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
Dream Citi Field Debut Hit
It’s been an interesting journey for former 2015 MLB Draft first round pick, Nick Plummer. After a troublesome few years with injuries and slow development, the outfielder opted for free agency after being let go by the Cardinals last year. Plummer signed a one-year deal with the Mets and Buck Showalter loved what he offered in Spring Training. After an injury to Travis Jankowski last week, Plummer was called up from Triple-A Syracuse. His first big league hit was a memorable one at a crucial time for his team.
The first MLB hit for Nick Plummer is a home run in the Bottom of the 9th to tie the game for the Mets.
🎥 @Mets pic.twitter.com/LGJDWP4x4Q
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) May 30, 2022
It added to the magic of a Mets win on Memorial Day weekend as they beat the Phillies in extra innings on Sunday Night Baseball. It seems like they are finding heroes from everywhere, a good sign for the ambitions of this World Series-chasing team. Stats like this only add to the spectacle.
Nick Plummer is the 14th Met in history to have his first career hit be a home run. The last? Current Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, exactly 10 years ago today.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 30, 2022
Eduardo Escobar finished the night in Queens as the Mets won 5-4 to add to the Phillies misery and the Mets elation.
Amazin'.@escobardelapica walks it off to complete the sweep! pic.twitter.com/3VkmhWh5Uf
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2022
Giddy Up, It’s Sho-time!
In a wild ride during the Angels’ 11-10 loss to the Blue Jays, Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani hammered a solo home run in the first and crushed a two-run homer in the third inning. Celebrations were on point.
giddy up 🤠 pic.twitter.com/45cKkl3Ld6
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 29, 2022
Ohtani’s first homer of the night came off José Berríos – this powerful blast to right field would have been a home run in 29/30 MLB ballparks, all except Oracle Park.
Ohtani Home Run – Another Look 🤠✅
108.8 MPH 26° 413 Feet📏
Credit: Ballys#大谷翔平 #Ohtani #Angels #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/MWyrGN7shE— Anaheim Sports (@AnaheimSports1) May 29, 2022
The second long ball off Berríos was even more impressive, a 425-foot bomb to the bushes in straight centre field. It ended the Blue Jays ace’s night.
17 Again#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/Xm2DJsK8tM
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 29, 2022
Prospect Gore Dials Up A Gem
Shaking off a couple of problematic seasons, MacKenzie Gore took to the field at Petco Park with the weight of expectation lingering in the air. It hasn’t been all rosy and according to plan but one of the most hyped prospects in baseball put that all behind him and pitched a beauty. Gore went about carving up opposing hitters in a manner all Padres fans envisioned back when he was drafted third overall in 2017. Check this curveball…
https://gfycat.com/solidbigheartedgavial
Gore struck out nine batters through an impeccable six innings hinting at his future greatness.
Taking the next step.
Coming off six terrific innings last time out, No. 3 @Padres prospect MacKenzie Gore was even better on Sunday with nine strikeouts over seven shutout frames. pic.twitter.com/2GGYNvnLbb
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 29, 2022
What A Catch, Rook!
What a weekend for Atlanta youngster Michael Harris II! After knocking his first hit in his debut, the outfielder flashed his elite defense with this sensational catch much to the joy of Max Fried.
Ridiculous @MoneyyyMikeee catch 🚨
Get used to this. pic.twitter.com/wRW7sakGKh
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 29, 2022
Thoughts, Max?
Max Fried's initial reaction to that Michael Harris II catch 😆 pic.twitter.com/hqJRAzA5JC
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 29, 2022
Best Moments From Yesterday
Organist’s Sound Grab
A lifetime dream for Cardinals organist Jared Haukap came true after he snagged a foul ball in the most unlikeliest of circumstances at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Paul Goldschmidt fouled off a ball from Brewers starter Corbin Burnes and it looped directly into the Scoreboard Control Room where Haukap was situated. The quick-thinking organist did the rest.
Get an organist that can do both! pic.twitter.com/7u0aUqT0Q9
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 29, 2022
The moment might not make Cooperstown, but a cool moment nonetheless.
I’ve been waiting for this moment for 13 seasons!! FINALLY, for the first time ever at Busch Stadium III, we got a foul ball straight into the open window of the Scoreboard Control Room! Caught on the fly by our organist, Dwayne! pic.twitter.com/b6EKS23Wm8
— Jared Haukap (@jhaukap) May 29, 2022
Kiss By Pitch
This is a lovely moment between Miami Marlins prospect Nick Fortes, who was playing in his first game of the season, and Atlanta superstar Ozzie Albies. Albies kissed the spot on Fortes’ helmet where an errant pitch from Atlanta reliever Jackson Stephens ricocheted off during an at-bat, which resulted in Fortes taking first base as a hit-by-pitch.
🚨Wholesome content alert🚨 pic.twitter.com/Qa2fm5vW31
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) May 29, 2022
There’s room for romance in baseball, always. Just watch all the Kevin Costner movies. Still, it was nice to see a hairy moment treated with love by all involved.
Nick Fortes plunked on the helmet, but he's alright pic.twitter.com/4cOAnduvUk
— Fish On First Spaces (@MarlinsSpaces) May 29, 2022
Tweet Of The Day
Everyone loves Super Mario Brothers-related content.
they're discussing strategies for saving princess peach pic.twitter.com/FZqiXISe1N
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) May 29, 2022
Injuries
Things on the injury front went from bad to worse for the Chicago White Sox with star shortstop Tim Anderson leaving the field with a strained groin. He’ll undergo an MRI to understand the full extent of the damage. Eloy Jiménez was also pulled from his first rehab start on Saturday.
Twins phenom Royce Lewis was removed from yesterday’s game with a knee injury after slamming into the center field wall in Minnesota’s 7-3 win over the Royals. He is likely to hit the IL after injuring the same knee Lewis needed surgery on in February last year after he tore his ACL in Spring Training.
It wasn’t the only bad news for the Twins, with starter Sonny Gray also exiting with right pectoral tightness. More is likely to be revealed when the results of his MRI come back today.
Articles You Should Read
MLB season’s first 40 games: 10 things we learned and 5 execs’ takeaways – Jayson Stark, The Athletic
What’s Going On With Shane Bieber? – Luke Hooper, Fangraphs
Shea Langeliers Could Be Changing Oakland A’s Plans – David Hill, White Cleat Beat
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)