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It was a brief slate Monday, so I will keep this brief, too. Most teams have played 40 games, basically one-quarter of the season. This is about the time that stats have started to settle in and small sample size is no longer applicable. I’m expecting some early trades this year that could reshape division races.
Today’s Headlines
AL-Best Rays Stay Hot Thanks To Aranda’s 3 RBIs
Keep dating the Tampa Bay Rays. But just make sure to call them the best team in the American League. Jonathan Aranda drove in three runs, including a homer, as the Rays beat the host Toronto Blue Jays 8-5. The Rays have won 15 of their last 17 and are 27-13, the second-best record in MLB behind Atlanta (28-13). Chandler Simpson and Richie Palacios each had three hits for the Rays, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second. Rays right-handed starter Drew Rasmussen allowed three runs, all in the second inning, on four hits over six innings, striking out six. Jays right-handed starter Kevin Gausman recorded his 2,000th career strikeout, the sixth active pitcher to do so. Aranda hit a solo homer in the fifth off Gausman, who struck out five but gave up seven runs in 4⅔ innings. Andrés Giménez hit a pair of homers, driving in five, for the Jays.
Target Practice For J-Rod In Mariners’ Win
After hitting the Lexus advertisement following a pregame challenge by a Houston Astros fan at Daikin Park (check out the Best Moments section), Seattle Mariners superstar center fielder Julio Rodríguez decided to hit one of the neighboring signs during the game. Is there anything J-Rod can’t do when he puts his mind to it? Rodriguez’s third-inning solo homer helped the Mariners to a 3-1 win over the host Astros. Mariners right-hander George Kirby struck out seven and allowed one run over five innings as Seattle won its eighth straight against its AL West rival. Four Mariners relievers allowed just two hits over the final four innings, striking out six. Dominic Canzone and Cole Young drove in second-inning runs for the Mariners.
Shot Of Mayo Too Much For Yankees In Orioles’ Victory
A late add to the Baltimore Orioles‘ starting lineup when Samuel Basallo was scratched due to discomfort in his left knee, Coby Mayo sure to pay off his manager’s decision. After the Orioles were no-hit for the first six innings by New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers, Mayo clubbed a three-run homer off left-handed reliever Brent Headrick with one out in the seventh in a 3-2 Baltimore victory. Mayo entered the day with a miserable .158/.218/.277 slash line, but his fourth homer of the season left him feeling a bit better. The Yankees have lost four in a row.
By The Numbers
0 Arizona Diamondbacks pinch-runner Sam Haggerty was picked off first base before Texas Rangers right-hander Taylor Clarke delivered his first pitch to the batter, meaning Haggerty was in the game for zero pitches but one out. He remained in the game on defense. The D’backs won 1-0.
28-4 With their 7-2 win, the Cleveland Guardians improved to 28-4 vs. the Los Angeles Angels since the beginning of the 2014 season.
3 Rafael Devers of the San Francisco Giants hit his third homer in his last five games in a 9-3 win over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Don’t Challenge Julio
A Houston Astros fan didn’t think Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez could hit a sign at Daikin Park. Bad idea. The fan lost his shoes.
A Homer Almost Everywhere … But Here
The drive by Ryan McMahon of the Yankees looked like it might tie the game with one out in the ninth inning, but Orioles left fielder Tyler O’Neill made a nice catch on the warning track to preserve the lead in a 3-2 win. Camden Yards is one of five stadiums the ball would not have been a home run.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Dodgers superstar shortstop Mookie Betts (right oblique strain) was officially activated off the 10-day injured list. Second baseman Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ The desperate New York Mets are calling up one of their top prospects, center fielder A.J. Ewing, to make his MLB debut today. Ewing has played just 60 games between Double-A and Triple-A, including 12 at Triple-A this year. The Mets will have to create room on the 26-man roster as well as the 40-man roster.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Addison Barger (right elbow inflammation) went back on the 10-day IL just two days after coming off. His previous injury was a sprained left ankle. Jays left-hander Eric Lauer was designated for assignment to make room for right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who was called up from Triple-A. Barger was replaced by outfielder Yohendrick Piñango, who was at Triple-A.
⚾ The Seattle Mariners called up right-handed reliever Domingo González to make his MLB debut. Left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer went on the paternity list.
⚾ The Athletics are calling up outfielder Henry Bolte, their 2022 second-round draft pick, to make his MLB debut. The A’s have room on the 40-man roster, so only a corresponding move to get him on the 26-man roster needs to be made.
⚾ Atlanta shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (right index finger laceration) was activated from the 10-day IL. Outfielder Eli White, who crashed into the right-field wall making a catch Sunday, went on the seven-day concussion list. Kim made his season debut Monday.
⚾ Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his scheduled start due to tightness on his left side.
⚾ Nicole Sherry, who became the second head groundskeeper in MLB history when hired by the Baltimore Orioles 20 years ago, is leaving the team to take a job with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Tonight will be her last game.
Articles You Should Read
Giants’ Posey keeps taking big swing. When will they connect? — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Why isn’t Eldridge in the everyday lineup? Giants explain — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Red Sox have some tough decisions to make about Story — Peter Abraham, Boston Globe
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