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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 7/8/23

Atlanta sets MLB first-half homer record in showdown with Rays.

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

Can it really be the final weekend before the All-Star break? Seems like it was only a little bit ago that it was Opening Day. The first half as been thrilling, with the second half promising more drama.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Atlanta Powers Down Rays

With the top two teams in MLB squaring off, you had to figure a big hit and clutch pitching were on the menu. That is exactly what transpired as Atlanta, now with the best record in MLB at 59-28, topped the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 to open a three-game series. Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to support the pitching of Charlie Morton and three relievers. Morton allowed one run on four hits over 6⅓ innings, walking two and striking out six. While Atlanta had just two hits, Murphy’s blast was all that was needed. His 16th homer of the season was also Atlanta’s 167th of the first half, the most in MLB history, and the 24th game in a row with a long ball. Atlanta has won 26 of its last 30 games. The Rays lost for the sixth straight time and are 57-34.

 

Manoah Shines In Return

Just a week after being battered in a rookie-level game, Alek Manoah made a triumphant return to the Toronto Blue Jays‘ starting rotation. The left-hander, who was sent down to work on his mechanics and clear his mind after major struggles, struck out eight and allowed just one run over six innings as the Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 12-2. Manoah allowed five hits and did not issue a walk.

 

Dramatic HR Sends Phillies To 13th Straight Road Win

Every streak has a magic moment. Cristian Pache certainly provided that for the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Phillies down to their final out, the pinch-hitter smacked a two-run, go-ahead homer as Philly won its 13th straight road game, beating the Miami Marlins 4-3. The 13 road victories in a row tie the club record from 1976. The Phillies trailed 3-1 entering the ninth, then Alec Bohm doubled home J.T. Realmuto with one out.

 

Marlins Send Down Pérez

Fantasy baseball managers around the world were sent into a panic when the Miami Marlins announced they were sending rookie right-hander Eury Pérez to the minor leagues. Perez has been outstanding for the Marlins, posting a 2.36 ERA while striking out 61 in 53⅓ innings over 11 starts. The 20-year-old, who pitched 31 innings at Double-A before his promotion to the majors, has not pitched more than 78 innings in a full season of organized ball and has already surpassed that with half the MLB season remaining. The Marlins have wanted to pause Perez’s season previously, but due to injuries in the rotation had been unable to. Now, with the All-Star break coming up, Perez will take a break while keeping his arm in shape before being recalled.

 

All-Star Roster Movement

Injuries and other events are prompting changes to the starting lineup and the roster for the American and National leagues. Here is a quick summary:

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Again? Again!

Minnesota Twins slugger Byron Buxton might want to try another field when hitting against the Baltimore Orioles and Cedric Mullins patrolling center. For the second time in as many weeks, Mullins robbed a big hit from Buxton. After diving in the right-center gap to steal extra bases from Buxton in Baltimore, Mullins went over the wall in center field to rob a potential three-run home run in Minnesota.

 

Not Immaculate, But Better?

What is better than three strikeouts in an inning? How about a pitcher striking out four batters while getting three outs? That is what happened to Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow in the second inning against Atlanta. A wild pitch on a check-swing strike three with two outs allowed Marcell Ozuna to reach first base and give Glasnow a chance for his fourth strikeout.

 

Maybe He Will Take The Train And Stay

Every once in a while, an unusual account has some relevant baseball news. Could Los Angeles’ Metro transit system be the latest? Note the last entry on this Twitter post.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

Left-hander Carlos Rodón was activated from the 60-day injured list by the New York Yankees, who transferred lefty Nestor Cortes to the 60-day IL as a procedural move to clear room for Rodon. Infielder-outfielder Jake Bauers (left rotator cuff contusion) was placed on the 10-day IL.

Two noteworthy names from the Pittsburgh Pirates — outfielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes — were placed on the 10-day IL. McCutchen has right elbow inflammation and Hayes lower-back inflammation. First baseman Ji Man Choi was (left Achilles) was activated from the 60-day IL.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers, according to a report. Meanwhile, Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, out since sustaining a stress fracture in his left fibula May 31, will be activated from the 10-day IL Saturday, manager A.J. Hinch said.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter, sidelined in spring training by a sprained UCL ligament, was shut down indefinitely and sent for further testing after a bullpen session Wednesday. “I’m concerned,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Tommy Edman (right wrist inflammation) was placed on the 10-day IL, while Jose Fermin was called up to make his MLB debut.

Oakland A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz (shoulder subluxation), the MLB stolen base leader with 43, was placed on the 10-day IL.

Left-hander Ryan Sherriff was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who activated infielder Yu Chang from the 60-day IL and left-hander James Paxton from the paternity list.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

With the draft starting Sunday, here is some draft-related content:

MLB Draft trades magic for efficiency — Tyler Kepner, New York Times

Is Paul Skenes the best draft pitching prospect ever? — Jim Callis, MLB.com

Mock draft: A suprise at No. 1 for the Pirates — Keith Law, 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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