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
No-No? No
Despite Houston’s yearlong issues in the rotation, Framber Valdez came into the ninth inning with a chance to add a second no-hitter to his resume, as he had stymied the Rangers for eight innings with only a walk allowed. Even as Valdez opened the ninth with another walk, it was quickly erased with a double play, setting up the stage for history. Instead, Josh Smith worked another walk as a visibly tired Valdez was given the chance to finish his masterpiece, only to allow a no-doubt homer to Corey Seager. In the process, Seager became the only player in history to spoil multiple no-hittters with two outs in the ninth. Valdez came oh so close to join the select club of pitchers with multiple no-nos, but at least he is now part of the storied list of hurlers who lost a no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth, which includes legends such as Cy Young, Tom Seaver, Roy Halladay, and many others. After the homer, closer Josh Hader came in and made things interesting, but settled to secure Valdez’s 11th win of 2024.
Corey Seager hits a 2-run homer to break up Framber Valdez's no-hit bid with 2 outs in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/aOJzl3AXMN
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2024
Not Feelin’ 22
With a chance to make some dubious history, the Chicago White Sox won for the first time in almost a month, snapping their ignominious 21-game losing streak. Another loss would have set a new AL record and inched one game closer to the all-time MLB record of 23 straight losses, but Jonathan Cannon had a solid six-inning outing in which he allowed a single run, while an Andrew Benintendi homer set the tone for a 5-1 win. Chicago’s much-maligned bullpen held on with three perfect innings, as Oakland’s offense was limited to a solo homer by Zack Gelof. While the win should serve as a sigh of relief, the White Sox are still on pace for 123 losses, so they need to pick up some momentum to avoid becoming literally the worst team of all time.
The White Sox snap their 21-game losing streak in a victory over the A's. pic.twitter.com/cxeFcTjvRQ
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2024
RIP, Billy Bean
Billy Bean, who served as MLB’s Senior Vice-president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion passed away at the age of 60, as it was announced by the league. While Bean had a modest MLB career, playing for the Tigers, Dodgers, and Padres, he became mostly known for his activism after coming out as gay in 1999, becoming only the second former major-leaguer to do so. From that point forward, Bean helped advance several causes in baseball around inclusion, eventually joining the commissioner’s office in 2014, hired by Bud Selig. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most respected figures around baseball, always trying to make the league a better place. May he rest in peace.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior VP for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Billy, who fought a heroic year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, was 60.
Over the last 10 years,… pic.twitter.com/dCfFM6hQlE
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Phils like Magic
In a battle of the two best teams in the NL, the Phillies were able to tie the series and stave off the Dodgers for the top spot, winning a hard-fought game by a final 6-2 score. The story of the early game was all about pitching, as Clayton Kershaw and Christopher Sanchez matched zeroes for the first four innings. Philadelphia finally broke through with a run in the fifth, and then added three in the sixth, headlined by an Edmundo Sosa two-run single. While the Phillies did manage to get 14 hits, only three of them went for extra bases, as Sosa and Kyle Schwarber went back-to-back to add insurance in the top of the ninth. Sanchez’s solid six innings helped him improve to 8-7 on the season, while the Phillies secured the season series as a potential tiebreaker against the Dodgers.
Sosa and Schwarber go back-to-back for the @Phillies! pic.twitter.com/I56jTiKzWb
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2024
Something’s Brewing
While the Brewers have been mostly known for their pitching in the past few years, 2024 has seen them reverse roles and rely mostly on their dynamic offense. For a day, both aspects of the game flourished at the same time, with Milwaukee posting an impressive 10-0 road victory over Atlanta. It all started auspiciously enough, with William Contreras hitting a triple to first base (huh?), which was followed by Willy Adames‘ first of two two-run homers on the day. The Brewers built a 7-0 lead by the fourth inning, as starter Colin Rea was on cruise control for most of the game, finishing with a seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance. Adames and Contreras combined for seven hits and eight RBI, as part of a 16-hit effort for the Brew Crew.
In just 3 innings, Willy Adames crushes his second 2-run HR of the night! pic.twitter.com/xbcAEdnkgR
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2024
The Elly Experience
There is no chance for anyone to be MVP in a league where Shohei Ohtani resides, but Elly de la Cruz is at least making a case for a well-deserved #2. For the second straight game, the speedy shortstop finished with four hits, also adding two runs, two RBI, and his 58th stolen base of the season. The Reds made quick work of the Marlins in the process, and still hold hope for their slim playoff chances, but at least their fans can look to the historic milestones Elly can still reach, as a 30/80 season is not out of the question.
When you're hot, you're hot. 🔥
Elly De La Cruz is 3-for-3 tonight and now has SIX extra base hits in the last 2 nights. pic.twitter.com/gi8gkClIhN
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2024
Hitting at Altitude
Despite starting the game on a 4-0 hole before even taking an at-bat, the Nationals flipped the script quickly against the Giants, as a three-run homer by CJ Abrams in the second inning gave Washington a lead they would not relinquish. While the blast looked majestic from the get-go, closer examination provided a clearer image of what had transpired, as Abrams somehow barreled a ball that was nearly at eye level. Measured at 4.42 feet above the ground (or 1.34 meters, for those who follow the metric system), the homer reminded us of players like Vladimir Guerrero or Pablo Sandoval, who found ways to square up balls well out of the strike zone. The Nationals ended up walloping San Francisco with an 11-5 score, as James Wood homered twice.
This pitch that CJ Abrams took yard was the highest pitch (4.42 feet) to be hit for a home run this year. https://t.co/PYVPDc29wT
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 6, 2024
The Var-Show
With the Blue Jays clinging to a 5-1 lead against the Orioles, Gunnar Henderson appeared to hit what looked like a surefire extra-base knock…except Daulton Varsho was manning center field. In a display of athleticism that wouldn’t be out of place in the Olympics, Varsho leapt and caught the ball at a high point near the wall, crashing into it, and then finishing with an impressive split like it was nothing. As pitcher Chris Bassitt and the crowd cheered him on, it became clear that Toronto had the game in hand. The score would remain unmoved, as the Blue Jays can at least play spoiler for the rest of 2024.
Daulton Varsho gets UP to make the impressive catch 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UDbULMoPtZ
— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Veteran first baseman Wilmer Flores is out for the rest of the season, as it was announced by the Giants. Just a year removed from the best season of his career, Flores battled knee issues for most of 2024, leading to a disappointing season that will now end due to a Tenex procedure. While the surgery has a high success rate and should help heal the lingering knee tendinitis, there is no guarantee that Flores will be back in a San Francisco uniform, as the team holds an option to buy him out in 2025. He will certainly be transferred to the 60-day IL when the team needs a roster spot.
⚾ Grayson Rodriguez became a late scratch from today’s game against the Blue Jays, as he experienced right lat discomfort. The Orioles later announced that he was sent back to Baltimore for imaging and tests, as the severity of the injury is still unknown. His spot in the rotation was taken by Albert Suarez, as the O’s may need to reshuffle their staff for the foreseeable future.
⚾ Just eight pitches into his long-awaited season debut, Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol had to be helped off the field with an apparent right leg injury. Graterol had retired Bryce Harper and allowed a single in what looked like a normal outing, but he made an awkward pitch to JT Realmuto that immediately had the athletic training staff at the mound. The extent of the injury is still unknown, but it comes as a blow for a Dodgers team that had been all of 2024 without one of its best bullpen arms.
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