It was just a matter of time. Early in the season, we knew that the ball was flying and that home run records would be threatened. Last night, Jonathan Villar hit the 6,106th of the MLB season, breaking the record set in 2017. Marcus Semien had tied the record with his 28th of the season. After last night’s games, there are 244 games still to be played before the end of the regular season (assuming there are no tie-breakers). MLB hitters added 20 more home runs after Villar’s blast, to extend the record to 6,126.
The Yankees and Tigers were rained out last night and will play two today. The rest of the MLB teams paid tribute to first responders and to those who died and were injured on the September 11th attacks 18 years ago.
Mets Beat Up on the Diamondbacks
The Mets’ hitters got off to a big start in yesterday’s game, putting up five runs in the first inning including back-to-back home runs by Todd Frazier and Brandon Nimmo. Arizona starter Robbie Ray was charged with all five of the runs in just two-thirds, raising his ERA from 4.03 to 4.30. Steven Matz, on the other hand, went six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just four hits and three walks.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Matz as he labored through the second inning, walking the first three batters. Arizona looked poised to get back into the game with none out and the bases loaded, but Carson Kelly struck out and pinch-hitter Kevin Cron grounded into a 5-3 double play to end the threat. Todd Frazier added a second home run, and Jeff McNeil spanked two of his own (with a stolen base). New York looks to sweep the four-game series this afternoon.
Atlanta’s Battery Beats Philadelphia
Dallas Keuchel struck out eight in his six innings, surrendering one run on three hits and three walks. The fifth was his only stressful inning. With one out, the Phillies went single, walk, hit-by-pitch to load the bases for Bryce Harper. On a 2-2 count, Keuchel induced a ground ball to second base for the 4-6-3 double play to end the threat. Braves’ catcher Tyler Flowers hit a line drive out of Citizen’s Bank Park for a three-run home run to give Atlanta a lead they would not relinquish. Zach Eflin took the loss, but Philadelphia maintained its position in the Wild Card race, sitting at two games behind the second spot.
Paddack Stifles Cubs
Chris Paddack’s fantasy managers have been worried about his innings-limit all season. Last night, Paddack added six shutout innings, to take his season total to 135.2 (he had 90 IP in the minors last year). In those six, Paddack allowed just three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. With this gem, it would not be a surprise to see Paddack’s season end on this positive note. Manuel Margot was the hitting catalyst for the Padres, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs, one RBI, and a stolen base. Wil Myers also continued his hot play of late, picking up a two-RBI hit, a walk, and swiping his 15th base of the season. The loss dropped the Cubs into a tie with Milwaukee for the second Wild Card and allowed the Mets, Phillies, and Diamondbacks to gain a half game in their postseason pursuits.
Moustakas Lets Loose
It is unclear how Mike Moustakas can go from not being able to grip a bat a few days ago to swatting two home runs last night, but that’s what happened. Losing Christian Yelich in the middle of a playoff run might have been the necessary motivation. Moustakas got the start at third base, knocking in five runs and leading the Brewers to their sixth straight win. Milwaukee now sit tied with the Cubs for the second Wild Card spot. The bright spots for the Marlins were home runs from Garrett Cooper and Isan Diaz, with Magneuris Sierra going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases.
Pitching Duel in Colorado
Of course there was a pitching duel in Colorado on the night the MLB home run record was broken. Antonio Senzatela allowed just one run on a Paul Goldschmidt double, going six innings and striking out five. Daniel Hudson started for the Cardinals, also going six but allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out seven but walked five Rockies with the fourth being the one that would hurt Hudson the most. Sam Hillard took the free pass and scored on a Tony Wolters double. Ian Desmond hit a solo home run to double the score. The loss was counteracted by a Cubs loss, so St. Louis maintains a four-game lead atop the NL Central.
Strasburg Grabs 17th Win
Jorge Polanco’s two-run home run accounted for all the Twins’ runs last night, but it did allow them to retake the lead as the team with the most home runs on the season (277). It is a fact that is, likely, of little interest to a Minnesota team trying to hold onto top spot in the AL Central. Stephen Strasburg was impressive, going six innings with two earned runs and seven strikeouts. First-inning singles by Juan Soto and Ryan Zimmerman would each knock in one run to welcome Twins starter Martin Perez. Zimmerman hit a two-run home run in his second at-bat. The Nats’ long-time first baseman has played in just 40 games this season, but has gone 7-for-25 since his return from plantar fasciitis on September 1st.
Cleveland’s Bullpen Holds on for Win
Carlos Santana continued his excellent 2019, bashing his 34th home run of the season in the first inning on Wednesday. Francisco Lindor extended the lead in the second when he hit his 31st homer of the year. Adam Plutko started the game for Cleveland but was pulled in the fifth after allowing Shohei Ohtani solo shot. Carlos Carrasco came in from the ‘pen to end the inning. He would shut down the Angels in the sixth and eventually earned his first win since returning to the team after a leukemia diagnosis. Brad Hand was getting an MRI on his throwing elbow, but manager Terry Francona called on five more relief arms to secure the victory. Adam Cimber picked up the save, but expect a committee if Hand is unable to return promptly.
Jesus Luzardo Debuts in Houston
After two lopsided scores in the first two games of the series, the Athletics and Astros managed to put up a more respectable 5-3 final last night. Oakland picked up the important win with Marcus Semien (3-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB) leading the offense. The highlight for fantasy managers was Jesus Luzardo’s first MLB game. Luzardo came in to relieve starter Brett Anderson (5 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 4 K) and looked strong, striking out two and allowing just one hit in his three innings of work. Unfortunately, that one hit was a Martin Maldonado solo home run. Luzardo passed the ball to Liam Hendricks who picked up the save to maintain Oakland’s slim half-game lead for the second AL Wild Card.
Other Notable Performances
Adalberto Mondesi: 3-for-5, 1 HR, 2 SB, 3 R, 2 RBI
Jorge Soler: 4-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
Jose Abreu: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Ji-Man Choi: 2-for-2, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 3 BB
George Springer: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
A.J. Pollock: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI
Cavan Biggio: 2-for-3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
Teoscar Hernandez: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI
Jose Urquidy: 5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 10 K
John Means: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 ER, 6 K
Trent Thornton: 5 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 7 K
Sonny Gray: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 ER, 9 K (no-hitter through 6.1)
Injuries
Christian Yelich received the diagnosis that his fractured kneecap will not need surgery and that he could return in six weeks. Although he will miss the rest of the fantasy season, there may still be hope that Yelich could play again in 2019 if the Brewers are able to make a deep playoff run.
Transactions
Keston Hiura returned from the IL but did not play in last night’s game. After losing Yelich for the season, Hiura will be called upon to pick up some of the offensive slack left by the MVP-candidate’s absence.
C.C. Sabathia was reinstated from the IL and will make the start today in Detroit as part of the double-header.
