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Trade deadline takes MLB center stage; women return to the diamond

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The Philadelphia Phillies capped a successful weekend by taking two of three games from the Baltimore Orioles, defeating their regional rivals 8-0 Sunday in a rain-shortened contest that was called after several innings because of inclement weather.

The series victory provided a boost for a Phillies club that has struggled since the All-Star break. Despite their dismal second half, Philadelphia remains in position for a National League Wild Card berth as it opens a four-game home series tonight against the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals enter Citizens Bank Park on a five-game losing streak after dropping a 4-2 decision to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Baltimore, meanwhile, has cooled after a hot stretch that thrust the club back into playoff contention. Although the Orioles have stumbled in recent days, they remain within striking distance of an American League Wild Card spot with two months remaining.

The Pittsburgh Pirates also remain in the National League Wild Card conversation despite Sunday’s 10-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The defeat dropped Pittsburgh back below the .500 mark, but the Pirates are still close enough to remain part of the postseason race.

Attention around baseball now shifts to today’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, with contenders and rebuilding clubs expected to make a flurry of last-minute deals.

The biggest move of the weekend saw ace left-hander Tarik Skubal dealt from the Detroit Tigers to the Los Angeles Dodgers in one of the season’s blockbuster trades. The New York Yankees also strengthened their roster by acquiring reliever Luis García from the Nationals.

The Phillies are widely expected to be buyers as they look to bolster their roster for a postseason push, particularly after inconsistent play since the All-Star break.

Baltimore’s plans remain less certain. The Orioles could add pieces in an effort to chase a playoff berth, but they also possess several attractive trade assets if they choose to sell. Among the players whose names have surfaced in trade speculation is two-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.

Elsewhere around the majors Sunday, the New York Mets edged the Miami Marlins 2-0, the Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 7-3, the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-4, the Cleveland Guardians blanked the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0, the New York Yankees slipped past the Chicago Cubs 2-1, the Colorado Rockies routed the Kansas City Royals 8-1, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-1, the Seattle Mariners outlasted the Minnesota Twins 7-6, the San Diego Padres nipped the San Francisco Giants 5-4, the Detroit Tigers shut out the Athletics 11-0, the Los Angeles Angels beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0, the Toronto Blue Jays fell 5-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves continued to strengthen their positions in the playoff races.

And, finally, women’s professional baseball returned to the United States for the first time in nearly 30 years Saturday as the new Women’s Pro Baseball League officially opened its inaugural season before an enthusiastic crowd in Springfield, Illinois.

The Los Angeles Queens rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the New York Heights 10-8 in the league’s first game at historic Robin Roberts Stadium.

More than 4,000 fans attended despite steady rain, with many arriving hours before first pitch to celebrate the milestone for women’s sports. Long lines formed outside the ballpark and at merchandise stands as fans marked the return of a professional baseball league for women.

The game featured several historic firsts. Maggie Foxx recorded the league’s first hit with a two-run single in the opening inning, while New York’s Denae Benites hit the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s first home run with a two-run blast in the fourth.

The Queens, featuring former Little League World Series standout Mo’ne Davis, erased an 8-4 deficit by scoring two runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh to complete the comeback.

The league’s debut marks a significant milestone for female athletes seeking opportunities to play professional baseball rather than softball, creating a new pathway for future generations.

Source: MLB, NBC

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