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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 8/26/23

With their ninth win in 10 games, the Mariners are tied atop AL West.

Steve Drumwright
MLB Morning News 8/26/2023

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

The American League West is suddenly the most competitive division in MLB. That is thanks to an eight-game losing streak that the first-place Texas Rangers have following a 12-2 thrashing by the Minnesota Twins. While Rangers fans are panicking, here is something to soothe their souls. Three times a team had a losing streak of six or more games and went on to win the World Series. Two of those teams were managed by Bruce Bochy, current skipper of the Rangers. Those teams were the 2010 and 2014 San Francisco Giants. The other was the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Mariners Tied For AL West Lead

While the Rangers have been struggling, the Seattle Mariners have been on a roll. Thanks to an eight-game winning streak that was snapped Thursday, the M’s have made the AL West a three-team race with the Rangers and Houston Astros. They moved up one more rung Friday, tying Texas for first place with a 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Mariners and Rangers have identical 72-56 records, while the Astros are a game back at 72-58. J.P. Crawford led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run as part of a three-hit night and Eugenio Suárez also had three hits to drive in three runs to put the Mariners in first place this late in the season since 2003. Cal Raleigh made it three players with three hits for the Mariners, who were 10 games out of first place on July 19th.

Angels Didn’t Test Ohtani Previously

Believe it or not, the Los Angeles Angels went against the norm. When star two-way Shohei Ohtani had a cramping issue and arm fatigue, the Angels did not conduct any medical tests, according to general manager Perry Minasian. There is no telling if something would have popped up during any testing, but it is possible. Could be that Ohtani didn’t want any tests done. The Angels seem to be overly deferring to the impending free agent, who was in the lineup Friday against the New York Mets as he awaits a second opinion and whether he needs a second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani’s bat still works, though. Exit velocity: 115.4 mph.

Framber Flirts With No-No

When Framber Valdez is on, he is one of the best pitchers in MLB. The Astros left-hander, who threw a no-hitter this month, tossed seven no-hit innings against the Detroit Tigers before being removed after 114 pitches and a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn’t finish off the bid for more history as the Tigers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth, including rookie Parker Meadows‘ three-run walk-off blast, his first career homer and first career RBIs, for a 4-1 victory. Valdez still made a mark for himself with his latest no-hit bid.

Fans Injured During Shooting At White Sox Game

Two women were injured during a shooting that took place in the stands during the Oakland A’s-Chicago White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, according to reports. Chicago police confirmed there was an incident and said one of the victims was transported to a hospital and was in fair condition after being shot in the leg. The other woman was grazed in the abdomen. According to the Chicago Tribune, the shooting took place in the third inning or before in a section in left-center field. The game was not disrupted, but fans seated in rows around at least one victim were cleared from the area. A postgame concert with Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc and Rob Base was cancelled due to “technical issues.” The A’s won the game 12-4.

Padres’ Suarez Suspended 10 Games

As expected, San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez was slapped with an automatic 10-game suspension for sticky stuff. Suarez is appealing the suspension, saying he only used sunscreen during the day game Wednesday in San Diego. First base umpire Todd Tichnor found the substance on Suarez’s left wrist. Suarez joins Max Scherzer, Domingo Germán, and Drew Smith as pitchers suspended for sticky stuff this season.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Betts Back In Boston

After almost four seasons away following a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mookie Betts returned to Fenway Park to a standing ovation from Boston Red Sox fans.

That Pie Is For You

There are interesting ways to announce your official retirement from baseball, then there is what outfielder Adam Jones did in stating that he will officially end his career as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Jones last played in MLB in 2019, then went to Japan for two seasons.

Sabathia Back In Brew Town

The legend of CC Sabathia was made in the summer of 2008 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent a little more than half a season following a trade from Cleveland in his walk year. He single-handedly pitched the Brewers to their first postseason appearance since 1982. Sabathia and Ben Sheets will be inducted to the Brewers’ Walk of Fame on Saturday. Before that, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Two-Martini Night

Nick Martini is a 33-year-old journeyman who didn’t play in the MLB in 2022. He was hitless in his first three games for the Cincinnati Reds when he came to the plate in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That is when he hit his first MLB home run since a six-game stint with the A’s in 2019. As if that 371-foot solo shot over the right-field fence wasn’t enough, it was time for a second Martini shot in his next plate appearance, a 367-foot liner to right that was good for three runs. The Reds lost 10-8.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista left one strike away from his 34th save with right arm discomfort.

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has reportedly agreed to a contract extention.

Right-hander Joe Ryan (strained left groin) will be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Saturday’s game against the Rangers.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (strained left hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Utilityman Josh Harrison opted out of his minor-league contract with the Rangers and is expected to become a free agent.

The Brewers signed left-hander Fernando Abad to a minor-league contract.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Mays, Posey, Sinatra and more: A lifetime of clubhouse stories — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle

Are robot umps ready for MLB debut? Not so fast — Jayson Stark, The Athletic

‘Swingable art’: The company behind MLB’s coolest bats — Matt Monagan, MLB.com

Inside Wasserman’s $33 million first-round war room — Carlos Collazo, Baseball America

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

Steve Drumwright

Steve Drumwright is a lifelong baseball fan who retired as a player before he had the chance to be cut from the freshman team in high school. He recovered to become a sportswriter and have a successful journalism career at newspapers in Wisconsin and California. Follow him on Bluesky and Threads @DrummerWrites.

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