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Today’s Headlines
Bronx Eruption
After earning a rare win on Saturday, it appears that the Rockies only made the Yankees angry for revenge, as they came back on a mission to destroy baseballs on Sunday. Despite an early Colorado lead, the Yanks responded immediately via an Aaron Judge two-run homer, which was followed by a two-run second frame that gave New York all the comfort it needed. From that point on, starter Austin Gomber and a parade of relievers could not contain the Bronx Bombers’ power, as four more homers were added to the ledger. Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres went deep, with Judge, Juan Soto, and Stanton going back-to-back-to-back. Now with 51 on the season, the Captain has regained his stranglehold on the MVP race, while the Yankees appear on track to be AL’s biggest favorite.
Soto. Judge. Stanton.
The @Yankees go back-to-back-to-back for the first time since 2020! pic.twitter.com/wLELUxWJhp
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Triple-Digit Misery
In something that looked like a fait accompli since late April, the White Sox became the first team to reach 100 losses in 2024, taking another ugly L via a 9-4 laugher against the Tigers. Even as Detroit went with a bullpen game and trailed 2-0 after one inning, Chicago’s starter Jonathan Cannon allowed 12 baserunners and five runs in only four innings of work, while the bullpen did its usual part by allowing another four runs to complete the rout. With the loss, the White Sox became the second-fastest team since 1900 to reach 100 losses, and now are on pace to finish the season with 124, which would set a new modern record for futility. At this point, there is no denying that we are witnessing history day after day with this team.
The @Tigers earn a series win in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/rcc6msZYPr
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Action Jackson
Jose Quintana delivered one of the most bizarre, yet effective, pitching lines of the season, as he held the Padres scoreless for 6.1 innings despite having no strikeouts. With the Mets holding a slim 2-0 lead following solo homers from J.D. Martinez and Mark Vientos, Quintana’s effort would be squandered when reliever José Buttó allowed a game-tying two-run homer from Jurickson Profar, who added to his legend in late situations. However, the real king of heroics for San Diego has been rookie Jackson Merrill, who also added to his ledger of highlights in the ninth. Facing star closer Edwin Diaz, Merrill took advantage of a 2-0 count by hitting a no-doubt walk-off blast to send everyone home happy in San Diego. This was his sixth game-tying or go-ahead homerun in the eighth inning or later in 2024, which is by far the highest total of this season.
Jackson Merrill hits his second #walkoff home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/qCU0g0rIzR
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Mookie Magic
When the Dodgers stumbled a bit during July and early August, it became clear that the absence of Mookie Betts proved to be bigger than expected. Now that he is back, they suddenly look as dangerous as ever, as evidenced by today’s close contest against the feisty Rays. As starters Jacob Lopez and Gavin Stone held court with one run allowed apiece, the game reached the eighth inning with a tense 1-1 tie. Following a scary Shohei Ohtani hit by pitch to open the frame, Betts jumped on a Richard Lovelady breaking ball to hit his 13th homer of the season, and the biggest by win probability added. The two-run lead was enough for LA to secure a series win, as Anthony Banda was the closer du jour for the Dodgers, who have had 12 different hurlers earn at least one save. While the Soto-Judge duo has earned most of this season’s headlines, the Betts-Ohtani combo may be just as special.
Mookie gives the @Dodgers the lead in the 8th! pic.twitter.com/SMFgUNrsX3
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Tip Your Cap
In a matchup of playoff contenders highlighting a nationally-televised game, the Astros outlasted the Orioles by a 6-3 final score, as Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz hit clutch back-to-back homers to take a late lead. However, the highlight of the game came when a national audience was able to witness Cionel Pérez’s prowess firsthand. Before Houston’s big homers, Baltimore had one of its own, as Ramón Urías hit a game-tying three-run blast in the fifth. The homer in itself was impressive, but was made even more so as Perez found a way to catch the ball in the home bullpen again. According to unofficial stats, it has been the sixth instance in 2024 for the reliever catching an Orioles homer with his hat. If the pitching thing does not work out for him, maybe there’s a future in the outfield.
This has been another episode of "Hat Tricks with Cionel Pérez." pic.twitter.com/iNHqr5mh1R
— MLB (@MLB) August 26, 2024
This is 40
Down to their final out but with two runners in scoring position, the Cardinals had a chance to climb back to .500, albeit against fiery closer Jhoan Duran. Lars Nootbaar wasted no time and swung at Duran’s first pitch, hitting a sharp grounder that reached the outfield and allowed both runners to score. With the lead on hand, the Cards turned to their All-Star closer, and while Ryan Helsley made it interesting by allowing a lead-off single, he retired the next three Twins in order, giving him save #40 on the season. Helsley became the first closer to reach this milestone in 2024 and is almost a lock to lead the NL at year’s end (Washington’s Kyle Finnegan is second with 32).
Ryan Helsley of the @Cardinals is the first to 40 saves this season! 👏 pic.twitter.com/7CXsIuunwj
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
OMG
Latin music star and occasional baseball player Jose Iglesias has been one of the season’s most unexpected luminaries, as his musical success has coincided with his and his team’s renaissance on the field. Even in a tough loss, he found a way to leave his mark on today’s game with a spectacular play at second base that helped the Mets cling to a fleeting 1-0 lead at that moment. With a runner on first who broke for second on the pitch, Iglesias had to adjust his trajectory as the ball was hit towards the middle, then needing to contort his body just to touch the bag and force the out. In an amazing display of athleticism, he even tried to get the double play, which was a nice touch to finish the play. OMG, indeed.
Jose Iglesias with a monumental effort to get the out at second base! pic.twitter.com/08ZgrOuhlc
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
Walk-off Bunt!
In a memorable final game in the Little League World Series, Chinese Taipei appeared set to take home the title, clinging to a 1-0 lead for most of the contest. However, the relentless kids from Florida found a way to tie the game in the final frame (remember that all LLWS last six innings), and after a scoreless seventh, Florida had a runner on second to lead off the eighth. Hunter Alexander then hit what looked like a straight sacrifice bunt to advance the runner, but the pitcher and first baseman went for the ball, leaving no one to cover first. As the ball sailed away, the ghost runner never stopped and scored the championship run, giving Lake Mary, Florida a moment they will never forget.
The bunt that was heard around the world 🌎
Here's the historic play that won Florida their first-ever #LLWS title 😱 pic.twitter.com/Ba0HjhRFQC
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 25, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray left today’s start after only four innings with what was described as left hamstring tightness. Ray is expected to have an MRI to determine the extent of the injury, suggesting he could face at least a short IL stint. While his performances have been uneven, he still showed flashes of his former self, and any kind of absence could prove fatal for San Francisco and its dim playoff hopes. The team is likely to use bullpen games in Ray’s spot in the rotation.
⚾ Pittsburgh’s Joey Bart has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain, putting a stop to his breakout season for the Bucs. After arriving via trade early in the season, and finally getting consistent time as a starting catcher, Bart has shown what made him a top prospect, with an .844 OPS and passable defense. His place on the roster will be covered by other former blue-chip prospect, as Henry Davis has been recalled and will get another chance to establish himself in the majors.
⚾ The Marlins are promoting a 27-year-old outfielder, which by itself may not sound news-worthy, except this outfielder is none other than Mr. Marlin’s son, Griffin Conine. While he was not originally drafted by the Marlins, the young Conine has enjoyed a solid season in AAA and will try to emulate the exploits of his dad, who has many Miami records and is fondly remembered by the fanbase.
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