The Yankees have loved playing the Orioles this season, going 13-2 and winning all 10 games at Camden Yards. New York has hit 51 home runs against Baltimore pitchers this season, with Gio Urshela (3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI) and Kyle Higashioka (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI) both hitting two home runs yesterday. With four more games still to play this season, the Yanks have already set the single season record for the most home runs against a single opponent in a season.
Let’s get to the rest of the action.
Game Suspended in Boston
The Red Sox and Royals were tied 4-4 in the top of the 10th inning when rain halted the game. The matchup will resume on Aug. 22. It’s a shame for both teams to lose an off-day to finish this one. The Royals will have to travel from Baltimore to Boston before heading off to Cleveland, while the Red Sox will delay their trip to San Diego after a homestand.
Let’s Play Two in Cleveland
Rain postponed Tuesday’s matchup, but the Rangers and Indians got up early yesterday and played a doubleheader. Ariel Jurado (7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5K), Zach Plesac (6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K), Lance Lynn (7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K) and the Cleveland bullpen (9 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 9 K) turned in strong performances. Cleveland took both games thanks to Jose Ramirez, who provided all of the scoring with a two-run home run (and a walk and stolen base) in game one, adding a solo home run in game two. Ramirez has looked like his old self after the All-Star Game, slashing .330/.349/.718 with nine of his 16 home runs coming after the break.
The Mets Go Streaking
The Mets were surprising buyers at the trade deadline, and the team has responded. After a sweep of the Marlins yesterday, the Mets have won 13 of their last 14 moving three games above .500, just a game back of the Wild Card. Steven Matz picked up the win, throwing 6.2 innings and allowing nine baserunners but giving up just two runs and striking out seven. Michael Conforto popped two home runs (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB) and Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil both hit two-run homers to comfortably extend their winning streak to six. New York has taken advantage of a soft schedule over the last few weeks but now has to face Washington, Atlanta, Kansas City, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Chicago to end the month.
Jays Earn Rare Series Win in Tampa Bay
Toronto seems to have problems playing at Tropicana Field, but they managed to boost their lifetime record at The Trop to 76-115 by picking up the 4-3 win yesterday. Brendan McKay got the start against the Blue Jays bullpen, but McKay only managed five innings in which he gave up three runs and struck out eight. Home runs to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randall Grichuk spoiled McKay’s outing, but a two-run home run to newly acquired Derek Fisher was the difference in the game. Ken Giles nabbed his first save since July 20 but gave up a two-run Mike Zunino home run to make it interesting. Brock Stewart was the bulk reliever for the Blue Jays, going four shutout innings with just two hits and two walks. Bo Bichette smacked a double and extended his hit-streak to all 10 games of his major league career.
Ivan Nova Shreds Tigers
Yesterday saw Ivan Nova stretch his strong pitching performances to four games. Including yesterday’s outing, Nova has thrown 28 innings, allowing just two earned runs. In those games, he has struck out just 14 batters but has dropped a full run off his ERA (4.80). He threw eight innings yesterday with eight base runners. Tim Anderson went 4-for-4 with three runs scored, adding to his impressive results this season. After missing most of July recovering from an ankle injury, Anderson has gone 14-for-41 (.359) and is slashing .323/.347/.494 on the season.
Hitters Mash in Minnesota
Ozzie Albies (4-for-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI), Freddie Freeman (3-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI), and Ronald Acuna (1-for-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI) all homered for the Braves with Charlie Culberson contributing a 4-for-5 day with a run and two RBI. Martin Perez took the bulk of the damage, allowing six earned runs in his six innings, and Kohl Stewart (who was later optioned to Triple-A) gave up four in his three innings of work. Max Fried got the win for the Braves despite giving up three runs in his 5.1 innings, but he did strike out 10. The Twins turned their second triple play of the season in the third inning, rescuing Perez from a bases-loaded jam.
Cubs Turn the Tables on the Athletics
A day after the A’s scored double digits, the Cubs returned the favor yesterday. Jose Quintana held the A’s to just two hits in his seven innings of work. A leadoff double to Marcus Semien would later be the lone earned run on a Matt Olson sac fly. Homer Bailey did not fare as well, as the Cubs pounded him for seven earned in 4.2 innings. An Ian Happ grand slam inflicted the damage to Bailey, but a Kyle Schwarber 3-run home run and a Victor Caratini solo home run stretched the lead for Cubs. The other two Cubs runs came off two Javier Baez singles.
Dodgers Walk Off… Again
The Cardinals got a stellar outing from Jack Flaherty, who tossed seven scoreless innings scattering four hits and a walk while striking out 10. Lefty Andrew Miller came in for the ninth and was tasked with retiring three left-handed batters. He managed to induce a groundout to Bellinger, but he hit Corey Seager with a pitch and was replaced by Carlos Martinez when Will Smith pinch-hit for Matt Beaty. Smith singled to put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at first. Martinez uncorked a wild pitch moving the runners up and Russell Martin took advantage with a ground ball up the middle giving Los Angeles their 10th walk-off of the season.
Injuries
Austin Riley was placed on the IL with right knee ligament damage. Riley sustained the injury in the weight room. After a scorching start to the season, Riley has slowed, slashing .242/.294/.504 with 16 of his 17 home runs coming before the All-Star break. Ender Inciarte and Adam Duvall will remain the primary beneficiaries as they will no longer have to share time with Riley.
Anthony Rendon was removed in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game after being hit by a pitch. The move is precautionary.
Christian Yelich remained out of the lineup last night with a sore back. This is the same issue that caused Yelich to miss time earlier in the season. With no game today, it is hoped that Yelich returns Friday.
Transactions
Joe Panik was released by the Giants. Drafted by San Francisco in 2011, Panik made his debut in 2014. He played 643 games with the Giants but posted just a .235/.310/.317 line this season with a .081 ISO. Expect Panik to be picked up by another team as his defensive skills should be appealing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have designated Greg Holland for assignment. He has an ERA of 4.54 with a K/9 of 10.35 in 35.2 innings. Holland picked up 12 saves in 27 innings from March through June with a 2.33 ERA, but since July 1 Holland has thrown 8.2 innings and posted an 11.42 ERA.
Zack Godley was claimed off waivers by the rebuilding Blue Jays who hope that he can rediscover his 2017 form. Godley began the season as a starter but was sent to the bullpen and has put up a 6.39 ERA with a 6.87 K/9, 4.14 BB/9, and a 1.42 HR/9. It is safe to see how Godley fares with his new team before rushing out to pluck him from the free agent pool.
Jonathan Lucroy was signed by Cubs after being released by the Angels. Despite his disappointing .242/.310/.371 slash line, the Cubs are in desperate need of a catcher with Willson Contreras expected to miss four weeks with a hamstring injury. Victor Caratini will share backstop duties with Lucroy.
