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Today’s Headlines
Ronald Acuña Jr. suffers torn ACL in left knee.
I hate that I have to start out with bad news. Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a non-contact knee injury on the basepaths during Sunday’s game. He was in a lot of pain but was able to walk off the field on his own. He said after the game that the pain was different than what his torn ACL in his right knee felt like in 2021, and he was hopeful he would only miss a month. Unfortunately, Atlanta announced Sunday night that Acuña has a complete tear of his left ACL. It’s crushing news for both Atlanta and the game of baseball.
I feel for Acuña on a much deeper level, too. In a Players’ Tribune article this past March, he wrote candidly about dealing with depression during his knee injury in 2021. I hope that he can heal both physically and mentally, and that he has people around him to help him through the road to recovery. The game is better with him in it.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. tonight underwent an MRI that revealed a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee. He is set to undergo surgery at a date yet to be determined and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 27, 2024
Bradish’s gem helps Orioles sweep White Sox.
Starting pitching was on display in Chicago this afternoon. White Sox starter Garrett Crochet struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced and ended the day tying a career-high 11 strikeouts. Crochet entered Sunday’s game having not given up a run since May 5th, but the scoreless streak came to an end courtesy of an Adley Rutschman homer.
On the other half of the pitchers duel was Kyle Bradish. He tossed 7 no-hit innings for the Orioles, also striking out 11 batters but walking 4. The O’s went to their bullpen in the 8th inning and that’s where their luck ran out. Danny Mendick hit a pinch-hit home run off Danny Coulombe, breaking up the no hitter and putting the White Sox on the board. Mendick’s solo shot was the White Sox only hit of the day. A 4-1 Orioles win on Sunday capped off a 4-game sweep of the Sox.
That ball got out in a HURRY. pic.twitter.com/7RoEueh06U
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 26, 2024
Guardians win 9 straight!
Blake errr, Ben Lively had another solid outing yesterday. Lively pitched 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 5 Angels batters. José Ramírez has been on fire, but his patience at the plate was the deciding factor on Sunday. Cleveland broke the tie with a 3-run 6th inning, and it was Ramírez’s bases loaded walk that would be the game’s deciding factor.
Cleveland has swept the last three series (against the Twins, Mets, and Angels) and enters Memorial Day riding a 9-game win streak. In that span, Ramírez is 12-for-36 with 3 doubles, 6 home runs, and 15 RBI.
Calendar flipped May and Hosey took off. 😮💨#ForTheLand | @CLE_CLF pic.twitter.com/PbJN5J3tFN
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 26, 2024
Walk-off wins for the Tigers and Mets.
It was a slugfest in Detroit on Sunday afternoon! The Blue Jays and Tigers traded runs all day, but the Tigers came up in the bottom of the ninth to deliver the final blow. The two teams combined for 7 home runs and 25 runs scored. Cavan Biggio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Daulton Varsho homered for Toronto, but it wouldn’t be enough. Spencer Torkelson and Carson Kelly each hit a home run for Detroit, but the player of the game was Matt Vierling. He went 4-for-6 with two home runs, including the walk-off 3-run blast in the bottom of the ninth.
VIERLING CALLED GAME. pic.twitter.com/IV8QLBWW9I
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 26, 2024
Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen was right, the sun did come up for the Mets on Sunday. Sean Manaea and Adrian Houser pitched well enough to keep the Mets in the game, and the offense suddenly came alive in the bottom of the ninth inning. Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez hit back-to-back singles and a Jeff McNeil hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Harrison Bader connected with a pitch a foot above the strike zone, driving a game-tying double into shallow left field. Omar Narváez would wind up delivering the walk-off hit for the Mets, a much-needed victory that snaped the Mets’ 5-game losing streak.
THAT'S A GAME WINNER! 👊 pic.twitter.com/vD4v8lXls7
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 26, 2024
This & That.
I’m introducing a This & That segment to highlight some top performers worthy of praise! Sunday’s players include:
- Chris Sale: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.
- Corey Seager: A 2-homer day and 6 home runs in his last 6 games.
- Kyle Tucker: Hit an MLB-leading 18th home run yesterday.
- Anthony Volpe: Extended his hit streak to 19 games.
- Ryan Weathers: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K.
This is not a replay. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/BFfVZTTc6G
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 26, 2024
The King strikes again 👑
presented by @Phillips66Co pic.twitter.com/y0MHkMvxgA
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 26, 2024
AV stays hot 🔥🔥
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/aRu5PF6iD2 pic.twitter.com/bMpsRF5FdF
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 26, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
J-Rod is the best!
A young Mariners fan reached over the left field wall at Nationals Park and got called for fan interference, causing Nationals hitter Luis Garcia to be called out. The home crowd booed the kid in the Mariners shirt, but Julio Rodríguez showed the kid some love.
Julio Rodriguez wrote a message and autographed a baseball for the kid that got called for fan interference and Luke Raley threw it to him.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) May 26, 2024
You can’t escape the tarp monster.
Another groundskeeper eaten by the beast!
TARP MONSTER STRIKES IN CINCINNATI pic.twitter.com/wBZXsDLGO2
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 26, 2024
As Seen On Netflix: Benches clear in Boston
By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the Netflix crews following the Boston Red Sox for a new docuseries. When the benches cleared on Sunday, Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo snapped a picture of the players on the field and what appeared to be a cameraman and boom mic operator near the action.
The first bench clearing incident with a Netflix boom mic in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/6jsFkWdAGb
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 26, 2024
Baseball has the weirdest injuries.
There’s been so many weird injuries in baseball and Miguel Sanó is just the latest!
Miguel Sanó accidentally burned his knee because he left a heating pad on too long, Ron Washington said. It’s not considered serious but it’s a setback.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 26, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ OF Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Sunday afternoon. He will need surgery and be out for the year.
⚾ SP Cristian Javier did not throw his scheduled bullpen yesterday due to forearm discomfort, so he appears unlikely to make his scheduled start on Tuesday.
⚾ OF Lars Nootbaar was scratched from the lineup Sunday night due to hamstring tightness. It doesn’t seem serious so consider him day-to-day.
⚾ 3B Austin Riley remained on the bench for the 13th straight game. There’s optimism he’ll play today, but we shall see!
Articles You Should Read
East-West Classic celebrates Negro Leagues, reminds former players what’s missing today — Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
I Mean No Harm, I Swear — Ronald Acuña Jr., The Player’s Tribune
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