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Today’s Headlines
Kyle Schwarber said it’s June 31st.
Happy June 31st#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/B7RpdNkGDB
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 1, 2023
Kyle Schwarber has slashed .251/.350/.590 during the month of June in his career. He and the Phillies continued the hot streak with a blowout 19-4 win over the Nationals on Saturday. Schwarber went 2-for-5 with a grand slam. Trea Turner and Bryce Harper also had two hits apiece. Nick Castellanos homered once and Alec Bohm twice. Altogether, the Phillies totaled 19 runs on 18 hits for their 44th win of the season.
Justin Verlander looks like his old self.
🔥 @JustinVerlander pic.twitter.com/oOFWEqKlxw
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 1, 2023
The New York Mets needed a spark to snap their three-game losing streak, and Justin Verlander provided just that. In seven innings of work, he allowed one unearned run on five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. The Mets provided enough offense to get by the San Francisco Giants, hitting three solo home runs in the third inning and adding one more run in the fourth. Mets win 4-1, and the series rubber match game is tonight at 7:10 pm.
Padres power past Reds.
Manny Mash 💪#BringTheGold pic.twitter.com/ASTo0V06qq
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 1, 2023
The San Diego Padres entered Saturday looking to snap a six-game losing streak. Juan Soto and Manny Machado did their parts, hitting back-to-back homers in the sixth inning to give the Padres the lead. They put up five more in the seventh inning, with Machado homering again. The Reds fought back in the bottom half of the seventh inning, culminating with a grand slam from Jonathan India, but the deficit was too big to overcome. The Padres’ skid was snapped with a 12-5 win.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit another leadoff homer and Atlanta continues to rule the first inning.
.@Braves in the 1st inning, 2023:
87 runs, most of any team in any inning
29 HR, most of any team in any inning
121 hits, most of any team in any inning
+62 run diff, 22 runs better than any other team in any inning
h/t @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/wihal9X8GV
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2023
On a day where the Miami’s starter Eury Pérez was born 10 months after Atlanta’s starter Charlie Morton was drafted, the Braves got the last laugh. Coming into the game, Pérez had not allowed a run in the last 21 innings. That streak ended when the Braves pummeled Pérez in the first inning.
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies hit back-to-back home runs to begin the game. The 20-year-old allowed six runs while only getting one out, forcing the Marlins to call on the bullpen early. The Marlins’ bullpen held the Braves to just one run for the rest of the game, but the offense couldn’t put anything on the board. Atlanta won 7-0 and will go for a sweep this afternoon.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Randy Arozarena enters the Home Run Derby.
Randy Land is setting up shop in Seattle. 🍭
Arozarena joins the @TMobile #HRDerby lineup. pic.twitter.com/r61ShAdYA2
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2023
Randy Arozarena joins Julio Rodríguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Mookie Betts as the first four players to participate in the 2023 Home Run Derby.
Happy birthday Nelson Cruz!
On his 43rd birthday, Nelson Cruz collects a hit!
He is the first player 43 or older to get a base knock since Ichiro. pic.twitter.com/WQYwhA6Tmp
— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2023
With a single on his 43rd birthday, Nelson Cruz is the first player 43 or older to record a hit since Ichiro!
The tweet of the day goes to @Pirates.
Final score. pic.twitter.com/CiIYW5e2ou
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 2, 2023
The Pirates leaned into the Twitter meltdown, choosing not to highlight the fact that they lost to the Brewers 11-8 on Saturday.
Injuries & Transactions
SP Framber Valdez will not start for the Astros today because of a sprained ankle.
SP Shane McClanahan was placed on the 15-day IL with mid-back tightness.
3B Royce Lewis left Saturday’s game with a left oblique strain and will be placed on the injured list.
Articles You Should Read
The Return of Ronald — Robert Orr, Baseball Prospectus
Corey Seager just wants to be great at baseball, and he’s better than ever — Jake Mintz, Fox Sports
First He Was Perfect, and Then Things Got Interesting — Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)