Merrilly Life is But a Dream…
Jackson Merrill (SDP): 3-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Jackson Merrill missed exactly a month after suffering a right hamstring injury back in early April, and he hasn’t shown any signs of lingering effects of the injury. Since returning Tuesday, he has seven hits in 13 at-bats, including two doubles, a home run, and four RBIs. With the exception of the game prior to his injury – April 5th – he has had at least a hit in every game he’s suited up for this season, and seven of those 13 games have been multi-hit efforts. Any concerns that he might suffer a sophomore slump this season or fail to live up to expectations set from his debut season should be put to rest. Perhaps he is playing with a chip on his shoulder for not winning Rookie of the Year?
Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday
Jasson Domínguez (NYY): 3-4, 3 HR, 3 R, 7 RBI.
This is the more likely cover story for the night, as Jasson felt right at home in baby Yankee Stadium. He had solo shots in the third and seventh innings and saved the best for last, a mighty grand slam in the eighth. This accomplishment has secured his name in Yankees history as the youngest player to hit three home runs in a game since Joe DiMaggio – both were 22 years old when they had their three-homer games, but Domínguez is 109 days younger than DiMaggio when he did it back in 1937. Congrats Jasson – that’s an impressive comparison for a player 60 games into their major league career.
Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 3-6, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Continuing from last season, the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series are becoming must-watch events featuring two offensive juggernauts trading blows until someone gets that final epic moment. Last night, that moment set up perfectly for Shohei Ohtani. Down 11-8, the top of the ninth started with a routine single by Freddie Freeman, then a line drive double by Andy Pages drove in Freeman to bring the Dodgers within two runs. Enrique Hernández then added a double of his own to score Pages, and Max Muncy hit a single to right field to score Kike. Now with the game tied 11-11, James Outman struck out, and Michael Conforto reached first base after getting hit by a pitch. With two on, one out, and the score tied, Ohtani clearly was looking to end this nonsense by swinging at the first pitch he saw, which was considerably low and inside to him. Three pitches later, he got the pitch he was looking for and delivered yet another signature game-winning bomb:
Enrique Hernández (LAD): 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Coming in a close second to Ohtani with seven total bases, Enrique Hernández delivered several clutch hits of his own. His first hit of the night was a solo home run in the second inning to keep the score close at 3-2. His key hits in the third and ninth innings kept rallies going by the Dodgers as he was more than just a platoon bat vs starter lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.
Ketel Marte (ARI): 2-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
You can’t have a battle of two teams slugging it out without notable achievements on the other side, and Ketel Marte added two solo shots of his own in the first and eighth innings. He has hit home runs in back-to-back games and may be ramping up his power since returning from the IL last Friday.
Francisco Lindor (NYM): 3-5, HR, 2 R, RBI, SB.
Juan Soto (NYM): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
Over the past two weeks, the Mets have been the second-best team in wRC+, second only to the Dodgers. Lindor and Soto have had back-to-back games with multiple hits totaling four or more total bases, at least one run, and an RBI. Lindor has also had stolen bases in back-to-back games.
Gavin Sheets (SDP): 2-5, 2 2B, R, 4 RBI.
Manny Machado (SDP): 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI.
Antonio Senzatela and Coors continue to be a devastating combo for the Rockies organization, and doubles were offered up to anyone willing to hit them. Senzatela has given up at least six hits in all his regular season starts this year, and it has not mattered whether he’s at home or on the road. Seven of the Padres’ nine hits off Senzatela were off his four-seamer, which may result in a symbolic IL stint soon to “work on his mechanics.”
Addison Barger (TOR): 3-4, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI.
Barger is working on a nice three-game hit streak, and may be getting more comfortable now that he’s seeing everyday starts at third base. Two of his three doubles came off starter Luis Castillo, who has struggled in both starts against Toronto this season.
Willson Contreras (STL): 2-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB.
The Cardinals are currently riding a six-game win streak, and Contreras has been a big part of it. Over those six wins, he has accumulated eight hits, nine RBIs, and two home runs.
Notable Injury News:
Austin Hays was reactivated from the 10-day IL.
Rumor is there may be some big call up news from Boston this weekend, as Romy González and Rob Refsnyder are heading to IL – could this be the big Roman Anthony moment people have been waiting for?
