Daily Double Play: Your MLB Update

## Daily MLB Recap: July 28, 2025

Yesterday’s slate featured 15 contests across the majors, highlighted by milestone performances, comeback wins, and a handful of key storylines that will reverberate into the pennant race. In Houston, Framber Valdez etched his name in franchise lore even as the Astros dropped a tight contest in Washington. Meanwhile, Christian Yelich and Matthew Boyd each reached personal milestones in Milwaukee, and Shohei Ohtani delivered another highlight-reel moment in Cincinnati. Below is a detailed breakdown of the day’s marquee matchups, notable individual achievements, and broader implications for the standings.

### Nationals 2, Astros 1: Valdez’s Landmark, Astounding Finish in DC
The Washington Nationals edged the Houston Astros, 2–1, on the back of a heroic outing by closer Kyle Finnegan, who slammed the door in the ninth for his 22nd save of the season ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776969)).
- Framber Valdez struck out 10 batters and recorded the 1,000th punchout of his career in just 1,019⅓ innings, becoming the fastest to that mark in Astros history ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776969)).
- Houston struck first via Mauricio Dubón’s RBI double in the fifth, but Washington countered with Nathaniel Lowe’s two-out double in the sixth to tie the game and then plated the go-ahead run in the ninth ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776969)).
- Riley Adams launched his sixth homer of the year—a career high—tying the game in the sixth before the Nats rallied late ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776969)).

### Brewers 8, Cubs 4: Yelich’s 20th, Boyd’s 1,000th K, Late Surge
In Milwaukee, the Brewers cruised past the Cubs, 8–4, behind a late offensive outburst and milestone achievements for both clubs ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/gamestory-776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Christian Yelich clubbed his 20th home run of the season in the seventh inning, becoming the first Brewer to reach the mark in 2025, and added an RBI double earlier in the game ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Cubs starter Matthew Boyd recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in the second inning, marking the longest scoreless streak by a Cub starter since 2012 at 25 innings before yielding runs in the third ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/gamestory-776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Milwaukee tacked on three runs in the seventh, capped by Sal Frelick’s solo blast, effectively putting the game out of reach despite Chicago’s early three-run first inning ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/gamestory-776965?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Orioles 11, Blue Jays 4: Mullins Lights Up Camden Yards, Bichette’s Hit Streak
At Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles overwhelmed Toronto, 11–4, punctuated by Cedric Mullins’ power display and a franchise record by Bo Bichette ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776966)).
- Cedric Mullins clubbed a two-run homer in the second inning, part of a four-run frame against Chris Bassitt, propelling Baltimore to an early lead ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776966)).
- Bo Bichette extended his on-base streak to nine consecutive at-bats with a seventh-inning single, breaking the Blue Jays’ franchise record for consecutive AB hits ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776966)).
- Adley Rutschman belted a two-run double and Ramón Laureano delivered a two-run homer in the fifth, while Colton Cowser added a solo shot in the ninth to cap the scoring ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776966)).

### Rockies 8, Guardians 6: Late Inning Rally Seals Dramatic Win
The Colorado Rockies executed a nine-run ninth inning to overcome a 5–3 deficit and defeat the Cleveland Guardians, 8–6, at Progressive Field ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776968)).
- Starter Bradley Blalock delivered a career-high six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts before the Guardians broke through in the seventh via Bo Naylor’s pinch-hit, three-run homer ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776968)).
- Colorado tied the game in the ninth on Warming Bernabel’s double that lodged in the wall, followed by Brenton Doyle’s sac bunt and Tyler Freeman’s go-ahead single in the ninth inning ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776968)).
- Nolan Jones added an insurance RBI in the ninth, and closer Seth Halvorsen struck out Brayan Rocchio to seal the comeback victory ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776968)).

### Dodgers 5, Reds 2: Ohtani’s Two-Run Double, Burns’ 10-K Gem
Shohei Ohtani continued his torrid stretch with a two-run double, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5–2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776967?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Ohtani’s two-run double in the fifth inning extended his team-leading RBI total to 60 and propelled the Dodgers’ offense ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776967?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Cincinnati’s Chase Burns struck out 10 over six shutout innings, becoming the second Reds pitcher in 125 years to log three straight starts with double-digit Ks ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776967?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Teoscar Hernández chipped in with two RBI singles, and Jack Dreyer tossed a perfect ninth for the save ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776967?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Tigers 5, Diamondbacks 1: Thomas’ Solo Blast Ends Slump
In Detroit, the Tigers snapped Arizona’s 25-inning scoreless drought, cruising to a 5–1 victory over the Diamondbacks at Comerica Park ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776973?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Rookie Alek Thomas homered in the first inning—his sixth of the season—to break the tie and energize the home crowd ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776973?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Will Vest stranded the tying run in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 frame to notch his first career save ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776973?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- Eugenio Suárez exited after being plunked by a 96-mph heater in the ninth, casting doubt on his availability for the approaching trade deadline ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776973?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).

### Other Headlines and Implications
- **Passing of a Legend:** In Chicago, the Cubs organization and fans mourned the sudden death of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who passed away on the evening of July 28. Teams across the league observed a moment of silence, and players paid tribute with vintage throwback gear ([bleachernation.com](https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/07/28/enhanced-box-score-brewers-8-cubs-4-july-28-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **Trade Watch:** Reports surfaced that the Milwaukee Brewers were finalizing a deal to acquire catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Bay Rays, aiming to bolster their playoff push ([bleachernation.com](https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/07/28/enhanced-box-score-brewers-8-cubs-4-july-28-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
- **Injury Updates:** George Springer left the Toronto–Baltimore game after taking a 96-mph fastball off his helmet and was evaluated for a concussion; further tests are pending ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/stories/game/776966)).

### Standings Impact
- The Nationals’ upset win keeps them within striking distance in the NL East, one game behind the Braves, who lost 6–3 to Kansas City.
- Houston’s defeat dropped the Astros half a game behind Seattle atop the AL West, intensifying the race in one of baseball’s tightest divisions.
- In the AL Central, Detroit’s victory moves the Tigers within 2½ games of the Guardians, underscoring a four-team scramble for the division crown.

With just five weeks remaining until the trade deadline and a month until rosters expand, teams will look to yesterday’s outcomes for momentum as they jockey for positioning. Expect more fireworks on July 29 as pennant races heat up across both leagues.