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The Athletics are much better this season. Better than last season, which was better than the miserable season of 2023 when they went 50-112. They went 69-93 in their final season in Oakland. They spent modestly in the offseason (maybe extravagantly by A’s standards), and there was hope the team might be able to contend for an AL wild-card spot this year. They probably could, except for one thing: They are struggling mightily playing in West Sacramento, at a Triple-A stadium they will call home for at least two more seasons after this one. They are just 9-19 at Sutter Health Park, just one of three teams still in single digits in home wins (the Baltimore Orioles are 9-15 and the Colorado Rockies are 6-22). On the road, which is where the A’s are today, opening a three-game set against the Houston Astros, they have posted a 14-12 record. Even a .500 record at home at this point of the season would have the A’s in the thick of the AL West race. It is only likely to get worse as the 90-degree heat of summer will dramatically affect the play and stamina of players.
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Today’s Headlines
Lindor Walks It Off Again
Every winning team has a little magic to it. It varies from team to team and season to season, but this year’s New York Mets are mastering the walk-off. Francisco Lindor’s sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Tyrone Taylor from third base and gave the Mets a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. It was the fifth walk-off win in 26 home games, three of which have been provided by Lindor. The Mets are the first team to 20 home victories. It was yet another dramatic win for the Mets, who were shut out for the first seven innings. Juan Soto hit an opposite-field sac fly to left field that scored pinch-runner Luisangel Acuña from third in the bottom of the eighth.
Francisco Lindor walks it off for the @Mets!
Yamamoto Anchors Dodgers; Ohtani Hits 19th HR
It is the type of scenario the Los Angeles Dodgers dreamed of when they signed two-way star Shohei Ohtani and right-handed starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto before the 2024 season. The two Japanese stars led the way as the Dodgers opened a three-game series with a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Yamamoto continued his standout start to the season, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings, improving to 6-3. Ohtani, meanwhile, led off the game with a home run for the second day in a row, taking right-hander Gavin Williams deep on the first pitch of the day. It was Ohtani’s 19th homer this season, which broke a tie with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies for the MLB lead. He hit the second pitch of Sunday’s game for a homer. Ohtani also walked twice and scored three times. Yamamoto also showed off his defensive skills. In the third inning, Will Wilson bunted down the first-base line, which got past a charging Freddie Freeman. Yamamoto picked up the ball and tagged Wilson just before the bag.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes care of business himself!
Old Salt Morton Finds Form
Much like the first two months of the Baltimore Orioles‘ season, right-hander Charlie Morton wishes he could just forget what has transpired thus far. The career starter spent the last month in the bullpen, but got the call to start Memorial Day and turned in a start to remember. Morton allowed two runs over six innings as the Orioles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 for their first three-game winning streak of the season. The 41-year-old Morton, who had a 10.00 ERA in his first six starts as an Oriole, allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out five, becoming the oldest player in team history to have a quality start. Center fielder Dylan Carlson, hitting .133 in 33 plate appearances this season, provided all the offense Morton would need, delivering a three-run homer in the fourth inning against his former team, giving the Orioles a 5-0 lead.
Machado’s Power Surge Helps Padres Walk It Off
There is nothing like a hitter in a groove. Manny Machado is in a groove. The San Diego Padres‘ third baseman hit a tying solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, then Tyler Wade, pinch-running for Machado, scored on left-hander Cade Gibson’s wild pitch in the 11th as the Padres beat the Miami Marlins 4-3. Machado’s no-doubt, eighth-inning blast was his sixth of the season, but third in the last four games.
Chourio Sparks Crew To Nail-Biting Win
You wouldn’t exactly call Jackson Chourio a patient hitter. The Milwaukee Brewers‘ center fielder entered play Monday facing an average of 3.52 pitches per plate appearance, 157th in MLB. But all he needs is one pitch to make a difference. Chourio rocketed Garrett Crochet’s first pitch of the game over the left-field wall to get the Brewers on their way to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Chourio’s eighth homer of the season was the first leadoff blast for the Brewers this season. Crochet recovered to allow two runs and strike out 11 over 6.2 innings. But Brewers’ pitching, led by right-handed starter Chad Patrick, shut out the Red Sox for the first seven innings. Kristian Campbell had an RBI groundout in the top of the eighth to pull the Red Sox within 2-1, but the Brewers countered with a run-scoring single by Eric Haase in the bottom half to make it 3-1. Jarren Duran made it a one-run game with an RBI single to right, but Brewers closer Trevor Megill eventually wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam when Connor Wong flew out to right.
Montero Spins Gem For Tigers
No one will ever confuse Keider Montero with Tarik Skubal. But Montero took a page out of Skubal’s book and turned in his own gem of an outing following the AL Cy Young Award winner’s Maddux a day before. The right-handed Montero allowed just one hit in five shutout innings as the Detroit Tigers captured a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Montero walked two and struck out three before a procession of five relievers finished things off, capped by Will Vest’s sixth save. The final three relievers allowed just one hit in three innings. Riley Greene had a two-run single in the fifth inning that staked the Tigers to a 3-0 lead.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Swarming For Seats
Everyone wants a good seat at Petco Park. That includes the bees. A swarm of bees took over a camera behind home plate, necessitating their removal as the Miami Marlins took batting practice before facing the San Diego Padres.
In Their Memory
Memorial Day is about honoring those who gave their life in the line of military service for this country. MLB honored them by having players wear a patch that said, “Lest we forget” over the top of a red poppy flower.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ In a slightly surprising move, the Brewers optioned right-handed starter Logan Henderson to Triple-A as they activated left-handed reliever DL Hall from the 60-day injured list. Hall has been out with a strained lat. Henderson had a 1.71 ERA in four starts, but the Crew does not need a fifth starter this week, and Hall gives the bullpen another much-needed arm.
⚾ Outfielder Chris Taylor has signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Taylor had been designated for assignment and released by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Outfielder Kyren Paris was sent to Triple-A.
⚾ The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted right-hander Braxton Ashcraft to make his MLB debut. Ashcraft is expected to work in a bulk relief role.
⚾ The Miami Marlins called up outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to make his MLB debut. Center fielder Derek Hill went back on the 10-day IL with another sprain to his left wrist, the same injury that had already sidelined him for a month this season.
⚾ Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and wife Chelsea are donating $1 million to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where son Maximus was treated last year for the rare Guillain-Barré neurological syndrome.
Articles You Should Read
Blue Jays continue to be consistently inconsistent — Josh Goldberg, The Score
The simple adjustment Dodgers hope will get Scott back on track — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times
College baseball coaches must be stopped from abusing pitchers’ arms — Keith Law, The Athletic
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