CINCINNATI (AP) — Brandon Woodruff’s 900th career strikeout wasn’t the most important accomplishment for the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander on Monday night. Neither was taking a perfect game into the sixth inning. The most important thing for Woodruff and the Brewers is that he’s finally healthy and looking like the best version of himself.
Woodruff, who made his first start since April 30 after being on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, allowed one hit through six innings with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
“Obviously pitching well is a huge boost to the team,” Woodruff said. “I wanted to be back a couple turns early, but that’s probably not the best thing for me. Just trying and give yourself the best chance for tonight to go in and pitch, feel strong, feel healthy.”
Woodruff’s third-inning strikeout of Matt McLain was No. 900. His 906 strikeouts rank sixth in Brewers’ history. Following Monday’s game, the baseball from his 900th strikeout was in a plastic cube on the shelf of his locker.
“It’s cool,” Woodruff said. “I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff. I’ve done it in one uniform. Some longevity into it. Hopefully continue on that trend.”
Woodruff retired the first 16 batters he faced Monday night before Tyler Stephenson singled with one out in the sixth. It was the longest perfect game bid of his career and the fourth-longest in the major leagues this season.
He retired the Reds in order in the first inning despite falling behind all three batters. His fastball reached 91 miles per hour in the first inning and peaked around 95.
“I was just really, really happy for him,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “Because of what he means to the club and how he goes about his business. Six innings, one base runner. It’s just a special outing. It’s pitching in its greatest form.”
It was a far cry from April 30 when Woodruff threw only 21 pitches in 2 1/3 innings, with his fastball averaging 85.4 mph, well below his season average of 92.5.
Woodruff, 33, was placed on the 15-day IL the next day. While an MRI showed no structural damage, Woodruff had to remain patient with his recovery.
“It was very minor once we figured out what it was,” Woodruff said. “As a competitor, I felt like I was in a spot where I could go pitch and help the team. Hopefully this plays out great to where now it’s just fall back into this thing, be smart, listen to my body, and do the best I can to eat up innings for this team.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff points to a pop fly in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws during the first inning of a baseball against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Erling Haaland and Norway rowed their way into the World Cup's round of 32.
Haaland scored twice to raise his World Cup goals total to four, and the Vikings clinched advancement to the knockout rounds with a 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday night that was more of a slog than a sail.
“It’s my specialty to score goals,” Haaland said. “I’m just really good at scoring goals.”
After the final whistle, Norway's players and staff gathered tightly in a 10-row formation just inside the penalty area at MetLife Stadium's north end, facing their red-shirted supporters, Haaland sitting in front as teammate Martin Ødegaard banged on a bongo drum. They alternated with the fans performing the Viking Row — chanting “Ro!” while mimicking oarsmen.
“It was fun,” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said through an interpreter. “We will not be rowing after the World Cup but this can be a gimmick during the tournament.”
Marcus Pederson had put the Vikings ahead in the 43rd minute after replacing an injured teammate, and Haaland kept up his incredible goals streak in the 48th and 58th minutes to build a 3-1 lead.
“He's very efficient,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said through an interpreter.
Haaland ran onto Martin Ødegaard's pass and put a left-footed shot past the outstretched left hand of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, capping an end-to-end counterattack for a 2-0 lead.
For his second goal, Haaland tunneled through the defense and 8 yards out raised his weaker right foot to volley in Patrick Berg’s pass. Haaland raised a hand to an ear to inspire the Norway supporters.
Haaland has 24 goals in his last 12 international games — scoring at least once in every match — and 59 goals in 52 international appearances. The 25-year-old striker joined England's Harry Kane in 2018 as the only players in the last 50 years with two-goal games in both of their first two World Cup appearances.
He is second in the Golden Boot race, one behind Argentina's Lionel Messi and tied with France's Kylian Mbappé. Haaland nearly got another in first-half stoppage time, hitting a post after Mendy lost control of the ball.
“He did miss an open goal. He could have scored even four,” Solbakken said.
Ismaïla Sarr got both goals for the Lions of Teranga, in the 53rd minute and in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
“If we had just played slightly worse, then we would be in trouble,” Solbakken said.
Making its first World Cup appearance since 1998, Norway (2-0) is assured of advancing from Group I along with France. The Vikings need to beat Les Bleus on Friday for first place and what would appear to be an easier path in the knockout bracket.
Senegal is 0-2 in a World Cup for the first time and needs a win over Iraq (0-2) to have any chance of advancing as a third-place team.
“We've got everything left to play for,” Thaw said.
Pederson entered in the 13th minute for his World Cup debut after Julian Ryerson couldn't play through what Solbakken said was a nagging injury, and Pederson put the Vikings ahead with the help of mistakes by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Mendy.
Ødegaard made a centering pass that Koulibaly cleared straight to Pedersen at the top of the arc. Pederson took two touches and sent a savable shot inside the near post that glance off Mendy’s left hand and into the goal.
Mendy left in the 63rd minute because of an injury.
While there had been storm warnings, a downpour stopped more than 3 1/2 hours before kickoff. The skies opened again after the final whistle, causing announcements for fans to leave the stadium bowl for sheltered space.
“Let’s be happy,” Haaland said, “every single Norwegian on the planet today”
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Norway's players perform a rowing ritual during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Norway players celebrate after the World Cup Group I soccer match against Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Norway's Martin Oedegaard, right, bangs the drum as he the team salutes fans with a row chant after the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Norway's players perform a rowing ritual during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Norway players celebrate after the World Cup Group I soccer match against Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Norway's players perform a rowing ritual during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Norway's Erling Haaland (9) scores their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephen Collingwood)
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr (18), scores his side's first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr (18) reacts after missing a scoring chance during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Senegalduring the World Cup Group I soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Norway's Erling Haaland (9) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
