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Today’s Headlines
Cedric Mullins Saves the Day… and Then Wins It
Cedric Mullins only has 1.6 fWAR on the season, but he should get another entire win above replacement for his Sunday afternoon heroics. The Orioles were up 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Mariners’ first basemen Ty France hit what should have been a game-tying flyball out to center field:
YOU CAN'T ESCAPE HIM pic.twitter.com/HozLkRaPmK
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 13, 2023
Mullins didn’t keep Dominic Canzone’s home run in the park, so the game still ended up in extra innings. In the tenth, Mullins ensured the O’s were going home happy when he mashed a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 5-3 lead:
Are you entertained? pic.twitter.com/BwnzVby37t
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 13, 2023
The Orioles held on for the win and are now three games ahead of the Rays in the AL East.
Two Wild Walk-offs
The Yankees went into the bottom of the ninth up 7-2 over the Marlins and the Athletics went into the bottom of the ninth up 7-1 over the Nationals. Both teams walked off the field stunned by an improbable comeback. In the Yankees vs. Marlins game, Yankees’ closer Clay Holmes gave up 4 earned runs (5 total) in the ninth and was taken out after Luis Arraez tripled to tie the game. Two batters later, Jake Burger singled off Tommy Kahnle to win the game 8-7. Meanwhile, in D.C., the Nationals clawed their way back into the game through three walks, four singles, and a fielding error to get the win over the A’s. Jeter Downs‘ walk-off single was his first hit with the team and the celebrations were raucous. After a walk-off in yesterday’s game as well, the Nationals have 3 walk-offs in their last four home games.
this is the 1st time since July 9, 2010 that 2 teams won when trailing by 4+ runs in the 9th on the same day
that day:
BAL trailed 6-2 in 9th, won 7-6 in extras
PHI trailed 7-1 in 9th, won 9-7 in extras https://t.co/mKpPeqtErd— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 13, 2023
Best Moment From Yesterday
The Home Run Race Continues
Matt Olson maintained his two-homer lead over Shohei Ohtani on Sunday after he hit a 455-foot blast in the 8th inning against the Mets. Olson has been on a tear the last two weeks as he’s hit 9 home runs and has a 1.475 OPS. Olson is in his own world: the next closest player in home runs is Cal Raleigh (6) and the next closest player in OPS is Ryan Mountcastle (1.265).
Matt Olson extends his MLB HR lead with No. 43!
(MLB x @Casamigos) pic.twitter.com/6alHHfSxqJ
— MLB (@MLB) August 14, 2023
Ohtani also homered today in the Angels’ 2-1 win over the Astros. He also left no doubt about his home run either: his 448-foot bomb was 110mph off the bat.
#️⃣4️⃣1️⃣ for Shohei Ohtani! #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/RHxuV4GW7p
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 13, 2023
Not only do Olson and Ohtani lead the home run race, but they lead baseball in no-doubt homers. Baseball Savant defines no-doubt homers as homers that are gone in all 30 ballparks. Ohtani has 19 no-doubters and Olson has 18. These two are must-watch TV at the moment (as if Ohtani ever wasn’t a must-watch).
Injuries & Transactions
Arizona Diamondbacks designated catcher Carson Kelly for assignment.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Marco Gonzales to undergo season-ending forearm surgery.
Los Angeles Dodgers placed pitcher Joe Kelly on the 15-day IL.
Articles You Should Read
What a Difference Ten Days Can Make as Postseason Odds Shift and Swing — Chris Gilligan
Sinkerballing Logan Webb has Evolved — John Foley
Fantasy Baseball
Sit/Start Week 18: Reviewing All Starting Pitcher Matchups From 8/14 – 8/20 — Lucas Zenobi