Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Today’s Headlines
Two pitchers flirt with perfection.
Sunday was a day of great pitching performances, led by Pablo López and Sonny Gray. Despite his recent struggles, López was dominant against the Athletics on Sunday. He racked up 5 strikeouts in the first two innings and didn’t allow a baserunner until Lawrence Butler’s two-out single in the 6th inning. He finished the day with 14 Ks, tying a career high. In 8 total innings, he allowed just 2 hits and 1 walk. He got 19 whiffs and had a 31% CSW on the afternoon.
Pablo López has himself 11 Ks in 6 innings. 👏 pic.twitter.com/GhtQ0XAcuS
— MLB (@MLB) June 23, 2024
Sonny Gray also had a fantastic afternoon, taking a perfect game into the 7th inning against the Giants. He was cruising through the first few innings, including a 7-pitch 3rd inning and 8-pitch 5th inning. Gray’s bid for perfection was spoiled two outs in the 7th inning thanks to a home run from Patrick Bailey. Gray finished the day allowing just 1 run, no walks, and striking out 8 across 7 innings. He got 11 whiffs and had a 39% CSW on Sunday. Gray’s outing helped the Cardinals sweep the Giants.
Eight strikeouts over seven innings from Sonny Gray today!#ForTheLou x @NationalPro pic.twitter.com/4AsjXo0gO6
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 23, 2024
Scherzer makes 2024 debut.
Max Scherzer looked just as good as we all remember him in his 2024 debut on Sunday. Scherzer, who had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back this offseason, missed the start of the season due to the back injury, thumb soreness, and nerve issues. The Rangers eased him into the 2024 debut, keeping him to just 5 innings and 57 pitches against the Royals on Sunday. He allowed 1 hit, 0 walks, and struck out 4. Scherzer’s 4th strikeout was career No. 3,371, which tied him with Greg Maddux for 11th-most strikeouts all time. Max’s first win of 2024 secured the sweep for the Rangers.
Max control. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/92JgGQVGMq
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 23, 2024
Astros and Guardians sweep.
Along with the Cardinals and Rangers, the Astros and Guardians also swept their way to victory this weekend. The Astros quieted the Orioles, with Framber Valdez pitching 7 strong innings for Houston on Sunday. Alex Bregman went 4-for-4 while Yainer Diaz and Jeremy Peña had 3 hits and 3 RBIs each.
The Guardians swept the Blue Jays and have now won 5 in a row. Steven Kwan, José Ramírez, and Josh Naylor powered Cleveland’s offense despite a rough start for Triston McKenzie, and Emmanuel Clase earned his league-leading 27th save.
This & That.
The segment that highlights some top performers worthy of praise! Sunday’s players include:
- Paul Skenes: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
- Cristopher Sánchez: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
- Colt Keith: 4-for-5, double, home run, 3 R, 3 RBI
- Michael Toglia: 462-foot home run
Paul Skenes dials it up to 102 to get his 8th strikeout of the day. 😎 pic.twitter.com/LukBwwRu7Y
— MLB (@MLB) June 23, 2024
4️⃣ hit day for @coltkeith3!
Never change, @jasonbenetti 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6hXpN84ek0
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 23, 2024
Michael Toglia crushes this pitch 462 feet 😯 pic.twitter.com/I9rjhci35y
— MLB (@MLB) June 23, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Cubs unveil Ryne Sandberg statue.
The best part is the photo of current Cubs players watching the ceremony outside Wrigley Field.
"I think the statue is for the Cubs fans, which I think are the best in all of baseball." pic.twitter.com/aY9tRfzykT
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 23, 2024
Current Cubs watching over the Ryne Sandberg statue dedication ceremony outside of Wrigley. Larry Bowa, Shawon Dunston and Bob Costas among those speaking. pic.twitter.com/IAdN6HoXmR
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 23, 2024
“Dada! Cage!”
Alex Bregman’s son really wanted to hit the batting cages after the game, making for a cute moment when he interrupted his dad’s postgame interview.
Alex Bregman’s postgame interview was taken over by his 23-month-old son, Knox, who was anxious to head to the batting cage and dugout. pic.twitter.com/UEH7UtK0rk
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 23, 2024
Marlins fans cheer and boo for all the right reasons.
I’m a South Florida sports fan, and I approve this message.
That was cool! pic.twitter.com/DxDFjZe2Xd
— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) June 23, 2024
Fried vs. Rice
I’m terminally online, I’m sorry.
you're telling me a shrimp did this? pic.twitter.com/8WUJz25eKL
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 23, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ CL Edwin Diaz was ejected upon entering Sunday night’s game, presumably for sticky stuff. If that’s the case, he will automatically be suspended for 10 games.
⚾ P Taijuan Walker was placed on the 15-day IL with right index finger inflammation.
⚾ OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton hit the IL with a left hamstring strain.
⚾ CL David Bednar was placed on the 15-day IL with an oblique injury.
⚾ DH Eloy Jiménez looked to struggle running the bases on Sunday, but he’s considered day-to-day with soreness.
⚾ IF Orelvis Martinez, who made his MLB debut on Friday, was suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s PED policy. According to Jeff Passan, “Martinez said he was prescribed a fertility drug this winter that led to his positive PED test.”
⚾ SS Matt McLain, who hasn’t played in 2024 due to shoulder surgery in the spring, hasn’t started swinging yet. Although Reds manager David Bell said McLain is “exactly where he wants to be,” there’s still no timetable for his return.
⚾ OF Heston Kjerstad is expected to be recalled this week.
Articles You Should Read
Reggie Jackson reminds us that MLB’s Rickwood Field game isn’t a kumbaya moment — Clinton Yates, Andscape
Giants’ coach’s wife enthralls gather with African American history speech — Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Fantasy Baseball Coverage