Cardinals, Rockies players tilt caps a day after umpire Eddings' comments to St. Louis rookie

DENVER (AP) — Players from St. Louis and Colorado tilted their caps Saturday night in apparent protest of umpire Doug Eddings one day after he instructed Cardinals rookie pitcher Hancel Rincon to straighten his hat.

Eddings' comments prompted an argument with St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol that led to Marmol's ejection.

Most of the Cardinals' players had their hats tilted during pregame warmups, and many continued to tilt them in the dugout during the game. Some even tilted their batting helmets to celebrate reaching base. At least some Colorado players also wore their caps to the side.

Rincon said Eddings apologized to him when they spoke briefly on the field Saturday. Rincon said through an interpreter that he accepted that apology.

Eddings also spoke to Marmol before the game, but the manager said there was “nothing of meaning” out of their brief conversation.

“We've had a few rough stretches here, but the one superpower that we've had through this whole season is our ability to unify and really stand up for all the guys we have in the clubhouse and have each other's backs,” Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis' starter Saturday night, said after the Rockies' 10-5 win.

“It's a really tight-knit group. I love the fact that regardless of what's going on, they always have each other's backs,” Marmol said.

Rincon, a 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic, made his major league debut in relief in the sixth inning Friday night and wore his cap with the brim pointing to the left. He straightened it at Eddings' urging, then got Hunter Goodman to fly out before TJ Rumfield tripled and scored on a wild pitch and Cole Carrigg hit an inside-the-park home run.

Rincon allowed another single before being replaced by Justin Bruihl. Marmol then came out of the dugout to confront Eddings and was ejected during Colorado’s five-run inning.

“I had an issue with Doug,” Marmol told reporters after the game. “Just Doug. He took it upon himself to tell our rookie pitcher the kid’s ‘not going to wear his hat on my field that way.’ You got Dontrelle Willis, CC Sabathia, Pedro Strop -- plenty of guys that have worn it way more tilted. I have an issue with that. That’s just a power-hungry move, in my opinion.”

Eddings told reporters postgame that he confronted Rincon after a Colorado hitter complained. Goodman was the only hitter to face Rincon at the time of the warning, and the catcher told MLB.com on Saturday that he did not complain to Eddings.

St. Louis rallied to win 7-6 on Friday after Ivan Herrera's three-run homer in the ninth inning.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Hancel Rincon works against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker warms up before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, right, argues after he was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Doug Eddings in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Hancel Rincon emerges from the clubhouse to take part in practice before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies infielder Vimael Machin, right, talks with St. Louis Cardinals bullpen catcher Kleininger Teran, left, before a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

St. Louis Cardinals left fielder José Fermín warms up before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Malachi Toney had a big game, again. Darian Mensah had a big game, again.

And No. 1 Miami got a big win, again.

Toney had a school-record 16 catches, Mensah threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns, and Miami rolled past Pitt 52-23 on Saturday in the Hurricanes’ first game as the nation’s top-ranked team in nearly 24 years.

“We ran into a buzz saw," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. "That's a good football team. They’re the No. 1 team in the country and it’s no joke. They're averaging 45 points a game. They’re No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 in just about every darn category. I don’t know if I’ve faced a team that is No. 1 in just about every category besides being No. 1 in the country.”

Toney finished with 194 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, while Javian Mallory rushed for two scores and Mark Fletcher Jr. moved into the No. 2 spot on Miami’s all-time list with the 33rd rushing TD of his career.

The win should keep Miami (7-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) atop the poll when the AP Top 25 is updated Sunday — ending what has been a three-week run of the No. 1 team dropping in the poll after a loss. Texas was No. 1 before losing to Oklahoma, then Georgia was No. 1 before falling to Auburn.

“A really good conference win,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “Solid play.”

Miami native Blue Hicks had five catches for 149 yards and a touchdown for Pitt (5-3, 2-3), which dropped its third straight game. Holden Geriner got the start at quarterback and completed 18 of 32 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown.

Miami improved to 43-6 as the No. 1 team in the country. Pitt fell to 0-14-1 when facing No. 1.

The Hurricanes put on a show with dozens of members of the 2001 national championship team watching; this weekend was the 25th anniversary celebration of that Miami title. Miami's current team wore throwback jerseys featuring the same look and fonts as that 2001 team — and looked the part with their play, too.

“It's motivating, for sure,” Mensah said. “All those guys just have a great knowledge of the game.”

Mensah completed 31 of 37 passes, Miami converted 10 of its first 12 third-down chances and the Hurricanes scored seven times in their first eight possessions — with six touchdowns and a field goal in that span.

At least one Pitt player said the Panthers had what they believed to be a good scheme to slow down Toney.

They were evidently mistaken.

Toney had 159 receiving yards at halftime, matching Pitt's total offense number through the first two quarters. His 16 catches broke the previous school mark of 13 in a game — first done by Mike Harley against Duke in 2021, then matched by Toney against Pitt last season.

Toney said he had a conversation with Andre Johnson, one of the stars of that 2001 team and an all-time Miami receiving great.

“He told me just keep being myself,” Toney said.

Seems to be working just fine to this point.

Pitt: After a pair of Hail Mary heaves nearly connected for Florida State at Miami in double overtime last week — and the Seminoles insisting that they were robbed — the Hurricanes gave up another to end the half. Geriner’s pass to Hicks went for a 53-yard gain, but he was tackled at the Miami 1 as time expired.

Miami: That 2001 Hurricanes team posed at midfield for a halftime photo and raved about what they saw from the current team. “I've been excited for the guys from Day 1. ... It just brings those memories back that we had,” Miami great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed — wearing a Sean Taylor jersey — said in a televised in-game interview.

Pitt: Host Georgia Tech on Oct. 31.

Miami: Visit North Carolina on Oct. 31.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here

Miami running back Javian Mallory (21) celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah (10) throws a pass as Pittsburgh defensive lineman Zach Crothers (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Members of Miami's 2001 National Championship football team celebrate with Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis as they are honored at halftime of an NCAA college football game between Miami and Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) celebrates with quarterback Darian Mensah (10) after scoring a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami fans cheer during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)