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Today’s Headlines
Maddon Out
Not a good year to be a former World Series-winning manager named Joe.
Joe Maddon was ousted by the Angels yesterday, much to the shook of the team. The Angels are not going to revamp their roster. Angels’ Arte Moreno isn’t going to fire himself, nor is GM Perry Manasian. A prolonged losing streak was all it took for another of Moreno’s knee-jerk reactions.
The Angels came out the gate well, going 27-12, spending quite a bit of time atop the AL West. Even with the losing streak, the team remains in playoff contention. It is easy to blame the rash of injuries that cropped out, but a losing streak of this type needs a big boost by bad luck.
The firing of Maddon was a reaction, not a solution.
Third Base Coach Phil Nevin takes over.
Trivia Note: Phil Nevin is the first person to be drafted number one overall in the MLB Amateur Draft to become a manager for a big-league club.
The Angels then lost 6-5 to the Red Sox in 10 innings. Mike Trout left the game in the bottom of the third with left-groin tightness.
More on Joe Maddon’s firing from Chrystal OKeefe: Joe Maddon Out As Angels Manager.
Marcus Semien Equals Joe Morgan
Due to excessive sump pump usage, the Rangers/Guardian game got pushed to game one of a doubleheader Tuesday. That game started late because of the weather. Ahh, the weather on the South Shore of Lake Erie!
- Both teams scored nine runs in the doubleheader.
- Both games had the same score, 6-3.
- Both teams got a win.
Steele Walker got his first major league hit, a home run off Cal Quantrill in the seventh inning in game one.
Marcus Semien collected seven hits, including three home runs, in the doubleheader.
The last time somebody had three home runs, a seven-hit day? Joe Morgan in 1973.
Semien was the second Ranger to have three home runs in a doubleheader and the third player in franchise history to collect seven hits in a doubleheader.
April 8 – June 6: 3 home runs
June 7: 3 home runsWith 7 hits and 3 home runs across two games today, Marcus Semien is heating up 🔥
(via @Rangers)pic.twitter.com/YMcYCj0HtO
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 8, 2022
Verlander Takes the Lead
Justin Verlander collected his seventh win of the season with a 4-1 victory over the Mariners. Verlander’s season-high 12 Ks gave him 3,086 for his career. He is now seventeenth all-time. He also passed former Tiger teammate Max Scherzer to become the active leader for strikeouts.
Lordy, Guess Who Is 40?
The Yankees are the first team to 40 victories this year. Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo homered and knocked in three runs to lead the Yankees over the Twins 10-4.
Joe Who?
Since firing Joe Girardi last Friday, the Phillies have:
- Beat the Angels 10-0
- Beat the Angels 7-2
- Beat the Angels 9-7 in a walk-off.
- Rested
- Beat the Brewers last night, 3-2.
They handed Brewers’ closer Josh Hader his first loss in almost a year to beat the Brewers. His last blown save was on July 7, 2021. The last time he gave up a run was July 28, 2021!
Forty consecutive scoreless appearances and the Joe-less Phillies ruined it!
Ice Trae Copycat
Ronald Acuña Jr hit two home runs in the Braves’ 3-2 victory over the A’s. He copied Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young’s “Ice Trae” celebration to celebrate his lead-off home run.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit the “Ice Trae” celebration following his lead off home run, a shoutout to fellow Atlanta star, @TheTraeYoung 🧊
(via @BallySportsSO)pic.twitter.com/8XfospbMPq
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 7, 2022
It was Acuña’s first lead-off home run of the year and increased his Braves’ franchise record to 24, supporting a good start from Kyle Wright.
The Reds, Marlins, Orioles, Tigers, Rays, White Sox, Blue Jays, Padres, and the Rockies each notched another one for the win column.
Injuries
- Mike Trout left the third inning of the Angels’ loss with left groin tightness.
- Yu Darvish’s 96 MPH sinker connected with Pete Alonso’s right hand on a checked swing. Alonso came out of the game, and x-rays were negative.
- Mets were not done with injuries. Starling Marte tweaked his left quad when caught stealing in the first inning. He took his position in the field at the bottom of the inning, but that was his night.
Articles You Should Read
- Jordan White talks about wES Rate: Creating and Improved CSW Rate
- Sam Lutz asks What’s Wrong With Tyler Mahle
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Today In Baseball History
- Cack Henley pitches a 24-inning complete game while pitching for the San Francisco Seal in the PCL. The Seals won the marathon game 1-0 over the Oakland Oaks.
- On June 7, 1950, the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns 20-4. On June 8, 1950, they beat the Browns 29-4.
- In 1979, Dan Marino and John Elway were drafted in the MLB free-agent draft. Elway was redrafted in 1982 by the Yankees, playing 42 games in the NY-Penn League.
- In 1989 the Pirates took a 10-0 lead in the first inning against the Phillies. Pirates announcer Jim Rooker vows to walk home if the Pirates lose. After the 15-11 loss to the Phillies, Rooker organizes a charity walk from Philly to Pittsburgh after the season.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)