more fancied opponents through effort and commitment. Manly remains the stronger side on paper, but the Eels have developed a reputation for making life difficult regardless of the circumstances. Another spirited performance would come as little surprise in what shapes as a dangerous assignment for the visitors.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Jonah Pezet 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Apa Twidle 21. Ryley Smith 22. Toni Mataele
Advertisement
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Clayton Faulalo 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Josh Feledy 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Zaidas Muagututia 20. Hugo Hart 21. Blake Wilson 22. Fletcher Baker
Celebrations have begun for Team USA after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But it’s also bittersweet considering Folarin Balogun, who scored his third World Cup goal in the victory, won’t be available on Monday night in Seattle against Belgium after being shown a red card in the 64th minute in a massively controversial decision.
When head referee Raphael Claus of Brazil showed the red card to Balogun, the crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching from home were stunned. Not only did the USMNT have to face Bosnia and Herzegovina for the remainder of the game down one man, but he would be missing the next match if they made it through.
Folarin Balogun of the United States reacts to receiving a red card for a foul on Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.(Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
After the match, former USMNT star Alexi Lalas didn’t hold back his thoughts about how the game was officiated on the night.
“An absolute joke of a refereeing night,” Lalas said during the FOX Sports broadcast.
Lalas also had an interesting post on X involving Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, which was invoked by many after seeing what happened to Balogun.
Advertisement
In Balogun’s case, it was determined that him stepping on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s leg, which led to a rolled ankle, was enough to flash the red card after VAR review despite both players jostling for position to receive the ball coming their way.
There was nothing done with intent on Balogun’s end; rather, he was just trying to land with his right leg after being bumped himself, and his foot unfortunately came down on Muharemovic.
Folarin Balogun of USA receiving a red card from Referee Raphael Claus during the World Cup match between USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.(Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates)
But Lalas immediately thought about Messi’s situation that occurred in Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria. Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf.
Advertisement
Lalas posted the clip on X with the simple caption, “‘Sup,” making it pretty clear what he was referring to. Messi wasn’t reprimanded on the pitch, or after, for what appeared to be a more egregious action than Balogun considering he was looking down at his opponent’s leg from behind before the cleat hits the calf.
Balogun wasn’t even looking at the back right leg of Muharemovic, though it was clear it could’ve been an injury given the rolled ankle that was being stepped on.
United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) and United States’ Christian Pulisic (10) stand by after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Either way, the USMNT will have to think about who will take Balogun’s place against Belgium, as manager Mauricio Pochettino and his staff will deliberate over that key position against their next formidable opponent.
Advertisement
But this red card will be debated for the days leading up to the next match, which will be held at Seattle Stadium on July 6 at 8 p.m.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, IRELAND; Pittsburgh Steelers defender Payton Wilson in action with Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson in a NFL International Series game at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters via Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has logged just 893 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in the last two seasons despite being paid as one of the NFL’s most expensive players at his position. Hockenson took a paycut to remain in Minnesota this offseason, and now ESPN claims it’s a make-or-break campaign for the 28-year-old.
The man should benefit from the arrival of Kyler Murray, as will the offense as a whole.
Vikings TE Decision Now Has a Clock
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates a second-quarter touchdown with teammates against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sep. 14, 2023, giving Minnesota a key scoring moment during an early-season road matchup as Hockenson remained a central piece of Kevin O’Connell’s passing game. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Bill Barnwell: Make-or-Break in 2026 for Hockenson
On a positive note, Barnwell actually ranked the Vikings’ RBs, WRs, and TEs as the NFL’s eighth-best before he delivered the Hockenson opinion.
Advertisement
He wrote, “Both Jefferson and Addison saw their catch rates drop to career lows last season, which I feel comfortable chalking up to subpar quarterback play. T.J. Hockenson, though, recorded the best catch rate of his career, in part because he was catching bunches of short checkdowns.”
“The tight end hasn’t been the same player since his 2023 ACL tear, and the Vikings could really use his ability to create after the catch and up the seam to help new QB Kyler Murray this season. This is a make-or-break year for Hockenson, who will be a free agent after the campaign.”
