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I follow the Oakland Ballers on social media. Who are the Ballers? They are the third-year member of the independent Pioneer League and the team that took over as the professional baseball presence in Oakland after the A’s left town. They won the whole damn thing in their second year. Not everyone lives close to an MLB stadium, so minor-league baseball is a better option for those folks. Organized minors can be fun, but independent ball also has its benefits. The Pioneer League opens its season today. But go out and catch a minor-league game if you can.
Today’s Headlines
A’s Ginn Goes From Near-No-No To Walk-off Loss
J.T. Ginn was on the verge of history. But in a four-pitch span, he went from almost famous to almost forgotten. The Athletics‘ right-hander took a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth inning, but that bid was spoiled on Adam Frazier’s clean leadoff single to center field. The next batter, Zach Neto, smashed Ginn’s 105th pitch of the night over the center-field wall for a 2-1 walk-off win for the Los Angeles Angels. Ginn, who walked one and struck out 10, seemed in control throughout as he made a bid for the season’s first no-hitter and got the only run he thought he would need in the top of the ninth inning on Lawrence Butler’s pinch-hit RBI single. The Angels were ripe to be no-hit, having lost six in a row and not having score more than two runs in their last seven. But thanks to Frazier, they remain the team with the longest streak of not being no-hit at 4,227 games. There has not been an MLB no-hitter since three Chicago Cubs pitchers combined for one Sept. 4, 2024, vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Brewers Snap Cubs’ 15-Game Wrigley Win Streak
If the Chicago Cubs were fired up to face the three-time defending NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field in the rivals’ first meeting of the season, the Brewers were just as eager to take on their southern neighbor. And if opening statements mean anything in a mid-May series (hint: they don’t), the Brewers aren’t going to go down without a fight in the Central. Christian Yelich homered for the second day in a row and Jake Bauers hit a three-run shot, while two rookie pitchers held the Cubs to seven hits in a 9-3 triumph. The Brewers’ victory snapped the Cubs’ 15-game home winning streak. Right-handed starter Brandon Sproat gave up all three runs in 4⅔ innings, then left-hander Shane Drohan finished the final 4⅓ innings, allowing no runs on three hits. Both rookies, who weren’t in the Brewers’ organization when these two teams met for the first time in the playoffs a year ago, struck out five, with Sproat walking three and Drohan none. But it was the veteran Yelich who got the Brewers off to the good beginning, taking Cubs left-handed starter Shota Imanaga deep off the scoreboard in right field in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. The Brewers added four more runs off Imanaga in the fourth inning, then Bauers — who had an RBI single the previous inning — cranked a three-run homer in the fifth for an 8-0 advantage.
King, Andujar Send Padres Past Dodgers
Now this was a true rivalry game. Right-handed starter Michael King struck out nine over seven shutout innings, Miguel Andujar hit a first-inning homer and Mason Miller overcame a shaky start to the ninth inning to secure the San Diego Padres‘ 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In their first meeting of the year, the two NL West rivals put together a classic pitching duel as the Padres overtook the Dodgers for first place. King gave up four hits and walked a pair in his second scoreless start this year. Of his nine starts, King has allowed one or no runs six times. On the other side, Dodgers ace right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was nearly as good, allowing three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. The only glitch was Andujar driving a 2-2 pitch with one out in the first inning for a solo homer, his fourth of the year. The dominant Miller came on in the ninth, but his command was off. He walked the first two hitters he faced, but bounced back to retire the final three and notched his MLB-leading 15th save in as many chances.
A 10-Run Inning? In Extras? Mets Win? Yes To All Of It
If there is a turning point in the New York Mets‘ season, it could be the events of the last week. Spark plug outfielder A.J. Ewing came up to make his MLB debut. Then the Mets won their weekend series against the New York Yankees, including an improbable walk-off. Now? Just a 10-run 12th inning that sent the Mets to a 16-7 win over the Washington Nationals. Another Mets rookie, Carson Benge, drove in the go-ahead run with a single and then added a two-run double as 13 players went to the plate in the 10-run outburst. Bo Bichette, who homered earlier, also drove in three runs in the 10th as the Mets became the first NL team to score at least 10 runs in a single extra inning since the 1919 Cincinnati Reds had 10 in the 13th inning of a 1919 game against Brooklyn.
Cecconi Deals As Guardians Roll Past Tigers
You expect your ace or No. 2 to go deep into a game. But the guy on the back end with a 5.60 ERA? Not really. But that is exactly what right-handed starter Slade Cecconi did, going 7⅓ innings in the Cleveland Guardians 8-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in a battle of AL Central rivals meeting for the first time this year. Cecconi allowed both runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Meanwhile, superstar José Ramírez had three hits and drove in three runs, including a ninth-inning solo homer, and Chase DeLauter drove in a pair.
By The Numbers
1,500 George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays notched his 1,500th career hit with his leadoff single in the first inning.
23⅔ Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane McClanahan had his scoreless streak stop at 23⅔ innings in a 16-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
8 The Miami Marlins got a combined eight RBIs from No. 8 hitter Joe Mack (four RBIs) and No. 9 hitter Javier Sanoja (grand slam) in a 12-0 victory over Atlanta.
Best Moments From Yesterday
A Blast For No. 1
First hit. First homer. First big memorable moment for rookie Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson, who lined a three-run homer to right for his first MLB hit in a 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Good Catch, Bad Teammates
When one of your teammates tries to make a catch along the dugout railing, you are supposed to be there to make sure he doesn’t fall into the dugout. Tell that to Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield, who made a nice catch, but was left to fall headfirst into the Rockies’ dugout.
TJ Rumfield flipped over the dugout rail to make the catch 😳
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Detroit Tigers ace left-hander Tarik Skubal had a bullpen session before Monday’s game and felt encouraged. There is no timeline for his return.
⚾ Atlanta left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (strained left hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list, with infielder Kyle Farmer (strained right forearm) going on the 10-day IL.
⚾ A rough start to the season for Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager got worse as he was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation. Infielder-outfielder Michael Helman was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (Grade 1 strained left hamstring) was activated from the 10-day IL as second baseman Jose Altuve (Grade 2 left oblique strain) went on the 10-day IL. Right-hander Jason Alexander was called up from Triple-A and right-hander Cody Bolton was designated for assignment.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (right hamate bone surgery) was activated from the 10-day IL. Catcher Maverick Handley was optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ Kansas City Royals left-handed starter Kris Bubic (left elbow soreness) went on the 15-day IL. Right-handed reliever Eli Morgan was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Former No. 1 overall pick Dylan Crews, an outfielder, is expected to be called up again today by the Washington Nationals.
⚾ The New York Mets will be promoting left-hander Zach Thornton to make his MLB debut Wednesday.
⚾ Texas Rangers left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore left after one inning with tightness in his back, which came after he dove while fielding a ball.
⚾ Home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez left the Atlanta-Marlins game after taking a second foul ball off his mask in the second inning.
⚾ Former MLB infielder Gio Urshela, who played 10 seasons for eight teams, announced his retirement.
Articles You Should Read
Bichette discusses slow start and “wanting to be the player that the Mets signed” — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Why Dodgers’ 2017 pitch to Ohtani remains relevant — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times
Tracy decides the line and other Red Sox thoughts — Peter Abraham, Boston Globe
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