Friday baseball, oh how I’ve longed for thee. The last time we watched meaningful baseball on a Friday? It was Game 3 of the World Series back on Oct. 23, 2020. Now, we will have Friday baseball for the next seven months. Amazing.
Yesterday featured some pretty interesting moments, from a no-hitter bid to a wild animal delay. In fact, those happened in the same game.
Don’t know what we’re talking about and feel like you missed out? No problem, we got you covered!
Cat on the Field? Now You’re Talking My Language!
Watching the Dodgers vs. Rockies game yesterday felt like watching an entire season’s worth of moments in just a couple of hours. It had everything. Where to start…
Oh yeah, Trevor Bauer made his first regular-season start in Dodger Blue. The top free agent of the 2020 class showed exactly why he commanded the big bucks with this nasty pitch for his first L.A. strikeout.
https://gfycat.com/breakablesanecob
After six no-hit innings of absolute dominance, Bauer earned the right to strut off the mound.
LET'S GO. pic.twitter.com/AD9XYbcy82
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 3, 2021
With a 10-0 lead and Bauer looking locked in, the Dodgers seemed all but assured a win.
Then the 7th happened.
First, Bauer let up a single to Trevor Story to lose the no-hitter. Then, a two-run bomb to Charlie Blackmon. Bauer walked one more batter before letting up another two-run homer, this time to Ryan McMahon. In just the short span of four hitters, the Rockies had cut the lead to 10 – 4.
After striking out Garrett Hampson, Bauer was pulled for David Price, who also made his Dodger debut and first appearance in well over a year after opting-out for the 2020 season. Price did not look sharp as he immediately let up back-to-back homers.
https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/1378185350368092162
Seven batters, six runs.
Price somehow found his cool after the rough start and ended the inning without any more trouble.
But the drama couldn’t stay away for long. Tell me if you notice anything interesting about this 1-1 pitch from Price the very next inning.
https://gfycat.com/illpeacefulboubou
Did you see it? No, it’s not just some ad agency using augmented reality for viral marketing. That is, in fact, a cat behind home plate.
And that cat made the journey of its lifetime as it wound up on the field and sprinted out to center to say hi to Cody Bellinger.
https://gfycat.com/falsespeedyhusky
I’m still waiting on the sprint speed data from Statcast.
Despite the cat looking so adorable, a baseball game was going on and a cat in center field can be quite the hindrance.
The cat, then realizing they stood out like a sore thumb, sprinted towards the wall in a valiant escape effort and Bellinger cheered them on.
https://gfycat.com/unlinedconcernedbonobo
I haven’t seen such a journey on a baseball field since the greatest escape that Minute Maid Park has ever seen.
Sorry, we got sidetracked by the cat. What happened with that baseball game thing going on? Oh yeah, the Dodgers won 11-6. Sadly, there were no more dingers…and no more cats.
Greinke Just Vibing
Zack Greinke just lives his life however he wants. He doesn’t care if the batter knows exactly what pitch is coming or if his catcher knows he’d much rather be throwing to someone else.
Yesterday, Greinke tried his best to channel Bernie Sanders’ energy by just straight up vibing out on the field.
Zack Greinke truly is one of a kind 👀
(via @NBCSAthletics)pic.twitter.com/5OOHYTUWCe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 3, 2021
After his dominant start yesterday, Greinke definitely earned the opportunity to just sit down, relax, and watch his team rout the Athletics again.
Jazz Looks… Well, Pretty Jazzy
Jazz Chisholm made quite the impression on Marlins fans after yesterday’s game. The top prospect earned a spot as the starting second baseman after a solid spring training, and just two games into the regular season he showcased his electric ability.
The Marlins had been silenced by Ryan Yarbrough and the Rays and were held scoreless through six. But with two outs in the 7th, Chisholm clobbered a liner into the right-center gap, and he was eyeing third base from the moment he left the batter’s box.
https://gfycat.com/shamefulevergreenboubou
That speed, I expected. That hair, I did not. Surprisingly, the blue hair and Marlins color scheme works quite well.
Manny Challenges Bryce’s Drip
Yesterday, Bryce Harper wrote another chapter in his storied love affair with the Phillie Phanatic with some stylish cleats. Today, Manny Machado tried to usurp the title of “best cleats in baseball” by paying homage to King Midas.
Manny's gold cleats 🔥#HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/VZfj53y2Xk
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) April 3, 2021
Valiant effort, Manny, but I still think Harper wins this battle. Now, if you show up tomorrow with some cleats that pay homage to the Swinging Friar or San Diego Chicken, then I’ll change my mind.
Trey’s Back!
552 days. That’s how long it’s been since Trey Mancini has played regular-season baseball. During that time, Mancini fought and defeated Stage 3 colon cancer. That battle is a remarkable story in and of itself, but the fact that Mancini is back in the batter’s box makes it even more special.
Yesterday’s game against the Red Sox felt “surreal” to Mancini, who said it “felt a lot like [his] major league debut.”
Everyone was thankful to see Mancini back on the field, and the cameras even caught Xander Bogaerts embracing Mancini at first base.
https://gfycat.com/blaringdeficientbeetle
Welcome Back, Trey!
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)