It was one of those glorious weekdays when games start early and stretch late into the evening. Even though 2019’s power outburst continued with 26 home runs and included three grand slams (Rowdy Tellez, Ramon Laureano, and Garrett Cooper), there were a few notable pitching standouts. Wednesday also saw Mookie Betts put the Base on Balls in walk-off, and an Ozzie Albies’ extra-innings walk-off double put Atlanta alone atop the NL East for the first time this season.
Austin Riley: 3-for-5 with a home run, triple, single, HBP, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
After a week of disappointing games at the plate (5-for-30, 0 HR, 11 K), Austin Riley may have worried his fantasy owners. Many hours after he popped his first major-league triple off the top of the wall in right field, Riley delighted the fans who waited out a lengthy rain delay in Atlanta with a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He scored his third run of the game in the bottom of the 11th when Ozzie Albies doubled him in after leading off with an HBP.
Garrett Cooper: 3-for-5 with a grand slam, triple, single, and 2 runs scored
Garrett Cooper’s second-inning grand slam gave rookie Jordan Yamamoto the breathing room he needed to secure his first major-league win. Cooper fell a double short of the cycle but still filled the scorecard in Yamamoto’s big-league debut (7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 R). Jose Urena, who was the original scheduled starter, was sent to the IL on Tuesday. There was some thought last week that Zac Gallen might debut in this game, but Yamamoto was lined up to pitch Wednesday and was already on the 40-man roster (unlike Gallen). Yamamoto pitched like he would like to stay up for another start.
Ramon Laureano: 2-for-4 with a grand slam and 5 RBI
The A’s surrendered a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh only to see Ramon Laureano smash his first major-league grand slam in the next half inning. Laureano, who has been slashing .296/.339/.574 over his last 15 games, has 9 home runs and 28 RBI on the season. Even as a defense-first centerfielder, that defense will keep him on the field and he may be a solid injury-replacement option, if he is still available.
Cole Hamels 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K
Cole Hamels defied Coors Field by pitching a gem while his teammates put up 10 runs in the hitter-friendly environment. Hamels has not allowed an earned run through 22 June innings (with 23 strikeouts). David Dahl was the only Rockies’ player to get anything going in the game, picking up 3 of the teams’ 7 hits.
Merrill Kelly 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K and Zach Eflin 8 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 9 K, 1 BB
Merrill Kelly was dominant in Philadelphia, allowing just three hits through 7.2 innings. While only striking out 5, Kelly didn’t allow any walks and kept the Phillies off-balance in his 93 pitches. Andrew Chafin replaced Kelly to get the final out of the eighth, and Greg Holland secured the save and the shutout.
It a shame that Zach Eflin’s eight innings of excellence came against Kelly. Eflin was arguably more dominant, with 9 strikeouts, but he allowed more baserunners (5 hits and a walk) and Arizona hitters pegged him for the deciding two runs. Expected to be a preseason breakout, Eflin has pitched to a 2.81 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP but has put up an inconsistent 6-6 record in his 13 starts in 2019. Eflin has been stellar at times, but has also been torched when not at his best. He deserved better in this game, but the Phillies couldn’t get anything going at the dish.
Justin Verlander: 7 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 15 K, 0 BB
Justin Verlander did a great job limiting hits, but three of the four he did allow left the yard. Verlander set a career high (and tied a Minute Maid Park record) with 15 strikeouts but failed to factor into the decision when Eric Thames tied the game in the seventh. Travis Shaw became Verlander’s 15th swinging strikeout victim to end the seventh, and the bullpen took over for the next half of the game. Milwaukee would eventually tack on three in the 14th.
Wednesday Transactions
Chris Paddack optioned to Class-A: The Padres have always been very honest about their plans to limit Chris Paddack’s innings this season. Still, sending Paddack down to Lake Elsinore after a relatively poor outing on Tuesday seems a bit of a shock. His stay, however, should be seen strictly as rest rather than performance related. If any of your league’s owners make the mistake of dropping him, be sure to snap him up as he should return to San Diego in a few weeks.
Ken Giles placed on 10-Day IL: Closer Ken Giles has been placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation. While Giles heals, look for Joe Biagini to grab some saves for the Blue Jays. Giles expects that his stay will be the minimum, which may help Toronto move him in a trade before the July 31 trade deadline.
Jon Duplantier placed on 10-Day IL: Jon Duplantier struggled mightily on Tuesday and was added to the 10-day IL with shoulder inflammation yesterday. Labouring through just three innings, Duplantier threw 76 pitches and gave up 4 runs. An MRI has been scheduled for today. In a corresponding move, Arizona recalled Stefan Crichton to add depth to the bullpen.
Drew Smyly moved to the bullpen: After bombing out in the rotation this season, Drew Smyly’s recovery from Tommy John surgery and its related setbacks will see him in the bullpen for the near future. The Rangers have surprised this season, getting off to a 36-31 record, but Smyly has not been a big part of that with only one win and 5 losses on the season allowing an 8.40 ERA, a 1.91 WHIP.
Wednesday Injuries
Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado was pulled from Wednesday’s game after being hit on the forearm by the Cubs’ Cole Hamels. Arenado was demonstrably upset after the HBP but said after the game that he expects to be back in the lineup soon. Arenado also explained that the plunking didn’t come as much of a surprise as the season matchup had become “spicy.” Three other players were HBP in the game: Cole Hamels, Anthony Rizzo, and Tony Wolters.
Joey Votto
Joey Votto’s battle with his back continued yesterday when he was removed from the game with “mid-back stiffness.” There was no sign of problems in the first inning when Votto and Nick Senzel hit back-to-back jacks to start the game. As the DH in Cleveland, Votto ground out to end the Reds’ half of the third and was replaced by Josh VanMeter for his next at bat. Perhaps, these back issues can explain the 35-year-old’s disappointing start to the season?
Giancarlo Stanton
Finally, some good news for Giancarlo Stanton! In his second rehab game for the Tampa Tarpons, he hit two home runs to go with the home run he hit on Tuesday. Stanton is hopeful that he will return to the Yankees next week as he continues to work on his timing at the plate.
On Tap for Thursday
Joe Musgrove
Joe Musgrove will make the start today against the Pirates after being tossed from Monday’s game after just 18 pitches when he brushed Josh Donaldson’s jersey in the first inning. This isn’t the two-start that fantasy owners were hoping for, as Musgrove will miss the Braves’ series in Miami this weekend.
Mike Clevinger
Mike Clevinger is set to come off the IL and will pitch on Monday, June 17. If things go well for the Indians, he should line up to be a two-starter with his second game coming at home against the Tigers. With Clevinger’s return ahead of schedule, be sure to confirm he isn’t available and pick him up if anyone in your leagues dropped him.
