Schroder, Mobley rally Cavaliers in 4th quarter for 125-120 win over Raptors to take 3-2 series lead

CLEVELAND (AP) — Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Mobley hit a pair of pivotal 3-pointers in the final period and finished with 23 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for a 125-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Cleveland leads the series 3-2. Game 6 is Friday night in Toronto.

James Harden scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 19 for the Cavaliers.

RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points while Ja’Kobe Walter added 20 and Jamal Shead had 18 off the bench. All-star forward Brandon Ingram left the game in the second quarter with right heel inflammation.

The Raptors led 74-67 at halftime and scored the first five points of the third quarter. The Cavaliers slowly rallied but trailed 103-100 going into the final 12 minutes.

Cleveland seized control by scoring the first eight points of the fourth quarter. Jaylon Tyson hit a step-back 3-pointer to tie it at 103-all, and a 3 by Mobley gave the Cavaliers a 106-103 lead.

Toronto missed its first 11 shots and was 7 of 28 from the field in the fourth while Cleveland made 7 of its first 11 and was 9 of 19.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead reacts after making a three point basket during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson passes as Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, left, defends during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell reacts after making a three point basket during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram drives on Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, In Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

NEW YORK (AP) — Brady House capped a seven-run fourth inning with his first career grand slam and the Washington Nationals routed the reeling New York Mets 14-2 on a rainy Wednesday night at Citi Field.

Curtis Mead homered late and had four of Washington’s 15 hits as the Nationals set a season high for runs. He also scored four times.

James Wood drove in three runs and scored three more. CJ Abrams had three hits and two RBIs for the young Nationals, who rebounded from an 8-0 loss in the series opener Tuesday and improved to 11-7 on the road.

Cade Cavalli (1-1) threw six solid innings and struck out 10, equaling the career high he set in five innings during his previous outing against Atlanta. The last 24 of his 97 pitches were strikes — the longest streak in the majors this season.

The right-hander became the first Washington pitcher with at least 10 strikeouts in consecutive starts since Max Scherzer in July 2020.

Juan Soto homered against his first big league team for the second consecutive night and finished with three hits, but the Mets (10-20) were done in by another poor pitching performance at the back of their rotation as New York lost for the 16th time in 19 games.

Making his first start since April 13 after a demotion to the bullpen, David Peterson (0-4) was charged with seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. He walked three in the fourth, and House connected off ineffective reliever Sean Manaea for the first Nationals slam this year to punctuate their biggest inning of the season.

New York allowed its most runs this year and was booed again by a sparse crowd in Queens.

Mets RHP Freddy Peralta (1-3, 3.90 ERA) has lost three straight starts heading into the series finale Thursday afternoon. Veteran RHP Miles Mikolas (0-3, 8.49) pitches for Washington.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Washington Nationals' Cade Cavalli (24) pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, left, watches as Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams, right, follows through on a RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea reacts as Washington Nationals' Brady House runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, right, looks away as Washington Nationals' Brady House celebrates with Christian Scott, left, and James Wood after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Washington Nationals' Brady House hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)