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One of the hot topics that popped up as a new week of baseball began Monday is the automated ball-strike system (ABS). That is because two esteemed writers, Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark, at The Athletic came out with an article about ABS and its likely implementation next season. The article was primarily filled with quotes from Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed starter Corbin Burnes, who is one of four players on MLB’s competition committee. While there are some questions that were raised about the accuracy of the ABS challenge system that was used in spring training this year, there is plenty of time for the sides to get things to a better place.
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Today’s Headlines
D’backs Power Up To Beat Dodgers
When the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks met in a four-game series just over a week ago, it felt like two heavyweights throwing haymakers at each other. Well, the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium picked up where that left off. Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Gabriel Moreno, and Geraldo Perdomo each hit home runs as the D’backs turned back the Dodgers 9-5. Gurriel and Moreno hit two-run shots in the third inning off right-hander Landon Knack. Perdomo added a two-run homer of his own in the eighth inning to give the D’backs a 9-3 advantage. The Dodgers, who got three homers themselves (two by Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani’s MLB-leading 17th of the season), made it a little interesting with two runs in the ninth before right-hander Shelby Miller came in to get the final out.
Cardinals Clobber Tigers
If you are still wondering if the St. Louis Cardinals are for real, they just added a new piece of evidence for you to consider. With right-handed starter Sonny Gray striking out 10 and tossing six shutout innings and three players driving in a pair of runs, the Cardinals drubbed the AL’s best team, the Detroit Tigers, 11-4, for their 13th win in 15 games. Gray allowed just three hits and walked just one in improving to 5-1. Iván Herrera, Pedro Pagés, and Jordan Walker each drove in two runs. Walker had a two-run double in his only at-bat and scored on Pages’ home run during a six-run seventh inning.
Soto’s Hustle Questioned
From time to time, we all have those moments where we look back in the immediate aftermath and feel we could have done a little more. Juan Soto probably had one of those moments when he hit a sixth-inning drive high off the Green Monster, yet only came away with a single in the New York Mets‘ 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. When Soto struck the offering from left-handed reliever Justin Wilson, he took a couple of steps back and admired his drive. The ball struck halfway up the Green Monster, and Jarren Duran quickly got the ball back to the infield, holding Soto to a single. Soto appeared to have a look of regret when he was at first after the play ended. He then stole second base. But after the game, questions were asked about why Soto hadn’t sprinted out of the box to be sitting on second after his hit. Soto and manager Carlos Mendoza both tried to downplay the severity of the situation, with Mendoza saying that he would talk with Soto about his hustle.
Duran Sparks Red Sox
No Alex Cora, no problem. With their manager taking the night off as his daughter graduated from Boston College, the Red Sox scored all the runs they would need in the first two innings to topple Kodai Senga and the Mets 3-1. Leadoff hitter Jarren Duran was the catalyst for the Red Sox’s offense, doubling and scoring in the first, then tripling and scoring in the second. Senga entered the game with a 1.02 ERA, which led the NL, and he gave up a season-worst three runs in six innings. Bench coach Ramon Vazquez took over the managerial duties and got a beer shower for his first win.
Sanchez Walks It Off For Marlins
Jesus Sanchez led off the game for the Miami Marlins with a homer. He finished it with a walk-off triple. Yes, a walk-off triple. The right fielder produced yet another Marlins walk-off by driving in a pair of runs for an 8-7 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. Sanchez hit a hard grounder down the first-base line that easily scored Derek Hill from second and Javier Sanoja from first for the sixth Marlins walk-off of the season, tying the San Francisco Giants for the most in MLB. It was the second walk-off this year for Sanchez, who beat the Los Angeles Dodgers with a single on May 6. Sanchez, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs, went deep to begin the bottom of the first, driving a 3-0 Ben Brown offering out to right-center for his second homer of the season. Agustín Ramírez followed with a blast to left-center, putting the Marlins quickly on top 2-0. The Cubs sandwiched a three-run fourth inning and a four-run sixth around a four-run Marlins fifth inning to take a 7-6 lead. Miguel Amaya drove in five runs for the Cubs, including a three-run homer in the fourth.
Contreras Comes Through For Crew
In a battle between teams struggling to find their footing this season, William Contreras‘ best performance of the year provided the difference for the Milwaukee Brewers. The catcher, playing with a broken middle finger on his catching hand, went 4-for-4 and drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Brewers upended the Baltimore Orioles 5-4. Contreras, who doubled twice and also walked in his five plate appearances, grounded a single off the glove of shortstop Gunnar Henderson to score Brice Turang from second to snap a 4-4 tie. Turang matched Contreras by driving in a pair of runs. He also scored twice. All four of Conteras’ hits had an exit velocity of at least 100 mph. Contreras added his fifth stolen base of the season. It was the seventh straight loss for the Orioles, including three coming after the firing of manager Brandon Hyde.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Monster Shot Gives Schwarber 300 HRs
Milestone homers should be things of glory. That is exactly what career home run No. 300 was for Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, who went 466 feet to the upper tank for this one, his 16th of the season, one off the MLB lead. Schwarber has thrived in Philadelphia, with 147 of those 300 having come in just more than three seasons with the Phillies. And he did get the ball.
Now That’s Power
With rain hitting Target Field, Carson McCusker of the Minnesota Twins showed off his raw power when he sent his bat flying into short left field. (Of course, it doesn’t officially count yet because the game was suspended by rain.)
It's raining out and Twins rookie Carson McCusker accidentally launched his bat into *the outfield* on the fly
Future Gold Glover?
You never know where a good play is going to come from.
Outstanding snowcone catch on the carom off the wall from the Athletics ball guy
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Atlanta right-handed starter Spencer Strider was activated from the 15-day injured list following a hamstring injury and will start today’s series opener against the Washington Nationals.
⚾ The Dodgers activated outfielder Teoscar Hernández from the 10-day IL after his strained left groin. Outfielder James Outman was optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ San Francisco Giants right-handed starter Justin Verlander was dealing with a right pectoral issue in Sunday’s game but is on track to make his start Saturday vs. the Washington Nationals.
⚾ The Cubs brought back up third baseman Matt Shaw and designated for assignment infielder Nicky Lopez. Also, right-handed reliever Porter Hodge will be going on the 15-day IL with a left oblique injury.
⚾ Detroit Tigers right-handed starter Reese Olson went on the 15-day IL due to an injured right ring finger.
⚾ Infielder-outfielder Garrett Hampson was released by the Diamondbacks, who had DFA’d him last week.
⚾ The San Diego Padres placed outfielder Oscar González on outright release waivers to he could join Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Gonzalez came to terms on a deal with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, according to a report by Francys Romero.
⚾ Two former Atlanta stars, Hall of Famer Chipper Jones and two-time All-Star Marquis Grissom, will be the managers for the Futures Game on July 12 in Atlanta.
Articles You Should Read
“It’s been a long road”: Red Sox prospect Song finally begins pro journey — Alex Speier, Boston Globe
As Atlanta recovers from sluggish start, return of Acuna looms — Jay Jaffe, FanGraphs
Angels’ ownership could learn something from A’s purposeful rebuild — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
Royals’ support provides education path for released Dominican players — Anne Rogers, MLB.com
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