Albert Pujols made history yesterday, becoming the player born outside the USA with the most career hits. The hit, his first of the night, was the 3,167th of his career, and he would add another on the evening while notching two runs and three RBI. Pujols passes Adrian Beltre for the top spot, with Ichiro Suzuki (3,089) at third on the list. This is another impressive accomplishment in his hall-of-fame career. Miguel Cabrera is the next active player on the career hits leaderboard with 2,786.
Here is the rest of yesterday’s action:
Kershaw Dominates
Clayton Kershaw maxed out at 92.3 mph on his fastball (averaging 90.8 mph) but shut down the Marlins in his seven innings of work. He gave up just two hits and struck out 10 to pick up his 12th win of the season. Corey Seager and Justin Turner both hit home runs, but Edwin Rios was the standout for Los Angeles going 3-for-4 with a walk and socking the first two home runs of his major league career. Rios has seen time at first and third base this season, but isn’t a threat to take full-time playing time.
Bauer Outage
Trevor Bauer looked in control through four, but the Nationals would put up 10 runs in the fifth inning. The damage came on a three-run shot by Adam Eaton, a solo home run by Anthony Rendon, and a three-run homer by Kurt Suzuki. Bauer was pulled after allowing nine earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Nationals put up 17 runs in the game, tallying 17 hits including a multi-hit game from Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Kurt Suzuki, and Victor Robles. Stephen Strasburg gave up four runs in his 5.2 innings, but only struck out four. Freddy Galvis went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run, and Aristides Aquino set a Major League record, becoming the fastest player to reach nine home runs.
Yankees Win 16th Straight Against Orioles
Way back in March, the Orioles won their season-opening series against the Yankees two games to one. The Yankees would go on to win the next 16 matchups and take the season series 17-2. Yesterday, Gary Sanchez went 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, a walk, and two runs scored, sending J.A. Happ (5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K) to his 10th win of the season. Renato Nunez was a bright spot for the O’s, going 5-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Thankfully for Baltimore, Wednesday marked the conclusion of their 2019 matchups.
Phillies Shell Hamels
Cole Hamels has not looked the same since his return from the IL. Before an oblique injury, Hamels put up a 2.98 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, striking out 97 in 99.2 innings. After being chased for four runs in three innings last time out, Hamels was pounded for eight earned runs in two innings yesterday. Hamels’ return to Philadelphia was greeted with a Bryce Harper two-run homer in the first. He would give up two more in the second and was chased in the third without getting an out. Harper ended the day 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI, two runs and a walk. Aaron Nola picked up his 11th win, tossing seven strong innings allowing three hits, one walk and one run with seven punchouts, bringing his ERA on the season down to 3.56.
Mets Drop Pivotal Series
The Mets were able to beat up on weaker teams (Miami and Pittsburgh) to run up an eight-game winning streak to start August. Atlanta, however, has jumped out to win the first two of the current three-game series, notching a 6-4 win last night. Steven Matz did his part for New York, throwing six one-run innings allowing just two hits and a walk, but Seth Lugo came in for the seventh inning and allowed single after single, spotting Atlanta five runs in his one-third of an inning. Before yesterday’s disaster, Lugo had been a trusted part of the Mets’ bullpen, giving up just one run in all of July and August (17.2 innings). The Mets look to salvage the series today.
Rockies Walk Off Diamondbacks
Arizona closer Archie Bradley was unable to save a 6-5 lead when he hit Trevor Story with a pitch and served up a walk-off home run to Nolan Arenado. Ryan McMahon hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run earlier in the game. Arizona’s starter Robbie Ray exited the game after one warm up pitch in the third inning with lower back spasms. His status for his next start will be clarified after he receives an MRI today. Ketel Marte went 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Eduardo Escobar added to his career-high home run total, smashing his 27th of the season, and Wilmer Flores went 3-for-4 with a home run, one run, and two RBI. Scott Oberg picked up the win despite giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.
White Sox Win Slugfest
It isn’t very often that the Astros get a big day from Michael Brantley (4-for-5, 2 runs), Jose Altuve (3-for-5, 1 HR, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Alex Bregman (2-for-5, 3 RBI), and Yuli Gurriel (3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 BB) and still take the loss. The White Sox, however, out-hit the Astros, with James McCann breaking a 9-9 tie in the eighth inning with a grand slam. Tim Anderson continued his hot stretch and his breakout season, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Rangers Avoid Sweep
The Texas-Toronto game didn’t mean much to the standings, but fantasy owners will be pleased to see a big day from their Rangers’ hitters. Elvis Andrus led the way, going 4-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases. Danny Santana continued his impressive season, going 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs, and three RBI, stretching his slash line to .311/.341/.580 on the year. Nomar Mazar was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Delino DeShields and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each stole a base and look to have regular playing time. Newly acquired Texas pitcher Kolby Allard (5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) picked up his first win as a Ranger.
Injuries
Jameson Taillon underwent right flexor repair surgery on Tuesday and also underwent his second Tommy John surgery. It will be a long road back to the mound for Taillon as he will miss the entire 2020 season. The Pirates’ Opening Day starter has recovered from TJS before, as well as hernia surgery and testicular cancer surgery, so expect to see Taillon back in 2021.
Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Fernando Tatis Jr. may be headed to the IL with back soreness. The team hopes that Tatis will just miss the minimum, but back issues can be finicky and a timetable has yet to be established. Luis Urias played shortstop in Tatis’ absence yesterday.
Jake Arrieta plans to have surgery to remove a bone spur and loose bodies in his pitching elbow. He will likely miss the rest of the 2019 season. The surgery is not a surprise as Arrieta has been dealing with the issue for some time but has tried to pitch through it.
Max Scherzer’s return to the mound looks like it may come this weekend. Scherzer says he is ready to go, but the Nationals have not yet activated him from the IL. Things are looking good for the Nats’ ace, but manager Dave Martinez is preaching caution and will wait for team medical staff to clear Scherzer for action.
Transactions
Alex Dickerson returned from the 10-day IL and made a pinch-hit appearance in yesterday’s game. He grounded out but picked up an RBI. Expect Dickerson to resume his duties in left field and hope that he comes even somewhat close to the .346/.402/.664 he put up before his injury.
Jeff McNeil was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain. McNeil suffered the injury running to first in Tuesday’s game. The injury is mild, and he is expected to return when first eligible.
Keone Kela returned from his 10-game suspension. Kela was suspended for intentionally throwing at Derek Dietrich’s head and his role in a benches-clearing brawl on July 30.
