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Tuesday gave us a full slate, including plenty of power and the A’s winning a series. Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
A’s take series from Braves…really
Despite still being on pace for the worst season in modern baseball history, the Oakland A’s just reminded us that anything can happen on a baseball field. After beating the NL East-leading Braves on Monday, Oakland secured just their second winning streak and second series win of the season. They did it on the strength of a quality start from JP Sears (6 innings of one-run ball), an RBI single from Esteury Ruiz that tied the game, and ultimately a ninth-inning rally that ended on an error by Austin Riley. Remarkably, the A’s have won a grand total of 12 games in 2023…six of them have now come via walk-off.
series secured 😤 pic.twitter.com/rEcQD8s93O
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) May 31, 2023
Kodai Senga dominates Phillies
Kodai Senga has struggled at times in his first MLB season, but today he flashed the potential that made him such a hot commodity coming over from Japan. His famous ghost forkball was in full display, as he kept the Phillies guessing for most of the game, finishing with a spectacular line of 7 innings pitched, a lone single allowed, and 9 strikeouts to earn his fifth win of the year. Senga lowered his ERA to 3.44, while the Mets scratched a couple of runs to secure the win.
Kodai Senga spins a gem. 👻🔥 pic.twitter.com/h6d7lf7doX
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2023
Yankees continue to rake
Fresh off a couple of games in which they scored 10 runs, the Yankees did it again to earn their third straight win, a 10-2 drubbing of the Mariners. Aaron Judge hit his 18th homer of the season, with Anthony Volpe and Greg Allen joining the long-ball party. The run support was more than enough for the scuffling Nestor Cortes, who earned his fifth win of the season. The Yankees are now only 5 games behind the Rays and 1.5 behind the Orioles, in what should become the best division race of 2023.
We've reached a verdict in Seattle.
The @Yankees can crush. pic.twitter.com/4g6lsNqomI
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2023
Rangers rookie dazzles, earns win
Heading into his MLB debut, Rangers rookie Grant Anderson was tasked to come in relief of starter Martín Pérez, who could not close out 5 innings despite getting plenty of support from his offense. Anderson, owner of a lifetime 10.37 K/9 in the minor leagues, promptly dominated the Tigers, finishing his day with 7 strikeouts over 2.2 innings. Despite being only a 21st-round pick back in 2018, Anderson has found a new level in 2023, and could become a weapon in Texas’ bullpen. With the win, the Rangers continue to top the AL West and are looking like a true contender.
A day to remember for Grant Anderson!
He struck out 7 of the first 8 batters he faced and picked up a W in his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/5DEYCIm6Jv
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2023
Boston falls just short of massive comeback (in baseball)
It has been a tough month for Boston sports. It all started with the NHL’s Bruins, who were dropped in the first round of the playoffs despite a historic regular season. Then, the Celtics came back from 0-3 to the Heat, only to lose a blowout game 7 at home. And now, the Red Sox will add to the city´s heartbreak. Facing the lowly Reds at Fenway Park, the Sox saw themselves falling to a massive 8-0 deficit in the seventh inning, thanks to a massive grand slam from José Barrero. After cutting the gap to 8-3, the Reds added an eighth-inning insurance run that appeared to seal the deal. It ended up being crucial, as the Red Sox stormed in the bottom of the ninth and scored five times, placing the tying run on third base with two outs. Alas, it was not to be, as closer Alexis Díaz struck out Triston Casas to earn the save. With the loss, Boston is now in last place in the AL East.
Alexis Díaz is 13-for-13 in save opportunities 🔒#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/QAZUeWbv1z
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 31, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Aaron Judge plays catch with young fan
Though this footage stems from Monday’s game—a game in which Aaron Judge hit two homers and robbed another—it still merits an appearance, as it was revealed today. Seeing a young fan with a Judge jersey in the stands, the reigning MVP took some time to play a game of catch and make a fan for life.
A game of catch this kid will never forget. 💙
(via @SaintRick8) pic.twitter.com/qCGnFGou1E
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2023
Miggy is speed
In the middle of his retirement season, Miguel Cabrera has not been good at all. He is hitting .169 in limited at-bats, while serving mostly as a mascot/mentor for the surging Tigers. And yet, today gave us a glimpse of how Cabrera is still enjoying the game he loves. On a base hit to shallow left field, Miggy turned on the jets and barely scored from second base, using a crafty slide to avoid the tag. At 40 years old, it doesn’t get better than this.
Miggy Motor City. 🏃💨 pic.twitter.com/RJzcTrpUDx
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 31, 2023
Revenge: baseball style
In the top of the fourth inning, Brandon Nimmo made a spectacular catch off a Nick Castellanos deep fly ball to preserve Kodai Senga’s shutout. It may or may not have been a homerun robbery, but it was definitely valuable for the Mets. Enter the bottom of the seventh, with Nimmo now at the plate and with a chance to extend New York’s lead. It was now Castellanos’ turn to make a spectacular defensive play, sliding to his right to squash a possible run-scoring double. Talk about (almost) instant karma.
Nimmo robs Castellanos in the 4th. 🤝 Castellanos robs Nimmo in the in the 7th. pic.twitter.com/RVcz7qV0Zz
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 31, 2023
Injuries
The Orioles confirmed that Cedric Mullins is heading to the IL, though his injury may be less severe than initially expected. Following his removal from Monday’s game, the former All-Star was diagnosed with a right groin strain. Mullins was off to a great start in 2023, with a 132 OPS+, 1.8 WAR, and 13 stolen bases. Even if his absence ends up being short, it will be important to monitor how he returns, as his game usually depends on explosiveness. As a counter move, Baltimore signed outfielder Aaron Hicks, who was recently waived by the Yankees.
As the Tigers continue to hang around the AL Central race, they will have to do it without their top starter for the foreseeable future, as they have placed lefty Eduardo Rodríguez on the 10-day IL. After being pulled from Sunday’s start against the White Sox, Rodríguez was diagnosed with a left index finger pulley rupture. Even as it sounds terrible, the team is hoping that their ace will miss only a couple of starts. Despite owning a middling 4-4 record, Rodriguez’s 2.13 ERA ranks third in the AL. His spot on the pitching staff will be covered by rookie Braden Bristo.
Bad news continues to pile up for another former All-Star, as Milwaukee’s outfielder Jesse Winker is headed to the IL with a neck strain. Winker had off-season surgery to solve a disk issue on his neck, but the injury has flared up again. His season has been completely underwhelming, as he has yet to hit a home run and owns a pedestrian .204/.315/.231 slash line in 108 at-bats. In a corresponding move, the Brewers are calling up journeyman Abraham Toro, who has spent all of 2023 in AAA Nashville.
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