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Garfield may hate Mondays more than any creature, but MLB showed the love yesterday as every team was in action for one of the few times on the first day of the week (yeah, I know the Sunday argument). After all, no team needed a day off following the All-Star break, even though a few pitching staffs might have liked it to rest their bullpen or avoid an opener.
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Today’s Headlines
Phillies Get Rare Catcher’s Interference Walk-off
The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t get a hit in the 10th inning, yet still came up with a win. Yes, it was in a very unusual manner. For what is believed to be just the second time in MLB history, a team walked it off thanks to a catcher’s interference. Both are unique, as this one was called via replay review. Edmundo Sosa clipped the glove of catcher Omar Narváez with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Phillies came away with a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. With the bases loaded, Sosa checked his swing, and the pitch was called a ball. But Sosa knew he barely nicked Narvaez’s mitt, and it took a replay review to get the correct call made. The inning began with Brandon Marsh as the automatic runner at second, then Otto Kemp walked against right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks. A wild pitch by Hicks moved the runners to second and third, before Max Kepler was intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing up Sosa. The only other known catcher’s interference walk-off came Aug. 1, 1971, when the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on an attempted steal of home where the catcher prevented the hitter from taking a swing.
walk-off no-swing catcher's interference
— Sam Miller (@sammillerbb.bsky.social) 2025-07-22T01:28:10.019Z
Brewers Turn It To 11, Have Best Record In MLB
There are several surprising aspects to the Milwaukee Brewers‘ 11-game winning streak, but the biggest stunner is the contributions of right-handed starter Brandon Woodruff. In his third start since returning from right shoulder surgery, Woodruff turned in another gem, tossing six shutout innings as the Brewers kept alive MLB’s longest current winning streak with a 6-0 blanking of the Seattle Mariners. The win, combined with losses by the Chicago Cubs (12-4 to the Kansas City Royals) and Detroit Tigers (3-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates), not only put the Brewers in sole possession of first place in the NL Central, but gave them the best record in MLB at 60-40. They are one game ahead of the Cubs (59-41) in the Central and a half-game up on the Tigers (60-41) and the rest of MLB. Woodruff allowed just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts. In 16.1 innings this season, Woodruff has zero walks and 23 strikeouts. The Brewers have not lost since Woodruff made his season debut on July 6, tying the second-longest winning streak in club history set in 2021. They need two more victories to match their team’s 1987 record of 13 consecutive wins, all of which came to open that season. Jackson Chourio paced a balanced offensive attack with two hits, extending his hitting streak to 15 games, and driving in a pair of runs. The Brewers were held hitless for the first five innings by Mariners right-handed starter George Kirby.
More HR History For Ohtani As Dodgers Prevail
Shohei Ohtani was up to some more Tungsten Arm O’Doyle stuff; the only difference is he now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani became the first player in 46 years to allow a home run and hit a home run in the first inning of a game, and Will Smith homered twice as the Dodgers turned back the Minnesota Twins 5-2. It was a much-needed win for the Dodgers, who had lost 10 of 12, including being swept by the Brewers over the weekend. Ohtani, making his sixth start of the season following his second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and an arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder, saw his second pitch of the game get tagged for a 441-foot solo home run by Byron Buxton. But it didn’t take long for Ohtani to redeem himself as he his a 2-1 pitch for a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to put the Dodgers up 2-1. Ohtani’s 35th homer of the season allowed him to match Randy Lerch of the Phillies, who did the same on May 17, 1979, against the Cubs in Philadelphia’s 23-22 win. It was the fifth time Ohtani has homered in the first inning in a game he started. No other pitcher in MLB history has more than two. Smith tacked on his homers in the fourth and sixth innings, while Andy Pages finished things off with the Dodgers’ third solo homer of the night in the seventh inning. On the mound, Ohtani gave up a run on four hits in three innings, walking one and striking out three.
Gausman Shuts Down Yankees
The Toronto Blue Jays don’t have the best starting rotation in baseball. Actually, quite the opposite with the 24th-ranked starter ERA of 4.50. But they do have some guys who step up in key situations. One of those is right-hander Kevin Gausman, who pitched seven strong innings as the Blue Jays opened a key series with a 4-1 win over the New York Yankees. Gausman allowed just four hits and a run, while walking two and striking out eight. The Blue Jays won their 11th in a row at home and fourth straight overall, extending their lead in the AL East over the Yankees to four games. After this three-game set, there is only one more series between these two teams, and that comes in early September. Bo Bichette sparked a four-run fifth inning when he erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run double.
Skenes Blanks Tigers
After getting embarrassed in a three-game sweep by the lowly Chicago White Sox, being outscored 27-7 in the process, the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates were thankful to have ace Paul Skenes on the mound to open a series against the team with MLB’s best record. Skenes put the Pirates on his back and actually got some run support as Pittsburgh came away with a 3-0 victory. Skenes pitched six shutout innings, allowing three hits while walking none and striking out six in lowering his ERA to 1.91. The Pirates’ offense hasn’t been producing when Skenes pitches, having scored two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight games. But all it took was a three-run second inning to give Skenes all the cushion he needed. Spencer Horwitz had an RBI single and Bryan Reynolds singled home a pair against Tigers right-handed starter Jack Flaherty, who needed 78 pitches to get through three innings. Right-handers Braxton Ashcraft, Dennis Santana, and David Bednar allowed just two hits and struck out five (three by Santana) to complete the shutout.
