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Today’s Headlines
Bro Naylor
It’s been The Summer Of Josh (Naylor), but it was baby bro who grabbed the limelight last night. Bo Naylor was called up by Cleveland this past weekend following their DFA of Mike Zunino, but it was Wednesday night when he got his first big league hit. And Josh was (as you would expect from him) into it.
Josh Naylor reacting to his little brother Bo's first major league hit is everything 🥹🫶
(via @CleGuardians)pic.twitter.com/IGqdCUkmPw
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 22, 2023
I have previously described Josh as a “good old-fashioned baseball psychopath” and I can only hope Bo’s success gives us many more opportunities to enjoy it. Oh, Josh also went 4-for-4 with a run and two RBI.
Debut Williams
But Bo wasn’t the only guy making firsts for Cleveland last night. It was also the debut of top pitching prospect Gavin Williams. I know, another pitching prospect debut on a Wednesday? No way!
But yes way, actually!
Making his MLB debut and starting for the @CleGuardians, @MLBPipeline's No. 16 overall prospect, Gavin Williams. pic.twitter.com/Ats2jnOfp1
— MLB (@MLB) June 21, 2023
Williams pitched 5.2 innings against the A’s, giving up four runs (all earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out four. The damage came in the third inning when he gave up a three-run homer to the red-hot Ryan Noda. But then he flipped a switch and retired 16 of the next 18 batters before being lifted for Sam Hentges. The aforementioned backstop Bo Naylor had this to say about Gavin’s performance:
“There’s an inning where there’s a decision to be made,” Naylor said, “and that’s either you submit to the pressure or you continue to compete. And I think we saw what Gavin is really made of.”
Big Ten
The Guardians won 7-6 yesterday, meanwhile, in San Francisco, the Giants also won, 4-2. It was Cleveland’s third win in a row, while the Giants were onto a whole other power of numbers:
The @SFGiants win streak reaches double digits! pic.twitter.com/PSljJfbGZV
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2023
The NL West is…not how it was expected this season, and the Giants are only 2.5 games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks, while the Dodgers are only a game behind SF.
The giants are on pace to be 98 games above .500 by the end of the season https://t.co/U5818DbADV pic.twitter.com/Vifw2m0YaT
— James Medlock (@jdcmedlock) June 22, 2023
Should be a fun summer out on the left coast.
The (very short) list of 10-game winning streaks in the San Francisco era. pic.twitter.com/UrkaBdMP71
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) June 22, 2023
Stranger Things Have Happened
10 is a nice, round number, and Andrew Abbott hit that mark with his strikeouts yesterday for the Reds.
First double-digit K day of @andrewabbott33's MLB career‼️ pic.twitter.com/RvL3Z0D0D5
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2023
But do you know what’s bigger than 10? That’s right, 11. And guess what?
Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it
WWWWWWWWWWW#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/VO0nOF2aBJ
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2023
That’s an 11-game win streak for the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds, who are also just dang fun and cool right now:
Pics that go hard pic.twitter.com/R1fHHlMOqk
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2023
This is the longest streak for the Reds since 1957. They’re currently only 1.5 games up on Milwaukee, so they’re hoping to set a new record for dubs and put some room between the two.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Arraez And Shine
🚿 .401🚿 pic.twitter.com/M0vMxr1uOc
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 21, 2023
Can somebody explain the showerhead emojis?
Regardless, Luis Arraez continues to flirt with .400, as his 2-for-5 day against the Jays has him sitting at a .398 AVG for the 2023 season. I really, truly, hope we’re still talking about this chase in September.
A Different Type Of Pitch
WHO GAVE JONATHAN INDIA A SWORD?!
Bringing it on the field and the pitch. ⚾⚽@JonathanIndia ╳ @fccincinnati pic.twitter.com/TycjFftiLl
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 22, 2023
Fashion Plate
Yes, Vinnie Pasquantino facing a premature end to his 2023 season due to a torn labrum is the opposite of dope, but dang, look at them shades:
Vinnie Pasquantino had successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. We wish him the best in his recovery and look forward to him being fully healthy for next season! pic.twitter.com/MHQuViKvw5
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 21, 2023
I can only hope that I look as fashionable right out of surgery, should I ever need it. Here’s to a speedy and complete recovery for The Italian Breakfast!
Injuries
Bo Bichette was a late scratch with “left thumb discomfort” on Wednesday.
Willie Calhoun had a “pop” in his quad last night, he’s expecting an IL stint. He had a similar injury that requires 4 weeks a few years ago.
Oneil Cruz has resumed playing “light catch.”
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)