Hockenson has been the object of some fans’ scorn over the last two seasons, mainly because of his diminished production compared to his meaty paycheck.
Advertisement
The Injury That Pumped the Breaks
In 2023, late in the season, Hockenson was tackled low by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, a defender with a modus operandi of targeting ACLs. Hockenson indeed tore his ACL, ending his season and setting into motion a long recovery. Vikings fans despise Joseph to this day for his deed.
Since then, Hockenson has never posted his production from 2022 or 2023.
Hockenson’s 2025 season statistics — 51 catches, 438 yards, and three touchdowns — might appear underwhelming at first glance, suggesting a decline in performance. However, a deeper look beyond the box score reveals a different narrative.
Advertisement
A significant factor was the instability of the Vikings’ offensive line. Head coach Kevin O’Connell himself acknowledged that Hockenson was tasked with an unusually high volume of blocking assignments, often to compensate for protection deficiencies. It greatly limited his opportunities to contribute as a pass-catcher, making it difficult to achieve the Pro Bowl-caliber receiving numbers he’s known for when he was primarily functioning as an emergency blocker.
Too, the team’s quarterback situation was in constant flux, with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all seeing action. The lack of continuity at quarterback prevented the passing game from establishing any consistent rhythm, forcing Hockenson to operate within a perpetually shifting offensive scheme.
Therefore, Hockenson’s 2025 performance was not a sign of diminished skill, but rather a reflection of the extraordinary circumstances in which he was asked to help stabilize a struggling offense.
As he turns 29, a rebound is in reach. He retains his top-tier route-running ability and remains a large, reliable target.
Advertisement
A Bounceback if Murray Follows the Trey McBride Blueprint
And that bounceback is within reach, mainly because of the evidence down in the desert.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after making a first-half catch against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 19, 2023, as Minnesota leaned on his route running and contested-catch ability during a road test inside Kevin O’Connell’s offense that season. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
McBride became one of the NFL’s best tight ends over the last couple of seasons, and guess who threw him the ball? Murray. McBride and Murray proved they could feast on a lousy team; there’s a blueprint suggesting Murray would pick up where he left off in Arizona. In fact, Murray could be perfect for Hockenson.
That’s in addition to Murray already having Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings at his disposal. The 2022 or 2023 form of Hockenson would shove Minnesota’s offense to new heights, if one assumes that Murray takes off with the Vikings.
Free Agency in Eight Months if Not
Advertisement
The Vikings already built the escape hatch. Hockenson’s offseason pay cut a few months ago not only adjusted his salary but also moved his free agency to 2027, effectively making 2026 a “prove-it” year. While this might seem harsh, it’s a strategic move for smart teams dealing with expensive veterans coming off average seasons.
If Hockenson returns to his 2022 and 2023 form, the decision is straightforward: extend him. Keeping one of the NFL’s better tight ends in O’Connell’s offense would be a no-brainer. That version of Hockenson remains incredibly valuable.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates a second-quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Nov. 12, 2023, giving Minnesota another red-zone receiving highlight as he continued operating as one of the offense’s most reliable pass-catching options during that regular-season stretch. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Should 2026 resemble 2025, the Vikings have the option to let him enter the market and find his replacement through free agency or the 2027 NFL Draft.
Therefore, Barnwell is right: it’s make-or-break for Hockenson.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Jun 26, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Everything points to the Thursday afternoon game between the Cincinnati Reds and the host Milwaukee Brewers being a miserable contest for hitters.
That’s because the contest features a pitching matchup of the major league’s ERA and strikeout leader, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (9-3, 1.45 ERA), and the Reds’ ace, Chase Burns (9-1, 2.36).
“It’s gonna be fun. He’s good,” Burns said. “He’s so good. I’m pumped about it.”
Misiorowski has 146 strikeouts in 99 innings. Burns is tied for fourth in the NL in wins, along with Misiorowski and three others. Burns has 112 strikeouts, tied for seventh in the league, in 91 2/3 innings.
