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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 8/12/2024

The Mariners make the most of their return to prime time.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 8/12/2024

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

 

Step Right Up and Beat the Mets

 

In a game almost twenty years in the making, the Seattle Mariners hosted Sunday Night Baseball for the first time since 2004, creating a special buzz around the ballpark that ultimately was felt on the field. Following a couple of shutouts over the first two games of the series, Seattle finally surrendered a run to the Mets, but it was nearly inconsequential after the offense exploded for 12 runs and completed the sweep. This is the kind of game the front office probably envisioned around the trade deadline, as starter Luis Castillo dominated with nine strikeouts and the lone run allowed over six innings, while the M’s combined for 12 hits and seven walks, negating the fact that they also struck out 15 times. Cal Raleigh hit two homers and drove in five, as Seattle remains in a virtual tie with the Astros for the top spot in the AL West.

 

 

Yankee Barrage

The Yankees have appeared to come out of their mid-season funk, and today gave us another of their patented power displays. Aaron Judge was on base four times and hit career homer #299, Juan Soto added a couple of solo blasts, and Giancarlo Stanton hit one of the most dazzling homers of the season, connecting on a true line-drive dinger that left his bat at nearly 115 miles per hour. The big three combined for five runs and seven RBI, while Marcus Stroman did just enough to earn the win, with a single run allowed over five innings. New York’s bullpen almost allowed Texas to come all the way back from an 8-3 deficit, but closer Clay Holmes buckled down with the tying run on base, finishing the game for his 25th save. With the victory, the Yankees joined Baltimore as the only 70-win teams so far across baseball.

 

Break Up the Snakes!

 

It is kind of shocking to look at this season’s leaderboards and see that Arizona is the highest-scoring team in MLB, but today they showed us yet again how they do it. Arizona posted its 12th double-digit scoring game of 2024 en route to a dominant 12-5 win over the Phillies, using their blend of speed and power to perfection. The Snakes amassed 18 hits, with six of them going for extra bases, along with three steals, as every starter had at least one knock. Arizona scored in five of its eight offensive innings, putting constant pressure on Philadelphia’s pitching, especially as starter Christopher Sanchez left with an ugly line of 12 hits, two walks, and seven runs allowed over 4.2 innings. The Dbacks continue their inspired streak, which has taken them to the top of the NL wild card standings.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Rocky Mountain Comeback 

 

Atlanta is mired in a post All-Star break slump that has seen them fall back to the final wild card spot in the NL, with today’s loss seeing them post an 8-14 record since July 20. However, today’s loss will probably sting more than usual, as Atlanta somehow blew an 8-2 lead going into the eighth inning. Following a strong start from Spencer Schwellenbach (two runs over six innings) and homers from Travis d’Arnaud, Austin Riley, and a pair from Jorge Soler, it appeared as if Atlanta would leave Coors Field with a series win. Instead, relievers Luke Jackson and Joe Jiménez suffered from a classic Coors horror inning, combining for eight hits and seven runs allowed. Six of these hits came in a row after Jackson had recorded the second out, making it even more painful as Brendan Rodgers hit a two-run double that gave Colorado the lead.

 

 

Astros Slay the Monster

 

The Astros continue their surge in the standings, as they completed the sweep of the Red Sox in Fenway with an emphatic 10-2 win. Houston took advantage of James Paxton’s early exit as Boston was forced into a bullpen game and could not keep up with all the sluggers in the Astros lineup. Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez hit back-to-back majestic homers in the fifth to seize control of the game, while Jeremy Peña added a shot over the Green Monster to give Houston a 10-0 lead. Hunter Brown was far from perfect but held on with a two-run outing against nine strikeouts, while the massive run support was enough to give him win #10. This sweep was also a reminder that the Red Sox may be significantly behind in the AL pecking order.

 

 

Front Row Central

 

With tight races in the AL East and AL West, the Central has flown mostly under the radar, even as the division is at its strongest point in almost a decade. To wit, the Guardians had fallen into a funk entering this pivotal series against the Twins, but managed to escape with a series split and their 3.5-game advantage intact, while the Royals remain only four games behind. With a strong pitching performance from Tanner Bibee (5.2 innings with one run allowed) and clutch solo homers by José Ramírez and David Fry, Cleveland did just enough to overcome Byron Buxton’s two-homer game. Closer Emmanuel Clase flirted with danger after loading the bases with no outs in the ninth, but escaped with a strikeout and a double play to earn his league-leading 35th save of 2024.

 

 

King Burger

 

Riding a five-game winning streak and with Dylan Cease on the mound, the Padres appeared to have everything set for a series sweep against the Marlins. As woeful as Miami has been recently, they at least have a bright spot in the form of Jake Burger, who hit his 12th homer after the All-Star break after hitting only ten during the first half. While Cease was far from his dominant self, his defense did him no favors, with only two of his five runs allowed being earned. Even as the Marlins opened a 5-0 lead in the early game, the Padres came close to mounting another comeback, but fell just short with a 7-6 final. After toiling with the White Sox and Marlins through his young MLB career, here’s hoping that Burger finds a better home soon.

 

 

Time Flies but Cutch Remains Awesome

 

Almost ten years ago, two young Pirates fans were left with a lifelong memory, as franchise icon Andrew McCutchen acknowledged them during a game and gifted his batting gloves after the final out. That game was in San Diego, and even as Cutch’s career took him through several teams following his initial run with the Pirates, he is having a prodigal son tenure in this second stint. Today, those fans returned to see their idol, this time in Los Angeles, and Cutch delivered a show. Even as Pittsburgh took a 10-inning loss, the former MVP had a vintage performance, with a couple of two-run homers. As always, baseball is the best.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ Dodgers rookie pitcher River Ryan has been shut down for the rest of 2024, as the team confirmed he has a UCL strain. While the severity of the injury is still unknown, Ryan could require Tommy John surgery if other types of recovery are not deemed sufficient. He has been one of the best young hurlers in the majors, with a 1.33 ERA over his first four starts. Los Angeles will again need to do some shuffling in their rotation, even as Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are back. 

⚾ Starting pitcher James Paxton left today’s game after only five pitches, following an awkward landing that saw him in immediate pain after trying to cover first base. Paxton needed help to walk off the mound and needed crutches to move after the game, as he awaits an MRI to reveal the extent of this calf injury. The veteran had returned to Boston during the trade deadline, and could face a significant absence. 

⚾ Three high-profile players were activated after lengthy IL stints, with varying levels of success. Julio Rodríguez started at DH for the Mariners, but took a platinum sombrero with five strikeouts in as many trips to the plate. Arizona’s Merrill Kelly took the win, allowing only two runs over five innings against the Phillies, while Milwaukee’s DL Hall did not factor into the decision after an up-and-down return, striking out nine over 4.2 innings, albeit with five hits, three walks, and three earned runs. 

Articles You Should Read

 

Things Francisco Lindor Has Never Done — Davy Andrews, Fangraphs

The Inspiring Story of Dave Dravecky — Manny Randhawa, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

Week 20: The Stash List

Week 20 FAAB Insights

Week 20: Hitters to Start and Avoid

Pablo Figueroa

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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