AROUND THE HORN
▪ Diamondbacks, Mets: Team broadcaster Bob Brenly issued an apology for a comment about Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman’s head covering that the right-hander said had racist undertones. “During last night’s game, I made a poor attempt at humor that was insensitive and wrong,” Brenly, a former D’backs manager, said in a statement Wednesday. “I apologize to Marcus Stroman and have reached out directly to share those thoughts. I have had several conversations with the D’backs and we agree that seeking sensitivity training is an important step so that I can continue to learn from my mistakes in order to be better in the future.” Brenly, working for Bally Sports Arizona, made the remark about Stroman’s headwear during the fourth inning of the D’backs’ 6-5, 10-inning win Tuesday night in Phoenix. “Pretty sure that’s the same durag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets,” Brenly said. Stroman, after learning of Brenly’s comments, tweeted after the game: “Onward and upward...through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!” Stroman, who’s Black, also retweeted several responses, some in support, others with racist taunts. “I was very disappointed when I heard it,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said during a video call. “If it was like a joke or something, I didn’t get it and a lot of people didn’t get it. I think it’s completely inappropriate.” Stroman has been outspoken about racial and social justice issues, particularly after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis . ... Pete Alonso scored Francisco Lindor with a go-ahead single in the ninth, James McCann homered and drove in four, and the Mets beat the D’backs 7-6 on Wednesday. D’backs starter Madison Bumgarner lasted just two innings.
▪ Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg was placed on the 10-day IL with a neck strain. The move comes a day after he exited a start against the Braves after just 1 ⅓ innings. It was his third start since returning from more than a month on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation. Strasburg, who’s 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA was scheduled to have an MRI. This will be the 14th visit to the IL during the 32-year-old Strasburg’s career. He’s in the second season of a sevenyear, $245-million contract he signed after leading the Nats to the 2019 World Series title, for which he won MVP honors and went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in the postseason.
▪ Cubs, Padres: Javier Báez lined a two-run HR, Anthony Rizzo had two doubles among three hits and the surging Cubs beat the Padres 6-1 on Wednesday for their third straight win and ninth in 10 games. Baez’s shot to the left-field bleachers was his 14th HR and third in three games, and it capped a threerun seventh that allowed the NL Central-leading Cubs to put it away. Rizzo drove in two runs in the fifth with his first double to snap 1-1 tie and posted a secondstraight multihit game after missing the previous six with back tightness. The Cubs homered eight times as they swept the Padres in a three-game set at Wrigley Field for the first time since May 2012. The Padres lost their fourth straight. After the game, manager Jayce Tingler said he was optimistic that SS Fernando Tatis Jr. would avoid the IL after suffering right oblique strain Tuesday.