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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 7/7/2024

Twins' Miranda ties consecutive hits record with 12.

Steve Drumwright
MLB Morning News 7/7/2024

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Baseball players come and go. Few are able to stick around long enough to make it to the magical 10 years of service time. The latest to celebrate that milestone is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar, who posted to social media his thoughts on making it this far. According to the MLB Players Association, fewer than 10% of players reach 10 years. The benefits of reaching the mark include having your pension fully vested. Pillar, who is 35 years old, said he is likely to retire after this season. He was a 32nd-round draft choice out of Cal State Dominguez Hills, an NCAA Division II program.

Also, don’t forget that the pitchers and the reserves for the June 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, will be announced at 5:30 p.m. EDT.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Miranda Writes Record-Tying Run

Jose Miranda played 17 games in April and had 14 hits in 50 at-bats. In just four games in July, the Minnesota Twins third baseman did something that no one saw coming. Miranda notched singles in each of his first two at-bats Saturday to make it 12 straight with a hit, tying an MLB record. His amazing streak ended there as he flew out to left in his third at-bat (fourth plate appearance after being hit by a pitch in his first trip to the plate). Miranda’s run matched that of the Chicago Cubs‘ Johnny Kling (1902), the Boston Red Sox’s Pinky Higgins (1938), and the Detroit Tigers‘ Walt Dropo (1952) as the only others to get a hit in 12 consecutive at-bats. Miranda’s average shot up from .294 before the streak to .329 following his record-tying hit. Miranda had a hit in his final at-bat Wednesday vs. Detroit, then went 5-for-5 with three doubles on the Fourth of July and opened the series against the Houston Astros with a 4-for-4 performance. The Twins beat the Astros 9-3.

Thrice Is Nice For Rice

It probably won’t end up being a Wally Pipp-Lou Gehrig thing, but Ben Rice is penning a nice start to his New York Yankees career. In just his 17th MLB game, the Massachusetts native and lifelong Yankees fan etched his name into the historic franchise’s lore by hitting three home runs out of the leadoff spot as New York beat the rival Boston Red Sox 14-4. Having been called up to replace injured first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Rice had one homer in his first 46 MLB at-bats. He got the first of the day leading off the bottom of the first, then added a three-run shot in the fifth inning and tacked on another three-run bomb in the seventh for a seven-RBI day. Rice’s huge day was notable for several reasons.

First HR For Nats’ Wood

There has been much anticipation for James Wood’s arrival with the Washington Nationals. So far, the hype is real. In just his fifth MLB game, Wood drilled his first home run, a three-run shot in the second inning, that was part of a five-RBI day in the Nationals’ 14-6 trouncing of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wood, the MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 MLB prospect, has reached base safely in all six games and in 11 of his 27 plate appearances.

J-Rod Awaits MRI Results

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez underwent an MRI exam after exiting Saturday’s game before batting in the bottom of the first inning. Rodriguez had soreness in his lower-right quadriceps yet still started. But after playing defense in the top of the first, J-Rod was removed from the game. He was scheduled to have an MRI exam late Saturday.

Darvish Steps Away From Padres

San Diego Padres right-handed starter Yu Darvish has been placed on the restricted list so he can attend to a family matter. Darvish, who hasn’t pitched since May 29 due to elbow and groin injuries, will not be paid while dealing with the personal situation and does not count toward the 40-man roster while on the restricted list. No details about the situation were given by Padres manager Mike Shildt.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Bobby’s Back

Legendary Atlanta manager Bobby Cox made an appearance at Truist Field.

KBO-M-G

If you need an injection of cuteness, take a look at the Korean Baseball Organization All-Star Game, where players approached the batter’s box with their daughters.

Mr. Wall, Meet Mr. Cave

Jake Cave has called Coors Field home for just over three months now. Forgive the Colorado Rockies outfielder if he is still introducing himself to certain parts of the ballpark.

Fresh Prince Of Chavez Ravine

Will Smith made plenty of headlines with his three solo home runs in Friday’s triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers. He didn’t stop Saturday, homering in the bottom of the first for the second straight game and making it four straight at-bats in which he has gone deep.

McCann-on-McCann Crime

Why would the Baltimore Orioles bring on catcher James McCann to pitch the eighth inning? Only because the O’s trailed the Oakland A’s 17-6. But it brought up a unique matchup as McCann faced the A’s Kyle McCann, also a catcher but who was pinch-hitting in this instance. A 45.3 mph eephus pitch turned into a 406-foot homer with a 100.6 exit velocity. The A’s 19 runs are the second-most this season. The most? That would be 20, also by the A’s on May 4.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ Infielder Nick Senzel was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals.

⚾ Toronto Blue Jays minor-league outfielder Yeuni Munoz was taken to a hospital after a play at second base. The Dunedin Blue Jays reported Munoz was in stable condition. The game was called after five innings due to the injury.

⚾ San Francisco Giants left-hander Kyle Harrison (sprained right ankle) was activated from the 15-day IL and started Saturday vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

⚾ For the second time in recent weeks, catcher Seby Zavala was DFA’d by the Seattle Mariners.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Rangers should be sellers if they don’t show life soon — Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News

Why are batting averages so low and what can MLB do to fix it? — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle

Phillies have big lead thanks to wins big and small — Matt Gelb, The Athletic

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

Steve Drumwright

Steve Drumwright is a lifelong baseball fan who retired as a player before he had the chance to be cut from the freshman team in high school. He recovered to become a sportswriter and have a successful journalism career at newspapers in Wisconsin and California. Follow him on Bluesky and Threads @DrummerWrites.

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