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Of all places, Nationals Park was the site of some pretty cool history over the last four days. A tryout camp for dozens of hopefuls seeking a spot in the fledgling Women’s Professional Baseball League came to a close with a pair of exhibition games. One of the folks soaking in the action was 98-year-old Maybelle Blair, who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the World War II era. Among the players looking to stand out was Mo’Ne Davis, the former Little League World Series star who is now 25. There will be a draft for the new league in October, with the first games set for May.
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Today’s Headlines
Mets Blast Phillies In Opener
It isn’t hard to figure out what the New York Mets must do if they want to win the NL East. Beat the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. Entering Monday’s series opener, they had seven opportunities to do that in an attempt to erase a seven-game deficit. They are off to a good start. The Mets broke out the bats to club the Phillies 13-3 in the opener. Mark Vientos drove in runs in back-to-back innings, including a go-ahead double in the fifth, as the Mets pulled within six games and, at least for a day, cooled off a Phillies team that had won seven of their last eight. Luis Torrens, the Mets’ No. 9 hitter, went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Jeff McNeil, the Mets’ No. 8 hitter, went 2-for-4 with three RBIs as New York had 14 hits and took advantage of six walks.
Raleigh Reaches 50 As Mariners Topple Padres
It is Cal Raleigh’s world and the rest of us are just here to enjoy the Big Dumper. A day after eclipsing the most home runs by a primary catcher in a season, Raleigh continued his power surge with his 50th homer in the Mariners’ 9-6 win over the San Diego Padres in the Vedder Cup (more on that down below). The loss, combined with the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 7-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, dropped the Padres one game behind the first place Dodgers in the NL West. The Mariners, meanwhile, pulled within 1½ games of the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West. Raleigh, who hit a solo shot in the first inning, became the 51st player in MLB history to hit 50 homers in a season and he is now four homers shy of Mickey Mantle’s mark for a switch-hitter set in 1961. Raleigh is also six shy of Ken Griffey Jr.’s single-season Mariners record. Raleigh’s three homers in two days also brings back the real possibility of Raleigh reaching 60 homers, a revered plateau achieved only nine times (by six players). But Raleigh needed help for the Mariners to pull this one out. The Padres held an early 4-1 lead before the Mariners tied it in the fourth. A five-run fifth inning broke it open, with the highlight being a two-run doubles by Jorge Polanco and J.P. Crawford.
Cardinals Chaos
All’s well that ends well, right? Well, not quite when it comes to the St. Louis Cardinals. The good? Alec Burleson capped a four-hit night with his first career walk-off homer, a solo shot to center field with two outs in the bottom of the ninth that gave the Cardinals a 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The bad? Cardinals designated hitter William Contreras was ejected in the seventh inning after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Derek Thomas. Contreras was walking back to the dugout when Thomas tossed the slugger. While being restrained by teammates, Contreras slammed his helmet to the ground, then as he was being escorted back to the dugout, he tossed his bat toward Thomas, but it his Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown in the head. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was also tossed.
Young Red Sox Power Win
It is the kids who are keeping the Boston Red Sox in the middle of the playoff chase. Rookie Roman Anthony hit his first career leadoff homer and Jarren Duran hit a go-ahead three-run shot in the fifth inning as the Red Sox slipped past the Baltimore Orioles 4-3. The win allowed the Red Sox to remain five games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and just a half-game of the third-place New York Yankees. Colton Cowser provided all the Orioles’ offense, with a solo homer in the second inning and a go-ahead two-run single in the third.
Washington Reveals Quadruple Bypass Surgery
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington returned to visit the team for the first time since going on medical leave June 27, which the team announced at the time would sideline the skipper for the remainder of the season. Washington, who joined his team as it played the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, told media members that he underwent quadruple bypass surgery June 30. Washington said he feels much better and has had to make changes to what he eats. He has also stopped smoking. The Angels beat the Rangers 4-0 with their recovering manager watching.
By The Numbers
⚾ Andy Pages hit two home runs in the Dodgers’ 7-0 win over the Reds. It was Pages’ second two-homer game of his career, with the other coming June 17.
⚾ Miami Marlins right-handed starter Edward Cabrera struck out 10 and allowed just one hit over seven innings in a 2-1 win over Atlanta. It was the second time in four starts — both against Atlanta — that Cabrera reached double digits in strikeouts. Cabrera had a season-high 11 on August 8 in a 5-1 win. It was his third game this season of 10 or more Ks.
⚾ Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero hit a pair of home runs in a 9-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians. The pair of homers gave Caminero, who turned 22 last month, 39 homers this season. He has gone deep in three straight games. The 39 homers are tied for the second-most in a season by a Rays player, behind only Carlos Pena’s 46 in 2007.
⚾ The New York Yankees beat the Washington Nationals 10-5 to improve to 37-26 vs. teams with a losing record. The Yankees are 34-34 against teams .500 or better.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Now That’s A Trophy
The Vedder Cup came into existence this year, although the Mariners-Padres series had unofficially been known by the moniker. Now, thanks to its namesake Eddie Vedder, the rivalry series has a trophy. And as it should be, it is a guitar — a 1963 Fender Telecaster. The Mariners clinched the inaugural Vedder Cup with their win on Monday.
Bigger Than Shohei?
You might wonder if there is a bigger international star than the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani. You have to bounce over to the world of K-pop and BTS. Singer-songwriter V threw out the ceremonial first pitch, but not before taking a few moments to share the stage, er, dugout, with Ohtani. V had a little heat as he threw a strike. Could he be added to the Dodgers’ pitching staff in the offseason? Oh, yeah. He also broke out Vin Scully’s classic line.
Greene With Defense
Reds ace Hunter Greene grew up in the shadows of Dodger Stadium, so when he pitches there, he wants to put on a good show. But defensively? That was the surprise with this gem.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Netflix will broadcast next spring’s World Baseball Classic to a Japanese streaming audience. Netflix has been the reported leader to take over carrying the Home Run Derby from ESPN, which opted out of its MLB deal.
⚾ Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish will be activated from the 60-day injured list and start today’s game vs. the Boston Red Sox. Bradish hasn’t pitched since June 2024 after having Tommy John surgery.
⚾ Dodgers infielder-outfielder Kike Hernandez was activated off the 10-day IL, and infielder Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment. Hernandez has been out since July 7 with left elbow inflammation.
⚾ Mets right-handed reliever Reed Garrett went on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation.
⚾ Athletics rookie left-handed starter Jacob Lopez is heading for the 15-day IL with left forearm tightness. Also, A’s infielder Luis Urías was designated for assignment as second baseman Zack Gelof was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Red Sox right-handed reliever Richard Fitts left the game with right biceps tightness.
Articles You Should Read
He’s big, he’s slow — and now he is making stolen base history — Chad Jennings, The Athletic
From Iowa Meat Truck to Lil Slayyy, here are the best nicknames in the minors — Ben Weinrib, MLB.com
A’s system takes on a new look with the addition of de Vries — Jessica Kleinschmidt, Baseball America
Another realignment idea: Group teams by market size — Noah Trister, Associated Press
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