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Tuesday gave us a full slate, including an inside-the-park homerun from a guy who ranked #254 in sprint speed in 2022 . Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
Pirates sign Bryan Reynolds to extension
The good news continues in Pittsburgh, as the Pirates have locked up their best player for the foreseeable future. Following a rough winter in which Bryan Reynolds had allegedly requested a trade, the outfielder has signed the most lucrative deal in franchise history—8years for $106.75 million, with a team option for 2031 and a limited no-trade clause. The one-time All Star is hitting .294/.319/.553 with 5 homers to start the year, leading the Pirates to their best start in a decade.
.@Pirates, Bryan Reynolds reportedly agree on extension that runs through 2030 with a club option for 2031, per @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/Q0OmALiFQO
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2023
Rays finally lose at home
After winning their first 14 games at home en route to a 20-3 overall record, the Rays were not able to break through against Luis García and the Astros, falling by a 5-0 score. García was solid and Drew Rasmussen was not able to keep up, as Houston plated five runs in the fifth for the only scoring of the game. A day after snapping their homerun streak, Tampa was held to five hits, with only one of them going for extra bases. Despite the loss, the Rays still boast the best record in the majors.
Snapped the streak with a shutout. pic.twitter.com/Mw2S7vgOso
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 26, 2023
Reds complete big comeback… again
A day after coming back from a 5-1 deficit to win 7-6 against the Rangers, the Reds did one better and came back from a 6-0 deficit to again win 7-6. Only this time, it was even a bit more dramatic, as Cincinnati scored six times in the eighth inning to cap the comeback. The winning hit came with two outs, as Jonathan India hit a two-run single much to the delight of the home crowd. The two losses mark a tough setback for Texas, who had been one of the best pitching teams in the AL.
.@JonathanIndia caps a 6-run 8th to snatch the lead! pic.twitter.com/TOQnvScp3L
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2023
Twins win season series over Yankees
It does not, however, erase the many playoff disappointments and collapses the Twins have suffered against their main tormentors, the New York Yankees. With Joe Ryan becoming the first pitcher to reach 5 wins in 2023, the Twins coasted to a 6-2 victory, securing their first regular season series win over the Yankees since 2001 (!). Byron Buxton connected for a two-run homer, followed by Trevor Larnach doing the same thing in the sixth inning. The loss continued a troubling trend for the Yankees, who are averaging under 3 runs per game during their last 12 contests. Now if only the Twins could break their playoff curse…
For the first time since 2001, the @Twins have won the season series against the Yankees. pic.twitter.com/Hucv726TO5
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2023
Rookie Blake Sabol hits walk-off dinger
Despite the polarizing nature of San Francisco’s city connect jerseys, it is undeniable that they have a certain magnetism to the Giants winning Tuesday home games. After blowing a late lead and entering the ninth with a two-run deficit, San Francisco rallied to score three times against Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. The highlight came from rookie catcher Blake Sabol, who hit his first career walk-off homerun to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The Giants have now won four straight games, while the Cardinals continue to stumble in the NL Central.
IT. IS. OUT OF HERE! #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/KJMxZUeS1a
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Yuli Gurriel hits an inside-the-parker
While nobody would ever confuse Yuli Gurriel for a speed demon, a perfect confluence of factors gave him the honor of hitting the first inside-the-park homerun of 2023. A hard hit ball, the left fielder colliding against the wall, and a good jump out of the batter’s box were more than enough for Gurriel to reach home plate without even drawing a throw.
The first inside-the-park homer of the season goes to Yuli Gurriel.
(MLB x @loandepot) pic.twitter.com/55HlO5cl2g
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2023
Kevin Kiermaier wins a fan for life
With acrobatic catches and a positive personality, Kevin Kiermaier has been quick to make an impression since arriving in Toronto. Tonight, the cameras caught him giving out his batting gloves to a young fan in the stands, earning a stunned reaction amid an unforgettable moment. As Billy Beane—via Brad Pitt—said, how can you not be romantic about baseball?
An unforgettable souvenir. 💙 pic.twitter.com/mAWN11pg4i
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 26, 2023
Spencer Strider can do it all
A day after taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, Spencer Strider gave us a lesson regarding how to flick sunflower seeds properly. With Strider leading the league in strikeouts and FIP, it is hard to argue with his methods right now.
Pumpkin seeds ✍️ balanced ✍️ wrist ✍️ pic.twitter.com/WbZKt4uMn6
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 25, 2023
Injuries
After leaving Monday’s game with a hand injury, it has been confirmed that Red Sox infielder Yu Chang will miss up to six weeks due to a hamate fracture in his left hand. While his start to 2023 had been lackluster with a .136 average, Chang’s versatility had allowed Alex Cora to use Kiké Hernández in center field to mix and match defensive positions. With Boston playing better lately, it will be interesting to see how they navigate the latest injury to a position player.
Rookie outfielder Garrett Mitchell will undergo surgery on his shoulder, which will likely end what had been a promising season. He received a second opinion, which recommended surgery to heal the subluxation in his left shoulder. Mitchell had played a prominent role in Milwaukee’s fast start to the season, hitting 3 homeruns and fielding his position admirably. He will land on the 60-day IL.
The Mets are getting closer to finally having Justin Verlander on the mound, as the future Hall of Famer has been cleared to make a rehab start in the minors this Friday. Management indicated that Verlander is expected to pitch between three and four innings, and should be good to go for his Mets debut next Tuesday against the Tigers. Combined with Max Scherzer’s return from suspension, the top of New York’s rotation is bound to look much better as of next week.
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