MI New York beat the Seattle Orcas by 17 runs in Major League Baseball (MLC) 2026, dealing a major blow to the Orcas’ playoff hopes after defending a seemingly fragile total. Seattle seemed to be chasing 180, posting 137 for 1 after 15 overs with Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke in complete control. The duo has added a century stand, needing just 43 runs in the last five overs. However, the chase breaks down dramatically as MI New York attacks on a regular basis. The Orcas lost five wickets in the closing stages and controlled just two boundaries in the final two overs, handing New York an unlikely win. Kieron Pollard Bretzke pitched slower, triggering the collapse. The veteran celebrated with his signature “fingers on the brain” gesture and then immediately left the field after appearing to injure his shoulder. Despite the scare, Pollard returned late in the innings and made another crucial contribution when he caught a catch off fellow West Indies Shimron Hetmyer, who was trying to hit Rushil Ugarkar after a quiet 17th over. Although Seattle still had the dangerous Seifert at the crease and the New Zealand batsmen even saved a chance to concede a ball in the 18th over, MI New York kept their cool. Romario Shepherd The game then turned decisively toward New York. He first created a brilliant yorker to remove Marcus Stonis Seifert fell behind on the second to last possession and only gave up three points. With Seattle needing 22 points in the final over, Pollard ended the game to give MI New York an improbable victory. Previously, the New York innings had recovered remarkably well after their top-order collapse. At 73 for 5 in the 12th over, they looked destined to go below par, but Pollard and Tajinder Dhillon changed the innings with a game-deciding partnership. The loss was mainly caused by Seattle skipper Marcus Stoinis, who took the first 5-wicket haul of his T20 career. He removed Ryan Rickelton early, dismissed Monank Patel with a slower chip after Shakib Al Hasan fell for 15, and continued to expertly exploit the conditions on the Dallas surface. Ottneil Baartman also made an impact by bowling for Nicholas Pooran, but his difficult season continues. Pollard and Dhillon then launched a stunning recovery, scoring 80 points in less than seven overs. Their counterattack included seven sixes and 13 fours as they punished any let-off. Dhillon benefited from two catches in the 17th and 18th overs, going from just 22 catches to a half-century while effectively reading the slower balls. Stoinis returned late, removing Pollard, Sheppard and Trent Boult in the space of five balls, but Dhillon ensured a strong performance for MI New York as he picked up 20 points from Dasan Shanaka in the final over. Those late runs proved to be decisive. Dhillon remained unbeaten with an unbeaten 66, his first fifty of the season, and was named Man of the Match. After the match, he dedicated the award to his brother, who was also his first cricket coach and died in January. The win moved MI New York up to second in the standings, while the Seattle Orcas must now win their final league game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Brief Scores: MI New York 179/8 in 20 overs (Tajinder Dhillon 66*, Kieron Pollard 54; Marcus Stoinis 5-46, Ottneil Baartman 2-18) beat Seattle Orcas 162/6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 88, Matthew Bretzke Breetzke (44); Kieron Pollard (2-9), Romario (2-13) led by 17 points.