In addition to his spectacular stats, Misiorowski made more news in his last start, a 6-2 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Friday in which he allowed a run on two hits in six innings with four walks and eight strikeouts. He unleashed a 105.5 mph pitch to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the first inning.
Advertisement
It was the third-fastest pitch since tracking became official in 2008. Only Aroldis Chapman, who threw a 105.8 mph pitch in 2011 and a 105.7 mph offering in 2016, has thrown faster pitches. Misiorowski tied a 105.5 mph delivery from Ben Joyce in 2024.
“I think I slipped a little bit,” Misiorowski joked about the pitch after the game. “I think I’ve got a little more.”
He can hope the heat will faze the Reds, who have done well against him in his two appearances (one start). On Aug. 15, 2025, the Reds tagged him for five runs on four hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings. He then faced Cincinnati in relief on Sept. 27, and he yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings.
Advertisement
Misiorowski fanned three in each of those contests.
Burns got a no-decision in his latest outing, when the Reds defeated the host Pittsburgh Pirates 9-7 on Saturday. He was uncharacteristically knocked around to the tune of five runs and nine hits in six innings, though he did not walk a batter and struck out 10.
Burns’ lone appearance against the Brewers came in relief last Sept. 28. He didn’t allow a run or a hit in 1 2/3 innings while walking two and striking out four.
The Brewers will be going for a sweep of the four-game series on Thursday after earning a 4-2 win on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Garrett Mitchell is 6-for-8 in the past two games after going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run on Wednesday. He produced the game-winning RBI, as his two-out triple in the seventh inning broke a 2-2 tie.
Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby (12-1) boosted his major-league-leading victory total after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
The Reds have lost four in a row.
Cincinnati catcher Tyler Stephenson, who went 2-for-4 with a run on Wednesday, is 7-for-15 in his past four games. He scored ahead of Noelvi Marte’s fifth home run in the second inning.
Advertisement
Cincinnati’s Matt McLain started in center field for the first time in his three-season major league career on Wednesday. He appeared at the position for the first time on Tuesday after entering as an eighth-inning pinch hitter. McLain previously had seen action in the field only at second base and shortstop.
Anthony Joshua could be presented with a world title shot in 2027, but first he must take care of Tyson Fury later this year.
The two British heavyweights are expected to collide in November, yet we are still awaiting the announcement of a specific date, location and promoter.
The first of which will take place at the Max Muay Thai Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 24, with 46-year-old veteran Wach having been selected as a low-risk opponent.
It would also seem that there are no plans to broadcast this fight, but rather for it to be treated as an exclusive event for the 2,000 fans in attendance.
Joshua, meanwhile, has equally been matched with a low-risk opponent, only it could be argued that even Kristian Prenga poses a greater threat than Wach.
Regardless, the 36-year-old is heavily favoured to come through his contest in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 25, before entering a long-awaited showdown with Fury.
Advertisement
If he defeats ‘The Gypsy King’, Joshua is then likely to pursue three-time world championship glory, potentially against newly-crowned WBC ruler Agit Kabayel.
Speaking with Sky Sports, the German insisted that he will be waiting for either Joshua or Fury, having previously sparred both heavyweights on numerous occasions.
“Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, when you think you have a chance to be a three-time world champion, let’s do it. Kabayel will wait for you.
“We can make the fight but first of all I think all the fans, the British fans, want to see the Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury fight and, after that, we can see who’s best for the fight with me.
“First of all AJ [for Fury] and after, why not? This is a big fight. We can make this also in Germany in a stadium. We can make this in the UK in a stadium.”
Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch to Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Mickey Moniak is beginning to perform like a No. 1 overall draft pick again.
Moniak will try to keep his latest hot streak going for the Colorado Rockies when they oppose the Miami Marlins in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver.
Moniak came within a single of hitting for the cycle in the Rockies’ 6-3 win against the Marlins on Wednesday. The first pick in the 2016 draft also homered in Colorado’s 14-3 loss to Miami on Tuesday.
