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
America’s Pastime
Happy 4th of July! What better way to celebrate our nation’s independence than watching some baseball?
America's pastime 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JAhz09hbjc
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2024
There was only one night game a year. On the 4th of July, the whole sky would brighten up with fireworks, giving us just enough light for a game. ⚾️📷🎇pic.twitter.com/m3XgfeMuxu
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) July 4, 2024
Play ball! pic.twitter.com/5RgFFhTGGS
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 4, 2024
Heading out to the Nation's Capital for the first game of our loaded 4th of July slate!
📺 @Mets vs. @Nationals
🕰️ 11am ET on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/THVyekA3cO— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 4, 2024
Red, white and views 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Vdmz8Y3w0C
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2024
Happ-y Fourth!
Ian Happ provided all the fireworks needed to give the Chicago Cubs a much-needed win on our nation’s birthday. He got the scoring started for the Wrigley faithful with a three-run shot off of Cristopher Sánchez in the fourth:
.@ihapp_1 visits the left field bleachers 👋 pic.twitter.com/kZcGM9KTkL
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 4, 2024
He would add another three-run shot from the other side of the plate just one inning later:
Have a day, Happer 👏@ihapp_1 is first cubs player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate since Victor Caratini on 7/3/19. pic.twitter.com/ih9fxFggrv
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 4, 2024
Happ’s performance led the Cubs to a 10-2 victory over the Phillies to avoid a series sweep. The Cubs have plenty of work to do if they want to get back in the playoff picture, but Thursday’s victory was a good place to start.
Winker Wins It
It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July if the Washington Nationals lost at home, right? At least, that’s what Jesse Winker thought when the score was tied at 0 in the 8th:
Jesse Winker comes off the bench to give the @Nationals the lead 😤 pic.twitter.com/SmlOYV5I9Z
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2024
Winker’s pinch-hit shot combined with Jake Irvin’s stellar pitching performance was enough to give the Nationals the win on Thursday to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Time for some fireworks!
"yes, jesse winker," we all say in unison pic.twitter.com/aBuh4wtrNn
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 4, 2024
Christian Trotter
Find somebody who loves you like Christian Walker loves playing in Dodger Stadium:
JOC AND C-WALK START THE FIREWORKS EARLY. pic.twitter.com/JJSWrVa79a
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 5, 2024
Folks, we have no more words. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Q4LHlSLYeI
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 5, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
A Message from Above
Yesterday’s holiday calls for hot dogs straight off the grill… or from the sky?
Nothing screams 4th of July more than hot dogs being sent down on parachutes at a baseball game 🌭 pic.twitter.com/aMiDLCn6OY
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2024
Relay Race
Few things are better than a good old-fashioned relay to get a guy at home… sorry, Matt Olson.
The @SFGiants team up for a perfect relay 😳 pic.twitter.com/JYtcJjDM9N
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2024
Trea Smooth
Name a better duo than Trea Turner and slides into home.
Trea Turner slides remain as smooth as ever 😎 pic.twitter.com/HMAeivwULe
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2024
A First Pitch Across the Pond
Who better to throw out the first pitch on the Fourth than one of our nation’s servicemen?
al udeid air base x @nationalspark!
a fourth of july first pitch from over 6,000 miles away with A1C Casey Wallop and his family ❤️🇺🇸@usairforce // @MLB pic.twitter.com/sSEc0bb9BP
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 4, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Standout Pirates pitcher Jared Jones is hitting the 15-day IL with a right lat strain. This should be enough to keep Jones out through the All-Star break. Jones will rest up and look to return to his dominant form later this season.
⚾ Padres SS/2B Xander Bogaerts began a rehab assignment yesterday and should be activated within the next week or so.
⚾ Rockies SP Germán Márquez began a rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford.
⚾ Pirates C/OF Henry Davis began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Articles You Should Read
16 trade candidates whose stock is rising — Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Answering 30 MLB trade deadline questions with a month to go and so many possibilities — Jim Bowden, The Athletic
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