Everyone’s Favorite Old Guy Is Back
Left-handed starter Rich Hill (a.k.a. Dick Mountain) is set to tie a MLB record by playing for his 14th team after a report that he will be promoted by the Kansas City Royals. The 45-year-old Hill could be in line to start today against the Cubs. When he does appear for the Royals, he will tie right-hander Edwin Jackson’s mark of playing for 14 teams. In 11 minor-league games this season, nine at Triple-A and two at the rookie level, Hill had a 5.22 ERA in 50 innings, with 25 walks and 61 strikeouts.
By The Numbers
⚾ With his three-run blast in the first inning, Cleveland Guardians star third baseman José Ramírez now has 20 homers and 20 steals in five consecutive seasons and seven overall. Ramirez is one of six players in MLB history with seven such seasons. The Guardians beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-5.
⚾ The Colorado Rockies marked their 100th game by losing for the 76th time, dropping a 6-2 decision to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies need to go 18-44 the rest of the way to avoid breaking the Chicago White Sox’s record of 121 losses set last year.
⚾ Yankees Gold Glove shortstop Anthony Volpe committed his 12th error of the season vs. the Blue Jays. He had 17 all of 2024.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Acuna Blazes
Remember when Atlanta superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. was benched for not hustling? He scored from first on this hit to center by Drake Baldwin in Atlanta’s 9-5 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Uniforms Unveiled For Speedway Classic
Not even Nike could screw these up. The uniforms that will be worn by Atlanta and the Cincinnati Reds during the August 2 Speedway Classic at Bristol, Tenn., were released to the public. The Reds’ home whites and Atlanta’s road navy blues have a prototypical slanted number on the back of the jersey, while the helmet has checkers with the number on the side as well as the team name with more checkers above that. The hats for each are different, with Atlanta’s having flames on the brim and the Reds with checkers. It will be the first MLB game in Tennessee.
Perez Stays Hot With Two Homers
Royals catcher Salvador Perez is heating up at the right time. He homered for the third straight game, this time hitting a pair out in the win over the Cubs. Postgame, he made a lifetime fan.
Basket Catch
Thank goodness for the safety fence at Wrigley Field.
Sir, it's just a baseball
Klay In The Zone
The younger brother of Boston Red Sox minor-leaguer Trayce Thompson threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Texas Rangers. Of course, that brother is Klay Thompson, the former Golden State Warriors sharpshooter who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Klay is a former(?) avid supporter of the Athletics, a division rival of the Rangers.
Hometown Star
Connecticut women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd, who is from the Washington area, met Washington Nationals star James Wood and threw out the first pitch.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Dodgers left-handed closer Tanner Scott appears headed for the 15-day injured list after manager Dave Roberts said the reliever felt a “sting” in his left arm and will require an MRI. Meanwhile, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was back in the lineup a day after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch and leaving the game.
⚾ Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was not in the starting lineup due to a bruised right knee and is considered day-to-day.
⚾ Red Sox right-handed starter Tanner Houck (strained right pronator) is being shut down indefinitely. He was removed from a rehab appearance Saturday when the injury flared up again. He has been on the injured list since May 14.
⚾ Colorado Rockies right-handed starter Germán Márquez is scheduled to have an MRI on his right shoulder. He exited Sunday’s start after three innings.
⚾ The New York Mets recalled catcher Francisco Alvarez from Triple-A. In three minor-league stops, Alvarez slashed .255/.352/.623.
⚾ Right-handed reliever Lou Trivino was designated for assignment by the Dodgers, who called up right-handed reliever Edgardo Henriquez.
⚾ The Texas Rangers placed right-handed reliever Chris Martin (no, not the Coldplay frontman) on the 15-day IL with a strained left calf as part of a series of moves. One of those added to the roster was third baseman Josh Jung, who had previously been sent down due to significant struggles (.237/.283/.366 slash line).
⚾ Has the long-term relationship between Atlanta and left-handed reliever Jesse Chavez finally run its course? Chavez, who began the season in the Rangers’ organization, has elected free agency after his third stint with the team this season. Chavez is three weeks shy of turning 42.
⚾ The Detroit Tigers will promote right-hander Troy Melton to start Wednesday’s game, which will be his MLB debut. Melton is the Tigers’ No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 19 by Baseball America.
⚾ The Mariners promoted left-handed reliever Brandyn Garcia to make his MLB debut. Garcia is the Mariners’ No. 13 (MLB Pipeline) and No. 19 prospect (BA).
Articles You Should Read
Manfred recruited a star-studded group of retired players. The union sees trouble. — Evan Drellich, The Athletic
The secret brotherhood of the phantom ballplayer — Richard Staff, Defector
Worst team defenses among contenders — Jay Jaffe, FanGraphs
Twins players grapple with potential roster breakup as deadline looms — Dan Hayes, The Athletic
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