“He was a first overall (pick) for a reason, so it’s never been a thing of talent,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Moniak following the Wednesday game. “Guys take a circuitous route to find a place that they settle into in a part of their career. It seems like he’s found a place here in Denver that he’s comfortable in, and certainly swings the bat very well in this ballpark, and he was a big factor for them (Wednesday) evening.”
The Marlins fell on the first day of July after finishing June with a 20-6 record, the best mark in the majors and the best month in their history (.769). It was only the second time in franchise annals that Miami won at least 20 games in a month, following a 21-8 ledger in May 2012.
Advertisement
Miami starter Max Meyer came into the Wednesday game with a shiny 9-0 record, but with one out in the first, Moniak hit the second pitch he saw from Meyer over the fence for a 1-0 lead.
“Staying on a fastball, drove it out to left-center,” Moniak said. “When I’m doing that, things are usually feeling pretty good.”
McCullough would like to see a better approach at the plate from his hitters in the series finale. Miami struck out 11 times on Wednesday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) accounting for nine.
McCullough did witness something he’d never seen before: a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer. Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball took an odd bounce off the center field wall in the seventh inning.
Advertisement
“I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark’s crazy.”
Colorado plans to send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound in hopes of splitting the series after dropping the first two.
Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) showed signs of rebounding from a difficult stretch in which he went 10 straight starts without a victory and lost seven times. He ended the skid on Saturday when he allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during an 8-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins. It was his first win since April 24.
Advertisement
“He pounded the zone. He got ahead. He didn’t try to do too much,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He threw his sinker a ton and got some quick outs. Didn’t hunt the punchout, which was great. I thought Mike was very, very good.”
Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season and went 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Miami. He allowed three runs and seven hits.
Lorenzen has had decent success against the Marlins in his career overall, going 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts.
Following the Wednesday game, McCullough named Ryan Gusto as his starting pitcher for Thursday.
Advertisement
Gusto (0-2, 5.06 ERA) tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings in his latest outing, on Saturday in a no-decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals. That came after a similar performance on June 21, when the right-hander limited the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Miami won both games.
Gusto has never faced the Rockies in his two-year major league career.
Former Germany and USMNT star Jermaine Jones has called for consistency after Lionel Messi was not sent off for a similar foul by Folarin Balogun at the FIFA World Cup. He believes that the officials need to know the difference between an intentional foul and an accidental one.
Speaking on ESPN, Jones said that it was never a red card for Balogun as it was an accidental touch. He added that everything will look bad when it is seen in slo-mo and said:
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“No, definitely now. When you look at the game straight away, and I say that for me, not a red card, because he’s not looking even. So if the ball is in front of you and you go through and you pull through and you hit the guy over the ankle most of the time, then it’s a clear red card. But for that, like he’s trying to step and find a way to step back out of that collision with the Bosnian player, and he steps with his right foot on the guy.”
“Yes, if you slow it down, if you go to review and you look at the pictures, everything looks worse. But then, yeah, but the next point is: if you give a red card here, the consistency – why isn’t Messi getting the red card? So, and that’s just something.”
Jones spoke about how Balogun will now miss the key Round of 16 match, and that could cost the USMNT. He said:
Advertisement
“Now we can look at it and go and say, he’s missing this game. No, he’s an important player. He scored three goals for this country, and he would be missed now for the next game. And that’s something that is not good, even on FIFA’s side, because you have to find consistency in the calls you do and not hurt some people or some teams, and some teams not. So, if I was Pochettino, I would go hard on that, and I would be saying something because. Now you’re in the next round, and you’re missing one of your top players.”
Balogun scored the opening goal of the match for the USMNT, before getting sent off in the second half. However, Pochettino’s men kept their calm and Malik Tillman added another to seal a 2-0 win in the FIFA World Cup clash.
What next for Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup?
Lionel Messi will be in action against Cape Verde this week in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32. He has been in fine form this summer, scoring six goals in just three matches so far.
Argentina topped their group by beating Jordan, Algeria and Austria, and Lionel Messi managed to score at least once in all games.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login