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The best rivalry currently going in MLB returns tonight when the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the San Diego Padres. Best rivalry? Yeah, not only do these teams bring it during the regular season, but they both make the postseason and have epic showdowns. Last year, the Padres nearly took down the Dodgers in the NL Division Series, a matchup those in L.A. say was their best test en route to winning the World Series. Tonight not only begins a three-game series, but also the first of seven over 11 days as the NL West begins to heat up. The Dodgers lead the West by one game over the Padres. They won’t meet again until mid-August and then that is it for the regular season. The one downside of having a balanced schedule is the reduction in games vs. division foes from 19 down to 13. So enjoy this Dodgers-Padres stretch because it will be another two months before they clash again.
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Today’s Headlines
Flaherty Quiets Cubs
Teams facing the Detroit Tigers already know they have it tough when facing reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. But with right-handed starter Jack Flaherty heating up, they will be happy not seeing either one. The Chicago Cubs found that out in a battle of Central Division leaders in opposite leagues. After not seeing Skubal in the first two games of this series, Flaherty kept the Cubs off-balance, striking out nine in six scoreless innings of the Tigers’ 4-0 triumph. Flaherty allowed just two hits and walked three times. It was the third straight six-inning outing for Flaherty, who has allowed just one run in that stretch for a Tigers team that has MLB’s best record at 43-24. Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene provided the offense, with Torkelson singling home a pair of runs in the first inning and Greene doing the same in the fifth. The series drew three packed houses at Comerica Park, becoming the second-highest attendance for a three-game series in club history at 121,509.
Skenes Spearheads Sweep Of Phillies
As long as Paul Skenes doesn’t get too frustrated and continue to put up these types of numbers, he will be fine. It will be just a matter of how much support the Pittsburgh Pirates give the star right-hander. Skenes was sensational for 7.2 innings, striking out seven, as the Pirates completed a surprising three-game sweep the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1. The Phillies have lost five straight. In lowering his ERA to 1.88, Skenes allowed one unearned run, two hits and a walk. He didn’t pick up the win as that went to right-handed reliever Braxton Ashcraft, who came on for Skenes in the eighth and finished things off. The Pirates pushed across the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth when Andrew McCutchen singled home Oneil Cruz, who reached on a single and stole his MLB-leading 23rd base.
Kirby’s 14 Ks Rescue Mariners
With a season-worst five-game losing streak entering the series finale, the Seattle Mariners needed a big effort from George Kirby. Kirby certainly responded in an performance that not only the team needed, but he needed as well. The right-handed starter struck out a career-high 14 over seven innings as the Mariners snapped their five-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Kirby did not walk a batter while allowing two hits and both runs to earn his first win of the season. In the process, Kirby reached the 500-strikeout plateau, reaching the mark with the second-fewest walks (68), behind only Koji Uehara (63). Kirby missed the first eight weeks of the season due to right shoulder inflammation had had struggled to an 8.56 ERA in three starts since. The only marks against him in this outing were an RBI single by Mike Trout followed by Turner Ward’s homer in the fourth inning. But the bottom of the Mariners’ order responded in the top of the fifth as Jorge Polanco and Donovan Solano drove in runs to put Seattle up 3-2. Mariners star center fielder Julio Rodríguez was in the lineup a day after being hit on the right foot by a throw while trying to steal third that forced him out of Saturday’s game.
Cardiac Giants Sweep Atlanta, Win Fifth Straight
If it is a one-run game, the San Francisco Giants are likely involved. Well, that might be a little bit of a stretch, but the Giants are in quite a stretch of games decided by a lone run. And the hero in this one was a somewhat unexpected source. Mike Yastrzemski, mired in a 1-for-25 slump entering the game, drove in three runs as the Giants edged Atlanta 4-3 for not only a three-game sweep, but their fifth win in a row, the longest current stretch in MLB. The Giants completed a seven-game homestand at 5-2, with all seven games being decided by one run. Atlanta, meanwhile, has lost seven in a row, the longest current streak in MLB. Yastrzemski had been scuffling so badly that he was given Wednesday and Thursday off to help him get his head straight. In his first plate appearance, Yastrzemski got a sacrifice fly in the second inning that tied the game 1-1. After Atlanta struck for a pair of runs in the third inning on an Matt Olson single, Yastrzemski tied it with a two-run double in the fourth, then an error brought in the decisive run for a 4-3 lead.
Homers Propel Twins
Two of MLB’s Jekyll and Hyde teams clashed this weekend and had rather predictable results. While Mr. Hyde won the first two games, Dr. Jekyll returned to form to take the series finale. Who are we talking about? That would be the Minnesota Twins toppling the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3. The Twins got back-to-back homers from Brooks Lee and Christian Vázquez in the fourth inning to snap a three-game losing streak. Lee’s leadoff blast, his fifth of the season, tied the game and Vazquez followed with the go-ahead blow, just his second homer this year. Meanwhile, the Jays’ four-game winning streak came to an end. Twins right-handed starter Joe Ryan wasn’t at his best, but he did strike out six over five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and walking three.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Penguin On The Mound
The Chicago White Sox got a visit from Pepe the Penguin. Pepe, who hails from the nearby Brookfield Zoo, can’t fly, but was on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.
Just A Dog’s Day
Ever want to know what it is like to be a baseball dog? Champ the Retriever got a call-up from Triple-A to be with the Tampa Bay Rays. There were lots of licks and scratches.
ABYG
It doesn’t matter where your seat is, always bring your glove. Just like this fan at the Baltimore Orioles–Athletics game in West Sacramento.
Hey, Vinnie: It’s A Homer
It isn’t often an MLB hitter makes contact and doesn’t know the general direction of where the ball is going. But it happened to Kansas City Royals slugger Vinnie Pasquantino on this drive.
Two Put Polar Bear At No. 2
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso continued his push toward becoming the club’s career home run leader. He hit a pair against the Colorado Rockies to pass David Wright for sole possession of the No. 2 spot with 243 homers. Darryl Strawberry holds the club record with 252.
Jac Figuring It Out
Royals rookie Jac Caglianone has now had a full week in the majors. He capped it off by notching his first four-hit game.
Jac Caglianone has his first career 4-hit game 🤯Hit 1: 90.8 MPHHit 2: 113.6 MPH (double)Hit 3: 101.3 MPHHit 4: 103.8 MPH
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Giants traded first baseman-outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and cash to the Angels for a player to be named or cash considerations. The deal marks the first trade between the Minasian brothers, Perry (Angels’ general manager) and Zack (Giants’ GM).
⚾ Former top prospect right-hander Forrest Whitley was designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Injuries have hampered Whitley since he was taken by the Astros with the 17th overall pick of the 2016 draft. In five games this season, the starter-turned-reliever appeared in just five games with a 12.27 ERA, with eight strikeouts in 7⅓ innings.
⚾ Minnesota Twins right-handed starter Zebby Matthews went on the 15-day IL due to a strained right shoulder. Left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe (strained left forearm extensor) was activated from the IL
Articles You Should Read
Red Sox can’t waste any more time in calling up top prospect Anthony — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Tigers’ Torkelson turns failure into fuel — Dave Brown, Pitcher List
Bautista on Vlad Jr.’s contract, Blue Jays future — Mike Wilner, Toronto Star
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