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As we hit mid-June, things are starting to pick up in intensity. Wins start seeming a little bit bigger, struggling teams ponder their plight and contenders search for that missing piece to put them over the top. Friday was full of fantastic action, including multiple comebacks in one game and a big showdown in another.
Today’s Headlines
Call It A Comeback: Guardians Stun Astros
One late-inning rally is cool. Two? Something special. But five? Unprecedented. That is exactly what the Cleveland Guardians did against the Houston Astros, erasing a deficit five times in the seventh inning or later. It added up to a 10-9 Guardians victory in 14 innings as Will Brennan lined the first pitch he saw from Seth Martinez over the left fielder’s head to score Tyler Freeman from second base. The Guardians are the first team to erase five deficits in the seventh inning or later. The Guardians trailed 5-4 in the seventh, 6-5 in the ninth, 7-6 in the 12th, 8-7 in the 13th, and, finally, 9-8 in the 14th before. Each time, they scored once to tie the Astros before getting two in the 14th for the win.
This game is so silly.#ForTheLand | #GuardiWWWins pic.twitter.com/R1pFNpPjng
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 10, 2023
Rays Overpower Rangers
In a battle between the two best teams in MLB, No. 1 looked significantly better than No. 2. Behind two home runs from Isaac Paredes and strong pitching from Tyler Glasnow, the Tampa Bay Rays thumped the Texas Rangers 8-3. Paredes drove in six runs as the Rays won their seventh straight to boost their MLB-best record to 47-19.
ROCK 'EM 'SAAC 'EM BOP 'EM https://t.co/gOy0RO8pUC
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 10, 2023
Yea, what Glas said 😅 pic.twitter.com/jFgvjqRXnT
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 9, 2023
Schwarber’s Rocket Is A Walk-off
There is no doubt that June is Kyle Schwarber’s month. But he might have been working with a little more confidence before hitting his latest home run. The Philadelphia Phillies left fielder sent a 1-1 offering from Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Caleb Ferguson deep into the right-field stands with two outs in the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory. Schwarber’s fourth homer of the month gave the Phillies their sixth straight win. Just hours earlier, Schwarber took batting practice off the legendary Roger Clemens, the father of teammate Kody Clemens.
SCHWARRRRRRRRBOMBBBBBB #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/kcnYIUfDOG
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 10, 2023
current mood pic.twitter.com/ZKA2UIfbRN
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 10, 2023
Sluggers Alonso, Alvarez Land On IL
The no good, awful, terrible season of the New York Mets took another hit when first baseman Pete Alonso was placed on the 10-day injured list. Another top slugger was sidelined when Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez was also put on the 10-day IL due to right oblique discomfort. Alonso was hit by a 97 mph Charlie Morton fastball during Wednesday’s game against Atlanta. X-rays did not reveal a break, but further testing revealed a bone bruise and sprained wrist. He will be out for three to four weeks. Alonso has been one of the few Mets performing to expectations with an MLB-leading 22 homers and 49 RBIs, fifth in MLB. Alvarez is tied for fourth with 17 homers and leads MLB with 55 RBIs.
Darvish Joins Club 100
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish became the second Japanese pitcher with 100 career MLB victories in a 9-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Darvish is 100-79 in 254 games, all starts, covering 11 seasons. He joins Hideo Nomo in the 100-win club. Nomo went 123-109 in 323 games, all but five as a starter, in 12 seasons with seven teams, including seven with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres are Darvish’s fourth team.
Yu keepin’ it 💯 @faridyu
メジャー100勝おめでとう！ pic.twitter.com/m7ioC5FRwz
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 10, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
From Backyard To MLB
In a subplot to the Rays-Rangers showdown, brothers Nathaniel Lowe, the starting first baseman for Texas, and Josh Lowe, a right fielder for Tampa Bay, were on the same MLB diamond for the first time. Both were drafted by the Rays — Nathaniel, 27, was a 13th-rounder in 2016 and Josh, 25, a first-rounder in 2013 — and played in the minors together. “It’s something we’ve dreamed about since being little kids, to be on a major-league field,” Josh Lowe said. “We never knew we’d be on the same major-league field.” Nathaniel was in the Rangers’ starting lineup, but Josh was on the bench. Both could be in Saturday’s lineups.
Nathaniel and Josh Lowe are playing against each other for the first time in the big league. This jersey is peak mom from Wendy Lowe pic.twitter.com/acplmsMO1c
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) June 9, 2023
Run, Not Walk
Don’t sleep when Ronald Acuña Jr. is on base for Atlanta. Look at what he did against the Washington Nationals after Matt Olson walked.
Keep your 👀 on @RonaldAcunaJr24 at all times! pic.twitter.com/gsa2zvHLq9
— MLB (@MLB) May 23, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
Boston Red Sox left-handed starter Chris Sale, already on the 15-day IL and transferred to the 60-day IL Friday, has a stress reaction in his shoulder and will not require surgery. He will be re-evaluated in about a month.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Vince Velasquez underwent season-ending elbow surgery.
New York Yankees outfielder Greg Allen, who went on the 10-day IL last weekend, will miss six to eight weeks due to a strained right hip flexor.
Infielder Nick Solak joined his sixth franchise since the offseason began when he was claimed by the Detroit Tigers. He had been waived by Atlanta. In the offseason, he was traded by the Texas Rangers to the Cincinnati Reds, then dealt to the Seattle Mariners before going to the Chicago White Sox, then Atlanta on waiver claims.
Outfielder David Dahl elected free agency after clearing waivers following being designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Anthony Bass, the center of controversy due to his anti-LGBTQ+ Instagram post, was designated for assignment with the return of right-hander Mitch White (right shoulder impingement) from the 60-day IL.
Articles You Should Read
Will Steve Cohen make changes at the top for struggling Mets? — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Cardinals’ play will determine course of action — Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Giants, A’s Spanish-language broadcasters talk about inequity on the job — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle
Pitch clock appears to be faster in Philly — Matt Gelb, The Athletic
Fantasy Baseball Coverage