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You never know what you are going to see at a baseball game. Friday was proof of that. A rivalry took center stage and two rookie pitchers had banner nights. Let’s jump right in.
Today’s Headlines
Protest Mars Dodgers’ Pride Night
A large group of people protesting the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on the team’s 10th Pride Night briefly forced the two main gates at Dodger Stadium to be closed before Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. The Sisters, a self-described “order of trans and queer nuns”, were honored with a Community Hero award for the work they do with the LGBTQ+ community. But the award turned out to be a center of controversy, first causing the Dodgers to bow to religious leaders and disinvite the Sisters, then reversing course after being heavily criticized by the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Los Angeles Times, about 2,000 protestors marched toward the stadium, prompting police and team security to temporarily close the main entrance.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium presented by Blue Shield of California. 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/XR3oo7aXqb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2023
Photos from the Dodgers protest #DodgersProtest pic.twitter.com/BEazXfI8XD
— Andrew J. Campa (@campadrenews) June 17, 2023
Bizarre Play Punctuates Giants’ Win
This was straight out of Little League. A play in which the third baseman dropped a pop-up and the pitcher threw the ball once past first base, then flipped it to third base after he tagged a runner out resulted in no runs scoring. It all added up to a 7-5 Giants win in 11 innings over the Dodgers in a game where a pitcher made a remarkable MLB debut. Freddie Freeman singled home the tying run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Dodgers, then the Giants got a go-ahead single from Brandon Crawford as part of a two-run top of the 11th inning. In the bottom of the 11th, this happened:
This is literally MLB The Show co-op in real life pic.twitter.com/fk9SKBJrpo
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 17, 2023
Before the late-game drama, the story of the game was Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who spun six no-hit innings in his MLB debut. Sheehan had never pitched above Double-A before Friday.
A dream debut for Emmet Sheehan. pic.twitter.com/MEh4WjFboH
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2023
Sheehan had a little help on defense to keep his no-no bid intact.
MOOKIE BETTS! pic.twitter.com/dabmHCdZu5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2023
WOW, FREDDIE. pic.twitter.com/ZzhQT0GPOr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2023
Sizzling Start For Reds’ Abbott
Are the Cincinnati Reds the newest feel-good story in MLB? Looks like it. While Elly De La Cruz makes a lot of headlines, fellow rookie Andrew Abbott has been perhaps more impressive. The left-hander extended his career-opening scoreless streak to 17⅔ innings by blanking the Astros in Houston for six frames in a 2-1 Cincy victory. Abbott’s six-inning outing vs. the Astros made him the first pitcher in the modern era to throw three straight scoreless games of at least five innings. Oh, and the Reds, winners of six straight, are now tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-34) for second place in the National League Central at 35-35, a half-game behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Question: Who is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to begin his career with 3 straight scoreless outings of at least 5 IP?
Answer: Andrew Abbott pic.twitter.com/Dihef5uXkM
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 17, 2023
Arraez Back On Track
Going hitless in three consecutive games is not unusual for any MLB hitter. But for Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez, three straight games without a knock was a season-worst streak for him. Arraez, who went 0-for-12 in those games and was 1-for-17 in his last four, resumed his pursuit of .400 with a 5-for-5 night in the Marlins’ 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals. It was his second five-hit game this season, making him the second Marlin to do so (Juan Pierre, 2005). His average dropped from .402 before the 1-for-17 skid and was at .378 entering Friday, with his perfect day at the plate boosting him back to .390. Arraez cranked out his second homer of the season and drove in three runs while scoring twice.
"Siri, play hits from @Arraez_21" pic.twitter.com/Cem2Bn669l
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 17, 2023
Old-Man Strength
It only seems like Travis d’Arnaud has been around forever. The 34-year-old catcher for Atlanta, now playing a backup role to Sean Murphy, blasted two home runs, doubling his season total, including a 474-foot shot in Atlanta’s 8-1 triumph over the Colorado Rockies. That blast was the 100th of his career, then he added a 433-foot shot later. It was also Atlanta’s 15th homer of at least 450 feet, more than doubling the next closest teams (the Rockies and Los Angeles Angels each have six).
474 feet!
See Travis d'Arnaud's 100th career homer fly. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/lAuIJDpB2b
— MLB (@MLB) June 16, 2023
Another feat from Friday was Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. stealing his 30th base of the season, making him the first player in the modern era with at least 15 homers and 30 steals in his team’s first 70 games.
Ronald Acuña Jr is the first player with 15+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases in his team’s first 70 games of a season since at least 1900 https://t.co/RrcLQVYbO8
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 17, 2023
Too Much Prime-Time TV
It is about time. Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said what the fan bases of the other 28 teams spew whenever his team faces the New York Yankees and appears on national TV. Specifically, Cora was asked about the rivals squaring off on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” — arguably the flagship MLB broadcast — for the second week in a row. “I think it’s too much sometimes,” Cora said before Friday’s series opener. “Back-to-back Sunday night games, with all due respect to ESPN, come on. There’s other teams out there and people want to watch them.” Maybe the four-letter network needs to adopt a flex-scheduling model for “SNB” that the NFL has for its late-season games, only apply it throughout the season, perhaps choosing a game one month out to accommodate scheduling travel.
Best Moments From Yesterday
E-Scorekeeper
If your life depended on your prediction of what the official scorer would rule this play, today would be your last day alive.
This may be the worst official scoring decision of all time.
"Single" pic.twitter.com/hNTwCq6AAq
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 17, 2023
Sticking Up For Yours
The Arizona Diamondbacks had something to say to @MLB regarding a tweet about potential first-time All-Stars. While Zac Gallen was chosen, the D’backs clearly (rightfully?) had gripe. Kind of like when you have a family of 26 and your parents only chose one for a special trip.
Y'all could've at least picked one of our guys *cough* Corbin *cough* Lourdes people can vote for! Though, yes Zac.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 16, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck left his start against the Yankees in the fifth inning after being struck just below below the right eye by a liner off the bat of Kyle Higashioka. He was diagnosed with a facial contusion.
Angels infielder Gio Urshela, who missed a spate of games recently due to back issues, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left pelvis. Infielder Michael Stefanic was called up from Triple-A.
Giants outfielder Mitch Haniger is expected to miss 10 weeks after having surgery to repair a broken right ulna.
Veteran catcher Mike Zunino was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians, who called up right-hander Touki Toussaint from Triple-A. The Guardians will promote top catching prospect Bo Naylor on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed infielder Max Muncy (strained hamstring) on the 10-day IL and promoted Sheehan from Double-A to make his MLB debut Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Infielder Michael Busch was also called up from Triple-A and right-hander Michael Grove was optioned.
Infielder Johan Camargo has opted out of his contract with the Kansas City Royals and is now a free agent.
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired infielder Richie Palacios from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations. Palacios was DFA’d by the Guardians. The Cardinals assigned him to Triple-A.
Articles You Should Read
The McKenzies: A father-son bond built through baseball — Zack Meisel, The Athletic
Manfred lied about Oakland stadium deal, insulted A’s fans — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle
Lessons learned while on the White Sox beat — James Fegan, free agent
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